Compression mechanism and scroll compressor including the same

Abstract

The present application relates to a compression mechanism for a scroll compressor including a movable scroll component and a fixed scroll component. The movable scroll component includes a movable scroll end plate and a movable scroll blade extending from one side of the movable scroll end plate. The fixed scroll component includes a fixed scroll end plate, a fixed scroll blade, a compression area and an outer peripheral wall. The fixed scroll blade extends from one side of the fixed scroll end plate. In the compression area, the fixed scroll blade is engaged with the movable scroll blade to form a series of compression chambers for compressing the working fluid. The outer peripheral wall is located radially outside the compression area and has a thrust surface that is in sliding contact with the movable scroll end plate. The outer radial dimension Ro of the thrust surface is less than or equal to the radius R of the movable scroll end plate. 动 and orbiting radius R 绕 The present application also relates to a scroll compressor comprising the above compression mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a compression mechanism for a scroll compressor and the scroll compressor. Background Art

[0002] The contents of this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0003] Scroll compressors can be used in refrigeration systems, air conditioning systems, and heat pump systems, for example. A scroll compressor includes a fixed scroll component and an orbiting scroll component that translates relative to the fixed scroll component to compress a working fluid. The fixed scroll component and the orbiting scroll component have thrust surfaces that slide relative to each other during operation of the scroll compressor.

[0004] Typically, the thrust surface is designed to have a large enough area to provide adequate support.

[0005] However, due to the large area of the thrust surface, the lubricating oil supply between the thrust surfaces will be insufficient, especially under heavy load conditions. Insufficient lubricating oil supply can cause severe local wear of the thrust surface and even cause scroll failure, affecting the performance and reliability of the compressor.

[0006] When the end plate of the movable scroll component overturns, the contact point between the thrust surfaces is far away from the compression chamber, thereby forming a larger wedge area, which is not conducive to load bearing and lubrication, thereby causing wear (scraping) problems. Summary of the Invention

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a scroll compressor capable of alleviating the wear problem of the thrust surface of a scroll member.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a compression mechanism for a scroll compressor including a movable scroll component and a fixed scroll component is provided. The movable scroll component includes a movable scroll end plate and a movable scroll blade extending from one side of the movable scroll end plate. The fixed scroll component includes a fixed scroll end plate, a fixed scroll blade, a compression area and an outer peripheral wall. The fixed scroll blade extends from one side of the fixed scroll end plate. In the compression area, the fixed scroll blade is engaged with the movable scroll blade to form a series of compression chambers for compressing the working fluid. The outer peripheral wall is located radially outside the compression area and has a thrust surface that is in sliding contact with the movable scroll end plate. The outer radial dimension Ro of the thrust surface is less than or equal to the radius R of the movable scroll end plate. 动 and orbiting radius R 绕 The difference.

[0009] According to the fixed scroll component of the present disclosure, the thrust surface is in constant sliding contact with the orbiting scroll end plate during operation of the scroll compressor. Compared to the thrust surface of conventional fixed scroll components, the thrust surface of the present disclosure is significantly smaller in area, making it easier to supply sufficient lubricating oil to the thrust surface and significantly improving lubrication of the thrust surface. Furthermore, because the outer edge of the thrust surface of the fixed scroll component of the present disclosure is offset toward the central axis, the bearing and lubrication of the wedge area can be improved in the event of an orbiting scroll overturning.

[0010] In some examples, a thrust portion is provided on the outer peripheral wall and extends axially from an end surface thereof, and a top surface of the thrust portion constitutes the thrust surface.

[0011] In some examples, the thrust surface has an outer edge that is non-circular in shape.

[0012] In some examples, the compression region includes a low-pressure compression region at and adjacent to the intake port of the compression mechanism, and at least a portion of the thrust surface adjacent to the low-pressure compression region has a constant minimum width. Because the compression cavity formed in the low-pressure compression region has a low pressure (equal to or slightly greater than the suction pressure), the thrust portion adjacent to the low-pressure compression region can have reduced strength requirements. Accordingly, the portion of the thrust surface adjacent to the low-pressure compression region can have a smaller width, thereby further reducing the overall area of the thrust surface and further improving lubrication.

