Patent Description:
A scroll compressor is disclosed (refer to patent document <NUM>). The scroll compressor includes a compression device including a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll, and a drive shaft engaged with the orbiting scroll. An oil groove is formed on an orbiting side thrust sliding surface of the orbiting scroll or a fixed side thrust sliding surface of the fixed scroll. The scroll compressor further includes a bearing oil supply passage configured to supply a lubricant of an oil tray in a casing to a bearing of the drive shaft and configured not to communicate with the oil groove, and an oil supply passage for sliding surface configured to supply a lubricant of the oil tray to the oil groove. The oil supply passage for the sliding surface includes a main passage for sliding surface provided in the drive shaft.

As for a scroll compressor, a fixed scroll includes an outlet of an oil passage that is provided on a sliding surface of the fixed scroll facing an orbiting scroll and configured to communicate with an oil tray, and the orbiting scroll includes an oil groove provided on a sliding surface of the orbiting scroll facing the fixed scroll. The oil groove is installed to communicate with the outlet of the oil passage. Particularly, the oil groove may be provided in one ring shape, and configured to communicate with the outlet of the oil passage all the time. In this case, when a diameter of the orbiting scroll becomes relatively small, the oil groove may communicate with a compression chamber while the orbiting scroll rotates once. When the oil groove communicates with the compression chamber, a lubricant may flow from the oil groove to the compression chamber. Accordingly, the efficiency and reliability of the scroll compressor may be significantly reduced. Therefore, it is hard to make the diameter of the orbiting scroll small.

In addition, as for a scroll compressor, a fixed scroll includes an outlet of an oil passage that is provided on a sliding surface of the fixed scroll facing an orbiting scroll and configured to communicate with an oil tray, and the orbiting scroll includes an oil groove provided on a sliding surface of the orbiting scroll facing the fixed scroll. The oil groove is installed to communicate with the outlet of the oil passage. Particularly, the oil groove may be provided in one ring shape, and configured to communicate with the outlet of the oil passage all the time. In this case, when a diameter of the orbiting scroll becomes relatively small, the oil groove may communicate with an intermediate pressure chamber while the orbiting scroll rotates once. When the oil groove communicates with the intermediate pressure chamber, a lubricant may flow from the oil groove to the intermediate pressure chamber. Accordingly, the efficiency and reliability of the scroll compressor may be significantly reduced because the lubricant does not flow to the oil tray. Therefore, it is hard to make the diameter of the orbiting scroll small.

Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a scroll compressor including an orbiting scroll having a small diameter in comparison with a case in which an oil groove is provided in a single ring shape and the oil groove constantly communicates with an outlet of an oil passage. <CIT> discloses a lubrication system for a scroll compressor, and <CIT> discloses a scroll compressor and a refrigerator including said compressor. <CIT> discloses a scroll compressor.

According to the invention, there is provided a scroll compressor according to claim <NUM>, and an air conditioner according to claim <NUM>. Preferred features are set out in the dependent claims.

It is possible to make the diameter of the orbiting scroll small in comparison with a case in which an oil groove is provided in a single ring shape and constantly communicates with an outlet of an oil passage.

Hereinafter embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As for a scroll compressor having a structure in which an orbiting scroll is pressed against a fixed scroll to seal a compression chamber, lubrication at a sliding portion between a surface of a spiral body of an end plate of the orbiting scroll and a surface of a spiral body of an end plate of the fixed scroll may be important to improve performance and reliability of the scroll compressor. Further, because a diameter of the end plate of the orbiting scroll is significantly related to the size of the compressor, reducing the diameter of the end plate of the orbiting scroll may be directly related to reducing the size of the compressor, and thus the reduction of the diameter may cause the reduction of cost. However, the reduction in the diameter of the orbiting scroll may cause difficulty in obtaining appropriate lubrication in the sliding portion.

The disclosure is intended to relieve this difficulty in the sliding portion, and particularly, to obtain appropriate sealing force and appropriate lubrication with a relatively small diameter of the orbiting scroll.

<FIG> is an axial cross-sectional view of a scroll compressor <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The scroll compressor <NUM> is a compressor widely used for an air conditioner, a freezer, and a heat pump. <FIG> is a longitudinal sectional view of a hermetic scroll compressor used in a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner.

The scroll compressor <NUM> includes a compression portion <NUM> configured to compress a refrigerant, a drive motor <NUM> configured to drive the compression portion <NUM>, and a casing <NUM> corresponding to a housing configured to receive the compression portion <NUM> and the drive motor <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the scroll compressor <NUM> is a vertical scroll compressor in which an axial direction of a rotary shaft <NUM>, which will be described later, of the drive motor <NUM> is coincident with the gravity direction. Hereinafter the axial direction of the rotary shaft <NUM> will be referred to as "vertical direction", and based on <FIG>, upward may be referred to as "upper side" and downward may be referred to as "lower side". Although the vertical scroll compressor is described as an example, but the embodiment of the disclosure will be applicable to a horizontal scroll compressor.

First, the compression portion <NUM> will be described.

The compression portion <NUM> includes a fixed scroll <NUM> fixed to the casing <NUM>, an orbiting scroll <NUM> configured to orbit in engagement with the fixed scroll <NUM>, a frame <NUM> configured to support the fixed scroll <NUM> while being fixed to the casing <NUM>, and an Oldham ring <NUM> configured to allow the orbiting scroll <NUM> to orbit while preventing the orbiting scroll <NUM> from pivoting.

