U.S. patent application number 10/805711 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-14 for hybrid compressor.
Invention is credited to Iguchi, Masao, Iwasa, Jiro, Kawaguchi, Masahiro, Sakamoto, Masaya, Sato, Shinya, Tashiro, Tomoharu, Yamanouchi, Akihito.
Application Number | 20040202550 10/805711 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32844640 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040202550 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kawaguchi, Masahiro ; et
al. |
October 14, 2004 |
Hybrid compressor
Abstract
A hybrid compressor includes a housing. A rotary shaft is
rotatably supported by the housing. A compression mechanism is
located in the housing and connected to the rotary shaft for
compressing refrigerant gas. A drive mechanism is located in the
housing for driving the compression mechanism. A speed-changing
mechanism is located in the housing for transmitting power from the
drive mechanism to the compression mechanism via rotary shaft. The
speed-changing mechanism varies the rotational speed of the drive
mechanism. A sealing mechanism is located in the housing for
sealing the speed-changing mechanism.
Inventors: |
Kawaguchi, Masahiro;
(Kariya-shi, JP) ; Iwasa, Jiro; (Kariya-shi,
JP) ; Iguchi, Masao; (Kariya-shi, JP) ;
Sakamoto, Masaya; (Kariya-shi, JP) ; Sato,
Shinya; (Kariya-shi, JP) ; Tashiro, Tomoharu;
(Kariya-shi, JP) ; Yamanouchi, Akihito;
(Kariya-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBLE YOSHIDA & DUNLEAVY, LLC
Suite 1350
Eight Penn Center
1628 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
Philadelphia
PA
19103
US
|
Family ID: |
32844640 |
Appl. No.: |
10/805711 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/212 ;
417/374 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04C 18/0207 20130101;
F04C 29/02 20130101; F04C 29/005 20130101; F04C 29/0085 20130101;
F04C 27/009 20130101; F04C 18/34 20130101; F04C 23/008 20130101;
F04C 2240/45 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/212 ;
417/374 |
International
Class: |
F04B 023/08; F04B
049/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 31, 2003 |
JP |
2003-096121 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A hybrid compressor comprising: a housing; a rotary shaft
rotatably supported by the housing; a compression mechanism located
in the housing and connected to the rotary shaft for compressing
refrigerant gas; a drive mechanism located in the housing for
driving the compression mechanism; a speed-changing mechanism
located in the housing for transmitting power from the drive
mechanism to the compression mechanism via the rotary shaft, the
speed-changing mechanism varying the rotational speed of the drive
mechanism; and a sealing mechanism located in the housing for
sealing the speed-changing mechanism.
2. The hybrid compressor according to claim 1, wherein the housing
includes a first housing and a second housing that are fixed to
each other, the compression mechanism being located in the first
housing, the drive mechanism and the speed-changing mechanism being
located in the second housing.
3. The hybrid compressor according to claim 2, wherein the first
housing includes a first housing main body and a center housing
having a shaft hole through which the rotary shaft is inserted, the
second housing being hermetically fixed to the first housing, the
sealing mechanism being located between the rotary shaft and the
through hole.
4. The hybrid compressor according to claim 1, further comprising a
transmission mechanism provided outside the housing for
transmitting power from an external drive source to the rotary
shaft to drive the compression mechanism.
5. The hybrid compressor according to claim 1, wherein the
speed-changing mechanism reduces the rotational speed of the rotary
shaft relative to the rotational speed of the drive mechanism.
6. The hybrid compressor according to claim 1, wherein the
speed-changing mechanism and the housing form a lubricant storage
space for storing lubricant that lubricates the speed changing
mechanism.
7. A hybrid compressor comprising: a housing; a rotary shaft
rotatably supported by the housing; a compression mechanism located
in the housing and connected to the rotary shaft for compressing
refrigerant gas; a drive mechanism located in the housing for
driving the compression mechanism; a speed-changing mechanism
located in the housing for transmitting power from the drive
mechanism to the compression mechanism via the rotary shaft, the
speed-changing mechanism varying the rotational speed of the drive
mechanism; and a sealing mechanism located in the housing for
sealing a lubricant storage space partially defined by the
speed-changing mechanism.
8. The hybrid compressor according to claim 7, wherein the sealing
mechanism is located between the housing and the speed-changing
mechanism.
9. The hybrid compressor according to claim 7, wherein the rotary
shaft extends through the lubricant storage space, the sealing
mechanism being located between the housing and the rotary
shaft.
10. The hybrid compressor according to claim 7, wherein the rotary
shaft extends through the lubricant storage space, the sealing
mechanism being located between the speed-changing mechanism and
the rotary shaft.
