Compressor

Abstract

A compressor comprises a sealed housing (1) and a driving unit (2) arranged inside the housing (1). At least one damping device (3) for suppressing and limiting a deflection of the driving unit (2) is provided inside the housing (1). The damping device (3) is connected to the driving unit (2). The damping device (3) has a first contactable region (4) facing and at a distance from an inner surface of the housing (1). The housing (1) comprises a second contactable region (5) corresponding to the first contactable region (4) of the damping device (3). The second contactable region (5) comprises an inner surface and an outer surface. The shape of the second contactable region (5) of the housing (1) matches the shape of the first contactable region (4) of the damping device (3). The first contactable region (4) of the damping device (3) comprises at least an arc-shaped circumferential contactable region. The damping device (3) reduces the noise and damage that may occur as a result of the deflection of the driving unit (2) and improves the stability of the driving unit (2).

Description

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a compressor and, more particularly, to a linear compressor for compressing a refrigerant by a linear reciprocating motion of a piston.BACKGROUND

[0002] In general, a compressor is a device that receives power from a power generating device such as a motor or turbine and compresses a working fluid such as air or a refrigerant. Compressors have been widely used throughout the industry or in household appliances, especially in vapor compression refrigeration cycles.

[0003] Recently, in reciprocating compressors, the use of linear compressors that do not use a crankshaft but use a linear reciprocating motion is gradually increasing. The linear compressors have the advantages of improving the efficiency of the compressors and having a relatively simple structure, due to less mechanical loss when converting a rotational movement into a linear reciprocating motion.

[0004] In general, in order to avoid vertical vibration of a driving unit in the compressor, the driving unit is typically connected at its bottom side to the bottom of a housing via a spring element for suppressing the vibration. Moreover, in the prior art, a damping device is typically provided to prevent the driving unit from coming into contact with the top of the housing during this connection.

[0005] However, this is not sufficient for compressors for automotive applications, for example for cooling applications in vehicles, because the driving unit of the compressor is subject to acceleration and deceleration in its housing during its operation, when the vehicle is accelerated and braked. In addition, the inclination of the compressor in operation changes when the vehicle goes uphill or downhill. In the above situation, in the case of a refrigerant compressor comprising a hermetically sealed housing and a driving unit arranged inside the housing, a relatively large force occurring in particular during start and stop processes leads to a corresponding relatively large horizontal deflection of the driving unit in the housing.

[0006] At the same time, the spring element for suppressing the vertical vibration of the driving unit cannot suppress the deflection of the driving unit. In particular, in the case of a refrigerant compressor having a variable rotational speed or a refrigerant compressor having a constant but lower speed, the spring element must be designed in a relatively soft manner due to the low rotational speed occurring during operation, but this in turn leads to a greater deflection of the driving unit.

[0007] Furthermore, for the linear compressors, the driving unit which provides a rotational movement will cause a tendency of movement of an internal unit in a rotational direction when the vehicle starts and stops, resulting in a constant impact of the damping device arranged on the driving unit against the housing, and undesired noise.

[0008] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an improved compressor to improve the above disadvantages.SUMMARY

[0009] It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a compressor, especially a linear refrigerant compressor, suitable for use in automotive applications. In particular, the compressor according to the present invention is considered to prevent or at least minimize the formation of destructive noise or internal unit damage due to a deflection of a driving unit in relation to acceleration, deceleration and inclination of a vehicle on which the compressor is mounted, and the problem of undesired noise resulting from an impact of a damping device arranged on the driving unit of the compressor against a housing.

[0010] The main idea of the present invention is to provide a further improved damping device, and in this regard, in particular to prevent the deflection of the driving unit and to prevent the generation of undesired noise due to the rotational tendency of the compressor.

[0011] In particular, in one aspect, the present invention provides a compressor comprising a hermetically sealed housing and a driving unit arranged inside the housing, wherein at least one damping device for suppressing and limiting a deflection of the driving unit is provided inside the housing and connected to the driving unit, the damping device has a first contactable region facing and at a distance from an inner surface of the housing, the housing comprises a second contactable region corresponding to the first contactable region of the damping device, the second contactable region comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, and the shape of the second contactable region of the housing matches the shape of the first contactable region of the damping device, wherein the first contactable region of the damping device comprises at least an arc-shaped, preferably circular arc-shaped, circumferential contactable region. This means that the entire circumferential contactable region of the first contactable region is arc-shaped, while other regions such as the upper side may have other shapes.

[0012] According to the present invention, in a basic state of the driving unit, a distance is maintained between the first contactable region of the damping device and the second contactable region of the housing. The first contactable region of the damping device will be in contact with a corresponding region in the second contactable region of the housing when the vehicle on which the compressor is mounted is accelerated, decelerated or in a driving state on a slope, or otherwise causes the driving unit to deviate from its basic state, thereby suppressing and limiting the deflection of the driving unit.

[0013] In the present invention, "match" means that the surface form of the first contactable region of the damping device and the surface form of the associated second contactable region of the housing are the same. There is therefore at least one form-fit state between the first contactable region of the damping device and the second contactable region of the housing. For example, if the first contactable region of the damping device has a planar surface form, the associated second contactable region of the housing also has a planar surface form. Alternatively, in another example, if the surface form of the first contactable region of the damping device has a curvature, the surface form of the associated second contactable region of the housing has the same curvature. In general, the first contactable region of the damping device and the associated second contactable region of the housing are parallel to each other in the basic state of the driving unit.

[0014] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the compressor is a linear compressor. In the case of a linear compressor, the arrangement according to the present invention avoids the generation of undesired noise due to the rotational tendency of the compressor during start / stop of the driving unit and when the rotational speed changes, in which this effect arises in particular from the arrangement of the circular arc-shaped circumferential contactable region of the first contactable region of the damping device. The circular arc-shaped circumferential contactable region enables the driving unit to have a greater freedom of movement, i.e., a greater freedom of rotational movement (especially rotation in a horizontal plane), without touching the housing.

[0015] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the shape of the first contactable region of the damping device is the shape of one eighth of a spherical surface.

[0016] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the first contactable region of the damping device comprises at least a circular arc-shaped circumferential contactable region and a flat top surface contactable region. Preferably, the shape of the first contactable region of the damping device is a shape obtained by further flattening an upper surface on the basis of the shape of one eighth of the spherical surface. In other words, in this case, the circular arc-shaped circumferential contactable region tapers uniformly toward the flat top surface contactable region. This means that all cross sections of the damping device in the vertical direction are continuously differentiable, with no steps or bends or changed edges.

[0017] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the circular arc-shaped circumferential contactable region of the first contactable region of the damping device transitions to the flat top surface contactable region through a rounded structure.

[0018] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the circular arc-shaped circumferential contactable region of the first contactable region of the damping device transitions at least in a circumferential direction to an adjacent region through a rounded structure.

[0019] By means of the rounded structure provided by the present invention, the contact area can be increased when the first contactable region of the damping device and the corresponding region in the second contactable region of the housing are in contact with each other, and the contact region can be continuously changed with the changes in vibration, displacement and deflection, thereby improving the effect of suppressing and limiting the deflection of the driving unit and reducing the possibility of generating noise and damage due to the deflection of the driving unit.

[0020] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, at least the inner surface and the outer surface of the second contactable region of the housing are parallel to each other. In other words, the housing in the second contactable region is conformed to the shape of the first contactable region of the damping device by deformation. This deformation keeps the thickness of the housing substantially constant, whereby the inner surface and the outer surface of the second contactable region are substantially parallel to each other. Of course, the thickness may be reduced due to the deformation, in particular in regions with high curvature, but this is still understood that according to the present invention, the thickness of the housing remains substantially the same before and after the deformation. Preferably, the second contactable region of the housing of the present invention has a generally recessed form with respect to the other parts. Typically, the housing is manufactured from a metal sheet by deep drawing or hydroforming.

[0021] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the damping device has damping characteristics, and preferably comprises or is made of a polymer material. In this regard, the polymer material is understood to include materials having elasticity and damping properties, such as plastics, elastomers and rubbers produced from natural and / or synthetic materials.

[0022] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the compressor has at least four damping devices. The four damping devices are arranged at four end corners of the compressor, whereby each of the damping devices spans an angle of approximately 90 degrees in a circumferential direction. Based on this arrangement, the deflection of the compressor in any direction can be taken into account.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The present invention will be further explained below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. In the accompanying drawings: FIG. 1 is a top view of a compressor of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with an upper housing not shown; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the compressor of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, with the upper housing not shown; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the compressor of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, showing the upper housing; FIG. 4 is a top view of a compressor of a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, with an upper housing not shown; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the compressor of the further preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4, with the upper housing not shown; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the compressor of the further preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4, showing the upper housing; FIG. 7 is a top view of a compressor of a still further preferred embodiment of the present invention, with an upper housing not shown; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the compressor of the still further preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 7, with the upper housing not shown; FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the compressor of the still further preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 7, showing the upper housing; and FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a damping device and the housing of the compressor of the present invention at a first contactable region and a second contactable region in a circumferential direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail, and examples of the embodiments are shown in the drawings, where the same or similar reference signs represent the same or similar elements or the elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are exemplary and are intended to be illustrative of the present invention, but should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0025] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, which show a preferred implementation of the compressor of the present invention, the compressor comprises a hermetically sealed housing 1 and a driving unit 2 arranged inside the housing.

