Scroll compressor

Abstract

To improve reliability of a scroll type compressor.SOLUTION: An outer peripheral space S1 communicating with a compression chamber 27 is formed between an outer peripheral surface of a fixed scroll 25 and an inner peripheral surface of a housing 11. An oil passage 80 for guiding oil separated from a refrigerant discharged from a discharge chamber 40 to the outer peripheral space S1 is provided in a scroll type compressor 10. The oil passage 80 is only needed to communicate with the outer peripheral space S1, and therefore, an arrangement position of the oil passage 80 can be freely set with respect to the outer peripheral space S1. Therefore, limitations on layout of the oil passage 80 such that the oil passage 80 should penetrate through a thick portion of the fixed scroll 25 as in conventional technique can be eliminated, thereby improving a degree of freedom in design of the oil passage 80. As a result, oil can be smoothly returned to the compression chamber 27 easily, and sufficient lubrication between the fixed scroll 25 and a turning scroll 26 can be achieved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a scroll compressor.

Background Art

[0002] A scroll compressor includes a cylindrical housing. The scroll compressor also includes a rotating shaft, a fixed scroll, a orbiting scroll, a compression chamber, and a discharge chamber. The rotating shaft is rotatably supported by the housing. The fixed scroll is housed within the housing and is fixed to the housing. The orbiting scroll revolves as the rotating shaft rotates. The compression chamber is defined between the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll. The compression chamber takes in refrigerant from the outside and compresses it. The refrigerant compressed in the compression chamber is discharged into the discharge chamber.

[0003] Such a scroll compressor is provided with an oil passage for returning oil separated from the refrigerant discharged into the discharge chamber to the compression chamber. For example, in Patent Document 1, the oil passage penetrates the fixed scroll. Then, the oil separated from the refrigerant is refluxed to the outermost peripheral portion in the compression chamber in a state of being decompressed through the oil passage. The oil refluxed to the compression chamber contributes to the lubrication between the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in a configuration where the oil passage penetrates the fixed scroll as in Patent Document 1, since it is necessary to penetrate the oil passage through the thick portion of the fixed scroll, the layout of the oil passage is restricted. Therefore, depending on the arrangement position of the oil passage, there is a risk that it may be difficult to smoothly reflux the oil to the compression chamber. Then, since the lubrication between the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll becomes poor, the reliability of the scroll compressor decreases.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The scroll compressor for solving the above problems includes a housing, a rotating shaft rotatably supported by the housing, a fixed scroll housed in the housing and fixed to the housing, an orbiting scroll that revolves as the rotating shaft rotates, a compression chamber partitioned between the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll for taking in and compressing refrigerant from the outside, and a discharge chamber for discharging the refrigerant compressed in the compression chamber. The scroll compressor is characterized in that an outer peripheral space communicating with the compression chamber is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the fixed scroll and the inner peripheral surface of the housing, and an oil passage for guiding the oil separated from the refrigerant discharged into the discharge chamber to the outer peripheral space is provided.

[0007] According to this, since the oil passage only needs to communicate with the outer peripheral space, the arrangement position of the oil passage can be freely set with respect to the outer peripheral space. Therefore, the restriction on the layout of the oil passage, such as having to penetrate the oil passage through the thick portion of the fixed scroll as in the prior art, is eliminated, and the degree of freedom in designing the oil passage is improved. As a result, it becomes easier to smoothly reflux the oil to the compression chamber, so that the lubrication between the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll can be made good. As described above, the reliability of the scroll compressor can be improved.

[0008] In the scroll compressor described above, an oil storage chamber for storing oil separated from the refrigerant discharged into the discharge chamber is provided. The fixed scroll has a fixed substrate and a fixed spiral wall standing up from the fixed substrate. The housing has a discharge housing that partitions the discharge chamber and the oil storage chamber together with the fixed substrate. The discharge housing has an annular end face arranged to abut against the fixed substrate. The discharge chamber and the oil storage chamber are partitioned and formed by the discharge housing and the fixed substrate inside the annular end face. The oil passage may be provided between the annular end face and the fixed substrate and connect the oil storage chamber and the outer peripheral space. The space between the annular end face and the fixed substrate is suitable as a location for providing an oil passage connecting the oil storage chamber and the outer peripheral space.

[0009] In the scroll compressor described above, a gasket for sealing between the annular end face and the fixed substrate is provided. The oil passage includes a throttle groove formed in the gasket, and the throttle groove may communicate with the oil storage chamber.

[0010] According to this, since the pressure in the outer peripheral space is lower than the pressure in the oil storage chamber, the oil flowing out from the oil storage chamber to the outer peripheral space through the oil passage is likely to be stored in the outer peripheral space. Therefore, for example, in a scroll compressor, even under operating conditions where the oil stored in the oil storage chamber hardly flows through the oil passage to the outer peripheral space, the oil is likely to be stored in the outer peripheral space. As a result, it is easily avoided that the amount of oil refluxed to the compression chamber decreases, so that the lubrication between the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll can be made good.

[0011] In the scroll compressor described above, the oil passage includes a connection passage connecting the throttle groove and the outer peripheral space, and the connection passage may be formed in the fixed substrate. For example, when a connection passage connecting the throttle groove and the outer peripheral space is formed in the gasket, a cutout opening to the outer peripheral edge of the gasket is formed in a part of the gasket. Then, since the shape of the gasket becomes unstable, the assemblability deteriorates. Therefore, the connection passage connecting the throttle groove and the outer peripheral space is formed in the fixed substrate. According to this, since there is no need to form a cutout opening to the outer peripheral edge of the gasket in a part of the gasket, the shape of the gasket is stabilized. Therefore, the assemblability does not deteriorate, and the reliability of the scroll compressor can be improved.

