U.S. patent application number 09/971479 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-11 for seal structure for compressor.
Invention is credited to Imai, Takayuki, Suzuki, Junya, Yokomachi, Naoya.
Application Number | 20020041812 09/971479 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18789112 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020041812 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yokomachi, Naoya ; et
al. |
April 11, 2002 |
Seal structure for compressor
Abstract
A seal structure used in a compressor has a first member, a
second member and a seal member with a rigidity. The first member
has a surface in a first shape. The first shape has at least a
first contacting portion. The second member has a surface in a
second shape. The second shape has at least a second contacting
portion. The first shape and the second shape are complementary
with each other. The seal member has a first seal surface and a
second seal surface. The seal member is located between the first
contacting portion and the second contacting portion. The seal
member has a sufficient area to cover at least the first contacting
portion and the second contacting portion. The seal member is
press-contacted and correspondingly deformed by the first
contacting portion and the second contacting portion, thereby
creating a seal between the first member and the second member.
Inventors: |
Yokomachi, Naoya;
(Kariya-shi, JP) ; Imai, Takayuki; (Kariya-shi,
JP) ; Suzuki, Junya; (Kariya-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBLE & YOSHIDA, LLC
Eight Penn Center
Suite 1350
1628 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
Philadelphia
PA
19103
US
|
Family ID: |
18789112 |
Appl. No.: |
09/971479 |
Filed: |
October 5, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/269 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16J 2015/0856 20130101;
F16J 15/0818 20130101; F04B 27/1036 20130101; F04B 27/1081
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/269 |
International
Class: |
F04B 027/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 10, 2000 |
JP |
2000-308862 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A seal structure used in a compressor comprising: a first member
having a surface in a first shape having at least a first
contacting portion; a second member having a surface in a second
shape having at least a second contacting portion, the first shape
and the second shape being complementary with each other; and a
seal member with a rigidity having a first seal surface and a
second seal surface, said seal member being located between said
first contacting portion and said second contacting portion, said
seal member having a sufficient area to cover at least the first
contacting portion and the second contacting portion, said seal
member being press-contacted and correspondingly deformed by the
first contacting portion and the second contacting portion, thereby
creating a seal between the first member and the second member.
2. The seal structure according to claim 1 wherein the first shape
is a protrusion and the second shape is a recess to receive the
protrusion.
3. The seal structure according to claim 2 wherein the protrusion
and the recess are square.
4. The seal structure according to claim 2 wherein the protrusion
and the recess are triangular.
5. The seal structure according to claim 2 wherein the protrusion
and the recess are circular.
6. The seal structure according to claim 1 wherein the first shape
is a protrusion, and wherein the second shape is an indentation to
receive the protrusion.
7. The seal structure according to claim 2 wherein thickness of
said seal member is larger than height of the protrusion.
8. The seal structure according to claim 6 wherein thickness of
said seal member is larger than height of the protrusion, the
height of the protrusion being substantially equal to depth of the
indentation.
9. The seal structure according to claim 1 wherein said first
member and said second member are respectively a swash plate
housing and a cylinder block.
10. The seal structure according to claim 1 wherein said seal
member has a rigid base plate and rubber seal layers on the rigid
base plate.
11. The seal structure according to claim 1 wherein said seal
member is flat.
12. The seal structure according to claim 1 wherein said seal
member is a valve plate.
13. The seal structure according to claim 1 wherein the first
contacting portion, the second contacting portion and said seal
member are formed in a closed shape.
14. A seal structure used in a compressor comprising: a first
member having an annular first contacting portion; a second member
having an annular second contacting portion; and an annular seal
member with a predetermined range of rigidity having a first seal
surface for contacting the first contacting portion and a second
seal surface for contacting the second contacting portion, wherein
said annular seal member is press-contacted and deformed by the
first contacting portion and the second contacting portion, whereby
said annular seal member creates a seal between said first member
and said second member.
15. The seal structure according to claim 14 wherein the first
contacting portion is an edge of a protrusion and the second
contacting portion is an edge of a recess.
16. The seal structure according to claim 15 wherein the protrusion
is in a square shape and the recess is in a square shape to receive
the protrusion.
