Scroll type compressor

Abstract

To provide a scroll type compressor which enables improvement of cooling capacities for scrolls and discharge air to achieve improvement of durability and maintainability.SOLUTION: A scroll type compressor 1 causes a movable scroll 6 to revolve relative to a fixed scroll 4 thereby compressing air in a compression chamber 34 formed between laps 19, 32 of the scrolls. The scroll type compressor 1 includes a center casing 2 in which a shaft 10 which drives the movable scroll 6 is rotatably supported. A coolant flows into the center casing 2 to exchange heat with the movable scroll 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a scroll compressor that compresses gas such as air using a fixed scroll and a movable scroll. [Background technology]

[0002] Scroll-type air compressors compress air by orbiting a movable scroll against a fixed scroll, but friction and compression heat during operation cause temperatures to rise in the fixed scroll, movable scroll, bearings, oil, and discharge air, resulting in a problem of reduced durability.

[0003] Therefore, conventionally, a cooling liquid is circulated through the fixed scroll and the movable scroll to cool them, or air is blown onto the air compressor itself to cool it (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] US2023 / 0020439A1 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-73988 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the coolant was circulated through the movable scroll, so flexible piping had to be connected to the movable scroll that performs the orbital motion to allow the coolant to flow, which posed a durability problem. Also, in the configuration of Patent Document 2, in which air is blown onto the air compressor itself, the cooling effect is insufficient, resulting in a rise in the temperature of the scroll and compressed air.

[0006] Furthermore, in any of the configurations, it is necessary to periodically inject lubricant such as grease into the bearing portion, which presents a problem of poor maintainability.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional technical problems, and aims to provide a scroll compressor that can improve the cooling capacity of the scroll and discharge gas, improve durability, and also improve maintainability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the scroll compressor of the present invention compresses gas in a compression chamber formed between the wraps of a movable scroll by causing the movable scroll to revolve around a fixed scroll, and is characterized by having a casing in which a shaft that drives the movable scroll is rotatably supported, and a cooling liquid is flowed into this casing so that heat is exchanged between the cooling liquid and the movable scroll.

[0009] The scroll compressor of the invention of claim 2 is characterized in that in the above invention, a cooling path through which a cooling liquid circulates is formed within the casing, and the cooling liquid flowing within this cooling path and the movable scroll exchange heat via the casing.

[0010] The scroll compressor of the invention of claim 3 is characterized in that it has a heat medium sealing section formed between the back surface of the movable scroll and the casing in the above invention, and the heat medium sealed in this sealing section exchanges heat with the coolant through the casing, and the heat medium and the movable scroll exchange heat.

[0011] The scroll compressor of the invention of claim 4 is characterized in that in the above invention, a sealing material that slides freely against the casing is provided on the peripheral portion of the back surface of the movable scroll, and a sealing portion is formed in the space surrounded by the movable scroll, the casing, and the sealing material.

[0012] The scroll compressor of the invention of claim 5 is characterized in that in the above invention, the casing has a casing body and a casing cover provided on the movable scroll side of the casing body, and the sealing material abuts freely against the casing cover.

[0013] The scroll compressor of the invention of claim 6 is characterized in that in the above invention, a groove is formed on the surface of the casing body on the movable scroll side, the groove of the casing body is blocked by a casing cover, and a cooling path is formed within this groove.

[0014] The scroll compressor of the invention of claim 7 is characterized in that in the invention of claim 3, the heat medium is lubricating oil, and a bearing portion is disposed within the sealing portion.

[0015] The scroll compressor of the invention of claim 8 is characterized in that in the above invention, the bearing portion is any one of a coupling bearing that constitutes a mechanism for preventing rotation of the movable scroll, a drive bearing provided at the connection between the movable scroll and the shaft, and a shaft bearing provided in the casing that rotatably supports the shaft, or a combination of two of them, or all of them, and at least a part of them is arranged within the sealing portion.

[0016] The scroll compressor of the invention of claim 9 is characterized in that it is provided with an agitator blade attached to the shaft and positioned within the sealing portion in the invention of claim 3, claim 7 or claim 8, and the agitator blade agitates the oil in the sealing portion as the shaft rotates and supplies it to the bearing portion.

