compressor

Abstract

A compressor includes a cylinder including a cylinder chamber, a cylinder cover including a connection hole configured to allow a refrigerant to be discharged from the cylinder chamber, and a valve assembly configured to open and close the connection hole. The valve assembly includes a first valve configured to be deformable, a second valve having a portion configured to be contactable with the first valve based on a pressure inside the cylinder chamber and configured to be deformable, and a spacer, configured to be arrangeable between the first valve and the second valve, to space the second valve apart from the first valve to allow the second valve to deform after the first valve deforms based on the pressure inside the cylinder chamber. A thickness of the spacer is 2.4 to 3.2 times a thickness of the first valve.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation application, filed under 35 U.S.C. § 111 (a), of International Application No. PCT / KR2025 / 011063, filed on Jul. 25, 2025, and is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0126060, filed on Sep. 13, 2024 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a compressor including a valve.BACKGROUND ART

[0003] A compressor is a mechanical device that receives power from a power generation device, such as an electric motor or a turbine, and compresses air, refrigerant, or other various types of working gases to increase the pressure. Compressors are widely used in home appliances, such as a refrigerator, an air conditioner, and a clothes dryer, as well as various industries. The types of compressors include reciprocating compressors, scroll compressors, and rotary compressors.

[0004] A reciprocating compressor compresses working gas by forming a compression space between a piston and a cylinder in which the working gas is admitted and discharged, as the piston moves linearly back and forth inside the cylinder.

[0005] A scroll compressor compresses working gas by forming a compression space between an orbiting scroll and a fixed scroll in which the working gas is admitted and discharged, as the orbiting scroll rotates along the fixed scroll.

[0006] A rotary compressor compresses working gas by forming a compression space between an eccentrically rotating rolling piston and a cylinder in which the working gas is admitted and discharged, as the rolling piston eccentrically rotates along the inner wall of the cylinder.DISCLOSURETechnical Problem

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a compressor with improved efficiency.

[0008] The technical objectives of the disclosure are not limited to the above, and other objectives that are not described above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the above detailed description.Technical Solution

[0009] A compressor according to an aspect of the disclosure includes: a cylinder including a cylinder chamber; a cylinder cover including a connection hole configured to allow a refrigerant to be discharged from the cylinder chamber; and a valve assembly configured to open and close the connection hole. The valve assembly includes: a first valve configured to be deformable; a second valve having a portion configured to be contactable with the first valve based on a pressure inside the cylinder chamber and configured to be deformable; and a spacer, configured to be arrangeable between the first valve and the second valve, to space the second valve apart from the first valve to allow the second valve to deform after the first valve deforms based on the pressure inside the cylinder chamber. A thickness of the spacer is 2.4 to 3.2 times a thickness of the first valve.

[0010] A compressor according to an aspect of the disclosure includes a cylinder including a cylinder chamber, a cylinder cover including a connection hole configured to allow a refrigerant to be discharged from the cylinder chamber, and a valve configured to open and close the connection hole. The valve includes a first valve, a second valve having a portion configured to be contactable with the first valve based on a pressure inside the cylinder chamber, a spacer arranged between the first valve and the second valve to space the second valve from the first valve, and a rotation restricting portion configured to restrict rotation of the second valve.DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a drawing schematically illustrating an air conditioner including a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a compressor and an accumulator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating components of a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the components of the compressor shown in FIG. 3, when viewed in a different direction from that shown in FIG. 3.

[0015] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of components of a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the components shown in FIG. 4.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 3.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B′ of FIG. 3.

[0019] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a state in which an upper muffler of a compressor is disassembled to show a valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a state in which a valve of a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is disassembled.

[0021] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C′ shown in FIG. 9.

[0022] FIG. 12 is a graph schematically illustrating a force applied to valves having various thicknesses and corresponding deformation amounts in a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 13 is a graph schematically illustrating an efficiency according to the ratio of a spacer and a first valve while various loads are applied to a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of portion D shown in FIG. 11.

[0025] FIG. 15 illustrates a state change of the valve shown in FIG. 14 when a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is in a low load condition.

[0026] FIG. 16 illustrates a state change of the valve shown in FIG. 14 when a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is in a high load condition.

[0027] FIG. 17 is an exploded view of a valve of a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 18 is an exploded view of a valve of a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 19 is an exploded view of a stopper of a valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 20 is an exploded view of a valve of a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 21 is an exploded view of a stopper of a valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.MODES OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Various embodiments of the present document and terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the corresponding embodiments.

[0033] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0034] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or a plurality of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

[0035] In this document, phrases, such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B,”“A, B or C,”“at least one of A, B and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C”, may include any one or all possible combinations of items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

[0036] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated listed items.

[0037] The terms of “˜part”, “˜module” and “˜member” may be implemented in hardware or software. In some embodiments, a plurality of “˜parts”, “˜modules” and “˜members” may be implemented as a single component. In some embodiments, a single “˜part”, “˜module” and “˜member” may include plurality of a plurality of components.

[0038] Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, “primary”, or “secondary” may be used simply to distinguish a component from other components, without limiting the component in other aspects e.g., importance or order.

[0039] When one (e.g., a first) element is referred to as being “coupled” or “connected” to another (e.g., a second) element with or without the term “functionally” or “communicatively,” it means that the one element is connected to the other element directly, wirelessly, or via a third element.

[0040] It will be understood that when the terms “includes,”“comprises,”“including,” and / or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.

[0041] It will be understood that when a certain component is referred to as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported by” or “in contact with” another component, it may be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other component. When a component is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another component, it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other component through a third component.

[0042] It will also be understood that when a component is referred to as being “on” another component, it may be directly on the other component or intervening components may also be present.

[0043] Further, as used in the disclosure, the terms “front”, “rear”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “left”, “right”, “upper”, “lower”, “horizontal”, “vertical” and the like are defined with reference to the drawings, and are not intended to limit the shape and position of each component.

[0044] Among the expressions used in the description below, “upper˜”, “lower˜”, etc. may be used to distinguish components by considering the relative positions between the components, and these expressions may be replaced with expressions such as “first˜”, “second˜”.

[0045] Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0046] FIG. 1 is a drawing schematically illustrating an air conditioner including a compressor according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 1, a compressor 11 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be included in an air conditioner 1.

[0048] The air conditioner 1 may absorb heat from the indoors and release heat to the outdoors for cooling a space to be air-conditioned, i.e., an indoor space. In addition, the air conditioner 1 may absorb heat from the outdoors and release heat to the indoors for heating the indoor space. The air conditioner 1 may include an outdoor unit 10 configured to exchange heat with outdoor air and an indoor unit 20 configured to exchange heat with indoor air. For example, the outdoor unit 10 may be installed in the outdoor space and may exchange heat with outdoor air, and the indoor unit 20 may be installed in the indoor space and may exchange heat with indoor air.

[0049] The air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment may be a separate air conditioner in which the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 are installed separately from each other. Alternatively, the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment may be an integrated air conditioner in which the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 are installed together in one cabinet.

[0050] The outdoor unit 10 may perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air by utilizing the phase change of the refrigerant (for example, evaporation or condensation). For example, the outdoor unit 10 may release the heat of the refrigerant to the outdoor air by utilizing the condensation of the refrigerant. In addition, the outdoor unit 10 may absorb the heat of the outdoor air into the refrigerant by utilizing the evaporation of the refrigerant.

[0051] The outdoor unit 10 may include a compressor 11 configured to compress refrigerant gas. The outdoor unit 10 may include an outdoor heat exchanger 12 configured to perform heat exchange between the outdoor air and the refrigerant.

[0052] The indoor unit 20 may perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and indoor air by utilizing the phase change of the refrigerant (e.g., evaporation or condensation). For example, the indoor unit 20 may cool the indoor space by absorbing the heat of the indoor air into the refrigerant by utilizing the evaporation of the refrigerant. In addition, the indoor unit 20 may heat the indoor space by releasing the heat of the refrigerant into the indoor air by utilizing the condensation of the refrigerant.

[0053] The indoor unit 20 may include an indoor heat exchanger 22 configured to perform heat exchange between the indoor air and the refrigerant.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 may include a refrigerant circulation circuit for transferring heat between the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 using a refrigerant as a medium.

[0055] The refrigerant circulation circuit may include a compressor 11, an outdoor heat exchanger 12, an expansion device 13, and an indoor heat exchanger 22. The refrigerant may be circulated in the order of the compressor 11, the outdoor heat exchanger 12, the expansion device 13, and the indoor heat exchanger 22, or may be circulated in the order of the compressor 11, the indoor heat exchanger 22, the expansion device 13, and the outdoor heat exchanger 12.

[0056] The compressor 11 may compress a refrigerant. A low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant may be introduced into the compressor 11. The compressor 11 may compress the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant. The compressor 11 may discharge the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas. For example, the compressor 11 may include a motor and a compression mechanism, and the compression mechanism may compress a refrigerant by a torque of the motor.

[0057] In the outdoor heat exchanger 12, heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air may be performed. For example, during the cooling operation, a high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 12, and while the refrigerant is being condensed, the refrigerant may release heat to the outdoor air. During the cooling operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 12 may discharge refrigerant liquid. In addition, during a heating operation, a low-temperature, low-voltage refrigerant is evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 12, and while the refrigerant is being evaporated, the refrigerant may absorb heat from the outdoor air. During a heating operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 12 may discharge refrigerant gas.

[0058] An outdoor fan 16 may be provided adjacent to the outdoor heat exchanger 12. The outdoor fan 16 may blow outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 12 to promote heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air.