The fixed scroll <NUM> includes a cylindrical portion <NUM> having a cylindrical shape, an end plate <NUM> configured to cover an opening in an upper side of the cylindrical portion <NUM>, and a protrusion <NUM> extending from a lower end of the cylindrical portion <NUM> in radially outward direction. Further, the fixed scroll <NUM> includes a fixed side spiral body <NUM> extending downward from a lower end of the end plate <NUM> and having a spiral shape when viewed from below. The fixed scroll <NUM> may be formed of cast iron such as gray iron FC <NUM>.

The cylindrical portion <NUM> is provided with a through hole 111a in the radial direction. The though hole 111a may serve as a suction port configured to suction the refrigerant into a space surrounded by the cylindrical portion <NUM>, the end plate <NUM> and the orbiting scroll <NUM>.

Further, an oil passage <NUM> that is curved in an inverted U shape is also formed in the cylindrical portion <NUM>.

A through hole 112a in the vertical direction is formed at the center of the end plate <NUM>. The through hole 112a may serve as a discharge port configured to discharge the refrigerant from the space surrounded by the end plate <NUM>, the fixed side spiral body <NUM> and the orbiting scroll <NUM>.

The fixed scroll <NUM> constructed as described above is fixed to the frame <NUM> by a positioning means such as a bolt or a positioning pin passed through the through hole in the vertical direction formed in the protrusion <NUM>. Accordingly, an inlet of the oil passage <NUM> in the frame <NUM> side is fixed to an outlet of an oil passage <NUM>, which is described later, in the fixed scroll <NUM> side.

The orbiting scroll <NUM> includes an end plate <NUM> having a disk shape, an orbiting side spiral body <NUM> extending upward from an upper end of the end plate <NUM> and having a spiral shape when viewed from above, a cylindrical portion <NUM> extending from a lower end of the end plate <NUM> downward and having a cylindrical shape. The orbiting scroll <NUM> may be formed of FC material or FCD material.

The end plate <NUM> may include a first oil groove <NUM> and a second oil groove <NUM> provided on the sliding surface in the orbiting side spiral body <NUM> side and configured not to communicate with each other. <FIG> illustrates that the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> communicates with the first oil groove <NUM>.

The orbiting side spiral body <NUM> is a spiral body in mesh engagement with the fixed side spiral body <NUM> of the fixed scroll <NUM>. The orbiting side spiral body <NUM> and the fixed side spiral body <NUM> of the fixed scroll <NUM> are placed in a space between the cylindrical portion <NUM> and the end plate <NUM> of the fixed scroll <NUM>, and the end plate <NUM> of the orbiting scroll <NUM>, thereby forming a compression chamber <NUM>. Because the orbiting side spiral body <NUM> is circularly moved about the fixed side spiral body <NUM> that is fixed, a volume of the compression chamber <NUM> is reduced and the refrigerant of the compression chamber <NUM> is compressed. In other words, as an internal space between the fixed side spiral body <NUM> and the orbiting side spiral body <NUM> is reduced with respect to a center of rotation, the refrigerant is compressed.

An eccentric shaft <NUM> of a rotary shaft <NUM>, which is described later, is inserted into the cylindrical portion <NUM> through a sliding bearing. As described above, the cylindrical portion <NUM> functions as a bearing of the eccentric shaft <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> includes a first cylindrical portion <NUM> having a cylindrical shape, and a second cylindrical portion <NUM> extending downward from the lower end of the first cylindrical portion <NUM> to have a cylindrical shape. An outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM> is fixed to a central casing <NUM> of the casing <NUM>, which is described later. In addition, the rotary shaft <NUM> of the drive motor <NUM>, which is described later, is inserted into the inside of the first cylindrical portion <NUM> and the second cylindrical portion <NUM> using a journal bearing. As mentioned above, the frame <NUM> also functions as a bearing for rotatably supporting the rotary shaft <NUM>.

In an outer circumferential portion of the first cylindrical portion <NUM>, a protrusion 131a protruding upward from the upper end surface is installed. A female is formed in the protrusion 131a. A bolt, which passed through the through hole formed in the protrusion 131a of the fixed scroll <NUM>, is engaged with the female screw. Therefore, the fixed scroll <NUM> may be fixed to the frame <NUM>.

In addition, the first cylindrical portion <NUM> is provided with a first concave portion 131b and a second concave portion 131c, which are concave downward from the upper end surface. In the radial direction, the first concave portion 131b is formed at the center, and the second concave portion 131c is formed between the first concave portion 131b and the protrusion 131a. The cylindrical portion <NUM> of the orbiting scroll <NUM> is inserted into the first concave portion 131b. The Oldham ring <NUM>, which is arranged between the frame <NUM> and the orbiting scroll <NUM> to prevent the orbiting scroll <NUM> from pivoting, is arranged in the second concave portion 131c.

In addition, the oil passage <NUM> having a shape that is directed radially outward from the rotating shaft <NUM> and then bent upwards in the protrusion 131a is formed in the first cylindrical portion <NUM>. As described above, because the fixed scroll <NUM> is mounted on the frame <NUM>, the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> in the fixed scroll <NUM> side is fixed to the inlet of the oil passage <NUM> in the frame <NUM> side.

