U.S. patent application number 11/287398 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-13 for linear compressor.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Jong Jin Park.
Application Number | 20060153712 11/287398 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36013392 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060153712 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Jong Jin |
July 13, 2006 |
Linear compressor
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a linear compressor wherein a vibration
absorbing unit is mounted at the outside of a compressor shell,
whereby the number of elements inside the shell is reduced,
resulting in a reduced compressor size. Also, the vibration
absorbing unit is enclosed by a protective cover to be protected
from exterior shock or impurities, whereby damage or malfunction of
elements is prevented, achieving improved durability and
reliability of the compressor.
Inventors: |
Park; Jong Jin; (Inchon-si,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
|
Family ID: |
36013392 |
Appl. No.: |
11/287398 |
Filed: |
November 28, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/417 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 39/0044 20130101;
F04B 35/045 20130101; F04B 39/0033 20130101; F04B 39/121
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/417 |
International
Class: |
F04B 35/04 20060101
F04B035/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 7, 2005 |
KR |
2005-1817 |
Claims
1. A linear compressor comprising: a shell formed with an inlet
port and an outlet port; a linear motor mounted in the shell and
adapted to generate a linear movement force; a cylinder mounted in
the shell; a piston connected to the linear motor and adapted to
compress fluid while being linearly reciprocated in the cylinder; a
vibration absorbing unit mounted at the outside of the shell to
absorb vibration; and a protector mounted around the vibration
absorbing unit to protect the vibration absorbing unit.
2. The compressor as set forth in claim 1, wherein the protector is
a protective cover configured to enclose the vibration absorbing
unit and coupled to the shell.
3. The compressor as set forth in claim 2, wherein the protective
cover has a cylindrical shape opened at one end thereof, the open
end of the protective cover being coupled to the shell.
4. The compressor as set forth in claim 2, wherein the protective
cover is formed with a plurality of heat-discharge openings to
discharge internal heat to the outside.
5. The compressor as set forth in claim 4, wherein the plurality of
heat-discharge openings are spaced apart from one another by a
predetermined distance, and each has a slit shape.
6. The compressor as set forth in claim 5, further comprising: a
discharge cover provided in front of the outlet port and adapted to
attenuate a flow rate of the fluid discharged through the outlet
port; and a discharge pipe connected to the discharge cover to
guide the fluid in the interior of the discharge cover to the
outside.
7. The compressor as set forth in claim 6, wherein the protective
cover is perforated with a pipe hole for the penetration of the
discharge pipe.
8. The compressor as set forth in claim 6, wherein the vibration
absorbing unit is coupled to the discharge cover.
9. The compressor as set forth in claim 8, wherein the vibration
absorbing unit includes: a boss member connected to the discharge
cover; a mass member outwardly spaced apart from the boss member;
and a plurality of plate springs to connect the boss member to the
mass member.
10. The compressor as set forth in claim 9, wherein the mass member
has a circular ring shape.
11. A linear compressor comprising: a shell having an inlet port
and an outlet port; a linear motor mounted in the shell and adapted
to generate a linear movement force; a cylinder mounted in the
shell; a piston connected to the linear motor and adapted to
compress fluid while being linearly reciprocated in the cylinder;
main springs mounted in the shell behind the piston to elastically
support the movement of the piston; a vibration absorbing unit
mounted at the outside of the shell in front of the piston to
absorb vibration of the shell; and a protector mounted around the
vibration absorbing unit to protect the vibration absorbing
unit.
12. The compressor as set forth in claim 11, wherein the protector
is a protective cover configured to enclose the vibration absorbing
unit and coupled to the shell.
13. The compressor as set forth in claim 12, wherein the protective
cover has a cylindrical shape opened at one end thereof, the open
end of the protective cover being coupled to the shell.
14. The compressor as set forth in claim 12, wherein the protective
cover is formed with a plurality of heat-discharge openings to
discharge internal heat to the outside.
15. The compressor as set forth in claim 14, wherein the plurality
of heat-discharge openings are spaced apart from one another by a
predetermined distance, and each has a slit shape.
16. The compressor as set forth in claim 15, further comprising: a
discharge cover provided in front of the outlet port and adapted to
attenuate a flow rate of the fluid discharged through the outlet
port; and a discharge pipe connected to the discharge cover to
guide the fluid in the interior of the discharge cover to the
outside.
17. The compressor as set forth in claim 16, wherein the protective
cover is perforated with a pipe hole for the penetration of the
discharge pipe.
18. The compressor as set forth in claim 16, wherein the vibration
absorbing unit is coupled to the discharge cover.
19. The compressor as set forth in claim 18, wherein the vibration
absorbing unit includes: a boss member connected to the discharge
cover; a mass member outwardly spaced apart from the boss member;
and a plurality of plate springs to connect the boss member to the
mass member.