[0017] The scroll compressor of the invention of claim 10 is characterized in that in the above invention, the stirring blade functions as a balance weight for canceling vibration caused by the movable scroll undergoing orbital motion.

[0018] The scroll compressor of the invention of claim 11 is characterized in that it has a cooling path on the fixed scroll side configured on the back surface of the fixed scroll in the invention of claim 1, and coolant is also circulated through this cooling path on the fixed scroll side.

[0019] The scroll compressor of the invention of claim 12 is characterized in that it includes a motor that drives the shaft in the invention of claim 1, and the motor is also cooled by the coolant.

[0020] The scroll compressor of the invention of claim 13 is characterized in that it comprises an inverter for driving the motor in the above invention, and the inverter is also cooled by the coolant.

[0021] The scroll compressor of the invention of claim 14 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, it is provided with a cooling path for discharge gas through which a cooling liquid flows and cools the gas discharged after being compressed in the compression chamber. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present invention, in a scroll compressor that compresses gas in a compression chamber formed between the wraps of a movable scroll by causing the movable scroll to revolve around a fixed scroll, the compressor is provided with a casing in which a shaft that drives the movable scroll is rotatably supported, and a cooling liquid is flowed into the casing so that heat is exchanged between the cooling liquid and the movable scroll.This allows the cooling liquid to cool the movable scroll, and effectively suppresses the temperature rise of the movable scroll and the temperature rise of the compressed gas.

[0023] In particular, since the configuration does not require cooling liquid to flow through a movable scroll that performs orbital movement as in the conventional configuration, there is no need to flow cooling liquid through flexible piping, which increases the freedom of design and component selection and also enables improvements in overall durability.

[0024] Furthermore, as in the invention of claim 2, by forming a cooling path within the casing through which the coolant flows, and configuring the coolant flowing within this cooling path and the movable scroll to exchange heat via the casing, it becomes possible to complete the cooling path for the coolant that cools the movable scroll within the casing, thereby simplifying the structure.

[0025] In particular, as in the invention of claim 3, a heat transfer medium sealing section is formed between the back surface of the movable scroll and the casing, and the heat transfer medium sealed in this sealing section exchanges heat with the coolant through the casing, and also exchanges heat between the heat transfer medium and the movable scroll, thereby making it possible to effectively cool the movable scroll via the heat transfer medium.

[0026] In this case, as in the invention of claim 4, a sealing material that can slide freely against the casing is provided on the peripheral portion of the back surface of the movable scroll, and a sealing section is formed in the space surrounded by the movable scroll, the casing, and the sealing material.This makes it possible to effectively cool the movable scroll while forming a sealing section with a relatively simple structure, and also reduces friction between the movable scroll and the casing.

[0027] In particular, as in the invention of claim 5, by constructing the casing from a casing body and a casing cover provided on the movable scroll side of the casing body, and by making the sealing material slidably contact the casing cover, it becomes possible to effectively suppress friction between the movable scroll and the casing and the resulting temperature rise.

[0028] Furthermore, as in the invention of claim 6, by forming a groove on the surface of the casing body facing the movable scroll and blocking the groove in the casing body with a casing cover to form a cooling path within the groove, it is possible to form a cooling path within the casing with a simple structure.

[0029] Furthermore, as in claim 7, by sealing the seal portion with lubricating oil as the heat medium and arranging the bearing portion within this seal portion, it becomes possible to both cool and lubricate the movable scroll and bearing portion using the oil as the heat medium. Also, since there is no need to periodically inject grease, it is possible to improve maintainability.

[0030] Furthermore, as in the invention of claim 8, this bearing portion is a coupling bearing that constitutes a rotation prevention mechanism for the movable scroll, or a drive bearing provided at the connection between the movable scroll and the shaft, or a shaft bearing provided in the casing to rotatably support the shaft, and at least a portion of these is arranged within the sealing portion.

[0031] Furthermore, as in the invention of claim 9, by providing an agitator blade attached to the shaft and positioned within the sealing portion, and by rotating the shaft causing the agitator blade to agitate the oil within the sealing portion and supply it to the bearing portion, it becomes possible to perform uniform cooling and lubrication while simplifying the lubrication structure of the bearing portion.

[0032] Furthermore, as in the invention of claim 10, by giving the agitator blade the function of a balance weight to cancel out the vibration caused by the orbiting movable scroll, the agitator blade can also effectively suppress vibration and noise during operation.

