Hermetic compressor and refrigerator including the same
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- US · United States
- Patent Type
- Applications(United States)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-13
Smart Images
Figure US20260235334A1-D00000_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The disclosure relates to a hermetic compressor and a refrigerator including the same.BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A hermetic compressor disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. Sho 60-252178 includes a casing, a compression device disposed in an upper region inside the casing, and an electric motor disposed in a lower region inside the casing. A crank pin is provided at an end portion of a shaft that extends upward from the electric motor. A piston of the compression device is connected to the crank pin by a connecting rod. An opening to scatter lubricant is provided in the crank pin. A cylinder part that rotatably surrounds the crank pin is provided at one end portion of the connecting rod, and a skirt part that is enlarged obliquely outward in a radial direction is provided at an upper end portion of the cylinder part. The lubricant coming out from the opening of the crank pin hits an inner inclined surface of the skirt part.DISCLOSURETechnical Solution
[0003] A refrigerator according to an aspect of the disclosure includes a main body including at least one storage compartment and a cold air supply device that supplies cold air to the storage compartment and includes a compressor. The compressor may include a compression portion, a motor unit, a crank shaft, and a connecting rod. The compression portion compresses refrigerant by reciprocation of a piston. The motor unit rotates the crank shaft. A first end portion of the crank shaft is connected to the motor unit. A crank pin that is eccentric to a rotation axis is provided at a second end portion of the crank shaft. The connecting rod connects the crank pin to the piston and converts a rotational motion of the crank shaft into a reciprocating motion of the piston. A first opening portion through which lubricant is discharged and a scattering portion that collects and scatters the lubricant discharged through the first opening portion by using a centrifugal force are provided at an end portion of the crank pin.
[0004] A compressor according to an aspect of the disclosure may include a compression portion, a motor unit, a crank shaft, and a connecting rod. The compression portion compresses refrigerant by reciprocation of a piston. The motor unit rotates the crank shaft. A first end portion of the crank shaft is connected to the motor unit. A crank pin that is eccentric to a rotation axis is provided at a second end portion of the crank shaft. The connecting rod connects the crank pin to the piston and converts a rotational motion of the crank shaft to a reciprocating motion of the piston. A first opening portion through which lubricant is discharged and a scattering portion that collects and scatters the lubricant discharged through the first opening portion by using a centrifugal force are provided at an end portion of the crank pin.DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hermetic compressor according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which an attachment is mounted on a crank pin according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a top view of a hermetic compressor according to an embodiment of the disclosure, which shows a state in which a piston is located at a bottom dead center.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a top view of a hermetic compressor according to an embodiment of the disclosure, which shows a state in which a piston is located at a top dead center.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of a hermetic compressor according to an embodiment of the disclosure, which shows a state in which a piston is located at the bottom dead center.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of a hermetic compressor according to an embodiment of the disclosure, which shows a state in which a piston is located at the top dead center.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a notch is formed in the crank pin in a hermetic compressor according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a scattering portion is provided as a balance weight mounted on the crank pin in a hermetic compressor according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.MODE FOR INVENTION
[0014] Various embodiments of the disclosure and terms used therein are not intended to limit the disclosure to particular modes of practice, and it is to be appreciated that various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives that do not depart from the spirit and technical scope of the disclosure are encompassed in the disclosure.
[0015] In the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used to denote like elements or components.
[0016] A singular form of a noun corresponding to an item includes one item or a plurality of items unless clearly specified otherwise in context.
[0017] In the disclosure, the expressions 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 each include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase or all available combinations thereof.
[0018] The term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0019] Terms such as “1st” and “2nd” or “first” and “second” are used herein merely to distinguish one element from another element and do not limit the elements in another aspect (e.g., order or importance).
[0020] Furthermore, it should be understood that terms such as “front,”“rear,”“upper,”“lower,”“top,”“bottom,”“side,”“left,” and “right” are defined with reference to the accompanying drawings, and such terms are not intended to limit the shape or position of any component described herein.
[0021] The terms such as “including,”“having,” and “comprising” are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof disclosed in the disclosure, and are not intended to preclude the possibility that one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof may exist or may be added
[0022] When a component is said to be “connected,”“coupled,”“supported,” or “in contact” with another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with each other, but also cases where the components are indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with each other through a third component.
[0023] When a component is referred to as being “on” another component, the component can be directly on another component or between two intervening elements.