20. A linear compressor comprising: a linear motor mounted in the
shell and adapted to generate a linear movement force; a cylinder
mounted in the shell; a piston connected to the linear motor and
adapted to compress fluid while being linearly reciprocated in the
cylinder; a muffler mounted behind the piston and adapted to
attenuate noise of the fluid introduced through an inlet port; a
vibration absorbing unit mounted at the outside of the shell to
absorb vibration of the shell; and a protector mounted around the
vibration absorbing unit to protect the vibration absorbing unit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a linear compressor and,
more particularly, to a linear compressor wherein a vibration
absorbing unit is mounted at the outside of a compressor shell and
is enclosed by a protective cover, whereby the size of the shell
can be reduced while achieving effective protection of the
vibration absorbing unit from exterior force, resulting in improved
durability and reliability of the compressor.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Generally, a linear compressor is an apparatus to introduce,
compress, and discharge fluid while linearly reciprocating a piston
inside a cylinder using a linear driving force of a linear
motor.
[0005] A conventional linear compressor comprises a compression
unit having a piston and a cylinder mounted in a shell to compress
fluid, and a linear motor having a stator and a mover to linearly
reciprocate the piston in the cylinder.
[0006] The cylinder has a cylindrical structure opened at opposite
ends thereof. Thereby, the piston is inserted into the cylinder
through one of the open ends. At the other end of the cylinder is
provided a discharge cover to discharge the fluid compressed by the
piston therethrough. A compression chamber is defined between the
piston and the discharge cover.
[0007] Also, a discharge valve is elastically supported at the
discharge cover to open or close the compression chamber.
[0008] The stator of the liner motor includes an outer core, an
inner core inwardly spaced apart from the outer core to have a
predetermined gap therebetween, a bobbin mounted in the outer core,
and a coil wound around the bobbin. The mover of the linear motor
includes a magnet to be linearly reciprocated using a magnetic
force produced in the vicinity of the coil, and a magnet frame to
transmit the linear reciprocating movement of the magnet to the
piston.
[0009] The magnet is mounted to one side of the magnet frame, and
the piston is fixed to the other side of the magnet frame.
[0010] In operation of the conventional linear compressor
configured as stated above, if driving voltage is applied to the
coil, a magnetic field is produced in the vicinity of the coil,
causing the magnet to be linearly reciprocated while interacting
with the magnetic field.
[0011] The linear reciprocating movement of the magnet is
transmitted to the piston through the magnet frame, allowing the
piston to be linearly reciprocated inside the cylinder.
[0012] Thereby, as the piston is linearly reciprocated in the
cylinder, fluid inside the cylinder is compressed, and the
compressed fluid is discharged to the outside through the discharge
unit.
[0013] However, the conventional linear compressor has a problem in
that all elements thereof, including fluid compression elements,
supporting elements, and vibration attenuating elements, are
mounted in the shell, making it impossible to reduce the size of
the linear compressor.
[0014] Meanwhile, when the vibration attenuating elements are
mounted at the outside of the shell, they are subjected to damage
and malfunction under the influence of exterior impurities or
shock, resulting in deterioration of durability and reliability of
the compressor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of
the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to
provide a linear compressor wherein a vibration absorbing unit is
mounted at the outside of a compressor shell to be enclosed by a
protective cover, whereby the size of the shell can be reduced
while improved durability and reliability of the compressor.
[0016] In accordance with the present invention, the above and
other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a linear
compressor comprising: a shell formed with an inlet port and an
outlet port; a linear motor mounted in the shell and adapted to
generate a linear movement force; a cylinder mounted in the shell;
a piston connected to the linear motor and adapted to compress
fluid while being linearly reciprocated in the cylinder; a
vibration absorbing unit mounted at the outside of the shell to
absorb vibration; and a protector mounted around the vibration
absorbing unit to protect the vibration absorbing unit.
[0017] Preferably, the protector may be a protective cover
configured to enclose the vibration absorbing unit and coupled to
the shell.
[0018] Preferably, the protective cover may have a cylindrical
shape opened at one end thereof, the open end of the protective
cover being coupled to the shell.
[0019] Preferably, the protective cover may be formed with a
plurality of heat-discharge openings to discharge internal heat to
the outside.
[0020] Preferably, the plurality of heat-discharge openings may be
spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance, and each
may have a slit shape.
[0021] Preferably, the linear compressor may further comprise: a
discharge cover provided in front of the outlet port and adapted to
attenuate a flow rate of the fluid discharged through the outlet
port; and a discharge pipe connected to the discharge cover to
guide the fluid in the interior of the discharge cover to the
outside.