17. The seal structure according to claim 15 wherein the protrusion
is in a triangular shape and the recess is in a triangular shape to
receive the protrusion.
18. The seal structure according to claim 15 wherein the protrusion
is in a circular shape and the recess is in a circular shape to
receive the protrusion.
19. The seal structure according to claim 15 wherein the recess is
in an indent shape to receive the protrusion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a seal for a compressor.
The compressor has an annular seal member that is placed between an
annular portion of a first member and an annular portion of a
second member.
[0002] The compressor has a plurality of constituent housings in a
housing assembly. The constituent housings are secured to each
other. An annular seal member is placed between the constituent
housings. The seal member prevents refrigerant in the housing
assembly from leaking through between the constituent housings. For
example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-261150, No.
9-42156, No. 11-125182 disclose a multiple seal structure. The
multiple seal structure has multiple annular seal members. When a
plurality of the seal members is used, the seal structure
effectively prevents the refrigerant in a housing assembly from
leaking through between constituent housings.
[0003] In the multiple seal structure, however, due to various
diameters of the multiple seal members the housing assembly
increases thickness of its wall. As the thickness of the housing
assembly increases, a configuration of the compressor becomes
larger and heavier.
[0004] As refrigerant carbon dioxide requires higher pressure than
fluoro series. Carbon dioxide in the high-pressure permeates into a
seal member made of rubber. When carbon dioxide decreases its
pressure, carbon dioxide inside the seal member expands. This
expansion or foaming damages the seal member. For the above reason,
the seal member made of rubber is generally unsuitable for a
compressor when carbon dioxide is used as refrigerant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The object of the present invention is to offer a single
seal member that is placed on an annular portion between a first
member and a second member so as to create a seal between the first
member and the second member closely.
[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention has
following features. A seal structure used in a compressor has a
first member, a second member and a seal member with rigidity. The
first member has a surface in a first shape. The first shape has at
least a first contacting portion. The second member has a surface
in a second shape. The second shape has at least a second
contacting portion. The first shape and the second shape are
complementary with each other. The seal member has a first seal
surface and a second seal surface. The seal member is located
between the first contacting portion and the second contacting
portion. The seal member has a sufficient area to cover at least
the first contacting portion and the second contacting portion. The
seal member is press-contacted and correspondingly deformed by the
first contacting portion and the second contacting portion, thereby
creating a seal between the first member and the second member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The features of the present invention that are believed to
be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims.
The invention together with objects and advantages thereof, may
best be understood by reference to the following description of the
presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram in a cross-sectional view illustrating a
first embodiment of a compressor seal according to the present
invention;
[0009] FIG. 1(a) is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 1 illustrating
the first preferred embodiment of the compressor seal according to
the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a partial exploded perspective view illustrating
the first preferred embodiment of the compressor seal according to
the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3(a) is a partial enlarged exploded cross-sectional
view illustrating the first preferred embodiment of the compressor
seal according to the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3(b) is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view
illustrating the first preferred embodiment of the compressor seal
according to the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a
second embodiment of the compressor seal according to the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 4(a) is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 4 illustrating
the second preferred embodiment of the compressor seal according to
the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4(b) is a partial enlarged exploded cross-sectional
view illustrating the second preferred embodiment of the compressor
seal according to the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view
illustrating a third embodiment of the compressor seal according to
the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view
illustrating a fourth embodiment of the compressor seal according
to the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a
fifth embodiment of the compressor seal according to the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 7(a) is a partial enlarged exploded cross-sectional
view illustrating the fifth preferred embodiment of the compressor
seal according to the present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 7(b) is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view
illustrating the fifth preferred embodiment of the compressor seal
according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Firstly, a first embodiment of the present invention is
described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3. The present
invention is applied to a fixed displacement type of a swash plate
compressor. In this embodiment, carbon dioxide is used as
refrigerant.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, a swash plate 11 is accommodated in a
swash plate housing 12. A cylinder block 13 is secured to the swash
plate housing 12. A chamber housing 14 is secured to the cylinder
block 13. A motor housing 15 is secured to the chamber housing 14.