The rotary shaft <NUM> is inserted and coupled to an inner circumference of the second cylindrical portion <NUM> through a journal bearing, and the second cylindrical portion <NUM> functions as a bearing for rotatably supporting the rotary shaft <NUM>.

In the above-mentioned compression portion <NUM>, a discharge passage for discharging the compressed refrigerant to the fixed scroll <NUM> and the orbiting scroll <NUM> is formed. As for the discharge passage, one end is connected to the through hole 112a of the end plate <NUM>, which is configured to discharge the refrigerant from the space surrounded by the fixed scroll <NUM> and the orbiting scroll <NUM>, and the other is connected to a space lower than the frame <NUM> in the casing <NUM>.

Next, the drive motor <NUM> will be described.

The drive motor <NUM> is fixed to the casing <NUM> under the compression portion <NUM>.

The drive motor <NUM> includes a stator <NUM> configured to constitute a stationary portion, a rotor <NUM> configured to constitute a rotating portion, the rotary shaft <NUM> configured to support the rotor <NUM> and configured to rotate with respect to the casing <NUM>, and a support member <NUM> configured to rotatably support the rotary shaft <NUM>.

The stator <NUM> includes a stator body <NUM> and a coil <NUM> wound around the stator body <NUM>.

The stator body <NUM> is a laminated body in which a plurality of electrical steel sheets is laminated, and has an approximately cylindrical shape. A diameter of an outer circumferential surface of the stator body <NUM> is formed greater than a diameter of an inner circumferential surface of the central casing <NUM> of the casing <NUM> which is described later. The stator body <NUM> (stator <NUM>) is forcedly inserted to the central casing <NUM>. A method for inserting the stator body <NUM> to the central casing <NUM> may employ shrink fitting or press fitting method.

Further, the stator body <NUM> has a plurality of teeth in the circumferential direction on the inner side portion facing the outer circumference of the rotor <NUM>. The coil <NUM> is arranged in a slot formed between adjacent tooth. In the stator <NUM> according to the embodiment, a concentrated winding, in which the coil <NUM> is inserted into a slot placed between a plurality of adjacent tooth, is described as an example of the coil <NUM> of the stator <NUM>.

The rotor <NUM> is a laminated body in which a plurality of electrical steel sheets having a ring shape is laminated, and has an approximately cylindrical shape. A diameter of an inner circumferential surface of the rotor <NUM> is formed less than the diameter of an outer circumferential surface of the rotary shaft <NUM>. The rotor <NUM> is forcedly inserted to the rotary shaft <NUM>. A method for inserting the rotor <NUM> to the rotary shaft <NUM> may employ the press fitting method. The rotor <NUM> is fixed to the rotary shaft <NUM> and rotates together with the rotary shaft <NUM>. Further, a rotor in which a permanent magnet is embedded therein is described as an example of the rotor <NUM>.

Because the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the rotor <NUM> is less than the diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the stator body <NUM> of the stator <NUM>, a gap is formed between the rotor <NUM> and the stator <NUM>.

The rotary shaft <NUM> includes a main shaft <NUM> to which the rotor <NUM> is coupled, and the eccentric shaft <NUM> provided on the upper portion of the main shaft <NUM> and having an axis eccentric from the axis of the main shaft <NUM>.

The lower portion of the main shaft <NUM> is rotatably supported by the support member <NUM> and the upper portion of the main shaft <NUM> is rotatably supported by the frame <NUM> of the compression portion <NUM>. The eccentric shaft <NUM> is rotatably supported by the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the orbiting scroll <NUM>.

The rotary shaft <NUM> is provided with a through hole <NUM> configured to pass through the rotary shaft <NUM> in the axial direction. In the rotary shaft <NUM>, a first communication hole <NUM> configured to allow the through hole <NUM> to communicate with the bearing of the support member <NUM>, a second communication hole <NUM> configured to allow the through hole <NUM> to communicate with the bearing of the frame <NUM>, and a third communication hole <NUM> configured to allow the through hole <NUM> to communicate with the bearing of the cylindrical portion <NUM> are formed in the radial direction.

The support member <NUM> includes a first cylindrical portion <NUM> having a cylindrical shape, and a second cylindrical portion <NUM> extending downward from the lower end of the first cylindrical portion <NUM> to have a cylindrical shape. The support member <NUM> is fixed to the central casing <NUM> such a way that an outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion <NUM> is fixed to an inner circumferential surface of the central casing <NUM> of the casing <NUM> which is described later. In addition, the rotary shaft <NUM> is inserted into the inside of the first cylindrical portion <NUM> and the second cylindrical portion <NUM> using a journal bearing. As mentioned above, the support member <NUM> functions as a bearing for rotatably supporting the rotary shaft <NUM>.

In addition, in the first cylindrical portion <NUM>, a hole or a groove configured to allow an upper space than the first cylindrical portion <NUM> to communicate with a lower space than the first cylindrical portion <NUM> is formed.

A pump <NUM> configured to pump the lubricant is mounted to the lower end of the second cylindrical portion <NUM> of the support member <NUM>.

Next, the casing <NUM> will be described.