[0022] Preferably, the protective cover may be perforated with a
pipe hole for the penetration of the discharge pipe.
[0023] Preferably, the vibration absorbing unit may be coupled to
the discharge cover.
[0024] Preferably, the vibration absorbing unit may include: a boss
member connected to the discharge cover; a mass member outwardly
spaced apart from the boss member; and a plurality of plate springs
to connect the boss member to the mass member.
[0025] Preferably, the mass member may have a circular ring
shape.
[0026] With the linear compressor according to the present
invention configured as stated above, a vibration absorbing unit is
mounted at the outside of a compressor shell. This has the effect
of reducing the number of elements mounted in the shell as well as
the size of the shell, resulting in a reduced compressor size.
[0027] Further, by enclosing the vibration absorbing unit with a
protective cover to protect the vibration absorbing unit from
exterior shock or impurities, there is no risk of damage or
malfunction of elements, resulting in improved durability and
reliability of the compressor.
[0028] Furthermore, by virtue of the plurality of heat-discharge
openings formed at the protective cover, internal heat of the
protective cover can be effectively discharged to the outside,
preventing overheating of the compressor during operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The above and other objects, features and other advantages
of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the
interior structure of a linear compressor according to the present
invention; and
[0031] FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view of the linear
compressor of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Now, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0033] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the
interior structure of a linear compressor according to the present
invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view of the linear
compressor of FIG. 1.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the linear compressor according
to the present invention comprises a shell 50 having an inlet port
51 and an outlet port 52 formed at different locations thereof, a
linear motor 60 mounted in the shell 50 to generate a linear
movement force, a cylinder 70 mounted in the shell 50, a piston 71
connected to the linear motor 60 to be linearly reciprocated in the
cylinder 70 to thereby compress fluid, a vibration absorbing unit
80 mounted at the outside of the shell 50 to absorb vibration of
the shell 50, and a protector configured to enclose the vibration
absorbing unit 80 to protect the vibration absorbing unit 80 from
exterior force.
[0035] A discharge unit assembly 90 is mounted in front of the
outlet port 52 of the shell 50 so that the fluid, compressed in the
cylinder 70, is discharged out of the cylinder 70 through the
discharge unit assembly 90.
[0036] The shell 50 has a cylindrical shape, and is formed at front
and rear surface thereof with the outlet port 52 and the inlet port
51, respectively. A suction pipe 53 is inserted through the inlet
port 51 to introduce exterior fluid into the shell 50.
[0037] The linear motor 60 is generally divided into a stator and a
mover. The stator includes an outer core 61 in the form of a stack,
an inner core 62 also in the form of a stack, the inner core 62
being inwardly spaced apart from the outer core 61 to have a
predetermined gap therebetween, and a coil 63 mounted in the outer
core 61 to produce a magnetic field. The mover includes a magnet 64
located between the outer core 61 and the inner core 62 and adapted
to be linearly moved using a magnetic force produced in the
vicinity of the coil 63, and a magnet frame 65 connected to both
the magnet 64 and the piston 71 to transmit the linear movement
force of the magnet 64 to the piston 71.
[0038] The cylinder 70 is directly mounted to an inner wall surface
of the shell 50. Specifically, the cylinder 70 is located in the
shell 50 at the outlet port 52.
[0039] The cylinder 70 has a cylindrical structure opened at
opposite ends thereof. A compression chamber C is defined in the
cylinder 70 between the piston 71 and the discharge unit assembly
90.
[0040] A spring support 74 is coupled to a rear end of the piston
71, and main springs 75 are mounted between opposite surfaces of
the spring support 74 and the shell 50 to elastically support the
piston 71.
[0041] The piston 71 is internally formed with a suction channel 72
into which the fluid from the suction pipe 53 is introduced. Also,
a plurality of suction ports 73 are defined adjacent to a front end
of the piston 71, and a suction valve 76 is mounted to the front
end of the piston 71 to open or close the plurality of suction
ports 73.
[0042] A muffler 54 is coupled behind the piston 71 to communicate
with the suction pipe 53. The muffler 54 serves to attenuate
suction noise of the fluid.
[0043] The discharge unit assembly 90 includes a discharge cover 91
mounted to an outer wall surface of the shell 50 and adapted to
attenuate the flow rate of the fluid discharged from the outlet
port 52, a discharge valve 92 located in the discharge cover 91 to
come into close contact with the open end of the cylinder 70, the
discharge valve 92 serving to open or close the compression chamber
C, and a discharge spring 93 supported by the discharge cover 91 to
elastically support the discharge valve 92.