[0026] At least one damping device 3 for suppressing and limiting a deflection of the driving unit 2 is provided inside the housing 1. The damping device 3 is connected to the driving unit 2.

[0027] The damping device 3 has a first contactable region 4 facing and at a distance from an inner surface of the housing 1.

[0028] The housing 1 comprises a second contactable region 5 corresponding to the first contactable region 4 of the damping device 3. The second contactable region 5 comprises an inner surface and an outer surface. The shape of the second contactable region 5 of the housing 1 matches the shape of the first contactable region 4 of the damping device 3.

[0029] The shape of the first contactable region 4 of the damping device 3 is the shape of one eighth of a spherical surface, which shape is considered as a uniform circular arc shape as a whole.

[0030] With further reference to FIGS. 4-6, which show a further preferred implementation of the compressor of the present invention, the first contactable region of the damping device comprises at least a circular arc-shaped circumferential contactable region 6 and a flat top surface contactable region 7. In this preferred implementation, the circular arc-shaped circumferential contactable region 6 tapers uniformly toward the flat top surface contactable region 7. In other words, in this preferred implementation, the shape of the first contactable region of the damping device is a shape obtained by further flattening an upper surface on the basis of the shape of one eighth of the spherical surface. In this case, this obviously means that all cross sections of the damping device in the vertical direction are continuously differentiable, with no steps or bends or changed edges.

[0031] Further preferably, it can be seen from FIGS. 4 to 6 that the circular arc-shaped circumferential contactable region 6 of the first contactable region of the damping device transitions to the flat top surface contactable region 7 through a rounded structure.

[0032] With further reference to FIGS. 7-9, which show a still further preferred implementation of the compressor of the present invention, the first contactable region of the damping device comprises at least a circular arc-shaped circumferential contactable region 6 and a flat top surface contactable region 7. The circular arc-shaped circumferential contactable region 6 of the first contactable region of the damping device transitions to the flat top surface contactable region 7 through a rounded structure. Further, the circular arc-shaped circumferential contactable region 6 of the first contactable region of the damping device likewise transitions in a circumferential direction to an adjacent region through a rounded structure.

[0033] According to the present invention, in a basic state of the driving unit 2, a distance is maintained between the first contactable region 4 of the damping device 3 and the second contactable region 5 of the housing 1. The first contactable region 4 of the damping device 3 will be in contact with a corresponding region in the second contactable region 5 of the housing when the vehicle on which the compressor is mounted is accelerated, decelerated or in a driving state on a slope, or otherwise causes the driving unit to deviate from its basic state, thereby suppressing and limiting the deflection of the driving unit 2.

[0034] In the present invention, the surface form of the first contactable region 4 of the damping device 3 and the surface form of the associated second contactable region 5 of the housing 1 are the same. In other words, there is at least one form-fit state between the first contactable region of the damping device and the second contactable region of the housing. For example, if the first contactable region of the damping device has a planar surface form (see the flat top surface contactable region 7 shown in FIGS. 5 and 8), the associated second contactable region of the housing also has a planar surface form. Alternatively, if the surface form of the first contactable region of the damping device has a curvature (see the first contactable region 4 in FIG. 2 and the circular arc-shaped circumferential contactable region 6 shown in FIGS. 5 and 8), the surface form of the associated second contactable region of the housing has the same curvature. In general, the first contactable region of the damping device and the associated second contactable region of the housing are parallel to each other in the basic state of the driving unit.

[0035] Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 1-9, the compressor has at least four damping devices according to a preferred implementation of the present invention. The four damping devices are provided at four end corners of a substantially rectangular or square area in which an internal unit of the compressor is located. Each of the damping devices spans an angle of approximately 90 degrees in the circumferential direction. Based on this arrangement, the deflection of the compressor in any direction can be taken into account.

[0036] With further reference to FIG.10, an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the damping device 3 and the housing of the compressor of the present invention at the first contactable region 4 and the second contactable region 5 in the circumferential direction is shown. Where the compressor is a linear compressor, during start / stop of the driving unit 2 and when the rotational speed changes, the circular arc-shaped circumferential contactable region 6 of the damping device 3 avoids the generation of undesired noise due to the rotational tendency of the compressor and the impact against the housing caused by the rotation of the driving unit 2. The circular arc-shaped circumferential contactable region enables the driving unit to have a greater freedom of movement, i.e., a greater freedom of rotational movement (especially rotation in a horizontal plane), without touching the housing.

