Compressor, accumulator, and refrigeration cycle apparatus

Abstract

A compressor includes: a sealed container; a compression mechanism; an electric motor; an accumulator; and a holder provided on the sealed container to fix the accumulator by welding. The accumulator includes: a cylindrical container; a partition plate provided within the container and dividing an internal space of the container into a refrigerant inlet chamber and a refrigerant outlet chamber; an inlet pipe communicating with the refrigerant inlet chamber; at least one communication pipe penetrating the partition plate and placing the refrigerant inlet chamber in communication with the refrigerant outlet chamber; and at least one outlet pipe communicating with the refrigerant outlet chamber. The holder is positioned at a height that is equal to or higher than an upper end of the partition plate and that is equal to or lower than an upper end of the communication pipe.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-010548, filed on Jan. 24, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

[0002] Embodiments according to the present invention relate to a compressor, an accumulator, and a refrigeration cycle apparatus.Description of the Related Art

[0003] A compressor aimed at improving a compression efficiency of the compressor by reducing a suction pressure loss of a refrigerant suctioned into a compressor body from an accumulator has been known (for example, Japanese Patent No. 6331786).

[0004] The compressor includes a longitudinally-mounted sealed compressor casing, a compression unit, a motor, and an accumulator. The compressor casing has a discharge portion which is provided in an upper portion thereof and from which a refrigerant is discharged, and a suction port which is provided in a lower portion thereof and from which a refrigerant is suctioned, and lubricating oil (refrigeration oil) is accumulated in the compressor casing. The compression unit is disposed in the compressor casing and compresses a refrigerant suctioned from the suction port and discharges the refrigerant from the discharge portion. The motor is disposed in the compressor casing and drives the compression unit via a rotational shaft. The accumulator is mounted on a side portion of the compressor casing and is connected to the suction port of the refrigerant.

[0005] The accumulator includes a sealed container, a partition plate, and a communicating pipe. The sealed container has an upper portion to which a connecting pipe is connected. The partition plate partitions the inside of the sealed container into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The communicating pipe penetrates the partition plate, is provided so as to extend to an upper portion of the upper chamber, and provides communication between the upper chamber and the lower chamber. In the communicating pipe, oil return holes are provided on the upper chamber side. The suction port has two straight pipes connected to the lower chamber. The airtight container of the accumulator is held by an accumulator holder (holder) provided on the compressor casing via an accumulator band.

[0006] In the conventional compressor, the accumulator is fixed to the holder by the accumulator band that is low in rigidity. Thus, a natural frequency of the accumulator decreases due to the fixing by the accumulator band. In general, a natural frequency of an object decreases when a weight of the object increases. Thus, the natural frequency of the accumulator decreases as a liquid refrigerant becomes accumulated in the upper chamber in the container of the accumulator and a weight of the accumulator increases. Thus, when an operating frequency of the compressor is increased, there is a fear that the natural frequency of the accumulator may decrease to a value within a range of the operating frequency of the compressor due to the fixing by the accumulator band and an increase in the weight of the accumulator. When the natural frequency of the accumulator enters the range of the operating frequency of the compressor, large vibration is generated in the accumulator.

[0007] Due to an increase in the weight of the accumulator, a center-of-gravity position of the accumulator moves to the upper side in the accumulator. When a position of the holder to which the accumulator is fixed and the center-of-gravity position of the accumulator are separated from each other by a large degree, stress concentration may occur in the holder due to vibration generated in the accumulator. There is a fear that this stress concentration may damage the holder.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a compressor, an accumulator, and a refrigeration cycle apparatus capable of increasing a natural frequency of the accumulator and reducing occurrence of stress concentration in a holder.

[0009] To resolve the above problems, a compressor according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a cylindrical sealed container; a compression mechanism that is accommodated in the sealed container and is configured to compress a refrigerant; an electric motor that is accommodated in the sealed container and is configured to drive the compression mechanism; an accumulator disposed outside the sealed container and connected to a suction side of the compression mechanism; and a holder provided on the sealed container to fix the accumulator by welding. The accumulator includes: a cylindrical container; a partition plate that is provided within the container and that divides an internal space of the container into a refrigerant inlet chamber and a refrigerant outlet chamber; an inlet pipe fixed to the container and connected to the refrigerant inlet chamber; at least one communication pipe that penetrates the partition plate and places the refrigerant inlet chamber in communication with the refrigerant outlet chamber; and at least one outlet pipe fixed to the container and communicating with the refrigerant outlet chamber. The holder is positioned at a height that is equal to or higher than an upper end of the partition plate and that is equal to or lower than an upper end of the communication pipe.

[0010] To resolve the above problems, an accumulator according to another embodiment of the present invention includes: a cylindrical container; a partition plate that is provided within the container and that divides an internal space of the container into a refrigerant inlet chamber and a refrigerant outlet chamber; an inlet pipe fixed to the container and connected to the refrigerant inlet chamber; at least one communication pipe that penetrates the partition plate and places the refrigerant inlet chamber in communication with the refrigerant outlet chamber; at least one outlet pipe fixed to the container and communicating with the refrigerant outlet chamber; and an annular ring member that is a member fixed to an external member by welding, that is provided along an outer peripheral surface of the container, and that is positioned between the partition plate and an inlet opening of the communication pipe in a direction along a centerline of the container.

[0011] To resolve the above problems, a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention includes: the compressor; a radiator; an expansion device; a heat absorber; and refrigerant piping that connects the compressor, the radiator, the expansion device, and the heat absorber to each other and through which the refrigerant is circulated.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration cycle apparatus, a compressor, and an accumulator according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a first longitudinal cross-sectional view of the accumulator according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a second longitudinal cross-sectional view of the accumulator according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the accumulator according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the vicinity of a holder of the compressor according to the present embodiment of the present invention; and

[0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a natural frequency of the accumulator of the compressor according to the present embodiment of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] Embodiments of a refrigeration cycle apparatus, a compressor, and an accumulator according to the present invention will be described by referring to FIGS. 1 to 6. The same reference signs are given to identical or equivalent components in each figure.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration cycle apparatus, a compressor, and an accumulator according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, a refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a rotary compressor 2, a radiator 3, an expansion device 5, heat absorber 6, and refrigerant piping 8. The rotary compressor 2 is hereinafter simply referred to as the compressor 2. The refrigerant piping 8 sequentially connects the compressor 2, the radiator 3, the expansion device 5, and the heat absorber 6 to each other and through which a refrigerant is circulated. The refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 may be various refrigerants, such as carbon dioxide, R32, and a mixed refrigerant including R32. The radiator 3 may also be referred to as a condenser. The heat absorber 6 may also be referred to as an evaporator.

[0021] The compressor 2 includes: a cylindrical sealed container 11 disposed vertically; an electric motor 12 accommodated in an upper half of the sealed container 11; a compression mechanism 13 accommodated in a lower half of the sealed container 11; a crankshaft 15 configured to transmit rotational driving force of the electric motor 12 to the compression mechanism 13; a main bearing 16 and an auxiliary bearing 17, both of which rotatably support the crankshaft 15 in cooperation; and an accumulator 18 connected to the suction side of the compression mechanism 13.

