Linear compressor

Disclosed herein is a linear compressor. In the present invention, a spring sheet is equipped in an exhale cover to prevent an edge and an outer circumference of an exhale spring from touching with the exhale cover. A surface of the spring sheet is treated with a metal of the high hardness, thereby protecting against its abrasion and transformation, caused by a repetitive load from the exhale spring. Furthermore, the durability is improved by enduring the excessive or local load from the exhale spring.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a linear compressor, more particularly, which is capable of preventing an exhale spring and an exhale cover from being abraded and from being transformed, caused by a load from the exhale spring.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, a linear compressor is a machine to inhale, to compress, and to discharge fluid by linearly reciprocating a piston within a cylinder, by means of linear driving force of a linear motor.

FIG. 1shows the linear compressor, in accordance with the prior art, andFIG. 2shows a structure of an exhale part of the linear compressor, in accordance with the prior art.

In a hermetic casing2of the conventional linear compressor, a cylinder block4provided with the cylinder3and a back cover6provided with an inlet5are equipped. The cylinder block4and the back cover6are upheld in the hermetic casing2by a main damper7and a subsidiary damper8, so as to absorb a shock (seeFIG. 1).

The linear motor10is mounted between the cylinder block4and the back cover6, which generates driving force to compress fluid.

The linear motor10is divided by a stationary part and a movable part. The stationary part includes an outer core11, an inner core12, and a coil13with a magnetic field. The movable part includes a magnet14that linearly reciprocates by magnetic force around the coil13, and a magnet frame15which the magnet14is fastened to.

The piston16is connected to the magnet frame15, which receives linear driving force from the magnet14, linearly reciprocates in the cylinder3, and compresses fluid.

In a rear of the piston16, a flange17is formed to be fixed to the magnet frame15. A main spring18is disposed between the flange17and the cylinder block4, and a subsidiary spring19is disposed between the flange17and the back cover6, so that the piston16is elastically suspended.

The piston16is in the shape of a cylinder, which is open at its rear. An inhale passage20where fluid is entered is provided therein, and a plurality of inhale ports21is provided in its front.

In a front of the piston16, there is an inhale valve22for opening and closing the inhale port21. Fastened to the piston16by a connection member, the inhale valve22gets elastically bended, depending on a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the inhale port21, thus opening and closing the inhale port21.

An exhale part30is configured in a front of a compression chamber C of the cylinder3, which discharges compressed fluid.

The exhale part30includes an inner exhale cover32fastened to the cylinder block4and provided with an exhale hole31, an exhale valve34elastically suspended in the inner exhale cover32by an exhale spring33, which opens and closes the compression chamber of the cylinder3, and an outer exhale cover35positioned at a regular interval from an outer surface of the inner exhale cover32(seeFIG. 2).

An exhale pipe36is set in the outer exhale cover35, which discharges compressed fluid to the outside.

A spring sheet37is set in the inner exhale cover32to prevent against an abrasion, occurred by a repetitive load from the exhale spring33.

The spring sheet37is mounted in one side of the inner exhale cover32as a flat plate, not to touch with an edge of the exhale spring33, and is made of Teflon.

The exhale spring33is a conic coil spring to give the elasticity toward a direction that the exhale valve34closes the compression chamber C of the cylinder3. One edge meets the spring sheet37, and the other is inserted into a safe portion formed in the exhale valve34.

The conventional linear compressor operates in the following sequence.

In operation of the linear motor10, the magnet14linearly reciprocates due to the magnetic field around the coil13and its interaction, its driving force is delivered to the piston16through the magnet frame15. The piston16continuously moves back and forth between the exhale valve34of the exhale part30and the back cover6.

When the piston16moves toward the exhale part30, the inhale valve22becomes closed by the pressure difference of the inhale passage20and the compression chamber C.

As the piston16moves forward, fluid in the compression chamber C is compressed, allows the exhale valve34to be opened by recovering the elasticity of the exhale spring33, and is discharged to the outside through the inner exhale cover32and the outer exhale cover33.

When the piston16moves backward, the inhale valve22becomes opened by the pressure difference of the inhale passage20and the compression chamber C.

Fluid in the inhale passage20of the piston16flows into the compression chamber C through the inhale port21, and the exhale valve34closes the compression chamber C by the elasticity of the exhale spring33.

As the piston16moves back and forth, compressing fluid within the compression chamber C and discharging are repeated.

As the exhale valve34is repeatedly opened and closed, the repetitive load is given from the exhale spring33. The spring sheet37prevents the edge of the exhale spring33from touching with the inner exhale cover32, and prevents against the abrasion and a transformation of the exhale spring33and the inner exhale cover32, caused by the repetitive load from the exhale spring.

However, in the linear compressor having the conventional exhale part, as the spring sheet37is made of Teflon having a weak intensity, the transformation and the abrasion may be occurred due to the excessive load by the exhale spring33or by a condition of a high temperature.