The swash plate housing 12, the cylinder block 13, the chamber
housing 14 and the motor housing 15 constitute a housing assembly
10. The swash plate housing 12, the cylinder block 13, the chamber
housing 14 and the motor housing 15 are fixed by securing together
by bolts. The bolts are not illustrated in FIG. 1. The swash plate
housing 12 and the cylinder block 13 are considered as a first
housing and a second housing in the housing assembly 10. Similarly,
the cylinder block 13 and the chamber housing 14 are also
considered as a first housing and a second housing in the housing
assembly 10. The chamber housing 14 and the motor housing 15 are
also optionally considered as a first housing and a second housing
in the housing assembly 10. Between the above first and second
housings, one preferred embodiment of the compressor seal according
to the present invention is placed.
[0023] A drive shaft 16 is rotatably supported by radial bearings
17 and 18 in the swash plate housing 12 and the motor housing 15.
The drive shaft 16 extends through the cylinder block 13 and the
chamber housing 14. The swash plate 11 is mounted on the drive shat
16 in the swash plate housing 12.
[0024] A stator 19 is fixed to an inner circumferential surface of
the motor housing 15. A rotor 20 is mounted on the drive shaft 16
in the motor housing 15. When the stator 19 is energized, the rotor
20 is rotated. The drive shaft 16 rotates integrally with the rotor
20.
[0025] Still referring to FIG. 1, multiple cylinder bores 131 are
formed in the cylinder block 13. In the first embodiment, as shown
in FIG. 2, four cylinder bores are formed. The multiple cylinder
bores 131 are arranged to surround the drive shaft 16 at equal
intervals. A piston 21 is accommodated in each of the cylinder
bores 131. A pair of shoes 22 is placed between the swash plate 11
and the piston 21. Rotational movement of the swash plate 11 is
converted to reciprocal movement of the piston 21 in the cylinder
bore 131 through the shoes 22.
[0026] A port plate 23, a suction valve plate 24, a discharge valve
plate 25 and a retainer plate 26 are placed between the chamber
housing 14 and the cylinder block 13. The chamber housing 14 is
parted into a suction chamber 142 and a discharge chamber 143 by a
partition 141.
[0027] A suction port 231 is formed on the retainer plate 26, the
discharge valve plate 25 and the port plate 23 to correspond to the
suction chamber 142 and each of the cylinder bores 131. A discharge
port 232 is formed on the discharge plate 24 and the port plate 23
to correspond to the discharge chamber 143 and each of the cylinder
bores 131. A suction valve 241 is formed on the suction valve plate
24 and a discharge valve 251 is formed on the discharge valve plate
25. The suction valve 241 opens and closes the suction port 231,
and the discharge valve 251 opens and closes the discharge port
232.
[0028] While the piston 21 moves from a left side to a right side
in FIG. 1, refrigerant in the suction chamber 142 is drawn into the
cylinder bore 131 as the suction valve 241 is pushed away from the
suction port 231. While the piston 21 moves from the right side to
the left side in FIG. 1, the refrigerant in the cylinder bore 131
is discharged into the discharge chamber 143 as the discharge valve
251 is pushed away from the discharge port 232. A retainer 261 on
the retainer plate 26 regulates an opening of the discharge valve
251.
[0029] The swash plate 11 has a boss 111. The swash plate housing
12 has an end wall 121. A thrust bearing 27 is placed between the
boss 111 and the end wall 121. As the refrigerant is discharged
from the cylinder bore 131 into the discharge chamber 143 by the
reciprocal movement of the piston 21, compressive reaction force is
generated. At this time, the end wall 121 receives the compressive
reaction force through the piston 2 1, the shoes 22, the swash
plate 11 and the thrust bearing 27.
[0030] The chamber housing 14 has an end wall 144. An axial through
hole 145 is formed at the end wall 144 to insert the drive shaft
16. The refrigerant in the discharge chamber 143 flows into the
motor housing 15 through the axial through hole 145. A discharge
passage 151 is formed in the motor housing 15. The refrigerant in
the motor housing 15 flows through the discharge passage 151 into
an external refrigerant circuit which is not illustrated in FIG. 1.