[0033] Furthermore, as in the invention of claim 11, by providing a cooling path on the fixed scroll side configured on the back surface of the fixed scroll and circulating coolant through this cooling path on the fixed scroll side, the fixed scroll can also be effectively cooled by the coolant, thereby suppressing temperature rise and improving durability.

[0034] Furthermore, as in the inventions of claims 12 and 13, by cooling the motor that drives the shaft and the inverter that operates it with coolant, the motor and inverter can also be cooled effectively with the coolant, thereby improving durability.

[0035] Furthermore, as in the invention of claim 14, a cooling path for the discharged gas is provided to cool the gas discharged after being compressed in the compression chamber, and by circulating a cooling liquid, the temperature rise of the discharged gas can be effectively suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of a scroll compressor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the scroll compressor of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the scroll compressor of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view of the scroll compressor of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the scroll compressor of FIG. 1 with a rear cover removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view of the scroll compressor of FIG. 1 with a rear cover removed. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the scroll compressor of FIG. 1 with an aftercooler removed. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a front view of the scroll compressor of FIG. 1 with an aftercooler removed. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the scroll compressor of FIG. 1 with a fixed scroll removed. [Figure 10] 2 is a perspective view of the scroll compressor of FIG. 1 with the movable scroll removed (with oil). FIG. [Figure 11] 2 is a perspective view of the scroll compressor of FIG. 1 with the movable scroll removed (without oil). FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a front view of the scroll compressor of FIG. 1 with the movable scroll removed (without oil). [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the scroll compressor of FIG. 1 with a casing cover removed. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a front view of the scroll compressor of FIG. 1 with a casing cover removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a scroll compressor 1 (hereinafter referred to as compressor 1) according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective views of compressor 1, and Fig. 4 is a front view.

[0038] The compressor 1 of the embodiment is an air compressor used to discharge compressed air (gas) to, for example, air brakes on large vehicles. As shown in FIG. 1 , it comprises a center casing 2 made of metal such as aluminum, a shaft casing 15 connected to one end of the center casing 2 with bolts, a motor (electric motor) 3 connected to one end of the shaft casing 15 with bolts, a metal fixed scroll 4 connected to the other end of the center casing 2 with bolts, a metal movable scroll 6 disposed within the center casing 2 and constituting a scroll compression mechanism 5 together with the fixed scroll 4, a metal aftercooler 7 attached to the other end of the fixed scroll 4, a rear cover 8 attached to the other end of the aftercooler 7, and legs 9 attached to the bottom. The center casing 2 is an example of a casing in the present invention. The motor casing 3 houses a motor (electric motor) 64 and an inverter 66 for operating the motor 64, and also includes a connector 67 for supplying power to the inverter 66.

[0039] The center casing 2 is open on the side opposite to the motor casing 3 (the other end), and this opening is closed when the movable scroll 6 is accommodated in it and the fixed scroll 4 is fixed to the center casing 2. A through hole 11 is formed in the center of the center casing 2, and the other end of a shaft 10 (the shaft that drives the movable scroll 6) connected to the motor shaft 68 of the motor 64 is inserted through it. A shaft bearing 12 is attached to the center casing 2 on the movable scroll 6 side of this through hole 11 as a bearing part that rotatably supports the shaft 10. The shaft bearing 12 rotatably supports the shaft 10 in the center casing 2.

[0040] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the fixed scroll 4 has air suction ports 13 formed in two locations, and air sucked in through the air suction ports 13 is drawn to the outside of the scroll compression mechanism 5. The air compressed by this scroll compression mechanism 5 is discharged from a central discharge hole 14 into an air flow path 16 formed in a serpentine shape within the aftercooler 7, and after passing through this air flow path 16, is finally discharged from an air discharge port 17 formed in the rear cover 8. A discharge pipe (not shown) is connected to the air discharge port 17, and the compressed air is supplied from the air discharge port 17 through the discharge pipe to the air brake described above.

[0041] The scroll compression mechanism 5 is composed of the fixed scroll 4 and the movable scroll 6. The fixed scroll 4 is integrally provided with a disk-shaped end plate 18 and a spiral wrap 19 having an involute shape or a curve approximating an involute shape and standing on the surface (one side) of the end plate 18, and is fixed to the center casing 2 with the surface of the end plate 18 on which the wrap 19 is standing facing the center casing 2.

