ACCUMULATOR FOR COMPRESSOR AND COMPRESSOR WITH ACCUMULATOR

Abstract

 An accumulator for a compressor and a compressor having an accumulator are disclosed. The accumulator may include a case configured to be disposed at an outside of a shell of a compressor and defining a refrigerant accommodating space, a refrigerant connection pipe having a first end that communicates with an outlet side of an evaporator and a second end that communicates with the refrigerant accommodating space of the case, and a refrigerant suction pipe having a first end that communicates with the refrigerant accommodating space of the case and a second end that communicates with a suction side of the compressor. The refrigerant suction pipe may be fixed to a lower surface and an upper surface of the case defining the refrigerant accommodating space. Therefore, the refrigerant suction pipe may be fixed to the case of the accumulator without a separate pipe holder, thereby attenuating vibration of the accumulator and reducing manufacturing costs.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field

[0001] An accumulator for a compressor and a compressor in which the accumulator is disposed outside a shell are disclosed herein.

2. Background

[0002] In general, compressors may be classified into low-pressure compressor and high-pressure compressors according to a connection relationship between a refrigerant suction pipe and a compression unit. The low-pressure compressor is configured such that the refrigerant suction pipe communicates with an inner space of a shell to be indirectly connected to the compression unit, whereas the high-pressure compressor is configured such that the refrigerant suction pipe is directly connected to the compression unit through the shell.

[0003] In the low-pressure compressor, as refrigerant passing through the refrigerant suction pipe flows through the inner space of the shell, the refrigerant may be divided into liquid refrigerant and gas refrigerant. Accordingly, the low-pressure compressor may not include a separate accumulator at an upstream side of the compression unit.

[0004] In the high-pressure compressor, as refrigerant passing through the refrigerant suction pipe is directly supplied to the compression unit, liquid refrigerant may be introduced into the compression unit together with gas refrigerant. Accordingly, in the high-pressure compressor, a separate accumulator may be disposed at an upstream side of the compression unit to prevent the liquid refrigerant from flowing into the compression unit.

[0005] Typically, an accumulator is eccentrically disposed at one side of the compressor. A refrigerant connection pipe is disposed at an upper end of the accumulator as an inlet so as to be connected to an outlet of an evaporator through a refrigerant pipe, and a refrigerant passage pipe is disposed at a lower end of the accumulator as an outlet so as to be fixed to a compressor through a refrigerant suction pipe. A middle portion of the accumulator is fixed to the compressor by a fixing bracket that surrounds the accumulator.

[0006] The accumulator may be disposed such that the refrigerant connection pipe and the refrigerant passage pipe are located on a same axial line. However, when the refrigerant connection pipe and the refrigerant passage pipe are located on the same axial line, gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant passing through the refrigerant connection pipe may be introduced into the refrigerant passage pipe without being sufficiently separated.

[0007] Japanese Patent Publication No. S61-197968 (hereinafter, "Patent Document 1") discloses an example in which a refrigerant connection pipe and a refrigerant passage pipe are located on the same axial line but a blocking plate is interposed between the refrigerant connection pipe and the refrigerant passage pipe. This can block liquid refrigerant from flowing directly into the refrigerant passage pipe. However, it may be difficult to expect a long-term effect because the blocking plate is damaged by vibration of a compressor.

[0008] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-119817 (hereinafter, "Patent Document 2") discloses an example in which an inlet of a refrigerant passage pipe is bent so as not to face a refrigerant connection pipe. In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses that the refrigerant passage pipe is welded to a body of an accumulator. This can prevent liquid refrigerant from directly flowing into the refrigerant passage pipe. Also, vibration of the refrigerant passage pipe can be canceled by fixing the refrigerant passage pipe to the body of the accumulator. However, in Patent Document 2, one side of an outer circumferential surface of the refrigerant passage pipe is welded to an inner circumferential surface of the accumulator, which may limit a welding area and thereby the refrigerant passage pipe may be detached from the accumulator. This may cause more vibration and noise.

[0009] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-169183 (hereinafter, "Patent Document 3") discloses an example in which a refrigerant passage pipe and a refrigerant connection pipe are disposed at a predetermined interval on the same axial line and a screen is disposed between the refrigerant passage pipe and the refrigerant connection pipe. Refrigerant passing through the refrigerant connection pipe can be separated into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant by the screen and the liquid refrigerant can be suppressed from being introduced into the refrigerant passage pipe.

[0010] Patent Document 3 also discloses an example in which the refrigerant passage pipe is fixed to a body of an accumulator by a separate pipe holder. In this case, the refrigerant passage pipe can be fixed by the pipe holder so as to suppress vibration and noise, but the addition of the separate pipe holder may cause an increase in manufacturing costs.

[0011] In Patent Documents 1 to 3, as the refrigerant connection pipe is located on an axial center line of the accumulator, the refrigerant connection pipe may be located far away from an axial center of the compressor and thereby vibration transferred from the compressor may increase. Eventually, vibration of the compressor including the accumulator may increase.

[0012] In addition, in Patent Documents 1 to 3, as the refrigerant passage pipe and the refrigerant connection pipe are disposed on the same axial line or the refrigerant passage pipe is disposed lower than the refrigerant connection pipe, the liquid refrigerant may be highly likely to flow into the compressor. For the reason, in the Patent Documents, a screen or a similar screen member for separating the liquid refrigerant from the refrigerant that has passed through the refrigerant connection pipe may be required. In addition, as the refrigerant flowing into a refrigerant accommodating space of the accumulator from the refrigerant connection pipe is rapidly suctioned from the refrigerant connection pipe into the adjacent refrigerant passage pipe, which may further increase noise of the compressor including the accumulator.

Summary

[0013] Embodiments disclosed herein a single rotary compressor having a single cylinder, but in some cases, embodiments disclosed herein may be equally applied to a twin rotary compressor having cylinders disposed in an axial direction of a rotational shaft, a hinge-vane rotary compressor, a vane rotary compressor, and a high-pressure compressor, such as a high-pressure scroll compressor, for example. This is the same as that of the previous embodiments, and thus, repetitive description thereof has been omitted.

[0014] Embodiments disclosed herein provide an accumulator for a compressor, capable of reducing vibration and noise of the accumulator connected to one side of a shell of the compressor, and a compressor having an accumulator. Embodiments disclosed herein also provide an accumulator for a compressor, capable of stably fixing a pipe inserted into a refrigerant accommodating space of the accumulator without use of a pipe holder, and a compressor having an accumulator.

[0015] Embodiments disclosed herein provide an accumulator for a compressor, capable of reducing noise of refrigerant flowing from an evaporator into a compressor through the accumulator, and a compressor having an accumulator. Embodiments disclosed herein further provide an accumulator for a compressor, capable of effectively separating liquid refrigerant from refrigerant passing through the accumulator, and a compressor having an accumulator. Embodiments disclosed herein furthermore provide an accumulator for a compressor, capable of delaying a flow rate of refrigerant flowing through the accumulator, and a compressor having an accumulator.

[0016] Embodiments disclosed herein also provide an accumulator for a compressor, capable of increasing a separation effect of liquid refrigerant by allowing refrigerant passing through the accumulator to flow spirally in a refrigerant accommodating space of the accumulator, and a compressor having an accumulator.

[0017] Embodiments disclosed herein provide an accumulator for a compressor that may include a case, a refrigerant connection pipe, and a refrigerant suction pipe. The case may be disposed outside of a shell of the compressor and define a refrigerant accommodating space. One or a first end of the refrigerant connection pipe may extend to outside of the refrigerant accommodating space and another or a second end may communicate with the refrigerant accommodating space. One or a first end of the refrigerant suction pipe may communicate with the refrigerant accommodating space of the case and another or a second end may communicate with a suction side of the compressor. The refrigerant suction pipe may be fixed to a lower surface and an upper surface of the case defining the refrigerant accommodating space. Therefore, the refrigerant suction pipe may be fixed to the case of the accumulator without a separate pipe holder, thereby reducing vibration of the accumulator and decreasing manufacturing costs.

[0018] A pipe fixing portion may be formed at the upper surface of the case so that the one end of the refrigerant suction pipe may be fixedly inserted therethrough. This may firmly fix an upper end of the refrigerant suction pipe.

[0019] The pipe fixing portion may be recessed in a direction away from the refrigerant accommodating space in a longitudinal direction of the case, such that the one end of the refrigerant suction pipe may be inserted therein. Accordingly, the refrigerant suction pipe may be easily welded to the case.

[0020] The pipe fixing portion may protrude toward the refrigerant accommodating space in a longitudinal direction of the case, such that the one end of the refrigerant suction pipe may be inserted therein. Accordingly, the pipe fixing portion may be formed long to stably fix the refrigerant suction pipe.

[0021] The pipe fixing portion may be implemented as a pipe hole formed through the case in a longitudinal direction of the case so that the refrigerant suction pipe may be fixedly inserted through the case. This may enhance a degree of freedom for manufacturing and assembling components forming the case.

