U.S. patent application number 17/277887 was filed with the patent office on 2021-11-11 for compressor device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Hiroshi FUKUDOME, Naofumi HARADA.
Application Number | 20210348601 17/277887 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005781949 |
Filed Date | 2021-11-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210348601 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HARADA; Naofumi ; et
al. |
November 11, 2021 |
COMPRESSOR DEVICE
Abstract
Provided is a compressor device, including: a casing in which a
motor (armature and movable element) is housed; an output shaft,
which projects from the casing, and is configured to be
reciprocated by drive of the motor; a piston provided to a
projecting end of the output shaft; a cylinder in which the piston
is slidably provided to form a compression chamber; and a cylinder
head connected to the cylinder. A tubular shield corresponding to a
shielding portion configured to cover the cylinder in such a manner
as to be separate from the cylinder in a radial direction of the
cylinder is provided on an outer periphery side of the cylinder.
The cylinder, the cylinder head, and the tubular shield are coupled
to be integrated.
Inventors: |
HARADA; Naofumi;
(Machida-shi, Tokyo, JP) ; FUKUDOME; Hiroshi;
(Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hitachi Astemo, Ltd. |
Ibaraki |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005781949 |
Appl. No.: |
17/277887 |
Filed: |
September 11, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
September 11, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2019/035703 |
371 Date: |
March 19, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 39/16 20130101;
F04B 39/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F04B 39/16 20060101
F04B039/16; F04B 39/10 20060101 F04B039/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 25, 2018 |
JP |
2018-178771 |
Claims
1. A compressor device, comprising: a casing in which a motor is
housed; an output shaft, which projects from the casing, and is
configured to be reciprocated by drive of the motor; a piston
provided to a projecting end of the output shaft; a cylinder in
which the piston is slidably provided to form a compression
chamber; and a cylinder head connected to the cylinder, wherein a
shielding portion configured to cover the cylinder in such a manner
as to be separate from the cylinder in a radial direction of the
cylinder is provided on an outer periphery side of the cylinder,
wherein the cylinder, the cylinder head, and the shielding portion
are coupled to be integrated, and wherein the cylinder and the
shielding portion are connected to each other with a plurality of
ribs.
2. (canceled)
3. The compressor device according to claim 1, further comprising:
an air dryer, which is connected to the cylinder head, and is
loaded with a desiccant; and solenoid valves configured to control
supply and exhaust of a compressed air to and from the air dryer,
wherein the solenoid valves are located on a radially outer side of
the cylinder, and are fixed in a sandwiched state between the
casing and the cylinder head, and wherein the shielding portion is
provided on an outer side of the solenoid valves.
4. The compressor device according to claim 1, wherein a surface
area of the shielding portion is larger than a surface area of the
cylinder.
5. The compressor device according to claim 1, wherein a surface
area of the cylinder head is larger than a surface area of the
cylinder.
6. The compressor device according to claim 3, wherein the
shielding portion has opening portions formed so that the solenoid
valves are exposed to an atmosphere.
7. The compressor device according to claim 3, wherein a surface
area of the shielding portion is larger than a surface area of the
cylinder.
8. The compressor device according to claim 3, wherein a surface
area of the cylinder head is larger than a surface area of the
cylinder.
9. The compressor device according to claim 3, wherein a valve
housing space is defined by the cylinder, the shielding portion and
the ribs, and wherein a solenoid valve is disposed in the valve
housing space.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a compressor device to be
mounted in a vehicle such as a four-wheeled automobile so as to,
for example, generate a compressed air.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] As a compressor device to be mounted in a vehicle such as a
four-wheeled automobile, there is known a compressor device using a
linear motor as a driving source (see, for example, Patent
Literature 1). This kind of linear motor type compressor can drive
a piston reciprocating inside a cylinder with a linear thrust, and
hence is a compression machine that does not need a link like a
crank mechanism. Thus, the linear motor type compressor has a
smaller mechanical loss and a smaller number of vibratory sources
of vibration noise than a rotary-to-linear mechanism compression
machine, and hence has higher efficiency and superiority in low
noise.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0003] PTL 1 JP 2018-62917 A
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0004] In the linear motor type compressor as described in Patent
Literature 1, air compression and discharge noise is generated by
the piston reciprocating inside the cylinder. Thus, the inventors
of the present invention have considered achievement of sound
insulation by covering the cylinder, which is a noise generation
source. However, the cylinder is also a heat generation source.
When an outer side of the cylinder is covered with, for example, a
sound insulation cover, heat radiated from the cylinder to an
outside air stays inside the sound insulation cover. Accordingly, a
temperature of a compressed air may disadvantageously rise.
Solution To Problem
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a
compressor device that enables improvement of a sound insulation
property for compression and discharge noise and suppression of
temperature rise of a compressed air.
[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there
is provided a compressor device, including: a casing in which a
motor is housed; an output shaft, which projects from the casing,
and is configured to be reciprocated by drive of the motor; a
piston provided to a projecting end of the output shaft; a cylinder
in which the piston is slidably provided to form a compression
chamber; and a cylinder head connected to the cylinder, wherein a
shielding portion configured to cover the cylinder in such a manner
as to be separate from the cylinder in a radial direction of the
cylinder is provided on an outer periphery side of the cylinder,
and wherein the cylinder, the cylinder head, and the shielding
portion are coupled to be integrated.
[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
sound insulation property for compression and discharge noise can
be improved, and the temperature rise of the compressed air can be
suppressed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view for illustrating a linear motor
compression machine, which is a linear motor type compressor device
according to an embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the linear motor
compression machine illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view for illustrating a tubular
shield, which is integrated with a cylinder, as a single body when
viewed in a direction indicated by arrows III of FIG. 2.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view for illustrating, in a
simplified manner, a state in which a cylinder head is coupled to
the tubular shield integrated with the cylinder.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the tubular shield integrated
with the cylinder, which is taken along a line V-V of FIG. 3 and
viewed in a direction of arrows.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a pneumatic circuit diagram for illustrating an
air suspension system to which the linear motor compression machine
is applied.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a view for illustrating a tubular shield of a
modification example, which is integrated with a cylinder, as a
single body.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT
[0015] A compressor device according to an embodiment of the
present invention is now described in detail with reference to FIG.
1 to FIG. 6 of the accompanying drawings, taking an example in
which the compressor device is formed as a linear motor type
compressor device.
[0016] In FIG. 1, a linear motor type compressor device 1
(hereinafter referred to as "linear motor compression machine 1")
includes, for example, a linear motor 2, a compression unit 10, a
tubular shield 15, a cylinder head 20, and an air dryer 23. The
compression unit 10 includes a cylinder 11 and a piston 12. When a
current is caused to flow through coils of armatures 4 (not shown),
the linear motor 2 reciprocates a movable element 5 in a
longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the linear motor 2 so
that the piston 12 of the compression unit 10 is driven in the
longitudinal direction to reciprocate.