[0024] A refrigerator is equipped with a cold air supply device for supplying cold air to the storage compartment. The cold air supply device may produce cold air through a refrigeration cycle that includes compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes of refrigerant. The cold air supply device may include a refrigeration cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator capable of driving the refrigeration cycle. The compressor is disposed between the evaporator and the condenser. The compressor compresses the refrigerant flowing in from the evaporator and discharges the refrigerant to the condenser. The compressor includes a compression device and a motor to drive the same. The compression device may be a reciprocating compression device including a piston. The compressor may have a structure that scatters lubricant through a crank pin eccentrically installed at one end of a rotation shaft of the motor. In this case, the scattering of lubricant is dependent on a rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the motor. When the motor is operated at slow speed, the scattering of lubricant may become difficult. This is the same even if a skirt part that expands outward is placed at the end of the crank pin as in the related art.
[0025] The disclosure is directed to providing a hermetic compressor having a structure capable of easily scattering lubricant even during low-speed operation, and a refrigerator employing the same. However, the technical objectives to be achieved by the disclosure are not limited to the above-described objectives, and other technical objectives that are not mentioned herein would be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description of the disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hermetic compressor 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, the hermetic compressor 1 may include a compression device (compression portion) 20 and a driving motor (motor unit) 30. The hermetic compressor 1 may include a sealed container 10 that forms a sealed space inside an interior thereof. The compression device 20 and the driving motor 30 may be installed inside the sealed space. The compression device 20 is driven by the driving motor 30 to compress a refrigerant.
[0027] The compression device 20 may be a reciprocating compression device. The compression device 20 may include a frame 21, a cylinder 22, and a compression chamber 23. The compression device 20 may further include a piston 24, a cylinder head 25, and a valve device 26. The compression device (compression portion) 20 can be installed in an upper region within the sealed container 10 to compress a refrigerant by a reciprocation of the piston 24.
[0028] The cylinder 22 may be integrally formed with the frame 21. The piston 24 is accommodated in the cylinder 22 through an open end of the cylinder 22. The piston 24 blocks the open end of the cylinder 22. The cylinder head 25 is coupled to the other end of the cylinder 22. The cylinder head 25 seals the other end of the cylinder 22, which is opposite the open end. The compression chamber 23 is formed inside the cylinder 22 between the piston 24 and the cylinder head 25. The piston 24 may linearly reciprocate within the cylinder 22. As the piston 24 linearly reciprocates, the volume of the compression chamber 23 changes, and as a result the refrigerant is sucked or pressured into the compression chamber 23 and then is compressed and discharged from the compression chamber 23.
[0029] The cylinder head 25 may include a refrigerant suction chamber 251 and a refrigerant discharge chamber 252. The refrigerant is sucked or pressured into the compression chamber 23 through a suction pipe (not shown) via the refrigerant suction chamber 251. The refrigerant is discharged from the compression chamber 23 through a discharge pipe (not shown) via the refrigerant discharge chamber 252. Although not illustrated in the drawing, the suction pipe and the discharge pipe may be arranged on one side of the sealed container 10. The suction pipe guides the refrigerant from an evaporator (not shown) of a refrigeration cycle to the sealed container 10. The discharge pipe guides the refrigerant from the sealed container 10 to a condenser (not shown) of the refrigeration cycle.
[0030] The valve device 26 is provided between the cylinder 22 and the cylinder head 25. The valve device 26 controls the flow of the refrigerant sucked or pressured into the compression chamber 23 from the refrigerant suction chamber 251. The valve device 26 also controls the flow of the refrigerant discharged from the compression chamber 23 to the refrigerant discharge chamber 252.
[0031] The driving motor 30 includes a stator 31 and a rotor 32. The stator 31 is fixed to the frame 21 facing the compression device 20. The stator 31 forms a magnetic field. The rotor 32 is rotatably installed outside the stator 31 to be spaced apart from the stator 31. The rotor 32 rotates by electromagnetic interaction with the stator 31 (i.e., by electromagnetic interaction between the rotor 32 and the magnetic field formed by the stator 31).
[0032] The driving motor 30 linearly reciprocates the piston 24 so that the compression device 20 compresses the refrigerant. For this purpose, the driving motor 30 rotates a crank shaft 33, and the rotational motion of the crank shaft 33 is converted by a crank pin 34 and a connecting rod 28 into the linear reciprocating motion of the piston 24.