The external refrigerant circuit has a condenser, an expansion
valve and an evaporator. A suction passage 146 is formed in the
chamber housing 14. The refrigerant is returned to the suction
chamber 142 through the condenser, the expansion valve, the
evaporator and the suction passage 146. The motor housing 15
communicates with the discharge chamber 143 through the axial
through hole 145 and maintains discharge pressure. The swash plate
housing 12 communicates with the discharge chamber 143 through the
axial through hole 132 formed in the cylinder block 13 and also
maintains discharge pressure. The radial bearings 17 and 18, the
thrust bearing 27 as well as sliding portions between the swash
plate 11 and the shoes 22 are all lubricated by lubricant oil which
flows in carbon dioxide in the first embodiment.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 1(a), the swash plate housing 12 is a first
member and the cylinder block 13 is a second member. An annular
gasket 31 as a seal member is placed between an end surface 29 of a
circumferential wall 28 of the swash plate housing 12 and an outer
circumferential portion of an end surface 30 of the cylinder block
13. The first member, the second member and the seal member have a
closed shape surface such as an annular surface. The end surfaces
29 and 30 are respectively annular securing portions of the swash
plate housing 12 and the cylinder block 13.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), an annular protrusion 39 in
a substantially rectangular or square shape is formed on the end
surface 29, and an annular recess 40 in a substantially rectangular
or square shape is formed on the outer circumferential portion in
one preferred embodiment. The annular protrusion 39 and the annular
recess 40 are complementary with each other. Height K1 of the
annular protrusion 39 is smaller than thickness T of the gasket 3
1. Depth F1 of the annular recess 40 is larger than the height K1
of the annular protrusion 39. A width H2 of the annular recess 40
is larger than a width H1 of the annular protrusion 39.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, a diameter D1 of an inner
circumferential step 391 of the annular protrusion 39 is larger
than a diameter D2 of an inner circumferential step 401 of the
annular recess 40 in one preferred embodiment. A diameter D3 of an
outer circumferential step 392 of the annular protrusion 39 is
smaller than a diameter D4 of an outer circumferential step 402 of
the annular recess 40.
[0034] Now referring back to FIGS. 1 and 1(a), as the compressor is
seen in a cross-sectional view along a direction of an axis 161 of
the drive shaft 16, the step 391 of the protrusion 39 is positioned
further away from the drive shaft 16 than the step 401. In the same
way, the step 402 of the annular recess 40 is positioned further
away from the drive shaft 16 than the step 392 to surround the step
392 with respect to the drive shaft 16. When the compressor is seen
in a cross-sectional view along the direction of the axis 161 of
the drive shaft 16, the annular protrusion 39 is received in the
annular recess 40.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) and in combination with FIG.
2, the annular protrusion 39 has an inner protruding edge 393 and
an outer protruding edge 394 with respect to the axis 161 which is
shown in FIG. 1. The annular recess 40 forms an inner base edge 403
and an outer base edge 404 with respect to the axis 161 . A
diameter of the inner protruding edge 393 or the diameter D1 of the
step 391 is larger than a diameter of the inner base edge 403 or
the diameter D2 of the step 401. A diameter of an outer protruding
edge 394 or the diameter D3 of the step 392 is smaller than a
diameter of an outer base edge 404 or the diameter D4 of the step
402.
[0036] FIG. 3(a) illustrates a state before the swash plate housing
12 and the cylinder block 13 are assembled. The gasket 31 includes
a base plate 311 and seal layers 312, 313 which are fixed to both
surfaces of the base plate 311. The base plate 311 is made of metal
while the seal layers 312 and 313 are made of rubber. The gasket 31
is flat.
[0037] In FIG. 3(b), the swash plate housing 12 and the cylinder
block 13 are assembled to sandwich the gasket 31. Herein, the
gasket 31 is sandwiched and deformed by the annular protrusion 39
and the annular recess 40.