[0017] The linear motor 2 is provided as a driving source for the
linear motor compression machine 1 (compression unit 10). The
linear motor 2 is mounted on, for example, a floor panel (not
shown) of a vehicle body. The linear motor 2 includes a casing 3,
the armatures 4, the movable element 5, a support member 6, and a
spring 7. The casing 3 forms an outer shell of the linear motor 2.
The armatures 4, the movable element 5, the support member 6, and
the spring 7 are disposed inside the casing 3. The casing 3 of the
linear motor 2 is formed as, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a hollow
container having a bottomed cylindrical shape, which is open on one
side and is closed on another side in an axial direction of the
casing 3. The armatures 4, the movable element 5, the support
member 6, and the spring 7, which form the motor 1, are housed in
the casing 3.
[0018] The energization of the armatures 4 generates magnetic
attracting force and repelling force between the armatures 4 and
the movable element 5. As a result, the movable element 5 having a
flat plate-like shape is driven in such a manner as to repeat
reciprocation in the longitudinal direction (axial direction)
between a pair of the armatures 4 inside the casing 3. The spring 7
is formed of, for example, a compression coil spring. The spring 7
constantly urges the movable element 5 toward another side (closed
end side) of the casing 3 in the axial direction. When the movable
element 5 is reciprocated in the axial direction, the spring 7 is
elastically flexurally deformed so as to be extended and compressed
in the axial direction along with the reciprocation of the movable
element 5.
[0019] The casing 3 of the linear motor 2 houses the motor
including, for example, the armatures 4 and the movable element 5
therein. Among the components of the motor, the movable element 5
has an output shaft 5A. The output shaft 5A projects from the
casing 3 into the cylinder 11 described later, and is reciprocated
by drive of the motor. The piston 12 described later is provided to
a projecting end of the output shaft 5A.
[0020] An inverter case 8 having a tubular shape is provided on the
another side (closed end side) of the casing 3 in the axial
direction. A control inverter 9 is provided inside the inverter
case 8, as indicated by an alternate long and two short dashes
line. The control inverter 9 includes, for example, a power
transistor configured to generate a high voltage for the
energization of the armatures 4.
[0021] The compression unit 10 of the linear motor compression
machine 1 is provided in a state of being sandwiched between the
linear motor 2 and the air dryer 23. The compression unit 10
includes, for example, the cylinder 11, the piston 12, a discharge
port 13, a discharge valve 14, the tubular shield 15, and the
cylinder head 20. When the piston 12 is driven so as to reciprocate
in the axial direction together with the movable element 5 of the
linear motor 2, the compression unit 10 compresses air in the
cylinder 11 to generate a compressed air (specifically, a working
gas).
[0022] The cylinder 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a
metal material, for example, aluminum. The piston 12 is
reciprocatably (slidably) inserted into the cylinder 11. The piston
12 is coupled to the movable element 5 of the linear motor 2,
specifically, the projecting end of the output shaft 5A. As a
result, the piston 12 is provided in such a manner as to slide and
be displaced in an axial line direction, specifically, the axial
direction being the longitudinal direction of the linear motor 2
(casing 3), and is reciprocated inside the cylinder 11 in
association with the reciprocation of the movable element 5. In
other words, the piston 12 is arranged on an axial line extending
in the same direction as a moving direction of the movable element
5 of the linear motor 2.
[0023] In this embodiment, the cylinder 11 has the discharge port
13 and the discharge valve 14. The discharge valve 14 is configured
to cover the discharge port 13 in such a manner as to be able to
open and close the discharge port 13. In a suction stroke performed
in the compression unit 10, the discharge valve 14 closes the
discharge port 13 to cut off the cylinder 11 from the air dryer 23
side. In a compression stoke, the discharge valve 14 opens the
discharge port 13 to bring an inside of the cylinder 11 into
communication with the air dryer 23. Further, the tubular shield 15
is provided on an outer periphery side of the cylinder 11. The
tubular shield 15 corresponds to a shielding portion that is
configured to cover the cylinder 11 in such a manner as to be
separate from the cylinder 11 to a radially outer side.
[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, the tubular shield 15
includes a tubular portion 15A, a partition wall portion 15B, and a
plurality of ribs 15C, 15D, 15E, and 15F. The tubular portion 15A
having a substantially rectangular shape extends in the axial
direction over the entire length of the cylinder 11, and surrounds
the cylinder 11 on a radially outer side thereof. The partition
wall portion 15B is formed integrally with the tubular portion 15A
in such a manner as to close one side of the tubular portion 15A in
the axial direction except for the cylinder 11. The plurality of
ribs 15C, 15D, 15E, and 15F are arranged in a cross-like shape so
as to integrally couple the cylinder 11 and the tubular portion
15A.
[0025] The ribs 15C, 15D, 15E, and 15F extend radially (crosswise)
from an outer periphery of the cylinder 11 toward an inner wall of
the tubular portion 15A to integrally couple the cylinder 11 and
the tubular portion 15A. In other words, the cylinder 11 and the
shielding portion, specifically, the tubular portion 15A of the
tubular shield 15 are connected to each other with the plurality of
ribs 15C, 15D, 15E, and 15F. The tubular shield 15 is made of the
same material (for example, a metal material such as aluminum) as
that of the cylinder 11, and is integrally formed by casting such
as aluminum die casting. A screw hole 16 extending in the axial
direction is formed in each of the ribs 15C, 15D, 15E, and 15F of
the tubular shield 15. A connecting bolt 22 (see FIG. 2) described
later is threadably fitted into each of the screw holes 16 so as to
couple the cylinder head 20 to the tubular shield 15, specifically,
integrate the cylinder head 20 with the tubular shield 15.
[0026] In this case, for example, four valve housing spaces 17 in
total are defined through partition with the ribs 15C, 15D, 15E,
and 15F between the tubular portion 15A of the tubular shield 15
and the cylinder 11. An intake electromagnetic valve 38, a return
electromagnetic valve 40, a supply/exhaust switching valve 41, and
an exhaust electromagnetic valve 44, which are described later, are
individually housed in the valve housing spaces 17. As an example,
in FIG. 7 corresponding to a modification example, the intake
electromagnetic valve 38 is arranged in the valve housing space 17
located between the ribs 15C and 15D, and the return
electromagnetic valve 40 is arranged in the valve housing space 17
located between the ribs 15D and 15E. Further, the supply/exhaust
switching valve 41 is arranged in the valve housing space 17
located between the ribs 15E and 15F, and the exhaust
electromagnetic valve 44 is arranged in the valve housing space 17
located between the ribs 15C and 15F. Arrangement of the valves 38,
40, 41, and 44 to the valve housing spaces 17 is suitably selected
and determined in a stage of designing.
