U.S. patent application number 12/048337 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-30 for compressor and oil supplying structure therefor.
Invention is credited to Se-Heon Choi, Chul-Su Jung, Myung-Kyun Kiem, Byeong-Chul Lee, Byung-Kil Yoo.
Application Number | 20080267803 12/048337 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39887200 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080267803 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoo; Byung-Kil ; et
al. |
October 30, 2008 |
COMPRESSOR AND OIL SUPPLYING STRUCTURE THEREFOR
Abstract
A compressor and an oil supplying structure therefor are
provided. When a compressor is operated at a high speed or low
speed, a predetermined amount of oil is supplied to compression
pockets formed between a wrap of an orbiting scroll and a wrap of a
fixed scroll. Pressure leakage between the wraps may be prevented,
thereby enhancing a performance of the compressor. Further, since
friction between the orbiting scroll and the fixed scroll may be
prevented, abrasion of the components may be minimized.
Inventors: |
Yoo; Byung-Kil; (Seoul,
KR) ; Kiem; Myung-Kyun; (Seoul, KR) ; Jung;
Chul-Su; (Seoul, KR) ; Lee; Byeong-Chul;
(Seoul, KR) ; Choi; Se-Heon; (Seoul, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KED & ASSOCIATES, LLP
P.O. Box 221200
Chantilly
VA
20153-1200
US
|
Family ID: |
39887200 |
Appl. No.: |
12/048337 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
418/55.1 ;
418/91 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04C 18/0215 20130101;
F04C 23/008 20130101; F04C 18/0253 20130101; F04C 29/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
418/55.1 ;
418/91 |
International
Class: |
F04C 18/04 20060101
F04C018/04; F04C 29/02 20060101 F04C029/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 25, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0040529 |
Claims
1. An oil supplying structure for a scroll compressor, comprising:
a fixed scroll; an orbiting scroll disposed adjacent to the fixed
scroll to form a compression chamber therebetween; and at least one
oil hole formed in the orbiting scroll through which oil may be
supplied into the compression chamber.
2. The oil supplying structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one
oil hole extends parallel to a central axis of rotation of a
rotational shaft of the orbiting scroll.
3. The oil supplying structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one
oil hole extends at an angle to a central axis of rotation of a
rotational shaft of the orbiting scroll.
4. The oil supplying structure of claim 1, wherein an inner
diameter of the oil hole is less than a diameter of a wrap of the
orbiting scroll.
5. The oil supply structure of claim 1, wherein an inner diameter
of the at least one oil hole is 2.0.about.3.5 mm.
6. The oil supplying structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one
oil hole comprises a hole formed extending through a disc portion
of the orbiting scroll.
7. The oil supply structure of claim 6, wherein the at least one
oil hole further comprises an extending groove formed in one
surface of the disc portion and extending a predetermined distance
from the hole.
8. The oil supplying structure of claim 7, wherein the extending
groove extends in a substantially circumferential direction.
9. The oil supplying structure of claim 7, wherein the extending
groove extends toward a central axis of rotation of a rotational
shaft of the orbiting scroll.
10. The oil supplying structure of claim 7, wherein the extending
groove extends at an angle to a line connecting the at least one
oil hole and a central axis of rotation of a rotational shaft of
the orbiting scroll.
11. The oil supplying structure of claim 7, further comprising a
main frame having a bearing surface on which the orbiting scroll is
supported, wherein an oil groove is formed in the bearing surface
of the main frame and wherein the extending groove is positioned
adjacent to the oil groove formed in the main frame so as to be in
fluid communication therewith.
12. The oil supplying structure of claim 11, wherein the oil groove
is one of a ring-shaped oil groove or a square oil groove.
13. The oil supplying structure of claim 11, wherein the oil groove
has an inner diameter of 3.5.about.4.5 mm.
14. The oil supplying structure of claim 1, further comprising a
main frame having a bearing surface on which the orbiting scroll is
supported, wherein an oil groove is formed in the bearing surface
of the main frame and wherein the at least one oil hole is
positioned adjacent to so as to be in fluid communication with the
oil groove formed in the bearing surface of the main frame.
15. The oil supplying structure of claim 14, wherein the oil groove
is one of a ring-shaped oil groove or a square oil groove.
16. The oil supplying structure of claim 14, wherein the oil groove
has a depth of 3.5.about.4.5 mm.
17. The oil supplying structure of claim 14, wherein the oil groove
is in communication with the at least one oil hole
continuously.
18. The oil supplying structure of claim 14, wherein the oil groove
is in fluid communication with at least one oil hole
periodically.
19. The oil supplying structure of claim 1, further comprising a
main frame having a bearing surface on which the orbiting scroll is
mounted, wherein at least one oil passage is formed in the main
frame which is in fluid communication with the at least one oil
hole formed in the orbiting scroll.
20. The oil supplying structure of claim 19, wherein the at least
one oil passage formed in the main frame extends diagonal to a
central axis of rotation of a rotational shaft of the orbiting
scroll.
21. The oil supplying structure of claim 19, wherein the at least
one oil passage formed in the main frame extends from a first end
to a second end opening into an oil groove formed in the bearing
surface of the main frame.
22. The oil supply structure of claim 21, further comprising an oil
controlling device positioned in the at least one oil passage
formed in the main frame.
23. The oil supplying structure of claim 21, wherein the oil groove
formed in the main frame is one of a ring-shaped oil groove or a
square oil groove.