[0038] Still referring to FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the gasket 31 has a
first seal surface 314 and a second seal surface 315. The
protruding edges 393 and 394 are contacting portions of the first
seal surface 314. The base edges 403 and 404 are contacting
portions of the second seal surface 315. The inner protruding edge
393 is a first contacting portion that corresponds to the inner
base edge 403. The inner base edge 403 is a second contacting
portion that corresponds to the inner protruding edge 393. In the
same way, the outer protruding edge 394 is a first contacting
portion that corresponds to the outer base edge 404. The outer base
edge 404 is a second contacting portion that corresponds to the
outer protruding edge 394.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, between an outer circumferential
portion of an end surface 32 of the cylinder block 13 and an end
surface 34 of a circumferential wall 33 of the chamber housing 14,
an annular gasket 35 is placed. Between an outer circumferential
portion of an outer end surface 147 of the end wall 144 of the
chamber housing 14 and an end surface 37 of a circumferential wall
36 of the motor housing 15, an annular gasket 38 is placed. In a
preferred embodiment, the gaskets 35 and 38 are substantially
similar to the gasket 31 and are placed in a substantially similar
manner.
[0040] The end surfaces 32 and 34 are respectively annular securing
portions of the cylinder block 13 and the chamber housing 14. The
end surface 37 and the outer end surface 147 are respectively
annular securing portions of the chamber housing 14 and the motor
housing 15.
[0041] Still referring to FIG. 1, an annular recess 41 is formed on
the outer circumferential portion of the end surface 32 of the
cylinder block 13. An annular protrusion 42 is formed on the end
surface 34 of the circumferential wall 33 of the chamber housing
14. The annular protrusion 41 and the annular recess 42 are
complementary with each other. An annular recess 43 is formed on
the outer circumferential portion of the outer end surface 147 of
the chamber housing 14. An annular protrusion 44 is formed on the
end surface 37 of the circumferential wall 36 of the motor housing
15. The annular protrusion 43 and the annular recess 44 are
complementary with each other. The annular protrusions 42 and 44
are in a substantially similar shape as the annular protrusion 39.
The annular recesses 41 and 43 are also in a substantially similar
shape as the annular recess 40. As the compressor is seen in a
cross-sectional view along the direction of the axis 161 of the
drive shaft 16, the annular protrusion 42 is received in the
annular recess 41 while the annular protrusion 44 is received in
the annular recess 43.
[0042] In the first embodiment, the following effects are
obtained.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 3(b), when the swash plate housing 12 and
the cylinder block 13 are assembled, the end surface 29 and the end
surface 30 approach with each other to have a distance which is
nearly equal to the thickness T of the gasket 31. The height K1 of
the annular protrusion 39 is smaller than the thickness T of the
gasket 31 in one preferred embodiment. Therefore, the protruding
edges 393, 394 and the base edges 403, 404 approach with each other
to have intervals t which are smaller than the thickness T of the
gasket 31. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the
protruding edges 393 and 394 contact the first seal surface 314 of
the seal layer 312. In the same way, the base edges 403 and 404
contact the second seal surface 315 of the seal layer 313. In the
above assembled state, the inner protruding edge 393 pushes the
gasket 31 towards the end surface 30 outside the inner base edge
403 with respect to the axis 161 which is shown in FIG. 1, while
the inner base edge 403 pushes the gasket 31 towards the end
surface 29 inside the inner protruding edge 393 with respect to the
axis 161. In a substantially similar manner, the outer protruding
edge 394 pushes the gasket 31 towards the end surface 30 inside the
outer base edge 404 with respect to the axis 161, while the outer
base edge 404 pushes the gasket 31 towards the end surface 29
outside the outer protruding edge 394 with respect to the axis
161.
[0044] As a result, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the annular gasket 31 is
deformed in a direction of the thickness of the annular gasket 31
or in a direction of the annular protrusion. The deformation is
made over all circumferences of the annular gasket 31. The annular
gasket 31 is deformed against rigidity of the base plate 311 over
all circumferences of the annular gasket 31. At this time, the
protruding edges 393, 394 press-contact the seal layer 312 and the
base edges 403, 404 press-contact the seal layer 313. The
protruding ends 393, 394 and the base ends 403, 404 are linear
contacting portions and increase pressure against the seal layers
312 and 313 when press-contacted. Such high-pressure prevents
refrigerant in the housing assembly 10 from leaking through between
the gasket 31 and the end surface 29 as well as between the gasket
31 and the end surface 30.