11. The hybrid compressor according to claim 7, wherein the
speed-changing mechanism further comprises a first gear and a
second gear, the sealing mechanism being located between the first
gear and the second gear.
12. The hybrid compressor according to claim 11, wherein the
sealing mechanism is located between the first gear and the drive
mechanism.
13. The hybrid compressor according to claim 7, wherein the
speed-changing mechanism reduces the rotational speed of the rotary
shaft relative to the rotational speed of the drive mechanism.
14. The hybrid compressor according to claim 7, wherein the
speed-changing mechanism includes a first gear, the rotary shaft
extending through the lubricant storage space, the lubricant
storage space including a first space substantially defined by the
first gear, the rotary shaft and the housing, the sealing mechanism
sealing the first space.
15. The hybrid compressor according to claim 7, wherein the
speed-changing mechanism includes a first gear, the rotary shaft
extending through the lubricant storage space, the lubricant
storage space including a first space substantially defined by the
first gear and the rotary shaft, the sealing mechanism sealing the
first space.
16. The hybrid compressor according to claim 7, wherein the
speed-changing mechanism includes a first gear, a second gear and a
third gear, the lubricant storage space including a second space
substantially defined by the first gear, the second gear and the
third gear, the sealing mechanism sealing the second space.
17. The hybrid compressor according to claim 7, wherein the
speed-changing mechanism includes a first gear and an arm, the
rotary shaft extending through the lubricant storage space, the
lubricant storage space including a third space substantially
defined by the first gear, the arm, the rotary shaft and the
housing, the sealing mechanism sealing the third space.
18. The hybrid compressor according to claim 7, wherein the
speed-changing mechanism and the housing form the lubricant storage
space for the storing lubricant that lubricates the speed-changing
mechanism.
19. A hybrid compressor comprising: a housing; a rotary shaft
rotatably supported by the housing; a compression mechanism located
in the housing and connected to the rotary shaft for compressing
refrigerant gas; a drive mechanism located in the housing for
driving the compression mechanism; a speed-changing mechanism
located in the housing for transmitting power from the drive
mechanism to the compression mechanism via the rotary shaft, the
speed-changing mechanism varying the rotational speed of the drive
mechanism; a sub-housing located in the housing for housing the
speed-changing mechanism and for providing lubricant space to
maintain lubricant; and a sealing mechanism located in the housing
for sealing the sub-housing between the compression mechanism and
the drive mechanism.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a hybrid compressor
preferably used in a vehicle air-conditioning system.
[0002] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-93876
discloses a hybrid compressor that includes a housing, a
compression mechanism, a drive mechanism and a transmission
mechanism. The compression mechanism and the drive mechanism are
provided in the housing, and the transmission mechanism is provided
outside the housing. The compression mechanism sucks refrigerant
gas, compresses it and discharges it. The drive mechanism includes
an electric motor that rotates a rotary shaft through a
speed-changing mechanism for driving the compression mechanism. The
transmission mechanism transmits power to the drive shaft from an
external drive source such as an engine that is located outside the
housing. This reference discloses scroll type and vane type
compression mechanisms, an induction motor as the electric motor of
the drive mechanism and an electromagnetic clutch as the
transmission mechanism.
[0003] In the hybrid compressor, when the external drive source is
in an operational state, the power is transmitted from the external
drive source to the rotary shaft through the transmission mechanism
to drive the compression mechanism. On the other hand, when the
external drive source is in a stop state, the drive mechanism
rotates the rotary shaft through the speed-changing mechanism that
reduces the rotational speed of the rotary shaft to drive the
compression mechanism. Thus, even if the external drive source is
either in the operational state or the stop state, the compressor
is operated to work the vehicle air-conditioning system. Therefore,
comfort of car interior is maintained.
[0004] Meanwhile, the refrigerant gas and the lubricating oil sent
from the compression mechanism respectively cool and lubricate the
electric motor and the speed-changing mechanism. However, it has
been proven in prior art that the lubricating oil sent only from
the compression mechanism is insufficient for lubricating the
speed-changing mechanism. Thus, in the conventional hybrid
compressor, the function of the speed-changing mechanism
deteriorates after a long period of time, and the efficiency and
the life of the hybrid compressor also deteriorate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a hybrid compressor that
maintains its efficiency and its life even though the hybrid
compressor is used for a long period of time.
[0006] According to the present invention, a hybrid compressor
includes a housing. A rotary shaft is rotatably supported by the
housing. A compression mechanism is located in the housing and
connected to the rotary shaft for compressing refrigerant gas. A
drive mechanism is located in the housing for driving the
compression mechanism. A speed-changing mechanism is located in the
housing for transmitting power from the drive mechanism to the
compression mechanism via rotary shaft. The speed-changing
mechanism varies the rotational speed of the drive mechanism. A
sealing mechanism is located in the housing for sealing the
speed-changing mechanism.