[0022] The sealed container 11 is cylindrical. The sealed container 11 includes a cylindrical body 11a extending in the vertical direction, a hemispherical or elliptical upper end plate 11b closing the upper end portion of the body 11a, and a hemispherical or elliptical lower end plate 11c closing the lower end portion of the body 11a.

[0023] The body 11a supports a plurality of suction pipes 8b that guide the refrigerant to the compression mechanism 13. The plurality of suction pipes 8b are connected to the accumulator 18. The plurality of suction pipes 8b constitute part of the refrigerant piping 8.

[0024] The upper end plate 11b supports a discharge pipe 8a that discharges the refrigerant compressed by the compression mechanism 13. The discharge pipe 8a is connected to the refrigerant piping 8. The upper end plate 11b includes a sealed terminal portion 19 configured to supply electric power to the electric motor 12.

[0025] The electric motor 12 generates driving force that rotates the compression mechanism 13. The electric motor 12 is, for example, a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). The electric motor 12 includes: a cylindrical stator 21 fixed to the inner wall of the sealed container 11; a rotor 22 disposed within the stator 21 and fixed to the crankshaft 15; and a plurality of lead wires 23 drawn from the stator 21 and connected to the sealed terminal portion 19.

[0026] The rotor 22 includes a rotor core having magnet receiving holes and permanent magnets housed in the magnet receiving holes. The rotor 22 is rotatable with respect to the stator 21 and is fixed to the crankshaft 15 so as to rotate integrally with the crankshaft 15. The rotational centerline C1 of the rotor 22 and the crankshaft 15 substantially coincides with the centerline of the stator 21.

[0027] The plurality of lead wires 23 are wirings that supply power to the stator 21 through the sealed terminal portion 19. The lead wires 23 are wired in a plurality of number depending on the type of the electric motor 12. When the lead wires 23 are used in an open winding type, two lead wires are wired for each of the U-phase, the V-phase, and the W-phase, and thus, a total of six lead wires 23 are wired. When the electric motor 12 is used in a star connection, one lead wire 23 is connected to each of the U-phase, the V-phase, and the W-phase, i.e., a total of three lead wires 23 are wired.

[0028] The crankshaft 15 connects the electric motor 12 and the compression mechanism 13. The crankshaft 15 transmits the driving force generated by the electric motor 12 to the compression mechanism 13.

[0029] A middle portion 15a of the crankshaft 15 connects the electric motor 12 and the compression mechanism 13 and is rotatably supported by the main bearing 16. The lower end portion 15b of the crankshaft 15 is rotatably supported by the auxiliary bearing 17. The main bearing 16 and the auxiliary bearing 17 are also part of the compression mechanism 13. In other words, the crankshaft 15 penetrates through the compression mechanism 13.

[0030] The crankshaft 15 has a plurality of eccentric portions 25a and 25b between the middle portion 15a supported by the main bearing 16 and the lower end portion 15b supported by the auxiliary bearing 17. Of the plurality of eccentric portions 25, the side closer to the main bearing 16 is referred to as the first eccentric portion 25a, and the side closer to the auxiliary bearing 17 is referred to as the second eccentric portion 25b. Each of the eccentric portions 25a and 25b is a disk or a column having a center that does not coincide with the center of the crankshaft 15. The centers of the respective eccentric portions 25a and 25b are eccentric around the crankshaft 15 with a phase difference of approximately 180°. The first eccentric portion 25a is disposed on the upper side closer to the electric motor 12, and the second eccentric portion 25b is disposed on the lower side farther from the electric motor 12.

[0031] The upper main bearing 16 is fixed to a frame 14 via the first cylinder 32 by a plurality of fastening members, such as bolts 51 and 52. The frame 14 is fixed to the sealed container 11 at a plurality of locations by welding, such as spot welding.

[0032] When the electric motor 12 connected to the compression mechanism 13 via the crankshaft 15 is driven to rotate, the compression mechanism 13 draws in a gaseous refrigerant through the plurality of suction pipes 8b, compresses the drawn refrigerant, and discharges the compressed refrigerant into the sealed container 11. The lower portion of the sealed container 11 is filled with refrigeration oil, and most of the compression mechanism 13 is immersed in this refrigeration oil.

[0033] The compression mechanism 13 has a plurality of, for example, two cylinder units 26 and 27. In other words, the compressor 2 is a multi-cylinder rotary compressor. The compression mechanism 13 includes the first cylinder unit 26 provided within the sealed container 11, the second cylinder unit 27 provided within the sealed container 11, and a partition plate 29 provided between the first cylinder unit 26 and the second cylinder unit 27.

[0034] The compressor 2 may be a multi-cylinder rotary compressor with three or more cylinders or may be a single-cylinder rotary compressor. The compression mechanism 13 and the accumulator 18 are connected via the suction pipes 8b, number of which is the same as the number of cylinders.

[0035] The first cylinder unit 26 includes a first cylinder 32 having a circular first cylinder chamber 31 and an annular first rolling piston 33 disposed within the first cylinder chamber 31. Hereinafter, the first rolling piston 33 is simply referred to as the first piston 33.

[0036] The second cylinder unit 27 includes a second cylinder 42 having a circular second cylinder chamber 41 and an annular second rolling piston 43 disposed within the second cylinder chamber 41. Hereinafter, the second rolling piston43 is simply referred to as the second piston 43.

[0037] Each of the cylinder units 26 and 27 is provided with a vane 45. Each vane 45 performs a reciprocating motion toward and away from the rotational centerline C1 of the crankshaft 15 while remaining in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the corresponding piston 33 or 43, thereby dividing the corresponding cylinder chamber 31 or 41 into a suction chamber and a compression chamber. Each of the cylinder units 26 and 27 compresses the refrigerant by varying the volume of the compression chamber, which is defined by the corresponding piston 33 or 43 and the corresponding vane 45, through the rotation of the piston 33 or 43. The vane 45 is illustrated only for the second cylinder unit 27 in FIG. 1.

[0038] The first cylinder 32 and the second cylinder 42 are disposed so as to be stacked in the axial direction of the crankshaft 15. The upper first cylinder 32 is disposed on the side closer to the electric motor 12, and the lower second cylinder 42 is disposed on the side farther from the electric motor 12.

[0039] Each of the cylinders 32 and 42 has an inner peripheral surface that defines the corresponding cylinder chamber 31 or 41. Each of the cylinders 32 and 42 has an annular and plate-shaped form with the corresponding cylinder chamber 31 or 41 on the inside. Each of the cylinders 32 and 42 has an end face on the side closer to the electric motor 12 and another end face on the side farther from the electric motor 12.

[0040] The respective centers of the first cylinder chamber 31 and the second cylinder chamber 41 substantially coincide with the rotational centerline C1 of the crankshaft 15. These cylinder chambers 31 and 41 have substantially the same diameter and the same height, i.e., both extend along the axial direction of the crankshaft 15.

