US20150316060A1 - Compressor - Google Patents

Abstract

A scroll compressor is provided that may include a first scroll, a second scroll that defines a plurality of compression chambers together with the first scroll, the second scroll having at least one hole that communicates with at least one of the plurality of compression chambers, a valve coupled to the second scroll to open and close the at least one hole, and a coupling member to couple the valve to the second scroll. A coupling groove, to which the coupling member may be coupled and having a screw thread or unevenness on an inner circumferential surface thereof, may be defined in the second scroll. The coupling member may include a rivet, and may be engaged with the screw thread or unevenness formed on the inner circumferential surface of the coupling groove when the coupling member having passed through the valve is coupled to the coupling groove.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
• The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 and 35 U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0053650, filed in Korea on May 2, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
• 1. Field
• A compressor is disclosed herein.
• 2. Background
• A scroll compressor is a compressor that includes a fixed scroll having a spiral wrap, and an orbiting scroll that revolves with respect to the fixed scroll, that is, a compressor in which the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll are engaged with each other. The orbiting scroll revolves with respect to the fixed scroll, thereby reducing a volume of a compression chamber, which is formed between the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll according to an orbiting motion of an orbiting scroll, thus increasing a pressure of a fluid, which is then discharged through a discharge hole formed in a central portion of the fixed scroll.
• In the scroll compressor, suction, compression, and discharge of a fluid are successively performed while the orbiting scroll revolves. Accordingly, a discharge valve and a suction valve may be unnecessary in principle. Also, as a number of components of the scroll compressor is less in comparison to other types of compressors, the scroll compressor may be simplified in structure and rotate at a high speed. Also, as a variation in torque required for compression is less, and suction and compression successively occur, a relatively small amount of noise and vibration may occur.
• A scroll compressor is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2006-0039828 (hereinafter, referred to as a “prior document”), published on May 9, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The scroll compressor according to the prior document includes a fixed scroll, an orbiting scroll, and a check valve assembly disposed above the fixed scroll to open and close a discharge hole defined in the fixed scroll.
• However, in the case of the scroll compressor according to the prior document, as the check valve assembly is coupled to the fixed scroll by a screw, the screw may be released by vibration occurring while the scroll compressor operates. If the screw is increased in length to prevent the screw from being released, a groove to couple the screw to the fixed scroll has to have a deeper depth. Thus, the fixed scroll may increase in height.
• Also, when the check valve assembly is coupled to the fixed scroll using the screw, if an additional member is coupled to an upper portion of the fixed scroll, an avoiding space to prevent interference with a head part or portion of the member has to be largely defined because the head part of the screw is thick. Also, in the case of the screw compressor according to the prior document, a valve body itself may be elastically deformed to open and close the discharge hole. In this case, if a high pressure is applied to the valve body to excessively deform the valve body, the valve body may not return to its original shape. Thus, covering of the discharge hole by the valve may deteriorate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:
• FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a scroll compressor according to an embodiment;
• FIG. 2 is a partial exploded cross-sectional view of the scroll compressor ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the scroll compressor ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a bottom surface of a back pressure plate according to an embodiment;
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fixed scroll according to an embodiment;
• FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a state before a valve assembly is fixed to the fixed scroll according to an embodiment;
• FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state in which the valve assembly is fixed to the fixed scroll according to an embodiment;
• FIG. 8 is a partial view of an orbiting scroll according to an embodiment;
• FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll are coupled to each other according to an embodiment; and
• FIGS. 10A to 100 are views illustrating relative positions of an intermediate pressure discharge hole of the fixed scroll and a discharge guide of the orbiting scroll while the orbiting scroll revolves.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Where possible, like reference numerals have been used to indicate like elements, and repetitive disclosure has been omitted.
• In the following detailed description of embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments which may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
• Also, in the description of embodiments, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b) or the like may be used herein when describing components of the present invention. Each of these terminologies is not used to define an essence, order or sequence of a corresponding component but used merely to distinguish the corresponding component from other component(s). It should be noted that if it is described in the specification that one component is “connected,” “coupled” or “joined” to another component, the former may be directly “connected,” “coupled,” and “joined” to the latter or “connected”, “coupled”, and “joined” to the latter via another component.
• FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a scroll compressor according to an embodiment.FIG. 2 is a partial exploded cross-sectional view of the scroll compressor ofFIG. 1.FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the scroll compressor ofFIG. 1.FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a bottom surface of a back pressure plate according to an embodiment.
• Referring toFIGS. 1 to 4, ascroll compressor100 according to an embodiment may include acasing110 having a suction space S and a discharge space D. In detail, adischarge cover105 may be disposed in or at an inner upper portion of thecasing110. An inner space of thecasing110 may be partitioned into the suction space S and the discharge space D by thedischarge cover105. An upper space of thedischarge cover105 may be the discharge space D, and a lower space of thedischarge cover105 may be the suction space S. Adischarge hole105a, through which a refrigerant compressed to a high pressure may be discharged, may be defined in an approximately central portion of thedischarge cover105.
• Thescroll compressor100 may further include asuction port101 that communicates with the suction space S, and adischarge port103 that communicates with the discharge space D. Each of thesuction port101 and thedischarge port103 may be fixed to thecasing101 to allow the refrigerant to be suctioned into thecasing110 or discharged outside of thecasing110.
• A motor may be disposed in the suction space S. The motor may include astator112 coupled to an inner wall of thecasing110, arotor114 rotatably disposed within thestator112, and arotational shaft116 that passes through a central portion of thestator114.
• A lower portion of therotational shaft116 may be rotatably supported by anauxiliary bearing117 disposed on or at a lower portion of thecasing110. Theauxiliary bearing117 may be coupled to a lower frame118 to stably support therotational shaft116.
• The lower frame118 may be fixed to the inner wall of thecasing110, and an upper space of the lower frame118 may be used as an oil storage space. Oil stored in the oil storage space may be transferred upward by anoil supply passage116adefined in therotational shaft116 and uniformly supplied into thecasing110. Theoil supply passage116amay be eccentrically disposed toward one side of therotational shaft116, so that the oil introduced into theoil supply passage116amay flow upward by a centrifugal force generated by rotation of therotational shaft116.
• Thescroll compressor100 may further include amain frame120. Themain frame120 may be fixed to the inner wall of thecasing110 and disposed in the suction space S.
• An upper portion of therotational shaft116 may be rotatably supported by themain frame120. A main bearing122 that protrudes in a downward direction may be disposed on a bottom surface of themain frame120. Therotational shaft116 may be inserted into themain bearing122. An inner wall of themain bearing122 may function as a bearing surface so that therotational shaft116 may smoothly rotate.
• Thescroll compressor100 may further include anorbiting scroll130, and afixed scroll140. Theorbiting scroll130 may be seated on a top surface of themain frame120.
• Theorbiting scroll130 may include a orbitinghead plate133 having an approximately disk shape and disposed on themain frame120, and anorbiting wrap134 having a spiral shape and extending from the orbitinghead plate133.
• The orbitinghead plate133 may define a lower portion of theorbiting scroll130 and function as a main body of theorbiting scroll130, and theorbiting wrap134 may extend in an upward direction from the orbitinghead plate133 to define an upper portion of theorbiting scroll130. Theorbiting wrap134 together with a fixedwrap144 of the fixedscroll140 may define a compression chamber. Theorbiting scroll130 may be referred to as a “first scroll”, and the fixedscroll140 may be referred to as a “second scroll”.
• The orbitinghead plate133 of theorbiting scroll130 may revolve in a state in which the orbitinghead plate133 is supported on the top surface of themain frame120. AnOldham ring136 may be disposed between the orbitinghead plate133 and themain frame120 to prevent the orbiting scroll130 from revolving. Also, aboss138, into which the upper portion of therotational shaft116 may be inserted, may be disposed on a bottom surface of the orbitinghead plate133 of theorbiting scroll130 to easily transmit a rotational force of therotational shaft116 to theorbiting scroll130.
• The fixedscroll140 engaged with theorbiting scroll130 may be disposed on theorbiting scroll130. The fixedscroll140 may include a plurality of coupling guides141, each of which may define aguide hole141a.
• Theorbiting scroll100 may further includes aguide pin142 inserted into theguide hole141aand disposed on a top surface of themain frame120, and acoupling member145ainserted into theguide pin142 and fitted into aninsertion hole125 of themain frame120.
• The fixedscroll140 may include a fixedhead plate143 having an approximately disk shape, and the fixedwrap144 that extends from the fixedhead plate143 toward the orbitinghead plate133 and engaged with the orbiting wrap134 of theorbiting scroll130. The fixedhead plate143 may define an upper portion of the fixedscroll140 and function as a main body of the fixedscroll140, and the fixedwrap144 may extend in a downward direction from the fixedhead plate143 to define a lower portion of the fixedscroll140. The orbitinghead plate133 may be referred to as a “first head plate”, and the fixedhead plate143 may be referred to as a “second head plate”. Theorbiting wrap134 may be referred to as a “first wrap”, and the fixedwrap144 may be referred to as a “second wrap”.
• An end of the fixedwrap144 may be disposed to contact the orbitinghead plate133, and an end of theorbiting wrap134 may be disposed to contact the fixedhead plate143. The fixedwrap144 may disposed in a predetermined spiral shape, and adischarge hole145, through which the compressed refrigerant may be discharged, may be defined in an approximately central portion of the fixedhead plate143. A suction hole (seereference numeral146 ofFIG. 5), through which the refrigerant within the suction space S may be suctioned, may be defined in a side surface of the fixedscroll140. The refrigerant suctioned through thesuction hole146 may be introduced into the compression chamber defined by theorbiting wrap134 and the fixedwrap144.