[0007] The present invention also provides a hybrid compressor
including a housing. A rotary shaft is rotatably supported by the
housing. A compression mechanism is located in the housing and
connected to the rotary shaft for compressing refrigerant gas. A
drive mechanism is located in the housing for driving the
compression mechanism. A speed-changing mechanism is located in the
housing for transmitting power from the drive mechanism to the
compression mechanism via the rotary shaft. The speed-changing
mechanism varies the rotational speed of the drive mechanism. A
sealing mechanism is located in the housing for sealing a lubricant
storage space partially defined by the speed-changing
mechanism.
[0008] The present invention also provides a hybrid compressor
including a housing. A rotary shaft is rotatably supported by the
housing. A compression mechanism is located in the housing and
connected to the rotary shaft for compressing refrigerant gas. A
drive mechanism is located in the housing for driving the
compression mechanism. A speed-changing mechanism is located in the
housing for transmitting power from the drive mechanism to the
compression mechanism via the rotary shaft. The speed-changing
mechanism varies the rotational speed of the drive mechanism. A
sub-housing is located in the housing for housing the
speed-changing mechanism and for providing lubricant space to
maintain lubricant. A sealing mechanism is located in the housing
for sealing the sub-housing between the compression mechanism and
the drive mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] 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:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the hybrid
compressor according to a first preferred embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0011] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the hybrid
compressor according to a second preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] First and second preferred embodiments according to the
present invention will be respectively described in reference to
FIGS. 1 and 2. Now, the first preferred embodiment will be
described. As show in FIG. 1, a housing of a hybrid compressor
includes a front housing 1, a center housing 2, a fixed scroll
member 11 and a rear housing 3. The front housing 1 is fixed to the
center housing 2. The hybrid compressor includes a compression
mechanism 10, a drive mechanism 80, a speed-reducing mechanism 40
and an electromagnetic clutch 50. The compression mechanism 10 is
located in the center housing 2, the fixed scroll member 11 and the
rear housing 3. The drive mechanism 80 and the speed-reducing
mechanism 40 are located in the front housing 1. The
electromagnetic clutch 50 as a transmission mechanism is located
outside the front housing 1. A first housing includes the center
housing 2, the fixed scroll member 11 and the rear housing 3. The
fixed scroll member 11 and the rear housing 3 correspond to a first
housing main body, and the center housing 2 corresponds to a
partition wall. The front housing 1 corresponds to a second
housing.
[0013] The compression mechanism 10 includes the fixed scroll
member 11 and a movable scroll member 12 that are engaged with each
other to define compression chambers 13. The fixed scroll member 11
includes a fixed base plate 11a, a shell portion 11b and a fixed
spiral wall 11c. The shell portion 11b is fixed to the center
housing 2 and the rear housing 3 and is sandwiched between the
center housing 2 and the rear housing 3. The shell portion 11b
constitutes the outer periphery of the fixed scroll member 11. The
fixed base plate 11a has a disc shape and is formed integrally with
the shell portion 11b at the side of the rear housing 3. The fixed
spiral wall 11c protrudes from the fixed base plate 11a toward the
center housing 2 in an involute curve. The movable scroll member 12
includes a movable base plate 12a, a movable spiral wall 12b and a
boss 12c. The movable base plate 12a has a disc shape. The movable
spiral wall 12b protrudes from the movable base plate 12a toward
the rear housing 3 in an involute curve. The compression chambers
13 are defined by the fixed base plate 11a, the fixed spiral wall
11c, the movable base plate 12a and the movable spiral wall 12b.
The boss 12c is formed on the movable base plate 12a in the center
housing 2.
[0014] A suction chamber 3b and a discharge chamber 3a are defined
by the fixed scroll member 11 and the rear housing 3. Although not
shown, a suction port extends through the outer periphery of the
fixed base plate 11a to interconnect the suction chamber 3b and the
compression chambers 13. The suction chamber 3b is also connected
to an evaporator of a refrigeration circuit that is not shown. A
discharge port 14 extends through the center of the fixed base
plate 11a to interconnect the compression chambers 13 and the
discharge chamber 3a. The discharge chamber 3a is connected to a
condenser of the refrigeration circuit that is not shown.
[0015] A shaft hole 2a is formed in the center housing 2. A rotary
shaft 4 is inserted through the shaft hole 2a. A shaft seal device
21 is arranged between the rotary shaft 4 and the shaft hole 2a.