24. The oil supplying structure of claim 21, wherein the oil groove
has a depth of 3.5.about.4.5 mm.
25. The oil supplying structure of claim 1, wherein the at least
one oil hole has a constant inner diameter.
26. The oil supplying structure of claim 1, further comprising a
main frame having a bearing surface on which the orbiting scroll is
supported, wherein an oil groove is formed in the bearing surface
of the main frame and wherein the oil groove formed in the bearing
surface of the main frame is positioned to one side of an orbiting
path of the at least one oil hole.
27. The oil supplying structure of claim 25, wherein the oil groove
formed in the bearing surface of the main frame is one of a ring
shaped oil groove or a square oil groove.
28. A scroll compressor comprising the oil supplying structure of
claim 1.
29. An oil supplying structure for a scroll compressor, comprising:
a fixed scroll; an orbiting scroll disposed adjacent to the fixed
scroll to form a compression chamber therebetween; and a main frame
having a bearing surface on which the orbiting scroll is supported,
and a boss insertion groove into which a boss portion of the
orbiting scroll is inserted, wherein at least one oil passage is
formed in the main frame through which oil stored in the boss
insertion groove is introduced between a disc portion of the
orbiting scroll and the bearing surface of the main frame.
30. The oil supplying structure of claim 29, wherein the at least
one oil passage extends from the boss insertion groove to the
bearing surface of the main frame.
31. The oil supplying structure of claim 29, wherein the at least
one central axis of the oil passage extends at an angle to a
central axis of rotation of a rotational shaft of the orbiting
scroll.
32. The oil supplying structure of claim 29, further comprising an
oil controlling device positioned in the at least one oil passage
formed in the main frame.
33. A method of supplying oil to a compression chamber of a scroll
compressor comprising a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll
disposed adjacent to the fixed scroll to form the compression
chamber, the method comprising: providing at least one oil hole
formed in the orbiting scroll through which oil may be supplied
into the compression chamber; and positioning the at least one hole
adjacent an oil passage formed in a bearing surface of a main frame
that supports the orbiting scroll such that upon rotation of the
orbiting scroll the at least one oil hole communicates with the oil
passage to inject oil one of continuously or periodically into the
compression chamber.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein the positioning comprises
positioning the at least one hole adjacent the oil passage formed
in the bearing surface of the main frame that supports the orbiting
scroll such that upon rotation of the orbiting scroll the at least
one hole communicates with the oil passage to inject oil
continuously into the compression chamber.
35. The method of claim 33, wherein the positioning comprises
positioning the at least one oil hole adjacent the oil passage
formed in the bearing surface of the main frame that supports the
orbiting scroll such that upon rotation of the orbiting scroll the
at least one oil hole communicates with the oil passage to inject
oil periodically into the compression chamber.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to Korean
Application No. 10-2007-0040529, filed in Korea on Apr. 25, 2007,
which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] A compressor and an oil supplying structure therefor are
disclosed herein.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] Compressors are known. However, they suffer from various
disadvantages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to
the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to
like elements, and wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a compressor having an oil
supplying structure according to an embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a modification of an oil
hole of an oil supplying structure according to an embodiment;
[0009] FIGS. 3 to 6 are sectional and planar views showing
modifications of an oil hole of an oil supplying structure
according to embodiments;
[0010] FIG. 7 is a planar view showing an oil groove of an oil
supplying structure according to an embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a compressor having an
oil supplying structure according to an embodiment being
operated;
[0012] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a compressor having an oil
supplying structure according to another embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a compressor having an oil
supplying structure according to another embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 11 is a planar view of a frame of the oil supplying
structure of FIG. 10;
[0015] FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a modification of an oil
passage of the oil supplying structure of FIG. 10;
[0016] FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing an oil discharge passage
of the oil supplying structure of FIG. 10;
[0017] FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing an oil controlling
portion of the oil supplying structure of FIG. 10;
[0018] FIGS. 15 and 16 are sectional views, respectively, showing
an operation state of the oil controlling portion of FIG. 14;
[0019] FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of an
oil controlling portion of the oil supplying structure of FIG.
10;
[0020] FIGS. 18 and 19 are sectional views, respectively, showing
an operation state of the oil controlling portion of FIG. 17;
and
[0021] FIGS. 20-22 are exemplary installations of a compressor
having an oil supplying device according to embodiments disclosed
herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments,
examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0023] Generally, a compressor is a device for compressing gas by
converting electric energy into kinetic energy. The compressor may
include a driving force generating device that generates a driving
force, and a compression device that compresses gas by receiving a
driving force generated from the driving force generating device.
Compressors are divided into several types, including a rotary
compressor, a reciprocating compressor, and a scroll compressor,
according to a compression mechanism for compressing gas.
[0024] In a scroll compressor, a rotational force generated by a
motor is transmitted to an orbiting scroll through a rotational
shaft. The orbiting scroll performs an orbiting motion by being
engaged with a fixed scroll, and a plurality of compression
chambers or pockets are formed by a wrap of the fixed scroll and a
wrap of the orbiting scroll. As the compression chambers move
towards a center, a volume thereof is changed to suck, compress,
and discharge gas. Oil contained in a casing is pumped along an oil
passage disposed in the rotational shaft, and is supplied between a
rear surface of the orbiting scroll and a bearing surface of a main
frame that supports the rear surface of the orbiting scroll. Then,
the oil returns to the lower surface of the casing.