The casing <NUM> includes the central casing <NUM> arranged in the center in the vertical direction and having a cylindrical shape, an upper casing <NUM> configured to cover an upper opening of the central casing <NUM>, and a lower casing <NUM> configured to cover a lower opening of the central casing <NUM>. Further, the casing <NUM> includes a discharge portion <NUM> configured to discharge the high pressure refrigerant compressed by the compression portion <NUM> to the outside of the casing <NUM>, and a suction portion <NUM> configured to suction the refrigerant from the outside of the casing <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> of the compression portion <NUM> and the stator <NUM> and the support member <NUM> of the drive motor <NUM> are fixed to the central casing <NUM> as described above. The discharge portion <NUM> and the suction portion <NUM> are formed by inserting a pipe into a through hole formed in the central casing <NUM>. The suction portion <NUM> is installed at a position corresponding to the through the hole 111a formed in the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the fixed scroll <NUM>. The suction portion <NUM> suctions the refrigerant from the outside of the casing <NUM> into the space surrounded by the fixed scroll <NUM> and the orbiting scroll <NUM>.

The lower casing <NUM> is formed in a bowl shape, thereby collecting the lubricant. According to the embodiment of the disclosure, the lower case <NUM> is described as an example of the oil tray configured to collect the lubricant.

Next, the operation of the scroll compressor <NUM> will be described.

When the drive motor <NUM> of the scroll compressor <NUM> drives, the rotary shaft <NUM> rotates and the orbiting scroll <NUM> fitted in the eccentric shaft <NUM> of the rotary shaft <NUM> orbits about the fixed scroll <NUM>. As the orbiting scroll <NUM> orbits about the fixed scroll <NUM>, the low-pressure refrigerant is suctioned from the outside of the casing <NUM> into the space surrounded by the fixed scroll <NUM> and the orbiting scroll <NUM> through the suction portion <NUM>. The refrigerant is compressed in accordance with the volume change of the compression chamber <NUM>. The high-pressure refrigerant compressed in the compression chamber <NUM> is discharged to the lower side of the compression portion <NUM>.

The high-pressure refrigerant discharged to the lower side of the compression portion <NUM> is discharged to the outside of the casing <NUM> through the discharge portion <NUM> provided in the casing <NUM>. In the process of being discharged to the outside of the casing <NUM>, the high-pressure refrigerant passes the gap between the rotor <NUM> and the stator <NUM> and the gap between the stator <NUM> and the central casing <NUM>. The high-pressure refrigerant discharged to the outside of the casing <NUM> is suctioned from the suction portion <NUM> again after each operation of condensation, expansion and evaporation in the refrigerant circuit.

On the other hand, the lubricant collected in the lower casing <NUM> of the casing <NUM> is pumped up by the pump <NUM> and raised through the through hole <NUM> formed in the rotary shaft <NUM>. The raised lubricant is supplied to each bearing of the rotary shaft <NUM> through the first communication hole <NUM>, the second communication hole <NUM> and the third communication hole <NUM> formed in the rotary shaft <NUM>, or is supplied to a sliding portion of the compression portion <NUM> through the oil passage <NUM> and the oil passage <NUM>. The lubricant, which is supplied to the sliding portion of the compression portion <NUM> or the lubricant supplied to the bearing of the rotary shaft <NUM> through the first communication hole <NUM>, the second communication hole <NUM>, and the third communication hole <NUM>, is returned to the lower casing <NUM> through the communication hole and the groove formed in the frame <NUM>, the gap between the rotor <NUM> and the stator <NUM>, and the axial direction hole formed in the support member <NUM>, and then collected in the lower portion of the casing <NUM>. In this process and in the process in which the high-pressure refrigerant passes the gap between the rotor <NUM> and the stator <NUM> before being discharged to the outside of the casing <NUM>, the lubricant and the refrigerant flow into the low pressure side while cooling the drive motor <NUM>. The lubricant, which is delivered together with the high pressure refrigerant, is separated from the refrigerant and then collected in the lower portion of the casing <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a basic configuration of the fixed scroll <NUM>. <FIG> is a view of the fixed scroll <NUM> when viewed from above, and for convenience of description, <FIG> illustrates the fixed side spiral body <NUM> and the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> which are generally not shown.

As mentioned above, the fixed scroll <NUM> includes the fixed side spiral body <NUM>, and the compression chamber <NUM> is formed between the cylindrical portion <NUM> and the fixed side spiral body <NUM>.

In addition, because <FIG> is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the scroll compressor <NUM>, one outlet of the oil passage <NUM> is shown, but in this example, a first outlet <NUM> and a second outlet <NUM>, which correspond to the outlet of the oil passage <NUM>, are formed in the fixed scroll <NUM>. For example, in the fixed scroll <NUM>, the oil passage <NUM> may be branched into two branches and then connected to the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM>, respectively. <FIG> illustrates that the lubricant flows into the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM> after the lubricant is pumped from the lower casing <NUM> by the pump <NUM>, but alternatively, the lubricant may flow to the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM> due to differential pressure. Further, the first outlet <NUM> is an example of a first outlet, and the second outlet <NUM> is an example of a second outlet.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a basic configuration of the orbiting scroll <NUM>. <FIG> is a view of the orbiting scroll <NUM> when viewed from above.

As mentioned above, the orbiting scroll <NUM> includes the orbiting side spiral body <NUM>.