[0059] The expansion device 13 may expand a refrigerant. For example, the expansion device 13 may expand a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant liquid using, for example, the throttling effect. The expansion device 13 may discharge a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant liquid. The expansion device 13 may include an orifice that may reduce the cross-sectional area of the passage.

[0060] The expansion device 13 may be connected to the indoor unit 20. The expansion devices 13 may be provided corresponding in number to the number of indoor units 20.

[0061] In the indoor heat exchanger 22, heat exchange between the refrigerant and indoor air may be performed. For example, during a cooling operation, the indoor heat exchanger 22 evaporates a low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant, and while the refrigerant is being evaporated, the refrigerant may absorb heat from the indoor air. During a cooling operation, the indoor heat exchanger 22 may discharge refrigerant gas. In addition, during the heating operation, in the indoor heat exchanger 22, a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant is condensed, and while the refrigerant is being condensed, the refrigerant may release heat to the indoor air. During the heating operation, the indoor heat exchanger 22 may discharge the refrigerant liquid.

[0062] Depending on the embodiment, a separate expansion device (not shown) or capillary tube (not shown) may be provided on an inlet side of the indoor heat exchanger 22. The separate expansion valve or capillary tube may expand the refrigerant liquid and provide the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant liquid to the indoor heat exchanger 22.

[0063] An indoor fan 26 may be provided adjacent to the indoor heat exchanger 22. The indoor fan 26 may blow indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 22 to promote heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air.

[0064] In addition, the refrigerant circulation circuit may further include a flow switching valve 14. For example, the flow switching valve 14 may include a 4-way valve. The flow switching valve 14 may be connected to a refrigerant discharge port of the compressor 11.

[0065] The flow switching valve 14 may switch a circulation passage of the refrigerant depending on the operation mode (e.g., a cooling operation or a heating operation) of the air conditioner 1. For example, during the cooling operation of the air conditioner 1, the flow switching valve 14 may guide the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 to the outdoor heat exchanger 12 such that the refrigerant may circulate in the order of the compressor 11, the outdoor heat exchanger 12, the expansion device 13, and the indoor heat exchanger 22. In addition, during the heating operation of the air conditioner 1, the flow switching valve 14 may guide the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 to the indoor heat exchanger 22 such that the refrigerant may circulate in the order of the compressor 11, the indoor heat exchanger 22, the expansion device 13, and the outdoor heat exchanger 12.

[0066] In addition, the refrigerant circulation circuit may further include an accumulator 15. The accumulator 15 may be connected to a refrigerant inlet port of the compressor 11.

[0067] The accumulator 15 may receive low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 22 or the outdoor heat exchanger 12. For example, during a cooling operation, low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 22 may be introduced into the accumulator 15. During a heating operation, low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 12 may be introduced into the accumulator 15.

[0068] Depending on the load, the refrigerant may be incompletely evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 22 or the outdoor heat exchanger 12, and a mixed refrigerant of refrigerant liquid and refrigerant gas may be introduced into the accumulator 15. The accumulator 15 may, upon introduction of the mixed refrigerant of the refrigerant liquid and the refrigerant gas, separate the refrigerant liquid from the refrigerant gas, and provide the refrigerant gas, in which the refrigerant liquid has been separated, to the compressor 11.

[0069] For example, the compressor 11, the outdoor heat exchanger 12, the outdoor fan 16, the expansion device 13, the flow switching valve 14, and the accumulator 15 may be arranged in the outdoor unit 10. The indoor heat exchanger 22 and the indoor fan 26 may be arranged in the indoor unit 20. However, the location of the expansion device 13 is not limited to the outdoor unit 10, and according to various embodiments, the expansion device 13 may be arranged in the indoor unit 20.

[0070] In FIG. 1, an example in which a single outdoor unit 10 and a single indoor unit 20 are connected to each other is illustrated, but the disclosure is not limited thereto, and a single outdoor unit 10 may be connected to two or more indoor units 20, or two or more outdoor units 10 may be connected to a single indoor unit 20, or two or more outdoor units 10 may be connected to two or more indoor units 20.

[0071] The air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 1 is only an example of a device to which a compressor according to the concept of the disclosure may be applied, and the concept of the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0072] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a compressor and an accumulator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 2, a compressor 11 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a compressing portion (including components, such as a cylinder 100, a roller 200 configured to compress refrigerant. The compressor 11 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a drive motor 40 provided to supply power to the compressing portion. The compressor 11 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a housing 30 that accommodates the compressing portion and the drive motor 40.

[0074] The housing 30 may form the external appearance of the compressor 11. The housing 30 may be provided to accommodate components of the compressor 11. An accommodation space S in which the compressing portion and the drive motor 40 are accommodated may be formed inside the housing 30.

[0075] The housing 30 may be provided to accommodate oil. The housing 30 may be provided to store oil. Oil may reduce friction between various members of the compressor 11 and lubricate various members of the compressor 11.

[0076] A compressor inlet pipe PI may be connected to an inlet side of the housing 30. The housing 30 may be connected to the accumulator 15 by the compressor inlet pipe PI. The compressor inlet pipe PI may be provided to guide the refrigerant introduced into the housing 30 from the accumulator 15. The compressor inlet pipe PI may be connected to the cylinder 100, and a refrigerant guided by the compressor inlet pipe PI may be introduced into a cylinder chamber 110 inside the cylinder 100.

[0077] For example, when the compressor 11 includes an upper cylinder 100a and a lower cylinder 100b, the compressor inlet pipe PI may include an upper cylinder inlet pipe PI1 connected to the upper cylinder 100a and a lower cylinder inlet pipe PI2 connected to the lower cylinder 100b.

[0078] A compressor outlet pipe PO may be connected to an outlet side of the housing 30. The compressor outlet pipe PO may be provided to discharge a refrigerant compressed in the housing 30. The compressor outlet pipe PO may be provided to guide the refrigerant discharged from the inside of the housing 30 to the outside of the housing. The compressor outlet pipe PO may be provided to guide the refrigerant in the accommodation space S of the housing 30 to be discharged outside the housing 30.

[0079] For example, the compressor inlet pipe PI may be connected to the lower portion of the housing 30. For example, the compressor outlet pipe PO may be connected to the upper portion of the housing 30.

[0080] For example, the housing 30 may include a base 31, a side frame 32, and a top cover 33. The base 31 may form a lower exterior of the housing 30. The side frame 32 may form a sidewall of the housing 30. The top cover 33 may form an upper exterior of the housing 30. At least some of the base 31, the side frame 32, and the top cover 33 may be detachably coupled. At least some of the base 31, the side frame 32, and the top cover 33 may be integrally formed.

[0081] The drive motor 40 may generate power. The drive motor 40 may generate rotational force. The drive motor 40 may convert electromagnetic force into mechanical rotational force.

[0082] The drive motor 40 may include a stator 41 fixed to the housing 30 and a rotor 42 rotatable relative to the stator 41. The stator 41 may include a stator core and coils wound around the stator core. The rotor 42 may include a plurality of magnets. In the drawings, the drive motor 40 is illustrated as an inner rotor type drive motor 40 in which the rotor 42 is disposed inside the stator 41, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The drive motor 40 may be provided as an outer rotor type drive motor in which the rotor 42 is disposed outside the stator 41. There is no limitation on the type of drive motor 40 as long as the drive motor 40 may generate power.

[0083] As an example, the drive motor 40 may be arranged above the compressing portion.

[0084] The compressor11 may include a rotating shaft 50. The rotating shaft 50 may be provided to transmit power generated by the drive motor 40 to the compressing portion. The rotating shaft 50 may be provided to connect the drive motor 40 and the compressing portion. The rotating shaft 50 may be connected to the rotor 42. The rotating shaft 50 may be fixed to the rotor 42 and configured to rotate together with the rotor 42. The rotating shaft 50 may be connected to a roller 200 of the compressing portion to be described below. The rotating shaft 50 may be provided to supply rotational force to the roller 200. For example, the rotating shaft 50 may be provided to transmit rotational force to an upper roller 200a and a lower roller 200b.

[0085] The rotating shaft 50 may extend along a vertical direction V. The rotating shaft 50 may extend along an up-down direction. The rotating shaft 50 may extend along a gravitational direction. The rotating shaft 50 may extend along a height direction of the compressor 11.

[0086] The rotating shaft 50 may be provided to penetrate through components of the compressing portion. As an example, the rotating shaft 50 may be provided to penetrate through a muffler 500, a cylinder cover 400, a cylinder 100, and a roller 200 in approximately the vertical direction V. As an example, the rotating shaft 50 may be provided to penetrate through an upper muffler 500a, an upper cylinder cover 400a, an upper cylinder 100a, an upper roller 200a, a mid-plate 70, a lower cylinder 100b, a lower roller 200b, a lower cylinder cover 400b, and a lower muffler 500b in approximately the vertical direction V.

[0087] The compressor 11 may include a cam 60. The cam 60 may be provided on an outer surface of the rotating shaft 50. The cam 60 may be provided to transmit rotational force of the rotating shaft 50 to the compressing portion.

[0088] The compressor 11 may include at least one cylinder 100, at least one roller 200, at least one vane 300, at least one cylinder cover 400, at least one muffler 500, and at least one cam 60. In the drawings, an example is illustrated in which each of the cylinder 100, the roller 200, the vanes 300, the cylinder cover 400, the muffler 500, and the cam 60 is provided in two units. However, the drawings merely show one example of the compressor 11. As an example, the compressor 11 may include one cylinder 100, one roller 200, one vane 300, one cylinder cover 400, one muffler 500, and one cam 60. As an example, the compressor 11 may include three or more cylinders 100, three or more rollers 200, three or more vanes 300, three or more cylinder covers 400, three or more mufflers 500, and three or more cams 60.