[0022] The pipe fixing portion may be disposed on an axial center line of the case. This may minimize vibration transferred from the compressor through the refrigerant suction pipe.

[0023] The refrigerant suction pipe may overlap the refrigerant connection pipe in a longitudinal direction of the case. This may result in fixing both ends of the refrigerant suction pipe to both sides of the case in the longitudinal direction and simultaneously increasing a distance between an outlet of the refrigerant connection pipe and an inlet of the refrigerant suction pipe.

[0024] The refrigerant suction pipe may be disposed on an axial center line of the case and the refrigerant connection pipe may be eccentric with respect to an axial center of the case. Accordingly, the refrigerant suction pipe may be fixed to the case and the refrigerant connection pipe may communicate with the refrigerant accommodating space through the upper surface of the case.

[0025] The refrigerant connection pipe may be disposed to be more adjacent to an axial center of the compressor than the refrigerant suction pipe. This may result in reducing vibration at a coupled portion between the case and the refrigerant connection pipe.

[0026] The another end of the refrigerant connection pipe may be open toward the refrigerant accommodating space and the refrigerant suction pipe may include at least one refrigerant through-hole communicating with the refrigerant accommodating space. The refrigerant through-hole may be located to be higher than or equal to the another end of the refrigerant connection pipe in a longitudinal direction of the case. This may allow refrigerant to flow in the refrigerant accommodating space for a long time or by a long distance, thereby enhancing a separation effect of gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant.

[0027] The refrigerant through hole may be open in a direction intersecting with a direction that the refrigerant suction pipe faces the refrigerant connection pipe. With the configuration, a distance between the refrigerant suction pipe and the refrigerant connection pipe may be further increased, so as to secure long flow time and flow distance.

[0028] A screen member (screen) that filters foreign substances introduced into the refrigerant accommodating space may be coupled to the another end of the refrigerant connection pipe. Accordingly, introduction of oil or foreign substances into a compression chamber may be suppressed, thereby enhancing reliability of the compressor.

[0029] The screen member may be implemented as a mesh screen and disposed at or inserted into an end portion of the another end of the refrigerant connection pipe. The refrigerant connection pipe may include a screen support portion (support) that supports the screen member. This may allow refrigerant to rapidly flow toward a bottom surface of the refrigerant accommodating space through the refrigerant connection pipe.

[0030] The refrigerant connection pipe may include a first guide portion (guide) that extends along a longitudinal direction of the case in the refrigerant accommodating space, and a second guide portion (guide) bent from the first guide portion and extending in one direction or both directions. The screen member may be inserted into the first guide portion and supported at a position at which the second guide portion is bent from the first guide portion. Accordingly, as refrigerant is introduced toward an inner circumferential surface of the refrigerant accommodating space through the refrigerant connection pipe, liquid refrigerant and gas refrigerant may be more effectively separated by a cyclone effect. In addition, the screen member may be stably supported without additionally using a separate support member, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and enhancing reliability.

[0031] The case may include a body having a lower end covered and an upper end open, the refrigerant suction pipe coupled through the lower end, and an upper cap covering the upper end of the body, the refrigerant connection pipe inserted through the upper cap. The upper cap may include a pipe fixing portion into which the one end of the refrigerant suction pipe may be fixedly inserted, and a through-hole formed at one side of the pipe fixing portion such that the refrigerant connection pipe may be coupled therethrough. With the configuration, both ends of the refrigerant suction pipe may be stably fixed to the case even without a pipe holder.

[0032] The pipe fixing portion may be formed at a center of the upper cap and the through hole may be eccentric from the center of the upper cap toward an axial center of the compressor. The refrigerant connection pipe may thus be shifted close to the compressor, thereby reducing vibration through the refrigerant connection pipe.

[0033] The pipe fixing portion may be recessed from an inner surface of the upper cap defining the refrigerant accommodating space toward an outer surface of the upper cap. The one end of the refrigerant suction pipe may be fixedly inserted into the pipe fixing portion. Accordingly, the refrigerant suction pipe may be fixed to the case without a separate pipe holder, thereby reducing vibration of the accumulator.

[0034] The through-hole may be formed at a center of the upper cap and the pipe fixing portion may be eccentric with respect to the center of the upper cap in a direction toward or away from an axial center of the compressor. The refrigerant suction pipe may thus be adjacent to the compressor, thereby reducing vibration through the refrigerant suction pipe.

[0035] The refrigerant suction pipe may include a refrigerant passage pipe portion accommodated in the refrigerant accommodating space of the case, and a refrigerant suction pipe portion having one or a first end that communicates with the refrigerant passage pipe portion and another or a second end that communicates with the suction side of the compressor. The refrigerant passage pipe portion may have both longitudinal ends fixed to both longitudinal sides of the case, respectively. This may increase a degree of freedom for selecting a material for a connection member between the compressor and the accumulator while reducing noise through the refrigerant suction pipe.

[0036] The refrigerant suction pipe may be configured as a single pipe, such that one or a first end is fixed to the shell of the compressor and another or a second end is fixed to both longitudinal sides of the case. Accordingly, manufacturing costs may be reduced by reducing the number of components and at the same time, the refrigerant suction pipe may be easily and stably coupled.

[0037] Embodiments disclosed herein provide a compressor that may include a shell, a motor unit, a compression unit, and an accumulator. The shell may have a sealed inner space. The motor unit may be disposed in the inner space of the shell. The compression unit may be disposed in the inner space of the shell and driven by the motor unit to compress refrigerant and discharge the compressed refrigerant into the inner space of the shell. The accumulator may be disposed outside of the shell, supported by the shell, and connected to the compression unit through the shell. With this configuration, most of liquid refrigerant may be separated from refrigerant suctioned from an evaporator to the compressor, and gas refrigerant may be mainly suctioned into the compressor.

[0038] The accumulator may include a case, a refrigerant connection pipe, and a refrigerant suction pipe. The case may define a refrigerant accommodating space. One or a first end of the refrigerant connection pipe may extend to outside of the refrigerant accommodating space and another or a second end may communicate with the refrigerant accommodating space of the case. One or a first end of the refrigerant suction pipe may communicate with the refrigerant accommodating space of the case and another or a second end may communicate with a suction side of the compressor. With this configuration, refrigerant suctioned into the refrigerant accommodating space through the refrigerant connection pipe may be introduced into the refrigerant suction pipe after circulating the refrigerant accommodating space.

[0039] At least portion of the refrigerant connection pipe and at least portion of the refrigerant suction pipe may overlap each other in an axial direction and may be disposed parallel to each other. Thus, an outlet of the refrigerant connection pipe and an inlet of the refrigerant suction pipe may be disposed far away from each other.

[0040] The refrigerant suction pipe may be fixed to a lower surface and an upper surface of the case defining the refrigerant accommodating space. Therefore, the refrigerant suction pipe may be firmly fixed to the case of the accumulator without a separate pipe holder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a refrigeration cycle device to which a rotary compressor according to an embodiment is applied;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a rotary compressor including an accumulator according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary compressor of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the accumulator according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an assembled perspective view of the accumulator of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an inside of the accumulator of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line "VII-VII" of FIG. 6;

FIGs. 8A-8B are graphs showing a comparison result of vibration of the accumulator according to an embodiment with vibration of an accumulator according to the related art, where FIG. 8A illustrates change in vibration in a refrigerant connection pipe and FIG. 8B illustrates change in vibration in a refrigerant suction pipe;

FIGs. 9A-9B are graphs showing a comparison result of noise generated during cooling and heating operations in a compressor including the accumulator according to an embodiment and in the related art compressor, where FIG. 9A illustrates noise during a cooling operation and FIG. 9B illustrates noise during a heating operation;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a refrigerant connection pipe in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line "XI-XI" of FIG. 10, for explaining a refrigerant guide pipe portion according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line "XI-XI" of FIG. 10, for explaining a refrigerant guide pipe portion according to another embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an accumulator according to another embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an accumulator according to still another embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an accumulator according to still another embodiment; and

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of an accumulator according to still another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Description will now be given of an accumulator for a compressor and a compressor having an accumulator according to embodiments disclosed herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] For reference, an accumulator for a compressor according to embodiments may be applied not only to a vertical compressor in which a shell defining the exterior of the compressor is installed in a vertical direction but also to a horizontal compressor in which the shell is installed in a horizontal direction. In addition, the accumulator for the compressor according to embodiments may be applied not only to a rotary compressor in which a compression unit includes a rolling piston (or roller) and a vane but also to a scroll compressor in which the compression unit includes a plurality of scrolls engaged with each other. In addition to the rotary compressor and the scroll compressor, the accumulator according to embodiments may also be equally applied to any compressor employing an accumulator, such as a high-pressure compressor in which a refrigerant suction pipe is directly connected to a compression unit. Hereinafter, a typical rotary compressor in which a vane is inserted into a vane slot formed in a cylinder to be slidably in contact with an outer circumferential surface of a rolling piston (or roller) will be mainly described, among various types of rotary compressors.