[0033] The driving motor 30 is connected to the crank shaft 33, and the crank shaft 33 is connected to the compression device 20 via the crank pin 34 and the connecting rod 28. The crank shaft 33 is inserted into a hollow space 27 formed at the center of the frame 21 and is rotatably supported therein. A first end portion 331 (e.g., a lower end portion) of the crank shaft 33 is coupled to a bottom portion 321 of the rotor 32 so that the crank shaft 33 rotates with the rotor 32 about a rotational axis Z. A second end portion 332 (e.g., an upper end portion) of the crank shaft 33 is opposite the first end portion 331 and protrudes upwards from the frame 21. The crank pin 34 is provided at the second end portion 332, which protrudes, of the crank shaft 33. The crank pin 34 is eccentric to the rotation axis Z of the crank shaft 33. Accordingly, as the rotor 32 rotates, the crank pin 34 rotates eccentrically around the rotation axis Z of the crank shaft 33. The connecting rod 28 converts the eccentric rotational motion of the crank pin 34 into the linear reciprocating motion of the piston 24. The crank pin 34 is connected to the connecting rod 28, and the connecting rod 28 is connected to the piston 24.
[0034] When current is applied to the driving motor 30 of the hermetic compressor 1, the stator 31 generates a magnetic field, and the rotor 32 rotates by electromagnetic interaction with the magnetic field generated by the stator 31. Accordingly, the crank pin 34 of the crank shaft 33 rotates eccentrically around the rotation axis Z of the crank shaft 33. The eccentric rotational motion of the crank pin 34 is converted into the linear reciprocating motion of the piston 24 within the compression chamber 23 through the connecting rod 28. A pressure difference occurs between the inside and outside of the compression chamber 23 due to the linear reciprocating motion of the piston 24. As the piston 24 moves away from the cylinder head 25, the volume of the compression chamber 23 increases. The refrigerant introduced from the evaporator of refrigeration cycle into the refrigerant suction chamber 251 through the suction pipe is sucked or pressured into the compression chamber 23. As the piston 24 approaches the cylinder head 25, the volume of the compression chamber 23 decreases and the refrigerant is compressed within the compression chamber 23. The compressed refrigerant is discharged from the compression chamber 23 to the refrigerant discharge chamber 252, and then the discharged refrigerant is discharged from the refrigerant discharge chamber 252 to the condenser of the refrigeration cycle through the discharge pipe.
[0035] In the hermetic compressor 1, for lubrication and cooling, moving parts of the compression device 20 and the driving motor 30 are supplied with lubricant (hereinafter, simply referred to as “oil”). The lubrication and cooling of the moving parts is performed to prevent wear due to excessive friction between the moving parts. For this purpose, a sump or an oil storage space 11 for storing a certain amount of oil is provided in a lower portion of the sealed container 10.
[0036] A pump that sucks up oil from the oil storage space 11, for example, a viscosity pump 36, is installed in a lower end of the crank shaft 33. The viscosity pump 36 may have a cylindrical shape with a groove portion formed in the outer circumference thereof. The viscosity pump 36 sucks up oil from the oil storage space 11 by the viscosity of the oil in contact with grooves of the groove portion. As FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view, only a portion of the groove portion that intersects the cross-section is illustrated.
[0037] Here, the lubrication and cooling of the moving parts between the cylinder 22 and the piston 24 are illustrated. For the lubrication and cooling of the moving parts, an oil flow path 35 is provided in the crank shaft 33. The oil flow path 35 is a flow path along which the oil of the oil storage space 11 is guided to the crank pin 34. A pump, for example, a centrifugal pump 37, for guiding the oil of the oil storage space 11 to the moving parts may be provided in the crank shaft 33. The centrifugal pump 37 guides the oil of the oil storage space 11 to the moving parts using centrifugal force due to the rotation of the crank shaft 33. The centrifugal pump 37 may include a groove portion spirally formed upwards and inclined in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the crank shaft 33. As FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view, only a portion of the spirally formed groove portion of the centrifugal pump 37 that intersects the cross-section is illustrated. The upper end of the centrifugal pump 37 communicates with the lower end of the oil flow path 35 and the lower end of the centrifugal pump 37 communicates with the upper end of the viscosity pump 36. The viscosity pump 36 provides a path along which oil is pumped up from the oil storage space 11 and delivered to the centrifugal pump 37. Accordingly, the oil passes the centrifugal pump 37 by the centrifugal force of the crank shaft 33 to flow in the oil flow path 35. The oil flows from the oil flow path 35 to the crank pin 34. Furthermore, the oil is then scattered from a first opening portion 341 of the crank pin 34 toward the moving parts to cool and lubricate the moving parts.