Thus, the center housing 2 is hermetically fixed to the front
housing 1. The rotary shaft 4 is rotatably supported by the center
housing 2 via the shaft seal device 21 and a radial bearing 22. A
slide key 23 is protruded from the inner end of a large diameter
portion 4a of the rotary shaft 4 and is offset from a central axis
S of the rotary shaft 4. A counter weight 24 is fitted to a drive
bush 25 that is inserted to the slide key 23. The boss 12c of the
movable scroll member 12 is supported by the drive bush 25 via a
radial bearing 26. A self-rotation preventing mechanism 27 is
provided between the center housing 2 and the movable base plate
12a for preventing the movable base plate 12a from
self-rotating.
[0016] The drive mechanism 80 includes a direct current motor (a DC
motor) 81 for rotationally driving the rotary shaft 4 and a printed
circuit board 87 that has integrated circuits (IC) for controlling
the DC motor 81. The DC motor 81 includes a casing 82, a pair of
permanent magnets 83, a rotor 84 and a brush 85. The casing 82 has
a cylindrical shape. The outer circumferential surface of the
casing 82 is fixed to the front housing 1. The pair of the
permanent magnets 83 are fixed to the inner circumferential surface
of the casing 82 and face each other. The rotor 84 has a
cylindrical shape and is rotatably provided inside the casing 82. A
plurality of salient poles has winding wire and is mounted on the
outer circumferential surface of the rotor 84. The salient poles
are arranged around the central axis S. The brush 85 electrically
contacts the rotor 84 through a sun gear 42 for switching the
direction of electric current applied to the winding wire. The
brush 85 is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 87
via a connector 86. The printed circuit board 87 is connected via a
cable 88 to a computer that is not shown.
[0017] The speed-reducing mechanism 40 for reducing the rotational
speed of the rotary shaft 4 relative to the rotational speed of the
drive mechanism 80 transmits driving power from the drive mechanism
80 to the compression mechanism 10. The speed-reducing mechanism 40
includes a planetary gear mechanism that has the sun gear 42, three
planetary gears 43 and an internal gear 44. A part 42a of the sun
gear 42 is fitted into the rotor 84 of the DC motor 81 to rotate
integrally. External gear teeth are formed on the outer
circumferential surface of a part 42b of the sun gear 42. A shield
bearing 41 is arranged between the sun gear 42 and the center
housing 2. Thus, the sun gear 42 and the rotor 84 are rotatably
supported by the center housing 2 via the shield bearing 41.
Internal gear teeth are formed on the inner circumferential surface
of the internal gear 44. The internal gear 44 is fixed to the front
housing 1 and rotatably supports the sun gear 42 via a shield
bearing 48. The three planetary gears 43 are rotatably provided
between the sun gear 42 and the internal gear 44. External gear
teeth are formed on the outer circumferential surface of each of
the planetary gears 43 and are engaged with the external gear teeth
of the sun gear 42 as well as the internal gear teeth of the
internal gear 44. Each of the planetary gears 43 is connected to an
arm 43a. The arm 43a is rotatably supported by the front housing 1
via a shield bearing 49, and the rotary shaft 4 is supported by the
front housing 1 via a shaft seal device 46 and a shield bearing 45.
Thus, the speed-reducing mechanism 40 is sealed by the shaft seal
devices 21 and 46, the shield bearings 41, 48, 49 and 45. Namely, a
space A is substantially defined by the sun gear 42, the rotary
shaft 4 and the center housing 2 and is sealed by the shield
bearing 41 and the shaft seal device 21. A space B is substantially
defined by the sun gear 42, the planetary gears 43 and the internal
gear 44 and is sealed by the shield bearing 48. A space C is
substantially defined by the planetary gears 43, the arm 43a, the
rotary shaft 4 and the front housing 1 and is sealed by the shield
bearings 49 and 45 and the shaft seal device 46. The spaces A, B
and C communicate with each other and constitute the internal space
of the speed-reducing mechanism 40. Lubricating oil L is stored
inside the spaces A, B and C of the speed-reducing mechanism 40 and
does not leak to the outside due to the above sealing mechanism.
The shaft seal devices 21 and 46, the shield bearings 41, 48, 49
and 45 correspond to a sealing mechanism.
[0018] A one-way clutch 47 is arranged between the arm 43a of the
speed-reducing mechanism 40 and the rotary shaft 4. The one-way
clutch 47 is the same type of the one-way clutch as disclosed in
Japan Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-276775. The one-way
clutch 47 transmits power from the speed-reducing mechanism 40 to
the rotary shaft 4 and blocks power from the rotary shaft 4 to the
speed-reducing mechanism 40.