[0089] Meanwhile, expressions of “upper ˜” and “lower ˜” may be used to distinguish between a plurality of components included in the compressor 11. Reference numerals for components using the expression “upper ˜” may be suffixed with the letter “a”, and reference numerals for components using the expression “lower ˜” may be suffixed with the letter “b”. As an example, when the compressor 11 includes two cylinders 100, a cylinder arranged relatively above between the two cylinders may be referred to as an upper cylinder 100a, and a cylinder arranged relatively below between the two cylinders may be referred to as a lower cylinder 100b. When there is no need to distinguish between a plurality of components included in the compressor 11, the expressions “upper ˜” and “lower ˜” may not be used. As an example, the description of the cylinder 100 may be commonly applied to both the upper cylinder 100a and the lower cylinder 100b. In addition, the above content applies similarly to not only the cylinder 100 but also the roller 200, the vane 300, the cylinder cover 400, the muffler 500, and the cam 60.

[0090] In other words, the description of the cylinder 100 may be applied to each of the upper cylinder 100a and the lower cylinder 100b. The description of the roller 200 may be applied to each of the upper roller 200a and the lower roller 200b. The description of the vane 300 may be applied to each of the upper vane 300a and the lower vane 300b. The description of the cylinder cover 400 may be applied to each of the upper cylinder 400a and the lower cylinder 400b. The description of the muffler 500 may be applied to each of the upper muffler 500a and the lower muffler 500b. The description of the cam 60 may be applied to each of the upper cam 60a and the lower cam 60b.

[0091] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating components of a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the components of the compressor shown in FIG. 3, when viewed in a different direction from that shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an exploded view of components of a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the components shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 3. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B′ of FIG. 3.

[0092] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 8, components of the compressor 11 will be described. An example in which each of the cylinder 100, the roller 200, the vane 300, the cylinder cover 400, the muffler 500, and the cam 60 is provided in two units will be described. However, as described above, the present disclosure is not limited to this example.

[0093] The compressor 11 may include at least one cylinder 100.

[0094] The cylinder 100 may include a cylinder chamber 110. The cylinder chamber 110 may accommodate a refrigerant. Refrigerant discharged from an accumulator 15, see FIGS. 1 and 2 may flow into the cylinder chamber 110 and be compressed in the cylinder chamber 110. The cylinder chamber 110 may be formed inside the cylinder 100. As an example, the cylinder 100 may have a substantially ring shape, and the cylinder chamber 110 may be formed I a portion inside the ring shape of the cylinder 100. The cylinder chamber 110 may include an inlet chamber 111 into which a refrigerant is introduced and a compression chamber 112 in which the introduced refrigerant is compressed.

[0095] The cylinder 100 may include an inlet portion 120 into which refrigerant flows. The inlet portion 120 may be connected to the compressor inlet pipe (PI, see FIG. 2). A refrigerant flowing along the compressor inlet pipe PI may flow into the cylinder chamber 110 through the inlet portion 120. The inlet portion 120 may be provided to communicate with the cylinder chamber 110. Specifically, the inlet portion 120 may be provided to communicate with the inlet chamber 111 of the cylinder chamber 110.

[0096] For example, the compressor 11 may include an upper cylinder 100a and a lower cylinder 100b. The upper cylinder 100a may be arranged above the lower cylinder 100b. The lower cylinder 100b may be arranged below the upper cylinder 100a.

[0097] The mid plate 70 may be provided between the upper cylinder 100a and the lower cylinder 100b.

[0098] The upper cylinder 100a may include an upper cylinder chamber 110a. The upper cylinder chamber 110a may include an upper inlet chamber 111a into which a refrigerant is introduced and an upper compression chamber 112a in which the introduced refrigerant is compressed. The upper cylinder chamber 110a may be formed inside the upper cylinder 100a. As an example, the upper cylinder chamber 110a may be defined as a space surrounded by an outer surface of the upper roller 200a, an inner surface of the upper cylinder 100a, the upper cylinder cover 400a, and the mid plate 70.

[0099] The upper cylinder 100a may include an upper inlet portion 120a into which a refrigerant is introduced. The upper inlet portion 120a may be connected to the upper cylinder inlet pipe (PI1, see FIG. 2). The upper inlet portion 120a may communicate with the upper cylinder chamber 110a. The upper inlet portion 120a may communicate with the upper inlet chamber 111a.

[0100] The lower cylinder 100b may include a lower cylinder chamber 110b. The lower cylinder chamber 110b may include a lower inlet chamber 111b into which a refrigerant is introduced and a lower compression chamber 112b in which the introduced refrigerant is compressed. The lower cylinder chamber 110b may be formed inside the lower cylinder 100b. As an example, the lower cylinder chamber 110b may be defined as a space surrounded by an outer surface of the lower roller 200b, an inner surface of the lower cylinder 100b, the lower cylinder cover 400b, and the mid plate 70.

[0101] The lower cylinder 100b may include a lower inlet portion 120b into which a refrigerant is introduced. The lower inlet portion 120b may be connected to a lower cylinder inlet pipe (PI2, see FIG. 2). The lower inlet portion 120b may communicate with the lower cylinder chamber 110b. The lower inlet portion 120b may communicate with the lower inlet chamber 111b.

[0102] The compressor 11 may include the mid plate 70 disposed between the upper cylinder 100a and the lower cylinder 100b.

[0103] The mid plate 70 may be arranged below the upper cylinder 100a to cover a lower side of the upper cylinder chamber 110a. The mid plate 70 may be arranged above the lower cylinder 100a to cover an upper side of the lower cylinder chamber 110b. The mid plate 70 may be provided to divide the upper cylinder chamber 110a and the lower cylinder chamber 110b.

[0104] The mid plate 70 may be coupled to the upper cylinder 100a and / or the lower cylinder 100b. As an example, the mid plate 70 may be screw-coupled to the upper cylinder 100a and / or the lower cylinder 100b. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above example, and the mid plate 70 may be coupled to the upper cylinder 100a and / or the lower cylinder 100b through various known coupling methods.

[0105] The compressor 11 may include at least one roller 200. As an example, the number of rollers 200 may correspond to the number of cylinders 100.

[0106] The roller 200 may be rotatably provided in the cylinder chamber 110. The roller 200 may be provided to compress refrigerant introduced into the cylinder chamber 110 as the roller 200 rotates in the cylinder chamber 110. The roller 200 may receive rotational force from the rotating shaft 50. The roller 200 may be eccentrically displaced from a central axis of the rotating shaft 50 by the cam 60. The roller 200 may rotate about the eccentric axis.

[0107] The roller 200 may have a substantially ring shape. An outer diameter of the roller 200 may be smaller than an inner diameter of the cylinder 100. The roller 200 may rotate with the outer surface being in contact with an inner surface of the cylinder 100.

[0108] For example, the compressor 11 may include an upper roller 200a and a lower roller 200b. The upper roller 200a may be arranged above the lower roller 200b. The lower roller 200b may be arranged below the upper roller 200a.

[0109] The upper roller 200a may be rotatably provided in the upper cylinder chamber 110a. The upper roller 200a may be provided to compress a refrigerant introduced into the upper cylinder chamber 110a as the upper roller 200a rotates. The upper roller 200a may be provided to rotate perform eccentric rotation by an upper cam 60a formed on an outer surface of the rotating shaft 50.

[0110] The lower roller 200b may be rotatably provided in the lower cylinder chamber 110b. The lower roller 200b may be provided to compress a refrigerant introduced into the lower cylinder chamber 110b as the lower roller 200b rotates. The lower roller 200b may be provided to perform eccentric rotation by a lower cam 60b formed on an outer surface of the rotating shaft 50.

[0111] The compressor 11 may include the rotating shaft 50.

[0112] The rotating shaft 50 may include a shaft body 51, a intake hole 53 and a discharge hole 54.

[0113] The shaft body 51 may form an oil passage 52. The shaft body 51 may have a hollow shape to allow oil to flow inside the shaft body 51. The oil passage 52 may extend along a longitudinal direction of the shaft body 51. The oil passage 52 may extend along substantially the vertical direction V.

[0114] The intake hole 53 may be formed at a lower end of the shaft body 51. The intake hole 53 may be provided at one end of the oil passage 52. The intake hole 53 may be provided to draw oil accommodated in the housing 30 into the oil passage 52. The intake hole 53 may be open toward a bottom of the housing 30.

[0115] As an example, the rotating shaft 50 may include a paddle 55 provided inside the shaft body 51 and a pickup member 56 provided at the intake hole 53 to draw in oil accommodated in the housing 30. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above example, and the rotating shaft 50 may draw in oil through various known methods.

[0116] The discharge hole 54 may be provided to discharge oil flowing along the oil passage 52. The discharge hole 54 may allow the oil passage 52 of the shaft body 51 to communicate with an outer surface of the shaft body 51. Oil discharged through the discharge hole 54 may flow between components of the compressing portion of the compressor 11.

[0117] The rotating shaft 50 may include a plurality of discharge holes 54. The plurality of discharge holes 54 may be spaced apart along a longitudinal direction of the oil passage 52. The plurality of discharge holes 54 may be spaced apart along substantially the vertical direction V. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the rotating shaft 50 may include a single discharge hole 54 in some cases.

[0118] The compressor 11 may include at least one cam 60. As an example, the number of cams 60 may correspond to the number of rollers 200. As an example, the number of cams 60 may correspond to the number of cylinders 100.