[0027] Valve fitting holes 18A and 18B are formed in the partition
wall portion 15B of the tubular shield 15. The valve fitting hole
18A is formed of a stepped hole, and is formed in such a manner as
to be in communication with the valve housing space 17 defined
between the ribs 15C and 15D. The valve fitting hole 18B different
from the valve fitting hole 18A is formed of a stepped hole, and is
formed in such a manner as to be in communication with the valve
housing space 17 defined between the ribs 15D and 15E. An end
portion of the intake electromagnetic valve 38, the return
electromagnetic valve 40, the supply/exhaust switching valve 41, or
the exhaust electromagnetic valve 44, which are described later, is
fitted into each of the valve fitting holes 18A and 18B to be
positioned thereby.
[0028] Further, four bolt insertion holes 19 in total are formed in
the valve housing spaces 17 in such a manner as to be located in
corners of the tubular portion 15A. Long bolts (not shown)
configured to integrally couple and fix the casing 3 of the linear
motor 2, the cylinder head 20, and the cylindrical shield 15 are
inserted into the bolt insertion holes 19 under a state in which
the tubular shield 15 (specifically, the cylinder 11) is sandwiched
between the casing 3 of the linear motor 2 and the cylinder head
20. Bolt insertion holes into which the long bolts are to be
inserted are similarly formed in the cylinder head 20 illustrated
in a simplified manner in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, however, illustration
of the bolt insertion holes is omitted.
[0029] The cylinder head 20 is disposed on one end side of the
tubular shield 15 (specifically, the cylinder 11) so as to abut
against and be coupled to one end (specifically, the discharge port
13) side of the cylinder 11. As illustrated in a simplified manner
in FIG. 4, the cylinder head 20 includes a head cylinder 20A, an
outer tubular portion 20B, and a plurality of ribs 20C, 20D, 20E,
and 20F. The head cylinder 20A is located on a center side. The
outer tubular portion 20B is located on an outer periphery side,
and has a substantially rectangular shape. The plurality of ribs
20C, 20D, 20E, and 20F are formed to have a cross-like shape to
integrally couple the head cylinder 20A and the outer tubular
portion 20B.
[0030] The head cylinder 20A of the cylinder head 20 is disposed to
abut against the one end (specifically, the discharge port 13) side
of the cylinder 11 in such a manner as to be coaxial with the
cylinder 11. The outer tubular portion 20B of the cylinder head 20
is formed as a tubular body having a substantially rectangular
shape, which surrounds the head cylinder 20A on a radially outer
side thereof, as in the case of the tubular portion 15A of the
tubular shield 15. The tubular portion 15A and the outer tubular
portion 20B are caused to abut against each other in such a manner
as to be aligned with each other. Further, the ribs 20C, 20D, 20E,
and 20F of the cylinder head 20 are also caused to abut against the
ribs 15C, 15D, 15E, and 15F of the tubular shield 15 in such a
manner as to be aligned therewith.
[0031] For example, four valve housing spaces 21 in total, which
are separated by the ribs 20C, 20D, 20E, and 20F, are defined
between the head cylinder 20A and the outer tubular portion 20B of
the cylinder head 20. The valve housing spaces 21 are in
communication with the valve housing spaces 17 of the tubular
shield 15, respectively. The intake electromagnetic valve 38, the
return electromagnetic valve 40, the supply/exhaust switching valve
41, and the exhaust electromagnetic valve 44, which are described
later, are individually housed in the valve housing spaces 17 and
21, respectively.
[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the plurality of connecting bolts
22 are threadably fitted into the screw holes 16 of the tubular
shield 15, respectively. As a result, the cylinder head 20 is fixed
so as to be integrated with the tubular shield 15. In the cylinder
head 20 illustrated in FIG. 4, illustration of the above-mentioned
connecting bolts 22, bolt holes, and other portions is omitted. The
illustration of the above-mentioned members and portions is omitted
so as to clearly illustrate, for example, shapes of the ribs 20C,
20D, 20E, and 20F formed between the head cylinder 20A and the
outer tubular portion 20B of the cylinder head 20.
[0033] The air dryer 23 is provided and fixed to one end of the
cylinder head 20. The air dryer 23 is located on one side of the
cylinder head 20 in the axial direction, and is provided on a side
opposite to the linear motor 2 through the cylinder head 20 and the
tubular shield 15 (cylinder 11) therebetween. An inflow port 25A
side, which is described later, of the air dryer 23 is connected to
the head cylinder 20A of the cylinder head 20. Desiccant beads 26
are loaded in an inner tube 25.
[0034] In this case, the air dryer 23 is arranged in series to the
piston 12 so that an axial line direction thereof extends along an
axial line direction of the piston 12. Specifically, an axial line
of the air dryer 23 and an axial line of the cylinder 11 (piston
12) extend in the axial direction substantially in alignment with
each other. In other words, the air dryer 23 is arranged on an
axial line extending in the moving direction of the movable element
5 of the linear motor 2 and the piston 12. With this arrangement, a
radial dimension of the linear motor compression machine 1 can be
reduced to enhance vehicle mountability of the compression
machine.
[0035] The air dryer 23 includes an outer tube 24, the inner tube
25, a large number of desiccant beads 26, and an annular passage
27. The outer tube 24 forms an outer shell of the air dryer 23. The
inner tube 25 is arranged inside the outer tube 24. The large
number of desiccant beads 26 are stored in the inner tube 25 in a
state of being loaded in the inner tube 25. The annular passage 27
is defined between the outer tube 24 and the inner tube 25. The
annular passage 27 of the air dryer 23 forms a part of a
supply/exhaust pipeline 33 (see FIG. 6), which is described later.
The annular passage 27 is connected to a tank pipeline 39 at a
position of a connection point 33B, and is connected to an air
conduit 34 through intermediation of the supply/exhaust switching
valve 41.
[0036] When a compressed air flowing into the air dryer 23 from the
inflow port 25A of the inner tube 25 is brought into contact with
the desiccant beads 26 inside the inner tube 25, the desiccant
beads 26 absorb moisture contained in the compressed air to dry the
air. The dried compressed air flows from an outflow port 25B of the
inner tube 25 via the annular passage 27 defined between the outer
tube 24 and the inner tube 25 toward the return electromagnetic
valve 40 or the supply/exhaust switching valve 41, which are
described later.
[0037] The inner tube 25 is formed in a cylindrical shape as a
hollow container made of a metal material, for example, aluminum.
The large number of desiccant beads 26 are loaded in the inner tube
25 to be located between filters 28A and 28B that are separate
apart from each other in a fore-and-aft direction. The filters 28A
and 28B are configured to prevent part of the desiccant beads 26
from flowing out to an outside. Further, a spring 29 configured to
constantly urge the filter 28B in a direction away from a bottom
portion 24A is provided between the filter 28B and the bottom
portion 24A of the outer tube 24 so as to prevent rattling movement
and vibration of the desiccant beads 26 between the filters 28A and
28B.