[0025] While the scroll compressor is operated, oil has to be
sufficiently supplied into the compression pockets. Otherwise,
friction is generated between the orbiting scroll and the fixed
scroll generating abrasion therebetween. Also, an oil sealing
performance between the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll is
lowered, thereby generating a pressure leakage between a high
pressure side and a low pressure side. Accordingly, a reliability
and a performance of the compressor are degraded.
[0026] Hereinafter, a scroll compressor according to embodiments
will be explained in detail with reference to the attached
drawings. An oil supplying device according embodiments is
disclosed in detail implemented in a scroll compressor. However,
the oil supplying device according embodiments may be implemented
in other types of compressors. Further, the oil separating device
according to embodiments may be implemented in a high scroll
compressors or a low side scroll compressor.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a compressor having an oil
feeding or supplying structure according to an embodiment. As shown
in FIG. 1, the compressor 1 may include a casing 10, a main frame
20 and a sub frame 30 disposed in the casing 10 with a
predetermined gap therebetween, and a driving motor M disposed
between the main frame 20 and the sub frame 30. A suction pipe 11
and a discharge pipe 12 may be respectively, coupled to the casing
10, and oil may be contained in the casing 10.
[0028] The main frame 20 may include a shaft insertion hole 22
formed in a frame body 21 and having a predetermined shape, that
receives a rotational shaft 70, a boss insertion groove 23 which
may extend from the shaft insertion hole 22 on an upper surface of
the frame body 21 and having an inner diameter larger than that of
the shaft insertion hole 22, a bearing surface 24 formed on an
upper surface of the frame body 21, and an oil groove 25, which may
have a ring shape and be formed at the bearing surface 24 with a
predetermined width and depth.
[0029] A fixed scroll 40 may be coupled to an inside of the casing
10 with a predetermined gap from the main frame 20. Also, an
orbiting scroll 50 may be coupled between the fixed scroll 40 and
the main frame 20 so as to perform an orbiting motion. An Oldham's
ring 60 that prevents the orbiting scroll 50 from rotating on its
axis may be coupled between the main frame 20 and the orbiting
scroll 50.
[0030] The fixed scroll 40 may include a body portion 41 having a
predetermined shape, a wrap 42 formed on one surface of the body
portion 41 in an involute curve having a predetermined height and
thickness, a discharge hole 43 formed at a center of the body
portion 41, and an inlet 44 formed at one side of the body portion
41.
[0031] The orbiting scroll 50 may include a disc portion 51 having
a predetermined thickness and area, a wrap 52 formed on one surface
of the disc portion 51 in an involute curve having a predetermined
thickness and height, and a boss portion 53 formed on another
surface of the disc portion 51 with a predetermined height. A lower
surface of the disc portion 51 may form a bearing surface 54, and a
shaft insertion hole 55 having a predetermined outer diameter and
depth may be formed in the boss portion 53.
[0032] One or more oil hole 56 may be formed in the disc portion 51
of the orbiting scroll 50. The oil hole(s) 56 may be positioned at
an inlet of a compression portion, which may include compression
pockets or chambers formed by a wrap 42 of the fixed scroll 40 and
a wrap 52 of the orbiting scroll 50. For example, the oil hole 56
may be disposed to be adjacent to an end of the wrap 52 protruding
from the disc portion 51 of the orbiting scroll 50 on a same
extending line. The oil hole 56 may be formed to contact the end of
the wrap 52. Alternatively, the oil hole 56 may be disposed to be
adjacent to the end of the wrap 52 so as to facilitate processing.
An inner diameter of the oil hole 56 may be less than a thickness
of the wrap 52 of the orbiting scroll 50. The oil hole 56 may be
formed to be perpendicular to the disc portion 51, and may have a
constant inner diameter. Or, as shown in FIG. 2, the oil hole 56
may be formed to be inclined from the disc portion 51. The oil hole
45 may have an inner diameter of, for example, 2.0.about.3.5
mm.
[0033] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the oil hole 56 may include a
circular hole portion 56A formed on an upper surface of the disc
portion 51 and having a predetermined inner diameter and length and
a long recess portion 56B that communicates with the circular hole
portion 56A. The long recess portion 56B may be formed on a lower
surface of the disc portion 51 so as to have a cross-sectional area
wider than that of the circular hole portion 56A. The long recess
portion 56B may be disposed so that a longitudinal direction
thereof extends toward a center of the disc portion 51.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 5, the long recess portion 56B may be
formed so as to be adjacent to an end of the wrap 52 of the
orbiting scroll 50 formed on the upper surface of the disc portion
51 on a same extending line. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the long
recess portion 56B may be formed so as to be inclined from the end
of the wrap 52. An oil groove 26 that communications with the oil
hole 56 may be formed in the bearing surface 24 of the main frame
20 that supports a lower surface of the disc portion 51 of the
orbiting scroll 50. As shown in FIG. 7, the oil groove 26 may be
disposed at one side of an orbiting path of the oil hole 56 which
is moved by the orbiting motion of the orbiting scroll 50. The oil
groove 26 may have a square shape. However, the oil groove 26 may
be formed to have various shapes besides a square shape, such as
ring-shaped. Further, the oil groove 26 may have a depth of
3.5.about.4.5 mm.
[0035] The wrap 52 of the orbiting scroll 50 may be engaged with
the wrap 42 of the fixed scroll 40, and the boss portion 53 may be
inserted into the boss insertion groove 23 of the main frame 20.
The bearing surface of the disc portion 51 may be supported by the
bearing surface 24 of the main frame 20.