[0119] The cam 60 may be formed on an outer surface of the rotating shaft 50. The cam 60 may be eccentrically arranged from a central axis of the rotating shaft 50. The cam 60 may be coupled to an inner surface of the roller 200. As an example, most of an outer surface of the cam 60 may contact most of an inner surface of the roller 200.

[0120] The cam 60 may be provided to eccentrically rotate the roller 200. As the cam 60 is eccentrically arranged with respect to the central axis of the rotating shaft 50, the roller 200 coupled to the cam 60 may also be eccentrically arranged with respect to the central axis of the rotating shaft 50. Thereby, the cam 60 and the roller 200 may rotate in an eccentric state with respect to the central axis of the rotating shaft 50, and the roller 200 may compress the refrigerant in the cylinder chamber 110 as the roller 200 rotates.

[0121] Meanwhile, although the cam 60 has been described as a separate component from the rotating shaft 50, the cam 60 may be provided as a part of the rotating shaft 50. That is, the rotating shaft 50 may include the cam 60. In this case, the cam 60 may be understood as being formed on an outer surface of the shaft body 51.

[0122] For example, the compressor 11 may include an upper cam 60a and a lower cam 60b. The upper cam 60a may be arranged above the lower cam 60b. The lower cam 60b may be arranged below the upper cam 60a.

[0123] The upper cam 60a may correspond to the upper roller 200a. The upper cam 60a may be coupled to an inner surface of the upper roller 200a to eccentrically rotate the upper roller 200a.

[0124] The lower cam 60b may correspond to the lower roller 200b. The lower cam 60b may be coupled to an inner surface of the lower roller 200b to eccentrically rotate the lower roller 200b.

[0125] In one embodiment, the upper cam 60a and the lower cam 60b may be eccentric in the opposite directions with respect to the central axis of the rotating shaft 50. In addition, the upper roller 200a and the lower roller 200b may be eccentric in the opposite directions with respect to the central axis of the rotating shaft 50. Accordingly, a phase when a refrigerant in the upper cylinder chamber 110a is compressed by the upper roller 200a and a phase when a refrigerant in the lower cylinder chamber 110b is compressed by the lower roller 200b may be opposite to each other.

[0126] The compressor 11 may include at least one vane 300. As an example, the number of vanes 300 may correspond to the number of rollers 200. As an example, the number of vanes 300 may correspond to the number of cylinders 100.

[0127] The vane 300 may be arranged inside the cylinder 100. The vane 300 may be provided to partition the cylinder chamber 110. The vane 300 may partition the cylinder chamber 110 into the inlet chamber 111 into which a refrigerant is introduced and the compression chamber 112 in which the refrigerant is compressed. The vane 300 may be provided to be movable in conjunction with the rotation of the roller 200. One end of the vane 300 may be connectable to the cylinder 100, and the other end of the vane 300 may be connectable to the roller 200.

[0128] For example, the compressor 11 may include an upper vane 300a and a lower vane 300b. The upper vane 300a may be arranged above the lower vane 300b. The lower vane 300b may be arranged below the upper vane 300a.

[0129] The upper vane 300a may be arranged inside the upper cylinder 100a. The upper vane 300a may be provided to partition the upper cylinder chamber 110a. The upper vane 300a may be provided to partition the upper cylinder chamber 110a into an upper inlet chamber 111a and an upper compression chamber 112a. The upper vane 300a may be provided to be movable in conjunction with the rotation of the upper roller 200a. One end of the upper vane 300a may be connectable to the upper cylinder 100a, and the other end of the upper vane 300a may be connectable to the upper roller 200a.

[0130] The upper vane 300a may be movably installed in the upper cylinder 100a. The upper vane 300a may be connected to an elastic member E and provided to contact an outer circumferential surface of the upper roller 200a by elastic force regardless of the position of the upper roller 200a inside the upper cylinder 100a.

[0131] The lower vane 300b may be arranged inside the lower cylinder 100b. The lower vane 300b may be provided to partition the lower cylinder chamber 110b. The lower vane 300b may be provided to partition the lower cylinder chamber 110b into a lower inlet chamber 111b and a lower compression chamber 112b. The lower vane 300b may be provided to be movable in conjunction with the rotation of the lower roller 200b. One end of the lower vane 300b may be connectable to the lower cylinder 100b, and the other end of the lower vane 300b may be connectable to the lower roller 200b.

[0132] The lower vane 300b may be movably installed in the lower cylinder 100b. The lower vane 300b may be connected to an elastic member E and provided to contact an outer circumferential surface of the lower roller 200b by elastic force regardless of the position of the lower roller 200b inside the lower cylinder 100b.

[0133] The compressor 11 may include at least one cylinder cover 400. As an example, the number of cylinder covers 400 may correspond to the number of cylinders 100.

[0134] The cylinder cover 400 may be provided to cover at least a portion of the cylinder chamber 110. The cylinder cover 400 may include a cover body 410 and a support portion 420 extending from the cover body 410 and provided to support a shaft.

[0135] For example, the compressor 11 may include an upper cylinder cover 400a and a lower cylinder cover 400b. The upper cylinder cover 400a may be arranged above the lower cylinder cover 400b. The lower cylinder cover 400b may be arranged below the upper cylinder cover 400a.

[0136] The upper cylinder cover 400a may be arranged above the upper cylinder 100a. The upper cylinder cover 400a may be provided to cover an upper side of the upper cylinder chamber 110a. The upper cylinder cover 400a may include an upper cover body 410a and an upper support portion 420a. The upper cover body 410a may be coupled to the upper cylinder 100a. The upper support portion 420a may extend upward from the upper cover body 410a. The upper support portion 420a may be provided to support the rotating shaft 50. The upper support portion 420a may be provided to surround a portion of an outer surface of the rotating shaft 50. The upper support portion 420a may serve as a bearing that rotatably supports the rotating shaft 50.

[0137] The upper cylinder cover 400a may include an upper connection hole 411a connecting the upper cylinder chamber 110a and an interior of the upper muffler 500a. A refrigerant compressed in the upper cylinder chamber 110a may flow to the upper muffler 500a through the upper connection hole 411a. As an example, the upper connection hole 411a may be formed to pass through the upper cover body 410a.

[0138] The lower cylinder cover 400b may be arranged below the lower cylinder 100b. The lower cylinder cover 400b may be provided to cover a lower side of the lower cylinder chamber 110b. The lower cylinder cover 400b may include a lower cover body 410b and a lower support portion 420b. The lower cover body 410b may be coupled to the lower cylinder 100b. The lower support portion 420b may extend downward from the lower cover body 410b. The lower support portion 420b may be provided to support the rotating shaft 50. The lower support portion 420b may be provided to surround a portion of an outer surface of the rotating shaft 50. The lower support portion 420b may serve as a bearing that rotatably supports the rotating shaft 50.

[0139] The lower cylinder cover 400b may include a lower connection hole 411b connecting the lower cylinder chamber 110b and an interior of the lower muffler 500b. A refrigerant compressed in the lower cylinder chamber 110b may flow to the lower muffler 500b through the lower connection hole 411b. As an example, the lower connection hole 411b may be formed to pass through the lower cover body 410b.

[0140] The compressor 11 may include at least one valve 800. As an example, the number of valves 800 may correspond to the number of cylinders 100.

[0141] The valve 800 may be provided in the cylinder cover 400 to allow or block the flow of a refrigerant. The valve 800 may allow the flow of a refrigerant based on the pressure of the refrigerant being higher than or equal to a certain level, and may block the flow of a refrigerant based on the pressure of the refrigerant being lower than the certain level.

[0142] For example, the compressor 11 may include an upper valve 800a and a lower valve 800b. The upper valve 800a may be arranged above the lower valve 800b. The lower valve 800b may be arranged below the upper valve 800a.

[0143] The upper valve 800a may be provided to open and close an upper connection hole 411a of the upper cylinder cover 400a. The upper valve 800a may open the upper connection hole 411a based on the pressure of refrigerant in the upper cylinder chamber 110a being higher than or equal to a certain level. The upper valve 800a may close the upper connection hole 411a based on the pressure of refrigerant in the upper cylinder chamber 110a being lower than the certain level.

[0144] The lower valve 800b may be provided to open and close a lower connection hole 411b of the lower cylinder cover 400b. The lower valve 800b may open the lower connection hole 411b based on the pressure of refrigerant in the lower cylinder chamber 110b being higher than or equal to a certain level. The lower valve 800b may close the lower connection hole 411b based on the pressure of refrigerant in the lower cylinder chamber 110b being lower than the certain level.

[0145] The compressor 11 may include at least one muffler 500. As an example, the number of mufflers 500 may correspond to the number of cylinders 100. As an example, the number of mufflers 500 may correspond to the number of cylinder covers 400.

[0146] The muffler 500 may be provided to reduce noise generated when the compressed refrigerant flows. The muffler 500 may be provided to accommodate the refrigerant discharged from the cylinder cover 400.

[0147] For example, the compressor 11 may include an upper muffler 500a and a lower muffler 500b. The upper muffler 500a may be arranged above the lower muffler 500b. The lower muffler 500b may be arranged below the upper muffler 500a.

[0148] The upper muffler 500a may be arranged above the upper cylinder chamber 110a. The upper muffler 500a may be arranged above the upper cylinder 100a. The upper muffler 500a may be arranged above the upper cylinder cover 400a. The upper muffler 500a may cover the upper cylinder cover 400a. The upper muffler 500a may be coupled to the upper cylinder cover 400a and / or the upper cylinder 100a.