Furthermore, as the spring sheet37is formed as the flat plate, only one side of the inner exhale cover32is protected. In case that the repetitive load is given to a touching portion of an outer circumference of the exhale spring33and the inner exhale cover32, the abrasion and the transformation cannot be avoided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a linear compressor which is capable of preventing an abrasion and a transformation in a contacting portion of an outer circumference of an exhale spring and an exhale cover, and of improving the durability of the exhale spring and the exhale cover by supporting a load from the exhale spring.

The foregoing and other aspects are achieved by providing the linear compressor, based on the present invention, which comprises the exhale cover where fluid drained through an opening of a cylinder is discharged, an exhale valve set in the exhale cover to open and close the opening, the exhale spring which elastically holds the exhale valve, and a spring sheet which covers an edge of the exhale spring to prevent the edge and the outer circumference of the exhale spring from touching with the exhale cover.

The spring sheet is in the shape of a cap.

The spring sheet is mounted in a side of the exhale cover toward the exhale spring.

The spring sheet includes a plate part touching with the edge of the exhale spring, and a cylinder part protruded in the plate part toward the exhale spring and touching with the outer circumference of the exhale spring.

The spring sheet is made of a metal.

The spring sheet is made of a surface-treated metal.

The spring sheet is made of a plastic.

A supporting member is disposed between the spring sheet and the exhale spring, so as to support the load from the exhale spring.

The supporting member is made of the metal.

The supporting member is a supporting panel set in a side of the spring sheet toward the exhale spring.

In the linear compressor, according to the present invention, as the spring sheet is provided in an inner exhale cover to prevent the edge and the outer circumference of the exhale spring from touching with the inner exhale cover, it prevents that the abrasion and the transformation of the exhale cover and the inner exhale cover, occurred by a touch between them, thereby improving the durability.

As the spring sheet is in the shape of the cap, the outer circumference of the exhale spring is not touched with the inner exhale cover. And, the exhale spring and the inner exhale cover are not abraded, and are not transformed.

As a surface of the spring sheet is made of the surface-treated metal of the high hardness, the abrasion and the transformation by the repetitive load from the exhale spring is protected, and the excessive or local load by the exhale spring is endured, thus it has an effect on improving the durability.

The liner compressor, according to the present invention comprises the spring sheet installed in the inner exhale cover to seat the exhale spring, and the supporting member installed in the spring sheet to support the load from the exhale spring. The excessive or local load from the exhale spring can be endured, thus improving the durability.

The supporting member is made of the metal, and is comprised of the supporting panel installed in the side of the spring sheet toward the exhale spring. Therefore, the load from the exhale spring can be effectively suspended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 3shows a linear compressor, according to a 1stembodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 4shows a structure of an exhale part of the linear compressor, according to the 1stembodiment of the present invention.

As referring toFIGS. 3 to 4, the linear compressor, in accordance with the 1stembodiment of the present invention comprises a hermetic casing60, a linear motor70installed in the hermetic casing60, a cylinder block62set in the linear motor70and provided with a cylinder61, a piston63which linearly reciprocates in the cylinder61, by means of the linear motor70, and the exhale part80positioned in a front of an opening of the cylinder61to discharge fluid compressed in the cylinder61.

The cylinder block62is mounted in a front of the linear motor70, while a back cover65having an inlet64is mounted in a rear of the linear motor70.

The linear motor70is divided by a stationary part and a movable part. The stationary part includes an outer core71, an inner core72, and a coil73with a magnetic field. The movable part includes a magnet74that linearly reciprocates by magnetic force around the coil73, and a magnetic frame75which the magnet74is fastened to.

In one end of the cylinder61, the piston63is inserted, and the other end is a cylindrical shape, which is open at both sides, so as to discharge compressed fluid. The piston63and the exhale part80make a compression chamber C.

The piston63is in the shape of a cylinder. In a front, an inhale port66for inhaling fluid is placed, and an inhale valve67for opening and closing the inhale port66is fixed by a connection member like a bolt.

The piston63has a flange68in its rear, so as to be combined with the magnetic frame75. As a main spring76is disposed between the flange68and the cylinder block62, and a subsidiary spring77is disposed between the flange68and the back cover65, so that the piston63is elastically supported.

The exhale part80includes an exhale cover which discharges fluid drained from the opening of the cylinder61, an exhale valve81equipped in the exhale cover to open and close the opening, an exhale spring82which elastically supports the exhale valve81, and a spring sheet83which prevents an edge and an outer circumference of the exhale spring82from touching with the exhale cover and from being abraded, by covering the edge of the exhale spring82.

The exhale cover includes an inner exhale cover84arranged in the opening of the cylinder61, and an outer exhale cover85arranged in an outer surface of the inner exhale cover84. The exhale valve81and the spring sheet83are placed in the inner exhale cover84.

The exhale spring82is a conic coil spring to give the elasticity toward a direction that the exhale valve81closes the compression chamber C of the cylinder61. Its one end is seated in the exhale valve81, and the other is seated in the spring sheet83.

The spring sheet83is in the shape of a cap, and is comprised of a plate part86where the edge of the exhale spring82is touched, and a cylinder part87where the outer circumference of the exhale spring82is touched, by being protruded in the plate part86toward the exhale spring82.