[0042] The aforementioned discharge hole 14 is formed in the center of the end plate 18 of the fixed scroll 4, and this discharge hole 14 communicates with one end of the air flow path 16 in the aftercooler 7, and the other end of the air flow path 16 communicates with the aforementioned air discharge port 17. The air flow path 16 is formed in the aftercooler 7 in the shape of a groove, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, and the opening of the groove of this air flow path 16 is closed when the rear cover 8 is attached.

[0043] 7 and 8 , a cooling path (cooling path on the fixed scroll 4 side) 21 is integrally formed in the shape of a serpentine groove on the back surface of the end plate 18 of the fixed scroll 4, and the opening of the groove of this cooling path 21 is closed when the aftercooler 7 is attached. A coolant inlet port 22 is formed in the rear cover 8, and this coolant inlet port 22 passes through the aftercooler 7 and is connected to one end of the cooling path 21. In addition, a coolant outlet port 23 is formed on one side surface of the fixed scroll 4, and this coolant outlet port 23 is connected to the other end of the cooling path 21.

[0044] In addition, in Figure 4, 24 is a seal washer for preventing leakage of compressed air (discharged air) from the central bolt part where the rear cover 8 is attached, in Figure 6, 26 and 27 are O-rings for preventing compressed air discharged from the discharge hole 14 from leaking to the outside, and in Figure 8, 28 and 29 are O-rings for preventing the coolant that has flowed in from the coolant inlet port 22 from leaking to the outside, as will be described later.

[0045] On the other hand, the movable scroll 6 is a scroll that revolves around the fixed scroll 4 and is integrally provided with a disk-shaped end plate 31 and a spiral wrap 32 that is involute-shaped or has a curve similar to an involute and is erected on the surface (one side) of the end plate 31 (Fig. 9), and a drive bearing 33 serving as a bearing is fitted in the center of the back surface (the other side) of the end plate 31 (Fig. 1). The movable scroll 6 is arranged so that the wrap 32 projects toward the fixed scroll 4, and the wrap 32 faces the wrap 19 of the fixed scroll 4, and the wraps 32 are arranged to face each other and mesh with each other, forming a pressure chamber 34 between the wraps 19, 32.

[0046] That is, the wrap 32 of the movable scroll 6 faces the wrap 19 of the fixed scroll 4, and the ends of the wrap 32 abut or are close to the surface of the end plate 18, and the ends of the wrap 19 abut or are close to the surface of the end plate 31. In addition, an eccentric portion 36 provided eccentrically from the axis at the end of the shaft 10 is fitted into the drive bearing 33 of the movable scroll 6.

[0047] Coupling bearings 37 are attached to the center casing 2 at three locations (FIGS. 10 to 12) as bearings that constitute a rotation prevention mechanism for the movable scroll 6, and each coupling bearing 37 is fitted onto the back surface of the movable scroll 6. When the shaft 10 is rotated by the motor 64, the movable scroll 6 is configured to revolve around the fixed scroll 4 without rotating on its own axis.

[0048] Because the movable scroll 6 revolves eccentrically relative to the fixed scroll 4, the eccentric direction and contact position of each wrap 19, 32 move while rotating, and as described above, the compression chamber 34 that takes in air sucked in through the air suction port 13 moves inward and gradually shrinks. As a result, the air is compressed and is finally discharged from the central discharge hole 14 into the air flow path 16 in the aftercooler 7.

[0049] The center casing 2 of the embodiment is made up of a casing body 35 and a casing cover 39, both of which are made of metal, and a cooling path 38 is formed inside the center casing 2 (FIGS. 13 and 14). The cooling path 38 is formed in the shape of a serpentine groove on the surface of the casing body 35 facing the movable scroll 6, and the opening of the groove is closed by the annular casing cover 39 attached to the casing body 35 facing the movable scroll 6, thereby forming the cooling path 38 inside the center casing 2 (FIGS. 1, 9 to 12).