[0019] The electromagnetic clutch 50 is provided outside the front
housing 1. The electromagnetic clutch 50 includes a hub 53, a
pulley 51 and a coil 52. The hub 53 has an armature and is fixed to
the outer end of the rotary shaft 4. The pulley 51 is rotatably
provided at the front housing 1 via a bearing device 54. The pulley
51 is wound to a belt that is not shown, and the belt is connected
to an engine 60 as an external drive source. The coil 52 is fixed
to the front housing 1 in the pulley 51. When an electric current
is applied to the coil 52, the armature of the hub 53 moves and is
magnetically connected to the pulley 51, and the rotary shaft 4 is
rotated synchronously with the pulley 51. Thus, driving power is
transmitted from the engine 60 to the rotary shaft 4. On the other
hand, when electric current is not applied to the coil 52, the
armature of the hub 53 moves away from the pulley 51, and the
rotary shaft 4 is not rotated by the pulley 51. Thus, the driving
power is not transmitted from the engine 60 to the rotary shaft
4.
[0020] In the above-constructed hybrid compressor, when electric
current is not applied to the electromagnetic clutch 50 but is
applied to the DC motor 81, the drive mechanism 80 drives the
compression mechanism 10. Namely, when the electric current is not
applied to the coil 52 of the electromagnetic clutch 50, the pulley
51 and the hub 53 is separated from each other. Thus, the pulley 51
idles, and the driving power is not transmitted from the engine 60
to the rotary shaft 4. When the electric current is applied to the
DC motor 81, the rotor 84 rotates. Since the part 42a of the sun
gear 42 of the planetary gear mechanism is fitted into the rotor
84, the sun gear 42 rotates integrally with the rotor 84. In
accordance with the rotation of the sun gear 42, the arm 43a is
rotated via the planetary gears 43. The rotational speed of the arm
43a is reduced due to the gear ratio among the sun gear 42, the
planetary gears 43 and the internal gear 44. Then, the rotary shaft
4 rotates via the one-way clutch 47 at the same rotational speed of
the arm 43a. Therefore, the rotation of the rotor 84 is transmitted
to the drive shaft 4 via the speed-reducing mechanism 40 that
reduces the rotational speed of the rotor 84.
[0021] When the rotary shaft 4 rotates, the slide key 23 orbits
around the central axis S. The cooperation of the drive bush 25
that is fitted to the slide key 23 and the self-rotation preventing
mechanism 27 allows the movable scroll member 12 to orbit around
the central axis S. As the compression chamber 13 that is defined
by the fixed base plate 11a, the fixed spiral wall 11c, the movable
base plate 12aand the movable spiral wall 12b moves toward the
center of the fixed scroll member 11, the compression chambers 13
sequentially reduce in volume. In this way, the compression
mechanism 10 is driven by the rotation of the rotary shaft 4.
Refrigerant gas is introduced from the refrigeration circuit via
the suction chamber 3b to the compression chambers 13 in a suction
process and is compressed due to the movement of the compression
chambers 13. Then, the compressed refrigerant gas is discharged
from the compression chambers 13 to the refrigeration circuit via
the discharge port 14 and the discharge chamber 3b.
[0022] On the other hand, when electric current is not applied to
the DC motor 81 but is applied to the coil 52 of the
electromagnetic clutch 50, the engine 60 drives the compression
mechanism 10 via the electromagnetic clutch 50. Namely, when the
electric current is not applied to the DC motor 81, the rotor 84
does not rotate, and the driving power is not transmitted from the
drive mechanism 80 to the rotary shaft 4 via the speed-reducing
mechanism 40. When the electric current is applied to the coil 52
of the electromagnetic clutch 50, the pulley 51 is magnetically
connected to the hub 53, and the driving power is transmitted from
the engine 60 to the rotary shaft 4 via the electromagnetic clutch
50. When the rotary shaft 4 rotates, the compression mechanism 10
is driven as described above. In this way, the engine 60 drives the
compression mechanism 10 via the electromagnetic clutch 50.
Furthermore, when the electric current is not applied to DC motor
81 and the electromagnetic clutch 50, the drive of the compression
mechanism 10 is stopped.
[0023] In the hybrid compressor, the speed-reducing mechanism 40
that transmits the power from the drive mechanism 80 to the
compression mechanism 10 is sealed by the shaft seal devices 21 and
46, the shield bearings 41, 48, 49 and 45 from the drive mechanism
80 and the compression mechanism 10. Thus, the lubricating oil L is
utilized only for the speed-reducing mechanism 40 and sufficiently
lubricates the speed-reducing mechanism 40. Furthermore, the
lubricating oil L in the speed-reducing mechanism 40 is
substantially prevented from leaking to the outside of the
speed-reducing mechanism 40 due to the above sealing. Thus, the
compression mechanism 10, the drive mechanism 80 and the
electromagnetic clutch 50 are protected from the lubricating oil L.