[0013] In some examples, the constant width is equal to the thickness of the non-orbiting scroll blade.

[0014] In some examples, the thrust surface extends 360 degrees circumferentially.

[0015] In some examples, the thrust portion has an extension height in a range of 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a scroll compressor is provided, which includes the fixed scroll component.

[0017] In the scroll compressor according to the present disclosure, since the fixed scroll component is included, the same advantages as those of the fixed scroll component are achieved.

[0018] In some examples, the fixed scroll component is housed in a housing, and a motor is also housed in the housing. The motor is in a compressed exhaust gas environment.

[0019] In some examples, the orbiting scroll component is configured to float axially relative to the non-orbiting scroll component.

[0020] From the detailed description below, other application fields of the present invention will become more obvious.It should be understood that these detailed descriptions and specific examples, although showing preferred embodiments of the present invention, are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The features and advantages of one or more embodiments of the present invention will become more readily understood through the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a scroll compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partially enlarged schematic diagram of a scroll compressor;

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic plan view of a scroll blade side of a fixed scroll component of a scroll compressor;

[0025] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A partially enlarged schematic diagram of a scroll compressor;

[0026] Figure 5A A schematic diagram illustrating a thrust surface of a fixed scroll component according to the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram showing a thrust surface of a fixed scroll component of a comparative example;

[0028] Figure 6A is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the movable scroll component of the scroll compressor according to the present disclosure when overturning; and

[0029] Figure 6B It is a partial enlarged schematic diagram of the movable scroll component of the scroll compressor of the comparative example when it is overturned. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be exhaustive and will more fully convey the scope to those skilled in the art. Many specific details, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, are described to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, and that the exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In some exemplary embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0032] Refer to the following Figure 1 The overall structure of the scroll compressor 10 is described below. As shown in the figure, the scroll compressor 10 includes a housing 11, a compression mechanism CM, a motor 16, a rotating shaft (also referred to as a drive shaft or crankshaft) 14, and a main bearing 15.

[0033] The housing 11 forms a closed space in which the compression mechanism CM, the motor 16 , the rotary shaft 14 , and the main bearing housing 15 are accommodated.

[0034] The housing 11 is provided with an intake pipe 12 for introducing working fluid at suction pressure into the housing 11, and an exhaust pipe 13 for discharging working fluid compressed by the compression mechanism CM at discharge pressure out of the housing 11. The intake pipe 12 is connected to an intake port 112 of the compression mechanism CM to introduce the working fluid at suction pressure into the low-pressure chamber of the compression mechanism CM. The high-pressure working fluid discharged from the exhaust port 111 of the compression mechanism CM is discharged through the exhaust pipe 13.

[0035] In the illustrated example, the motor 16 is in a high-temperature and high-pressure environment of the compressed working fluid. Therefore, the illustrated scroll compressor is also referred to as a high-pressure side compressor. In addition, in the high-pressure side compressor of the present disclosure, the movable scroll component can be configured to be able to float axially to achieve axial flexibility of the compression mechanism. For example, a back pressure cavity is formed between the movable scroll component and the main bearing seat, and the fluid in the back pressure cavity applies an upward axial force to the movable scroll component to push the movable scroll component toward the fixed scroll component. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific examples illustrated, and for example, it can be applied to a low-pressure side compressor, that is, the motor is in a low-temperature and low-pressure environment with an inhaled working fluid.

[0036] See also Figure 2 The compression mechanism CM includes a fixed scroll component 100 connected or fixed to the housing 11 and / or the main bearing housing 15, and an orbiting scroll component 200 supported by the main bearing housing 15. The motor 16 is configured to rotate the rotary shaft 14, which in turn drives the orbiting scroll component 200 to orbit relative to the fixed scroll component 100 (i.e., the central axis of the orbiting scroll moves around the central axis of the fixed scroll, but the orbiting scroll does not rotate about its central axis) to compress the working fluid.