[0041] The first cylinder chamber 31 is a space within the first cylinder 32 and is closed by the main bearing 16 and the partition plate 29. The first cylinder chamber 31 accommodates the first eccentric portion 25a of the crankshaft 15.

[0042] The second cylinder chamber 41 is a space within the second cylinder 42 and is closed by the partition plate 29 and the auxiliary bearing 17. The second cylinder chamber 41 accommodates the second eccentric portion 25b of the crankshaft 15.

[0043] The compression mechanism 13 includes: a first discharge-valve mechanism, which has (i) a discharge port provided in the main bearing 16 for discharging the refrigerant compressed in the first cylinder chamber 31 to the outside of the first cylinder chamber 31 and (ii) a discharge valve provided in the main bearing 16 for opening and closing this discharge port; and a first discharge muffler 55 provided in the main bearing 16 for covering the first discharge-valve mechanism.

[0044] The discharge port of the first discharge-valve mechanism communicates with the first cylinder chamber 31.

[0045] When the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the first cylinder chamber 31 reaches a predetermined pressure difference value due to the compression action of the compression mechanism 13, the discharge valve of the first discharge-valve mechanism opens the discharge port and thereby discharges the compressed refrigerant into the first discharge muffler 55.

[0046] The first discharge muffler 55 covers the first discharge-valve mechanism. The first discharge muffler 55 has a discharge hole that extends through the first discharge muffler 55. The compressed refrigerant discharged into the first discharge muffler 55 is discharged into the sealed container 11 through the discharge hole.

[0047] The first discharge muffler 55 and the first cylinder 32 are fixed to the main bearing 16 by a plurality of fastening members that include the bolt 52. The bolt 52 extends through the first discharge muffler 55 and the main bearing 16 to reach the first cylinder 32.

[0048] The compression mechanism 13 further includes: a second discharge-valve mechanism, which has (i) a discharge port provided in the auxiliary bearing 17 for discharging the refrigerant compressed in the second cylinder chamber 41 and (ii) a discharge valve provided in the auxiliary bearing 17 for opening and closing this discharge port; and a second discharge muffler 57 provided in the auxiliary bearing 17 for covering the second discharge-valve mechanism.

[0049] The discharge port of the second discharge-valve mechanism communicates with the second cylinder chamber 41.

[0050] When the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the second cylinder chamber 41 reaches a predetermined pressure difference value due to the compression action of the compression mechanism 13, the discharge valve of the second discharge-valve mechanism opens the discharge port and thereby discharges the compressed refrigerant into the second discharge muffler 57.

[0051] The second discharge muffler 57 covers the second discharge-valve mechanism. The compressed refrigerant discharged into the second discharge muffler 57 is guided to the first discharge muffler 55 through holes extending through the auxiliary bearing 17, the second cylinder 42, the partition plate 29, and the first cylinder 32, and is then discharged into the sealed container 11.

[0052] The second discharge muffler 57, the auxiliary bearing 17, the second cylinder 42, and the partition plate 29 are fixed to the first cylinder 32 by a plurality of fastening members that include a bolt 53. The bolt 53 extends through the second discharge muffler 57, the auxiliary bearing 17, the second cylinder 42, and the partition plate 29 to reach the first cylinder 32.

[0053] The first piston 33 is fitted to the peripheral surface of the first eccentric portion 25a and is accommodated in the first cylinder chamber 31. The first piston 33 performs an eccentric motion in accordance with the rotation of the crankshaft 15, while making a portion of its outer peripheral surface in line contact with the inner peripheral surface of the first cylinder chamber 31.

[0054] The second piston 43 is fitted to the peripheral surface of the second eccentric portion 25b and is accommodated in the second cylinder chamber 41. The second piston 43 performs an eccentric motion in accordance with the rotation of the crankshaft 15, while making a portion of its outer peripheral surface in line contact with the inner peripheral surface of the second cylinder chamber 41.

[0055] Although both the contact between the first piston 33 and the first cylinder 32 and the contact between the second piston 43 and the second cylinder 42 are indirect through an oil film (not shown) rather than direct contact, these contacts through the oil film are simply referred to as “contact”, for convenience of description. The same applies to: the contact between the first piston 33 and the first eccentric portion 25a; the contact between the second piston 43 and the second eccentric portion 25b; the contact between the first piston 33 and the main bearing 16; the contact between the second piston 43 and the auxiliary bearing 17; the contact between the first piston 33 and the partition plate 29; and the contact between the second piston 43 and the partition plate 29.

[0056] The compressor 2 further includes a holder 59 provided on an outer peripheral surface of the sealed container 11. The material of the holder 59 is metal and is fixed to the sealed container 11 by welding. In the case in FIG. 1, the holder 59 is positioned on an outer peripheral surface of the body 11a and fixes the accumulator 18.

[0057] FIGS. 2 and 3 are longitudinal cross-sectional views of the accumulator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the accumulator 18 according to the present embodiment includes: a cylindrical container 61 that is supported in an upright state; a partition plate 62 that is provided within the container 61 and divides an internal space S of the container 61 into a refrigerant inlet chamber IR and a refrigerant outlet chamber OR; an inlet pipe 63 that is fixed to the container 61 and has an inlet passage IP communicating with the refrigerant inlet chamber IR; at least one communication pipe 65 that penetrates the partition plate 62 and has a communication passage CP placing the refrigerant inlet chamber IR in communication with the refrigerant outlet chamber OR; and a plurality of outlet pipes 66 that are fixed to the container 61 and has outlet passages OP communicating with the refrigerant outlet chamber OR.

[0059] The accumulator 18 further includes: a strainer 71 that is disposed between the inlet pipe 63 and the communication pipe 65 and filters foreign substances from the refrigerant introduced into the accumulator 18; a separation plate 72 that is disposed between the strainer 71 and the communication pipe 65 and separates the refrigerant having passed through the strainer 71 into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant; and a support plate 73 that is disposed between the separation plate 72 and the partition plate 62 and supports the communication pipe 65 in cooperation with the partition plate 62.

[0060] The container 61 has a cylindrical shape. The container 61 includes a cylindrical body 61a extending in the up-down direction, a hemispherical or elliptical upper end plate 61b that closes an upper end portion that is one end portion of the body 61a, and a hemispherical or elliptical lower end plate 61c that closes a lower end portion that is another end portion of the body 61a. The container 61 has a centerline C2 extending in the up-down direction. The centerline C2 of the container 61 extends substantially parallel to the rotational centerline C1 of the crankshaft 15 in a state in which the accumulator 18 is fixed to the sealed container 11 of the compressor 2 by the holder 59.

[0061] The body 61a supports the strainer 71, the separation plate 72, the support plate 73, and the partition plate 62 in the order of the refrigerant flow.

[0062] The upper end plate 61b supports the inlet pipe 63, through which the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 2 and circulated through the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 flows into the accumulator 18. The inlet pipe 63 is connected to the refrigerant piping 8.