[0149] The upper muffler 500a may reduce noise generated when a refrigerant compressed in the upper cylinder chamber 110a passes through the upper cylinder 400a. Generally, when a high-pressure refrigerant is discharged through a narrow hole and the like, excessive noise may occur. While the upper muffler 500a covers the upper cylinder cover 400a, an upper muffler chamber may be formed between the upper muffler 500a and the upper cylinder cover 400a. The upper muffler chamber may be formed to have a relatively larger width and volume compared to the upper cylinder chamber 110a and the upper connection hole 411a. Thereby, while the refrigerant compressed in the upper cylinder chamber 110a flows into the upper muffler chamber through the upper connection hole 411a, the speed and pressure of the refrigerant may decrease, thereby reducing noise.

[0150] The upper muffler 500a may include a discharge portion 510 for discharging a refrigerant. A refrigerant in the upper muffler 500a may be discharged to the outside of the compressing portion through the discharge portion 510. In addition, as will be described below, a refrigerant in the lower muffler 500b may also flow into the upper muffler 500a and then be discharged to the outside of the compressing portion through the discharge portion 510.

[0151] The lower muffler 500b may be arranged below the lower cylinder chamber 110b. The lower muffler 500b may be arranged below the lower cylinder 100b. The lower muffler 500b may be arranged below the lower cylinder cover 400b. The lower muffler 500b may cover the lower cylinder cover 400b. The lower muffler 500b may be coupled to the lower cylinder cover 400b and / or the lower cylinder 100b.

[0152] The lower muffler 500b may reduce noise generated when a refrigerant compressed in the lower cylinder chamber 110b passes through the lower cylinder 400b. Generally, when a high-pressure refrigerant is discharged through a narrow hole and the like, excessive noise may occur. While the lower muffler 500b covers the lower cylinder cover 400b, a lower muffler chamber may be formed between the lower muffler 500b and the lower cylinder cover 400b. The lower muffler chamber may be formed to have a relatively larger width and volume compared to the lower cylinder chamber 110b and the lower connection hole 411b. Thereby, while a refrigerant compressed in the lower cylinder chamber 110b flows into the lower muffler chamber through the lower connection hole 411b, the speed and pressure of the refrigerant may decrease, thereby reducing noise.

[0153] Next, referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, an example of a refrigerant flow will be described. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the refrigerant flow is indicated by two-dot chain line arrows.

[0154] A refrigerant may flow into the upper cylinder 100a. The refrigerant may flow into the upper cylinder chamber 110a through the upper inlet portion 120a, see FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. As the upper roller 200a rotates in the upper cylinder chamber 110a, the refrigerant in the upper cylinder chamber 110a may be compressed. When the pressure of the compressed refrigerant is at or above a certain level, the upper valve 800a may open the upper connection hole 411a. The compressed refrigerant may flow into the interior of the upper muffler 500a through the opened upper connection hole 411a. The refrigerant introduced into the interior of the upper muffler 500a may be discharged through the discharge portion 510, see FIGS. 3 and 5 of the upper muffler 500a.

[0155] A refrigerant may flow into the lower cylinder 100b. The refrigerant may flow into the lower cylinder chamber 110b through the lower inlet portion 120b, see FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. As the lower roller 200b rotates in the lower cylinder chamber 110b, the refrigerant in the lower cylinder chamber 110b may be compressed. When the pressure of the compressed refrigerant is at or above a certain level, the lower valve 800b may open the lower connection hole 411b. The compressed refrigerant may flow into the interior of the lower muffler 500b through the opened lower connection hole 411b. The refrigerant in the lower muffler 500b may flow into the interior of the upper muffler 500a along a connection passage 90. The connection passage 90 may connect the upper muffler chamber and the lower muffler chamber. As an example, the connection passage 90 may be formed by the overlapping of a hole 402 formed in the lower cylinder cover 400b, a hole 102 formed in the lower cylinder 100b, a hole 71 formed in the mid plate 70, a hole 101 formed in the upper cylinder 100a, and a hole 401 formed in the upper cylinder cover 400a (see FIG. 5). The refrigerant introduced into the upper muffler 500a through the connection passage 90 may be discharged through the discharge portion 510, see FIGS. 3 and 5 of the upper muffler 500a.

[0156] The compressor 11 may include at least one valve 800. In the drawings, two valves 800 are described as an example. However, the drawings merely show one example of the compressor 11. As an example, the compressor 11 may include one valve 800. As an example, the compressor 11 may include three or more valves 800.

[0157] Meanwhile, expressions of “upper ˜” and “lower ˜” may be used to distinguish between a plurality of components included in the compressor 11. Reference numerals for components using the expression “upper ˜” may be suffixed with the letter “a”, and reference numerals for components using the expression “lower ˜” may be suffixed with the letter “b”. As an example, when the compressor 11 includes two valves 800, a valve arranged relatively above between the two valves may be referred to as an upper valve 800a, and a valve arranged relatively below between the two valves may be referred to as a lower valve 100b.

[0158] When there is no need to distinguish between a plurality of components included in the compressor 11, the expressions “upper ˜” and “lower ˜” may not be used. As an example, the description of the valve 800 may be commonly applied to both the upper valve 800a and the lower valve 800b.

[0159] In other words, the description of the valve 800 may be applied to each of the upper valve 800a and the lower valve 800b.

[0160] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a state in which an upper muffler of a compressor is disassembled to show a valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a state in which a valve of a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is disassembled. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C′ shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 12 is a graph schematically illustrating a force applied to valves having various thicknesses and corresponding deformation amounts in a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a graph schematically illustrating an efficiency according to the ratio of a spacer and a first valve while various loads are applied to a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0161] Referring to FIGS. 9 to 13, the valve 800 of the compressor 11 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. For convenience of explanation, only the upper valve 800a will be described, and the configuration of the upper valve 800a may be equally applied to the lower valve 800b. However, as needed, the configuration of the lower valve 800b may have a different configuration from that of the upper valve 800a.

[0162] Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, the compressor 11 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an upper valve 800a for opening and closing the upper connection hole 411a. The upper valve 800a may be provided to open the upper connection hole 411a based on the pressure of the compressed refrigerant. The upper valve 800a may be provided to open the upper connection hole 411a when the pressure inside the upper cylinder chamber 110a is greater than a predetermined pressure, and to close the upper connection hole 411a when the pressure inside the upper cylinder chamber 110a is less than the predetermined pressure.

[0163] The upper cylinder cover 400a may include an upper valve mounting portion 416a for mounting the upper valve 800a. The upper valve 800a may be accommodated in the upper valve mounting portion 416a. For example, the upper valve mounting portion 416a may have a shape and / or size corresponding to the upper valve 800a. The upper connection hole 411a may be provided in the upper valve mounting portion 416a.

[0164] As an example, a portion of the upper valve 800a may be fixed to the upper valve mounting portion 416a of the upper cylinder cover 400a by an upper valve fixing portion 801a. The upper cylinder cover 400a may include a mounting hole 412a for mounting the upper valve 800a. The mounting hole 412a may be provided in the upper valve mounting portion 416a. For example, the upper valve fixing portion 801a may include a screw, and the mounting hole 412a may be provided with threads corresponding to the upper valve fixing portion 801a.

[0165] The upper valve 800a may include a first valve 810a. The first valve 810a may include a material deformable by a pressure inside the upper cylinder chamber 110a. For example, the first valve 810a may include a flexible material. As an example, the first valve 810a may include a material that may be deformed when the pressure inside the upper cylinder chamber 110a is greater than a predetermined pressure and may be restored when the pressure decreases below the predetermined pressure.

[0166] The first valve 810a may include a first valve fixing portion 811a fixed to the upper cylinder cover 400a and a first valve cover portion 813a for opening and closing the upper connection hole 411a.

[0167] The first valve fixing portion 811a may be fixed to the upper cylinder cover 400a by the upper valve fixing portion 801a. The first valve fixing portion 811a may include a first valve hole 812a for the upper valve fixing portion 801a. At least a portion of the upper valve fixing portion 801a may penetrate through the first valve hole 812a.

[0168] The first valve cover portion 813a may be provided at an end of the first valve 810a opposite to one end in which the first valve fixing portion 811a is located. The first valve cover portion 813a may have a size and / or shape capable of covering the upper connection hole 411a.

[0169] The first valve 810a may be provided such that the first valve cover portion 813a is movable while the first valve fixing portion 811a is fixed to the upper cylinder cover 400a. The first valve 810a may be provided such that the first valve cover portion 813a is movable as at least a portion of the first valve 810a is deformed.

[0170] The first valve 810a may be provided such that one end in which the first valve fixing portion 811a is located is fixed and the opposite end in which the first valve cover portion 813a is located is movable. The first valve 810a may be provided such that a portion between the first valve fixing portion 811a and the first valve cover portion 813a is deformable.

[0171] The upper valve 800a may include a second valve 820a. The second valve 820a may be positioned above the first valve 810a. The second valve 820a may include a material deformable by pressure inside the upper cylinder chamber 110a. For example, the second valve 820a may include a flexible material. As an example, the second valve 820a may include a material that may be deformed when the pressure inside the upper cylinder chamber 110a is greater than a predetermined pressure and may be restored when the pressure decreases below the predetermined pressure.

[0172] The second valve 820a may include a second valve fixing portion 821a fixed to the upper cylinder cover 400a and a second valve cover portion 823a provided to be movable together with the first valve cover portion 813a.

[0173] The second valve fixing portion 821a may be fixed to the upper cylinder cover 400a by the upper valve fixing portion 801a. The second valve fixing portion 821a may include a second valve hole 822a for the upper valve fixing portion 801a. At least a portion of the upper valve fixing portion 801a may penetrate through the second valve hole 822a.

[0174] The second valve cover portion 823a may be provided at an end of the second valve 820a opposite to one end in which the second valve fixing portion 821a is located. The second valve cover portion 823a may have the same size and / or shape as the first valve cover portion 813a.