[0012] In the scroll compressor, an oil storage chamber for storing oil separated from the refrigerant discharged into the discharge chamber is provided. The fixed scroll has a fixed substrate and a fixed spiral wall standing up from the fixed substrate. The housing has a discharge housing that partitions the discharge chamber and the oil storage chamber together with the fixed substrate. The oil passage preferably connects the oil storage chamber and the outer peripheral space through the inside of the discharge housing or the inside of the fixed substrate.

[0013] According to this, in order to form the oil passage, it is only necessary to change the design of the discharge housing or the fixed substrate. Therefore, the reliability of the scroll compressor can be improved without complicating the configuration of the scroll compressor.

[0014] In the scroll compressor, an intake port for sucking refrigerant into the compression chamber is formed in the outer peripheral wall of the fixed scroll. The outer peripheral space communicates with the compression chamber through the intake port. The oil passage preferably communicates with the outer peripheral space such that the opening on the outer peripheral space side in the oil passage is at the same phase position in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis with respect to the opening on the outer peripheral space side in the intake port.

[0015] According to this, when the opening on the outer peripheral space side in the oil passage is out of phase in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis compared to the opening on the outer peripheral space side in the suction port, the oil flowing out from the oil passage into the outer peripheral space smoothly flows into the suction port. Therefore, since the oil in the outer peripheral space easily flows back to the compression chamber through the suction port, the lubrication between the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll can be made good.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to this invention, the reliability of the scroll compressor can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the scroll compressor is embodied will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The scroll compressor of this embodiment is used, for example, in a vehicle air conditioner. <Basic Configuration of Scroll Compressor 10> As shown in FIG. 1, the scroll compressor 10 includes a cylindrical housing 11. The housing 11 has a motor housing 12, a bearing housing 13, and a discharge housing 14. The motor housing 12, the bearing housing 13, and the discharge housing 14 are made of a metal material. The motor housing 12, the bearing housing 13, and the discharge housing 14 are, for example, made of aluminum. The scroll compressor 10 also includes a rotating shaft 15. The rotating shaft 15 is housed within the housing 11.

[0019] The motor housing 12 has a plate-shaped end wall 12a and a cylindrical peripheral wall 12b. The peripheral wall 12b extends cylindrically from the outer peripheral portion of the end wall 12a. The axial direction of the peripheral wall 12b coincides with the axial direction of the rotating shaft 15. The motor housing 12 has a plurality of female screw holes 12c. Each female screw hole 12c is formed at the open end of the peripheral wall 12b. In FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, only one female screw hole 12c is shown. The motor housing 12 also has a suction port 12h. The suction port 12h sucks in refrigerant. The suction port 12h is formed in a portion of the peripheral wall 12b located on the side of the end wall 12a. The suction port 12h communicates the inside and outside of the motor housing 12.

[0020] The motor housing 12 has a cylindrical boss portion 12d. The boss portion 12d protrudes from the central portion of the inner surface of the end wall 12a. The first end, which is one end in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 15, is inserted into the boss portion 12d. The scroll compressor 10 includes a bearing 16. The bearing 16 is, for example, a rolling bearing. The bearing 16 is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the boss portion 12d and the outer peripheral surface of the first end of the rotating shaft 15. The first end of the rotating shaft 15 is rotatably supported by the motor housing 12 via the bearing 16.

[0021] The shaft support housing 13 has a plate-shaped end wall 17 and a cylindrical peripheral wall 18. The peripheral wall 18 extends cylindrically from the outer peripheral portion of the end wall 17. The axial direction of the peripheral wall 18 coincides with the axial direction of the rotating shaft 15. Further, the shaft support housing 13 has an annular flange wall 19. The flange wall 19 extends radially outward of the rotating shaft 15 from the end portion on the side opposite to the end wall 17 on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 18.

[0022] The shaft support housing 13 has a circular hole-shaped insertion hole 17a. The insertion hole 17a is formed in the central portion of the end wall 17. The insertion hole 17a penetrates the end wall 17 in the thickness direction. The rotating shaft 15 is inserted into the insertion hole 17a. The end face 15e located on the second end side which is the other end in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 15 is located inside the peripheral wall 18.

[0023] The scroll compressor 10 includes a bearing 21. The bearing 21 is, for example, a rolling bearing. The bearing 21 is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 18 and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 15. And the rotating shaft 15 is rotatably supported by the shaft support housing 13 via the bearing 21. Therefore, the shaft support housing 13 rotatably supports the rotating shaft 15. Thus, the rotating shaft 15 is rotatably supported by the housing 11.

[0024] The shaft support housing 13 has a plurality of bolt insertion holes 19a. Each bolt insertion hole 19a is formed in the outer peripheral portion of the flange wall 19. Each bolt insertion hole 19a penetrates the flange wall 19 in the thickness direction. Each bolt insertion hole 19a of the flange wall 19 communicates with each female screw hole 12c of the motor housing 12 respectively. In FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, only one bolt insertion hole 19a is shown.

[0025] The scroll compressor 10 includes a motor chamber 20. The motor chamber 20 is partitioned by a motor housing 12 and a bearing housing 13. The motor housing 12 partitions the motor chamber 20 together with the bearing housing 13. Thus, the motor chamber 20 is formed within the housing 11. The motor chamber 20 communicates with the suction port 12h. Refrigerant from the suction port 12h is inhaled into the motor chamber 20. Therefore, the motor chamber 20 is in the suction pressure region.

[0026] The scroll compressor 10 includes a motor 22. The motor 22 is housed within the motor chamber 20. The motor 22 includes a cylindrical stator 23 and a cylindrical rotor 24. The rotor 24 is disposed inside the stator 23. The rotor 24 rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 15. The stator 23 surrounds the rotor 24. The rotor 24 has a rotor core 24a fixed to the rotating shaft 15 and a plurality of permanent magnets (not shown) provided on the rotor core 24a.