[0044] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a refrigeration cycle device to which a rotary compressor according to an embodiment is applied. Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigeration cycle device to which a rotary compressor according to an embodiment is applied may be configured such that a compressor 10, a condenser 20, an expander 30, an evaporator 40, and an accumulator 50 define a closed loop. That is, the condenser 20, the expander 30, the evaporator 40, and the accumulator 50 may be sequentially connected to a discharge side of the compressor 10, and a discharge side of the evaporator 40 may be connected to a suction side of the compressor 10 with interposing the accumulator 50 therebetween. Accordingly, refrigerant compressed in the compressor 10 may be discharged toward the condenser 20 and then suctioned back into the compressor 10 sequentially via the expander 30, the evaporator 40, and the accumulator 50. This series of processes may be repeated.

[0045] However, as the accumulator 50 is typically disposed adjacent to the suction side of the compressor 10 and serves to separate liquid refrigerant from refrigerant suctioned into the compressor 10, the accumulator 50 may be understood as a part of the compressor rather than a part of the refrigeration cycle device.

[0046] Reference numeral 21 denotes a condenser fan. Reference numeral 41 denotes an evaporator fan.

[0047] FIG. 2 is a front view of a rotary compressor including an accumulator according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the accumulator of FIG. 2.

[0048] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a rotary compressor according to an embodiment may include a motor unit 120 disposed in an inner space 110a of a shell 110 and a compression unit 130 disposed below the motor unit 120 to suction refrigerant, compress the refrigerant, and discharge the refrigerant into the inner space 110a of the shell 100. The motor unit 120 and the compression unit 130 may be mechanically connected by a rotational shaft 125.

[0049] The inner space 110a of the shell 110 may be sealed. A refrigerant suction pipe portion 532, which defines a portion of a refrigerant suction pipe 53 discussed hereinafter and is connected to an outlet side of the accumulator 50, may be coupled to a lower portion of the shell 110. A refrigerant discharge pipe 113 connected to the condenser 20 may be coupled through a top of the shell 110. The refrigerant discharge pipe 113 may be coupled on a same axial line as the rotational shaft 125 discussed hereinafter.

[0050] The refrigerant suction pipe portion 532 may be connected directly to a suction port 1331 of a cylinder 133 through the shell 110 and the refrigerant discharge pipe 113 may communicate with the inner space 110a through the shell 110. Accordingly, the compressor may be a high-pressure compressor in which the inner space 110a of the shell 110 forms a discharge pressure.

[0051] An accumulator 50 may be disposed at an upstream side of the refrigerant suction pipe portion 532, that is, between the evaporator 40 and the compressor 10. The accumulator 50 may include a case 51 defining a refrigerant accommodating space 51a, a refrigerant connection pipe 52 that communicates with the refrigerant accommodating space 51a through an upper end of the case 51, and refrigerant suction pipe 53 that communicates with the refrigerant accommodating space 51a through a lower end of the case 51. The accumulator 50 will be described hereinafter.

[0052] The motor unit 120 may include a stator 121 and a rotor 122. The motor unit 120 may be understood as a typical rotating motor or drive motor.

[0053] The stator 121 may be fixed to an inside of the shell 110 and the rotor 122 may be rotatably inserted into the stator 121. A stator coil 1211 may be wound on the stator 121 and permanent magnets (not illustrated) may be inserted into the rotor 122. In addition, the rotational shaft 125 may be press-fitted to a center of the rotor 122.

[0054] The compression unit 130 may include a main bearing plate (hereinafter, main bearing) 131, a sub bearing plate (hereinafter, a sub bearing) 132, cylinder 133, a rolling piston 134, and a vane 135. The main bearing 131 may be fixedly coupled to an inner circumferential surface of the shell 110. The sub bearing 132 that supports the rotational shaft 125 together with the main bearing 131 may be disposed below the main bearing 131 with the cylinder 133 interposed therebetween. With respect to a longitudinal direction, the main bearing 131 may be referred to as an "upper bearing" and the sub bearing 132 may be referred to as a "lower bearing".

[0055] The main bearing 131 may include a main plate portion 1311 that covers an upper surface of the cylinder 133 to define a compression chamber V, and a main boss portion 1312 that extends from the main plate portion 1311 in an axial direction of the rotational shaft 125 to support the rotational shaft 125. The main plate portion 1311 may be formed in a disk shape. An outer circumferential surface of the main plate portion 1311 may be press-fitted or welded, for example, to an inner circumferential surface of the shell 110. A discharge port 1313 through which refrigerant compressed in the compression chamber V may be discharged may be formed through the main plate portion 1311, and a discharge valve 1315 that opens and closes the discharge port 1313 may be disposed at an end of the discharge port 1313.

[0056] The sub bearing 132 may include a sub plate portion 1321 that defines a compression chamber V together with the cylinder 133, and a sub boss portion 1322 that extends from the sub plate portion 1321 in the axial direction of the rotational shaft 125 to support the rotational shaft 125. The sub plate portion 1321 may be formed in a disk shape and coupled to the main plate portion 1311 together with the cylinder 133 by, for example, bolts. The sub boss portion 1322 may include a sub bearing hole 1322a that supports the rotational shaft 125 inserted therethrough.

[0057] The cylinder 133 may be provided between the main bearing 131 and the sub bearing 132 to define the compression chamber V together with the main bearing 131 and the sub bearing 132. The cylinder 133 may be fixed by, for example, bolts to the main bearing 131 together with the sub bearing 132.

[0058] The cylinder 133 may be formed in an annular shape. The compression chamber V may be defined in the cylinder 133 by the main bearing 131 and the sub bearing 132. The suction port 1331 may be formed at one side of the cylinder 133 to penetrate through from an outer circumferential surface to an inner circumferential surface of the cylinder 133. A vane slot 1332 in which the vane 135 is slidably inserted may be formed at one side of the suction port 1331.

[0059] The rolling piston 134 which is eccentrically coupled to the rotational shaft 125 and compresses refrigerant during orbiting may be disposed in the compression space V of the cylinder 133. The vane 135 which comes in contact with the rolling piston 134 to partition the compression chamber V into a suction space and a compression space together with the rolling piston 134 may be slidably fitted to the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder 133.

[0060] The rolling piston 134 may be formed in an annular shape and rotatably coupled to an eccentric portion (no reference numeral) of the rotational shaft 125. The vane 135 may be slidably inserted into the vane slot 1332 of the cylinder 133 to be brought into contact with an outer circumferential surface of the rolling piston 134. Accordingly, the compression chamber V of the cylinder 133 may be divided by the vane 135 into a suction space (no reference numeral) that communicates with the suction port 1331 and a discharge space (no reference numeral) that communicates with the discharge port 1313.

[0061] In the drawings, unexplained reference numeral 115 denotes a fixing bracket, and 136 denotes a discharge muffler.

[0062] Hereinafter, operation of the rotary compressor with such a configuration will be described.

[0063] That is, when power is applied to the stator 121, the rotor 122 and the rotational shaft 125 may rotate inside of the stator 121 and the rolling piston 134 may perform an orbiting motion. In response to the orbiting motion of the rolling piston 134, the suction space defining the compression chamber V may increase in volume. Then, refrigerant may flow from the evaporator 40 into refrigerant accommodating space 51a of accumulator 50 which communicates with the compression chamber V through the refrigerant connection pipe 52.

[0064] The refrigerant may be separated into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant accommodating space 51a of the accumulator 50. The gas refrigerant may be directly suctioned into the compression chamber V through the refrigerant suction pipe 53 whereas the liquid refrigerant may be accumulated in a lower portion (lower half) of the refrigerant accommodating space 51a, vaporized, and suctioned into the compression chamber V through the refrigerant suction pipe 53.

[0065] On the other hand, the refrigerant suctioned into the compression chamber V may be gradually compressed by the orbiting motion of the rolling piston 134, discharged from the discharge space into the discharge muffler 136 through the discharge port 1313 provided at the main bearing 131, and then exhausted into the inner space 110a of the shell 110. The refrigerant may move toward the condenser 20 through the refrigerant discharge pipe 113 and then be suctioned back into the compression chamber V through the aforementioned processes. The series of processes may then be repeatedly performed.

[0066] The compressor 10 may generate vibration due to the motor unit 120 and the compression unit 130. The vibration generated in the compressor 10 may be transmitted to the accumulator 50 through the refrigerant suction pipe 53 and the fixing bracket 115. The vibration may then be delivered to the refrigeration cycle device through the refrigerant connection pipe 52 connected to the accumulator 50, thereby aggravating noise in an outdoor unit including the refrigeration cycle device. In consideration of this, in the related art, a pipe holder (not illustrated) for that supports the refrigerant suction pipe 53 is additionally disposed inside of the accumulator 50. However, as the pipe holder is added, the number of components and assembly processes may increase, which may cause an increase in manufacturing costs for the accumulator 50.