[0038] As such, in a reciprocating compressor such as the hermetic compressor 1, oil is supplied to the outer circumference of the piston 24. In detail, by scattering the oil from the first opening portion 341 in the upper end of the crank pin 34, the oil is supplied to the outer circumference of the piston 24.
[0039] For energy saving, a reduction in the rotation of the crank shaft 33 may be required. When the rotation of the crank shaft 33 is slowed down, the centrifugal force decreases and thus it becomes difficult for the oil to be scattered. In consideration of the above-described point, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, a scattering portion for gathering and scattering the oil discharged from the first opening portion 341 of the crank pin 34 may be provided. The scattering portion may be provided directly on the crank pin 34, and may be provided on an additional member that is provided integrally with the crank pin 34 or mounted on the crank pin 34 as a separate member. The additional member may be an additional member for the purpose of scattering the oil. The additional member may be an additional member for purposes other than the scattering of the oil.
[0040] In an embodiment of the disclosure, an attachment 40 is provided in the upper end portion of the crank pin 34 as an additional member for the purpose of scattering the oil. The scattering portion, for example, a protruding portion 401, for scattering oil is provided at least one position on the outer circumference of the attachment 40. The attachment 40 may be integral with the crank pin 34, and as a separate member, may be mounted on the upper end portion of the crank pin 34.
[0041] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the attachment 40 is mounted on the crank pin 34. Referring to FIG. 2, the outer diameter of the attachment 40 may be greater than the outer diameter of the crank pin 34. The attachment 40 may include a second opening portion 402 and the protruding portion 401. The second opening portion 402 of the attachment 40 has a diameter greater than that of the first opening portion 341 of the crank pin 34, and is communicated with the first opening portion 341 of the crank pin 34. The upper end portion of the crank pin 34 is inserted into the second opening portion 402 of the attachment 40. In the present embodiment of the disclosure, the second opening portion 402 of the attachment 40 is aligned with the first opening portion 341 of the crank pin 34 in the up and down direction. The protruding portion 401 may be provided at a position or a plurality of positons on the outer circumference 403 of the second opening portion 402 of the attachment 40 to protrude outward in the radial direction. The protruding portion 401 causes the second opening portion 402 to partially extend outward in the radial direction. The protruding portion 401 may have a so-called injection port shape (or a beak-like shape). The protruding portion 401 may be provided, for example, at an eccentric peak of the outer circumference 403 of the second opening portion 402.
[0042] Due to the attachment 40 having the protruding portion 401 of an injection port shape, the oil supplied to the crank pin 34 is collected in the protruding portion 401 by centrifugal force. The outer diameter of the outermost end portion of the protruding portion 401 is greater than the outer diameter of the crank pin 34. Accordingly, the oil is scattered by relatively large centrifugal forces at a portion having a greater outer diameter than that of the first opening portion 341 of the crank pin 34. Accordingly, as the oil is easy to be scattered even during relatively slow operations, the lubrication and cooling of the moving parts, for example, a sliding portion between the piston 24 and the cylinder 22 is facilitated, and thus the reliability of the moving parts may be improved.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, the protruding portion 401 can include first side 4011 and second side 4012. Each of the first side 4011 and the second side 4012 can be formed to define sides of a pour spout with a truncated cone shape.
[0044] Although not illustrated in the drawing, instead of the protruding portion 401, a notch (not shown) may be formed, as the scattering portion, at the outer circumference 403 of the second opening portion 402 of the attachment 40. The notch may have, for example, a downwardly concave V shape (see the shape of a notch 411 illustrated in FIG. 7) formed from the outer circumference 403 of the second opening portion 402 of the attachment 40. Furthermore, the number of protruding portions 401 or notches may be two or more. Two or more protruding portions 401 or notches may be provided in a partial section, for example, around the eccentric peak, of the outer circumference 403 of the second opening portion 402 of the attachment 40.
[0045] The oil is scattered outward from the peak of the crank pin 34 in the eccentric direction with respect to the rotation axis Z of the crank shaft 33 (hereinafter, referred to as the “eccentric peak”). The eccentric peak is a point where the outer diameter becomes maximum when the crank pin 34 rotates around the rotation axis Z. In other words, the eccentric peak is a point where the distance from the rotation axis Z of the crank shaft 33 becomes maximum, among the points on the outer circumference of the crank pin 34. The centrifugal force increases as the eccentric radius increases. Accordingly, it is efficient for the oil scattering to provide the protruding portion 401 of the attachment 40 at the position of the eccentric peak.