In addition, the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> having a semicircular shape and configured not to communicate with each other, are installed in the end plate <NUM>, which corresponds to the sliding surface, along an outer circumference of the end plate <NUM>. At this time, a first groove end 124a of the first oil groove <NUM> and a second groove end 125a of the second oil groove <NUM>, which serve as an inlet of the lubricant, may be installed at a position in which the first groove end 124a and the second groove end 125a communicate with the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM>, respectively by one time while the orbiting scroll <NUM> rotates once. Alternatively, the first groove end 124a and the second groove end 125a may be installed at a position in which the first groove end 124a and the second groove end 125a do not communicate with the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM>, respectively by one time while the orbiting scroll <NUM> rotates once. Alternatively, the first groove end 124a of the first oil groove <NUM> and the second groove end 125a of the second oil groove <NUM> may be installed at a position in which the first groove end 124a communicates with the first outlet <NUM> and the second groove end 125a does not communicate with any outlet at a predetermined timing while the orbiting scroll <NUM> rotates once or at a position in which the second groove end 125a communicates with the second outlet <NUM> and the first groove end 124a does not communicate with any outlet at a predetermined timing while the orbiting scroll <NUM> rotates once. The first oil groove <NUM> is an example of a first oil groove, and the second oil groove <NUM> is an example of a second oil groove.

However, the shapes of the groove end portion 124a and the groove end portion 125a in <FIG> are only examples, and are not limited thereto.

A positional relationship between the fixed scroll <NUM> and orbiting scroll <NUM> when the orbiting scroll <NUM> orbits in engagement with the fixed scroll <NUM> according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>. In addition, in <FIG>, a member of the fixed scroll <NUM> is illustrated in bold lines to be easily distinguished from a member of the orbiting scroll <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which the orbiting scroll <NUM> is pressed in the lower side of the drawings with respect to the fixed scroll <NUM>. In this case, the first groove end 124a of the first oil groove <NUM> and the second groove end 125a of the second oil groove <NUM> do not communicate with any one of the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM>. Therefore, even when a part of the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> is separated from the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM> and then communicates with the compression chamber <NUM>, the lubricant may not flow from the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> to the compression chamber <NUM>. That is, even when a part of the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> communicates with the compression chamber <NUM>, the performance of the scroll compressor <NUM> may not be reduced.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which the orbiting scroll <NUM> is pressed in the left side of the drawings with respect to the fixed scroll <NUM>. In this case, the first groove end 124a of the first oil groove <NUM> communicates with the first outlet <NUM>. Therefore, the first oil groove <NUM> is sealed on the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM>, and does not communicate with the compression chamber <NUM>. On the other hand, the second groove end 125a of the second oil groove <NUM> does not communicate with the second outlet <NUM>. Therefore, even when a part of the second oil groove <NUM> is separated from the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM> and then communicates with the compression chamber <NUM>, the lubricant may not flow from the second oil groove <NUM> to the compression chamber <NUM>. That is, even when a part of the second oil groove <NUM> communicates with the compression chamber <NUM>, the performance of the scroll compressor <NUM> may not be reduced. The state shown in <FIG> is an example of a first state in which the first oil groove communicates with the first outlet and the second oil groove does not communicate with any outlet.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which the orbiting scroll <NUM> is pressed in the upper side of the drawings with respect to the fixed scroll <NUM>. In this case, the first groove end 124a of the first oil groove <NUM> and the second groove end 125a of the second oil groove <NUM> do not communicate with any one of the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM>. Therefore, even when a part of the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> is separated from the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM> and then communicates with the compression chamber <NUM>, the lubricant may not flow from the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> to the compression chamber <NUM>. That is, even when a part of the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> communicates with the compression chamber <NUM>, the performance of the scroll compressor <NUM> may not be reduced.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which the orbiting scroll <NUM> is pressed in the right side of the drawings with respect to the fixed scroll <NUM>. In this case, the second groove end 125a of the second oil groove <NUM> communicates with the second outlet <NUM>. Therefore, the second oil groove <NUM> is sealed by the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM>, and does not communicate with the compression chamber <NUM>. On the other hand, the first groove end 124a of the first oil groove <NUM> does not communicate with the first outlet <NUM>. Therefore, even when a part of the first oil groove <NUM> is separated from the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM> and then communicates with the compression chamber <NUM>, the lubricant may not flow from the first oil groove <NUM> to the compression chamber <NUM>. That is, even when a part of the first oil groove <NUM> communicates with the compression chamber <NUM>, the performance of the scroll compressor <NUM> may not be reduced. The state shown in <FIG> is an example of a second state in which the second oil groove communicates with the second outlet and the first oil groove does not communicate with any outlet.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a positional relationship between a trajectory 124b of the first groove end 124a and the first outlet <NUM>, and a positional relationship between a trajectory 125b of the second groove end 125a and the second outlet <NUM> when the orbiting scroll <NUM> orbits as illustrated in <FIG>. In the drawing, it is seen that the first groove end 124a and the second groove end 125a respectively communicate with the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM> once while the orbiting scroll <NUM> rotates once. In addition, when the first groove end 124a communicates with the first outlet <NUM>, the second groove end 125a does not communicate the second outlet <NUM>. On the other hand, when the second groove end 125a communicates with the second outlet <NUM>, the first groove end 124a does not communicate the first outlet <NUM>.

As described above, according the first embodiment, the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> which are not in communication with each other are installed in the orbiting scroll <NUM>. Particularly, the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> have a semi-ring shape, in which a ring is divided into two pieces, rather than a ring shape. Accordingly, because one oil groove is shortened, it is easy to deliver the lubricant from the groove end to the groove end.