[0036] The ring-shaped oil groove 25 formed in the main frame 20
may serve as the oil groove 26. In such a case, the oil groove 26
need not be additionally formed in the main frame 20. When the
orbiting scroll 50 performs an orbiting motion, the oil hole 56 of
the orbiting scroll contacts the oil groove 25. A rotational shaft
70 that transmits a rotational force generated by the driving motor
M to the orbiting scroll 50 may be coupled to the driving motor M.
The rotational shaft 70 may include a shaft portion 71 having a
predetermined length, an eccentric portion 72 extending from the
shaft portion 71, and an oil passage 73 penetratingly formed in the
shaft portion 71 and the eccentric portion 72. The shaft portion 71
of the rotational shaft 70 may be forcibly inserted into a rotor of
the driving motor M, and may be penetratingly inserted into the
main frame 20. Also, the eccentric portion 72 may be inserted into
the shaft insert hole 55 of the boss portion 53 of the orbiting
scroll 50. An end of the rotational shaft 70 may be submerged into
oil contained in the casing 10. Unexplained reference numeral B
denotes a bush, 100 denotes an oil feeder mounted on the rotational
shaft 70, and 110 denotes a balance weight.
[0037] Operation of the oil supplying structure for a compressor
according to an embodiment will be explained herein below.
[0038] When power is supplied to the compressor, the driving motor
M is operated to generate a rotational force. As the rotational
shaft 70 rotates by receiving the rotational force generated by the
driving motor M, the orbiting scroll 50 coupled to the eccentric
portion 72 orbits centering around the rotational shaft 70 due to
the Oldham's ring 60. As the orbiting scroll 50 performs the
orbiting motion, the wrap 52 of the orbiting scroll 50 engaged with
the wrap 42 of the fixed scroll 40 form a plurality of compression
pockets or chambers P which move towards a center of the orbiting
scroll 50. As a volume of the compression pockets or chambers P is
changed, gas is sucked, compressed, and then is discharged through
the discharge hole 43 of the fixed scroll 40. Gas sucked into the
casing 10 through the suction pipe 11 is sucked into the
compression pockets or chambers P through a suction passage formed
by the inlet 44 of the fixed scroll 40 and the orbiting scroll
50.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 8, oil contained in the casing 10 is pumped
by the oil passage 73 formed in the rotational shaft 70. Then, the
oil is filled in the boss insertion groove 23. As the boss portion
53 of the orbiting scroll 50 performs a circular motion in the boss
insertion groove 23, the oil filled in the boss insertion groove 23
is supplied between the bearing surface 54 of the disc portion 51
of the orbiting scroll and the bearing surface 24 of the main frame
20 to perform a lubricating operation. Some of the oil supplied
between the bearing surface 54 of the disc portion 51 of the
orbiting scroll and the bearing surface 24 of the main frame 20 is
introduced into the compression portion formed by the wrap 52 of
the orbiting scroll 50 and the wrap 42 of the fixed scroll 40, that
is, the compression pockets or chambers P, through the oil hole 56
penetratingly formed at the disc portion 51 of the orbiting scroll
50. As a result, a pressure leakage between a high pressure
compression pocket or chamber P and a low pressure compression
pocket or chamber P may be prevented by an oil sealing. Also,
friction generated at a contact surface between the orbiting scroll
50 and the fixed scroll 40 may be prevented. When the compressor is
operated at a high speed or a low speed, as well as at a constant
speed, oil is smoothly supplied to the compression portion.
Further, when the oil hole 56 of the orbiting scroll 50 is formed
at an inlet, an oil supplying performance to the compression
pockets P through the oil hole 56 may be enhanced since gas sucked
into the compression pockets P formed by the wrap 52 of the
orbiting scroll 50 and the wrap 42 of the fixed scroll 40
flows.
[0040] When the oil groove 26 that communicates with the oil hole
56 of the orbiting scroll is formed at the bearing surface 24 of
the main frame 20, an amount of oil supplied to the compression
pockets P through the oil hole 56 while the orbiting scroll 50
performs an orbiting motion may be increased. More specifically,
while the orbiting scroll 50 performs the orbiting motion, some of
the oil introduced between the bearing surface 54 of the disc
portion 51 of the orbiting scroll 50 and the bearing surface 24 of
the main frame 20 may be stored in the oil groove 26. As the
orbiting scroll 50 performs the orbiting motion, the oil hole 56
performs a circular motion having an arbitrary point as a center
point. At the time of the circular motion, the oil hole 56
communicates with the oil groove 26 formed in the bearing surface
24 of the main frame 20. Accordingly, oil filled in the oil groove
26 may be introduced into the oil hole 56, and then introduced into
the compression pockets P. The oil groove 26 enhances an oil
supplying performance to the compression pockets P. The oil
supplying performance to the compression pockets P may be more
enhanced when the compressor is operated at a low speed.
[0041] With this embodiment, when the compressor is operated in a
constant speed mode or in a variable-speed mode, oil may be
smoothly supplied to the compression portion. That is, when the
compressor is operated at a high speed or a low speed, oil may be
smoothly supplied to the compression portion.