[0027] The stator 23 has a cylindrical stator core 23a and a motor coil 23b. The stator core 23a is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 12b of the motor housing 12. The motor coil 23b is wound around the stator core 23a. Then, when electric power controlled by an inverter (not shown) is supplied to the motor coil 23b, the rotor 24 rotates. As a result, the rotating shaft 15 rotates integrally with the rotor 24. Therefore, the motor 22 rotates the rotating shaft 15.

[0028] The scroll compressor 10 includes a compression mechanism C1. The compression mechanism C1 has a fixed scroll 25 and a orbiting scroll 26. Therefore, the scroll compressor 10 includes the fixed scroll 25 and the orbiting scroll 26. The compression mechanism C1 is of the scroll type. The orbiting scroll 26 revolves around the fixed scroll 25 as the rotating shaft 15 rotates.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fixed scroll 25 has a fixed substrate 25a and a fixed spiral wall 25b. The fixed substrate 25a is disc-shaped. A discharge port 25h is formed at the center of the fixed substrate 25a. The discharge port 25h is circular hole-shaped. The discharge port 25h penetrates the fixed substrate 25a in the thickness direction. The fixed spiral wall 25b stands up from the fixed substrate 25a. Also, the fixed scroll 25 has an outer peripheral wall 25c. The outer peripheral wall 25c stands up from the outer peripheral portion of the fixed substrate 25a. The outer peripheral wall 25c surrounds the fixed spiral wall 25b.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the fixed scroll 25 has a first discharge chamber forming recess 41 and a first oil storage chamber forming recess 51. The first discharge chamber forming recess 41 and the first oil storage chamber forming recess 51 are formed on the end face 25e of the fixed substrate 25a. The end face 25e of the fixed substrate 25a has a first annular end face 251 and a first connection end face 252. The first annular end face 251 is annular and extends along the outer peripheral portion of the fixed substrate 25a. The first connection end face 252 is elongated strip-shaped. The first connection end face 252 is connected to the first annular end face 251 and extends between the first discharge chamber forming recess 41 and the first oil storage chamber forming recess 51.

[0031] The discharge port 25h opens to the bottom surface of the first discharge chamber forming recess 41. As shown in FIG. 1, the scroll compressor 10 includes a valve mechanism 25v. The valve mechanism 25v is attached to the bottom surface of the first discharge chamber forming recess 41. The valve mechanism 25v is configured to be able to open and close the discharge port 25h.

[0032] The orbiting scroll 26 has an orbiting base plate 26a and an orbiting spiral wall 26b. The orbiting base plate 26a is disc-shaped. The orbiting base plate 26a faces the fixed base plate 25a. The orbiting spiral wall 26b stands up from the orbiting base plate 26a toward the fixed base plate 25a. The orbiting spiral wall 26b meshes with the fixed spiral wall 25b. The orbiting scroll 26 is located inside the outer peripheral wall 25c. The orbiting scroll 26 revolves inside the outer peripheral wall 25c. The tip surface of the fixed spiral wall 25b contacts the orbiting base plate 26a. The tip surface of the orbiting spiral wall 26b contacts the fixed base plate 25a.

[0033] The scroll compressor 10 includes a compression chamber 27. The compression chamber 27 is partitioned by the fixed base plate 25a, the fixed spiral wall 25b, the orbiting base plate 26a, and the orbiting spiral wall 26b. Therefore, the compression chamber 27 is partitioned and formed between the fixed scroll 25 and the orbiting scroll 26. The compression chamber 27 takes in and compresses refrigerant from the outside.

[0034] The orbiting base plate 26a has a cylindrical boss portion 26c. The boss portion 26c protrudes from the end face 26e of the orbiting base plate 26a on the side opposite to the fixed base plate 25a. The axial direction of the boss portion 26c coincides with the axial direction of the rotation shaft 15. Further, the orbiting base plate 26a has a plurality of groove portions 26d. The plurality of groove portions 26d are respectively formed around the boss portion 26c on the end face 26e of the orbiting base plate 26a. The plurality of groove portions 26d are arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotation shaft 15. In FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, only one groove portion 26d is shown. An annular ring member 28 is fitted in each groove portion 26d. A pin 29 is inserted into each ring member 28. Each pin 29 protrudes from the end face 13e on the orbiting scroll 26 side of the shaft support housing 13.

[0035] The scroll compressor 10 includes an elastic plate 30. The elastic plate 30 is annular. The elastic plate 30 is sandwiched between the end face 13e of the shaft support housing 13 and the opening end face of the outer peripheral wall 25c. And the elastic plate 30 always biases the orbiting scroll 26 toward the fixed scroll 25.

[0036] The scroll compressor 10 includes an eccentric shaft 31. The eccentric shaft 31 projects toward the orbiting scroll 26 from a position eccentric with respect to the axis L1 of the rotary shaft 15 at the end face 15e of the rotary shaft 15. The eccentric shaft 31 is integrally formed with the rotary shaft 15. The axial direction of the eccentric shaft 31 coincides with the axial direction of the rotary shaft 15. The eccentric shaft 31 is inserted into the boss portion 26c.

[0037] The scroll compressor 10 includes a balance weight 32 and a bush 33. The bush 33 is fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric shaft 31. The balance weight 32 is integrated with the bush 33. The balance weight 32 is integrally formed with the bush 33. The balance weight 32 is housed within the peripheral wall 18 of the shaft support housing 13. The orbiting scroll 26 is supported by the eccentric shaft 31 so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the eccentric shaft 31 via the bush 33 and the rolling bearing 34.