In addition, according to the first embodiment, a timing, in which the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> installed in the orbiting scroll <NUM> communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> installed in the fixed scroll <NUM>, may be set appropriately. Particularly, the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> are not always in communication with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM>. However, the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> at a timing, in which the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> do not communicates with the compression chamber <NUM>, while the orbiting scroll <NUM> orbits. Therefore, even when the sliding portion becomes narrower because the diameter of the orbiting scroll <NUM> is reduced, it is possible to sufficiently supply the lubricant and thus it is possible to improve the sealing force and lubricity of the sliding portion. As a result, it is possible to descrease the diameter of the orbiting scroll <NUM> and a diameter of the main body of the scroll compressor <NUM>. In other words, because it is possible to increase the suction volume in the scroll compressor <NUM> having the same body diameter, it is possible to reduce the size of the scroll compressor <NUM> while increasing the capacity of the scroll compressor <NUM>. Further, according to the first embodiment, the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM> are provided in the fixed scroll <NUM> as the outlet of the oil passage <NUM>, but is not limited thereto. Therefore, a single outlet of the oil passage <NUM> may be provided. For example, a large hole including the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM> may be provided as long as that does not interfere with the state transitions shown in <FIG>, and the large hole may be used as an outlet of the oil passage.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the orbiting scroll <NUM> is provided with two oil grooves which do not communicate with each other, but is not limited thereto. In other words, the orbiting scroll <NUM> may be provided with a plurality of oil grooves which do not communicate with each other.

In this case, each oil groove of the plurality of oil grooves may be installed to communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> at least once and not to communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> at least once while the orbiting scroll <NUM> rotates once. In addition, as for each oil groove of the plurality of oil grooves, one oil groove may be installed to communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> during the time in which at least one oil groove except the one oil groove does not communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM>.

In other words, the plurality of oil grooves may be installed in such a way that at least one oil groove communicates with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> and the other at least one oil groove does not communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> at a predetermined timing while the orbiting scroll <NUM> rotates once.

In addition, according to the first embodiment, the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> is provided on the fixed scroll <NUM>, and the plurality of oil grooves is provided on the orbiting scroll <NUM>, but is not limited thereto. Therefore, the plurality of oil grooves may be provided on the fixed scroll <NUM>, and the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> may be provided on the orbiting scroll <NUM>.

Even in this case, each oil groove of the plurality of oil grooves may be installed to communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> at least once and not to communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> at least once while the orbiting scroll <NUM> rotates once. In addition, as for each oil groove of the plurality of oil grooves, one oil groove may be installed to communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> during the time in which at least one oil groove except the one oil groove does not communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM>.

Between the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM>, one of thereof communicating with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> is sealed by the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM> so as to form a thrust sliding portion. In this configuration, when the through hole <NUM> connected to the lower casing <NUM>, which is the oil tray of the high-pressure refrigerants, communicates with the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> through the oil passage <NUM> and the oil passage <NUM>, the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> may be filled with the high-pressure lubricant and the lubricant may flow to a gap of several micrometers between the trust sliding portions, thereby improving the lubrication of the thrust sliding portion.

However, when the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> are close to the compression chamber <NUM>, a large amount of the lubricant may flow from the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> to the compression chamber <NUM> and thus the performance may be reduced.

Therefore, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to prevent the lubricant from leaking to the compression chamber <NUM> by adjusting a distance from the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> to the compression chamber <NUM> and the communication relationship between the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM>.