[0045] Carbon dioxide is used in higher pressure than fluoro
series. Carbon dioxide in the high-pressure permeates into a seal
member made of rubber. When carbon dioxide decreases its pressure,
carbon dioxide in the seal member expands to damage the seal
member. This damage deteriorates function of the seal member.
[0046] The gasket 31 is formed by affixing the seal layers 312 and
313 made of rubber to both surfaces of the base plate 311. As
thickness of the seal layers 312 and 313 is decreased, little
carbon dioxide in high-pressure permeates into the seal layers 312
and 313. For the above reason, foaming is substantially reduced.
Accordingly, the seal layers 312 and 313 are not damaged.
[0047] When the annular protrusion 39 and the annular recess 40 are
employed, contacting portions increase pressure against the seal
layers 312 and 313. The above contacting portions are easily
formed.
[0048] The gasket 31 is flat. Therefore, both surfaces of the
gasket 31 correspond to contact the end surface 29 or the end
surface 30. In other words, the seal layer 312 contacts the end
surface 29 while the seal layer 312 contacts the end surface 30.
The seal layer 313 contacts the end surface 29 while the seal layer
313 contacts the end surface 30. Accordingly, the gasket 31 is
convenient to use.
[0049] The annular gasket 31 has thickness that is much smaller
than a diameter of the annular gasket 31 and is easily deformed
equally over all circumferences of the annular gasket 31.
[0050] The annular gaskets 35 and 38 function in substantially the
same way as the annular gasket 31. The annular protrusions 42 and
44 function in substantially the same way as the annular protrusion
39. The annular recesses 41 and 43 function in substantially the
same way as the annular recess 40.
[0051] A second preferred embodiment of the present invention will
be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 4(a) and 4(b). The same
reference numerals of the first preferred embodiment are applied to
substantially the same components in the second preferred
embodiment.
[0052] An annular protrusion 45 is formed on the end surface 29 of
the circumferential wall 28 of the swash plate housing 12. An
annular indentation 46 is formed on the outer circumferential
portion of the end surface 30 of the cylinder block 13. The annular
protrusion 45 has a protrusion with a single step on the end
surface 29 which is a securing portion. The indentation 46 forms a
recess with a single step on the outer circumferential portion
which is a securing portion. The annular protrusion 45 and the
annular indentation 46 are complementary with each other. Height K2
of the annular protrusion 45 is smaller than the thickness T of the
gasket 31. Depth F2 of the annular indentation 46 is substantially
equal to the height K2 of the annular protrusion 45.
[0053] A width H4 of the annular indentation 46 is larger than a
width H3 of the annular protrusion 45. A diameter of the step 451
of the annular protrusion 45 is larger than a diameter of the step
461 of the annular indentation 46. When the compressor is seen in a
cross-sectional view along the direction of the axis 161 of the
drive shaft 16, the step 451 of the annular protrusion 45 is
positioned further away from the drive shaft 16 than the step 461
of the annular indentation 46. When the compressor is seen in a
cross-sectional view along the direction of the axis 161 of the
drive shaft 16, the annular protrusion 45 is received by the
annular indentation 46.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 4(a), when the swash plate housing 12 and
the cylinder block 13 are assembled, the annular gasket 31 is
deformed. In this state, the protruding edge 452 of the step 451 of
the annular protrusion 45 press-contacts the seal layer 312 and the
base edges 462 of the step 461 of the annular indentation 46
press-contacts the seal layer 313. The protruding edge 452 and the
base edge 462 are linear contacting portions and increase pressure
against the seal layers 312 and 313 when press-contacted. Such
high-pressure prevents the refrigerant in the housing assembly 10
from leaking through between the annular gasket 31 and the end
surface 29 as well as between the annular gasket 31 and the end
surface 30.
[0055] A third preferred embodiment of the present invention will
be described with reference to FIG. 5. The same reference numerals
of the first preferred embodiment are applied to substantially the
same components of the third preferred embodiment.