[0038] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, description is made of an
example case in which the linear motor compression machine 1
according to this embodiment is applied to an air suspension system
for a vehicle as represented by a four-wheeled automobile. The air
suspension system includes, for example, the linear motor
compression machine 1, a plurality of air suspensions 31, the air
conduit 34, and a plurality of air supply/exhaust valves 35.
[0039] Four air suspensions 31 in total are provided on a front
left wheel (FL) side, a front right wheel (FR) side, a rear left
wheel (RL) side, and a rear right wheel (RR) side of a vehicle
between each axle of the vehicle and a vehicle body (all not
shown). When the compressed air is supplied to or exhausted from
air chambers 31C described later, the air suspensions 31 perform
vehicle height adjustment in accordance with expansion and
contraction of the air chambers 31C.
[0040] Each of the air suspensions 31 includes a cylinder 31A, a
piston rod 31B, and the air chamber 31C. The cylinder 31A is
mounted to, for example, the axle side of the vehicle. The piston
rod 31B projects from the cylinder 31A in such a manner as to be
able to advance and retreat in the axial direction, and has a
projecting end to be mounted to the vehicle body. The air chamber
31C is provided expandably and contractably between the projecting
end of the piston rod 31B and the cylinder 31A to work as an air
spring. When the compressed air is supplied to and exhausted from
the air chamber 31C through a branch pipe 34A described later, the
air chamber 31C of each of the air suspensions 31 is expanded and
contracted in the axial direction. At this time, in each of the air
suspensions 31, the piston rod 31B advances from and retreats
toward the cylinder 31A in the axial direction to adjust a height
of the vehicle (vehicle height) in accordance with a supply/exhaust
amount of the compressed air.
[0041] In this case, the air suspensions 31 form a vehicle height
adjustment device configured to vertically movably support the
vehicle body. Specifically, when the compressed air from the linear
motor compression machine 1 is supplied or exhausted, the air
suspensions 31 is vertically expanded or contracted in accordance
with a supply/exhaust amount (compressed air amount) given at that
moment to perform the vehicle height adjustment for the vehicle.
The air suspensions 31 are connected to the compression unit 10 of
the linear motor compression machine 1 through intermediation of
the air conduit 34.
[0042] An intake pipeline 32 is connected to an intake side of the
linear motor compression machine 1 (compression unit 10), and the
supply/exhaust pipeline 33 is connected to the discharge valve 14
side of the compression unit 10. The supply/exhaust pipeline 33
includes, for example, the annular passage 27 of the air dryer 23,
which is illustrated in FIG. 2. A distal end of the supply/exhaust
pipeline 33 is connected to the air conduit 34 through
intermediation of the supply/exhaust switching valve 41 described
later. The air dryer 23 is provided in the middle of the
supply/exhaust pipeline 33.
[0043] The intake pipeline 32 forms an intake passage of the linear
motor compression machine 1. A tank-side inlet pipeline 37 and a
reflux pipeline 42, which are described later, are connected at a
position of a connection point 32C. As a matter of course, the
tank-side inlet pipeline 37 and the reflux pipeline 42 may be
connected to the intake pipeline 32 at different points in the
vicinity of the connection point 32C.
[0044] The intake pipeline 32 has an intake port 32A on one end
side. The intake port 32A is open to an outside of the linear motor
compression machine 1. A filter (not shown) configured to remove,
for example, dust in the air is provided to the intake port 32A.
Another end of the intake pipeline 32 is connected to the intake
side of the compression unit 10. An intake valve 32B formed of a
check valve is provided in the middle of the intake pipeline 32. In
the linear motor compression machine 1 illustrated in FIG. 2,
however, illustration of the components such as the intake pipeline
32 and the intake valve 32B is omitted.
[0045] The supply/exhaust pipeline 33 forms a supply/exhaust
passage configured to supply and exhaust the compressed air
generated in the compression unit 10 of the linear motor
compression machine 1 to and from the air chambers 31C of the air
suspensions 31. When the vehicle height is reduced, the compressed
air supplied to the air chambers 31C of the air suspensions 31 is
exhausted from the air chambers 31C via the supply/exhaust pipeline
33, for example, to flow back through the air dryer 23 or escape
into a tank 36 described later.
[0046] Further, an exhaust pipeline 43 branches from the
supply/exhaust pipeline 33 at a connection point 33A located
between the discharge valve 14 and the air dryer 23 of the linear
motor compression machine 1. The tank pipeline 39 branches from the
supply/exhaust pipeline 33 at the connection point 33B located
between the air dryer 23 and the supply/exhaust switching valve 41.
In other words, the air dryer 23 is provided to the supply/exhaust
pipeline 33 at a position between the connection points 33A and
33B. A slow return valve (not shown) may be provided to the
supply/exhaust pipeline 33 at a position between the air dryer 23
and the connection point 33B.
[0047] The air dryer 23 forms an air drying unit provided in the
middle of the supply/exhaust pipeline 33. The air dryer 23 stores
the desiccant beads 26 (see FIG. 2), for example, silica gel, and
is disposed between the discharge valve 14 and the supply/exhaust
switching valve 41 of the linear motor compression machine 1. When
the high-pressure compressed air generated in the compression unit
10 flows through the supply/exhaust pipeline 33 in a forward
direction toward the air suspensions 31, moisture is adsorbed by
bringing the compressed air into contact with the desiccant beads
26 stored therein. The air dryer 23 supplies the dried compressed
air toward the air chambers 31C of the air suspensions 31.
[0048] Meanwhile, when the compressed air, specifically, the
exhaust air exhausted from the air chambers 31C of the air
suspensions 31 flows through the air dryer 23 (supply/exhaust
pipeline 33) in a backward direction, the dried air flows back
through the air dryer 23. Thus, moisture contained in the desiccant
beads 26 in the air dryer 23 is desorbed with the dried air. As a
result, the desiccant beads 26 in the air dryer 23 are regenerated
to a moisture adsorbable state again.
[0049] The air chambers 31C of the air suspensions 31 are connected
to the supply/exhaust pipeline 33 of the linear motor compression
machine 1 through intermediation of the supply/exhaust switching
valve 41 and the air conduit 34. In this case, a plurality of (for
example, four) branch pipes 34A branching from the air conduit 34
are provided. Distal ends of the branch pipes 34A are removably
connected to the air chambers 31C of the air suspensions 31,
respectively.
[0050] The air supply/exhaust valve 35 for the compressed air is
provided in the middle of each of the branch pipes 34A so as to
control the supply and exhaust of the compressed air to and from
the air chamber 31C of the air suspension 31. Each of the air
supply/exhaust valves 35 is formed of, for example, a 2-port
2-position electromagnetic switching valve (solenoid valve). Each
of the air supply/exhaust valves 35 is normally placed in a valve
closed position (a). When excited by a control signal output from a
controller (not shown), the air supply/exhaust valve 35 is switched
from the valve closed position (a) to a valve open position
(b).