The positional relationship between the fixed scroll <NUM> and the orbiting scroll <NUM>, when the orbiting scroll <NUM> orbits in engagement with the fixed scroll <NUM> according to the second embodiment, will be described with reference to <FIG>. Particularly, it illustrates the distance (seal length) from the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> to the compression chamber <NUM> and the communication relationship between the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> and the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM> when the orbiting scroll <NUM> orbits at each <NUM>° clockwise. In addition, in <FIG>, a member of the fixed scroll <NUM> is illustrated in bold lines to be easily distinguished from a member of the orbiting scroll <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which the orbiting scroll <NUM> is pressed in the lower side of the drawings with respect to the fixed scroll <NUM>. In this case, the first groove end 124a of the first oil groove <NUM> and the second groove end 125a of the second oil groove <NUM> do not communicate with any one of the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM>. Therefore, even when the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> approaches the compression chamber <NUM>, the lubricant may not leak from the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> to the compression chamber <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which the orbiting scroll <NUM> is pressed in the lower left side of the drawings with respect to the fixed scroll <NUM>. In this case, the first groove end 124a of the first oil groove <NUM> starts to communicate with the first outlet <NUM>. Therefore, as illustrated, the rear of the first oil groove <NUM> in the orbit direction is separated from the compression chamber <NUM>. Meanwhile, in this case, the second groove end 125a of the second oil groove <NUM> does not communicate with the second outlet <NUM>. Therefore, as illustrated, even when the second oil groove <NUM> approaches the compression chamber <NUM>, the lubricant may not leak from the second oil groove <NUM> to the compression chamber <NUM>. The state shown in <FIG> is an example of a first state in which the first oil groove communicates with the first outlet and the second oil groove does not communicate with any outlet.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which the orbiting scroll <NUM> is pressed in the left side of the drawings with respect to the fixed scroll <NUM>. In this case, the first groove end 124a of the first oil groove <NUM> communicates with the first outlet <NUM>. Therefore, as illustrated, the first oil groove <NUM> is separated from the compression chamber <NUM>. Meanwhile, in this case, the second groove end 125a of the second oil groove <NUM> does not communicate with the second outlet <NUM>. Therefore, as illustrated, even when the second oil groove <NUM> approaches the compression chamber <NUM>, the lubricant may not leak from the second oil groove <NUM> to the compression chamber <NUM>. The state shown in <FIG> is an example of the first state in which the first oil groove communicates with the first outlet and the second oil groove does not communicate with any outlet.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which the orbiting scroll <NUM> is pressed in the upper left side of the drawings with respect to the fixed scroll <NUM>. In this case, the communication between the first groove end 124a of the first oil groove <NUM> and the first outlet <NUM> is ending. Therefore, as illustrated, the front of the first oil groove <NUM> in the orbit direction is separated from the compression chamber <NUM>. Meanwhile, in this case, the second groove end 125a of the second oil groove <NUM> does not communicate with the second outlet <NUM>. Therefore, as illustrated, even when the second oil groove <NUM> approaches the compression chamber <NUM>, the lubricant may not leak from the second oil groove <NUM> to the compression chamber <NUM>. The state shown in <FIG> is an example of the first state in which the first oil groove communicates with the first outlet and the second oil groove does not communicate with any outlet.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which the orbiting scroll <NUM> is pressed in the upper side of the drawings with respect to the fixed scroll <NUM>. In this case, the first groove end 124a of the first oil groove <NUM> and the second groove end 125a of the second oil groove <NUM> do not communicate with any one of the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM>. Therefore, even when the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> approaches the compression chamber <NUM>, the lubricant may not leak from the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> to the compression chamber <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which the orbiting scroll <NUM> is pressed in the upper right side of the drawings with respect to the fixed scroll <NUM>. In this case, the second groove end 125a of the second oil groove <NUM> starts to communicate with the second outlet <NUM>. Therefore, as illustrated, the rear of the second oil groove <NUM> in the orbit direction is separated from the compression chamber <NUM>. Meanwhile, in this case, the first groove end 124a of the first oil groove <NUM> does not communicate with the first outlet <NUM>. Therefore, as illustrated, even when the first oil groove <NUM> approaches the compression chamber <NUM>, the lubricant may not leak from the first oil groove <NUM> to the compression chamber <NUM>. The state shown in <FIG> is an example of a second state in which the second oil groove communicates with the second outlet and the first oil groove does not communicate with any outlet.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which the orbiting scroll <NUM> is pressed in the right side of the drawings with respect to the fixed scroll <NUM>. In this case, the second groove end 125a of the second oil groove <NUM> communicates with the second outlet <NUM>. Therefore, as illustrated, the second oil groove <NUM> is separated from the compression chamber <NUM>. On the other hand, in this case, the first groove end 124a of the first oil groove <NUM> does not communicate with the first outlet <NUM>. Accordingly, as illustrated, even when the first oil groove <NUM> approaches the compression chamber <NUM>, the lubricant may not leak from the first oil groove <NUM> to the compression chamber <NUM>. The state shown in <FIG> is an example of the second state in which the second oil groove communicates with the second outlet and the first oil groove does not communicate with any outlet.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which the orbiting scroll <NUM> is pressed in the lower right side of the drawings with respect to the fixed scroll <NUM>. In this case, the communication between the second groove end 125a of the second oil groove <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM> is ending. Therefore, as illustrated, the front of the second oil groove <NUM> in the orbit direction is separated from the compression chamber <NUM>. On the other hand, in this case, the first groove end 124a of the first oil groove <NUM> does not communicate with the first outlet <NUM>. Therefore, as illustrated, even when the first oil groove <NUM> approaches the compression chamber <NUM>, the lubricant may not leak from the first oil groove <NUM> to the compression chamber <NUM>. The state shown in <FIG> is an example of the second state in which the second oil groove communicates with the second outlet and the first oil groove does not communicate with any outlet.

As mentioned above, according to the second embodiment, one of the first oil groove <NUM> and the second oil groove <NUM> that approaches the compression chamber <NUM> does not communicate with the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a large amount of the lubricant from flowing to the compression chamber <NUM>.

Further, according to the second embodiment, the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM> are provided in the fixed scroll <NUM> as the outlet of the oil passage <NUM>, but is not limited thereto. Therefore, a single outlet of the oil passage <NUM> may be provided. For example, a large hole including the first outlet <NUM> and the second outlet <NUM> may be provided as long as that does not interfere with the state transitions shown in <FIG>, and the large hole may be used as an outlet of the oil passage.

Further, according to the second embodiment, the orbiting scroll <NUM> is provided with two oil grooves which do not communicate with each other, but is not limited thereto. In other words, the orbiting scroll <NUM> may be provided with a plurality of oil grooves which does not communicate with each other.

In this case, each oil groove of the plurality of oil grooves may be installed to communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> at least once and not to communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> at least once while the orbiting scroll <NUM> rotates once. In addition, each oil groove of the plurality of oil grooves may be installed in such a way that one oil groove is installed to communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> during the time in which at least one oil groove except the one oil groove does not communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM>.