[0067] In addition, refrigerant introduced into the refrigerant accommodating space 51a of the accumulator 50 through the refrigerant connection pipe 52 may be suctioned into the refrigerant suction pipe 53 from the refrigerant accommodating space 51a and then move to the compression chamber V of the compressor 10. However, in the related art, as the refrigerant connection pipe 52 and the refrigerant suction pipe 53 are disposed on the same axial line, an outlet of the refrigerant connection pipe 52 and an inlet of the refrigerant suction pipe 53 may be close to each other. This may suppress refrigerant from being sufficiently separated into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant accommodating space 51a. As a result, a large quantity of liquid refrigerant may be introduced into the compression chamber V, thereby lowering compression efficiency and reliability. In addition, when the outlet of the refrigerant connection pipe 52 and the inlet of the refrigerant suction pipe 53 are close to each other, the refrigerant may be rapidly suctioned from the refrigerant connection pipe 52 to the refrigerant suction pipe 53 and thereby suction noise in the refrigerant accommodating space cannot be canceled. This may lead to an increase even in noise in the outdoor unit including the accumulator 50.

[0068] Therefore, in embodiments disclosed herein, both ends of at least one of the refrigerant connection pipe 52 or the refrigerant suction pipe 53 may be fixed to both sides of the case 51 of the accumulator 50, thereby excluding a pipe holder and suppressing vibration of the accumulator 50. In addition, one of the refrigerant connection pipe 52 or the refrigerant suction pipe 53 may be located adjacent to the compressor, thereby further suppressing vibration of the accumulator 50. This can result in reducing manufacturing costs and vibration of the accumulator 50.

[0069] In addition, the outlet of the refrigerant connection pipe 52 may be disposed lower than the inlet of the refrigerant suction pipe 53. This structure may increase a separation effect of gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant and simultaneously decrease suction noise in the refrigerant accommodating space 51a.

[0070] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the accumulator according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is an assembled perspective view of the accumulator of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an inside of the accumulator of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line "VII-VII" of FIG. 6.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, the accumulator 50 according to an embodiment may include the case 51, the refrigerant connection pipe 52, and the refrigerant suction pipe 53. The case 51 may be disposed outside of the compressor 10. The refrigerant connection pipe 52 may connect an outlet of the evaporator 40 and an inlet of the accumulator 50, and the refrigerant suction pipe 53 may connect an outlet of the accumulator 50 and a suction side of the compressor 10. Accordingly, refrigerant may flow from the evaporator 40 into the accumulator 50 through the refrigerant connection pipe 52. The refrigerant may then be suctioned into the compression chamber V of the compressor 10 through the refrigerant suction pipe 53.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the case 51 may include a cylindrical body 511 and an upper cap 512. Each of the cylindrical body 511 and the upper cap 512 may be formed of a steel material, for example.

[0073] The cylindrical body 511 may be a single cylindrical body or a plurality of cylindrical bodies in a longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the cylindrical body 511 is a single cylindrical body. In addition, a shape of the cylindrical body 511 is merely defined symbolically and does not necessarily have to be cylindrical. For example, the cylindrical body 511 may be formed in a shape of a rectangular box.

[0074] The cylindrical body 511 may be formed in a shape in which a lower end of both ends thereof in the longitudinal direction (or axial direction) is closed and an upper end is open. The lower end of the cylindrical body 511 may be closed by that extends integrally from a side surface of the cylindrical body 511, and a first pipe hole 511a through which a refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 is inserted may be formed through a center of the lower end in the longitudinal (lengthwise) direction of the case 51. However, the cylindrical body 511 may alternatively be formed in a shape in which the upper end as well as the lower end is open. Hereinafter, the cylindrical body 511 with a closed lower end will mainly be described.

[0075] The lower end of the cylindrical body 511 may be formed in a downward-hemispherical shape that protrudes downward. However, the lower end of the cylindrical body 511 is not necessarily limited to the hemispherical shape. For example, the lower end of the cylindrical body 511 may be formed flat or may have an upward-hemispherical shape. However, the downward-hemispherical lower end of the cylindrical body 511 may be advantageous in view of vibration in comparison to the flat shape, and may be easily manufactured and advantageous in view of securing a volume of the refrigerant accommodating space 51a in comparison to the upward-hemispherical shape.

[0076] The first pipe hole 511a may be formed through the lower end of the cylindrical body 51. The first pipe hole 511a may be a hole into which a first end 531a of a refrigerant passage portion 531 defining a portion of the refrigerant suction pipe 53 discussed hereinafter is inserted and fixed to the case 51.

[0077] For example, the first pipe hole 511a may be formed through a center of the lower end of the cylindrical body 511. Accordingly, the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 may penetrate through the center of the lower end of the cylindrical body 511 in the longitudinal direction of the case 51 so as to be coupled to the cylindrical body 511.

[0078] A first extension protrusion (no reference numeral) that surrounds the first pipe hole 511a may be formed in a cylindrical shape around the first pipe hole 511a. Accordingly, the first end 531a of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 inserted through the first pipe hole 511a may be stably supported by being, for example, welded to the first extension protrusion.

[0079] The cylindrical body 511 may have a constant inner diameter along the longitudinal direction of the case 51. However, the cylindrical body 511 may have an inner diameter that varies along the longitudinal direction of the case 51. For example, the cylindrical body 511 may be formed in a truncated cone shape with an inner diameter increasing toward a lower side thereof. In this case, a center of gravity may be shifted downward, which may be advantageous in terms of vibration attenuation and a separation effect of liquid refrigerant.

[0080] The cylindrical body 511 may be fixed to the shell 110 of the compressor 10 by at least one fixing bracket 115. For example, when there is only one fixing bracket 115, it may be advantageous in terms of vibration attenuation that the fixing bracket 115 supports an upper portion (upper half) of the cylindrical body 511.

[0081] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper cap 512 according to this embodiment may be formed in a flat disk shape as a whole. However, the upper cap 512 may be formed in a somewhat convex dome shape in an upward direction, that is, in a direction away from the refrigerant accommodating space 51a. This may be advantageous in view of reducing noise and preventing corrosion of the accumulator 50 by suppressing moisture generated from the outdoor unit of the refrigeration cycle device or rainwater when installed outdoors from accumulating on an upper surface of the accumulator 50 even if such moisture or rainwater permeates.

[0082] The upper cap 512 may include a flat portion 512a formed on a central portion to cross in a transverse direction, and inclined portions 512b inclined downward from both sides of the flat portion 512a. A second pipe hole 512c may be formed through one side of the flat portion 512a in the longitudinal direction of the case 51. The second pipe hole 512c may be a hole through which the refrigerant connection pipe portion 521 defining a portion of the refrigerant connection pipe 52 is coupled. A second extension protrusion (no reference numeral) that extends along a circumference of the second pipe hole 512c may be formed in a cylindrical shape on an outer surface of the upper cap 512. Accordingly, the refrigerant passage pipe portion 521 inserted through the second pipe hole 512c may be stably supported by being, for example, welded to the second extension protrusion.

[0083] The second pipe hole 512c may be formed eccentrically from an axial center CL2 of the accumulator 50, that is, an axial center of the case 51 or a center O of the upper cap 512. For example, the second pipe hole 512c may be formed to be located as eccentrically as possible from the center O of the upper cap 512 toward an axial center CL1 of the compressor 10. Accordingly, a refrigerant pipe connected to the refrigerant connection pipe 52 may be disposed close to the compressor 10, which causes vibration, so that secondary vibration transmitted from the compressor 10 may be attenuated.

[0084] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a pipe fixing portion 512d in which the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 is fixedly inserted may be formed at the center O of the upper cap 512 which corresponds to the axial center CL2 of the accumulator 50 or the axial center of the case 51. For example, the pipe fixing portion 512d may extend from an outer surface of the upper cap 512 in a direction away from the refrigerant accommodating space 51a. In other words, when viewed from an inner surface of the upper cap 512, the pipe fixing portion 512d may be recessed by a predetermined depth. Accordingly, the first end 531a of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 may be inserted into the pipe fixing portion 512d and fixed by, for example, welding.

[0085] An insertion depth of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 may be determined depending on a height of the pipe fixing portion 512d. Accordingly, the pipe fixing portion 512d may be formed as high as possible in terms of stability of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531.

[0086] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, the refrigerant connection pipe 52 according to this embodiment may include refrigerant connection pipe portion 521 and a refrigerant guide pipe portion 522. The refrigerant connection pipe 52 may extend from the refrigerant accommodating space 51a of the case 51 in the longitudinal direction of the case 51 and may be disposed parallel to the case 51.

[0087] The refrigerant connection pipe portion 521 may be made of the same material as a typical refrigerant pipe, for example, copper. However, in some embodiments, the refrigerant connection pipe portion 521 may be made of the same material as the upper cap 512, for example, steel.