[0038] The rotation of the rotating shaft 15 is transmitted to the orbiting scroll 26 via the eccentric shaft 31, the bush 33, and the rolling bearing 34. As a result, the orbiting scroll 26 rotates about its own axis. Then, when each pin 29 contacts the inner peripheral surface of each ring member 28, the rotation of the orbiting scroll 26 about its own axis is blocked, and only the revolution motion of the orbiting scroll 26 is permitted. Thereby, the orbiting scroll 26 revolves while the orbiting scroll wall 26b contacts the fixed scroll wall 25b. Along with the revolution motion of the orbiting scroll 26, the volume of the compression chamber 27 decreases, and thus the refrigerant is compressed in the compression chamber 27. The orbiting scroll 26 revolves inside the outer peripheral wall 25c as the rotating shaft 15 rotates. The balance weight 32 cancels out the centrifugal force acting on the orbiting scroll 26 when the orbiting scroll 26 revolves. Thereby, the amount of unbalance of the orbiting scroll 26 is reduced.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the discharge housing 14 has a plate-shaped end wall 14a and a cylindrical peripheral wall 14b. The peripheral wall 14b extends cylindrically from the outer peripheral portion of the end wall 14a. The axial direction of the peripheral wall 14b coincides with the axial direction of the rotating shaft 15. The peripheral wall 14b surrounds the fixed scroll 25. Therefore, the fixed scroll 25 is housed in the housing 11.

[0040] The discharge housing 14 has a plurality of bolt insertion holes 14c. Each bolt insertion hole 14c is formed in the peripheral wall 14b. In FIG. 1, for the sake of explanation, only one bolt insertion hole 14c is shown. Each bolt insertion hole 14c communicates with each bolt insertion hole 19a of the flange wall 19.

[0041] The bolt B1 passing through each bolt insertion hole 14c passes through each bolt insertion hole 19a of the flange wall 19 and is screwed into each female screw hole 12c of the motor housing 12. Thereby, the shaft support housing 13 is connected to the peripheral wall 12b of the motor housing 12, and the discharge housing 14 is connected to the flange wall 19 of the shaft support housing 13. Therefore, the motor housing 12, the shaft support housing 13, and the discharge housing 14 are arranged in this order along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 15. The fixed scroll 25 is sandwiched between the end wall 14a of the discharge housing 14 and the shaft support housing 13. In this way, the fixed scroll 25 is fixed to the housing 11. The discharge housing 14 is connected to the fixed scroll 25.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, the discharge housing 14 has a second discharge chamber forming recess 42 and a second oil storage chamber forming recess 52. The second discharge chamber forming recess 42 and the second oil storage chamber forming recess 52 are formed on the inner end surface 14e of the end wall 14a. The second discharge chamber forming recess 42 has substantially the same shape as the first discharge chamber forming recess 41. The second oil storage chamber forming recess 52 has substantially the same shape as the first oil storage chamber forming recess 51.

[0043] The inner end surface 14e of the end wall 14a has a second annular end surface 141 and a second connection end surface 142. The second annular end surface 141 is annular and extends along the outer peripheral portion of the inner end surface 14e of the end wall 14a. The second connection end surface 142 is elongated and strip-shaped. The second connection end surface 142 is connected to the second annular end surface 141 and extends between the second discharge chamber forming recess 42 and the second oil storage chamber forming recess 52.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second annular end surface 141 extends along the first annular end surface 251. The second annular end surface 141 is a mating surface with the first annular end surface 251. Therefore, the second annular end surface 141 is an annular end surface arranged to be abutted against the fixed substrate 25a. The second connection end surface 142 extends along the first connection end surface 252. The second connection end surface 142 is a mating surface with the first connection end surface 252.

[0045] <Outer peripheral space S1> As shown in Fig. 1, an outer peripheral space S1 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 25c of the fixed scroll 25 and the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 14b of the discharge housing 14. Therefore, an outer peripheral space S1 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the fixed scroll 25 and the inner peripheral surface of the housing 11. The outer peripheral space S1 extends annularly around the fixed scroll 25. The outer peripheral space S1 is an annular gap existing between the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 25c of the fixed scroll 25 and the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 14b of the discharge housing 14.

[0046] The scroll compressor 10 includes a suction passage 35. The suction passage 35 has a first groove 36, a first hole 37, and a second groove 38. A plurality of the first grooves 36 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 12b of the motor housing 12. Each first groove 36 opens at the open end of the peripheral wall 12b. A plurality of the first holes 37 are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the flange wall 19 of the pivot housing 13. Each first hole 37 penetrates the flange wall 19 in the thickness direction. Each first hole 37 communicates with each first groove 36. A plurality of the second grooves 38 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 14b of the discharge housing 14. Each second groove 38 communicates with each first hole 37. Each second groove 38 forms a part of the outer peripheral space S1.

[0047] An intake port 39 is formed in the outer peripheral wall 25c of the fixed scroll 25. The intake port 39 penetrates the outer peripheral wall 25c in the thickness direction. The intake port 39 communicates with the outer peripheral space S1. The intake port 39 communicates with the outermost peripheral portion in the compression chamber 27. Therefore, the outer peripheral space S1 communicates with the compression chamber 27 via the intake port 39.

[0048] The refrigerant in the motor chamber 20 passes through the first groove 36, the first hole 37, the second groove 38, and the suction port 39 and is suctioned into the compression chamber 27. Therefore, the suction port 39 suctions the refrigerant into the compression chamber 27. The first groove 36, the first hole 37, the second groove 38, and the suction port 39 are the suction pressure regions through which the refrigerant suctioned into the compression chamber 27 flows. Therefore, the outer peripheral space S1 is the suction pressure region. The refrigerant suctioned into the compression chamber 27 is compressed in the compression chamber 27 by the revolving motion of the orbiting scroll 26. Thus, the compression mechanism C1 compresses the refrigerant suctioned into the housing 11.