[0175] The second valve 820a may be provided such that the second valve cover portion 823a is movable while the second valve fixing portion 821a is fixed to the upper cylinder cover 400a. The second valve 820a may be provided such that the second valve cover portion 823a is movable as at least a portion of the second valve 820a is deformed.

[0176] The second valve 820a may be provided such that one end in which the second valve fixing portion 821a is located is fixed and the opposite end in which the second valve cover portion 823a is located is movable. The second valve 820a may be provided such that a portion between the second valve fixing portion 821a and the second valve cover portion 823a is deformable.

[0177] As an example, the second valve 820a may have the same shape as the first valve 810a. For example, the second valve 820a may have the same material as the material of the first valve 810a.

[0178] The second valve 820a may have a different thickness from the first valve 810a. For example, the second valve 820a may have a thicker thickness than the first valve 810a. As the second valve 820a has a thicker thickness than the first valve 810a, the second valve 820a may be provided to be deformable only when an external force greater than the external force that deforms the first valve 810a is applied.

[0179] The pressure required to deform the second valve 820a may be set to be greater than the pressure required to deform the first valve 810a. The second valve 820a may be provided to be deformable when the second valve 820a receives a pressure greater than a pressure required to deform the first valve 810a.

[0180] For example, when the internal pressure of the upper cylinder chamber 110a is a first pressure that is large enough to deform the first valve 810a but not large enough to deform the second valve 820a, the first valve 810a may move to a position in which the first valve cover portion 813a contacts the second valve cover portion 823a of the second valve 820a, and the second valve cover portion 823a of the second valve 820a may not move.

[0181] For example, when the internal pressure of the upper cylinder chamber 110a is a second pressure that is large enough to deform both the first valve 810a and the second valve 820a, the first valve 810a may move to a position in which the first valve cover portion 813a contacts the second valve cover portion 823a of the second valve 820a, and the second valve cover portion 823a of the second valve 820a may move together with the first valve cover portion 813a in a direction to open the upper connection hole 411a.

[0182] Referring to FIG. 12, since the upper valve 800a according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the first valve 810a and the second valve 820a, the degree of deformation may vary depending on the applied force.

[0183] For example, the first valve 810a may have a large amount of deformation even when a relatively small force is applied to the first valve 810a, and the second valve 820a may have a smaller amount of deformation than that of the first valve 810a even when a relatively large force is applied to the second valve 820a. As an example, in order to have the same amount of deformation, a force greater than the force applied to the first valve 810a needs to be applied to the second valve 820a.

[0184] Meanwhile, the upper valve 800a according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the first valve 810a and the second valve 820a. For example, until the first valve 810a and the second valve 820a contact each other, stiffness only the first valve 810a is deformed, and thus the upper valve 800a may be deformed according to a stiffness of the first valve 810a. For example, after the first valve 810a and the second valve 820a contact each other, stiffness the first valve 810a and the second valve 820a are deformed together, the upper valve 800a may be deformed according to a stiffness greater than a stiffness of the second valve 820a.

[0185] As the second valve 820a has a greater stiffness than of the first valve 810a, the upper valve 800a may prevent a delay in the timing of closing the upper connection hole 411a, reduce shaking or vibration caused by the pressure inside the upper cylinder chamber 110a, and reduce damage.

[0186] The upper valve 800a may include a spacer 830a. The spacer 830a may be arranged between the first valve 810a and the second valve 820a. The spacer 830a may be provided to space the second valve 820a from the first valve 810a.

[0187] The spacer 830a may include a spacer body 831a and a spacer hole 832a formed to pass through the spacer body 831a. The upper valve fixing portion 801a may be provided such that at least a portion thereof may penetrate through the spacer hole 832a of the spacer 830a. As the upper valve fixing portion 801a is coupled to the spacer hole 832a, the spacer 830a may be fixed to the upper cylinder cover 400a.

[0188] As the spacer 830a is provided to space the first valve 810a from the second valve 820a, the second valve 820a may be provided to be deformed after the first valve 810a is deformed by a predetermined amount. As the spacer 830a is provided to space the first valve 810a from the second valve 820a, the upper valve 800a may reduce a possibility of the first valve 810a and the second valve 820a from moving together due to the adhesive force of oil without contacting each other.

[0189] For example, the spacer 830a may have a thickness thicker than the thickness of the first valve 810a. For example, the spacer 830a may have a thickness thicker than the thickness of the second valve 820a.

[0190] Referring to FIG. 13, the compressor 11 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have an efficiency changed according to the thickness ratio of the first valve 810a and the spacer 830a of the upper valve 800a.

[0191] For example, while the compressor 11 operates at a relatively low load, that is, when the rotational speed of the rotating shaft 50 by the drive motor 40 is relatively low, the efficiency of the compressor 11 may be improved when the thickness of the spacer 830a is 2.4 times or more and 3.2 times or less the thickness of the first valve 810a.

[0192] For example, while the compressor 11 operates at a relatively high load, that is, when the rotational speed of the rotating shaft 50 by the drive motor 40 is relatively high, the efficiency of the compressor 11 may be improved when the thickness of the spacer 830a is 2.4 times or more and 3.2 times or less the thickness of the first valve 810a.

[0193] For example, while the compressor 11 operates at a relatively medium load, that is, when the rotational speed of the rotating shaft 50 by the drive motor 40 is relatively medium, the efficiency of the compressor 11 may be improved when the thickness of the spacer 830a is 2.4 times or more and 3.2 times or less the thickness of the first valve 810a.

[0194] The upper valve 800a may include a stopper 840a. The stopper 840a may be positioned above the second valve 820a. The stopper 840a may be provided to limit the degree of deformation of the second valve 820a. For example, the stopper 840a may be provided to prevent the second valve 820a from being deformed more than a predetermined degree when the second valve 820a is deformed by the internal pressure of the upper cylinder chamber 110a. The stopper 840a may have a bent shape similar to a deformation shape of the second valve 820a. The stopper 840a may include a material having greater stiffness than the second valve 820a.

[0195] FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of portion D shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 15 illustrates a state change of the valve shown in FIG. 14 when a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is in a low load condition. FIG. 16 illustrates a state change of the valve shown in FIG. 14 when a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is in a high load condition.

[0196] Referring to FIG. 14, when the internal pressure of the upper cylinder chamber 110a of the compressor 11 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is lower than a first pressure, the first valve 810a of the upper valve 800a may close the upper connection hole 411a. When the internal pressure of the upper cylinder chamber 110a is lower than the first pressure, the first valve 810a may not be deformed. The first valve 810a may be spaced apart from the second valve 820a.

[0197] Referring to FIG. 15, when the internal pressure of the upper cylinder chamber 110a of the compressor 11 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is higher than the first pressure, the first valve 810a of the upper valve 800a may open the upper connection hole 411a. When the internal pressure of the upper cylinder chamber 110a is greater than the first pressure, the first valve 810a may be deformed.

[0198] When the internal pressure of the upper cylinder chamber 110a of the compressor 11 is lower than a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure, the second valve 820a of the upper valve 800a may not be deformed, and accordingly, the first valve 810a may contact the second valve 820a. The second valve 820a may be spaced apart from the stopper 840a.

[0199] Referring to FIG. 16, when the internal pressure of the upper cylinder chamber 110a of the compressor 11 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is higher than the second pressure, the second valve 820a of the upper valve 800a may be deformed together with the first valve 810a. Accordingly, the upper valve 800a may open the upper connection hole 411a to a greater extent.

[0200] Since the upper valve 800a according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the first valve 810a and the second valve 820a, and the spacer 830a for spacing the first valve 810a and the second valve 820a apart from each other, the upper connection hole 411a may be smoothly opened while the compressor 11 operates at a relatively low load, and noise that may occur during operation at a relatively high load may be reduced and reliability may be improved.

[0201] For convenience of explanation, the upper valve 800a has been described, but the configuration of the upper valve 800a may be equally applied to the lower valve 800b.

[0202] FIG. 17 is an exploded view of a valve of a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0203] Referring to FIG. 17, a valve 1800 of a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In describing the valve 1800 shown in FIG. 17, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as the compressor 11 shown in FIGS. 1 to 16, and detailed descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0204] Referring to FIG. 17, the compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an upper cylinder cover 1400a. For convenience of explanation, only the upper cylinder cover 1400a will be described, but the cylinder cover 1400 of the compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a lower cylinder cover, and the configuration of the upper cylinder cover 1400a may be equally applied to the lower cylinder cover.

[0205] The upper cylinder cover 1400a may include an upper cover body 1410a, a hole 401, an upper support portion 420a, and an upper connection hole 411a.

[0206] The upper cover body 1410a may include an upper valve mounting portion 1416a for mounting an upper valve 1800a. The upper valve 1800a may be accommodated in the upper valve mounting portion 1416a. For example, the upper valve mounting portion 1416a may have a shape and / or size corresponding to the upper valve 1800a. The upper connection hole 411a may be provided in the upper valve mounting portion 1416a.

[0207] As an example, a portion of the upper valve 1800a may be fixed to the upper valve mounting portion 1416a of the upper cylinder cover 1400a by an upper valve fixing portion 801a. The upper cylinder cover 1400a may include a mounting hole 1412a for mounting the upper valve 1800a. The mounting hole 1412a may be provided in the upper valve mounting portion 1416a. For example, the upper valve fixing portion 801a may include a screw, and the mounting hole 1412a may be provided with threads corresponding to the upper valve fixing portion 801a.