[0050] 1, the back surface of the movable scroll 6 is recessed, and a seal 41 (also called a side seal) is attached to the peripheral edge of the back surface of the movable scroll 6 so as to surround the recessed portion. This seal 41 slidably abuts against the casing cover 39. A seal 42 that slides against the shaft 10 is attached to the through hole 11 of the center casing 2 on the motor 64 side of the shaft bearing 12, a seal 44 is also attached to the center casing 2 on the motor 64 side of the coupling bearing 37, and a seal 43 is also attached between the center casing 2 and the casing cover 39 at the peripheral edge of the center casing 2.

[0051] As a result, a sealed portion 46, which is a space surrounded by the movable scroll 6, the center casing 2, and the sealing material 41, is defined between the back surface of the movable scroll 6 and the casing cover 39 of the center casing 2. The shaft bearing 12, the coupling bearing 37, and the drive bearing 33 are positioned within this sealed portion 46, and oil (indicated by 47 in FIG. 10 ) is sealed therein as an example of a heat medium. Note that the entirety or at least part of the shaft bearing 12, the entirety or at least part of the coupling bearing 37, and the entirety or at least part of the drive bearing 33 are disposed within the sealed portion 46. In addition, in FIG. 14 , 48 denotes an O-ring at an inlet portion of the oil 47 provided in the center casing 2, and 49 denotes an O-ring at an outlet portion of the oil 47.

[0052] Furthermore, an agitator blade 51 is attached to the shaft 10 on the center casing 2 side of the eccentric portion 36, and is located within the sealing portion 46. This agitator blade 51 has a predetermined weight and functions as a balance weight to cancel out vibrations caused by the orbiting motion of the movable scroll 6. A balance weight 52 is also attached to the shaft 10 on the motor 64 side of the center casing 2, and similarly functions to suppress vibrations.

[0053] A coolant inlet port 56 is formed on one side surface of the center casing 2, and this coolant inlet port 56 is connected to one end of the cooling path 38. This coolant inlet port 56 is then connected in communication with the coolant outlet port 23 of the fixed scroll 4 via a predetermined pipe 57 (indicated by an arrow in FIG. 2).

[0054] A coolant outlet port 58 is formed on the other side of the center casing 2, and this coolant outlet port 58 is connected to the other end of the cooling path 38. A coolant inlet port 61 and a coolant outlet port 62 are formed on the other side of the motor casing 3. Each port is connected to a cooling path 69 formed with a jacket structure around the motor 64 inside the motor casing 3, and the coolant outlet port 58 of the center casing 2 is connected to the coolant inlet port 61 by a predetermined piping 63 (indicated by an arrow in FIG. 3). Note that the piping 63 and the aforementioned piping 57 may be made of flexible piping as in the past, but because the center casing 2 does not move due to the operation of the motor 68, conventional flexible piping is not necessary and they can also be made of ordinary metal piping.

[0055] Here, the coolant inlet port 22 of the rear cover 8 and the coolant outlet port 62 of the motor casing 3 are connected to a coolant circulation device (not shown). This coolant circulation device circulates coolant (for example, water, antifreeze, coolant, etc.) between a radiator (not shown) and the compressor 1 using a pump (not shown). That is, by operating the pump, the coolant cooled in the radiator is supplied to the compressor 1 from the coolant inlet port 22, and the coolant whose temperature has risen in the compressor 1 is sucked from the coolant outlet port 62 and circulated back to the radiator.

[0056] Next, the operation of the compressor 1 of this embodiment, configured as described above, will be described. When the motor 64 is operated, the shaft 10 rotates, driving the movable scroll 6. Then, due to the action of the eccentric portion 36 and the coupling bearing 37, the movable scroll 6 revolves around the fixed scroll 4. As a result, air is drawn into the compression chambers 34 formed between the wraps 19, 32 of the scrolls 4, 6 through the air intake ports 13, compressed inward, and discharged from the central discharge hole 14 into the air flow path 16 in the aftercooler 7.

[0057] The compressed air discharged into the air flow path 16 of the aftercooler 7 passes through the serpentine air flow path 16, and is then discharged from an air discharge port 17 formed in the rear cover 8, and is supplied to the air brakes described above through a discharge pipe (not shown) (indicated by the white arrows in Figures 2 and 3).