[0051] Each of the air supply/exhaust valves 35 may be connected
and provided between the air chamber 31C of the air suspension 31
and the branch pipe 34A. Further, each of the air supply/exhaust
valves 35 has a function as a relief valve (safety valve). Thus,
when pressure in the air chamber 31C exceeds a relief set pressure,
the air supply/exhaust valve 35 is temporarily switched from the
valve closed position (a) to the valve open position (b) as a
relief valve even though the air supply/exhaust valve 35 remains
demagnetized. Thus, an overpressure generated at this time is
released into the air conduit 34.
[0052] The tank 36 that stores the compressed air has a connection
pipe 36A formed of, for example, a flexible hose. The connection
pipe 36A has one end that is removably connected to the tank 36 and
another end that is connected to the tank-side inlet pipeline 37
and the tank pipeline 39, which are described later. The connection
pipe 36A of the tank 36 is connected to the intake side of the
compression unit 10 through intermediation of the tank-side inlet
pipeline 37. The tank-side inlet pipeline 37 has one end that is
connected to the tank 36 (connection pipe 36A) and another end that
is connected to the intake pipeline 32 at the position of the
connection point 32C. Specifically, the intake pipeline 32 is
connected to the tank-side inlet pipeline 37 in such a manner that
the tank-side inlet pipeline 37 branches from the intake pipeline
32 at the connection point 32C, which is located at a position
between the intake side of the compression unit 10 and the intake
valve 32B.
[0053] The intake electromagnetic valve 38 configured to supply and
stop supplying the compressed air in the tank 36 to the intake side
of the compression unit 10 is provided to the tank-side inlet
pipeline 37. The intake electromagnetic valve 38 is formed of, for
example, a 2-port 2-position electromagnetic switching valve
(solenoid valve). The intake electromagnetic valve 38 is normally
placed in a valve closed position (c). When excited by a control
signal from the controller, the intake electromagnetic valve 38 is
switched from the valve closed position (c) to a valve open
position (d). Further, similarly to the air supply/exhaust valve 35
described above, the intake electromagnetic valve 38 has a function
as a relief valve (safety valve).
[0054] The intake electromagnetic valve 38 is an on/off
electromagnetic valve to be switched between the valve closed
position (c) and the valve open position (d). A highly versatile
electromagnetic switching valve may be employed as the intake
electromagnetic valve 38. Thus, an expensive valve, for example, a
three-way electromagnetic valve is not needed. Similarly to the
intake electromagnetic valve 38, a highly versatile electromagnetic
switching valve may be employed for each of the return
electromagnetic valve 40 and the exhaust electromagnetic valve 44,
which are described later.
[0055] The connection pipe 36A of the tank 36 is connected to the
discharge valve 14 side of the compression unit 10 through
intermediation of the tank pipeline 39. The tank pipeline 39 has
one end that is connected to the tank 36 (connection pipe 36A) and
another end that is connected to the supply/exhaust pipeline 33 at
the position of the connection point 33B in such a manner as to
branch therefrom. Specifically, the supply/exhaust pipeline 33 is
connected to the tank pipeline 39 in such a manner that the tank
pipeline 39 branches from the supply/exhaust pipeline 33 at the
connection point 33B, which is located between the air dryer 23 and
the supply/exhaust switching valve 41.
[0056] The return electromagnetic valve 40 is provided to the tank
pipeline 39. The return electromagnetic valve 40 serves as a return
valve configured to supply the compressed air in the tank 36 so as
to return the compressed air into the supply/exhaust pipeline 33
and stop the supply of the compressed air. The return
electromagnetic valve 40 is formed of, for example, a 2-port
2-position electromagnetic switching valve (solenoid valve). The
return electromagnetic valve 40 is normally placed in a valve
closed position (e). When excited by a control signal output from
the controller, the return electromagnetic valve 40 is switched
from the valve closed position (e) to a valve open position (f).
When the return electromagnetic valve 40 is open, for example,
pressure accumulation can be performed to return the compressed air
in the air suspensions 31 to the tank 36 via the tank pipeline 39.
Further, similarly to the air supply/exhaust valve 35 described
above, the return electromagnetic valve 40 has a function as a
relief valve (safety valve).
[0057] The supply/exhaust switching valve 41 is configured to
selectively connect the air conduit 34 located on the air
suspension 31 side to the supply/exhaust pipeline 33 or the reflux
pipeline 42. The supply/exhaust switching valve 41 is formed of,
for example, a 3-port 2-position electromagnetic directional
switching valve. Specifically, the supply/exhaust switching valve
41 is selectively switched between a supply/exhaust position (g)
and a reflux position (h). When the supply/exhaust switching valve
41 is in the supply/exhaust position (g), the compressed air
generated in the linear motor compression machine 1 is supplied to
the air chambers 31C of the air suspensions 31, or the compressed
air in the air chambers 31C is exhausted via the supply/exhaust
pipeline 33. When the supply/exhaust switching valve 41 is in the
reflux position (h), the compressed air in the air chambers 31C is
caused to reflux to the intake side of the compression unit 10 via
the reflux pipeline 42.
[0058] The reflux pipeline 42 is a bypass passage provided in such
a manner as to bypass the compression unit 10, the supply/exhaust
pipeline 33, and the air dryer 23. One end of the reflux pipeline
42 can be connected to the air conduit 34 located on the air
suspension 31 side through intermediation of the supply/exhaust
switching valve 41. Another end of the reflux pipeline 42 is
connected to the intake pipeline 32 at the position of the
connection point 32C. Thus, when the supply/exhaust switching valve
41 is switched to the reflux position (h), the reflux pipeline 42
allows the compressed air exhausted from the air chambers 31C of
the air suspensions 31 to reflux to the intake side of the
compression unit 10 in such a manner that the compressed air
bypasses the supply/exhaust pipeline 33.
[0059] The exhaust pipeline 43 is a passage configured to exhaust
the compressed air in the supply/exhaust pipeline 33 to the
outside. In the middle of the exhaust pipeline 43, the exhaust
electromagnetic valve 44 is provided. One end of the exhaust
pipeline 43 is connected to the supply/exhaust pipeline 33 at a
position of the connection point 33A. Another end of the exhaust
pipeline 43 extends to an outside of the compressor device (linear
motor compression machine 1), and has an exhaust port 43A formed at
a distal end thereof.
[0060] The exhaust electromagnetic valve 44 serving as an exhaust
valve is formed of, for example, a 2-port 2-position
electromagnetic switching valve (solenoid valve). The exhaust
electromagnetic valve 44 is normally placed in a valve closed
position (i). When excited by a control signal from the controller,
the exhaust electromagnetic valve 44 is switched from the valve
closed position (i) to a valve open position (j). When the exhaust
electromagnetic valve 44 is open, the compressed air in the tank 36
can be exhausted (released) from the exhaust port 43A via the
supply/exhaust pipeline 33, the air drier 23, and the exhaust
pipeline 43, or the compressed air in the air suspensions 31 can be
exhausted (released) from the exhaust port 43A via the
supply/exhaust pipeline 33, the air dryer 23, the exhaust pipeline
43 to the outside. Further, similarly to the air supply/exhaust
valve 35 described above, the exhaust electromagnetic valve 44 has
a function as a relief valve (safety valve).