[0063] The inlet pipe 63 is fixed to the upper end plate 61b and is connected to the refrigerant piping 8. The inlet pipe 63 is a straight pipe, which extends along the centerline of the body 61a so as to coincide with the centerline of the body 61a. The centerline of the cylindrical body 61a substantially coincides with the centerline C2 of the container 61.

[0064] The refrigerant flowing from the inlet pipe 63 into the accumulator 18 first reaches the strainer 71. The strainer 71 has a required mesh size to prevent foreign substances from flowing into the compression mechanism 13 of the compressor 2.

[0065] The separation plate 72 prevents the refrigerant having passed through the strainer 71 from flowing directly into the communication pipes 65. The separation plate 72 is a plate having an upwardly convex shape that functions like an umbrella over the communication pipes 65. The separation plate 72 has a plurality of openings 72a through which the refrigerant can pass. The separation plate 72 blocks the lines of sight directly below the inlet pipe 63 and directly above the communication pipes 65. The plurality of openings 72a of the separation plate 72 are positioned outside a virtual smallest circle that encloses the plurality of communication pipes 65 as seen from the inlet pipe 63. The refrigerant having reached the separation plate 72 flows downward through the plurality of openings 72a of the separation plate 72 into the refrigerant inlet chamber IR of the container 61.

[0066] Each of the openings 72a opens toward the outer peripheral side of the separation plate 72. In other words, each of the openings 72a opens in a direction facing an inner surface of the container 61. Each of the openings 72a is formed in a plate-shaped material by cutting and raising, for example.

[0067] The support plate 73 and the partition plate 62 support at least one communication pipe 65 inside the container 61 in cooperation with each other. When there are a plurality of communication pipes 65, the support plate 73 and the partition plate 62 support all of the communication pipes 65 inside the container 61 in a collective manner in cooperation with each other.

[0068] The support plate 73 has holes for supporting the communication pipes 65 such that the refrigerant inlet chamber IR forms a continuous space, and also has suitable openings that do not hinder the flow of both the liquid refrigerant and the gaseous refrigerant. The support plate 73 preferably has appropriate supporting strength and appropriate supporting rigidity to maintain the communication pipes 65, which extend from the partition plate 62 toward the separation plate 72, in a stable posture.

[0069] The partition plate 62 has no openings other than the holes for supporting the communication pipes 65 such that the internal space S of the container 61 is divided into the refrigerant inlet chamber IR and the refrigerant outlet chamber OR. The partition plate 62 is joined to the inner surface of the container 61 in a liquid-tight and gas-tight manner, thereby preventing leakage of the refrigerant from the refrigerant inlet chamber IR into the refrigerant outlet chamber OR through any path other than the communication pipes 65. It is sufficient that the partition plate 62 has a plane perpendicular to the centerline C2 of the container 61. In the upright state of the accumulator 18, the partition plate 62 defines a plane extending horizontally.

[0070] As to the number of the communication pipes 65, it is sufficient that at least one communication pipe 65 is provided. For convenience of description, the accumulator 18 of the present embodiment is assumed to include a plurality of communication pipes 65, for example, two communication pipes 65. The number of the communication pipes 65 is determined in consideration of both the pressure loss of the communication passage CP, which places the refrigerant inlet chamber IR in communication with the refrigerant outlet chamber OR, and the interference with the internal structure of the container 61 that may be caused by the communication pipes.

[0071] Each of the communication pipes 65 has an inlet opening 65i positioned within the refrigerant inlet chamber IR and an outlet opening 650 positioned within the refrigerant outlet chamber OR. The inlet opening 65i corresponds to the upstream end of the communication passage CP, and the outlet opening 650 corresponds to the downstream end of the communication passage CP. The inlet opening 65i is positioned at the upper end 65a of the communication pipe 65.

[0072] Each of the communication pipes 65 is disposed within the container 61 and is fixed to the support plate 73 and the partition plate 62, thereby placing the refrigerant inlet chamber IR in communication with the refrigerant outlet chamber OR. Each of the communication pipes 65 is a straight pipe extending along and parallel to the centerline of the cylindrical body, that is, the centerline C2 of the container 61.

[0073] The length of each of the communication pipes 65 depends on the amount of the refrigerant charged in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 and is preferably at least about one-half of the overall length of the container 61.

[0074] At least one communication pipe 65 has at least one inlet-side refrigeration oil return hole 65d positioned in the refrigerant inlet chamber IR. It is only necessary to provide at least one inlet-side refrigeration oil return hole 65d. The inlet-side refrigeration oil return holes 65d may be provided in all of the communication pipes 65 or may be provided in some of the communication pipes 65. As long as at least one communication pipe 65 has at least one inlet-side refrigeration oil return hole 65d, the communication pipe 65 without the inlet-side refrigeration oil return hole 65d may be provided. Each of the communication pipes 65 may have a plurality of inlet-side refrigeration oil return holes 65d. The number of the inlet-side refrigeration oil return holes 65d in each of the communication pipes 65 may differ.

[0075] Each of the outlet pipes 66 is a suction pipe 8b and communicates with the cylinder chamber 31 or 41 of the corresponding cylinder unit 26 or 27 of the compression mechanism 13. The number of the outlet pipes 66 is equal to the number of cylinders of the compressor 2. In the case of a multi-cylinder compressor 2 as shown in FIG. 1, the accumulator 18 is connected to the compression mechanism 13 via the same number of outlet pipes 66 as the number of cylinders. In the case of a single-cylinder compressor 2, the accumulator 18 only needs to be connected to the compression mechanism 13 via one outlet pipe 66. In other words, the accumulator 18 only needs to have at least one outlet pipe 66, and it is preferred that the accumulator 18 have the same number of outlet pipes 66 as the number of cylinders of the compressor 2.

[0076] Each of the outlet pipes 66 discharges the gaseous refrigerant, which is separated from the refrigerant having flowed into the accumulator 18, out of the accumulator 18. Each of the outlet pipes 66 is fixed to the lower end plate 61c and is connected to the compressor 2. The portion of each outlet pipe 66 within the container 61 is a straight pipe extending along and parallel to the centerline C2 of the container 61.

[0077] Each of the outlet pipes 66 includes: an inlet opening 66i positioned in the refrigerant outlet chamber OR; and an outlet opening 660 communicating with the corresponding cylinder chamber 31 or 41. The inlet opening 66i corresponds to the upstream end of the outlet flow passage OP, and the outlet opening 660 corresponds to the downstream end of the outlet flow passage OP.

[0078] At least one outlet pipe 66 has at least one outlet-side refrigeration oil return hole 66d positioned in the refrigerant outlet chamber OR. It is only necessary to provide at least one outlet-side refrigeration oil return hole 66d. The outlet-side refrigeration oil return holes 66d may be provided in all of the outlet pipes 66 or may be provided in some of the outlet pipes 66. As long as at least one outlet pipe 66 has at least one outlet-side refrigeration oil return hole 66d, the outlet pipe 66 without the outlet-side refrigeration oil return hole 66d may be provided. Each of the outlet pipes 66 may have a plurality of outlet-side refrigeration oil return holes 66d. The number of the outlet-side refrigeration oil return holes 66d in each of the outlet pipes 66 may differ.