[0088] One or a first end of the refrigerant connection pipe portion 521 may be inserted into the second pipe hole 512c which is eccentric from a center of the upper cap 512 and, for example, welded to the second extension protrusion of the upper cap 512. Another or a second end of the refrigerant connection pipe portion 521 may extend to outside of the upper cap 512, namely, away from the refrigerant accommodating space 51a to be connected to a refrigerant pipe that extends from an outlet of the evaporator 40.

[0089] The refrigerant connection pipe portion 521 may be linear and parallel to the case 51 in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, the refrigerant pipe may be connected to the refrigerant connection pipe portion 521 on the same axial line, for example, at a position eccentric from the refrigerant suction pipe 53 toward the compressor 10. This may minimize vibration of the compressor 10 transferred to the refrigerant pipe.

[0090] Although not illustrated in the drawings, the refrigerant connection pipe portion 521 may be bent such that the first end, that is, the end connected to the refrigerant pipe is located on the same axial line as the refrigerant suction pipe 53. Accordingly, the refrigerant connection pipe portion 521 may be connected to the case 51 at a position close to the compressor 10, which may attenuate vibration of the accumulator 50 and use an existing manufacturing line for connecting the accumulator 50 and the refrigerant pipe.

[0091] The refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 may be formed of the same material as the refrigerant connection pipe portion 521, for example, copper. The refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 may be formed in a linear shape and located on the same axial line as the refrigerant connection pipe portion 521. For example, the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 may be formed in a cylindrical shape in which both ends are open in the longitudinal direction of the case 51 and a circumferential surface between the both ends is closed.

[0092] In other words, an upper end of the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 may be partially expanded and open such that a lower end of the refrigerant connection pipe portion 521 may be inserted therein. Accordingly, the lower end of the refrigerant connection pipe portion 521 may be inserted into an upper end of the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 and then, for example, welded to the upper end of the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 at a circumference of an inner end of the second pipe hole 512c.

[0093] A lower end of the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 may have an inner diameter approximately equal to an inner diameter of the refrigerant connection pipe portion 521 and may be open toward a bottom surface of the refrigerant accommodating space 51a. Accordingly, a screen 523, for example, a mesh screen, may be inserted into the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522. The screen 523 may be a kind of mesh bundle made of metal, for example, and welded to the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 6, a screen support 523a that supports the screen 523 may be disposed at the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522. The screen support 523a may be formed by making the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 narrower to reduce the inner diameter thereof or may be stepped by inserting a separate ring. This embodiment exemplarily illustrates that a ring is inserted into the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522. This may prevent the screen 523 from being separated from the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522, thereby improving reliability.

[0095] The lower end of the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 may extend to an approximately middle height or middle portion of the cylindrical body 511. The lower end of the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 may define an outlet of the refrigerant connection pipe 52. The refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 may extend in length as long as possible to be close to a lower end of the cylindrical body 511, which may enhance a separation effect of liquid refrigerant.

[0096] However, if the lower end of the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 is too close to a lower surface of the cylindrical body 511, the length of the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 may become longer and thereby be vulnerable to vibration. Therefore, the length of the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 may be set such that the lower end of the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 is located lower than a refrigerant through-hole 531c discussed hereinafter and is located at a height less than or equal to an approximately middle height or middle portion from the upper end of the cylindrical body 511, that is, the upper cap 512.

[0097] Although not illustrated in the drawings, another or a second end of the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 may be, for example, welded to the lower surface of the cylindrical body 511 or may be inserted into a separate pipe fixing portion (not shown), like a second end 531b of the refrigerant guide pipe portion 531 discussed hereinafter. In this case, a refrigerant through-hole (not shown) defining a kind of refrigerant discharge hole may be formed at a middle portion of the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 at a position lower than the refrigerant through-hole 531c of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531.

[0098] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, the refrigerant suction pipe 53 according to this embodiment may include refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 and refrigerant suction pipe portion 532. The refrigerant suction pipe 53 may extend from the refrigerant accommodating space 51a of the case 51 in the longitudinal direction of the case 51 and may be disposed parallel to the case 51. Accordingly, the refrigerant suction pipe 53 may be disposed parallel to the refrigerant connection pipe 52, and at least a portion of the refrigerant suction pipe 53 may be disposed to overlap the refrigerant connection pipe 52 in the longitudinal direction (or axial direction) of the refrigerant connection pipe 52.

[0099] The refrigerant passage guide pipe portion 531 may be formed in a linear shape and located on the same axial line as the center of the cylindrical body 511. In other words, the first end 531a of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 may be located at a center of the lower end of the cylindrical body 511 and the second end 531b may be located at a center of the upper cap 512. More specifically, the first end 531a of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 may be fixedly inserted into the first pipe hole 511a of the cylindrical body 511 and the second end 531b of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 may be fixedly inserted into the pipe fixing portion 512d of the upper cap 512. Accordingly, both ends of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 may be fixed to the case 51. This may minimize secondary vibration of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 even if the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 is connected to the compressor 10 through the refrigerant suction pipe portion 532 discussed hereinafter.

[0100] The refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 may be formed, for example, of the same steel material as the case 51. Accordingly, the first end 531a and the second end 531b of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 may be, for example, welded to the cylindrical body 511 and the upper cap 512, respectively.

[0101] Although not illustrated in the drawings, at least one of the ends of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 may further include an elastic member (not illustrated), such as rubber. For example, an elastic member may be inserted or an elastic layer may be coated between an outer circumferential surface of the second end 531b of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 and an inner circumferential surface of the pipe fixing portion 512d into which the second end 531b of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 is inserted. In this case, the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 may be fixed to the upper cap 512 by press-fitting not by welding. Therefore, in this case, the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 may be formed of a different material from the upper cap 512, for example, copper.

[0102] The refrigerant through-hole 531c that communicates with the refrigerant accommodating space 51a may be formed at the middle portion of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531, namely, between the first end 531a and the second end 531b. For example, the refrigerant through-hole 531c may be located at a position higher than or equal to the lower end of the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 defining the outlet of the refrigerant connection pipe 52, and may be located higher than the lower end of the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 by a preset or predetermined height ΔH.

[0103] In other words, the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 defining the portion of the refrigerant suction pipe 53 may overlap the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 defining the portion of the refrigerant connection pipe 52 in the longitudinal direction (or the axial direction) of the case 51. Accordingly, an interval between the outlet of the refrigerant connection pipe portion 521 and the inlet of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 may be secured by a predetermined distance.

[0104] With this configuration, refrigerant that is introduced into the refrigerant accommodating space 51a through the lower end of the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 may not move directly toward the refrigerant through-hole 531c but may move to the refrigerant through-hole 531c after the refrigerant accommodating space 51a. Therefore, liquid refrigerant may be effectively separated from gas refrigerant introduced into the refrigerant accommodating space 51a.

[0105] However, the position of the refrigerant through-hole 531c may vary as needed. For example, the refrigerant through-hole 531c may be formed adjacent to the lower end of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 to minimize a moving distance of refrigerant in the refrigerant accommodating space 51a or may be formed away from the lower end of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 to maximize the moving distance of the refrigerant in the refrigerant accommodating space 51a. Accordingly, a suction amount of the refrigerant may be appropriately adjusted and simultaneously a frequency band to be attenuated for noise generated when refrigerant is suctioned may be arbitrarily adjusted.

[0106] In addition, the single refrigerant through-hole 531c may have an inner diameter or cross-sectional area that is smaller than or equal to that of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531. For example, the inner diameter or cross-sectional area of the refrigerant through-hole 531c may be 0.5 times greater than or equal to the inner diameter or cross-sectional area of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 and may be equal to or smaller than the inner diameter or cross-sectional area of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531.

[0107] However, the size of the refrigerant through-hole 531c may vary as needed. For example, the cross-sectional area of the refrigerant through-hole 531c may be greater than the inner diameter of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 to minimize flow resistance of refrigerant or may be smaller than the inner diameter of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 to minimize introduction of liquid refrigerant into the compressor 10. Accordingly, a suction amount of the refrigerant may be appropriately adjusted and simultaneously a frequency band to be attenuated for noise generated when refrigerant is suctioned may be arbitrarily adjusted.

[0108] The refrigerant suction pipe portion 532 may typically be formed in an L-like shape. One or a first end of the refrigerant suction pipe portion 532 may be connected to the first end 531a of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 and another or a second end of the refrigerant suction pipe portion 532 may be connected to the suction port 1331 through the shell 110 of the compressor 10. The refrigerant suction pipe portion 532 may be formed of a copper pipe or a steel pipe. For example, when the shell 110 of the compressor 10 is provided with a connection member (no reference numeral) made of a copper material, the refrigerant suction pipe portion 532 may be a copper pipe. On the other hand, when the connection member is formed of a steel material, the refrigerant suction pipe portion 532 may be a steel pipe.