The spring sheet83is made of a metal to prevent an abrasion by a repetitive load from the exhale spring82. Its surface is treated with the metal of the high hardness to support the excessive load given from the exhale spring82.

It is desirable to combine the spring sheet83and the inner exhale cover84, by means of connecting a protrusion and a groove, of pushing, or of adhering.

An exhale hole88is formed in the inner exhale cover84, so as to discharge fluid to the outer exhale cover85.

The outer exhale cover85is spaced apart from the inner exhale cover84by predetermined distance, in order to reduce a noise, occurred when fluid is discharged, and is connected to an exhale pipe89where fluid is discharged.

A process of the linear compressor having the exhale part, according to the 1stembodiment of the present invention is described in the following.

When the linear motor70is in operation, the piston63linearly reciprocates within the cylinder61.

When the piston63moves forward, the exhale valve81becomes opened by the pressure of fluid compressed within the cylinder61, and compressed fluid is discharged to the inner exhale cover84.

Fluid is discharged to the outer exhale cover85through the exhale hole88of the inner exhale cover84, prior to being discharged to the outside through the exhale pipe89.

As the exhale valve81is held by the exhale spring82, the exhale spring82is compressed by opening the exhale valve81.

As the exhale valve81is repeatedly opened and closed, the exhale spring gives the repetitive load to the inner exhale cover84.

On this occasion, the edge of the exhale spring82is touched with the plate part86of the spring sheet83, and the outer circumference of the exhale spring82is touched with a circumference of the cylinder part87of the spring sheet83. Therefore, the abrasion and a transformation of the exhale spring82and the inner exhale cover84can be prevented, which is caused by the repetitive load from the exhale spring82.

As the spring sheet83passes surface treatment with the metal of the high hardness, the transformation and the abrasion occurred from the excessive or local load given from the exhale spring82can be prevented, furthermore, the transformation occurred from a high temperature can be prevented.

FIG. 5shows the exhale part of the liner compressor, according to a 2ndembodiment of the present invention.

As referring toFIG. 5, the structure of the exhale part of the linear compressor, according to the 2ndembodiment of the present invention comprises an inner exhale cover91where fluid drained from an opening of a cylinder90is discharged, an outer exhale cover92positioned in an outer surface of the inner exhale cover91, an exhale valve93set in the inner exhale cover91to open and close the opening, an exhale spring94which elastically upholds the exhale valve93, a spring sheet95equipped in the inner exhale cover91to seat the exhale spring94, and a supporting member98mounted in the spring sheet95to hold the load from the exhale spring94.

A piston99linearly reciprocates in the cylinder90by a linear motor (not shown), which compresses fluid within the cylinder90.

The spring sheet95is in the shape of the cap, so as to prevent an edge and an outer circumference of the exhale spring94from touching with the inner exhale cover91.

The spring sheet includes a plate part96where the edge of the exhale spring is touched, and a cylinder part97where the outer circumference of the exhale spring94is touched, by being protruded in the plate part96toward the exhale spring94.

The supporting member98is a discal supporting panel mounted in a side of the spring sheet95toward the exhale spring95.

The spring sheet95is made of a plastic, and the supporting member98is made of the metal. To endure the excessive load, a material for the lower abrasion is used, i.e. a steel spring sheet.

The supporting member98is desired to be fastened to the spring sheet95by pushing, or by adhering.

The supporting member98can prevent the abrasion and the transformation, occurred from the excessive or local load transmitted from the exhale spring94, and can endure the high temperature. And, the spring sheet95can prevent the abrasion of the outer circumference of the exhale spring94and the inner exhale cover91.

As apparent from the above description, the linear compressor having the exhale part of the present invention provides the spring sheet placed in the inner exhale cover, so as to prevent the edge and the outer circumference of the exhale spring from touching with the inner exhale cover, resulting in preventing the exhale spring and the inner exhale cover from being abraded and from being transformed, when the exhale spring and the inner exhale cover are touched. The durability can be enhanced.

As the spring sheet is in the shape of the cap, the outer circumference of the exhale spring is not touched with the inner exhale cover. It can prevent the abrasion and the transformation of the exhale spring and the inner exhale cover.

As the surface of the spring sheet is treated with the metal of the high hardness, the abrasion and the transformation by the repetitive load from the exhale spring is protected, the excessive or local load by the exhale spring can be endured, thus improving the durability.

The linear compressor having the exhale part of the present invention comprises the spring sheet equipped in the inner exhale cover to seat the exhale spring, and the supporting member equipped in the spring sheet to support the load from the exhale spring. The linear compressor can endure the excessive or local load given from the exhale spring, thus improving the durability.

The supporting member is made of the metal, and is comprised of the supporting panel mounted in the side of the spring sheet toward the exhale spring. The supporting member can effectively support the load transmitted from the exhale spring.

The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in Korean Application No. 10-2004-0079942, filed on Oct. 7, 2004, the contents of which are herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.