[0208] Referring to FIG. 17, the valve 1800 of the compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include the upper valve 1800a. For convenience of explanation, the upper valve 1800a will be described, but when the valve 1800 includes a lower valve, the configuration of the upper valve 1800a may also be applied to the lower valve.

[0209] Referring to FIG. 17, a portion of the upper valve 1800a according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be fixed to the upper valve mounting portion 1416a of the upper cylinder cover 1400a by the upper valve fixing portion 801a.

[0210] The upper valve 1800a may include a first valve 810a, a second valve 1820a, a spacer 830a, and a stopper 840a. The configurations of the first valve 810a, the spacer 830a, and the stopper 840a of the upper valve 1800a shown in FIG. 17 may be the same as the configurations of the first valve 810a, the spacer 830a, and the stopper 840a of the upper valve 800a shown in FIGS. 1 to 16.

[0211] The second valve 1820a of the upper valve 1800a may be positioned above the first valve 810a. The second valve 1820a may include a deformable material. For example, the second valve 1820a may include a flexible material. As an example, the second valve 1820a may include a material that may be deformable and restorable.

[0212] The second valve 1820a may include a second valve fixing portion 1821a fixed to the upper cylinder cover 1400a and a second valve cover portion 1823a provided to be movable together with the first valve cover portion 813a.

[0213] The second valve fixing portion 1821a may be fixed to the upper cylinder cover 1400a by the upper valve fixing portion 801a. The second valve fixing portion 1821a may include a second valve hole 1822a for the upper valve fixing portion 801a. At least a portion of the upper valve fixing portion 801a may penetrate through the second valve hole 1822a.

[0214] The second valve cover portion 1823a may be provided at an end of the second valve 1820a opposite to one end in which the second valve fixing portion 1821a is located. The second valve cover portion 1823a may have the same size and / or shape as the first valve cover portion 813a.

[0215] The second valve 1820a may be provided such that the second valve cover portion 1823a is movable while the second valve fixing portion 1821a is fixed to the upper cylinder cover 1400a. The second valve 1820a may be provided such that the second valve cover portion 1823a is movable as at least a portion of the second valve 1820a is deformed.

[0216] The second valve 1820a may be provided such that one end in which the second valve fixing portion 1821a is located is fixed and the opposite end in which the second valve cover portion 1823a is located is movable. The second valve 1820a may be provided such that a portion between the second valve fixing portion 1821a and the second valve cover portion 1823a is deformable.

[0217] The second valve 1820a according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a rotation restricting portion 1824a. The rotation restricting portion 1824a may extend from the second valve fixing portion 1821a. The rotation restricting portion 1824a may be located on a side of the second valve fixing portion 1821a opposite to one side in which the second valve cover portion 1823a is located.

[0218] The upper valve mounting portion 1416a of the upper cylinder cover 1400a according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cover receiving portion 1417a corresponding to the rotation restricting portion 1824a of the second valve 1820a. While the upper valve 1800a is mounted on the upper valve mounting portion 1416a, the rotation restricting portion 1824a may be accommodated in the cover receiving portion 1417a. The cover receiving portion 1417a may have a size and / or shape corresponding to the rotation restricting portion 1824a.

[0219] Since the upper valve 1800a according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with the rotation restricting portion 1824a on the second valve 1820a, rotation of the second valve 1820a may be restricted, thereby improving reliability.

[0220] When the first valve 810a and the second valve 1820a of the upper valve 1800a according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are provided with similar thicknesses, the first valve 810a and the second valve 1820a of the upper valve 1800a have similar shapes and sizes except for the configuration of the rotation restricting portion 1824a of the second valve 1820a. Accordingly, the second valve 1820a and the first valve 810a may be distinguished from each other by the rotation restricting portion 1824a.

[0221] The cover receiving portion 1417a of the upper cylinder cover 1400a according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided to have a step difference relative to the bottom surface of the upper valve mounting portion 1416a. The cover receiving portion 1417a may be provided to be positioned above the bottom surface of the upper valve mounting portion 1416a by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the first valve 810a and the thickness of the spacer 830a. According to this configuration, when the second valve 1820a is assembled first to the upper valve mounting portion 1416a, the second valve 1820a may be interfered with the upper valve mounting portion 1416a and the cover receiving portion 1417a, thereby preventing incorrect assembly.

[0222] FIG. 18 is an exploded view of a valve of a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 19 is an exploded view of a stopper of a valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0223] Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, a valve 2800 of a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In describing the valve 2800 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as the valve 800 shown in FIGS. 1 to 16, and detailed descriptions may be omitted.

[0224] Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the valve 2800 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an upper valve 2800a. For convenience of explanation, the upper valve 2800a will be described, but when the valve 2800 includes a lower valve, the configuration of the upper valve 2800a may be equally applied to the lower valve.

[0225] Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, a portion of the upper valve 2800a may be fixed to the upper valve mounting portion 416a of the upper cylinder cover 400a by the upper valve fixing portion 801a. The upper cylinder cover 400a may include a mounting hole 412a for mounting the upper valve 2800a. The mounting hole 412a may be provided in the upper valve mounting portion 416a. For example, the upper valve fixing portion 801a may include a screw, and the mounting hole 412a may be provided with threads corresponding to the upper valve fixing portion 801a.

[0226] The upper valve 2800a may include a stopper 840a having the same configuration as the stopper 840a of the upper valve 800a shown in FIGS. 1 to 16.

[0227] The upper valve 2800a may include a first valve 2810a. The first valve 2810a may include a deformable material. For example, the first valve 2810a may include a flexible material. As an example, the first valve 2810a may include a material that may be deformable and restorable.

[0228] The first valve 2810a may include a first valve fixing portion 2811a fixed to the upper cylinder cover 400a and a first valve cover portion 2813a for opening and closing the upper connection hole 411a.

[0229] The first valve fixing portion 2811a may be fixed to the upper cylinder cover 400a by the upper valve fixing portion 801a. The first valve fixing portion 2811a may include a first valve hole 2812a for the upper valve fixing portion 801a. At least a portion of the upper valve fixing portion 801a may penetrate through the first valve hole 2812a.

[0230] The upper valve 2800a may include a second valve 2820a. The second valve 2820a may include a deformable material. For example, the second valve 2820a may include a flexible material. As an example, the second valve 2820a may include a material that may be deformed and restored.

[0231] The second valve 2820a may include a second valve fixing portion 2821a fixed to the upper cylinder cover 400a and a second valve cover portion 2823a for opening and closing the upper connection hole 411a.

[0232] The second valve fixing portion 2821a may be fixed to the upper cylinder cover 400a by the upper valve fixing portion 801a. The second valve fixing portion 2821a may include a second valve hole 2822a for the upper valve fixing portion 801a. At least a portion of the upper valve fixing portion 801a may penetrate through the second valve hole 2822a.

[0233] The upper valve 2800a may include a spacer 2830a. The spacer 2830a may be arranged between the first valve 2810a and the second valve 2820a. The spacer 2830a may be provided to space the second valve 2820a from the first valve 2810a.

[0234] The spacer 2830a may include a spacer body 2831a and a spacer hole 2832a formed to pass through the spacer body 2831a. The upper valve fixing portion 801a may be provided such that at least a portion thereof may pass through the spacer hole 2832a of the spacer 2830a. As the upper valve fixing portion 801a is coupled to the spacer hole 2832a, the spacer 2830a may be fixed to the upper cylinder cover 400a.

[0235] The spacer 2830a according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a rotation restricting portion 2833a for restricting rotation of the first valve 2810a and the second valve 2820a. The rotation restricting portions 2833a may be provided at both ends of the spacer 2830a. The rotation restricting portions 2833a may extend toward both sides in which the first valve 2810a and the second valve 2820a are located. The rotation restricting portion 2833a of the spacer 2830a may support the first valve fixing portion 2811a of the first valve 2810a. The rotation restricting portion 2833a of the spacer 2830a may support the second valve fixing portion 2821a of the second valve 2820a.

[0236] Since the upper valve 2800a according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with the rotation restricting portions 2833a on the spacer 2830a, rotation of the first valve 2810a and the second valve 2820a may be restricted, and thus reliability may be improved.

[0237] FIG. 20 is an exploded view of a valve of a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 21 is an exploded view of a stopper of a valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0238] Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, a valve 3800 of a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In describing the valve 3800 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as the valve 800 shown in FIGS. 1 to 16, and detailed descriptions may be omitted.

[0239] Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, the valve 3800 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an upper valve 3800a. For convenience of explanation, the upper valve 3800a will be described, but when the valve 3800 includes a lower valve, the configuration of the upper valve 3800a may be equally applied to the lower valve.

[0240] Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, a portion of the upper valve 3800a may be fixed to the upper valve mounting portion 416a of the upper cylinder cover 400a by the upper valve fixing portion 801a. The upper cylinder cover 400a may include a mounting hole 412a for mounting the upper valve 3800a. The mounting hole 412a may be provided in the upper valve mounting portion 416a. For example, the upper valve fixing portion 801a may include a screw, and the mounting hole 412a may be provided with threads corresponding to the upper valve fixing portion 801a.

[0241] The upper valve 3800a may include a stopper 840a having the same configuration as the stopper 840a of the upper valve 800a shown in FIGS. 1 to 16.

[0242] The upper valve 3800a may include a first valve 3810a. The first valve 3810a may include a deformable material. For example, the first valve 3810a may include a flexible material. As an example, the first valve 3810a may include a material that may be deformable and restorable.

[0243] The first valve 3810a may include a first valve fixing portion 3811a fixed to the upper cylinder cover 400a and a first valve cover portion 3813a for opening and closing the upper connection hole 411a.