• In detail, the fixedwrap144 and theorbiting wrap134 may define a plurality of compression chambers. Each of the plurality of compression chambers may be reduced in volume while revolving and moving toward thedischarge hole145 to compress the refrigerant. Thus, the compression chamber, which is adjacent to thesuction hole146, of the plurality of compression chambers may be minimized in pressure, and the compression chamber that communicates with thedischarge hole145 may be maximized in pressure. Also, the compression chamber between the above-described compression chambers may have an intermediate pressure that corresponds to a pressure between a suction pressure of thesuction hole146 and a discharge pressure of thedischarge hole145. The intermediate pressure may be applied to a back pressure chamber BP, which will be described hereinbelow, to press the fixedscroll140 toward theorbiting scroll130.
• An intermediatepressure discharge hole147 that transfers the refrigerant of the compression chamber having the intermediate pressure to the back pressure chamber BP may be defined in the fixedhead plate143 of the fixedscroll140. That is, the intermediatepressure discharge hole147 may be defined in one portion of the fixedscroll140 so that the compression chamber that communicates with the intermediatepressure discharge hole147 has a pressure greater than the suction pressure in the suction space S and less than the discharge pressure in the discharge space D. The intermediatepressure discharge hole147 may pass through the fixedhead plate143 from a top surface to a bottom surface of the fixedhead plate143.
• A backpressure chamber assembly150 and160 disposed above the fixedscroll140 to define the back pressure chamber may be disposed on the fixedscroll140. The backpressure chamber assembly150 and160 may include aback pressure plate150, and a floatingplate160 separably coupled to theback pressure plate150. Theback pressure plate150 may be fixed to an upper portion of the fixedhead plate143 of the fixedscroll140.
• Theback pressure plate150 may have an approximately annular shape with a hollow and include asupport152 that contacts the fixedhead plate143 of the fixedscroll140. An intermediatepressure suction hole153 that communicates with the intermediatepressure discharge hole147 may be defined in thesupport152. The intermediatepressure suction hole153 may pass through thesupport152 from a top surface to a bottom surface of thesupport152.
• Asecond coupling hole154 that communicates with thefirst coupling hole148 defined in the fixedhead plate143 of the fixedscroll140 may be defined in thesupport152. Thefirst coupling hole148 and thesecond coupling hole154 may be coupled to each other by a coupling member (not shown).
• Theback pressure plate150 may include a plurality ofwalls158 and159 that extend in an upward direction from thesupport152. The plurality ofwalls158 and159 may include afirst wall158 that extends in the upward direction from an inner circumferential surface of thesupport152 and asecond wall159 that extends in the upward direction from an outer circumferential surface of thesupport152. Each of the first andsecond walls158 and159 may have an approximately cylindrical shape.
• The first andsecond walls158 and159 together with thesupport152 may define a space. A portion of the space may be a back pressure chamber BP.
• Thefirst wall158 may include atop surface158athat defines a top surface of thefirst wall158. Thefirst wall158 may include at least oneintermediate discharge hole158bthat communicates with thedischarge hole145 of the fixedhead plate143 to discharge the refrigerant discharged from thedischarge hole145 toward thedischarge cover105. Theintermediate discharge hole158bmay pass from a bottom surface of thefirst wall158 to thetop surface158a. An inner space of thefirst wall158 having a cylindrical shape may communicate with thedischarge hole145 to define a portion of a discharge passage through which the discharged refrigerant may flow into the discharge space D.
• Adischarge valve108 having an approximately circular pillar shape may be disposed inside thefirst wall158. Thedischarge valve108 may be disposed above thedischarge hole145 and have a size sufficient to completely cover thedischarge hole145. For example, thedischarge valve108 may have an outer diameter greater than a diameter of thedischarge hole145. Thus, when thedischarge valve108 contacts the fixedhead plate143 of the fixedscroll140, thedischarge valve108 may close thedischarge hole145.
• Thedischarge valve108 may be movable in upward or downward directions according to a variation in pressure applied to thedischarge valve108. Also, the inner circumferential surface of thefirst wall158 may define a movingguide158cthat guides movement of thedischarge valve108.
• A discharge pressure applyhole158dmay be defined in thetop surface158aof thefirst wall158. The discharge pressure applyhole158dmay communicate with thedischarge hole105a. The discharge pressure applyhole158dmay be defined in an approximately central portion of thetop surface158a, and the plurality of intermediate discharge holes158bmay be disposed to surround the discharge pressure applyhole158d.
• For example, when operation of thescroll compressor100 is stopped, if the refrigerant flows backward from the discharge space D toward thedischarge hole145, the pressure applied to the discharge pressure applyhole158dmay be greater than the discharge hole-side pressure. That is, the pressure may be applied downward to a top surface of thedischarge valve108, and thus, thedischarge valve108 may move downward to close thedischarge hole145.
• On the other hand, if thescroll compressor100 operates to compress the refrigerant in the compression chamber, when the discharge hole-side pressure is greater than the pressure in the discharge space D, an upward pressure may be applied to a bottom surface of thedischarge valve108, and thus, thedischarge valve108 may move upward to open thedischarge hole145. When thedischarge hole145 is opened, the refrigerant discharged from thedischarge hole145 may flow toward thedischarge cover105 via theintermediate discharge hole158b, and then, may be discharged outside of thescroll compressor100 through thedischarge port103 via thedischarge hole105a.