[0042] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a compressor having an oil
supplying structure according to another embodiment. As shown, the
compressor of FIG. 9 may include a casing 10, a main frame 20, a
fixed scroll 40, an orbiting scroll 50, a rotational shaft 70, and
a driving motor M, in which an oil passage 27 through which oil is
supplied to a bearing surface 24 of the main frame 20 or a bearing
surface 54 of the orbiting scroll 50 may be provided at one side of
the main frame 20. The compressor of this embodiment has the same
structure as the aforementioned compressor except for the main
frame 20. The main frame 20 may include a shaft insertion hole 22
formed at a frame body 21 having a predetermined shape, that
receives the rotational shaft 70, a boss insertion groove 23
extending from the shaft insertion hole 22 on an upper surface of
the frame body 21 and having an inner diameter larger than that of
the shaft insertion hole 22 and a predetermined depth, a bearing
surface 24 formed on an upper surface of the frame body 21, and an
oil groove 25, which may have a ring shape, formed in the bearing
surface 24 with a predetermined width and depth. The oil passage 27
may be penetratingly formed in the boss insertion groove 23 and the
bearing surface 24 of the main frame 20 so that oil stored in the
boss insertion groove 23 may be introduced between a disc portion
51 of the orbiting scroll 50 and the bearing surface 24 of the main
frame 20 that supports the disc portion 51. The oil passage 27 may
be inclined from the bearing surface 24 of the main frame 20, and
may be a linear hole.
[0043] Operation of the oil supplying structure according to this
embodiment will be explained herein below.
[0044] While the compressor is operated, oil inside the casing 10
is pumped through an oil passage 73 formed in the rotational shaft
70 as the rotational shaft 70 rotates. The oil may be filled in the
boss insertion groove 23, and then supplied between the bearing
surface 54 of the disc portion 51 of the orbiting scroll 50 and the
bearing surface 24 of the main frame 20 as the boss portion 53
performs a circular motion in the boss insertion groove 23.
[0045] An amount of oil supplied between the bearing surface 54 of
the disc portion 51 of the orbiting scroll 50 and the bearing
surface 24 of the main frame 20 may be increased since some of the
oil filled in the boss insertion groove 23 may be supplied
therebetween through the oil passage 27. Some of the oil supplied
between the bearing surface 54 of the orbiting scroll 50 and the
bearing surface 24 of the main frame 20 may be sucked into the
compression pockets P together with gas.
[0046] That is, as an amount of oil supplied between the bearing
surface 54 of the disc portion 51 of the orbiting scroll 50 and the
bearing surface 24 of the main frame 20 may be increased, an amount
of oil discharged between the bearing surface 54 of the disc
portion 51 of the orbiting scroll 50 and the bearing surface 24 of
the main frame 20 may be increased. As a result, an amount of oil
sucked to the compression portion (compression pockets or chambers
P) together with gas may be increased.
[0047] With this embodiment, when the compressor is operated in a
constant speed mode or in a variable-speed mode, oil may be
smoothly supplied to the compression portion. That is, when the
compressor is operated at a high speed or a low speed, oil may be
smoothly supplied to the compression portion.
[0048] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a compressor having an oil
supplying structure according to another embodiment. As shown, the
compressor of FIG. 10 may include a casing 10, a main frame 20, a
fixed scroll 40, an orbiting scroll 50, a rotational shaft 70, and
a driving motor M. An oil hole 56 through which oil may be
introduced to the compression portion while the orbiting scroll 50
performs an orbiting motion may be penetratingly formed at a disc
portion 51 of the orbiting scroll 50, and an oil passage 27 through
which oil may be supplied to the oil hole 56 may be penetratingly
formed at one side of the main frame 20. The compressor of this
embodiment has the same structure as the aforementioned compressors
except for the main frame 20 and the orbiting scroll 50.
[0049] That is, the orbiting scroll 50 may include a disc portion
51 having a predetermined thickness and area, a wrap 52 formed on
one surface of the disc portion 51 in an involute curve having a
predetermined thickness and height, and a boss portion 53 formed on
another surface of the disc portion 51 with a predetermined height.
A shaft insertion hole 55 having a predetermined outer diameter and
depth may be formed in the boss portion 53.
[0050] The oil hole 56 may be formed at the disc portion 51 of the
orbiting scroll 50. The oil hole 56 may be positioned at an inlet
of a compression portion formed by the wrap 42 of the fixed scroll
40 and the wrap 52 of the orbiting scroll 50. That is, the oil hole
56 may be disposed to be adjacent to an end of the wrap 52
protruding from the disc portion 51 of the orbiting scroll 50 on a
same extending line. The oil hole 56 may be formed to contact the
end of the wrap 52. However, the oil hole 56 may be disposed to be
adjacent to the end of the wrap 52 so as to facilitate processing.
A structure of the oil hole 56 of the orbiting scroll 50 of this
embodiment is the same as the structure of the embodiment of FIG.
1.
[0051] The main frame 20 may include a shaft insertion hole 22
formed at a frame body 21 and having a predetermined shape, that
receives the rotational shaft 70, a boss insertion groove 23
extending from the shaft insertion hole 22 on an upper surface of
the frame body 21, which may have an inner diameter larger than
that of the shaft insertion hole 22, and having a predetermined
depth, a bearing surface 24 formed on an upper surface of the frame
body 21, and an oil groove 25, which may have a ring shape and be
formed at the bearing surface 24 with a predetermined width and
depth. The ring-shaped oil groove may not be provided according to
a structure of the compressor.