[0056] An annular protrusion 47 has a triangular shape with a pair
of tapers 471 and 472. The tapers 471 and 472 cross on a top 473 of
the annular protrusion 47 which is a first contacting portion and
press-contact the seal layer 312 of the annular gasket 31. An
annular recess 48 has a pair of tapers 481 and 482. The tapers 481
and 482 respectively cross the end surface 30 on a pair of edge
portions 483 and 484, which are second contacting portions and
press-contact the seal layer 313 of the annular gasket 31. The
annular protrusion 47 and the annular recess 48 are complementary
with each other.
[0057] A fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention will
be described with reference to FIG. 6. The same reference numerals
of the first preferred embodiment are applied to substantially the
same components of the fourth preferred embodiment.
[0058] An annular protrusion 49 has a convex or a semicircular
shape in a radial cross section. An annular recess 50 forms a
concave or a semicircular shape in the radial cross section. The
annular protrusion 49 and the annular recess 50 are complementary
with each other. A top 491 of the annular protrusion 49 is a first
contacting portion and press-contacts the seal layer 312 of the
annular gasket 31. A partial circle of the annular recess 50 is
formed on the end surface 30 between a pair of edge portions 501
and 502, which are second contacting portions and press-contact the
seal layer 313 of the annular gasket 31.
[0059] A fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention will
be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 7(a), 7(b). The same
reference numerals of the first preferred embodiment are applied to
substantially the same components of the fifth preferred
embodiment.
[0060] The suction valve 241 is formed on a suction valve plate
24A. The suction valve plate 24A is also a gasket. The gasket 24A
includes a base plate 242 and seal layers 243, 244 which are fixed
to both surfaces of the base plate 242. The base plate 242 is made
of metal while the seal layers 243, 244 are made of rubber. The
annular recess 41 is formed on the cylinder block 13. The annular
recess 41 forms an inner base edge 413 with an inner step 411 and
an outer base edge 414 with an outer step 412 with respect to the
axis 161 which is shown in FIG. 1. The base edges 413, 414 are
second contacting portions which contact a second seal surface 246
of the suction valve plate 24A. The annular protrusion 42 is formed
on the chamber housing 14. The annular protrusion has an inner
protruding edge 423 with an inner step 421 and an outer protruding
edge 424 with an outer step 422 with respect to the axis 161. The
protruding edges 423, 424 are first contacting portions which
contact a first seal surface 245 of the suction valve plate 24A.
The suction valve plate 24A is flat. When the cylinder block 13 and
the chamber housing 14 are assembled, an outer circumferential
portion of the suction valve plate 24A is deformed over all
circumferences of the annular gasket 31. In the above described
preferred embodiment, since the suction valve plate 24A is also
used as a gasket, the number of parts is reduced.
[0061] In the present invention, the following alternative
embodiments are also practiced.
[0062] The present invention is applied to a variable displacement
compressor which is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent
Publication No. 2000-170656. The variable displacement compressor
has a control valve housing and a compressor housing. The present
invention is applied to a seal between the control valve housing
and the compressor housing using a gasket. In an alternative
embodiment, the control valve housing is a first member and the
compressor housing is a second member. The control valve housing
and the compressor housing are secured to each other.
[0063] The present invention is not applied only to a swash plate
type compressor, but also to a scroll type compressor, a vane type
compressor and other types of compressors.
[0064] As described above, in the present invention, a seal
structure used in a compressor has a first member, a second member
and a seal member with rigidity. The first member has a surface in
a first shape. The first shape has at least a first contacting
portion. The second member has a surface in a second shape. The
second shape has at least a second contacting portion. The first
shape and the second shape are complementary with each other. The
seal member has a first seal surface and a second seal surface. The
seal member is located between the first contacting portion and the
second contacting portion. The seal member has a sufficient area to
cover at least the first contacting portion and the second
contacting portion. The seal member is press-contacted and
correspondingly deformed by the first contacting portion and the
second contacting portion, thereby creating a seal between the
first member and the second member. Accordingly, the single seal
member is placed between an annular portion of the first member and
a corresponding annular portion of the second member to closely
seal the first member and the second member.
[0065] The present examples and embodiments are to be considered as
illustrative and not restrictive and the invention is not to be
limited to the details given herein but may be modified within the
scope of the appended claims.
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