[0061] Further, a pressure detector 45 is provided to the air
conduit 34 at a position, for example, between the branch pipes 34A
and the supply/exhaust switching valve 41. When, for example, the
return electromagnetic valve 40 is switched from the valve closed
position (e) to the valve open position (f) under a state in which
all the air supply/exhaust valves 35, the intake electromagnetic
valve 38, and the exhaust electromagnetic valve 44 are closed to
return the supply/exhaust switching valve 41 to the supply/exhaust
position (g), the pressure detector 45 detects a pressure in the
tank 36 via the tank pipeline 39. Further, when, for example, at
least one of the air supply/exhaust valves 35 is opened under a
state in which the intake electromagnetic valve 38, the return
electromagnetic valve 40, and the exhaust electromagnetic valve 44
are closed, a pressure in the air chamber 31C of a corresponding
one of the air suspensions 31 can be detected by the pressure
detector 45.
[0062] The intake electromagnetic valve 38, the return
electromagnetic valve 40, the supply/exhaust switching valve 41,
and the exhaust electromagnetic valve 44 of the linear motor
compression machine 1 correspond to solenoid valves configured to
control supply and exhaust of the compressed air to and from the
air dryer 23. As exemplified in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, the solenoid
valves (the intake electromagnetic valve 38, the return
electromagnetic valve 40, the supply/exhaust switching valve 41,
and the exhaust electromagnetic valve 44) are located on the
radially outer side of the cylinder 11, and are fixed in a
sandwiched state between the casing 3 and the cylinder head 20. The
solenoid valves (the intake electromagnetic valve 38, the return
electromagnetic valve 40, the supply/exhaust switching valve 41,
and the exhaust electromagnetic valve 44) are individually housed
in the valve housing spaces 17 partitioned by the ribs 15C, 15D,
15E, and 15F between the tubular portion 15A of the tubular shield
15 and the cylinder 11.
[0063] Further, the linear motor compression machine 1 includes
joints 46 and 47. The joint 46 is configured to connect the
supply/exhaust pipeline 33 to the air conduit 34 located outside.
The connection pipe 36A of the tank 36 is connected to the joint
47. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the joints 46 and 47 are provided to,
for example, the outer tubular portion 20B of the cylinder head
20.
[0064] The linear motor compression machine 1 (linear motor type
compressor) according to this embodiment has the configuration
described above. An operation of the linear motor compression
machine 1 is now described.
[0065] First, when the coils (not shown) of the armatures 4 of the
linear motor 2 are supplied with a current (energized), the movable
element 5 receives a thrust in the axial direction. As a result,
the whole movable element 5 is driven in the fore-and-aft direction
(axial direction) of the vehicle. At this time, the energization of
the coils (not shown) of the armatures 4 generates magnetic
attracting force and repelling force between the armatures 4 and
the movable element 5. As a result, the movable elements 5 having a
flat plate-like shape is driven to repeat reciprocation in the
length direction (axial direction) between the pair of armatures 4
inside the casing 3.
[0066] A thrust generated along with the reciprocation of the
movable element 5 is transmitted to the piston 12 inside the
compression unit 10 (cylinder 11). The piston 12 repeats the
reciprocation in the axial direction inside the cylinder 11 to
perform a compression operation. Specifically, while the piston 12
is performing a suction stroke, the pressure in the cylinder 11
tends to be negative. Along with the negative pressure tendency,
the intake valve 32B (see FIG. 6) is opened. As a result, an
outside air is sucked from the intake port 32A (see FIG. 6) into
the cylinder 11 via the intake pipeline 32.
[0067] Meanwhile, while the piston 12 is performing a compression
stroke, the pressure in the cylinder 11 is increased by
displacement of the piston 12 inside the cylinder 11 under a state
in which the intake valve 32B (see FIG. 6) is closed. Then, when
the pressure in the cylinder 11 becomes larger than a valve-opening
pressure for the discharge valve 14, the discharge valve 14 is
opened. As a result, the compressed air generated in the cylinder
11 is discharged toward the air dryer 23 via the cylinder head 20.
In the air dryer 23, the compressed air is brought into contact
with the desiccant beads 26 to remove moisture through adsorption.
The dried compressed air is supplied to the air chambers 31C of the
air suspensions 31 via the annular passage 27 (supply/exhaust
pipeline 33) of the air dryer 23 and the air conduit 34 (branch
pipes 34A).
[0068] When the compressed air is supplied to the air suspensions
31 to increase the vehicle height of the vehicle body, each of the
air supply/exhaust valves 35 provided in the middle of the branch
pipes 34A is switched from the valve closed position (a) to the
valve open position (b). Actuation of the compression unit 10 of
the linear motor compression machine 1 under the above-mentioned
state allows supply of the compressed air generated in the
compression unit 10 to the air suspensions 31 on a front wheel side
and a rear wheel side via the branch pipes 34A branching from the
air conduit 34.
[0069] When the vehicle height on the vehicle body side reaches a
target height, the air supply/exhaust valves 35 are returned to the
valve closed positions (a) to close the branch pipes 34A so as to
terminate a vehicle-height increasing operation. As a result, the
supply of the compressed air to the air suspensions 31 on the front
wheel side and the rear wheel side is stopped. Under this state,
the air suspensions 31 are maintained in an expanded state to keep
the vehicle height on the vehicle body side at the target
height.
[0070] Meanwhile, when the vehicle height is to be reduced, each of
the air supply/exhaust valves 35 provided in the middle of the
branch pipes 34A is switched to the valve open position (b). At the
same time, for example, the exhaust electromagnetic valve 44 is
switched from the valve closed position (i) to the valve open
position (j). As a result, the compressed air in the air
suspensions 31 is exhausted into the air dryer 23 via the branch
pipes 34A branching from the air conduit 34, the supply/exhaust
switching valve 41, and the supply/exhaust pipeline 33. At this
time, the compressed air flows back through the air dryer 23 to
take away moisture adsorbed by the desiccant beads 26 to thereby
regenerate the desiccant beads 26.
[0071] After having flowed through the air dryer 23, the compressed
air is exhausted (released) from the supply/exhaust pipeline 33
through the exhaust pipeline 43, the exhaust electromagnetic valve
44, and the exhaust port 43A to the outside. As a result, the
compressed air is exhausted from the air suspensions 31 to contract
the air suspensions 31 to thereby enable the vehicle height to be
reduced.