[0052] The oil passage 27 of the main frame 20 may be penetratingly
formed at the boss insertion groove 23 and the bearing surface 24
of the main frame 20 so that oil stored in the boss insertion
groove 23 may be introduced between a disc portion 51 of the
orbiting scroll 50 and the bearing surface 24 of the main frame 20
that supports the disc portion 51. The oil groove 25, which may
have a predetermined area and may communicate with the oil hole 56
may be formed at the bearing surface 24 of the main frame 20. The
oil groove 26 may be disposed at one side of an orbiting path of
the oil hole which is moved by an orbiting motion of the orbiting
scroll 50. The oil passage 27 may communicate with the oil groove
26. The oil groove 26 may have the same shape as the oil groove of
the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 11, the oil passage 27 of the main frame 20
may be a linear hole penetratingly formed in the boss insertion
groove 23 and the bearing surface that supports the disc portion 51
of the orbiting scroll 50. A longitudinal direction of the oil
passage 27 may be inclined from a center of the boss insertion
groove 23 of the main frame 20. The oil passage 27 may be formed
with an inclination angle so that oil stored in the boss insertion
groove 23 may be effectively discharged when the boss portion 53 of
the orbiting scroll 50 performs a circular motion.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 12, the oil passage 27 of the main frame 20
according to another embodiment may include a first through hole
27A that linearly penetrates an inner circumferential wall of the
boss insertion groove 23 of the main frame 20 and an outer surface
of the main frame 20 and a second through hole 27B that linearly
penetrates the first through hole 27A and the bearing surface 24 of
the main frame 20. A cover 27C that covers the first through hole
27A may be disposed on an outer surface of the main frame of the
first through hole 27A, thereby facilitating a processing of the
oil passage 27.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 13, an oil discharge passage 28 through
which oil inside the boss insertion groove 23 may be discharged may
be disposed at one side of the main frame 20. An inlet of the oil
discharge passage 28 disposed on an inner circumferential wall of
the boss insertion groove 23 may be positioned above an inlet of
the oil passage 27 disposed on an inner circumferential wall of the
boss insertion groove 23. The oil discharge passage 28 may include
a first passage 28A that penetrates an inner circumferential wall
of the boss insertion groove 23 and an outer circumferential
surface of the main frame 20, and a second passage 28B disposed on
the outer circumferential surface of the main frame 20 in a
vertical direction so as to communicate with the first passage 28A.
The oil discharge passage 28 may serve to discharge oil excessively
contained at the boss insertion groove 23 to a lower surface of the
casing 10.
[0056] An oil controlling portion that controls an amount of oil
introduced into the compression portion through the oil passage 27
may be disposed in the oil passage 27. As shown in FIG. 14, the oil
controlling portion according to an embodiment may include a small
pipe portion 27D, and an expanded pipe portion 27E having an inner
diameter larger than that of the small pipe portion 27D. A
supplementary path 27F through which oil flows may be formed at an
inner edge of a stepped surface formed by a difference of inner
diameters of the small pipe portion 27D and the expanded pipe 27E.
A stopper 120 having a through hole 121 therein may be coupled to
the expanded pipe portion 27E of the oil passage 27. An
opening/closing ball 130 that opens and closes the through hole 121
of the stopper 120 may be inserted into the expanded pipe portion
27E. The opening/closing ball 130 may be moved according to a flow
rate of oil inside the expanded pipe portion 27E. A spring 140 that
elastically supports the opening/closing ball 130 may be inserted
into the expanded pipe portion 27E.
[0057] The stopper 120 may be formed to have a predetermined length
and a circular sectional shape corresponding to a sectional surface
of the expanded pipe portion 27E. The through hole 121 may be
formed in the stopper 120, and a supporting surface that supports
the spring 140 may be provided on an inner circumferential wall of
the through hole 121.
[0058] The opening/closing ball 130 may be spherical in shape. A
maximum diameter of the opening/closing ball 130 may be smaller
than an inner diameter of the expanded pipe portion 27E, but may be
larger than an inner diameter of the through hole 121 of the
stopper 120. The spring 140 may be a coil spring. In such a case,
one side of the coil spring may be supported by the supporting
surface of the stopper 120, and another side supported by the
opening/closing ball 130.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 15, when the compressor is operated at a
low speed, the oil controlling portion may be operated so that the
oil contained in the boss insertion groove 23 of the main frame 20
may be supplied to the oil hole 56 of the orbiting scroll 50 via
the small pipe portion 27D, the supplementary path 27F, the through
hole 121 of the stopper, and the expanded pipe portion 27E. Since
the boss portion 53 of the orbiting scroll 50 that performs a
circular motion in the boss insertion groove 23 of the main frame
20 may have a slow rotational speed, a small amount of oil may be
pumped to the oil passage 27. Accordingly, the opening/closing ball
130 may be supported by the stepped surface by an elastic force of
the spring 140, thereby opening the through hole 121 of the stopper
120.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 16, when the compressor is operated at a
high speed, a large amount of oil may be pumped to the oil passage
27 from the boss insertion groove 23. By a flow pressure of the
oil, the opening/closing ball 130 may be moved to close the through
hole 121 of the stopper 120. Accordingly, the oil contained in the
boss insertion groove 23 of the main frame 20 may be prevented from
flowing to the oil hole 56 of the orbiting scroll 50 through the
oil passage 27. The oil contained in the boss insertion groove 23
may be supplied to the oil hole 56 of the orbiting scroll through a
space between the bearing surface 54 of the orbiting scroll 50 and
the bearing surface 24 of the main frame 20.
[0061] The oil controlling portion may serve to smoothly supply oil
to the compression portion when the compressor is rotated at a low
speed, and to prevent oil from being excessively supplied to the
compression portion when the compressor is rotated at a high speed.