[0109] Vibration of the accumulator 50 according to this embodiment as described above may be attenuated compared to the related art accumulator. FIGs. 8A-8B are graphs showing a comparison result of vibration of the accumulator according to an embodiment with vibration of an accumulator according to the related art, where FIG. 8A illustrates changes in vibration in a refrigerant connection pipe and FIG. 8B illustrates changes in vibration in a refrigerant suction pipe.

[0110] Referring to FIG. 8A, it can be seen that vibration at the refrigerant connection pipe 52 defining one or a first end of the accumulator 50 according to embodiments disclosed herein is greatly reduced. That is, the vibration at the refrigerant connection pipe 52 gradually increases as an operating frequency (Hz) increases. It can be seen in the related art (e.g., Patent Document 3) that vibration increases from about 1000 gal to almost 2000 gal when the operating frequency increases from 50 Hz to 90 Hz. However, it can be seen in embodiments disclosed herein that vibration increases from about 1000 gal only to 1500 gal in the same operating frequency band. It may be understood accordingly that vibration at the refrigerant connection pipe 52 is greatly reduced in the accumulator 50 according to embodiments disclosed herein compared to the related art accumulator. This may result from that the amplitude of vibration transferred from the case 51 of the accumulator 50 to the refrigerant connection pipe 52 is attenuated as the refrigerant connection pipe 52 is eccentrically shifted toward the axial center CL1 of the compressor from the axial center CL2 of the accumulator 50.

[0111] Also, referring to FIG. 8B, it can be seen that vibration at the refrigerant suction pipe 53 defining another or a second end of the accumulator 50 according to embodiments disclosed herein is also greatly reduced. That is, vibration at the refrigerant suction pipe 53 in the related art gradually increases as the operating frequency increases. In other words, it can be seen that the vibration at the refrigerant suction pipe 53 according to the related art increases from about 1000 gal to almost 1400 gal when the operating frequency increases from 50 Hz to 90 Hz. However, it can be seen in embodiments disclosed herein that the vibration decreases from about 1000 gal down to 500 gal in the same operating frequency band. It can be understood accordingly that the vibration at the refrigerant suction pipe 53 is greatly reduced in the accumulator 50 according to embodiments disclosed herein compared to the related art accumulator.

[0112] As aforementioned, this may result from that the vibration of the accumulator 50 is reduced as the axial center CL3 of the refrigerant connection pipe 52 is shifted toward the compressor 10 and simultaneously the vibration transferred from the compressor 10 to the refrigerant suction pipe 53 is attenuated as both ends of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 defining the refrigerant suction pipe 53 are fixed to the case 51 of the accumulator 50. Also, suction noise of the accumulator 50 according to embodiments disclosed herein may be reduced compared to the related art accumulator.

[0113] FIGs. 9A-9B are graphs showing a comparison result of noise generated during cooling and heating operations in a compressor including an accumulator according to embodiments disclosed herein and in the related art compressor, where FIG. 9A illustrates noise during a cooling operation and FIG. 9B illustrates noise during a heating operation.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 9A, it can be seen that the compressor 10 to which the accumulator 50 according to embodiments disclosed herein is applied has a noise reduction effect during a cooling operation, compared with the related art compressor (e.g., Patent Document 3). That is, it can be seen that noise in the compressor 10 according to embodiments disclosed herein is about 52.5 dB whereas noise in the related art compressor is about 53.8 dB when the cooling operation is performed at about 70 to 80 rpm. Accordingly, it can be seen that the noise in the compressor 10 to which the accumulator 50 according to embodiments disclosed herein is applied is reduced by about 1.3 dB, compared to the related art, during the cooling operation.

[0115] On the other hand, referring to FIG. 9B, it can be seen that the compressor 10 to which the accumulator 50 according to embodiments disclosed herein is applied obtains a greater noise reduction effect during a heating operation than that during a cooling operation, as compared to the related art compressor. That is, it can be seen that noise in the compressor 10 according to embodiments disclosed herein is about 51.3 dB whereas noise in the related art compressor is about 53.0 dB when the heating operation is performed at about 80 to 90 rpm. Accordingly, it can be seen that the noise in the compressor 10 to which the accumulator 50 according to embodiments disclosed herein is applied is reduced by about 1.7 dB, compared to the related art, during the heating operation.

[0116] This may also result from that the axial center CL3 of the refrigerant connection pipe 52 is shifted toward the compressor 10 and simultaneously both ends of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 defining the refrigerant suction pipe 53 is fixed to the case 51 of the accumulator 50. In particular, in this embodiment, the inlet of the refrigerant suction pipe 53 may be higher than the outlet of the refrigerant connection pipe 52. Accordingly, refrigerant introduced into the refrigerant accommodating space 51a of the accumulator 50 through the refrigerant connection pipe 52 may be guided to the refrigerant suction pipe 53 after widely circulating in the refrigerant accommodating portion 51a without being rapidly suctioned into the refrigerant suction pipe 53. This may result in effectively reducing suction noise in the refrigerant accommodating space 51a of the accumulator 50.

[0117] In addition, in this embodiment, the first end 531a of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 defining the portion of the refrigerant suction pipe 53 may be fixed to the lower end of the cylindrical body 511 while the second of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 is fixed to the upper cap 512 covering the upper end of the cylindrical body 511. Therefore, the accumulator 50 according to embodiments disclosed herein may stably fix the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 without a separate pipe holder. This may reduce the need for a component, such as the pipe holder, thereby reducing manufacturing cost.

[0118] Hereinafter, an accumulator according to another embodiment will be described. That is, the previous embodiment illustrates that the refrigerant guide pipe portion is formed in a linear shape; however, it may also be formed in a curved or a bent shape, for example.

[0119] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a refrigerant connection pipe according to another embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line "XI-XI" in FIG. 10 for explaining a refrigerant guide pipe portion according to another embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line "XI-XI" in FIG. 10 for explaining a refrigerant guide pipe portion according to another embodiment.

[0120] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 11, the accumulator 50 according to another embodiment may include the case 51, the refrigerant connection pipe 52, and the refrigerant suction pipe 53. The basic configuration of the case 51, the refrigerant connection pipe 52, and the refrigerant suction pipe 53, and their operational effects are similar to those of the previous embodiment.

[0121] However, in this embodiment, the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 may be formed in a bent shape unlike the linear pipe described above. For example, the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 according to this embodiment may be formed in a shape, in which a lower portion (lower half) is bent and thus an outlet is open toward an inner surface of the cylindrical body 511, that is, may be formed in an L-like shape.

[0122] More specifically, the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 may include a first guide portion 522a defining an inlet and a second guide portion 522b defining an outlet. The first guide portion 522a may be inserted into the lower end of the refrigerant connection pipe portion 521 and the second guide portion 522b may extend laterally from a lower end or a middle of the first guide portion 522a.

[0123] In this case, screen 523 may be inserted into the first guide portion 522a and an outlet of the second guide portion 522b may extend circumferentially along an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 511. An outlet end of the second guide portion 522b may extend away from the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531.

[0124] The first guide portion 522a and the second guide portion 522b may be formed as a single body as illustrated in the drawings or may be separately manufactured to be assembled with each other in some examples. The refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 may be easily manufactured when the first guide portion 522a and the second guide portion 522b are formed as the single body. On the other hand, when the first guide portion 522a and the second guide portion 522b are assembled with each other, it may increase a degree of freedom for shape design of the second guide portion 522b, for example, designing the second guide portion 522b to correspond to the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 511.

[0125] The first guide portion 522a and the second guide portion 522b may have a same inner diameter, or may have different inner diameters in some cases. When the inner diameters are different, the inner diameter of the second guide portion 522b may be smaller than the inner diameter of the first guide portion 522a in view of much more stably supporting the screen 523.

[0126] The second guide portion 522b may extend from a lower end of the first guide portion 522a or may extend from a middle of the first guide portion 522a. When the second guide portion 522b extends from the lower end of the first guide portion 522a, flow resistance of refrigerant may be lowered. On the other hand, when the second guide portion 522b extends from the middle of the first guide portion 522a, the screen 523 may be more stably supported.

[0127] As described above, when the lower portion of the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 is bent to face the inner surface of the cylindrical body 511, refrigerant introduced into the refrigerant accommodating space 51a through the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 may turn flow circularly or spirally along the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 511. Then, a kind of cyclone effect may be generated as the refrigerant turns or flows by receiving centrifugal force in the refrigerant accommodating space 51a, which may improve a separation effect of gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant. Accordingly, the introduction of the liquid refrigerant into the compression chamber V may be more effectively suppressed. In addition, as the separation effect of the liquid refrigerant and the gas refrigerant is improved with respect to a same volume of the accumulator 50, a size of the accumulator 50 may be reduced and vibration of the accumulator 50 may be more reduced by virtue of the size reduction of the accumulator 50.

[0128] In addition, when the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 is formed in the bent shape as illustrated in this embodiment, the screen 523 may be prevented from being separated from the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 even if a separate welding operation is not performed after the screen 523 is inserted. By virtue of suppressing the separation of the screen 523 from the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522, reliability may be enhanced. At the same time, manufacturing costs may be reduced by excluding the welding operation for fixing the screen 523 to the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522.