• Theback pressure plate150 may further include astep158edisposed inside a portion at which thefirst wall158 and thesupport152 are connected to each other. The refrigerant discharged from thedischarge hole145 may reach a space defined by thestep158eand then flow to theintermediate discharge hole158b.
• Thesecond wall159 may be spaced a predetermined distance from thefirst wall158 to surround thefirst wall158. Theback pressure plate150 may have a space having an approximately U-shaped cross-section formed by thefirst wall158, thesecond wall159, and thesupport152. The floatingplate160 may be accommodated in the space. The space, which may be covered by the floatingplate160, may from the back pressure chamber BP. On the other hand, the first andsecond walls158 and159 of theback pressure plate150, thesupport152, and the floatingplate160 may define the back pressure chamber BP.
• The floatingplate160 may include an inner circumferential surface that faces an outer circumferential surface of thefirst wall158, and an outer circumferential surface that faces an inner circumferential surface of thesecond wall159. That is, the inner circumferential surface of the floatingplate160 may contact the outer circumferential surface of thefirst wall158, and the outer circumferential surface of the floatingplate160 may contact the inner circumferential surface of thesecond wall159.
• The floatingplate160 may have an inner diameter equal to or greater than an outer diameter of thefirst wall158 of theback pressure plate150. The floatingplate160 may have an outer diameter equal to or less than an inner diameter of thesecond wall159 of theback pressure plate150.
• A sealingmember159ato prevent the refrigerant within the back pressure chamber BP from leaking may be disposed on at least one of the first andsecond walls158 and159 and the floatingplate160. The sealingmember159amay prevent the refrigerant from leaking between the inner circumferential surface of thesecond wall159 and the outer circumferential surface of the floatingplate160. The sealing member may be disposed on thefirst wall158 or the inner circumferential surface of the floatingplate160.
• Arib164 that extends in an upward direction may be disposed on a top surface of the floatingplate160. For example, therib164 may extend in the upward direction from the inner circumferential surface of the floatingplate160.
• When the floatingplate160 ascends, therib164 may contact a bottom surface of thedischarge cover105. When therib164 contacts thedischarge cover105, communication between the suction space S and the discharge space D may be blocked. On the other hand, when therib164 is spaced apart from the bottom surface of thedischarge cover105, that is, when therib164 moves in a direction away from thedischarge cover105, the suction space S and the discharge space D may communicate with each other.
• In detail, while thescroll compressor100 operates, the floatingplate160 may move upward to allow therib164 to contact the bottom surface of thedischarge cover105. Thus, the refrigerant discharged from thedischarge hole145 to pass through theintermediate discharge hole158bmay not leak into the suction space S, but rather, may be discharged into the discharge space D.
• On the other hand, when thescroll compressor100 is stopped, the floatingplate160 may move downward to allow therib164 to be spaced apart from the bottom surface of thedischarge cover105. Thus, the discharged refrigerant disposed at the discharge cover-side may flow toward the suction space S through the space between therib164 and thedischarge cover105. Also, when thescroll compressor100 is stopped, the floatingplate160 may move upward to allow therib164 to be spaced apart from the bottom surface of thedischarge cover105.
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fixed scroll according to an embodiment.FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a state before a valve assembly is fixed to the fixed scroll according to an embodiment.FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state in which the valve assembly is fixed to the fixed scroll according to an embodiment.
• Referring toFIGS. 2, and5 to7, the fixedscroll140 may include at least onebypass hole149 defined in one side of thedischarge hole145. Although twobypass holes149 are shown inFIG. 5, embodiments are not limited to the number of bypass holes149. Each bypass holes149 may pass through the fixedhead plate143 to extend up to the compression chamber defined by the fixedwrap144 and theorbiting wrap134.
• The bypass hole(s)149 may be defined in different positions according to operation conditions. For example, thebypass hole149 may communicate with the compression chamber having a pressure greater by about 1.5 times than the suction pressure. Also, the compression chamber that communicates with thebypass hole149 may have a pressure greater than the pressure of the compression chamber that communicates with the intermediatepressure discharge hole147.
• Thescroll compressor100 may further includevalve assembly124 and220 that open/close the bypass hole(s)149, and acoupling member230 to couple thevalve assembly124 and220 to the fixedscroll140. Thevalve assembly124 and220 may include abypass valve124 to open/close the bypass hole(s)149, and astopper220 to restrict a moving distance of thebypass valve124 when thebypass valve124 opens the bypass hole(s)149. Thecoupling member230 may couple thebypass valve124 and thestopper220 to the fixedscroll140 at the same time.
• Thus, according to this embodiment, a process of coupling thebypass valve124 and thestopper220 to the fixedscroll140 may be simplified. In detail, thebypass valve124 may include avalve support124afixed to the fixedhead plate143 of the fixedscroll140 by thecoupling member230.
• Thebypass valve124 may further include at least oneconnection portion124bthat extends from thevalve support124a, and at least onevalve body124cdisposed on or at a side of the at least oneconnection portion124b. Each of the at least oneconnection portion124band the at least onevalve body124cmay be provided in a same number as a number of the bypass hole(s)149. For example,FIG. 5 illustrates thebypass valve124 including twoconnection portions124band twovalve bodies124c.