[0037] The fixed scroll component 100 includes a fixed scroll end plate 110, fixed scroll blades 120 extending from one side of the fixed scroll end plate 110, and an outer peripheral wall 130 radially outward of the fixed scroll blades 120. An exhaust port 111 is provided approximately in the center of the fixed scroll end plate 110 to discharge the compressed high-temperature and high-pressure working fluid out of the compression mechanism CM.

[0038] Orbiting scroll component 200 includes an orbiting scroll end plate 210, an orbiting scroll blade 220 extending from one side of orbiting scroll end plate 210, and a hub 230 extending from the other side of orbiting scroll end plate 210. Fixed scroll blade 120 and orbiting scroll blade 220 can engage with each other, forming a series of compression chambers with gradually decreasing volumes from radially outward to radially inward moving between fixed scroll blade 120 and orbiting scroll blade 220 during operation of the scroll compressor, thereby compressing the working fluid. Hub 230 engages with and is driven by the eccentric crank pin of rotating shaft 14.

[0039] The following combination Figure 3 and Figure 4 The fixed scroll component 100 according to the embodiment of the present application will be described in detail.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, the fixed scroll blade 120 is spiral-shaped and defines a spiral compression region 140 from the air inlet 112 to the air outlet 111. In the compression region 140, the fixed scroll blade 120 and the orbiting scroll blade 220 are joined to form a series of compression cavities moving from the radial outside to the radial inside. The portion of the compression region 140 at and adjacent to the air inlet 112 can be referred to as a low-pressure compression region.

[0041] See also Figure 2 and Figure 3 The fixed scroll component 100 includes an outer peripheral wall 130 located radially outside the compression region 140. The outer peripheral wall 130 has an end surface 133 facing the movable scroll end plate 210, a flange portion 137 located radially outside the end surface 133 for installation, and a thrust portion 150 supported on the movable scroll end plate 210.

[0042] The thrust portion 150 extends from the end surface 133 in the axial direction ( Figure 2 The axial height h of the thrust portion 150 may be in the range of 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm. Figure 4 It should be understood that the axial height h of the thrust portion 150 may vary depending on the operating conditions of the scroll compressor 10, the structure of the compression mechanism CM, and the like.

[0043] The top surface 152 of the thrust portion 150 is supported on the movable scroll end plate 210. When the scroll compressor 10 operates, the movable scroll end plate 210 supports the thrust portion 150 while sliding relative to the top surface 152. Therefore, the top surface 152 of the thrust portion 150 forms a thrust surface S.

[0044] The "thrust portion of the fixed scroll component" described herein includes the outer radial portion of the fixed scroll blade (ie, the outer radial portion immediately adjacent to the compression region 140), such as Figure 3In other words, a portion of the "stress portion of the fixed scroll component" described herein functions as a fixed scroll blade. The "thrust surface" described herein refers to the surface of the thrust portion that is supported on the movable scroll end plate and experiences sliding friction.

[0045] The thrust portion 150 is located radially outside the radially outermost (360 degrees) portion of the compression region 140. Figure 3 As shown by the hatching, the thrust surface S extends 360 degrees along the circumferential direction. In other words, the top surface 152 is in sliding contact with the movable scroll end plate 210 along the circumferential direction 360 degrees, thereby forming a thrust surface S extending 360 degrees along the circumferential direction.

[0046] However, in an example not shown, the thrust surface S may not extend 360 degrees in the circumferential direction. For example, the top surface 152 of the thrust portion 150 may have a notch at the air inlet and may not be in sliding contact with the orbiting scroll end plate 210 .

[0047] The thrust surface S of the thrust portion 150 includes an inner edge having an inner radial dimension Ri and an outer edge having an outer radial dimension Ro. That is, the width of the thrust surface S is the difference Ro-Ri between the outer radial dimension Ro and the inner radial dimension Ri.

[0048] The inner radial dimension Ri of the thrust surface S can be determined by the spiral profile of the fixed scroll blade 120. Therefore, the inner radial dimension Ri of the thrust surface S can vary along the circumferential direction. Similarly, the outer radial dimension Ro of the thrust surface S can also vary along the circumferential direction. In this case, the thrust surface S has a non-circular shape extending along the compression region 140. Therefore, the width of the thrust surface S can vary along the circumferential direction.