[0129] Although FIG. 10 illustrates an example in which the second guide portion 522b is bent from the first guide portion 522a at an approximately right angle, it may not necessarily be bent at a right angle. For example, the outlet of the second guide portion 522b may be inclined downwardly by approximately 45° with respect to the first guide portion 522a. In this case, refrigerant discharged from the second guide portion 522b may spirally rotate toward the lower surface of the case 51, namely, toward the bottom surface of the refrigerant accommodating space 51a far from the refrigerant through-hole 531c, thereby improving the separation effect of the liquid refrigerant.

[0130] Referring to FIG. 12, a plurality of the second guide portion 522b1 and 522b2 (522b) according to this embodiment may be provided. For example, the second guide portions 522b1 and 522b2 may extend from the lower end of the first guide portion 522a to both sides in lateral directions, respectively. In other words, the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 according to this embodiment may be a T-shaped pipe by combination of a single first guide portion 522b1 and the plurality of second guide portions 522b1 and 522b2.

[0131] In this case, the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 may have outputs at both sides although it is bent. Accordingly, flow resistance of refrigerant discharged into the refrigerant accommodating space 51a may be reduced, which can increase a flow rate of the refrigerant toward the refrigerant accommodating space 51a.

[0132] As the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 has the plurality of outlets, refrigerant circulation in the refrigerant accommodating space 51a may become complicated. This may increase collision of refrigerant and thereby improve a separation effect of liquid refrigerant.

[0133] Hereinafter, an accumulator according to still another embodiment will be described.

[0134] That is, the previous embodiment illustrate that the pipe fixing portion protrudes upward from the upper cap and the second end of the refrigerant passage pipe portion is inserted into the pipe fixing portion. However, in some embodiments, the pipe fixing portion may protrude downward from the upper cap so as to be fixedly inserted into the second end of the refrigerant passage pipe portion.

[0135] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an accumulator according to another embodiment. Referring to FIG. 13, the accumulator 50 according to this embodiment may include case 51, refrigerant connection pipe 52, and refrigerant suction pipe 53. The basic configuration of the case 51, the refrigerant connection pipe 52, and the refrigerant suction pipe 53, and their operational effects may be similar to those of the previous embodiments.

[0136] However, in this embodiment, the pipe fixing portion 512d may be formed at a center of the upper cap 512 of the case 51 in a manner of protruding downward toward the refrigerant accommodating space 51a. Accordingly, the second end 531b of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 of the refrigerant suction pipe 53 may be fixed to the pipe fixing portion 512d of the upper cap 512, in a manner that the pipe fixing portion 512d is inserted into the second end 531b of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531.

[0137] Even in this case, the pipe fixing portion 512d and the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 be fixed, for example, by welding or press-fitting, or by inserting a separate elastic member (not illustrated). This configuration is the same as that of the previous embodiments, and thus, detailed description thereof has been omitted.

[0138] When the pipe fixing portion 512d protrudes (is recessed) toward the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531, the height of the accumulator 50 may be lowered by the pipe fixing portion 512d compared to the previous embodiments. Therefore, the refrigerant suction pipe 53 may be assembled without interference with the pipe fixing portion 512d, which may facilitate assembly of the refrigerant suction pipe 53. Although not illustrated in the drawings, when the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 is bent to be located at the axial center CL2 of the accumulator 50, the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 may be bent to be located at the axial center CL2 of the accumulator 50 because the pipe fixing portion 512d does not protrude from the upper cap 512.

[0139] The pipe fixing portion 512d may alternatively be formed long to stably fix the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531. For example, in order to stably fix the second end 531b of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531, it may be advantageous that the pipe fixing portion 512d is formed as long as possible. However, when the pipe fixing portion 512d protrudes to outside of the upper cap 512, a protrusion length of the pipe fixing portion 512d may be limited. On the other hand, as illustrated in this embodiment, when the pipe fixing portion 512d is recessed into the upper cap 512 toward the refrigerant accommodating space 51a, there may be no risk of collision between the pipe fixing portion 512d and adjacent components even if the pipe fixing portion 512d is long. This may more stably fix the second end 531b of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531.

[0140] However, when the pipe fixing portion 512d protrudes toward the refrigerant accommodating space 51a as illustrated, the pipe fixing portion 512d may be recessed into the outer surface of the upper cap 512 and thereby a corrosion of the pipe fixing portion 512d may be caused due to rainwater that may be gathered in the pipe fixing portion 512d when it is installed outdoors. Accordingly, a cover may be inserted into the pipe fixing portion 512d recessed into the outer surface of the upper cap 512, so as to prevent accumulation of rainwater or foreign substances.

[0141] Hereinafter, an accumulator according to still another embodiment will be described. That is, the previous embodiments illustrate that the pipe fixing portion for fixing the second end of the refrigerant passage pipe portion is formed at the upper cap, but in some embodiment, a pipe hole through which the refrigerant passage pipe portion may be inserted may be formed through the upper cap.

[0142] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an accumulator according to still another embodiment. Referring to FIG. 14, the accumulator 50 according to this embodiment may include case 51, refrigerant connection pipe 52, and refrigerant suction pipe 53. The basic configuration of the case 51, the refrigerant connection pipe 52, and the refrigerant suction pipe 53, and their operational effects may be similar to those of the this embodiment.

[0143] However, in this embodiment, a third pipe hole 512e may be formed through the center O of the upper cap 512 in the longitudinal direction of the case 51 and the second end 531b of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 may be inserted through the third pipe hole 512e and then, for example, welded. In this case, a separate cover 533 may be fitted to the second end 531b of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 to close the second end 531b of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531.

[0144] As described above, when the second end 531b of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 that is inserted through the upper cap 512 is covered from the outside, an allowable error for an assembly length of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 may be increased. Therefore, the upper cap 512 may be stably assembled with the cylindrical body 511 even if the length of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 is increased due to a machining error during assembling of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531.

[0145] In other words, when the pipe fixing portion 512d is formed at the upper cap 512 and the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 is inserted into the pipe fixing portion 512 as illustrated in the previous embodiments, the length of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 and the height of the pipe fixing portion 512d should be specifically set. That is, if the length of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 is longer than the height of the pipe fixing portion 512d, the upper cap 512 may be lifted from the cylindrical body 511. In an opposite case, on the other hand, the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 may not be stably inserted into the pipe fixing portion 512d.

[0146] However, when the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 is inserted through the upper cap 512, as illustrated in this embodiment, the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 may be formed to be sufficiently long, so as to prevent in advance defective assembly between the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 and the upper cap 512 due to a machining error.

[0147] Hereinafter, an accumulator according to still another embodiment will be described. That is, the previous embodiments illustrate that the refrigerant suction pipe is located at the axial center of the accumulator and the refrigerant connection pipe is eccentrically shifted from the axial center of the accumulator toward the axial center of the compressor, but in some embodiments, positions of the refrigerant suction pipe and the refrigerant connection pipe may be opposite to each other.

[0148] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view according to still another embodiment of an accumulator. Referring to FIG. 15, the accumulator 50 according to this embodiment may include case 51, refrigerant connection pipe 52, and refrigerant suction pipe 53. The basic configuration of the case 51, the refrigerant connection pipe 52, and the refrigerant suction pipe 53, and their operational effects may be similar to those of the previous embodiment.

[0149] However, in this embodiment, the refrigerant connection pipe 52 may be coupled through the center O of the upper cap 512 and an axial center CL4 of the refrigerant suction pipe 53 may be eccentric toward the compressor 10 from the center of the upper cap 512. For example, the refrigerant guide pipe portion 522 of the refrigerant connection pipe 52 may be inserted approximately to a middle height or middle portion of the cylindrical body 511 defining the refrigerant accommodating space 51a, and both ends of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 of the refrigerant suction pipe 53 may be, for example, fixedly welded to the lower end of the cylindrical body 511 and the upper cap 512, respectively.

[0150] More specifically, in this embodiment, the second pipe hole 512c may be formed through the center O of the upper cap 512, such that the refrigerant connection pipe portion 521 of the refrigerant connection pipe 52 may be inserted into the axial center CL2 of the accumulator 50. Accordingly, the upper cap 512 may be formed in a hemispherical or dome shape with a convex central portion as in the previous embodiments.

[0151] However, the upper cap 512 according to this embodiment may include the pipe fixing portion 512d for fixing the second end 531b of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531, and the pipe fixing portion 512d may be eccentric toward the compressor 10 from the center of the upper cap 512.

[0152] Also, in this embodiment, the first pipe hole 511a may be formed through the lower end of the cylindrical body 511. The first pipe hole 511a may be located at a position eccentric from the axial center CL2 of the accumulator 50, for example, between the axial center CL1 of the compressor 10 and the axial center CL2 of the accumulator 50. Accordingly, the lower surface of the cylindrical body 511 may be formed in a hemispherical or dome shape in which a position corresponding to the axial center CL2 of the accumulator 50 is the most convex as in the foregoing implementations, but alternatively, a portion or all of a lower surface with the first pipe hole 511a may be formed in a flat plate shape.