[0049] <Gasket 70> As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the scroll compressor 10 includes a plate-like gasket 70. The gasket 70 is a thin metal plate. The gasket 70 is annular. The gasket 70 seals between the end wall 14a of the discharge housing 14 and the fixed substrate 25a.

[0050] The gasket 70 has a discharge chamber communication hole 70a and an oil storage chamber communication hole 70b. The discharge chamber communication hole 70a has substantially the same shape as the first discharge chamber forming recess 41 and the second discharge chamber forming recess 42. The oil storage chamber communication hole 70b has substantially the same shape as the first oil storage chamber forming recess 51 and the second oil storage chamber forming recess 52.

[0051] The gasket 70 has a first seal portion 71 and a second seal portion 72. The first seal portion 71 is annular. The first seal portion 71 extends along the first annular end face 251 and the second annular end face 141. The first seal portion 71 is interposed between the first annular end face 251 and the second annular end face 141. The first seal portion 71 seals between the first annular end face 251 and the second annular end face 141. Therefore, the gasket 70 seals between the second annular end face 141 and the fixed substrate 25a.

[0052] The second seal part 72 is connected to the first seal part 71. The second seal part 72 is in an elongated strip shape. The second seal part 72 extends along the first connection end face 252 and the second connection end face 142. The second seal part 72 is interposed between the first connection end face 252 and the second connection end face 142. The second seal part 72 seals between the first connection end face 252 and the second connection end face 142. The second seal part 72 partitions the discharge chamber communication hole 70a and the oil storage chamber communication hole 70b. A through hole 73 is formed in the second seal part 72.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first discharge chamber forming recess 41 and the second discharge chamber forming recess 42 communicate with each other through the discharge chamber communication hole 70a. The discharge chamber 40 is defined by the first discharge chamber forming recess 41 and the second discharge chamber forming recess 42. Therefore, the scroll compressor 10 includes the discharge chamber 40. Refrigerant compressed in the compression chamber 27 is discharged into the discharge chamber 40.

[0054] The first oil storage chamber forming recess 51 and the second oil storage chamber forming recess 52 communicate with each other through the oil storage chamber communication hole 70b. The oil storage chamber 50 is defined by the first oil storage chamber forming recess 51 and the second oil storage chamber forming recess 52. Therefore, the scroll compressor 10 includes the oil storage chamber 50. The oil storage chamber 50 stores oil separated from the refrigerant discharged into the discharge chamber 40. The discharge chamber 40 and the oil storage chamber 50 are partitioned by the fixed scroll 25 and the discharge housing 14. The discharge housing 14 and the fixed substrate 25a partition the discharge chamber 40 and the oil storage chamber 50 together. The discharge chamber 40 and the oil storage chamber 50 are partitioned by the discharge housing 14 and the fixed substrate 25a inside the second annular end face 141.

[0055] The space between the discharge chamber 40 and the oil storage chamber 50 is sealed by the second seal part 72 of the gasket 70. Therefore, the second seal part 72 seals between the discharge chamber 40 and the oil storage chamber 50. Thus, the gasket 70 seals between the discharge chamber 40 and the oil storage chamber 50. The scroll compressor 10 of the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle such that the oil storage chamber 50 is located below the discharge chamber 40.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 1, the scroll compressor 10 includes an oil separation chamber 60. The oil separation chamber 60 is formed inside the discharge housing 14. The oil separation chamber 60 is formed inside an elongated cylindrical outer cylinder 61 that is a part of the end wall 14a of the discharge housing 14. The first end of the outer cylinder 61 is a discharge port 62 for discharging the refrigerant to the outside. The discharge port 62 communicates with the oil separation chamber 60.

[0057] An inner cylinder 63 is fitted into the oil separation chamber 60. The axial direction of the inner cylinder 63 coincides with the radial direction of the rotary shaft 15. The first end of the inner cylinder 63 communicates with the discharge port 62. The second end of the inner cylinder 63 communicates with the side opposite to the discharge port 62 in the oil separation chamber 60. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an introduction hole 64 is formed in the outer cylinder 61. The introduction hole 64 communicates the discharge chamber 40 and the oil separation chamber 60. The introduction hole 64 introduces the refrigerant discharged into the discharge chamber 40 into the oil separation chamber 60.

[0058] An oil drain hole 65 is formed in the discharge housing 14. The first end of the oil drain hole 65 communicates with the side opposite to the discharge port 62 in the oil separation chamber 60. As shown in FIG. 2, the second end of the oil drain hole 65 opens to the second connection end face 142 of the discharge housing 14. The oil drain hole 65 communicates with the through hole 73 of the gasket 70. And the oil separation chamber 60 communicates with the first oil storage chamber forming recess 51 through the oil drain hole 65 and the through hole 73. Therefore, the oil separation chamber 60 communicates with the oil storage chamber 50 through the oil drain hole 65 and the through hole 73.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerant compressed in the compression chamber 27 and discharged into the discharge chamber 40 through the discharge port 25h is introduced into the oil separation chamber 60 through the introduction hole 64. The refrigerant introduced into the oil separation chamber 60 swirls around the inner cylinder 63. Thereby, centrifugal force is applied to the oil contained in the refrigerant, and the oil is separated from the refrigerant in the oil separation chamber 60. Therefore, the oil separation chamber 60 separates the oil contained in the refrigerant discharged into the discharge chamber 40.

[0060] The refrigerant from which the oil has been separated flows into the inner cylinder 63 and passes through the inside of the inner cylinder 63. Then, the refrigerant that has passed through the inside of the inner cylinder 63 flows out through the discharge port 62 into an external refrigerant circuit (not shown). The oil separated from the refrigerant in the oil separation chamber 60 flows by its own weight toward the oil drain hole 65. Then, the oil flowing toward the oil drain hole 65 is discharged through the oil drain hole 65 and the through hole 73 into the oil storage chamber 50 and stored in the oil storage chamber 50.