• Thevalve body124cmay be maintained in contact with the top surface of the fixedhead plate143 and have a size sufficient to cover thebypass hole149. Further, thevalve body124cmay be moved by a pressure of the refrigerant flowing along thebypass hole149 to open thebypass hole149. Thus, theconnection portion124bmay have a size less than a diameter of thevalve body124cso that thevalve body124cmay smoothly move.
• When thebypass valve124 opens thebypass hole149, the refrigerant of the compression chamber that communicates with thebypass hole149 may flow into a space between thefixed scroll140 and theback pressure plate150 through thebypass hole149 to bypass thedischarge hole145. The bypassed refrigerant may flow toward thedischarge hole105aof thedischarge cover105 via theintermediate discharge hole158b.
• Thestopper220 may be disposed above thebypass valve124. Thestopper220 may have a shape corresponding to a shape of thebypass valve124. Thebypass valve124 may be elastically deformed by the refrigerant pressure. As thestopper220 restricts movement of thebypass valve124, thestopper220 may have a thickness greater than a thickness of thebypass valve124.
• Thestopper220 may include astopper support221 that contacts thevalve support124a. Thestopper220 may further include at least oneconnection portion225 that extends from thestopper support221, and at least onestopper body228 disposed on or at one side of the at least oneconnection portion225. Each of the at least oneconnection portion225 of thestopper220 and the at least onestopper body228 may be provided in a same number as a number of theconnection portions124bof thebypass valve124 and thevalve body124c.
• Eachconnection portion225 of thestopper220 may be inclined in an upward direction away from thestopper support221. Thus, thevalve body124cmay contact a top surface of the fixedhead plate143, and thestopper body228 may be spaced apart from a top surface of thevalve body124cin a state in which thebypass valve124 and thestopper220 are coupled to the fixedhead plate143 by thecoupling member230. When thevalve body124cis lifted upward by the refrigerant flowing through thebypass hole149, the top surface of thevalve body124cmay contact thestopper body228, and thus, thevalve body124cmay be stopped.
• Couplingholes223 and124d, to which thecoupling member230 may be coupled, may be defined in thestopper support221 and thebypass valve124. Acoupling groove148a, to which thecoupling member230 may be coupled, may be defined in the fixedhead plate143.
• At least oneguide protrusion222 to maintain an arranged state of the coupling holes223 and124dand thecoupling groove148abefore thecoupling member230 is coupled to each of the coupling holes223 and124dand the coupling groove149amay be disposed on thestopper support221. At least one protrusion through-hole124ethrough which theguide protrusion222 may pass, may be defined in thevalve support221. At least oneprotrusion accommodation groove148bthat accommodates theguide protrusion222 may be defined in the fixedhead plate143. Thus, when theguide protrusion222 of thestopper220 is accommodated into theprotrusion accommodation groove148bin a state in which theguide protrusion222 passes through the protrusion through-hole124eof thebypass valve124, thestopper support221, thebypass valve124, and each of the coupling holes223 and124dand the coupling groove149aof the fixedhead plate143 may be aligned with each other.
• Thestopper220 may include a plurality of theguide protrusion222, thebypass valve124 may include a plurality of the through-hole124e, and the fixedscroll140 may include a plurality of theprotrusion accommodation groove148b, so that thestopper support221, thebypass valve124, and the coupling holes223 and124dandcoupling groove148aof the fixedhead plate143 may be more accurately aligned with each other. In this case, thecoupling groove223 may be disposed between the plurality ofguide protrusions222 of thestopper220. Also, thecoupling groove124dmay be disposed between the plurality of through-holes124eof thebypass valve124, and thecoupling groove148amay be disposed between the plurality ofprotrusion accommodation grooves148bof the fixedhead plate143.
• Thus, as thecoupling member230 is disposed between the plurality ofguide protrusions222 in the state in which thecoupling member230 couples thebypass valve124 and thestopper220 to the fixedscroll140, a coupling force of thecoupling member230 may be uniformly applied to the plurality ofvalve bodies124cof thebypass valve124.
• For example, thecoupling member230 may be a blind rivet, for example. Thecoupling member230 may include acoupling body231 coupled to thestopper support221, thebypass valve124, and the coupling holes223 and124dand thecoupling groove148aof the fixedhead plate143, ahead232 disposed on thecoupling body231 to contact a top surface of thestopper support221, and aseparation portion233 that passes through thehead232, disposed inside thecoupling body231, and being separable from thecoupling body231. When theseparation portion233 is pulled upward inFIG. 5, theseparation portion233 may be separated from thecoupling body231 to complete the coupling of the coupling member, as illustrated inFIG. 6.
• According to this embodiment, in order to increase the coupling force between thecoupling member230 and the fixedscroll140, ascrew thread148cor unevenness may be formed on an inner circumferential surface of thecoupling groove148adefined in the fixedhead plate143, as illustrated inFIG. 6. Also, when theseparation portion233 is separated from thecoupling body231, thecoupling body231 may be deformed while theseparation portion233 is separated from thecoupling body231 to allow an outer circumferential surface of thecoupling body231 to be engaged with thescrew thread148cor unevenness formed on the inner circumferential surface of thecoupling groove148a. Thus, a screw thread or unevenness equal or similar to thescrew thread148cor unevenness of thecoupling hole148amay also be formed on thecoupling body231 to enhance the coupling force of thecoupling member230.