[0153] As described above, as the refrigerant connection pipe 52 of the accumulator 50 according to this embodiment is connected through the axial center CL2 of the accumulator 50, the existing outdoor unit assembly line may be used as it is and thus, the connection between the compressor 10 and the evaporator 40 may be facilitated.

[0154] As the refrigerant suction pipe 53 of the accumulator 50 according to this embodiment is shifted from the axial center CL2 of the accumulator 50 to be eccentric toward the compressor 10, a radial length L1 of the refrigerant suction pipe portion 532 of the refrigerant suction pipe 53 may be shorted. Therefore, vibration transferred from the compressor 10 through the refrigerant suction pipe 53 may be attenuated, compared to the previous embodiments.

[0155] Hereinafter, an accumulator according to still another embodiment will be described. That is, the previous embodiments illustrate that the refrigerant suction pipe is formed by assembling the refrigerant passage pipe portion and the refrigerant suction pipe portion, but in some embodiments, the refrigerant passage pipe portion and the refrigerant suction pipe portion may be formed integrally with each other.

[0156] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of an accumulator according to still another embodiment. Referring to FIG. 16, the accumulator 50 according to this embodiment may include case 51, refrigerant connection pipe 52, and refrigerant suction pipe 53. The basic configuration of the case 51, the refrigerant connection pipe 52, and the refrigerant suction pipe 53, and their operational effects may be similar to those of the previous embodiment.

[0157] However, the refrigerant suction pipe 53 according to this embodiment may be a single pipe. For example, the refrigerant suction pipe 53 may merely include a single refrigerant passage pipe portion 531. One or a first end of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 may be fixed to the shell 110 of the compressor 10 and another or a second end of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 may be fixedly inserted into the pipe fixing portion 512d of the upper cap 512 through the first pipe hole 511a.

[0158] In this case, the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 of the refrigerant suction pipe 53 may be formed of a steel pipe like the cylindrical body 511 or the upper cap 512 of the accumulator 50, or may be formed of a copper pipe like a connection member welded to the shell 110 of the compressor 10.

[0159] However, as welding must be performed after the second end 531b of the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 is inserted into the pipe fixing portion 512d of the upper cap 512, it may be advantageous in view of an assembling process that the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 is formed of the same material as the accumulator 50, if possible.

[0160] As described above, when the refrigerant suction pipe 53 merely includes the single refrigerant passage pipe portion 531, the number of assembly processes may be reduced, compared to forming the refrigerant suction pipe 53 including the refrigerant passage pipe portion 531 and the refrigerant suction pipe portion 532, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0161] In addition, as the refrigerant suction pipe 53 is formed as a single body, even if vibration of the compressor 10 is transmitted through the refrigerant suction pipe 53, the refrigerant suction pipe 53 may be less likely to be damaged, so reliability may be improved.

[0162] On the other hand, although not illustrated in the drawings, the accumulator 50 may be formed in a shape in which the upper end of the cylindrical body 511 is closed and the lower end is open. The lower end of the cylindrical body 511 may be closed by a separate lower cap (not illustrated). Alternatively, both ends of the cylindrical body 511 may be open to be covered by the upper cap 512 and a lower cap (not illustrated). Even in these cases, the refrigerant connection pipe 52 and the refrigerant suction pipe 53 may be disposed in parallel to overlap each other in the longitudinal direction of the case 51 as in the previous embodiments, and the both ends of the refrigerant suction pipe 53 may be fixed to the case 51. This configuration is the same as that of the previous embodiments, and thus, repetitive description thereof has been omitted.

[0163] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on" another element or layer, the element or layer can be directly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0164] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

[0165] Spatially relative terms, such as "lower", "upper" and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "lower" relative to other elements or features would then be oriented "upper" relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "lower" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0166] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0167] Embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures). As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

[0168] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0169] Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "example embodiment," etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

[0170] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An accumulator (50) for a compressor (10), the accumulator (50) comprising:

a case (51) configured to be disposed at an outside of a shell (110) of the compressor (10) and defining a refrigerant accommodating space (51a);

a refrigerant connection pipe (52) having a first end that extends to an outside of the refrigerant accommodating space (51a) and a second end that communicates with the refrigerant accommodating space (51a); and

a refrigerant suction pipe (53) having a first end that communicates with the refrigerant accommodating space (51a) and a second end that communicates with a suction side of the compressor (10), wherein the refrigerant suction pipe (53) is fixed to both of a lower surface and an upper surface of the case (51) defining the refrigerant accommodating space (51a).

2. The accumulator of claim 1, wherein a pipe fixing portion (512d) is disposed at the upper surface of the case (51) to fix the first end of the refrigerant suction pipe (53) to the upper surface of the case (51).

3. The accumulator of claim 2, wherein the pipe fixing portion (512d) is recessed in a direction away from the refrigerant accommodating space (51a) in a longitudinal direction of the case (51), such that the first end of the refrigerant suction pipe (53) is inserted therein, or

wherein the pipe fixing portion (512d) protrudes toward the refrigerant accommodating space (51a) in a longitudinal direction of the case (51) to be inserted into the first end of the refrigerant suction pipe (53),

wherein the pipe fixing portion (512d) comprises a pipe hole (512e) formed through the case (51) in a longitudinal direction of the case (51), such that the refrigerant suction pipe (53) is fixedly inserted through the case (51).

4. The accumulator of claim 2 or 3, wherein the pipe fixing portion (512d) is disposed on an axial center line of the case (51).

5. The accumulator of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least a portion of the refrigerant suction pipe (53) overlaps the refrigerant connection pipe (52) in a longitudinal direction of the case.

6. The accumulator of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the refrigerant suction pipe (53) is disposed on an axial center line of the case (51) and the refrigerant connection pipe (52) is eccentrically disposed with respect to the axial center of the case (51).

7. The accumulator of claim 6, wherein the refrigerant connection pipe (52) is disposed to be more adjacent to an axial center of the compressor (10) than the refrigerant suction pipe (53).

8. The accumulator of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second end of the refrigerant connection pipe (52) is open toward the refrigerant accommodating space (51a), wherein the refrigerant suction pipe (53) comprises at least one refrigerant through-hole (531c) that communicates with the refrigerant accommodating space (51a), and wherein the refrigerant through-hole (531c) is located at a position higher than or equal to a position of the second end of the refrigerant connection pipe (52) in a longitudinal direction of the case (51).

9. The accumulator of claim 8, wherein the refrigerant through-hole (531c) is open in a direction in which the refrigerant suction pipe (53) faces the refrigerant connection pipe (52).

10. The accumulator of claim 9, wherein the refrigerant connection pipe (52) comprises:

a first guide portion (522a) that extends along a longitudinal direction of the case (51) in the refrigerant accommodating space; and

a second guide portion (522b) bent from the first guide portion (522a) and that extends in a first direction or the first and a second direction, and wherein a screen is inserted into the first guide portion (522a) and supported at a position at which the second guide portion (522b) is bent from the first guide portion (522a).

11. The accumulator of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the case (51) comprises:

a body (511) having a covered lower end and an open upper end, the refrigerant suction pipe (53) coupled through the lower end; and

an upper cap (512) that covers the upper end of the body (511), wherein the refrigerant connection pipe (52) is inserted through the upper cap (512), and wherein the upper cap (512) comprises a pipe fixing portion (512d) into which the first end of the refrigerant suction pipe (53) is fixedly inserted, and a through-hole (512c) formed at one side of the pipe fixing portion (512d) such that the refrigerant connection pipe (52) is coupled therethrough.

12. The accumulator of claim 11, wherein the pipe fixing portion (512d) is formed at a center of the upper cap (512) and the through-hole (512c) is eccentric from the center of the upper cap (512) toward an axial center of the compressor (10), or
wherein the through-hole (512e) is formed at a center of the upper cap (512) and the pipe fixing portion (512d) is eccentric with respect to the center of the upper cap (512) in a direction toward or away from an axial center of the compressor (10).

13. The accumulator of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the refrigerant suction pipe (53) comprises:

a refrigerant passage pipe portion (531) accommodated in the refrigerant accommodating space (51a) of the case (51); and

a refrigerant suction pipe portion (532) having a first end that communicates with the refrigerant passage pipe portion (531) and a second end that communicates with the suction side of the compressor (10), and wherein both longitudinal ends of the refrigerant passage pipe portion (531) are fixed to both longitudinal sides of the case (51), respectively.

14. A compressor comprising the accumulator of any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The compressor according to claim 14, comprising:

a shell having a sealed inner space;

a motor unit disposed in the inner space of the shell; and

a compression unit disposed in the inner space of the shell and driven by the motor unit to compress refrigerant and discharge the compressed refrigerant into the inner space of the shell.

Drawing