[0072] Further, when control for reducing the vehicle height is
performed, the compressed air may also be exhausted from the air
chambers 31C of the air suspensions 31 toward the tank 36. In this
case, for the exhaust from the air suspensions 31, each of the air
supply/exhaust valves 35 for the air suspensions 31 is switched
from the valve closed position (a) to the valve open position (b),
and the supply/exhaust switching valve 41 is switched from the
supply/exhaust position (g) to the reflux position (h). After that,
the compression unit 10 is driven by the linear motor 2 to perform
control for switching the return electromagnetic valve 40 from the
valve closed position (e) to the valve open position (f).
[0073] Through the control described above, the compressed air from
the air chambers 31C of the air suspensions 31 is sucked into the
compression unit 10 from the intake side thereof via the
supply/exhaust switching valve 41 and the reflux pipeline 42, and
is supplied (exhausted) from the discharge valve 14 of the
compression unit 10 via the air dryer 23, the supply/exhaust
pipeline 33, the tank pipeline 39, and the return electromagnetic
valve 40 to be allowed to escape into the tank 36. Thus, the
vehicle height can be reduced under a state in which the compressed
air for the air suspensions 31 is stored in the tank 36. The
compressed air in the air suspension system, specifically, the
compressed air, which has been compressed in the compression unit
10 and has been dried in the air dryer 23, is not wastefully
released to the outside, but can be effectively used for next
vehicle height adjustment.
[0074] Next, when control for increasing the vehicle height is to
be performed under the above-mentioned state, the compressed air in
the tank 36 can be supplied to the air chambers 31C of the air
suspensions 31 via the compression unit 10. In this case, the
intake electromagnetic valve 38 is switched from the valve closed
position (c) to the valve open position (d) to bring the tank 36
into communication with the intake pipeline 32. The return
electromagnetic valve 40 is returned to the valve closed position
(e), and the tank 36 is cut off from the tank pipeline 39.
[0075] After that, the compression unit 10 is driven by the linear
motor 2 to switch the air supply/exhaust valves 35 for the air
suspensions 31 to the valve open positions (b). As a result, the
compressed air in the tank 36 is sucked from the intake side along
with the actuation of the compression unit 10. The compressed air
is supplied from the discharge valve 14 to the air chambers 31C of
the air suspensions 31 via the air dryer 23 and the supply/exhaust
switching valve 41 to enable the vehicle height to be driven in an
increasing direction. As described above, when the vehicle height
is increased, the air compressed in the compression unit 10 is
dried while passing through the air dryer 23, and the compressed
air in a dried state is supplied to the air chambers 31C of the air
suspensions 31.
[0076] In the linear motor type compressor (linear motor
compression machine 1), air compression and discharge noise is
generated by the piston 12 reciprocating inside the cylinder 11,
and is required to be reduced. Thus, the inventors of the present
invention have considered achievement of sound insulation by
covering the cylinder 11, which is a noise generation source, with,
for example, a cover. However, the cylinder 11 is also a heat
generation source. Thus, when an outer side of the cylinder 11 is
merely covered with, for example, a sound insulation cover, heat
radiated from the cylinder 11 to the outside air may stay inside
the sound insulation cover to increase a temperature of the
compressed air.
[0077] Thus, the linear motor compression machine 1 according to
this embodiment includes the casing 3, the output shaft 5A, the
piston 12, the cylinder 11, and the cylinder head 20. The motor
including the armatures 4 and the movable element 5 is housed in
the casing 3. The output shaft 5A projects from the casing 3, and
is reciprocated by drive of the motor. The piston 12 is provided to
the projecting end of the output shaft 5A. The piston 12 is
slidably provided in the cylinder 11 to form a compression chamber.
The cylinder head 20 is connected to the cylinder 11. The tubular
shield 15 corresponding to the shielding portion configured to
cover the cylinder 11 in such a manner as to be separate from the
cylinder 11 in a radial direction of the cylinder 11 is provided on
the outer periphery side of the cylinder 11. The cylinder 11, the
cylinder head 20, and the tubular shield 15 are coupled to be
integrated.
[0078] With the configuration described above, the tubular shield
15 corresponding to the shielding portion can cover the cylinder
11, which is a compression and discharge noise generation source,
on the radially outer side. Thus, a sound insulation effect is
achieved. Further, heat generated by, for example, compression heat
given when the piston 12 slides inside the cylinder 11 of the
compression unit 10 can be transferred to the casing 3 for the
motor on one side of the cylinder 11 and the tubular shield 15. The
heat is transferred to the cylinder head 20 on another side of the
cylinder 11 and the tubular shield 15. In this manner, an increased
heat radiation area can be secured.
[0079] Further, a surface area of the tubular shield 15
corresponding to the shielding portion is set larger than a surface
area of the cylinder 11. Thus, a heat radiation area can be
secured. In other words, heat can easily be transferred.
Accordingly, a temperature rise of the cylinder 11 can be
suppressed. Further, a surface area of the cylinder head 20 is set
larger than the surface area of the cylinder 11. Thus, a heat
radiation area can be secured. In other words, heat can easily be
transferred. Accordingly, the temperature rise of the cylinder 11
can be suppressed. The heat of the cylinder 11 is transferred
through the tubular shield 15 corresponding to the shielding
portion and the cylinder head 20. Thus, even when the surface area
of the cylinder head 20 is smaller than the surface area of the
cylinder 11, the heat radiation area is only required to be secured
as a whole.
[0080] In particular, the tubular portion 15A, which is located on
the outer periphery side in the tubular shield 15, is connected to
the cylinder 11 located on the inner side thereof through the
plurality of ribs 15C, 15D, 15E, and 15F. Thus, a heat capacity of
the cylinder 11 can be increased by the tubular shield 15 located
on the outer side to suppress the temperature rise of the cylinder
11. In addition, the tubular shield 15 can be molded integrally
with the cylinder 11 through, for example, casting such as aluminum
die casting, and hence the number of components can be reduced.
Accordingly, manufacture cost of the linear motor compression
machine 1 can be reduced.
[0081] Further, the cylinder 11 and the tubular shield 15 are
formed to have an integrated structure with the plurality of ribs
15C, 15D, 15E, and 15F. Thus, stiffness can be increased to
suppress structural vibration of the tubular shield 15 serving as a
sound insulation cover. Thus, an effect of suppressing radiated
sound due to the sound insulation cover itself can be achieved.
Further, a heat radiation surface of the cylinder 11 can be
increased with the tubular shield 15. Thus, an increase in air
temperature in the cylinder 11 can be suppressed.
[0082] Besides, the linear motor compression machine 1 according to
this embodiment includes the air dryer 23, which is connected to
the cylinder head 20 and is loaded with the desiccant beads 26, and
the solenoid valves, for example, the intake electromagnetic valve
38, the return electromagnetic valve 40, the supply/exhaust
switching valve 41, and the exhaust electromagnetic valve 44
illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, which are configured to control
the supply and the exhaust of the compressed air to and from the
air dryer 23. The solenoid valves are located on the radially outer
side of the cylinder 11, and are fixed in a sandwiched state
between the casing 3 and the cylinder head 20. The tubular portion
15A of the tubular shield 15 is provided on the outer side of the
solenoid valves.