[0061] <Oil passage 80> As shown in FIG. 3, the scroll compressor 10 is provided with an oil passage 80 for guiding the oil separated from the refrigerant discharged into the discharge chamber 40 to the outer peripheral space S1. The oil passage 80 includes a throttle groove 81 and a connection passage 82. The throttle groove 81 is formed in the gasket 70. The throttle groove 81 extends along the first seal portion 71 of the gasket 70. The throttle groove 81 penetrates the gasket 70 in the thickness direction. The throttle groove 81 is a slit formed in the gasket 70. The first end of the throttle groove 81 communicates with the lower space in the oil storage chamber 50. Therefore, the throttle groove 81 communicates with the oil storage chamber 50. The second end of the throttle groove 81 is separated from the first end of the throttle groove 81 by approximately 180 degrees in the circumferential direction of the gasket 70. The throttle groove 81 is closed by the first annular end face 251 and the second annular end face 141. Therefore, the throttle groove 81 is closed by the discharge housing 14 and the fixed scroll 25.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connection passage 82 is formed in the fixed substrate 25a. The connection passage 82 is a groove formed in the first annular end face 251. The first end of the connection passage 82 communicates with the second end of the throttle groove 81. The second end of the connection passage 82 opens to the outer peripheral edge of the fixed substrate 25a. And, as shown in FIG. 4, the second end of the connection passage 82 communicates with the outer peripheral space S1. Therefore, the connection passage 82 connects the throttle groove 81 and the outer peripheral space S1. Thus, the oil passage 80 is provided between the second annular end face 141 and the fixed substrate 25a and connects the oil storage chamber 50 and the outer peripheral space S1. Therefore, the oil passage 80 communicates with the outer peripheral space S1.

[0063] The opening position of the outer peripheral edge of the fixed substrate 25a in the connection passage 82 is at the same phase position in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis 15 with respect to the opening on the outer peripheral space S1 side in the suction port 39. Therefore, the oil passage 80 communicates with the outer peripheral space S1 such that the opening on the outer peripheral space S1 side in the oil passage 80 is at the same phase position in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis 15 with respect to the opening on the outer peripheral space S1 side in the suction port 39.

[0064] [Operation of the Embodiment] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The oil stored in the oil reservoir 50 is refluxed to the outer peripheral space S1 through the oil passage 80. At this time, since the oil passes through the throttle groove 81, the oil stored in the oil reservoir 50 is refluxed to the outer peripheral space S1 in a state of being depressurized through the oil passage 80. The oil refluxed to the outer peripheral space S1 refluxes to the compression chamber 27 through the suction port 39 together with the refrigerant passing through the first groove 36, the first hole 37, and the second groove 38 from within the motor chamber 20. The oil refluxed to the compression chamber 27 contributes to the lubrication between the fixed scroll 25 and the orbiting scroll 26.

[0065] [Effects of the Embodiment] In the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) There is an outer peripheral space S1 formed between the outer peripheral surface of the fixed scroll 25 and the inner peripheral surface of the housing 11, which communicates with the compression chamber 27. The scroll compressor 10 is provided with an oil passage 80 for guiding the oil separated from the refrigerant discharged into the discharge chamber 40 to the outer peripheral space S1. According to this, since the oil passage 80 only needs to communicate with the outer peripheral space S1, the arrangement position of the oil passage 80 can be freely set with respect to the outer peripheral space S1. Therefore, there is no limitation on the layout of the oil passage 80 such as having to penetrate the oil passage 80 through the thick part of the fixed scroll 25 as in the prior art, so the degree of freedom in designing the oil passage 80 is improved. As a result, it becomes easier to smoothly reflux the oil to the compression chamber 27, so that the lubrication between the fixed scroll 25 and the orbiting scroll 26 can be made good. As described above, the reliability of the scroll compressor 10 can be improved.

[0066] (2) The oil passage 80 is provided between the second annular end face 141 and the fixed substrate 25a, and connects the oil storage chamber 50 and the outer peripheral space S1. The space between the second annular end face 141 and the fixed substrate 25a is suitable as a location for providing the oil passage 80 that connects the oil storage chamber 50 and the outer peripheral space S1.

[0067] (3) The oil passage 80 includes a throttle groove 81 formed in the gasket 70, and the throttle groove 81 communicates with the oil storage chamber 50. According to this, since the pressure in the outer peripheral space S1 is lower than the pressure in the oil storage chamber 50, the oil flowing out from the oil storage chamber 50 to the outer peripheral space S1 through the oil passage 80 is likely to be stored in the outer peripheral space S1. Therefore, for example, in the scroll compressor 10, even under operating conditions where it is difficult for the oil stored in the oil storage chamber 50 to flow to the outer peripheral space S1 through the oil passage 80, the oil is likely to be stored in the outer peripheral space S1. As a result, it is easier to avoid the situation where the amount of oil refluxed to the compression chamber 27 decreases, so that the lubrication between the fixed scroll 25 and the orbiting scroll 26 can be made good.

[0068] (4) For example, when a connection passage connecting the throttle groove 81 and the outer peripheral space S1 is formed in the gasket 70, a cutout opening to the outer peripheral edge of the gasket 70 is formed in a part of the gasket 70. Then, since the shape of the gasket 70 becomes unstable, the assemblability deteriorates. Therefore, the connection passage 82 connecting the throttle groove 81 and the outer peripheral space S1 is formed in the fixed substrate 25a. According to this, since it is not necessary to form a cutout opening to the outer peripheral edge of the gasket 70 in a part of the gasket 70, the shape of the gasket 70 is stabilized. Therefore, the reliability of the scroll compressor 10 can be improved without deteriorating the assemblability.