[0079] The plurality of outlet pipes 66 overlap with the plurality of communication pipes 65 in the radial direction of the container 61. That is, the inlet openings 66i of the plurality of outlet pipes 66 are disposed above the outlet openings 650 of the plurality of communication pipes 65.

[0080] The inlet openings 66i of the plurality of outlet pipes 66 are closer to the partition plate 62 than to the outlet openings 650 of the plurality of communication pipes 65. The outlet openings 650 of the plurality of communication pipes 65 are closer to the lower end plate 61c than to the inlet openings 66i of the plurality of outlet pipes 66.

[0081] In other words, the accumulator 18 is configured to be mountable on the outside of the sealed container 11 in such a manner that the inlet openings 66i of the plurality of outlet pipes 66 are positioned above the outlet openings 650 of the plurality of communication pipes 65.

[0082] The inlet openings 66i of the plurality of outlet pipes 66 face upwardly toward the partition plate 62, and the outlet openings 650 of the plurality of communication pipes 65 face downwardly toward the lower end plate 61c. In other words, the inlet openings 66i of the plurality of outlet pipes 66 open upwardly toward the partition plate 62, and the outlet openings 650 of the plurality of communication pipes 65 open downwardly toward the lower end plate 61c.

[0083] The inlet openings 65i of the plurality of communication pipes 65 are closer to the upper end plate 61b than to the partition plate 62, and the inlet openings 66i of the plurality of outlet pipes 66 are closer to the partition plate 62 than to the lower end plate 61c.

[0084] Each of the inlet openings 65i of the plurality of communication pipes 65 may be positioned at substantially the same height. In other words, the accumulator 18 may be configured such that the inlet openings 65i of the plurality of communication pipes 65 can be positioned at substantially the same height.

[0085] Each of the inlet openings 66i of the plurality of outlet pipes 66 may be positioned at substantially the same height. In other words, the accumulator 18 may be configured such that the inlet openings 66i of the plurality of outlet pipes 66 can be positioned at substantially the same height.

[0086] The container 61 is an assembly of two members, which are divided at an intermediate portion of the body 61a and are hermetically joined, for example. The inlet pipe 63, the strainer 71, and the separation plate 72 are preferably incorporated into the upper member prior to the assembly of the container 61. The outlet pipes 66, the partition plate 62, the support plate 73, and the communication pipes 65 are preferably incorporated into the lower member prior to the assembly of the container 61. The support plate 73 may be disposed on the division plane between the two members or may be fixed to the interior of the lower member.

[0087] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the accumulator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view by which positional relationship among the container 61 of the accumulator 18, the plurality of communication pipes 65, and the plurality of outlet pipes 66 can be understood. FIG. 4 is a cross-section view along the line A-A of FIG. 3, for example.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 4, the inlet openings 66i of the plurality of outlet pipes 66 of the accumulator 18 according to the present embodiment are positioned so as not to vertically overlap with the outlet openings 650 of the plurality of communication pipes 65. In other words, the accumulator 18 is configured to be installable such that the inlet openings 66i of the plurality of outlet pipes 66 do not vertically overlap with the outlet openings 650 of the plurality of communication pipes 65.

[0090] The accumulator 18 according to the present embodiment includes: two outlet pipes 66 corresponding to the two cylinders of the compressor 2; and two communication pipes 65 that place the refrigerant inlet chamber IR in communication with the refrigerant outlet chamber OR. Accordingly, the two outlet pipes 66 and the two communication pipes 65 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the container 61. Under such arrangement, the plurality of communication pipes 65 and the plurality of outlet pipes 66 overlap with each other as viewed in the radial direction of the container 61.

[0091] Under such positional relationship between the plurality of communication pipes 65 and the plurality of outlet pipes 66, even if the liquid level of the liquid refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerant inlet chamber IR reaches the inlet opening 65i of any of the communication pipes 65 and thereby causes the liquid refrigerant to flow downward through the communication passage CP of any of the communication pipes 65, the liquid refrigerant flowing out of the communication passage CP to the refrigerant outlet chamber OR is prevented from flowing directly into the outlet flow passage OP through the inlet opening 66i of any outlet pipe 66.

[0092] In the accumulator 18 configured as described above, the refrigerant flowing from the inlet pipe 63 into the refrigerant inlet chamber IR within the container 61 impinges on the separation plate 72 and is separated into the gaseous refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant. The separated liquid refrigerant further flows downward within the refrigerant inlet chamber IR from the opening 72a of the separation plate 72, and accumulates from the bottom of the refrigerant inlet chamber IR, i.e., from the side of the partition plate 62. The separated gaseous refrigerant flows from the opening 72a of the separation plate 72 through the plurality of communication pipes 65 into the refrigerant outlet chamber OR. The gaseous refrigerant having flowed into the refrigerant outlet chamber OR is drawn into the outlet pipes 66 and delivered to the compression mechanism 13.

[0093] Unless the liquid level of the liquid refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerant inlet chamber IR reaches the inlet openings 65i of the plurality of communication pipes 65, the accumulator 18 precludes the liquid refrigerant from flowing into the refrigerant outlet chamber OR.

[0094] Even in the case where the liquid level of the liquid refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerant inlet chamber IR reaches the inlet openings 65i of the plurality of communication pipes 65, the liquid refrigerant flows downward through the communication pipes 65 and accumulates from the bottom of the container 61, i.e., from the side of the lower end plate 61c. Even in this case, unless the liquid level of the liquid refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerant outlet chamber OR reaches the inlet openings 66i of the plurality of outlet pipes 66, the accumulator 18 precludes the liquid refrigerant from flowing into the outlet pipes 66. In this manner, the accumulator 18 can prevent liquid compression of the compression mechanism 13 by multiple mechanisms.

[0095] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the vicinity of the holder of the compressor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] As mentioned above, in the conventional compressor, the accumulator is fixed to the holder by the accumulator band that is low in rigidity. Thus, a natural frequency of the accumulator decreases due to the fixing by the accumulator band.

[0097] Furthermore, the natural frequency of the accumulator decreases as a liquid refrigerant becomes accumulated in the upper chamber in the container of the accumulator and a weight of the accumulator increases. Thus, when an operating frequency (rotational frequency) of the compressor is increased, there is a fear that the natural frequency of the accumulator may decrease to a value within a range of the operating frequency of the compressor due to the fixing by the accumulator band and an increase in the weight of the accumulator. When the natural frequency of the accumulator enters the range of the operating frequency of the compressor, large vibration is generated in the accumulator.

[0098] Moreover, due to an increase in the weight of the accumulator, a center-of-gravity position of the accumulator moves to the upper side in the accumulator. When a position of the holder to which the accumulator is fixed and the center-of-gravity position of the accumulator are separated from each other by a large degree, stress concentration may occur in the holder due to vibration generated in the accumulator. There is a fear that this stress concentration may damage the holder.