[0244] The first valve fixing portion 3811a may be fixed to the upper cylinder cover 400a by the upper valve fixing portion 801a. The first valve fixing portion 3811a may include a first valve hole 3812a for the upper valve fixing portion 801a. At least a portion of the upper valve fixing portion 801a may penetrate through the first valve hole 3812a.

[0245] The upper valve 3800a may include a second valve 3820a. The second valve 3820a may include a deformable material. For example, the second valve 3820a may include a flexible material. As an example, the second valve 3820a may include a material that may be deformable and restorable.

[0246] The second valve 3820a may include a second valve fixing portion 3821a fixed to the upper cylinder cover 400a and a second valve cover portion 3823a for opening and closing the upper connection hole 411a.

[0247] The second valve fixing portion 3821a may be fixed to the upper cylinder cover 400a by the upper valve fixing portion 801a. The second valve fixing portion 3821a may include a second valve hole 3822a for the upper valve fixing portion 801a. At least a portion of the upper valve fixing portion 801a may penetrate through the second valve hole 3822a.

[0248] The upper valve 3800a may include a spacer 3830a. The spacer 3830a may be arranged between the first valve 3810a and the second valve 3820a. The spacer 3830a may be provided to space the second valve 3820a from the first valve 3810a.

[0249] The spacer 3830a may include a spacer body 3831a and a spacer hole 3832a formed to pass through the spacer body 3831a. The upper valve fixing portion 801a may be provided such that at least a portion thereof may pass through the spacer hole 3832a of the spacer 3830a. As the upper valve fixing portion 801a is coupled to the spacer hole 3832a, the spacer 3830a may be fixed to the upper cylinder cover 400a.

[0250] The spacer 3830a according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a rotation restricting portion 3833a for restricting rotation of the second valve 3820a. The rotation restricting portions 3833a may be provided at both ends of the spacer 3830a. The rotation restricting portions 3833a may extend toward one side in which the second valve 3820a is located. The rotation restricting portions 3833a of the spacer 3830a may support the second valve fixing portion 3821a of the second valve 3820a.

[0251] The size of the second valve fixing portion 3821a of the second valve 3820a may be provided to be smaller than the first valve fixing portion 3811a of the first valve 3810a. The distance between the opposite outer ends of the rotation restricting portions 3833a of the spacer 3830a may be provided to be the same as the width of the first valve fixing portion 3811a. The second valve fixing portion 3821a may be accommodated between the opposite inner ends of the rotation restricting portions 3833a of the spacer 3830a.

[0252] Since the upper valve 3800a according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with the rotation restricting portions 3833a on the spacer 3830a, rotation of the second valve 3820a may be restricted, and thus reliability may be improved.

[0253] A compressor according to an embodiment includes: a cylinder including a cylinder chamber; a cylinder cover including a connection hole 411 configured to allow a refrigerant to be discharged from the cylinder chamber; and a valve assembly configured to open and close the connection hole 411. The valve assembly includes: a first valve configured to be deformable; a second valve having a portion configured to be contactable with the first valve based on a pressure inside the cylinder chamber and configured to be deformable; and a spacer, configured to be arrangeable between the first valve and the second valve to space the second valve apart from the first valve to allow the second valve to deform after the first valve deforms based on the pressure inside the cylinder chamber. A thickness of the spacer is 2.4 to 3.2 times a thickness of the first valve.

[0254] The first valve may be deformable based on the pressure inside the cylinder chamber.

[0255] The second valve may be deformable under a pressure greater than the pressure inside the cylinder chamber.

[0256] The valve assembly may be configured such that based on the pressure inside the cylinder chamber being a first pressure value, the first valve is deformed to open the connection hole 411. The valve assembly may be configured such that based on the pressure inside the cylinder chamber being a second pressure value that is greater than the first pressure value, the second valve is deformed together with the first valve to increase a degree of opening of the connection hole 411.

[0257] The second valve may be configured to be restored based on the pressure inside the cylinder chamber being smaller than the second pressure value, and the first valve is configured to be restored based on the pressure inside the cylinder chamber being smaller than the first pressure value.

[0258] A thickness of the second valve may be greater than the thickness of the first valve and less than the thickness of the spacer.

[0259] The first valve may include a same material as the second valve.

[0260] The first valve may include: a first valve fixing portion fixed to the cylinder cover; and a first valve cover portion configured to open and close the connection hole 411. The second valve may include: a second valve fixing portion fixed to the cylinder cover; and a second valve cover portion configured to be spaced apart from the first valve cover portion based on the pressure inside the cylinder chamber being lower than a predetermined pressure.

[0261] The spacer may be arrangeable between the first valve fixing portion and the second valve fixing portion.

[0262] The second valve cover portion may be configured to be contactable with the first valve cover portion based on the pressure inside the cylinder chamber being higher than the predetermined pressure.

[0263] The valve assembly may include a stopper configured to limit a degree of deformation of the second valve.

[0264] The valve assembly may further include a rotation restricting portion configured to restrict rotation of the second valve.

[0265] The rotation restricting portion may be provided on the second valve. The cylinder cover may further include a cover receiving portion configured to accommodate the rotation restricting portion.

[0266] The rotation restricting portion may be provided on the spacer.

[0267] The rotation restricting portion may further include a portion configured to restrict rotation of the first valve.

[0268] According to an embodiment, a compressor includes a cylinder including a cylinder chamber, a cylinder cover including a connection hole 411 configured to allow a refrigerant to be discharged from the cylinder chamber, and a valve configured to open and close the connection hole 411. The valve includes a first valve, a second valve having a portion configured to be contactable with the first valve based on a pressure inside the cylinder chamber, a spacer arranged between the first valve and the second valve to space the second valve from the first valve, and a rotation restricting portion configured to restrict rotation of the second valve.

[0269] The first valve may be deformable based on the pressure inside the cylinder chamber. The second valve may be deformable under a pressure condition greater than the pressure inside the cylinder chamber at which the first valve is deformable.

[0270] The valve may be configured such that when the pressure inside the cylinder chamber is a first pressure, the first valve is deformed to open the connection hole 411. The valve may be configured such that when the pressure inside the cylinder chamber is a second pressure greater than the first pressure, the second valve is deformed together with the first valve to increase a degree of opening of the connection hole 411.

[0271] The second valve may be configured to be restored when the pressure inside the cylinder chamber becomes smaller than the second pressure. The first valve may be configured to be restored when the pressure inside the cylinder chamber becomes smaller than the first pressure.

[0272] The spacer may be configured to have a thickness that is 2.4 times or more and 3.2 times or less the thickness of the first valve.

[0273] According to the concept of the present disclosure, since the compressor includes a first valve, a second valve having a thickness thicker than that of the first valve, and a spacer for spacing the first valve and the second valve apart from each other, efficiency may be improved while the compressor operates at low load.

[0274] The effects of the disclosure are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects that are not described will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the above detailed description.

[0275] Although the disclosure has been shown and described in relation to specific embodiments, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and scope of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A compressor comprising:a cylinder including a cylinder chamber;a cylinder cover including a connection hole configured to allow a refrigerant to be discharged from the cylinder chamber; anda valve assembly configured to open and close the connection hole,wherein the valve assembly includes:a first valve configured to be deformable;a second valve having a portion configured to be contactable with the first valve based on a pressure inside the cylinder chamber and configured to be deformable; anda spacer, configured to be arrangeable between the first valve and the second valve, to space the second valve apart from the first valve to allow the second valve to deform after the first valve deforms based on the pressure inside the cylinder chamber,wherein a thickness of the spacer is 2.4 to 3.2 times a thickness of the first valve.

2. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the first valve is deformable based on the pressure inside the cylinder chamber.

3. The compressor of claim 2, wherein the second valve is deformable under a pressure greater than the pressure inside the cylinder chamber.

4. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the valve assembly is configured such that:based on the pressure inside the cylinder chamber being a first pressure value, the first valve is deformed to open the connection hole, andbased on the pressure inside the cylinder chamber being a second pressure value that is greater than the first pressure value, the second valve is deformed together with the first valve to increase a degree of opening of the connection hole.

5. The compressor of claim 4, wherein the second valve is configured to be restored based on the pressure inside the cylinder chamber being smaller than the second pressure value, andthe first valve is configured to be restored based on the pressure inside the cylinder chamber being smaller than the first pressure value.

6. The compressor of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the second valve is greater than the thickness of the first valve and less than the thickness of the spacer.

7. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the first valve includes a same material as the second valve.

8. The compressor of claim 1, whereinthe first valve includes:a first valve fixing portion fixed to the cylinder cover; anda first valve cover portion configured to open and close the connection hole, andthe second valve includes:a second valve fixing portion fixed to the cylinder cover; anda second valve cover portion configured to be spaced apart from the first valve cover portion based on the pressure inside the cylinder chamber being lower than a predetermined pressure.

9. The compressor of claim 8, wherein the spacer is arrangeable between the first valve fixing portion and the second valve fixing portion.

10. The compressor of claim 8, wherein the second valve cover portion is configured to be contactable with the first valve cover portion based on the pressure inside the cylinder chamber being higher than the predetermined pressure.

11. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the valve assembly includes a stopper configured to limit a degree of deformation of the second valve.

12. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the valve assembly further includes a rotation restricting portion configured to restrict rotation of the second valve.

13. The compressor of claim 12, wherein the rotation restricting portion is provided on the second valve, andthe cylinder cover further includes a cover receiving portion configured to accommodate the rotation restricting portion.

14. The compressor of claim 12, wherein the rotation restricting portion is provided on the spacer.

15. The compressor of claim 14, wherein the rotation restricting portion further includes a portion configured to restrict rotation of the first valve.

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