More specifically, when the compressor is rotated at a low speed,
the oil controlling portion may be operated so that oil contained
in the boss insertion groove 23 of the main frame 20 may be
supplied to the oil hole 56 of the orbiting scroll through the oil
passage 27. On the other hand, when the compressor is rotated at a
high speed, the oil controlling portion may be operated so that the
oil contained in the boss insertion groove 23 of the main frame 20
may not be supplied to the oil hole 56 of the orbiting scroll
through the oil passage 27.
[0062] FIG. 17 is a sectional view of an oil controlling portion
according to another embodiment. The oil controlling portion of
this embodiment may include a stopper 150 having a through hole 151
therein, and fixedly coupled to an expanded pipe portion 27K of a
vertical passage 27G of the oil passage 27, an opening/closing 160
disposed at the expanded pipe portion 27K and moving according to a
flow rate of oil, that opens and closes the through hole 121 of the
stopper, and a spring 170 coupled to the stopper 150 for
elastically supporting the opening/closing ball 160.
[0063] The oil passage 27 may include a slant passage 27H that
penetrates an inner circumferential wall of the boss insertion
groove 23 of the main frame 20 and the bearing surface 24 of the
main frame 20, and a vertical passage 27G that penetrates the
bearing surface 24 of the main frame 20 and a lower surface of a
body portion 21 of the main frame 20. The vertical passage 27G and
the slant passage 27H may be connected to the bearing surface 24 of
the main frame 20. A common hole 27M having a predetermined area
and depth may be formed at the connection part. The common hole 27M
may serve as the oil groove.
[0064] The expanded pipe portion 27K (may be formed at the vertical
passage 27G. A stepped surface may be formed at a starting part of
the expanded pipe portion 27K.
[0065] The stopper 150 may be coupled to the expanded pipe portion
27K with a predetermined gap from the stepped surface. The
opening/closing ball 160, which may be spherical in shape, may be
disposed between the stopper 150 and the stepped surface.
[0066] The spring 170 may be a coil spring. In such a case, one
side of the coil spring may be supported by the stepped surface,
and another side thereof supported by the opening/closing ball 160.
The opening/closing ball 160 closes the through hole 151 of the
stopper 150 by receiving an elastic force of the coil spring.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 18, when the compressor is operated at a
low speed, the oil controlling portion may be operated so that oil
contained in the boss insertion groove 23 of the main frame 20 may
be supplied to the oil hole 56 of the orbiting scroll through the
slant passage 27H. Since a small amount of oil may be pumped to the
slant passage 27H from the boss insertion groove 23, a pressure of
oil inside the common hole 27M is low. Accordingly, the
opening/closing ball 160 may block the vertical passage 27G by an
elastic force of the spring 170.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 19, when the compressor is operated at a
high speed, a large amount of oil may be pumped to the slant
passage 27H from the boss insertion groove 23. Accordingly, a
pressure of oil inside the common hole 27M may be high thus to
contract the spring 170. As a result, the vertical passage 27G may
be opened by the opening/closing ball 160, and oil pumped to the
slant passage 27H may be drained to a lower side of the main frame
20 through the vertical passage 27G. Since an amount of oil
supplied to the oil hole 56 of the orbiting scroll may be
controlled, oil may be prevented from being excessively introduced
into the compression portion when the compressor is operated at a
high speed.
[0069] The oil controlling portion may be applied to the oil
supplying structure of FIG. 9. When the compressor is operated at a
high speed, oil may be prevented from being excessively supplied to
the compression portion.
[0070] Operation of the oil feeding structure for a compressor
according to another embodiment will be explained hereinafter.
[0071] While the compressor is operated, oil inside the casing 10
may be pumped through the oil passage 73 formed in the rotational
shaft 70 as the rotational shaft 70 rotates. The oil may be filled
in the boss insertion groove 23, and then supplied between the
bearing surface 54 of the disc portion 51 of the orbiting scroll 50
and the bearing surface 24 of the main frame 20 through the oil
passage 27 of the main frame 20 as the boss portion 53 of the
orbiting scroll 50 performs a circular motion in the boss insertion
groove 23. The oil contained in the boss insertion groove 23 may be
introduced between the bearing surface 54 of the disc portion 51 of
the orbiting scroll 50 and the bearing surface 24 of the main frame
20 as the boss portion 53 of the orbiting scroll 50 rotates. The
oil supplied between the bearing surface 54 of the disc portion 51
of the orbiting scroll 50 and the bearing surface 24 of the main
frame 20 may be introduced into the compression portion formed by
the wrap 52 of the orbiting scroll 50 and the wrap 42 of the fixed
scroll, that is, the compression pockets P through the oil hole 56
of the orbiting scroll 50 as the orbiting scroll 50 performs an
orbiting motion.
[0072] When the oil groove 26 that communicates with the oil hole
56 of the orbiting scroll is formed at the bearing surface 24 of
the main frame 20, a large amount of oil may be supplied to the
compression portion through the oil hole 56 while the orbiting
scroll 50 performs an orbiting motion. More specifically, while the
orbiting scroll 50 is operated, some oil introduced between the
bearing surface 54 of the disc portion 51 of the orbiting scroll 50
and the bearing surface 24 of the main frame 20 may be stored in
the oil groove 26. As the orbiting scroll 50 performs the orbiting
motion, the oil hole 56 formed in the disc portion 51 of the
orbiting scroll 50 performs a circular motion having an arbitrary
point as a center point. At the time of the circular motion, the
oil hole 56 of the orbiting scroll 50 may communicate with the oil
groove 26 formed at the bearing surface 24 of the main frame 20.