In addition, the plurality of oil grooves may be installed in such a way that one oil groove and at least one oil groove except the one oil groove are sealed by the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM> and the sliding surface of the orbiting scroll <NUM>. Further, in this case, in the configuration illustrated in <FIG>, a distance of a portion in which one oil groove of the plurality of oil grooves is sealed by the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM> and the sliding surface of the orbiting scroll <NUM> may be greater than a distance of a portion in which at least one oil groove except the one oil groove is sealed by the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM> and the sliding surface of the orbiting scroll <NUM> during the time in which at least one oil groove except the one oil groove does not communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM>.

The plurality of oil grooves may be installed in such a way that at least one oil groove communicates with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> and the other one oil groove does not communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> at a predetermined timing while the orbiting scroll <NUM> rotates once.

In addition, the at least one oil groove and the other at least one oil groove may be installed to be sealed by the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM> and the sliding surface of the orbiting scroll <NUM> at a predetermined timing. Further, in this case, the configuration illustrated in <FIG>, a distance of a portion in which at least one oil groove of the plurality of oil grooves is sealed by the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM> and the sliding surface of the orbiting scroll <NUM> may be greater than a distance of a portion in which the other at least one oil groove is sealed by the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM> and the sliding surface of the orbiting scroll <NUM> at the predetermined timing.

In the above description, a distance to the compression chamber <NUM> is described as an example of the distance of a portion sealed by the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM> and the sliding surface of the orbiting scroll <NUM>.

Accordingly, the distance of the portion in which the at least one oil groove is sealed by the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM> and the sliding surface of the orbiting scroll <NUM> may correspond to a distance from the at least one oil groove to the compression chamber <NUM> in the radial direction of the fixed scroll <NUM>.

In addition, the distance of the portion in which the other at least one oil groove is sealed by the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM> and the sliding surface of the orbiting scroll <NUM> may correspond to a distance from the other at least one oil groove to the compression chamber <NUM> in the radial direction of the fixed scroll <NUM>. Further, according to the second embodiment, the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> may be provided in the fixed scroll <NUM> and the plurality of oil grooves may be provided in the orbiting scroll <NUM>, but is not limited thereto. Therefore, the plurality of oil grooves may be provided in the fixed scroll <NUM>, and the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> may be provided in the orbiting scroll <NUM>.

Even in this case, each oil groove of the plurality of oil grooves may be installed to communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> at least once and not to communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> at least once while the orbiting scroll <NUM> rotates once. In addition, each oil groove of the plurality of oil grooves may be installed in such a way that one oil groove is installed to communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> during the time in which at least one oil groove except the one oil groove does not communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM>.

The plurality of oil grooves may be installed in such a way that at least one oil groove communicates with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> and the other at least one oil groove does not communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM> at a predetermined timing while the orbiting scroll <NUM> rotates once.

In addition, the at least one oil groove and the other at least one oil groove may be installed to be sealed by the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM> and the sliding surface of the orbiting scroll <NUM> at a predetermined timing. Further, in this case, the configuration illustrated in <FIG>, a distance of a portion in which one oil groove of the plurality of oil grooves is sealed by the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM> and the sliding surface of the orbiting scroll <NUM> may be greater than a distance of a portion in which at least one oil groove except the one oil groove is sealed by the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM> and the sliding surface of the orbiting scroll <NUM> during the time in which at least one oil groove except the one oil groove does not communicate with the outlet of the oil passage <NUM>.

In addition, the at least one oil groove and the other at least one oil groove may be installed to be sealed by the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM> and the sliding surface of the orbiting scroll <NUM> at a predetermined timing. Further, in this case, the configuration illustrated in <FIG>, a distance of a portion in which at least one oil groove of the plurality of oil grooves is sealed by the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM> and the sliding surface of the orbiting scroll <NUM> may be greater than a distance of a portion in which the other at least one oil groove is sealed by the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM> and the sliding surface of the orbiting scroll <NUM> at the predetermined timing. In the above description, a distance to the intermediate pressure chamber is described as an example of the distance of a portion sealed by the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM> and the sliding surface of the orbiting scroll <NUM>.

Accordingly, the distance of the portion in which the at least one oil groove is sealed by the sliding surface of the fixed scroll <NUM> and the sliding surface of the orbiting scroll <NUM> may correspond to a distance from the at least one oil groove to the intermediate pressure chamber in the radial direction of the fixed scroll <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A scroll compressor (<NUM>) comprising:
a fixed scroll (<NUM>) fixed to a frame (<NUM>), which is fixed to an inside of a main body; and
an orbiting scroll (<NUM>) configured to orbit in engagement with the fixed scroll;
wherein the frame comprises a first oil passage (<NUM>) configured to communicate with an oil tray (<NUM>) configured to store a lubricant,
characterized in that the fixed scroll comprises a second oil passage (<NUM>);
wherein an inlet of the second oil passage (<NUM>) in the frame (<NUM>) side is fixed to an outlet of the first oil passage (<NUM>) and wherein at least one outlet (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the second oil passage is connected to a sliding surface of the orbiting scroll,
wherein the orbiting scroll comprises a plurality of oil grooves (<NUM>, <NUM>), each of the plurality of oil grooves configured to supply the lubricant to a sliding surface of the fixed scroll and to not communicate with another of the plurality of oil grooves (<NUM>, <NUM>), and
wherein each of the plurality of oil grooves is configured to communicate with the at least one outlet of the second oil passage (<NUM>) at least once and to not communicate with the at least one outlet of the second oil passage (<NUM>) at least once while the orbiting scroll (<NUM>) rotates once.