[0044] The discharge cover 91 has a cap shape, and is coupled to
the front surface of the shell 50. A discharge pipe 94 is connected
to a certain location of the discharge cover 91 to guide the fluid,
discharged into the discharge cover 91, to the outside.
[0045] Meanwhile, the vibration absorbing unit 80 is mounted to the
discharge cover 91. The vibration absorbing unit 80 includes a boss
member 82 connected to the discharge cover 91 via connecting shaft
81, a mass member 83 radially spaced apart from the boss member 82
by a predetermined distance, and a plurality of plate springs 84 to
connect the boss member 82 to the mass member 83.
[0046] The mass member 83 is a circular ring having a predetermined
mass. The plurality of plate springs 84 are provided to connect
front and rear surfaces of the boss member 82 to front and rear
surfaces of the mass member 83, respectively.
[0047] Preferably, the plate springs 84 are fastened to the front
and rear surfaces of the mass member 83 by means of bolts.
[0048] Meanwhile, the protector is provided around the vibration
absorbing unit 80 to protect the vibration absorbing unit 80 from
exterior impurities or shock. In the present invention, the
protector is a protective cover 85 to enclose the vibration
absorbing unit 80.
[0049] The protective cover 85 has a cylindrical shape opened at
one end thereof. The open end of the protective cover 85 is coupled
to the front surface of the shell 50.
[0050] In this case, preferably, the protective cover 85 is coupled
to the front surface of the shell 50 by welding or using
fasteners.
[0051] The protective cover 85 is perforated with a plurality of
heat-discharge openings 87 to discharge internal heat of the
protective cover 85 to the outside.
[0052] Here, the plurality of heat-discharge openings 87 are
perforated at lateral locations of the cylindrical protective cover
85 to be spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance.
Specifically, each of the heat-discharge openings 87 has an
elongated slit shape.
[0053] At a certain location of the protective cover 85 is also
perforated a pipe hole 86 so that the discharge pipe 94 protrudes
out of the protective cover 85 through the pipe hole 86.
[0054] Now, the operation of the linear compressor according to the
present invention configured as stated above will be explained.
[0055] When the linear motor 60 is operated, the magnet 64 is
linearly reciprocated while interacting with the magnetic field
produced in the vicinity of the coil 63.
[0056] The reciprocating movement of the magnet 64 is transmitted
to the piston 71 via the magnet frame 65, allowing the piston 71 to
be continuously linearly reciprocated in the cylinder 70. Thereby,
the piston 71 acts to compress the fluid, introduced into the
compression chamber C of the cylinder 70, and discharge the
compressed fluid into the discharge cover 91. The introduction,
compression, and discharge of the fluid are continuously repeated
so long as the piston 71 is linearly reciprocated.
[0057] More specifically, when the piston 71 is moved rearward, the
suction valve 76 is opened, allowing the fluid, in the suction
channel 72 of the piston 71, to be introduced into the compression
chamber C of the cylinder 70 through the suction ports 73.
[0058] Then, if the piston 71 is moved forward toward the
compression chamber C, the fluid, compressed in the compression
chamber C, pushes the discharge valve 92 forward. Thereby, the
discharge valve 92 is opened, and the compressed fluid is
discharged to the outside by way of the discharge cover 91 and the
discharge pipe 94.
[0059] Meanwhile, during the operation of the linear motor 60, the
vibration absorbing unit 80 acts to absorb vibration transmitted
thereto in an movement direction of the linear motor 60 and the
piston 71.
[0060] More specifically, the vibration transmitted in the movement
direction of the piston 71 is absorbed by the plate springs 84. In
addition, by virtue of the mass member 83 provided in the vibration
absorbing unit 80, a characteristic frequency of the linear
compressor is reduced, resulting in attenuation in the vibration of
the linear compressor.
[0061] In the present invention, furthermore, since the protective
cover 85 is mounted to enclose the vibration absorbing unit 80, the
vibration absorbing unit 80 is able to be safely protected from
exterior impurities or shock.
[0062] As is apparent from the above description, the linear
compressor according to the present invention configured as stated
above has the following effects.
[0063] Firstly, according to the present invention, a vibration
absorbing unit is mounted at the outside of a compressor shell.
This reduces the number of elements mounted in the shell, and
consequently, the size of the shell, achieving a reduced compressor
size.
[0064] Secondly, according to the present invention, the vibration
absorbing unit is enclosed by a protective cover to be protected
from exterior shock or impurities. Thereby, the vibration absorbing
unit is free from damage or malfunction, resulting in improved
durability and reliability of the compressor.
[0065] Thirdly, the protective cover is provided with a plurality
of heat-discharge openings to discharge internal heat to the
outside. Thereby, the linear compressor of the present invention
has no risk of overheating during operation thereof.
[0066] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *