Horizontal rotary compressor

Abstract

To provide a horizontal rotary compressor which can be made light while securing abrasion resistance.SOLUTION: A horizontal rotary compressor 1 has: a rotation shaft 30 arranged in a horizontal direction; an electric motor part 40 rotating the rotation shaft 30; a compression mechanism part 50 driven by the rotation shaft 30; a front housing 14 housing the electric motor part 40; a rear housing 16 housing the compression mechanism part 50; and a partition wall part 121 arranged between the opening end side of the front housing 14 and the opening end side of the rear housing 16 and made of light metal. A first shaft hole 121b, through which the intermediate part of the rotation shaft 30 penetrates, is formed on the partition wall part 121. A first bushing 22A made of ferrous metal is arranged between the inner periphery of the first shaft hole 121b of the partition wall part 121 and the outer periphery of the rotation shaft. A first plate 62A made of ferrous metal is arranged between the partition wall part 121 and the compression mechanism part 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a horizontally-mounted rotary compressor.

Background Art

[0002] As described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-42687 (Patent Document 1), a horizontally-mounted rotary compressor has a housing, a partition wall portion that divides the inside of the housing into a low-pressure chamber and a high-pressure chamber, a motor portion housed in the low-pressure chamber, and a compression mechanism portion housed in the high-pressure chamber. The compression mechanism portion includes a cylinder, a rolling piston that eccentrically rotates inside the cylinder, and a vane that partitions the inside of the cylinder into a low-pressure chamber on the suction port side and a high-pressure chamber on the discharge port side. In such a horizontally-mounted rotary compressor, the side surfaces of the rolling piston and the vane that constitute the compression mechanism portion slide while contacting the partition wall portion. Therefore, in the horizontally-mounted rotary compressor, at least the partition wall portion, the rolling piston, and the vane are made of an iron-based metal having excellent wear resistance.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when a horizontally-mounted rotary compressor is mounted on a vehicle, if its weight is heavy, there is a possibility that the fuel consumption or electricity cost may decrease. For this reason, in a horizontally-mounted rotary compressor, it is conceivable to configure at least the partition wall portion that increases the weight from a lightweight metal such as an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy. However, since the rolling piston and the vane of the compression mechanism portion slide while contacting the partition wall portion, it has been difficult to adopt a lightweight metal that is inferior in wear resistance to an iron-based metal.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a horizontally-mounted rotary compressor capable of achieving weight reduction while ensuring wear resistance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The horizontally-mounted rotary compressor includes a rotating shaft arranged in the horizontal direction, an electric motor unit for rotating the rotating shaft, a compression mechanism unit driven by the rotating shaft, a bottomed cylindrical first housing for housing the electric motor unit, a bottomed cylindrical second housing for housing the compression mechanism unit, and a partition wall portion made of a lightweight metal disposed between the open end side of the first housing and the open end side of the second housing. A shaft hole through which an intermediate portion of the rotating shaft penetrates is formed in the partition wall portion. And a bush made of an iron-based metal is disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the shaft hole of the partition wall portion and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft. Also, a plate made of an iron-based metal is disposed between the partition wall portion and the compression mechanism unit.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, in a horizontally-mounted rotary compressor, weight reduction can be achieved while ensuring wear resistance.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figs. 1 and 2 show an example of a horizontal rotary compressor (hereinafter referred to as "rotary compressor") 1 to which the present invention is applied. Note that the rotary compressor 1 described below is merely an example, and it should not be construed as being limited to its configuration. Therefore, it should be noted that the present invention can be applied to various rotary compressors well-known to those skilled in the art.

[0010] The rotary compressor 1 has a housing 10 made of a lightweight metal. Here, the lightweight metal can be defined as a metal having a specific gravity smaller than that of iron-based metals, such as aluminum alloy and magnesium alloy, for example. The housing 10 includes a cylindrical center housing 12, a bottomed cylindrical front housing 14 whose open end side is joined to the front end (the left end in Fig. 1) of the center housing 12, and a bottomed cylindrical rear housing 16 whose open end side is joined to the rear end (the right end in Fig. 1) of the center housing 12. The center housing 12, the front housing 14, and the rear housing 16 are formed to have substantially the same diameter. Note that the center housing 12, the front housing 14, and the rear housing 16 are not limited to a configuration having a cylindrical cross-section, and may be formed in a cylindrical shape having an arbitrary cross-section, such as a quadrangle or a polygon, for example.

[0011] The interior of the housing 10 is partitioned by a partition portion 121 integrally provided in the center housing 12 into a first accommodation chamber 18 on the front housing 14 side and a second accommodation chamber 20 on the rear housing 16 side. The first accommodation chamber 18 is formed by the center housing 12 and the front housing 14. The second accommodation chamber 20 is formed by the center housing 12 and the rear housing 16. Here, a part of the center housing 12 and the front housing 14 located on the front side of the partition portion 121 can be cited as an example of the first housing. Also, a part of the center housing 12 and the rear housing 16 located on the rear side of the partition portion 121 can be cited as an example of the second housing.

[0012] In the radial center of the partition portion 121, a cylindrical boss portion 121a protruding toward the first accommodation chamber 18 is formed. Further, in the radial center of the boss portion 121a, a first shaft hole 121b having a stepped cylindrical outer peripheral surface that penetrates from the tip surface to the surface on the second accommodation chamber 20 side is formed. Specifically, in the first shaft hole 121b, a predetermined length of the portion located on the first accommodation chamber 18 side is formed as a small-diameter portion SD, and the remaining portion located on the second accommodation chamber 20 side is formed as a large-diameter portion LD. And a cylindrical first bush 22A made of an iron-based metal is inserted into the first shaft hole 121b from the large-diameter portion LD side of the first shaft hole 121b. Here, the inner diameter of the first bush 22A can be made substantially the same as the inner diameter of the small-diameter portion SD of the first shaft hole 121b.

[0013] The first bush 22A is, for example, a cylindrical member formed by butting the ends of a rectangular iron plate, and has a butting portion (not shown) extending in its axial direction. As will be described later, this butting portion functions as an oil passage for lubricating oil. Note that the butting portion of the first bush 22A is not limited to a configuration extending in the axial direction of the first bush 22A.

[0014] An intermediate portion of the rotating shaft 30 extending in the horizontal direction (front-rear direction) is rotatably inserted into the small-diameter portion SD of the first shaft hole 121b and the first bush 22A. One end (front end) side of the rotating shaft 30 is located in the first accommodation chamber 18. The other end (rear end) side of the rotating shaft 30 is located in the second accommodation chamber 20. A minute interval (clearance) is formed between the inner peripheral surfaces of the small-diameter portion SD of the first shaft hole 121b and the first bush 22A and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 30. This minute interval is set such that the rotating shaft 30 can rotate with respect to the inner peripheral surfaces of the small-diameter portion SD of the first shaft hole 121b and the first bush 22A and can be sealed by lubricating oil. Note that the minute interval can also be set by changing the rank of the dimensional accuracy of the first bush 22A.

[0015] The first housing chamber 18 houses an electric motor unit 40 that rotates the rotating shaft 30. The first housing chamber 18 communicates with the low-pressure side of an external refrigerant circuit (not shown) via an intake port 24 formed at a predetermined location on the front housing 14. Note that although the intake port 24 opens at a position above the rotating shaft 30 and on the side opposite to the partition wall portion 121 with the electric motor unit 40 interposed therebetween, the intake port 24 may open at any position on the front housing 14 facing the inside of the first housing chamber 18.

[0016] The electric motor unit 40 includes a stator 42 and a rotor 44.

[0017] The stator 42 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the housing 10. Specifically, the stator 42 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of a portion located on the front housing 14 side with respect to the partition wall portion 121 of the center housing 12. The stator 42 includes a stator core 42a formed in a cylindrical shape of a magnetic material, and a stator coil 42b wound around the teeth portion of the stator core 42a.

[0018] The rotor 44 is disposed with a predetermined gap inside the stator 42 in the radial direction. Permanent magnets are incorporated in the rotor 44. The rotor 44 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the front end side of the rotating shaft 30 penetrates through the hollow portion thereof and is integrally fixed to the rotating shaft 30.

[0019] Power is supplied to the stator coil 42b of the stator 42 via an airtight terminal portion 46 provided at a predetermined location on the front housing 14, causing the rotor 44 to rotate, thereby configuring the rotating shaft 30 to rotate.

[0020] The second accommodation chamber 20 houses a compression mechanism unit 50 driven by a rotating shaft 30. The second accommodation chamber 20 communicates with the high-pressure side of an external cooling circuit via a discharge port 26 formed at a predetermined position of the rear housing 16. Specifically, the discharge port 26 opens at substantially the same position as the rotating shaft 30 in the height direction (vertical direction). However, the discharge port 26 may open at any position of the rear housing 16 facing the inside of the second accommodation chamber 20.

[0021] The lower part of the second accommodation chamber 20, that is, the lower part of the rear housing 16, constitutes a lubricating oil storage part for storing at least lubricating oil OL for lubricating the compression mechanism unit 50. Here, the lubricating oil OL is mainly stored in the second accommodation chamber 20.

[0022] The compression mechanism unit 50 has an outer shape smaller than the inner diameter of the rear housing 16. Also, the lower part of the compression mechanism unit 50 is immersed in the lubricating oil OL stored in the lubricating oil storage part, that is, it is located below the oil level of the lubricating oil OL.

[0023] The compression mechanism unit 50 includes a first compression mechanism unit 54A and a second compression mechanism unit 54B disposed on both sides in the front-rear direction with an intermediate partition plate 52 made of an iron-based metal interposed therebetween. The first compression mechanism unit 54A is disposed on the partition wall part 121 side of the intermediate partition plate 52, that is, on the front side. The second compression mechanism unit 54B is disposed on the side opposite to the partition wall part 121 side of the intermediate partition plate 52, that is, on the rear side. A through hole 52a through which the rotating shaft 30 passes is formed at the central part in the radial direction of the intermediate partition plate 52.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the first compression mechanism unit 54A includes a first cylinder 56A, a first rolling piston 58A, and a first vane 60A. The first cylinder 56A, the first rolling piston 58A, and the first vane 60A are made of an iron-based metal.

[0025] One surface (front surface) of the first cylinder 56A is in close contact with the surface of the partition wall portion 121 on the second accommodation chamber 20 side with a disc-shaped first plate 62A made of an iron-based metal interposed therebetween. In short, a first plate 62A made of an iron-based metal is disposed between the partition wall portion 121 and the first compression mechanism portion 54A. The other surface (rear surface) of the first cylinder 56A is in close contact with the surface of the intermediate partition plate 52 on the partition wall portion 121 side. The first cylinder 56A has a first cylinder chamber 64A with a circular cross section at the central portion in the radial direction.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the first plate 62A is formed in a shape having a protruding portion PT that protrudes outward in the radial direction at a part thereof. Further, a recess 121c into which the first plate 62A can be fitted is formed in the wall surface of the partition wall portion 121 on the second accommodation chamber 20 side. Therefore, by fitting the first plate 62A into the recess 121c of the partition wall portion 121, rotation of the first plate 62A with respect to the partition wall portion 121 is prevented, and thereby, the assemblability of the rotary compressor 1 can be improved. Note that the protruding portion PT of the first plate 62A is not limited to a rectangular shape as shown in the drawing, and can be an arbitrary shape such as a semi-circular shape (the same applies hereinafter).

[0027] The first rolling piston 58A is attached to the first eccentric portion 30a of the rotary shaft 30 and is located within the first cylinder chamber 64A of the first cylinder 56A. The first rolling piston 58A eccentrically rotates within the first cylinder chamber 64A of the first cylinder 56A as the rotary shaft 30 rotates.

[0028] The first vane 60A is biased toward the first rolling piston 58A by a first coil spring 66A. Here, the first coil spring 66A is cited as an example of a biasing member. The first vane 60A abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the first rolling piston 58A and divides the inside of the first cylinder chamber 64A into a low-pressure chamber communicating with a first suction port (not shown) and a high-pressure chamber communicating with a first discharge port (not shown). The first suction port and the first discharge port are provided below the rotary shaft 30 and are formed in the first cylinder 56A so as to extend radially outward from the first cylinder chamber 64A.

[0029] Further, on the surface of the partition wall portion 121 on the side of the first accommodation chamber 18, a first recess 121d is formed so as to surround the boss portion 121a. The opening of the first recess 121d is closed by an annular first closing plate 68 made of lightweight metal that is in close contact with the surface of the partition wall portion 121 on the side of the first accommodation chamber 18. As a result, a first discharge silencing chamber 70A partitioned from the first accommodation chamber 18 is formed in the partition wall portion 121. That is, the internal space of the first recess 121d constitutes the first discharge silencing chamber 70A. And the first discharge silencing chamber 70A communicates with a first discharge port that communicates with a high-pressure chamber in the first cylinder chamber 64A via a first communication hole 121e, which will be described later, formed in the bottom wall of the first recess 121d of the partition wall portion 121. Also, at a location on the bottom wall of the first recess 121d of the partition wall portion 121 facing the first communication hole 121e, as shown in FIG. 4, a first discharge valve 72A of the reed valve type is arranged. Note that the first communication hole 121e is cited as an example of a discharge hole through which the refrigerant discharges. Also, the first discharge valve 72A is cited as an example of a discharge valve.

[0030] Here, the first plate 62A may be arranged between the partition wall portion 121 and at least the first eccentric portion 30a of the rotating shaft 30, the first rolling piston 58A, and the first vane 60A. And it is desirable that the protruding portion PT of the first plate 62A be provided at a location where it contacts the first vane 60A of the first compression mechanism portion 54A. In this way, it suffices for the first plate 62A to be provided within a range that covers the locus of the outer peripheral edge of the first rolling piston 58A that eccentrically rotates within the first cylinder chamber 64A of the first cylinder 56A, and weight reduction can be promoted through its miniaturization.

[0031] Also, considering that the partition wall portion 121 is made of a lightweight metal, as shown in FIG. 5, between the first discharge valve 72A and the bottom wall of the first recess 121d, a first valve plate 74A made of an iron-based metal for improving wear resistance is disposed. That is, the first discharge valve 72A opens and closes frequently during the operation of the first compression mechanism portion 54A, and one surface thereof repeatedly separates from and contacts the bottom wall of the first recess 121d. Since the partition wall portion 121 is made of a lightweight metal, its wear resistance is inferior, so the bottom wall of the first recess 121d wears, impairing the sealing performance of the first discharge valve 72A. Therefore, by disposing the first valve plate 74A made of an iron-based metal at the bottom wall of the first recess 121d, at least at the location where the first discharge valve 72A separates from and contacts, the wear resistance of the partition wall portion 121 can be improved. Note that the member disposed on the opposite side of the first valve plate 74A with the first discharge valve 72A interposed therebetween is a first retainer 76A that regulates the opening and closing amount of the first discharge valve 72A.

[0032] The second compression mechanism portion 54B has the same configuration as the first compression mechanism portion 54A. That is, the second compression mechanism portion 54B includes a second cylinder 56B, a second rolling piston 58B, and a second vane 60B. The second cylinder 56B, the second rolling piston 58B, and the second vane 60B are made of an iron-based metal.

[0033] One surface (front surface) of the second cylinder 56B is in close contact with the surface of the intermediate partition plate 52 on the side opposite to the partition wall portion 121 side. On the other side surface (rear surface) of the second cylinder 56B, similar to the first cylinder 56A, one surface (front surface) of a discharge sound absorption chamber forming member 78 made of a lightweight metal is in close contact with a disk-shaped second plate 62B made of an iron-based metal interposed therebetween. The second cylinder 56B has a second cylinder chamber 64B with a circular cross section at the central portion in the radial direction.

[0034] Here, like the first plate 62A, a part of the second plate 62B is formed in a shape having a protruding portion that protrudes radially outward. Further, a recess (not shown) into which the second plate 62B can be fitted is formed on the wall surface of the discharge silencing chamber forming member 78 on the side of the second compression mechanism portion 54B. Therefore, by fitting the second plate 62B into the recess of the discharge silencing chamber forming member 78, rotation of the second plate 62B with respect to the discharge silencing chamber forming member 78 is prevented, and thereby, the assemblability of the rotary compressor 1 can be improved.

[0035] The second rolling piston 58B is attached to the second eccentric portion 30b of the rotary shaft 30 and is located within the second cylinder chamber 64B of the second cylinder 56B. The second rolling piston 58B eccentrically rotates within the second cylinder chamber 64B of the second cylinder 56B as the rotary shaft 30 rotates. The second eccentric portion 30b is provided with a phase difference of 180° around the axis of the rotary shaft 30 with respect to the first eccentric portion 30a.

[0036] The second vane 60B is biased toward the second rolling piston 58B by the second coil spring 66B. The second vane 60B abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the second rolling piston 58B and partitions the inside of the second cylinder chamber 64B into a low-pressure chamber communicating with a second suction port (not shown) and a high-pressure chamber communicating with a second discharge port (not shown). The second suction port and the second discharge port are provided below the rotary shaft 30, similar to the first suction port and the first discharge port, and are formed in the second cylinder 56B so as to extend radially outward from the second cylinder chamber 64B.

[0037] At the radial center of the discharge silencing chamber forming member 78, a second shaft hole 78a into which a cylindrical second bush 22B made of an iron-based metal is inserted is formed. Since the second bush 22B has the same configuration as the first bush 22A, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. If necessary, refer to the description of the first bush 22A. The rear end portion of the rotating shaft 30 and its vicinity are rotatably inserted into the second bush 22B inserted into the second shaft hole 78a. That is, the rotating shaft 30 is rotatably supported by the first shaft hole 121b formed in the partition wall portion 121 and the second shaft hole 78a formed in the discharge silencing chamber forming member 78. Therefore, the first shaft hole 121b and the second shaft hole 78a constitute a bearing portion of the rotating shaft 30. Note that, similar to the first shaft hole 121b, a minute gap is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the second bush 22B and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 30.

[0038] Also, on the surface (rear surface) of the discharge silencing chamber forming member 78 opposite to the side of the second cylinder 56B, which is the other surface, a second recess 78b is formed so as to surround the second shaft hole 78a. Then, the opening of the second recess 78b is closed by a disk-shaped second closing plate 80 made of a lightweight metal that is in close contact with the other surface of the discharge silencing chamber forming member 78 (the surface opposite to the second cylinder 56B), thereby forming the second discharge silencing chamber 70B. That is, the internal space of the second recess 78b constitutes the second discharge silencing chamber 70B. The second discharge silencing chamber 70B communicates with a second discharge port that communicates with a high-pressure chamber in the second cylinder chamber 64B via a second communication hole (not shown) formed in the bottom wall of the second recess 78b of the discharge silencing chamber forming member 78. Also, at a location on the bottom wall of the second recess 78b of the discharge silencing chamber forming member 78 facing the second communication hole, a second discharge valve in the form of a reed valve (not shown) is arranged in the same manner as the bottom wall of the first recess 121d of the partition wall portion 121.

[0039] Also, between the second discharge valve and the bottom wall of the second recess 78b, similar to the first valve plate 74A disposed between the first discharge valve 72A and the bottom wall of the first recess 121d, a second valve plate 74B made of an iron-based metal for reducing wear of the lightweight metal is attached. Therefore, by disposing the second valve plate 74B made of an iron-based metal on the bottom wall of the second recess 78b, at least at the portion where the second discharge valve makes contact and separation, the wear resistance of the partition wall portion 121 can be improved. Note that the member disposed on the opposite side of the second valve plate 74B across the second discharge valve is the second retainer 76B (see FIGS. 1 and 2) that regulates the opening and closing amount of the second discharge valve.

[0040] Here, the first closing plate 68, the first cylinder 56A, the intermediate partition plate 52, the second cylinder 56B, the discharge muffler chamber forming member 78, and the second closing plate 80 are fastened to the partition wall portion 121 by a plurality of fastening members (for example, through bolts) FM. In other words, the compression mechanism portion 50 (the first compression mechanism portion 54A, the second compression mechanism portion 54B) is attached and fixed to the partition wall portion 121. Further, since the center housing 12, the front housing 14, the rear housing 16, and the partition wall portion 121 are all made of the same lightweight metal, there is no difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between them, and thereby, loosening between the members due to temperature change can be prevented.

[0041] The first discharge muffler chamber 70A and the second discharge muffler chamber 70B communicate with each other through a discharge communication passage (not shown) provided at a predetermined location. The discharge communication passage is formed as a passage that horizontally (front-rear direction) penetrates and extends through the bottom wall portion of the first recess 121d constituting the first discharge muffler chamber 70A, the first cylinder 56A, the intermediate partition plate 52, the second cylinder 56B, and the bottom wall portion of the second recess 78b constituting the second discharge muffler chamber 70B. Further, the second discharge muffler chamber 70B communicates with the second accommodation chamber 20 through a communication hole (not shown) formed in the second closing plate 80.

[0042] Furthermore, the rotary compressor 1 has a refrigerant supply passage (not shown) for supplying the refrigerant (low-pressure refrigerant) in the first accommodation chamber 18 to the compression mechanism portion 50 (the first compression mechanism portion 54A and the second compression mechanism portion 54B) accommodated in the second accommodation chamber 20.

[0043] As a lubricating oil supply system, the rotary compressor 1 has a lubricating oil supply passage 82 for supplying lubricating oil to the bearing portions (the first shaft hole 121b and the second shaft hole 78a) of the rotary shaft 30 and each sliding portion of the compression mechanism portion 50 (the first compression mechanism portion 54A and the second compression mechanism portion 54B). The lubricating oil supply passage 82 includes a first oil passage 84 formed inside the second closing plate 80, a second oil passage 86 extending in the axial direction inside the rotary shaft 30, and first to fourth oil guide holes 88a to 88d extending in the radial direction inside the rotary shaft 30.

[0044] One end (lower end) of the first oil passage 84 opens at the bottom of the second closing plate 80, that is, at a portion located in the lubricating oil reservoir. After extending upward from here, it bends toward the rear end surface of the rotary shaft 30, and the other end (upper end) is formed as a passage that opens at the surface of the second closing plate 80 on the side of the discharge silencing chamber forming member 78.

[0045] One end of the second oil passage 86 opens at the rear end surface of the rotary shaft 30 and communicates with the first oil passage 84. From here, it extends inside the rotary shaft 30 along its axis to a position beyond the first cylinder 56A, that is, to a position corresponding to the first shaft hole 121b, and the other end is formed as a closed passage.

[0046] One end of the first oil guide hole 88a opens at the second oil passage 86. From here, it extends radially outward inside the rotary shaft 30, and the other end opens at the outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft 30 facing the second shaft hole 78a.

[0047] One end of the second oil guide hole 88b opens at the second oil passage 86. From here, it extends radially outward inside the rotary shaft 30, and the other end opens at the outer peripheral surface of the second eccentric portion 30b of the rotary shaft 30.

[0048] The third oil guide hole 88c has one end opening into the second oil passage 86, extending radially outward from here within the rotating shaft 30, and the other end opening onto the outer peripheral surface of the first eccentric portion 30a of the rotating shaft 30.

[0049] The fourth oil guide hole 88d has one end opening into the second oil passage 86, extending radially outward from here within the rotating shaft 30, and the other end opening onto the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 30 facing the first shaft hole 121b.

[0050] Next, the flow of the refrigerant in the rotary compressor 1 will be described. Note that the refrigerant contains lubricating oil in a mist state.

[0051] In the first accommodation chamber 18 that houses the electric motor unit 40, the refrigerant on the low-pressure side (low-pressure refrigerant) of the external refrigerant circuit flows in through the suction port 24 formed at a predetermined location on the front housing 14. That is, the first accommodation chamber 18 constitutes a "suction chamber" into which the low-pressure refrigerant flows from the outside. Therefore, the pressure in the first accommodation chamber 18 is substantially the same as the pressure on the low-pressure side of the external refrigerant circuit.

[0052] When power is supplied to the electric motor unit 40, the rotating shaft 30 rotates. As a result, in the first cylinder chamber 64A of the first compression mechanism portion 54A, the first rolling piston 58A rotates eccentrically, and in the second cylinder chamber 64B of the second compression mechanism portion 54B, the second rolling piston 58B rotates eccentrically.

[0053] The low-pressure refrigerant that has flowed from the suction port 24 into the first accommodation chamber 18 passes through the gap between the stator 42 and the rotor 44 of the electric motor unit 40, thereby cooling the electric motor unit 40 with the low-pressure refrigerant. Also, the low-pressure refrigerant in the first accommodation chamber 18 is inhaled into the first cylinder chamber 64A through the first suction port and into the second cylinder chamber 64B through the second suction port.

[0054] The low-pressure refrigerant inhaled into the first cylinder chamber 64A is compressed in the first cylinder chamber 64A by the eccentric rotation of the first rolling piston 58A to become a high-pressure refrigerant. This high-pressure refrigerant is discharged from the first cylinder chamber 64A to the first discharge muffler chamber 70A through the first discharge port and the first communication hole 121e, and then flows into the second discharge muffler chamber 70B through the discharge communication passage.

[0055] The low-pressure refrigerant inhaled into the second cylinder chamber 64B is compressed in the second cylinder chamber 64B by the eccentric rotation of the second rolling piston 58B to become a high-pressure refrigerant. This high-pressure refrigerant is discharged from the second cylinder chamber 64B to the second discharge muffler chamber 70B through the second discharge port and the second communication hole.

[0056] The high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the first cylinder chamber 64A and the high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the second cylinder chamber 64B merge in the second discharge muffler chamber 70B and then are discharged to the second housing chamber 20 through the communication hole. That is, the second housing chamber 20 constitutes a "discharge chamber (high-pressure chamber)" where the high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compression mechanism section 50 is discharged. The pressure in the second housing chamber 20 is substantially the same as the pressure on the high-pressure side of the external refrigerant circuit and is higher than the pressure in the first housing chamber 18.

[0057] The high-pressure refrigerant discharged into the second housing chamber 20 contacts and / or collides with the inner surface of the housing 10, etc., whereby the lubricating oil contained in the high-pressure refrigerant is separated. The lubricating oil separated from the high-pressure refrigerant mainly moves downward by gravity and is returned to the bottom of the second housing chamber 20 and stored. On the other hand, the high-pressure refrigerant from which the lubricating oil has been separated is discharged to the high-pressure side of the external refrigerant circuit through the discharge port 26.

[0058] One end of the first oil passage 84 of the lubricating oil supply passage 82 is located in the lubricating oil stored at the bottom of the second housing chamber 20. Also, the fourth oil guide hole 88d of the lubricating oil supply passage 82 communicates with the first housing chamber 18 through a minute interval formed between the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 30, the small-diameter portion SD of the first shaft hole 121b, and the inner peripheral surface of the first bush 22A.

[0059] Therefore, due to the pressure difference between the second accommodation chamber 20 and the first accommodation chamber 18, the lubricating oil stored at the bottom of the second accommodation chamber 20 is sucked up through the first oil passage 84 and guided to the second oil passage 86.

[0060] The lubricating oil guided to the second oil passage 86 is supplied to the second shaft hole 78a through the first oil guide hole 88a. Then, the lubricating oil supplied to the second shaft hole 78a lubricates the sliding portion between the inner peripheral surface of the second bush 22B and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 30 while passing through the mating portion extending in the axial direction of the second bush 22B. At this time, since the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 30 does not come into direct contact with the second shaft hole 78a made of lightweight metal, wear of the discharge muffler chamber forming member 78 having the second shaft hole 78a can be suppressed.

[0061] The lubricating oil guided to the second oil passage 86 is guided to the inside of the second rolling piston 58B through the second oil guide hole 88b and supplied from there to each sliding portion of the second compression mechanism portion 54B. Similarly, the lubricating oil guided to the second oil passage 86 is guided to the inside of the first rolling piston 58A through the third oil guide hole 88c and supplied from there to each sliding portion of the first compression mechanism portion 54A.

[0062] Furthermore, the lubricating oil guided to the second oil passage 86 is supplied to the first shaft hole 121b through the fourth oil guide hole 88d. Then, the lubricating oil supplied to the first shaft hole 121b lubricates the sliding portion between the inner peripheral surface of the first bush 22A and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 30 while passing through the mating portion extending in the axial direction of the first bush 22A. Since the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 30 does not come into direct contact with the first shaft hole 121b made of lightweight metal, wear of the partition wall portion 121 having the first shaft hole 121b can be suppressed.

[0063] The side surfaces of the first eccentric portion 30a of the rotating shaft 30, which is a movable part of the first compression mechanism portion 54A, the first rolling piston 58A, and the first vane 60A slide while being in contact with a first plate 62A made of an iron-based metal, which is disposed between these and the partition portion 121. Further, the side surfaces of the second eccentric portion 30b of the rotating shaft 30, which is a movable part of the second compression mechanism portion 54B, the second rolling piston 58B, and the second vane 60B slide while being in contact with a second plate 62B made of an iron-based metal, which is disposed between these and the discharge muffler chamber forming member 78. For this reason, even if the partition portion 121 and the discharge muffler chamber forming member 78 are made of a lightweight metal that is lightweight but inferior in wear resistance, these do not wear out early, and it is possible to reduce the weight of the rotary compressor 1 while ensuring wear resistance. In the rotary compressor 1, since the partition portion 121 and the discharge muffler chamber forming member 78 are relatively large members, the weight of the rotary compressor 1 can be reduced by making these lightweight metals.