The drive mechanism 80 and the electromagnetic clutch 50 perform a
long life in comparison to the prior art components due to the
block of the damage caused by the lubricating oil. For the above
reason, even though the hybrid compressor in the first preferred
embodiment is used for a long period, the efficiency of the hybrid
compressor is hard to deteriorate.
[0024] In the hybrid compressor, the shaft seal device 21 is
arranged between the rotary shaft 4 and the shaft hole 2a so that
the center housing 2 is hermetically fixed to the front housing 1.
Thus, the drive mechanism 80 is separated from the compression
mechanism 10, and the refrigerant gas and lubricating oil in the
compression mechanism 10 is prevented from invading the drive
mechanism 80. Therefore, the DC motor 81 is utilized as the motor
of the drive mechanism 80.
[0025] Furthermore, since the speed-reducing mechanism 40 for
reducing the speed of the rotary shaft 4 transmits the power from
the drive mechanism 80 to the compression mechanism 10 in the
hybrid compressor, the rotational torque of the DC motor 81 can be
small. Thus, the DC motor 81 is miniaturized, and the hybrid
compressor is miniaturized due to the miniaturized DC motor 81.
[0026] The one-way clutch 47 is arranged between the speed-reducing
mechanism 40 and the rotary shaft 4 in the hybrid compressor. The
one-way clutch 47 transmits the driving power from the DC motor 81
to the rotary shaft 4 via the speed-reducing mechanism 40 and
blocks the power that is applied to the compression mechanism 10
from the rotary shaft 4 to the speed-reducing mechanism 40. Thus,
since the speed-reducing mechanism 40 and the drive mechanism 80
are not load for the compression mechanism 10, the compression
mechanism 10 is prevented from being locked.
[0027] The compression mechanism 10 is located in the first housing
including the center housing 2, the fixed scroll member 11 and the
rear housing 3. The speed-reducing mechanism 40 and the drive
mechanism 80 are located in the second housing or the front housing
1. The second housing is fixed to the first housing. Thus, the
second housing is only modified and the first housing is shared as
a common portion, the structure and the combination of the drive
mechanism 80 and the speed-reducing mechanism 40 are modified
variously.
[0028] Meanwhile, the speed-reducing mechanism 40 and the one-way
clutch 47 are alternatively removed from the hybrid compressor, and
the rotor 84 of the drive mechanism 80 is directly connected to the
rotary shaft 4. When electric current is applied to the
electromagnetic clutch 50, the driving power is transmitted from
the engine 60 to the rotary shaft 4 via the electromagnetic clutch
50. As the rotary shaft 4 rotates, the rotor 84 of the drive
mechanism 80 is rotated in the permanent magnets 83. Thus, the
drive mechanism 80 generates electric power and function as a power
generation mechanism. In this case, when the compression mechanism
10 does not substantially introduce, compress and discharge the
refrigerant gas while the compression mechanism 10 is driven, all
of the torque of the rotary shaft 4 is substantially utilized for
generating the electric power. Furthermore, in this case, a pulley
can be utilized to connect the engine 60 to the rotary shaft 4
instead of the electromagnetic clutch 50.
[0029] Now, the second preferred embodiment will be described. As
shown in FIG. 2, a hosing of a hybrid compressor housing includes a
front housing 1, a center housing 2, a fixed scroll member 11 and a
rear housing 3. The front housing 1 is fixed to the center housing
2. The hybrid compressor also includes a compression mechanism 10,
a drive mechanism 70, a speed-reducing mechanism 40 and an
electromagnetic clutch 50. The compression mechanism 10 is located
in the center housing 2, the fixed scroll member 11 and the rear
housing 3. The drive mechanism 70 and the speed-reducing mechanism
40 are located in the front housing 1. The electromagnetic clutch
50 is located outside the front housing 1. A first housing includes
the center housing 2, the fixed scroll member 11 and the rear
housing 3. The fixed scroll member 11 and the rear housing 3
correspond to a first housing main body, and the center housing 2
corresponds to a partition wall. The front housing 1 corresponds to
a second housing.
[0030] The compression mechanism 10 includes the fixed scroll
member 11 and a movable scroll member 12 that are engaged with each
other to define compression chambers 13. The fixed scroll member 11
includes a fixed base plate 11a, a shell portion 11b and a fixed
spiral wall 11c. The shell portion 11b is fixed to the center
housing 2 and the rear housing 3 and is sandwiched between the
center housing 2 and the rear housing 3. The shell portion 11b
constitutes the outer periphery of the fixed scroll member 11. The
fixed base plate 11a has a disc shape and is formed integrally with
the shell portion 11b at the side of the rear housing 3. The fixed
spiral wall 11c protrudes from the fixed base plate 11a toward the
center housing 2 in an involute curve. The movable scroll member 12
includes a movable base plate 12a, a movable spiral wall 12b and a
boss 12c. The movable base plate 12a has a disc shape. The movable
spiral wall 12b protrudes from the movable base plate 12a toward
the rear housing 3 in an involute curve. The compression chambers
13 are defined by the fixed base plate 11a, the fixed spiral wall
11c, the movable base plate 12a and the movable spiral wall 12b.
The boss 12c is formed on the movable base plate 12a in the center
housing 2.
[0031] A suction chamber 3b and a discharge chamber 3a are defined
by the fixed scroll member 11 and the rear housing 3. Although not
shown, a suction port extends through the outer periphery of the
fixed base plate 11a to interconnect the suction chamber 3b and the
compression chambers 13. The suction chamber 3b is connected to an
evaporator of a refrigeration circuit that is not shown. A
discharge port 14 extends through the center of the fixed base
plate 11a and interconnects the compression chambers 13 and the
discharge chamber 3a. The discharge chamber 3a is connected to a
condenser of the refrigeration circuit that is not shown.
[0032] A rotary shaft 4 is rotatably supported in the center
housing 2 via a radial bearing 22. A slide key 23 is protruded from
the inner end of a large diameter portion 4a of the rotary shaft 4
and is offset from a central axis S of the rotary shaft 4. A
counter weight 24 is fitted to a drive bush 25 that is inserted to
the slide key 23. The boss 12c of the movable scroll member 12 is
supported by the drive bush 25 via a radial bearing 26. A
self-rotation preventing mechanism 27 is provided between the
center housing 2 and the movable base plate 12a for preventing the
movable base plate 12a from self rotating.
[0033] The drive mechanism 70 includes an induction motor 71 for
rotationally driving the rotary shaft 4 and a printed circuit board
77 that has integrated circuits (IC) for controlling the induction
motor 71. The induction motor 71 includes a yoke 72, a plurality of
coils 73 and a rotor 74. The yoke 72 has a cylindrical shape, and
the outer circumferential surface of the yoke 72 is fixed to the
front housing 1. A plurality of the coils 73 is provided on the
inner circumferential surface of the yoke 72. The rotor 74 has a
cylindrical shape and is rotatably provided inside the yoke 72. The
coils 73 are electrically connected to the printed circuit board 77
via a wiring and a connector 76. The wiring is partially shown in
FIG. 2. The printed circuit board 77 is connected via a cable 78 to
a computer that is not shown.
[0034] The speed-reducing mechanism 40 is provided between the
drive mechanism 70 and the compression mechanism 10. The
speed-reducing mechanism 40 includes a planetary gear mechanism
that has a sun gear 42, three planetary gears 43 and an internal
gear 44. An O-ring 44a is provided on the outer circumferential
surface of the internal gear 44. A part 42a of the sun gear 42 is
fitted into the rotor 74 of the induction motor 71 to rotate
integrally. External gear teeth are formed on the outer
circumferential surface of a part 42bof the sun gear 42. The rotary
shaft 4 is rotatably supported by the sun gear 42 via a shaft seal
device 46c and a shield bearing 41. Internal gear teeth are formed
on the inner circumferential surface of the internal gear 44. The
internal gear 44 is fixed to the yoke 72 of the induction motor 71.
The sun gear 42 is rotatably supported by the internal gear 44 via
a shield bearing 48 and by the yoke 72 via a shaft seal device 46b.
The three planetary gears 43 are rotatably provided between the sun
gear 42 and the internal gear 44. External gear teeth are formed on
the outer circumferential surface of each of the planetary gears 43
and are engaged with the external gear teeth of the sun gear 42 as
well as the internal gear teeth of the internal gear 44. Each of
the planetary gears 43 is connected to an arm 43a. The arm 43a is
rotatably supported by the front housing 1 via a shield bearing 49,
and the rotary shaft 4 is supported by the front housing 1 via a
shaft seal device 46a and a shield bearing 45. Thus, the
speed-reducing mechanism 40 is sealed by the shaft seal devices
46a, 46b and 46c, the shield bearings 41, 48, 49 and 45 and the
O-ring 44a. Namely, a space A is substantially defined by the sun
gear 42 and the rotary shaft 4 and is sealed by the shield bearing
41 and the shaft seal device 46c. A space B is substantially
defined by the sun gear 42, the planetary gears 43 and the internal
gear 44 and is sealed by the shield bearing 48 and the shaft seal
device 46b. A space C is substantially defined by the planetary
gears 43, the arm 43a, the rotary shaft 4 and the front housing 1
and is sealed by the shield bearings 49, 45 and the shaft seal
device 46a. The spaces A, B and C communicate with each other and
constitute the internal space of the speed-reducing mechanism 40.