[0069] (5) The oil passage 80 communicates with the outer peripheral space S1 such that the opening on the outer peripheral space S1 side in the oil passage 80 is at the same phase position in the circumferential direction of the rotary shaft 15 with respect to the opening on the outer peripheral space S1 side in the suction port 39. For example, consider a case where the opening on the outer peripheral space S1 side in the oil passage 80 is out of phase in the circumferential direction of the rotary shaft 15 with respect to the opening on the outer peripheral space S1 side in the suction port 39. Compared with this case, the oil flowing out from the oil passage 80 into the outer peripheral space S1 smoothly flows into the suction port 39. Therefore, since the oil in the outer peripheral space S1 easily flows back to the compression chamber 27 through the suction port 39, the lubrication between the fixed scroll 25 and the orbiting scroll 26 can be made good.

[0070] [Modified Example] Note that the above-described embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. The above-described embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically non - conflicting range.

[0071] ○ As shown in FIG. 5, the gasket 70 is not formed with a throttle groove 81, and the oil passage 80 may be formed, for example, in the fixed scroll 25. The oil passage 80 penetrates inside the fixed substrate 25a to connect the oil storage chamber 50 and the outer peripheral space S1. In this case, a throttle member 83 is provided in the oil passage 80. According to this, in order to form the oil passage 80, it is only necessary to change the design of the fixed substrate 25a. Therefore, the reliability of the scroll compressor 10 can be improved without complicating the configuration of the scroll compressor 10.

[0072] ○ As shown in FIG. 6, the gasket 70 is not formed with a throttle groove 81, and the oil passage 80 may be formed, for example, in the discharge housing 14. The oil passage 80 penetrates inside the discharge housing 14 to connect the oil storage chamber 50 and the outer peripheral space S1. In this case, a throttle member 83 is provided in the oil passage 80. According to this, in order to form the oil passage 80, it is only necessary to change the design of the discharge housing 14. Therefore, the reliability of the scroll compressor 10 can be improved without complicating the configuration of the scroll compressor 10.

[0073] ○ As shown in FIG. 7, the gasket 70 is not formed with a throttle groove 81, and for example, a throttle may be provided on the oil flow path between the outer peripheral space S1 and the compression chamber 27 so that the outer peripheral space S1 is a discharge pressure region. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the suction port 39 is not formed on the outer peripheral wall 25c of the fixed scroll 25. A plurality of passage recesses 25g are formed on the opening end surface of the outer peripheral wall 25c. Each passage recess 25g opens to the opening end surface of the outer peripheral wall 25c. Each passage recess 25g opens to the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 25c. Each passage recess 25g communicates with, for example, each first hole 37. Then, the refrigerant in the motor chamber 20 passes through each first groove 36, each first hole 37, and each passage recess 25g and is sucked into the compression chamber 27.

[0074] For example, an oil passage 80 is formed in the fixed scroll 25. Further, a communication passage 84 is formed in the outer peripheral wall 25c of the fixed scroll 25. The communication passage 84 extends in the axial direction of the outer peripheral wall 25c. The first end of the communication passage 84 communicates with the outer peripheral space S1. The second end of the communication passage 84 opens to the bottom surface of one of the plurality of passage recesses 25g. The communication passage 84 communicates with the inside of one of the plurality of passage recesses 25g. A throttle member 83 is provided in the communication passage 84. Thus, by providing a throttle on the oil flow path between the outer peripheral space S1 and the compression chamber 27, the outer peripheral space S1 may be used as a discharge pressure region.

[0075] According to this, since the pressure of the outer peripheral space S1 can be made equal to the pressure of the oil storage chamber 50, the oil stored in the oil storage chamber 50 smoothly flows into the outer peripheral space S1 through the oil passage 80. And since the throttle member 83 is provided in the communication passage 84, the oil that has refluxed into the outer peripheral space S1 is stably stored in the outer peripheral space S1.

[0076] ○ In the embodiment, the throttle groove 81 is not formed in the gasket 70. For example, a throttle groove may be formed in the first annular end face 251 of the fixed scroll 25. Further, for example, a throttle groove may be formed in the second annular end face 141 of the discharge housing 14. In this case, the connection passage 82 is formed in the second annular end face 141. In this way, the oil passage 80 may be provided between the second annular end face 141 and the fixed substrate 25a to connect the oil storage chamber 50 and the outer peripheral space S1.

[0077] ○ In the embodiment, a connection passage connecting the throttle groove 81 and the outer peripheral space S1 may be formed in the gasket 70. ○ In the embodiment, the opening on the outer peripheral space S1 side in the oil passage 80 may be out of phase with respect to the opening on the outer peripheral space S1 side in the suction port 39 in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis 15. According to this, for example, the oil refluxed from the oil passage 80 to the outer peripheral space S1 is less likely to flow directly into the suction port 39 and is more likely to be temporarily stored in the outer peripheral space S1. Therefore, it is possible to easily make the outer peripheral space S1 function as an oil storage space where oil is stored.

[0078] ○ In the embodiment, the throttle groove 81 is not formed in the gasket 70, and for example, a throttle groove may be formed in the elastic plate 30. In this case, the oil stored in the oil storage chamber 50 passes through the hole penetrating the fixed scroll 25 and the throttle groove formed in the elastic plate 30 and refluxes to the outer peripheral space S1.

[0079] ○ In the embodiment, the number of the suction ports 39 is not particularly limited. And, for example, the number of the oil passages 80 may be changed according to the number of the suction ports 39. For example, each oil passage 80 may be configured to communicate with the outer peripheral space S1 such that the openings on the outer peripheral space S1 side in each oil passage 80 are in the same phase position in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis 15 with respect to the openings on the outer peripheral space S1 side in each suction port 39.