[0064] In the first bush 22A, instead of the joint portion extending in the axial direction thereof, a groove portion having, for example, a V-shaped cross section or a groove portion having a trapezoidal cross section that linearly extends in the axial direction from one end to the other end may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first bush 22A. Such a groove portion functions to supply lubricating oil to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 30. In short, it is sufficient that an oil passage capable of transferring lubricating oil from one axial end to the other end is formed in the first bush 22A.

[0065] It will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that new embodiments can be created by omitting a part, appropriately combining a part, or replacing a part with well-known techniques, provided that the required effects can be obtained with respect to the technical ideas of the various above-described embodiments.

[0066] For example, the first bush 22A and the second bush 22B may have self-lubricity. In this way, even if the lubricating oil for lubricating the first shaft hole 121b and the second shaft hole 78a is temporarily insufficient, these lubrications can be continuously carried out. Further, the compression mechanism portion 50 includes a first compression mechanism portion 54A and a second compression mechanism portion 54B, but it may include at least one compression mechanism.

Explanation of Signs

[0067] 1…Rotary compressor (horizontal rotary compressor), 12…Center housing (first housing, second housing), 14…Front housing (first housing), 16…Rear housing (second housing), 22A…First bush (bush), 30…Rotating shaft, 30a…First eccentric portion (eccentric portion), 40…Motor portion, 50…Compression mechanism portion, 56A…First cylinder (cylinder), 58A…First rolling piston (rolling piston), 60A…First vane (vane), 62A…First plate (plate), 64A…First cylinder chamber (cylinder chamber), 66A…First coil spring (biasing member), 72A…First discharge valve, 74A…First valve plate (valve plate), 121…Partition portion, 121b…First shaft hole (shaft hole), 121c…Recess, 121e…First communication hole (discharge hole), PT…Protrusion

Claims

1. A rotating shaft arranged horizontally, a motor unit for rotating the rotating shaft, a compression mechanism unit driven by the rotating shaft, a bottomed cylindrical first housing for housing the motor unit, a bottomed cylindrical second housing for housing the compression mechanism unit, a partition wall portion made of lightweight metal, which is arranged between the open end side of the first housing and the open end side of the second housing and has a shaft hole through which an intermediate portion of the rotating shaft penetrates, a bush made of ferrous metal arranged between the inner peripheral surface of the shaft hole of the partition wall portion and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft, a plate made of ferrous metal arranged between the partition wall portion and the compression mechanism unit, A horizontal rotary compressor having the above components.

2. The compression mechanism unit includes a rolling piston attached to an eccentric portion of the rotating shaft, a cylinder in which a cylinder chamber in which the rolling piston eccentrically rotates is formed, a vane that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the rolling piston and partitions the cylinder chamber into a low-pressure chamber and a high-pressure chamber, and a biasing member that biases the vane toward the outer peripheral surface of the rolling piston. The plate is arranged between the partition wall portion and at least the eccentric portion of the rotating shaft, the side surfaces of the rolling piston and the vane. The horizontal rotary compressor according to Claim 1.

3. A protruding portion is formed on the plate such that a part of the outer peripheral edge of the plate protrudes outward, and a concave portion into which the plate can be fitted is formed on the partition wall portion. The horizontal rotary compressor according to Claim 2.

4. The protruding portion of the plate is provided at a location where it contacts the side surface of the vane of the compression mechanism unit. The horizontal rotary compressor according to Claim 3.

5. A valve plate made of ferrous metal is arranged at a location on the wall surface of the partition wall portion facing the outlet side of the discharge hole through which the refrigerant compressed by the compression mechanism unit discharges, and where a reed valve type discharge valve for opening and closing the discharge hole of the partition wall portion contacts and separates. The horizontal rotary compressor according to Claim 1.

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