Lubricating oil L is stored inside the space A, B and C of the
speed-reducing mechanism 40 and does not leak to the outside due to
the above sealing mechanism. The shaft seal devices 46a, 46b and
46c, the shield bearings 41, 48, 49 and 45 and the O-ring 44a
correspond to a sealing mechanism.
[0035] A one-way clutch 47 is arranged between the arm 43a of the
speed-reducing mechanism 40 and the rotary shaft 4. The one-way
clutch 47 is the same type of the one-way clutch as disclosed in
Japan Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-276775. The one-way
clutch 47 transmits power from the speed-reducing mechanism 40 to
the rotary shaft 4 and blocks power from the rotary shaft 4 to the
speed-reducing mechanism 40.
[0036] The electromagnetic clutch 50 is provided outside the front
housing 1. The electromagnetic clutch 50 includes a hub 53, a
pulley 51 and a coil 52. The hub 53 has an armature and is fixed to
the outer end of the rotary shaft 4. The pulley 51 is rotatably
provided at the front housing 1 via a bearing device 54. The pulley
51 is wound to a belt that is not shown, and the belt is connected
to an engine 60 as an external drive source. The coil 52 is fixed
to the front housing 1 in the pulley 51. When electric current is
applied to the coil 52, the armature of the hub 53 moves and is
magnetically connected to the pulley 51, and the rotary shaft 4 is
rotated synchronously with the pulley 51. Thus, driving power is
transmitted from the engine 60 to the rotary shaft 4. On the other
hand, when the electric current is not applied to the coil 52, the
armature of the hub 53 moves away from the pulley 51, and the
rotary shaft 4 is not rotated by the pulley 51. Thus, the driving
power is not transmitted from the engine 60 to the rotary shaft
4.
[0037] In the above-constructed hybrid compressor, when electric
current is not applied to the electromagnetic clutch 51 but is
applied to the induction motor 71, the drive mechanism 70 similarly
drives the compression mechanism 10 as described in the first
preferred embodiment. On the other hand, when the electric current
is not applied to the induction motor 71 but is applied to the coil
52 of the electromagnetic clutch 50, the engine 60 drives the
compression mechanism 10 via the electromagnetic clutch 50.
Furthermore, when the electric current is not applied to the
induction motor 71 and the electromagnetic clutch 50, the drive of
the compression mechanism 10 is stopped.
[0038] In the hybrid compressor, the speed-reducing mechanism 40
that the speed-reducing mechanism 40 that transmits the power from
the drive mechanism 70 to the compression mechanism 10 is sealed by
the shaft seal devices 46a, 46b and 46c, the shield bearings 41,
48, 49 and 45 and the O-ring 44a from the drive mechanism 70 and
the compression mechanism 10. Thus, the lubricating oil L is
utilized only for the speed-reducing mechanism 40 and sufficiently
lubricates the speed-reducing mechanism 40. Furthermore, the
lubricating oil L in the speed-reducing mechanism 40 is prevented
from leaking to the outside of the speed-reducing mechanism 40.
Thus, the compression mechanism 10, the drive mechanism 70 and the
electromagnetic clutch 50 are protected from the lubricating oil L.
The drive mechanism 70 and the electromagnetic clutch 50 are
performed a long life in comparison to the prior art components due
to the block of the damage caused by the lubricating oil. For the
above reason, even though the hybrid compressor in the second
preferred embodiment is used for a long period, the efficiency of
the hybrid compressor is hard to deteriorate.
[0039] In the hybrid compressor, the drive mechanism 70
communicates with the compression mechanism 10. Thus, the induction
motor 71 is cooled and lubricated by the refrigerant gas and
lubricating oil that are sent from the compression mechanism
10.
[0040] Furthermore, since the speed-reducing mechanism 40 for
reducing the speed of the rotary shaft 4 transmits the power from
the drive mechanism 70 to the compression mechanism 10 in the
hybrid compressor, the rotational torque of the induction motor 71
can be small. Thus, the induction motor 71 is miniaturized, and the
hybrid compressor is miniaturized due to the miniaturized induction
motor 71.
[0041] The one-way clutch 47 is arranged between the speed-reducing
mechanism 40 and the rotary shaft 4 in the hybrid compressor. The
one-way clutch 47 transmits the driving power from the induction
motor 71 to the rotary shaft 4 via the speed-reducing mechanism 40
and blocks the driving power that is applied to the compression
mechanism 10 from the rotary shaft 4 to the speed-reducing
mechanism 40. Thus, since the speed-reducing mechanism 40 and the
drive mechanism 70 are not load for the compression mechanism 10,
the compression mechanism 10 is prevented from being locked.
[0042] In the above-described first and second preferred
embodiments, the compression mechanism 10 is a scroll type.
However, a vane type and a swash plate type are utilized as the
compression mechanism.
[0043] 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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