• If a screw is used as thecoupling member230, thecoupling groove148adefined in the fixedhead plate143 may increase in depth. Also, as the screw has to be coupled to thecoupling groove148athrough rotation thereof, the screw may rotate in a coupling release direction within thecoupling groove148aby vibration occurring when thescroll compressor100 operates in a state in which the coupling of the screw is completed to separate the screw from thecoupling groove148a.
• However, according to this embodiment, thecoupling body231 may not be coupled to thescrew thread148bor unevenness of thecoupling groove148athrough rotation thereof, but rather, may be engaged with thescrew thread148cor unevenness of thecoupling groove148adue to deformation thereof to prevent thecoupling body231 from being separated from thecoupling groove148aeven though vibration occurs when thescroll compressor100 operates.
• Also, according to this embodiment, theback pressure plate150 may cover thebypass valve124, thestopper220, and thecoupling member230, which may be coupled to the fixedscroll140. As thehead232 of thecoupling member230 has a thickness less than a thickness of the head of the screw, a space (that is, a step) to avoid thebypass valve124, thestopper220, and thehead232 of thecoupling member230 in theback pressure plate150 coupled to an upper portion of the fixedscroll140 may decrease in size. Also, as onebypass valve124 may open and close the plurality of bypass holes149, a number of components may be reduced, and an assembling process may be simplified.
• The intermediatepressure discharge hole147 of the fixedscroll140 and the intermediatepressure suction hole153 of theback pressure plate150 may be disposed to be aligned with each other. The refrigerant discharged from the intermediatepressure discharge hole147 may be introduced into the back pressure chamber BP via the intermediatepressure suction hole153. The intermediatepressure discharge hole147 and the intermediatepressure suction hole153 may be referred to as a “bypass passage” in that the refrigerant of the back pressure chamber BP may be bypassed to the compression chamber through the intermediatepressure discharge hole147 and the intermediatepressure suction hole153.
• FIG. 8 is a partial view of the orbiting scroll according to an embodiment,FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll are coupled to each other according to an embodiment.FIGS. 10A to 100 are views illustrating relative positions of an intermediate pressure discharge hole of the fixed scroll and a discharge guide of the orbiting scroll while the orbiting scroll revolves.
• Referring toFIGS. 8 and 9, theorbiting scroll130 may include adischarge guide139 to guide the refrigerant flowing into the intermediatepressure discharge hole147 so that the refrigerant may be introduced into a space (region) having a pressure less than a pressure of the back pressure chamber BP. In detail, when operation of thescroll compressor100 is stopped, the compression chamber defined by theorbiting wrap134 and the fixedwrap144 vanishes, and thus, the refrigerant flows into the space (region) between the orbitingwrap134 and the fixedwrap144. The space (region) may have a pressure less than a pressure of the back pressure chamber BP. The space (region) may be referred to as a “wrap space”.
• Thedischarge guide139 may be recessed from an end surface of the orbiting wrap134 of theorbiting scroll130. Thus, thedischarge guide139 may be referred to as a “recess”. The end surface of theorbiting wrap134 may be understood as a surface of the orbiting wrap134 that faces the fixedhead plate143 of the fixedscroll140 or a surface of the orbiting wrap134 that contacts the fixedhead plate143.
• A width of the end surface of theorbiting wrap134, that is, a thickness of theorbiting wrap134 may be greater than a width of the intermediatepressure discharge hole147. Also, thedischarge guide139 may be recessed from the end surface of theorbiting wrap134 by a preset or predetermined width and depth.
• While theorbiting scroll130 revolves, theorbiting wrap134 may be disposed directly below the intermediatepressure discharge hole147 or be disposed to be spaced horizontally from a lower end of the intermediatepressure discharge hole147 to open the intermediatepressure discharge hole147. If thedischarge guide139 is not provided, when theorbiting wrap134 is disposed directly below the intermediate pressure discharge hole147 (inFIG. 10), theorbiting wrap134 may cover the intermediatepressure discharge hole147. On the other hand, when the orbiting wrap134 moves horizontally by a predetermined distance, at least a portion of the intermediatepressure discharge hole147 may be opened. Also, while thescroll compressor100 operates, when the intermediatepressure discharge hole147 is opened, the intermediate pressure refrigerant of the compression chamber may be introduced into the back pressure chamber BP through the intermediatepressure discharge hole147.
• On the other hand, in a state in which thescroll compressor100 is stopped, when theorbiting wrap134 is disposed directly below the intermediatepressure discharge hole147 to block the intermediatepressure discharge hole147, the refrigerant of the back pressure chamber BP may not be introduced into the wrap space through the intermediatepressure discharge hole147. As a result, an equilibrium pressure may not be maintained, and thus, quick re-operation of the compressor may be limited.
• Thus, according to this embodiment, thedischarge guide139 may be disposed in theorbiting wrap134 to prevent the intermediatepressure discharge hole147 from being completely covered or shielded, and thus, even though theorbiting wrap134 is disposed directly below the intermediatepressure discharge hole147, the intermediatepressure discharge hole147 and the compression chamber (when the compressor operates) or the intermediatepressure discharge hole147 and the wrap space (when the compressor stops) may communicate with each other.