[0049] exist Figure 3 In the illustrated example, the width of the thrust surface S varies on both sides of the air inlet 112. The portion of the thrust surface S adjacent to the low-pressure compression region of the compression area 140 has a substantially constant width. This constant width is approximately equal to the thickness of the fixed scroll blade 120. The thrust surface S has a greater width on the side opposite the low-pressure compression region of the compression area 140, due to, for example, the presence of the oil groove 132 therein. It should be understood that, without the influence of external factors, the thrust surface S can have a substantially constant width in the circumferential direction throughout its entirety.

[0050] In order to ensure stable support, the width of the thrust surface S may be greater than or equal to the thickness of the fixed scroll blade 120. That is, the minimum width of the thrust surface S may be the thickness of the fixed scroll blade 120. For example, the portion of the thrust surface S adjacent to the low-pressure compression region has the minimum width. Because the compression chamber formed in the low-pressure compression region is at a low pressure (equal to or slightly greater than the suction pressure), the strength requirement of the portion of the thrust surface S adjacent to the low-pressure compression region is lower and therefore may have the minimum width. It should be understood that, while meeting the support and strength requirements, the width of the thrust surface S may also be less than the thickness of the fixed scroll blade 120.

[0051] According to the fixed scroll component 100 of the present disclosure, the outer radial dimension Ro of the thrust surface S is less than or equal to the radius R of the movable scroll end plate 210. 动 and orbiting radius R 绕 The difference, that is, Ro≤R 动 -R 绕 In other words, at any portion in the circumferential direction, the maximum outer radial dimension Rmax of the thrust surface S may be equal to the radius R of the movable scroll end plate 210. 动 and orbiting radius R 绕 The difference, that is, Rmax = R 动 -R 绕 Thus, during the operation of the compressor, the thrust surface S is always in sliding contact with the orbiting scroll end plate 210. That is, the thrust surface S as a whole is an effective bearing surface.

[0052] Figure 5A A schematic diagram illustrating a thrust surface of a fixed scroll component according to the present disclosure; Figure 5B Schematic diagram showing the thrust surface of the fixed scroll component of the comparative example. Figure 5A As shown, the fixed scroll component 100 according to the present disclosure has a thrust surface S (shown as a hatched line). The thrust surface S is always in sliding contact with the movable scroll end plate during the operation of the scroll compressor. Figure 5B As shown. The fixed scroll component 100' of the comparative example has a thrust surface S' (as shown by the hatching). The thrust surface S' includes a first portion that is always in sliding contact with the movable scroll end plate during the operation of the scroll compressor and a second portion that is intermittently in sliding contact with the movable scroll end plate. Figure 5A and Figure 5B A comparison reveals that the thrust surface S of the fixed scroll component of the present disclosure corresponds to the first portion of the thrust surface S' of the comparative example. Therefore, the area of the thrust surface S' of the comparative example is larger than that of the thrust surface S of the present disclosure, specifically, by the area of the second portion. In other words, the area of the thrust surface S is reduced relative to that of the thrust surface S', for example, by 35% to 40%.

[0053] As described above, the thrust surface S of the fixed scroll component according to the present disclosure has a significantly reduced bearing area while effectively ensuring bearing force. The reduced thrust surface S can reduce lubrication requirements, facilitating lubrication issues, particularly under heavy loads. Consequently, the probability of scroll component failure can be reduced, improving the overall performance and reliability of the compressor.

[0054] Furthermore, the fixed scroll component 100 according to the present disclosure can significantly improve its lubrication problem simply by changing the structure (outer radial dimension) of the thrust surface without providing an additional oil supply structure, etc. Therefore, the fixed scroll component 100 has a simple structure, reliable operation, and is easy to process.

[0055] In addition, the fixed scroll component 100 according to the present disclosure can also solve or alleviate the lubrication and wear problems when the movable scroll component overturns, as will be described below. Figure 6A and Figure 6B Provide a description. Figure 6A is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the movable scroll component of the scroll compressor according to the present disclosure when overturning; Figure 6B It is a partial enlarged schematic diagram of the movable scroll component of the scroll compressor of the comparative example when it is overturned.