[0099] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the accumulator 18 is fixed to the holder 59 by welding. In other words, the holder 59 is provided on the sealed container 11 to fix the accumulator 18 by welding. The holder 59 is positioned at a height that is equal to or higher than an upper end 62a of the partition plate 62 and that is equal to or lower than the upper end 65a of the communication pipe 65. In other words, the holder 59 is positioned between the partition plate 62 and the inlet opening 65i of the communication pipe 65 in a direction along the centerline C2 of the container 61 of the accumulator 18. Fixing by welding may be hereinafter simply referred to as weld-fixing.

[0100] Specifically, the holder 59 is a member for fixing the accumulator 18 by welding. The accumulator 18 is fixed to the holder 59 by welding, and hence the rigidity of the accumulator 18 is improved. As a result of improvement of the rigidity of the accumulator 18, the natural frequency of the accumulator 18 increases as compared to fixing by an accumulator band in the conventional compressor. Thus, even when the weight of the accumulator 18 increases as a result of the liquid refrigerant accumulating in the refrigerant inlet chamber IR in the container 61 of the accumulator 18, the natural frequency of the accumulator 18 does not decrease to a value within a range of a conceivable operating frequency of the compressor 2.

[0101] When the weight of the accumulator 18 increases by the liquid refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerant inlet chamber IR, a center-of-gravity position of the accumulator 18 becomes higher. By positioning the holder 59 at a height that is equal to or higher than the upper end 62a of the partition plate 62 and that is equal to or lower than the upper end 65a of the communication pipe 65, it becomes possible to dispose the holder 59 close to the center-of-gravity position of the accumulator 18. Thus, even when the vibration of the accumulator 18 occurs at the time of operation of the compressor 2, the occurrence of stress concentration is reduced in the holder 59 that supports the accumulator 18.

[0102] The natural frequency of the accumulator 18 in the present embodiment does not mean a natural frequency of the accumulator 18 alone and means a natural frequency of the accumulator 18 in a state of being fixed to the sealed container 11 via the holder 59. As shown in FIG. 5, in the refrigerant inlet chamber IR of the accumulator 18, a center-of-gravity position of the accumulator 18 in a state in which the liquid refrigerant that is a refrigerant in a liquid form is not accumulated is a first center-of-gravity position G1, and a center-of-gravity position of the accumulator 18 in a state in which the liquid refrigerant that is a refrigerant in a liquid form is accumulated to the upper end 65a of the communication pipe 65, in other words, a state in which the liquid refrigerant is accumulated to the maximum is a second center-of-gravity position G2.

[0103] The inventors of the present invention performed a hammering test (impact test) in the compressor 2 based on the following test conditions in order to clarify the natural frequency of the accumulator 18 when the accumulator 18 is fixed to the holder 59 by welding.

[0104] Specifically, as an example of the compressor 2 of the present embodiment, the compressor 2 in which the container 61 of the accumulator 18 is fixed to the holder 59 by welding is prepared. Next, an impact is applied to the holder 59 in order to generate vibration (acceleration). Then, the generated vibration is measured with use of an acceleration sensor attached to a section of the container 61 positioned in the vicinity of the holder 59, and a measurement result is analyzed. For comparison, a comparative example of the compressor 2 in which the container 61 of the accumulator 18 is fixed to the holder 59 via an accumulator band provided so as to extend along an outer peripheral surface of the container 61 of the accumulator 18 is prepared. Then, an impact is similarly applied to the prepared comparative example of the compressor 2, vibration is measured, and a measurement result is analyzed. The impact tests are performed in a state in which the inside of the accumulator 18 is empty for both of the compressor 2 and the comparative example of the compressor 2 that are prepared.

[0105] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a natural frequency of the accumulator of the compressor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0106] In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis represents frequency, and the vertical axis represents magnitude of vibration. The measurement result of the example is indicated by a solid line, and the measurement result of the comparative example is indicated by a broken line.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 6, in the example of the compressor 2 in which the container 61 of the accumulator 18 is fixed to the holder 59 by welding, the natural frequency of the accumulator 18 is higher than a conceivable maximum operating frequency fmax of the compressor 2. Meanwhile, in the comparative example of the compressor 2 in which the container 61 of the accumulator 18 is fixed to the holder 59 via the accumulator band, the natural frequency of the accumulator 18 becomes lower than the maximum operating frequency fmax of the compressor 2 and is within the range of the operating frequency of the compressor 2. From those results, it is found that the rigidity of the accumulator 18 improves by fixing the accumulator 18 to the holder 59 by welding, and the natural frequency of the accumulator 18 increases as compared to the comparative example of the accumulator 18. With the accumulator 18 of which natural frequency has increased by weld-fixing, the natural frequency of the accumulator 18 does not decrease to the maximum operating frequency fmax of the compressor 2 even when the liquid refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerant inlet chamber IR increases due to the operation of the compressor 2. Thus, fixing the accumulator 18 to the holder 59 by welding can effectively suppress the vibration of the accumulator 18.

[0108] The container 61 of the accumulator 18 may be directly fixed to the holder 59 by welding. As a result, the rigidity of the accumulator 18 can be easily improved.

[0109] The accumulator 18 may include an annular ring member 75 provided along an outer peripheral surface of the container 61 of the accumulator 18. The ring member 75 may be fixed to the holder 59 by welding. In other words, the accumulator 18 may be fixed to the holder 59 via the ring member 75 by welding.

[0110] Specifically, there is a fear that the container 61 may thermally deform by heat input when the container 61 is directly fixed to the holder 59 by welding. The ring member 75 reduces heat input to the container 61 and prevents occurrence of local thermal deformation and stress concentration due to thermal deformation in the container 61 as compared to a case in which the container 61 is directly fixed to the holder 59 by welding. In other words, the ring member 75 prevents a reduction in quality of the accumulator 18 that may occur due to heat input when the accumulator 18 is fixed to the holder 59 by welding.

[0111] The ring member 75 improves the rigidity of the container 61, in other words, the rigidity of the accumulator 18. As with the holder 59, the ring member 75 is positioned between the upper end 62a of the partition plate 62 and the upper end 65a of the communication pipe 65 in the direction along the centerline C2 of the container 61 of the accumulator 18. In other words, the ring member 75 is positioned between the partition plate 62 and the inlet opening 65i of the communication pipe 65 in the direction along the centerline C2 of the container 61. The accumulator 18 fixed to the holder 59 via the ring member 75 has higher rigidity as compared to a case in which the container 61 is fixed to the holder 59 by welding. Thus, the natural frequency of the accumulator 18 increases even more. Therefore, even when the liquid refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerant inlet chamber IR increases due to the operation of the compressor 2, the ring member 75 reliably prevents the natural frequency of the accumulator 18 from decreasing to a value within the range of the operating frequency of the compressor 2.

[0112] The ring member 75 is fixed to the container 61 by spot welding or press-fitting, for example, when the accumulator 18 is manufactured. Heat input at the time of spot welding is small, and the container 61 is not thermally deformed by this heat input. When the accumulator 18 is viewed alone, the holder 59 to which the ring member 75 is fixed by welding can be considered to be an external member.