• Referring toFIGS. 10A to 10C, the plurality of compression chambers is formed while theorbiting scroll130 revolves, and then, the plurality of compression chambers moves toward thedischarge hole145 while being reduced in volume. With this process, the orbiting wrap134 of theorbiting scroll130 may selectively open thebypass hole149. For example, when theorbiting wrap134 opens thebypass hole149, the refrigerant of the compression chamber that communicates with thebypass hole149 may flow into thebypass hole149 to bypass thedischarge hole145. On the other hand, when the orbiting wrap134 covers thebypass hole149, flow of the refrigerant of the compression chamber into thebypass hole149 may be limited.
• The back pressure chamber BP and the intermediatepressure discharge hole147 may always communicate with the compression chamber via thedischarge guide139. That is, thedischarge guide139 may be disposed on an end of the orbiting wrap134 at a position at which the back pressure chamber BP and the intermediatepressure discharge hole147 always communicate with the compression chamber.
• In summary, even though theorbiting wrap134 is disposed directly below the intermediatepressure discharge hole147 while theorbiting wrap134 revolves, the lower end of the intermediatepressure discharge hole147 and the end surface of theorbiting wrap134 may be spaced apart from each other by the recesseddischarge guide139. Thus, when thescroll compressor100 operates, refrigerant of the compression chamber may be introduced into the back pressure chamber BP through the intermediatepressure discharge hole147. Also, when thescroll compressor100 is stopped, the refrigerant of the back pressure chamber BP may be introduced into the wrap space through the intermediatepressure discharge hole147.
• In detail,FIGS. 10A to 10C illustrate a state in which theorbiting wrap134 is disposed directly below the intermediatepressure discharge hole147 while theorbiting wrap134 revolves, that is, the state in which the end surface of theorbiting wrap134 is disposed to block the intermediatepressure discharge hole147 if thedischarge guide139 is not provided.
• Although the valve assembly and the coupling member, which are coupled to the fixed scroll of the scroll compressor, are exemplified in the previous embodiment, embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, embodiments may be equally applied to a case in which the valve assembly is coupled to another component in addition the fixed scroll.
• Also, although the scroll compressor is described as a kind of compressor, embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the valve assembly and the component that couples the valve assembly may be equally applied to other kinds of compressors in addition to the scroll compressor.
• In this case, a member having a hole to which the valve assembly may be coupled and through which a fluid may flow may be referred to as a first member, and a member coupled to the first member and defining an avoiding space of the valve assembly may be referred to as a second member.
• Embodiments disclosed herein provide a scroll compressor.
• Embodiments disclosed herein provide a scroll compressor that may include a casing including a rotational shaft; a discharge cover fixed inside of the casing to partition the inside of the casing into a suction space and a discharge space; a first scroll that is revolved by rotation of the rotational shaft; a second scroll that defines a plurality of compression chambers together with the first scroll, the second scroll having a hole that communicates with at least one of the plurality of compression chambers; a valve coupled to the second scroll to open and close the hole; and a coupling member configured to couple the valve to the second scroll. A coupling groove, to which the coupling member may be coupled and having a screw thread or unevenness on an inner circumferential surface thereof, may be defined in the second scroll. The coupling member may include a rivet, and the coupling member may be engaged with the screw thread or unevenness formed on the inner circumferential surface of the coupling groove while the coupling member passes through the valve and is coupled to the coupling groove.
• Embodiments disclosed herein further provide a scroll compressor that may include a casing including a rotational shaft; a discharge cover fixed inside of the casing to partition the inside of the casing into a suction space and a discharge space; a first scroll that is revolved by rotation of the rotational shaft; a second scroll that defines a plurality of compression chambers together with the first scroll, the second scroll having a bypass hole that communicates with at least one of the plurality of compression chambers and a discharge hole that discharges a compressed refrigerant; a valve coupled to the second scroll to open and close the bypass hole; a stopper configured to restrict a moving distance of the valve when the valve opens and closes the bypass hole; and a coupling member configured to couple the valve and the stopper to the second scroll. A coupling hole, through which the coupling member may pass may be defined in each of the valve and the stopper. A coupling groove, to which the coupling member may be coupled, may be defined in the second scroll. The coupling member may include a rivet. A screw thread or unevenness may be formed on an inner circumferential surface of the coupling groove of the second scroll, and the coupling member may be engaged with the screw thread or unevenness formed on the inner circumferential surface of the coupling groove while the coupling member passes through the valve and is coupled to the coupling groove.
• Embodiments disclosed herein further provide a compressor that may include a first member having a hole through which a fluid may flow; a valve coupled to the first member to open and close the hole; a rivet that couples the valve to the first member; and a second member coupled to the first member. The second member may have an avoiding space to avoid the rivet and the valve. When the rivet is completely coupled, the coupling body may be engaged with a screw thread or unevenness formed on an inner circumferential surface of the coupling groove.
• The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
• 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.
• 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. 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.
• 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.