[0058] Meanwhile, when the pump of the coolant circulation device described above is operated, the coolant cooled by the radiator described above is supplied to the compressor 1 from the coolant inlet port 22. The coolant supplied to the coolant inlet port 22 enters the cooling passage 21 formed on the back surface of the end plate 18 of the fixed scroll 4. As the coolant flows in a serpentine manner through this cooling passage 21, it absorbs heat from the fixed scroll 4 itself and cools it, and also cools the compressed air passing through the air passage 16 via the wall surface of the aftercooler 7.

[0059] That is, the cooling path 21 on the fixed scroll 4 side also serves as a cooling path for the discharge air (cooling path for the discharge gas in the present invention), thereby suppressing a rise in temperature of the fixed scroll 4 and also suppressing a rise in temperature of the compressed air discharged from the air discharge port 17.

[0060] The coolant that has passed through the cooling path 21 in the fixed scroll 4 flows out from the coolant outlet port 23, passes through piping 57, and then flows from the coolant inlet port 56 into the cooling path 38 in the center casing 2. The coolant that has flowed into this cooling path 38 cools the center casing 2 itself as it passes therethrough, and also cools the oil in the sealing portion 46 via the casing cover 39.

[0061] Here, the oil 47 sealed within the sealing portion 46 is cooled by exchanging heat with the coolant via the casing cover 39 of the center casing 2. The oil 47 also exchanges heat with the movable scroll 6 that constitutes the sealing portion 46, so that the coolant and the movable scroll 6 are in a heat exchange relationship, and the movable scroll 6 exchanges heat with the coolant via the casing cover 39 of the center casing 2 and the oil 47, and is cooled by absorbing heat from the coolant.

[0062] Furthermore, the rotation of the shaft 10 rotates the agitator blade 51 attached to it, causing the oil 47 in the sealing portion 46 to be agitated and circulated by the agitator blade 51. As a result, the movable scroll 6 is evenly cooled by the oil 47. Furthermore, since the shaft bearing 12, coupling bearing 37, and drive bearing 33 are disposed within the sealing portion 46 as described above, a mist of the oil 47 is supplied to these components, effectively lubricating them.

[0063] The coolant that has passed through the cooling path 38 of the center casing 2 in a serpentine manner flows out of the coolant outlet port 58 and flows through the piping 63 into the coolant inlet port 61. Then, as it passes through the cooling path 69 inside the motor casing 3, it absorbs heat from the motor 64, cools it, and then flows out of the coolant outlet port 62, is sucked into the pump of the coolant circulation device, and is sent back to the radiator, repeating this cycle. The inverter 66 located near the motor 64 is also cooled via the wall surface of the motor casing 3 by the coolant that has flowed into the cooling path 69 from the coolant inlet port 61.

[0064] As described above in detail, in the present invention, a coolant is introduced into the center casing 2 in which the shaft 10 that drives the movable scroll 6 is rotatably supported, and heat is exchanged between the coolant and the movable scroll 6. This allows the movable scroll 6 to be cooled by the coolant, and makes it possible to effectively suppress the temperature rise of the movable scroll 6 and the temperature rise of the compressed air.

[0065] In particular, since the configuration does not require cooling liquid to flow through the movable scroll 6 that performs orbital movement as in the conventional configuration, there is no need to flow cooling liquid through flexible piping, which increases the freedom of design and component selection and also makes it possible to improve durability overall.

[0066] In addition, in the embodiment, a cooling path 38 through which a coolant flows is formed within the center casing 2, and the coolant flowing within this cooling path 38 exchanges heat with the movable scroll 6 via the casing cover 39 of the center casing 2. This makes it possible to complete the cooling path 38 for the coolant that cools the movable scroll 6 within the center casing 2, thereby simplifying the structure.

[0067] In particular, in the embodiment, a heat medium sealing section 46 is formed between the back surface of the movable scroll 6 and the center casing 2, and the heat medium (oil in the embodiment) sealed in this sealing section 46 exchanges heat with the coolant through the casing cover 39 of the center casing 2, and by configuring the heat medium to exchange heat with the movable scroll 6, it is possible to effectively cool the movable scroll 6 via the heat medium.

[0068] In this embodiment, a sealing material 41 that can slide freely against the casing cover 39 of the center casing 2 is provided on the peripheral portion of the back surface of the movable scroll 6, and a sealing portion 46 is formed in the space surrounded by the movable scroll 6, the casing cover 39, and the sealing material 41. This makes it possible to effectively cool the movable scroll 6 while forming the sealing portion 46 with a relatively simple structure, and further reduces friction between the movable scroll 6 and the casing cover 39.