[0113] As shown by returning to FIG. 5, an upper end 59a of the holder 59 is preferred to be positioned above the second center-of-gravity position G2 that is the center-of-gravity position of the accumulator 18 when the liquid refrigerant is accumulated to the upper end 65a of the communication pipe 65 in the refrigerant inlet chamber IR. As a result, the holder 59 can be disposed closer to the second center-of-gravity position G2.

[0114] A lower end 59b of the holder 59 is preferred to be positioned below the second center-of-gravity position G2 of the accumulator 18. As a result, the holder 59 can be disposed even closer to the second center-of-gravity position G2.

[0115] The upper end 59a of the holder 59 is preferred to be positioned above the support plate 73 of the accumulator 18. In other words, the support plate 73 of the accumulator 18 is preferred to be positioned below the upper end 59a of the holder 59. As a result, the second center-of-gravity position G2 of the accumulator 18 is positioned closer to the holder 59 more easily.

[0116] When the container 61 of the accumulator 18 is fixed to the holder 59 by welding, the compressor 2 is preferred to satisfy conditions below.

[0117] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, a relational expression (1) below is satisfied:(Width W1)≥0.15×(Distance L)  (1),where W1 represents a width of the holder 59 and L represents a distance from the upper end 62a of the partition plate 62 to the upper end 65a of the communication pipe 65 in the direction along the centerline C2 of the container 61.By satisfying the relational expression (1), a weld-fixing section between the holder 59 and the container 61 is sufficiently secured, and the rigidity of the accumulator 18 can be increased. As the width W1 of the holder 59 increases, it becomes easier to position the holder 59 closer to the second center-of-gravity position G2 of the accumulator 18.

[0119] When the ring member 75 of the accumulator 18 is fixed to the holder 59 by welding, the compressor 2 is preferred to satisfy conditions below.

[0120] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, relational expressions (1) and (2) below are satisfied:(Width⁢ W⁢1)≥0.15×(Distance⁢ L)(1)(Width⁢ W⁢2)≥0.15×(Distance⁢ L),(2)where W1 represents the width of the holder 59, W2 represents a width of the ring member 75, and L represents the distance from the upper end 62a of the partition plate 62 to the upper end 65a of the communication pipe 65 in the direction along the centerline C2 of the container 61 of the accumulator 18.By satisfying the relational expressions (1) and (2), the weld-fixing section between the holder 59 and the ring member 75 is sufficiently secured, and it becomes easier to position the holder 59, more accurately, the weld-fixing section between the holder 59 and the ring member 75 closer to the second center-of-gravity position G2 of the accumulator 18 as the width W1 of the holder 59 and the width W2 of the ring member 75 increase. When a dimension of the width W2 of the ring member 75 is equal to or more than 0.15 times of a dimension of the distance L, it becomes possible to increase the rigidity of the accumulator 18 more by providing the ring member 75 such that the ring member 75 welded to the container 61 of the accumulator 18 overlaps with an outer peripheral surface of the container 61.

[0122] When the ring member 75 of the accumulator 18 is fixed to the holder 59 by welding, the width W2 of the ring member 75 is preferred to be equal to or more than the width W1 of the holder 59 from a viewpoint of ease of performing welding work.

[0123] As described above, in the compressor 2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the present embodiments, the accumulator 18 is fixed to the holder 59 by welding. The holder 59 is positioned at a height that is equal to or higher than the upper end 62a of the partition plate 62 and that is equal to or lower than the upper end 65a of the communication pipe 65. The weld-fixing between the holder 59 and the accumulator 18 improves the rigidity of the accumulator 18 fixed to the sealed container 11 via the holder 59. Thus, the compressor 2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 can increase the natural frequency of the accumulator 18 as compared to the fixing between the holder and the accumulator by the accumulator band that is low in rigidity in the conventional compressor.

[0124] Moreover, the natural frequency of the accumulator 18 that has improved by the weld-fixing of the holder 59 and the accumulator 18 does not decrease to a value within the conceivable range of the operating frequency of the compressor 2 even when the weight of the accumulator 18 increases as a result of the liquid refrigerant accumulating in the refrigerant inlet chamber IR of the accumulator 18. Thus, the compressor 2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 can prevent the generation of large vibration due to a decrease in the natural frequency of the accumulator 18 in the accumulator 18.

[0125] When the weight of the accumulator 18 increases by the liquid refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerant inlet chamber IR, the center-of-gravity position of the accumulator 18 becomes higher. When the holder 59 to which the accumulator 18 is fixed by welding and the center-of-gravity position of the accumulator 18 are separated from each other by a large degree, stress concentration due to vibration generated in the accumulator 18 may occur in the holder 59. By positioning the holder 59 in a place between the upper end 62a of the partition plate 62 and the upper end 65a of the communication pipe 65 in the direction along the centerline C2 of the container 61, it becomes possible to dispose the holder 59 close to the center-of-gravity position of the accumulator 18. Thus, even when the vibration of the accumulator 18 occurs at the time of operation of the compressor 2, the compressor 2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 can reduce the occurrence of stress concentration in the holder 59 that supports the accumulator 18.

[0126] The compressor 2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the present embodiments include the accumulator 18 including the container 61 directly fixed to the holder 59 by welding. Thus, the compressor 2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 can easily improve the rigidity of the accumulator 18 without addition of a new member to the accumulator 18.

[0127] The accumulator 18 of the compressor 2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the present embodiments includes the annular ring member 75 provided along the outer peripheral surface of the container 61 of the accumulator 18 and fixed to the holder 59 by welding. The ring member 75 reduces heat input to the container 61 and prevents local thermal deformation and stress concentration due to thermal deformation in the container 61 as compared to a case in which the container 61 is directly fixed to the holder 59 by welding. Thus, the compressor 2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 can prevent a reduction in quality of the accumulator 18 that may occur due to heat input when the accumulator 18 is fixed to the holder 59 by welding.

[0128] The ring member 75 improves the rigidity of the container 61. Thus, the compressor 2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 can increase the natural frequency of the accumulator 18 fixed to the holder 59 via the ring member 75 more as compared to the natural frequency of the accumulator 18 in which the container 61 is fixed to the holder 59 by welding. In other words, the compressor 2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 can reliably suppress a case in which the natural frequency of the accumulator 18 decreases to a value within the range of the operating frequency of the compressor 2 even when the liquid refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerant inlet chamber IR increases due to the operation of the compressor 2.

[0129] In the compressor 2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the present embodiments, the upper end 59a of the holder 59 is positioned above the second center-of-gravity position G2 that is the center-of-gravity position of the accumulator 18 when the liquid refrigerant is accumulated to the upper end 65a of the communication pipe 65 in the refrigerant inlet chamber IR. As a result, the holder 59 can be disposed closer to the second center-of-gravity position G2. Thus, the compressor 2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 can effectively reduce stress concentration that occurs in the holder 59 at the time of operation of the compressor 2.