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:

1. A scroll compressor, comprising:

a casing comprising a rotational shaft;

a discharge cover fixed inside of the casing to partition the inside of the casing into a suction space and a discharge space;

a first scroll that is revolved by rotation of the rotational shaft;

a second scroll that defines a plurality of compression chambers together with the first scroll, the second scroll having at least one hole that communicates with at least one of the plurality of compression chambers;

a valve coupled to the second scroll to open and close the hole; and

a coupling member configured to couple the valve to the second scroll, wherein a coupling groove to which the coupling member is coupled and having a screw thread or unevenness on an inner circumferential surface thereof is defined in the second scroll, wherein the coupling member comprises a rivet, and wherein the coupling member is engaged with the screw thread or unevenness formed on the inner circumferential surface of the coupling groove when the coupling member passes through the valve and is coupled to the coupling groove.

2. The scroll compressor according toclaim 1, further comprising a stopper configured to restrict a moving distance of the valve when the valve opens the at least one hole, wherein each of the stopper and the valve comprises a coupling hole through the coupling member passes to couple the stopper and the valve to the second scroll.

3. The scroll compressor according toclaim 2, wherein the stopper comprises at least one protrusion that passes through the valve to align the coupling holes of the stopper and the valve with each other, wherein the valve comprises at least one protrusion through-hole through which the at least one protrusion passes, and wherein the second scroll comprises at least one protrusion accommodation groove, in which the at least one protrusion having passed through the at least one protrusion through-hole is accommodated.

4. The scroll compressor according toclaim 2, wherein the at least one hole comprises a plurality of holes provided in the second scroll, wherein the valve comprises:

a valve support coupled to the second scroll;

a plurality of valve connection portions that extends from the valve support; and

a plurality of valve bodies, respectively, disposed on the plurality of connection portions, and wherein the stopper is disposed above the plurality of valve bodies to contact the plurality of valve bodies.

5. The scroll compressor according toclaim 4, wherein the stopper comprises:

a stopper support coupled to the second scroll;

a plurality of stopper connection portions that extends from the stopper support; and

a plurality of stopper bodies, respectively, disposed on the plurality of stopper connection portions.

6. The scroll compressor according toclaim 4, wherein the stopper comprises at least one protrusion that passes through the valve to align the coupling holes of the stopper and the valve with each other, wherein the valve comprises at least one protrusion through-hole through which the at least one protrusion passes, and wherein the second scroll comprises at least one protrusion accommodation groove in which the at least one protrusion having passed through the at least one protrusion through-hole is accommodated.

7. The scroll compressor according toclaim 6, wherein the at least one protrusion comprises a plurality of protrusions, wherein the at least one protrusion through-hole comprises a plurality of protrusion through-holes, wherein the at least one protrusion accommodate groove comprises a plurality of protrusion accommodation grooves, and wherein the coupling hole of the stopper is disposed between the plurality of protrusions.

8. The scroll compressor according toclaim 1, wherein the second scroll further comprises a discharge hole, through which the refrigerant is discharged.

9. The scroll compressor according toclaim 1, further comprising:

an intermediate pressure discharge hole defined in the second scroll to communicate with a compression chamber having an intermediate pressure of the plurality of compression chambers;

a back pressure plate that defines a back pressure chamber that accommodates the refrigerant discharged from the intermediate pressure discharge hole; and

a floating plate movably disposed on or at a side of the back pressure plate to define the back pressure chamber together with the back pressure plate.

10. The scroll compressor according toclaim 9, wherein the back pressure plate covers the valve, the stopper, and the coupling member, which are coupled to the second scroll, and wherein a space to avoid the valve, the stopper, and the coupling member is defined in the back pressure plate.

11. The scroll compressor according toclaim 1, wherein the rivet comprises a coupling body coupled to the coupling groove, and a head disposed at a side of the coupling body to contact the stopper.

12. The scroll compressor according toclaim 1, wherein the first scroll comprises an orbiting scroll and the second scroll comprises a fixed scroll.

13. A scroll compressor, comprising:

a casing comprising a rotational shaft;

a discharge cover fixed inside of the casing to partition the inside of the casing into a suction space and a discharge space;

a first scroll that is revolved by rotation of the rotational shaft;

a second scroll that defines a plurality of compression chambers together with the first scroll, the second scroll having at least one bypass hole that communicates with at least one of the plurality of compression chambers and a discharge hole that discharges a compressed refrigerant;

a valve coupled to the second scroll to open and close the at least one bypass hole;

a stopper configured to restrict a moving distance of the valve when the valve opens and closes the at least one bypass hole; and

a coupling member configured to couple the valve and the stopper to the second scroll, wherein a coupling hole through which the coupling member passes is defined in each of the valve and the stopper, wherein a coupling groove to which the coupling member is coupled is defined in the second scroll, wherein the coupling member comprises a rivet, wherein a screw thread or unevenness is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the coupling groove of the second scroll, and wherein the coupling member is engaged with the screw thread or unevenness formed on the inner circumferential surface of the coupling groove when the coupling member passes through the valve and is coupled to the coupling groove.

14. The scroll compressor according toclaim 13, further comprising:

a plate coupled to the second scroll within the casing, wherein a space to avoid the valve, the stopper, and the coupling member is defined in the plate.

15. The scroll compressor according toclaim 13, wherein the rivet comprises a coupling body coupled to the coupling groove, and a head disposed at a side of the coupling body to contact the stopper.

16. The scroll compressor according toclaim 13, wherein the first scroll comprises an orbiting scroll and the second scroll comprises a fixed scroll.

17. A compressor, comprising:

a first member having at least one hole through which a fluid flows;

a valve coupled to the first member to open and close the at least one hole;

a rivet configured to couple the valve to the first member; and

a second member coupled to the first member, the second member having an avoiding space to avoid the rivet and the valve, wherein, when the rivet is coupled to the first member, a coupling body of the rivet is engaged with a screw thread or unevenness formed on an inner circumferential surface of a coupling groove of the first member.

18. The compressor according toclaim 17, wherein the rivet further comprises a separation portion separable from the coupling body, and wherein the coupling body is deformed to be engaged with the screw thread or unevenness while the separation portion is separated from the coupling body.

19. The compressor according toclaim 17, wherein the valve further comprising a stopper that restricts a moving distance of the valve when the valve opens and closes the hole, and wherein the rivet couples the valve and the stopper to the first member.

20. The compressor according toclaim 17, wherein the compressor comprises a scroll compressor.

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