[0046] Although the crank pin 34 and the attachment 40 provided as the additional member are generally described herein as being separate components that may or may not be integral with one another, it is to be understood that this is not required and that other embodiments are possible. For example, in some embodiments, the crank pin 34 and the attachment 40 are provided as a crank pin assembly. In these or other cases, the crank pin assembly can include the crank pin 34, the attachment 40, the first opening portion 341 through which lubricant is discharged, the second opening portion and the scattering portion (i.e., the protruding portion 401).
[0047] FIG. 3 is a top view of the hermetic compressor 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, which shows a state in which the piston 24 is located at a bottom dead center. FIG. 4 is a top view of the hermetic compressor 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, which shows a state in which the piston 24 is located at a top dead center. The protruding portion 401 of the attachment 40 always faces outward in the radial direction of a circle C having the rotation axis Z as the center. For example, in the state of FIG. 3, the protruding portion 401 of the attachment 40 faces the opposite side of the piston 24 in the radial direction of the circle C. In the state of FIG. 4, the protruding portion 401 of the attachment 40 faces toward a side of the piston 24 in the radial direction of the circle C. In other words, the protruding portion 401 of the attachment 40 always faces the direction of a centrifugal force generated when the crank pin 34 revolves around the rotation axis Z.
[0048] In the reciprocating compressor, the current minimum rotation speed of the crank shaft 33 may be lowered to a target minimum rotation speed that is lower than the current one in consideration of energy saving.
[0049] According to an experiment, when the attachment 40 is not employed, the oil is scattered to the piston 24 at the current minimum rotation speed. However, the scattering limit of oil is reached at a certain speed faster than the target minimum rotation speed (a certain rotation speed between the current minimum rotation speed and the target minimum rotation speed). At the target minimum rotation speed, the oil is in a discharge state (a state in which the oil is not scattered and flows from the first opening portion 341 of the crank pin 34) so as not to reach the piston 24.
[0050] In this regard, when the attachment 40 as illustrated in FIG. 2 is employed, the oil is scattered from the protruding portion 401 at a certain rotation speed slower than the target minimum rotation speed. And, at the target minimum rotation speed, the oil is scattered so as to sufficiently reach the sliding portion between the piston 24 and the cylinder 22.
[0051] When the piston 24 is located at the bottom dead center as illustrated in FIG. 3, the piston 24 is most exposed to the outside of the cylinder 22. The crank pin 34 is located at the opposite side of the piston 24 in the radial direction with respect to the rotation axis Z as the center. In this case, a direction in which the oil is scattered becomes an outward direction from the eccentric peak of the crank pin 34, and is opposite to the direction of the piston 24. Accordingly, the scattered oil does not face the piston 24.
[0052] When the piston 24 is located at the top dead center as illustrated in FIG. 4, the oil is scattered toward the piston 24. In this case, however, the piston 24 is mostly inserted into the cylinder 22. Accordingly, the scattered oil hits an edge part 221 of the cylinder 22 at a side of the crank pin 34. In the state illustrated in FIG. 4, when the crank pin 34 rotates further, the piston 24 starts to be exposed from the cylinder 22, and the oil flows from the edge part 221 to reach the piston 24 that is exposed to the outside of the cylinder 22. In other words, although the scattered oil is delayed, the oil reaches the piston 24 as the crank pin 34 rotates. However, reducing a time for the piston 24 to be exposed to the outside after the oil is scattered may facilitate the oil to reach the piston 24.
[0053] In consideration of the above-described point, the position of the protruding portion 401 of the attachment 40 may be slightly misaligned from the eccentric peak of the crank pin 34 in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the crank shaft 33.
[0054] FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of the hermetic compressor 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, which shows a state in which the piston 24 is located at the bottom dead center. FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of the hermetic compressor 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, which shows a state in which the piston 24 is located at the top dead center. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an angular position of the protruding portion 401 with respect to the center of the crank pin 34 are misaligned in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the crank shaft 33, compared to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. In detail, the angular position of the protruding portion 401 are misaligned by an angle θ from an eccentric peak EC in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the crank shaft 33. Here, when the angle θ is within a certain angle, the oil is scattered from the protruding portion 401 due to viscosity. Meanwhile, when the angle θ exceeds the certain angle, the oil is scattered from the eccentric peak EC. Accordingly, the angle θ is within a range that does not interfere with scattering performance of oil.