[0080] ○ In the embodiment, the peripheral wall 12b of the motor housing 12 may surround the fixed scroll 25. And an outer peripheral space S1 may be formed between the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 25c of the fixed scroll 25 and the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 12b of the motor housing 12. In short, the outer peripheral space S1 may be formed between the outer peripheral surface of the fixed scroll 25 and the inner peripheral surface of the housing 11.

[0081] ○ In the embodiment, the outer peripheral space S1 does not have to extend annularly around the fixed scroll 25. In short, the outer peripheral space S1 may be a space formed between the outer peripheral surface of the fixed scroll 25 and the inner peripheral surface of the housing 11 and communicating with the compression chamber 27.

[0082] ○ In the embodiment, the scroll compressor 10 does not have to be of a type driven by the motor 22, and for example, it may be of a type driven by a vehicle engine.

[0083] ○ In the embodiment, the scroll compressor 10 has been used in a vehicle air conditioner, but is not limited thereto. In short, the scroll compressor 10 may be any device that compresses a refrigerant, and the application of the scroll compressor 10 can be changed as appropriate.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0084] 10... Scroll compressor, 11... Housing, 14... Discharge housing, 15... Rotating shaft, 25... Fixed scroll, 25a... Fixed substrate, 25b... Fixed spiral wall, 25c... Outer peripheral wall, 26... Orbiting scroll, 27... Compression chamber, 39... Suction port, 40... Discharge chamber, 50... Oil storage chamber, 70... Gasket, 80... Oil passage, 81... Throttle groove, 82... Connection passage, 141... Second annular end face which is an annular end face, S1... Outer peripheral space.

Claims

1. A housing, a rotating shaft rotatably supported by the housing, a fixed scroll housed in the housing and fixed to the housing, a swirling scroll that revolves as the rotating shaft rotates, a compression chamber partitioned between the fixed scroll and the swirling scroll for taking in and compressing refrigerant from the outside, a discharge chamber for discharging the refrigerant compressed in the compression chamber, a scroll compressor comprising: a reservoir chamber for storing oil separated from the refrigerant discharged into the discharge chamber, the fixed scroll has a fixed substrate and a fixed spiral wall standing up from the fixed substrate, the fixed substrate has an annular first annular end face extending along the outer peripheral portion of the fixed substrate, the housing has a discharge housing that partitions the discharge chamber and the reservoir chamber together with the fixed substrate, the discharge housing has a plate-shaped end wall and a cylindrical peripheral wall extending cylindrically from the outer peripheral portion of the end wall and surrounding the fixed scroll, the end wall has a second annular end face arranged to be abutted against the fixed substrate, the discharge chamber and the reservoir chamber are partitioned and formed by the discharge housing and the fixed substrate inside the second annular end face, an outer peripheral space communicating with the compression chamber is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the fixed scroll and the inner peripheral surface of the housing, an oil passage for guiding the oil separated from the refrigerant discharged into the discharge chamber to the outer peripheral space is provided, the oil passage is provided between the second annular end face and the fixed substrate and connects the reservoir chamber and the outer peripheral space, a gasket provided between the second annular end face and the fixed substrate for sealing between the outer peripheral space and the discharge chamber and the reservoir chamber, the oil passage includes a throttle groove formed in the gasket and communicating with the reservoir chamber, and a connection passage connecting the throttle groove and the outer peripheral space, the connection passage is a groove formed in the first annular end face, a first end of the connection passage communicates with an end of the throttle groove opposite to the end communicating with the reservoir chamber, and a second end of the connection passage opens to the outer peripheral edge of the fixed substrate. A scroll compressor characterized by this.

2. An intake port for sucking the refrigerant into the compression chamber is formed in the outer peripheral wall of the fixed scroll. The outer peripheral space communicates with the compression chamber via the suction port. The scroll compressor according to claim 1, wherein the oil passage communicates with the outer peripheral space such that an opening of the oil passage on the outer peripheral space side is at the same phase position as an opening of the suction port on the outer peripheral space side in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft. **Claim 3** A housing, a rotating shaft rotatably supported by the housing, a fixed scroll accommodated in the housing and fixed to the housing, a orbiting scroll that revolves as the rotating shaft rotates, a compression chamber formed between the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll for taking in and compressing refrigerant from the outside, a discharge chamber for discharging the refrigerant compressed in the compression chamber, and a scroll compressor comprising: a oil storage chamber for storing oil separated from the refrigerant discharged into the discharge chamber, the fixed scroll has a fixed substrate and a fixed spiral wall rising from the fixed substrate, the fixed substrate has an annular first annular end face extending along the outer peripheral portion of the fixed substrate, the housing has a discharge housing that partitions the discharge chamber and the oil storage chamber together with the fixed substrate, the discharge housing has a second annular end face arranged to abut against the fixed substrate, the discharge chamber and the oil storage chamber are partitioned and formed by the discharge housing and the fixed substrate inside the second annular end face, an outer peripheral space communicating with the compression chamber is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the fixed scroll and the inner peripheral surface of the housing, an oil passage for guiding the oil separated from the refrigerant discharged into the discharge chamber to the outer peripheral space is provided, the oil passage is provided between the second annular end face and the fixed substrate and connects the oil storage chamber and the outer peripheral space, the oil passage includes a throttle groove communicating with the oil storage chamber and a connection passage connecting the throttle groove and the outer peripheral space, the connection passage is a groove formed in the first annular end face, a first end of the connection passage communicates with an end of the throttle groove opposite to the end communicating with the oil storage chamber, and a second end of the connection passage opens to the outer peripheral edge of the fixed substrate, a suction port for sucking the refrigerant into the compression chamber is formed in the outer peripheral wall of the fixed scroll, the outer peripheral space communicates with the compression chamber via the suction port. The scroll compressor is characterized in that the oil passage communicates with the outer peripheral space such that an opening on the outer peripheral space side in the oil passage has the same phase position in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis as an opening on the outer peripheral space side in the suction port.

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