[0037] Furthermore, by means of the rounded structure provided by the present invention, the contact area can be increased when the first contactable region 4 of the damping device 3 and the corresponding region in the second contactable region 5 of the housing 1 are in contact with each other, and the contact region can be continuously changed with the changes in vibration, thereby improving the effect of suppressing and limiting the deflection of the driving unit 2, reducing the possibility of generating noise and damage due to the deflection of the driving unit 2, and improving the stability of the driving unit 2.

[0038] Further preferably, at least the inner surface and the outer surface of the second contactable region 5 of the housing 1 are parallel to each other. In other words, the housing 1 in the second contactable region 5 is conformed to the shape of the first contactable region 4 of the damping device 3 by deformation. This deformation keeps the thickness of the housing substantially constant, whereby the inner surface and the outer surface of the second contactable region 5 are substantially parallel to each other. Of course, the thickness may be reduced due to the deformation, in particular in regions with high curvature, but this is still understood that according to the present invention, the thickness of the housing remains substantially the same before and after the deformation. Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 9, the second contactable region 5 of the housing 1 of the present invention has a generally recessed form with respect to the other parts. It is thus ensured that the circular arc-shaped circumferential contactable region 6 of the damping device 3 does not touch the housing 1 during the rotational movement of the driving unit 2. Typically, the housing 1 is manufactured from a metal sheet by deep drawing or hydroforming.

[0039] In general, the damping device 3 has damping characteristics, and preferably comprises or is made of a polymer material. In this regard, the polymer material is understood to include any polymer material having elasticity and damping properties, such as plastics, elastomers and rubbers produced from natural and / or synthetic materials.

[0040] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientations, the position relationships or the shapes indicated by the terms such as "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "above", "below", "recess" and "projection" are based on the orientations, the position relationships or the shapes shown in the accompanying drawings, which is only for ease of description of the present invention and for simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the devices or elements referred to necessarily have a specific orientation structure and operation, and therefore cannot be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0041] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish each other for the purpose of description, and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance and sequence.

[0042] Although the preferred implementations of the present invention have been shown and described above, it can be understood that the above implementations are merely exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art may make combinations, changes, modifications, replacements, and variations to the above implementations within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A compressor comprising a hermetically sealed housing and a driving unit arranged inside the housing, characterized in that at least one damping device for suppressing and limiting a deflection of the driving unit is provided inside the housing and connected to the driving unit, the damping device has a first contactable region facing and at a distance from an inner surface of the housing, the housing comprises a second contactable region corresponding to the first contactable region of the damping device, the second contactable region comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, and the shape of the second contactable region of the housing matches the shape of the first contactable region of the damping device, wherein the first contactable region of the damping device comprises at least an arc-shaped circumferential contactable region.

2. The compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that the circumferential contactable region is circular arc-shaped.

3. The compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that the compressor is a linear compressor.

4. The compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that the shape of the first contactable region of the damping device is the shape of one eighth of a spherical surface.

5. The compressor according to claim 2, characterized in that the first contactable region of the damping device comprises at least a circular arc-shaped circumferential contactable region and a flat top surface contactable region.

6. The compressor according to claim 5, characterized in that the circular arc-shaped circumferential contactable region tapers uniformly toward the flat top surface contactable region.

7. The compressor according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the circular arc-shaped circumferential contactable region transitions to the flat top surface contactable region through a rounded structure.

8. The compressor according to claim 2, characterized in that the circular arc-shaped circumferential contactable region of the first contactable region of the damping device transitions at least in a circumferential direction to an adjacent region through a rounded structure.

9. The compressor according to claim 7, characterized in that the circular arc-shaped circumferential contactable region of the first contactable region of the damping device transitions at least in a circumferential direction to an adjacent region through a rounded structure.

10. The compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the inner surface and the outer surface of the second contactable region of the housing are parallel to each other.

11. The compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping device has damping characteristics, and preferably comprises or is made of a polymer material.

12. The compressor according to claim 2, characterized in that the compressor has at least four damping devices.

13. The compressor according to claim 12, characterized in that the circular arc-shaped circumferential contactable region of the first contactable region of each of the damping devices spans an angle of approximately 90 degrees in a circumferential direction.

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