Accordingly, oil filled in the oil groove 26 may be introduced into
the oil hole 56, and then is introduced into the compression
pockets P. The oil groove 26 may enhance an oil supplying
performance to the compression pockets P. The oil supplying
performance to the compression pockets P may be more enhanced when
the compressor is operated at a low speed.
[0073] With this embodiment, when the compressor is operated in a
constant speed mode or in a variable-speed mode, oil may be
smoothly supplied to the compression portion. That is, when the
compressor is operated at a high speed or a low speed, oil may be
smoothly supplied to the compression portion.
[0074] When an oil controlling portion is provided in the oil
passage 27 of the main frame 20, oil may be prevented from being
excessively supplied to the compression pockets P formed by the
wrap 52 of the orbiting scroll 50 and the wrap 42 of the fixed
scroll while the compressor is operated at a high speed.
[0075] The oil feeding structure for a compressor may further
include an oil storing portion disposed outside the compression
pockets P, and an oil passage penetratingly formed at the disc
portion 51 of the orbiting scroll 50, to supply oil stored in the
oil storing portion into the compression pockets P as the orbiting
scroll 50 performs an orbiting motion.
[0076] As aforementioned, when the compressor according to
embodiments is operated at a high speed, a predetermined amount of
oil may be supplied to the compression pockets P formed by the wrap
52 of the orbiting scroll 50 and the wrap 42 of the fixed scroll
40. When the compressor is operated at a low speed, oil may also be
smoothly supplied to the compression pockets P.
[0077] Since a predetermined amount of oil may be supplied to the
compression pockets P when the compressor is operated at a constant
speed or a variable speed, a pressure leakage between the wrap of
the orbiting scroll and the wrap of the fixed scroll may be
prevented. Accordingly, a performance of the compressor may be
enhanced. Further, since a friction between the orbiting scroll and
the fixed scroll may be prevented, an abrasion therebetween may be
minimized, enhancing a reliability of the compressor.
[0078] The compressor and oil supplying structure therefor
according to embodiments disclosed herein has numerous
applications. Such applications may include, for example, air
conditioning and refrigeration applications. One such exemplary
application is shown in FIG. 20, in which compressor 710 having an
oil supplying structure according to embodiments disclosed herein
is installed in a refrigerator/freezer 700. Installation and
functionality of a compressor in a refrigerator is discussed in
detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,082,776, 6,955,064, 7,114,345, 7,055,338
and 6,772,601, the entirety of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0079] Another such exemplary application is shown in FIG. 21, in
which a compressor 810 having an oil supplying structure according
to embodiments disclosed herein is installed in an outdoor unit of
an air conditioner 800. Installation and functionality of a
compressor in a refrigerator is discussed in detail in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 7,121,106, 6,868,681, 5,775,120, 6,374,492, 6,962,058,
6,951,628 and 5,947,373, the entirety of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
[0080] Another such exemplary application is shown in FIG. 22, in
which a compressor 910 having an oil supplying structure according
to embodiments disclosed herein is installed in a single,
integrated air conditioning until 900. Installation and
functionality of a compressor in a refrigerator is discussed in
detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,032,404, 6,412,298, 7,036,331,
6,588,228, 6,182,460, and 5,775,123, the entirety of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0081] Embodiments disclosed herein provide an oil feeding or
supplying structure for a compressor capable of smoothly supplying
oil into a compression portion (compression pockets) formed by a
wrap of a fixed scroll and a wrap of an orbiting scroll.
[0082] In accordance with one embodiment disclosed herein, there is
provided an oil feeding or supplying structure for a compressor
that includes a fixed scroll, an orbiting scroll engaged with the
fixed scroll to form a compression portion and a frame having a
bearing surface to support the orbiting scroll, and a boss
insertion groove to insert a boss portion of the orbiting scroll.
An oil hole through which oil may be introduced to the compression
portion may be penetratingly formed at a disc portion of the
orbiting scroll.
[0083] According to another embodiment disclosed herein, there is
provided an oil feeding or supplying structure for a compressor
that includes a fixed scroll, an orbiting scroll engaged with the
fixed scroll to form a compression portion and a frame having a
bearing surface to support the orbiting scroll and a boss insertion
groove to insert a boss portion of the orbiting scroll. An oil
passage through which oil stored in the boss insertion groove may
be introduced between a disc portion of the orbiting scroll and the
bearing surface of the frame may be penetratingly formed at the
boss insertion groove and the bearing surface of the frame.
[0084] According to still another embodiment disclosed herein,
there is provided an oil feeding structure for a compressor that
includes a fixed scroll, an orbiting scroll engaged with the fixed
scroll to form a compression portion, and a frame having a bearing
surface to support the orbiting scroll and a boss insertion groove
to insert a boss portion of the orbiting scroll. An oil hole
through which oil may be introduced to the compression portion may
be penetratingly formed at a disc portion of the orbiting scroll,
and an oil passage through which oil may be supplied to the oil
hole may be penetratingly formed at one side of the frame.
[0085] Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment," "example embodiment," etc., means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the
specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it
is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the
art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in
connection with other ones of the embodiments.
[0086] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a
number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood
that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by
those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope
of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various
variations and modifications are possible in the component parts
and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within
the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims.
In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts
and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
* * * * *