[0069] In particular, in the embodiment, the center casing 2 is composed of a casing body 35 and a casing cover 39 provided on the movable scroll 6 side of the casing body 35, and the sealing material 41 is designed to slide freely against the casing cover 39, thereby making it possible to effectively suppress friction between the movable scroll 6 and the center casing 2 and the resulting temperature rise.

[0070] In addition, in the embodiment, a groove is formed on the surface of the casing body 35 facing the movable scroll 6, and the groove of the casing body 35 is blocked by the casing cover 39 to form a cooling path 38 within the groove, so that the cooling path 38 within the center casing 2 can be formed with a simple structure.

[0071] Furthermore, in the embodiment, lubricating oil 47 is sealed inside the sealing portion 46 as a heat medium, and the bearing portion (coupling bearing 37, shaft bearing 12, drive bearing 33) is arranged inside the sealing portion 46, so that the oil, which is a heat medium, can both cool and lubricate the movable scroll 6 and the bearing portion. Also, since there is no need to periodically inject grease, maintenance can be improved.

[0072] In addition, in the embodiment, an agitator blade 51 is provided that is attached to the shaft 10 and positioned within the sealing portion 46, and as the shaft 10 rotates, the agitator blade 51 agitates the oil within the sealing portion 46 and supplies it to the bearing portion, thereby simplifying the lubrication structure of the bearing portion while enabling uniform cooling and lubrication.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the stirring blade 51 functions as a balance weight to cancel out the vibrations caused by the orbital movement of the movable scroll 6, so that the stirring blade 51 can also effectively suppress vibrations and noise during operation.

[0074] In addition, in the embodiment, a cooling path 21 on the fixed scroll 4 side is provided on the back surface of the fixed scroll 4, and coolant is also circulated through this cooling path 21 on the fixed scroll 4 side, so that the fixed scroll 4 can also be effectively cooled by the coolant, thereby suppressing temperature rise and improving durability.

[0075] In addition, in the embodiment, the motor 64 and inverter 66 that drive the shaft 10 are also cooled by the coolant, so that the motor 64 and inverter 66 can also be effectively cooled by the coolant, thereby improving their durability.

[0076] In addition, in the embodiment, a cooling path for discharged air (a cooling path for discharged gas; in the embodiment, this is also the cooling path 21) is provided to cool the air discharged after being compressed in the compression chamber 34, and a cooling liquid is circulated through it, so that the temperature rise of the discharged air can also be effectively suppressed.

[0077] It goes without saying that the specific configuration of the compressor 1 described in the above embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0078] For example, in the embodiment, a sealing portion 46 is configured to seal a heat transfer medium therein, and the movable scroll 6 is cooled by a coolant via this heat transfer medium, but the invention of claim 1 also includes, for example, a configuration in which the coolant flowing into the center casing 2 is directly passed through the sealing portion 46 (when lubrication of each bearing portion is not taken into consideration).

[0079] Furthermore, in the embodiment, oil is sealed in the sealing portion 46 as a heat transfer medium, but if lubrication of each bearing portion is not a consideration, in the inventions of claims 1 to 6, a fluid other than oil, such as water or antifreeze similar to a coolant, may be sealed.

[0080] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the cooling path 21 formed in the fixed scroll 4 is configured to also serve as a cooling path for the discharge air, but this is not limited to this, and a separate cooling path (cooling path for the discharge gas) may be provided to cool the compressed air discharged from the scroll compression mechanism 5 with a cooling liquid.

[0081] In addition, in the embodiment, all of the coupling bearing 37, drive bearing 33, and shaft bearing 12 are arranged in the sealed portion 46, but this is not a limitation, and any one of them, or a combination of two of them, may be arranged in the sealed portion 46. Furthermore, in the embodiment, the motor 64 and inverter 66 are also cooled by cooling water, but this is not a limitation, and either one of them may be cooled.

[0082] In addition, in the embodiment, the scroll compressor 1 has been described as an air compressor that compresses and discharges air, but the object to be compressed is not limited to air, and the compressor can be applied to general gases such as (pure) nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen.