[0056] like Figure 6A As shown, when the orbiting scroll end plate 210 of the orbiting scroll component overturns, the thrust surface S of the fixed scroll component 100 makes point contact with the orbiting scroll end plate 210 at the contact point P, thereby forming a wedge-shaped area W. The contact point P is determined by the outer edge of the thrust surface S.

[0057] like Figure 6B As shown, when the orbiting scroll end plate 210' of the orbiting scroll component overturns, the thrust surface S' of the fixed scroll component 100' makes point contact with the orbiting scroll end plate 210' at a contact point P', thereby forming a wedge-shaped area W'. The contact point P' is determined by the outer edge of the thrust surface of the orbiting scroll end plate 210'.

[0058] and Figure 6B Compared with the contact point P' in Figure 6A The contact point P in is much closer to the center axis. Figure 6B Compared with the wedge area W' in Figure 6A The wedge-shaped area W in is much smaller. In contrast, for Figure 6A For the fixed scroll component 100 shown in FIG, it is beneficial to form oil pressure in the wedge area W to help with bearing and lubrication, thereby improving the wear (scraping) problem.

[0059] In addition, in the comparative example, when the movable scroll component overturns, the thrust surface of the movable scroll component defining the wedge-shaped area W' moves away from the contact point P' (ie, Figure 6BThis is not conducive to the formation of oil pressure in the wedge area to help load bearing and lubrication, thus causing wear. Figure 6A In the example of the present disclosure shown, since a groove is formed on the radially outer side of the protruding thrust portion 150 and the contact point P is determined by the outer edge of the thrust surface S, when the movable scroll component overturns, the thrust surface of the movable scroll component defining the wedge area W can move toward the contact point (i.e., Figure 6A This helps to form oil pressure in the wedge area to help load bearing and lubrication, thereby improving wear.

[0060] Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described and illustrated in detail herein. Those skilled in the art may make various changes to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope defined by the claims. For example, the outer peripheral wall 130 of the fixed scroll component 100 may omit the flange portion 137 and have only the thrust portion 150. It should also be understood that the features of the various embodiments may be combined with each other or omitted without conflicting technical solutions.

Claims

1. A compression mechanism for a scroll compressor, comprising a movable scroll component and a fixed scroll component, The movable scroll component comprises: Orbiting scroll end plate; and A movable scroll blade extending from one side of the movable scroll end plate, The fixed scroll component includes: Fixed scroll end plate; a fixed scroll blade extending from one side of the fixed scroll end plate; a compression region in which the fixed scroll blades engage the orbiting scroll blades to form a series of compression cavities for compressing a working fluid; and an outer peripheral wall located radially outside the compression region and having a thrust surface in sliding contact with the orbiting scroll end plate, The outer radial dimension Ro of the thrust surface is less than or equal to the radius R of the movable scroll end plate. 动 and orbiting radius R 绕 The difference.

2. The compression mechanism according to claim 1, wherein The outer peripheral wall is provided with a thrust portion extending from an end surface thereof in the axial direction, and a top surface of the thrust portion constitutes the thrust surface.

3. The compression mechanism according to claim 2, wherein: The thrust surface has an outer edge with a non-circular shape.

4. The compression mechanism according to claim 3, wherein: The compression region includes a low-pressure compression region at and adjacent to an air inlet of the compression mechanism, and at least a portion of the thrust surface adjacent to the low-pressure compression region has a constant minimum width.

5. The compression mechanism according to claim 4, wherein: The constant minimum width is equal to the thickness of the fixed scroll blade.

6. The compression mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The thrust surface extends 360 degrees in the circumferential direction.

7. The compression mechanism according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein: An extension height of the thrust portion is in a range of 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm.

8. A scroll compressor comprising the compression mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The scroll compressor according to claim 8, wherein: The compression mechanism is accommodated in a housing, and a motor is also accommodated in the housing. The motor is in a compressed exhaust environment.

10. The scroll compressor according to claim 8 or 9, wherein: The movable scroll component is arranged to be axially floatable relative to the fixed scroll component.

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