[0083] With the arrangement described above, the solenoid valves
such as the intake electromagnetic valve 38, the return
electromagnetic valve 40, the supply/exhaust switching valve 41,
and the exhaust electromagnetic valve 44 can be housed between the
cylinder 11 and the tubular portion 15A of the tubular shield 15 in
a space-saving manner. The solenoid valves can be arranged in the
valve housing spaces 17 (21) in a state of being individually
assigned and separated from each other. Further, valve opening and
closing noise and switching noise generated from the solenoid
valves can be cut by the tubular shield 15. Generation of heat from
the solenoid valves can also be suppressed by the tubular shield
15.
[0084] Thus, according to this embodiment, the tubular shield 15
corresponding to the shielding portion is provided on the outer
periphery side of the cylinder 11. The cylinder 11, the cylinder
head 20, and the tubular shield 15 are coupled to be integrated. As
a result, a sound insulation property for the compression and
discharge noise generated by the cylinder 11 can be enhanced, and
the temperature rise of the compressed air in the cylinder 11 can
be suppressed.
[0085] FIG. 7 is a view for illustrating the tubular shield 15
integrated with the cylinder as a single body, which is taken along
a line III-III and viewed in a direction indicated by arrows of
FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a view for illustrating a modification example of
this embodiment. In FIG. 7, the tubular shield 15 of this
modification example has opening portions 100. The opening portions
100 are formed in regions of the tubular portion 15A of the tubular
shield 15, which are opposed to the solenoid valves, for example,
the intake electromagnetic valve 38 and the return electromagnetic
valve 40, respectively. With the opening portions, heat generated
from the solenoid valves can be brought into direct contact with an
atmosphere to promote the heat radiation.
[0086] In the embodiment, description has been made of the example
case in which the linear motor type compressor (linear motor
compression machine 1) including the compression unit 10 to be
driven by the linear motor 2 is mounted in the vehicle. However,
the present invention is not limited to the case described above.
For example, the compression unit 10 may be driven with use of a
driving source other than the linear motor 2. Further, the
compressor device of the present invention (for example, the linear
motor compression machine 1) may be mounted in a machine or an
apparatus other than the vehicle.
[0087] Further, in the embodiment, description has been made of the
example case in which the compressor device (for example, the
linear motor compression machine 1) is applied to a closed-type air
suspension system in which the compressed air can be stored in the
tank 36. However, the present invention is not limited to the
above-mentioned case. The compressor device may be applied to, for
example, an open-type air suspension system without using a storage
tank for the compressed air (specifically, a system configured to
exhaust the compressed air to the outside).
[0088] Further, in the embodiment, description has been made of the
example case in which the linear motor 2, the compression unit 10,
and the air dryer 23 are arranged in such a manner that center axis
lines thereof match each other. However, the present invention is
not limited to the above-mentioned case. The present invention does
not preclude a case in which, for example, the linear motor, the
compression unit, and the air dryer are arranged in such a manner
that the center axis line of the compression unit and the center
axis line of the air dryer are slightly offset with respect to the
center axis line of the linear motor. Further, the center axis line
of the linear motor and the center axis line of the air dryer may
be offset with respect to the center axis line of the compression
unit, or the center axis line of the linear motor and the center
axis line of the compression unit may be offset with respect to the
center axis line of the air dryer.
[0089] Next, for example, description is made of the following
conceivable modes as the compressor device encompassed in the
embodiment described above.
[0090] As a first mode of the compressor device, the compressor
device includes a casing, an output shaft, a piston, a cylinder,
and a cylinder head. A motor is housed in the casing. The output
shaft projects from the casing, and is configured to be
reciprocated by drive of the motor. The piston is provided to a
projecting end of the output shaft. The piston is slidably provided
inside the cylinder to form a compression chamber. The cylinder
head is connected to the cylinder. A shielding portion configured
to cover the cylinder in such a manner as to be separate from the
cylinder in the radial direction of the cylinder is provided on an
outer periphery side of the cylinder. The cylinder, the cylinder
head, and the shielding portion are coupled to be integrated.
[0091] As a second mode of the compressor device, in the first
mode, the cylinder and the shielding portion are connected to each
other with a plurality of ribs. As a third mode of the compressor
device, in the first or second mode, the compressor device includes
an air dryer and solenoid valves. The air dryer is connected to the
cylinder head, and is loaded with a desiccant. The solenoid valves
are configured to control supply and exhaust of the compressed air
to and from the air dryer. The solenoid valves are located on a
radially outer side of the cylinder, and are fixed in a sandwiched
state between the casing and the cylinder head. The shielding
portion is provided on an outer side of the solenoid valves.
[0092] As a fourth mode of the compressor device, in any one of the
first to third modes, a surface area of the shielding portion is
larger than a surface area of the cylinder. As a fifth mode of the
compressor device, in any one of the first to third modes, a
surface area of the cylinder head is larger than a surface area of
the cylinder. As a sixth mode of the compressor device, in the
third mode, the shielding portion has opening portions formed so
that the solenoid valves are exposed to an atmosphere.
[0093] Note that, the present invention is not limited to the
embodiment described above, and includes further various
modification examples. For example, in the embodiment described
above, the configurations are described in detail in order to
clearly describe the present invention, but the present invention
is not necessarily limited to an embodiment that includes all the
configurations that have been described. Further, a part of the
configuration of a given embodiment can replace the configuration
of another embodiment, and the configuration of another embodiment
can also be added to the configuration of a given embodiment.
Further, another configuration can be added to, deleted from, or
replace a part of the configuration of each of the embodiments.
[0094] The present application claims a priority based on Japanese
Patent Application No. 2018-178771 filed on Sep. 25, 2018. All
disclosed contents including Specification, Scope of Claims,
Drawings, and Abstract of Japanese Patent Application No.
2018-178771 filed on Sep. 25, 2018 are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0095] 1 linear motor compressor (compressor device), 2 linear
motor, 3 casing, 4 armature (motor), 5 movable element (motor), 5A
output shaft, 6 support member, 7 spring, 10 compression unit, 11
cylinder, 12 piston, 15 tubular shield (shielding portion), 15A
tubular portion, 15B partition wall portion, 15C, 15D, 15E, 15F
rib, 17 valve housing space, 20 cylinder head, 23 air dryer, 26
desiccant bead, 38 intake electromagnetic valve (solenoid valve),
40 return electromagnetic valve (solenoid valve), 41 supply/exhaust
switching valve (solenoid valve), 44 exhaust electromagnetic valve
(solenoid valve), 100 opening portion
* * * * *