[0083] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the coolant flows in series through the cooling path 21 of the fixed scroll 4, the cooling path 38 of the center casing 2, and the cooling path 69 of the motor casing 3 in that order. However, this is not limiting. The coolant discharged from the pump of the coolant circulation device described above and passed through the radiator may be divided and circulated through the cooling path 21 of the fixed scroll 4, the cooling path 38 of the center casing 2, and the cooling path 69 of the motor casing 3, respectively, and after passing through these paths, the water may be reunited and sucked into the pump, so that the water may flow in parallel through each cooling path.

[0084] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the coolant is circulated from the above-mentioned coolant circulation device to the cooling path 21 of the fixed scroll 4, the cooling path 38 of the center casing 2, and the cooling path 69 of the motor casing 3, but the inventions of claims 1 to 10 are not limited to this, and the coolant may be circulated independently from separate coolant circulation devices to each cooling path. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1 Compressor (scroll compressor) 2 Center casing (casing) 3 Motor casing 4 Fixed Scroll 6. Orbiting scroll 10 shaft 12 Shaft bearings 19, 32 laps 21 Cooling path 33 Drive bearing 34 Compression chamber 35 Casing body 37 Coupling bearing 38 Cooling Path 39 Casing cover 41 Sealing material 46 Sealing part 47 Oil (heat medium) 51 Mixing blade 64 motor 66 Inverter 69 Cooling Path

Claims

1. In a scroll compressor, a movable scroll is caused to revolve around a fixed scroll, thereby compressing gas in a compression chamber formed between the wraps of both scrolls. a casing in which a shaft that drives the movable scroll is rotatably supported; A scroll compressor characterized in that a coolant is introduced into the casing, and heat is exchanged between the coolant and the movable scroll.

2. 2. The scroll compressor according to claim 1, wherein a cooling passage through which the cooling liquid flows is formed within the casing, and the cooling liquid flowing within the cooling passage exchanges heat with the movable scroll via the casing.

3. a heat medium sealing portion formed between the back surface of the movable scroll and the casing, 3. The scroll compressor according to claim 2, wherein the heat medium sealed in the sealing portion exchanges heat with the coolant through the casing, and the heat medium exchanges heat with the movable scroll.

4. 4. The scroll compressor according to claim 3, wherein a sealing material that slidably contacts the casing is provided on the peripheral portion of the back surface of the movable scroll, and the sealing portion is configured in a space surrounded by the movable scroll, the casing, and the sealing material.

5. the casing has a casing body and a casing cover provided on the movable scroll side of the casing body, 5. The scroll compressor according to claim 4, wherein the seal member slidably contacts the casing cover.

6. a groove is formed on the surface of the casing body facing the movable scroll, 6. The scroll compressor according to claim 5, wherein the casing cover closes a groove in the casing body, and the cooling path is defined within the groove.

7. 4. The scroll compressor according to claim 3, wherein the heat medium is lubricating oil, and a bearing is disposed within the sealing portion.

8. The bearing portion is 8. The scroll compressor according to claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the sealing portion is disposed within the sealing portion, and the sealing portion is any one of a coupling bearing that constitutes a rotation prevention mechanism for the movable scroll, a drive bearing provided at a connection between the movable scroll and the shaft, and a shaft bearing provided in the casing that rotatably supports the shaft, or a combination of two of them, or all of them.

9. a stirring blade attached to the shaft and positioned within the sealing portion; 9. The scroll compressor according to claim 3, 7 or 8, wherein the agitating blade agitates the oil in the sealing portion by rotation of the shaft and supplies the oil to the bearing portion.

10. 10. The scroll compressor according to claim 9, wherein the stirring blade functions as a balance weight for canceling vibrations caused by the orbital movement of the movable scroll.

11. a fixed scroll-side cooling passage formed on the back surface of the fixed scroll; 2. The scroll compressor according to claim 1, wherein the cooling liquid also flows through the cooling passage on the fixed scroll side.

12. a motor that drives the shaft; 2. The scroll compressor according to claim 1, wherein the motor is also cooled by the cooling fluid.

13. an inverter for driving the motor; 13. The scroll compressor according to claim 12, wherein the inverter is also cooled by the cooling fluid.

14. 2. The scroll compressor according to claim 1, further comprising a cooling path for discharge gas through which the cooling liquid flows and which cools the gas discharged after being compressed in the compression chamber.

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