[0130] If the center-of-gravity position of the accumulator 18 moves to a place above the weld-fixing section between the holder 59 and the accumulator 18, stability and damping property with respect to vibration as the entire compressor 2 easily decrease. By positioning the upper end 59a of the holder 59 in a place above the second center-of-gravity position G2, the center-of-gravity position of the accumulator 18 does not move to a place above the weld-fixing section even when the state of the refrigerant inlet chamber IR of the accumulator 18 changes between an empty state and a state in which the liquid refrigerant is accumulated to a maximum extent. Thus, the compressor 2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 can prevent a decrease in stability and damping property with respect to vibration.

[0131] In the compressor 2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the present embodiments, the lower end 59b of the holder 59 is positioned below the second center-of-gravity position G2 of the accumulator 18. As a result, the second center-of-gravity position G2 is positioned between the upper end 59a and the lower end 59b of the holder 59 in the direction along the centerline C2 of the container 61 of the accumulator 18, and hence the holder 59 can be disposed even closer to the second center-of-gravity position G2. Thus, the compressor 2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 can more effectively reduce stress concentration that occurs in the holder 59 at the time of operation of the compressor 2.

[0132] The compressor 2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the present embodiments include the holder 59 having the upper end 59a positioned above the support plate 73 of the accumulator 18. It becomes easier to position the second center-of-gravity position G2 of the accumulator 18 closer to the holder 59 by further defining a positional relationship between the holder 59 and the support plate 73. Thus, the compressor 2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 can effectively reduce stress concentration that occurs in the holder 59 at the time of operation of the compressor 2.

[0133] The compressor 2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the present embodiments satisfy the relational expression (1) described above when the container 61 of the accumulator 18 is fixed to the holder 59 by welding. As a result, the weld-fixing section between the holder 59 and the container 61 is sufficiently secured, and the rigidity of the accumulator 18 can be increased. It becomes easier to position the holder 59 closer to the second center-of-gravity position G2 of the accumulator 18 as the width W1 of the holder 59 increases. Thus, the compressor 2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 can more reliably suppress the generation of vibration in the accumulator 18 and effectively reduce stress concentration that occurs in the holder 59 at the time of operation of the compressor 2.

[0134] The compressor 2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the present embodiments satisfy the relational expressions (1) and (2) described above when the ring member 75 of the accumulator 18 is weld-fixed to the holder 59. As a result, the weld-fixing section between the holder 59 and the ring member 75 is sufficiently secured, and the rigidity of the accumulator 18 can be increased. It becomes easier to position the holder 59 closer to the second center-of-gravity position G2 of the accumulator 18 as the width W1 of the holder 59 and the width W2 of the ring member 75 increase. Thus, the compressor 2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 can further reliably suppress the generation of vibration in the accumulator 18 and effectively reduce stress concentration that occurs in the holder 59 at the time of operation of the compressor 2.

[0135] The accumulator 18 included in the compressor 2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the present embodiments is able to increase the natural frequency of the accumulator 18 and reduce the occurrence of stress concentration in an external member such as the holder 59 by including the following configuration by itself.

[0136] In other words, the accumulator 18 according to the present embodiment includes the cylindrical container 61, the partition plate 62 that is provided inside the container 61 and that divides the internal space S of the container 61 into the refrigerant inlet chamber IR and the refrigerant outlet chamber OR, the inlet pipe 63 fixed to the container 61 and communicating with the refrigerant inlet chamber IR, at least one communication pipe 65 that extend through the partition plate 62 and places the refrigerant inlet chamber IR in communication with the refrigerant outlet chamber OR, at least one outlet pipe 66 fixed to the container 61 and communicating with the refrigerant outlet chamber OR, and the annular ring member 75 that is a member fixed to an external member by welding, that is provided along the outer peripheral surface of the container 61, and that is positioned between the partition plate 62 and the inlet opening 65i of the communication pipe 65 in the direction along the centerline C2 of the container 61.

[0137] Therefore, the compressor 2, the accumulator 18, and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the present embodiments can increase a natural frequency of the accumulator and reduce occurrence of stress concentration in the holder 59.

[0138] While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.

Claims

1. A compressor, comprising:a cylindrical sealed container;a compression mechanism that is accommodated in the sealed container and is configured to compress a refrigerant;an electric motor that is accommodated in the sealed container and is configured to drive the compression mechanism;an accumulator disposed outside the sealed container and connected to a suction side of the compression mechanism, the accumulator comprising:a cylindrical container,a partition plate that is provided within the container and that divides an internal space of the container into a refrigerant inlet chamber and a refrigerant outlet chamber,an inlet pipe fixed to the container and connected to the refrigerant inlet chamber,at least one communication pipe that penetrates the partition plate and places the refrigerant inlet chamber in communication with the refrigerant outlet chamber, andat least one outlet pipe fixed to the container and communicating with the refrigerant outlet chamber; anda holder provided on the sealed container to fix the accumulator by welding, whereinthe holder is positioned at a height that is equal to or higher than an upper end of the partition plate and that is equal to or lower than an upper end of the communication pipe.

2. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the container is fixed to the holder by welding.

3. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein;the accumulator further comprises an annular ring member provided along an outer peripheral surface of the container, andthe ring member is fixed to the holder by welding.

4. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein an upper end of the holder is positioned above a second center-of-gravity position that is a center-of-gravity position of the accumulator when the refrigerant in a liquid form is accumulated to the upper end of the communication pipe in the refrigerant inlet chamber.

5. The compressor according to claim 4, wherein a lower end of the holder is positioned below the second center-of-gravity position.

6. The compressor according to claim 1, further comprising a support plate that is disposed above the partition plate, that is configured to support the communication pipe with the partition plate, and that is positioned below an upper end of the holder.

7. The compressor according to claim 2, wherein a relational expression (1) below is satisfied:W⁢1⁢≥0.1⁢5×L,(1)where W1 represents a width of the holder and L represents a distance from the upper end of the partition plate to the upper end of the communication pipe in a direction along a centerline of the container.

8. The compressor according to claim 3, wherein relational expressions (1) and (2) below are satisfied:W⁢1≥0.15×L(1)W⁢2≥0.1⁢5×L,(2)where W1 represents a width of the holder, W2 represents a width of the ring member, and L represents a distance from the upper end of the partition plate to the upper end of the communication pipe in a direction along a centerline of the container.

9. An accumulator, comprising:a cylindrical container;a partition plate that is provided within the container and that divides an internal space of the container into a refrigerant inlet chamber and a refrigerant outlet chamber;an inlet pipe fixed to the container and connected to the refrigerant inlet chamber;at least one communication pipe that penetrates the partition plate and places the refrigerant inlet chamber in communication with the refrigerant outlet chamber;at least one outlet pipe fixed to the container and communicating with the refrigerant outlet chamber; andan annular ring member that is a member fixed to an external member by welding, that is provided along an outer peripheral surface of the container, and that is positioned between the partition plate and an inlet opening of the communication pipe in a direction along a centerline of the container.

10. A refrigeration cycle apparatus, comprising:the compressor according to claim 1;a radiator;an expansion device;a heat absorber; andrefrigerant piping that connects the compressor, the radiator, the expansion device, and the heat absorber to each other and through which the refrigerant is circulated.

Images