[0055] In accordance with alternative embodiments, a base of the protruding portion 401 that is adjacent to the crank pin 34 may be aligned with the eccentric peak of the crank pin 34 and the tip of the protruding portion 401 that is remote from the crank pin 34 may be misaligned with the eccentric peak of the crank pin 34 in a similar configuration as shown in FIG. 5. In these or other cases, the protruding portion 401 can be cantilevered or tapered toward one side more than the other.
[0056] The scattering portion may be provided at the crank pin 34. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the notch 411 is formed in the crank pin 34 in the hermetic compressor 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 7, the scattering portion, for example, the notch 411 is formed at a position of the first opening portion 341 of the outer circumference 343 of the crank pin 34. The notch 411 may have a downwardly concave V shape formed from an upper end portion of the first opening portion 341 of the outer circumference 343 of the crank pin 34. The notch 411 may be formed at the position of the eccentric peak of the first opening portion 341 of the outer circumference 343 of the crank pin 34. Although not illustrated in the drawing, as described in FIGS. 5 and 6 for the protruding portion 401, the notch 411 may be provided at a position misaligned from the position of the eccentric peak of the crank pin 34 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the crank shaft 33.
[0057] As the notch 411 is provided at a position on the outer circumference of the crank pin 34, the oil may be easily collected by a centrifugal force in the notch 411, and may be easily scattered from the notch 411. Furthermore, as an additional member such as the attachment 40 is unnecessary, costs may be reduced.
[0058] The number of notches 411 is not limited to one and may be two or more. In this case, the crank pin 34 may have two or more notches 411 around a partial section of the outer circumference 343, for example, the position of the eccentric peak.
[0059] The scattering portion may be provided on another additional member mounted on the crank pin 34, instead of the attachment 40, for purposes other than the scattering of the oil. For example, a balance weight may be mounted on the crank pin 34. The balance weight is a mass configured to suppress vibration generated during rotation due to an imbalance of the weight of the crank shaft 33. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the scattering portion may be provided at the balance weight.
[0060] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a scattering portion is provided as a balance weight 42 mounted on the crank pin 34 in the hermetic compressor 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 8, a second opening portion 422 is provided on the balance weight 42. As the upper end portion of the crank pin 34 is inserted into the second opening portion 422, the balance weight 42 may be fixed to the crank pin 34. The second opening portion 422 is communicated with the first opening portion 341 of the crank pin 34. An upper end portion of an outer circumference 423 of the second opening portion 422 may slightly protrude from the upper end portion of the crank pin 34. A notch 421 is formed at a position on the outer circumference 423 of the second opening portion 422. The notch 421 have, for example, a downwardly concave V shape formed from an upper end portion of the outer circumference 423 of the second opening portion 422. The notch 421 may be formed at the position of the eccentric peak of the second opening portion 422 of the balance weight 42. The notch 421 may be provided at a position misaligned from the position of the eccentric peak of the second opening portion 422 of the balance weight 42 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the crank shaft 33.
[0061] As such, as the notch 421 is provided at a position on the outer circumference 423 of the second opening portion 422 of the balance weight 42, the oil may be easily collected by centrifugal forces in the notch 421 and may be easily scattered from the notch 421. Furthermore, as the scattering portion is formed in a member added for purposes other than the scattering of the oil (e.g., a purpose of suppressing vibration due to weight imbalance), the oil scattering may be facilitated without increasing the parts of the compressor 1.
[0062] The number of notches 421 is not limited to one, and may be two or more. In this case, two or more notches 421 may be provided around the partial section of the outer circumference 423 of the second opening portion 422, for example, the position of the eccentric peak. Furthermore, although not illustrated, instead of the notch 421, one or two or more protruding portions 401, as illustrated in FIG. 2, may be provided, as the scattering portion, on the outer circumference 423 of the second opening portion 422.
[0063] FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 9, the refrigerator may include a main body 1000 including at least one storage compartment 1001, and a cold air supply device 1002 for supplying cold air (cold energy) to the storage compartment 1001. The cold air supply device 1002 may include the compressor 1 described above.
[0064] For example, the main body 1000 may include an inner cabinet, an outer cabinet disposed outside the inner cabinet, and an insulating material provided between the inner cabinet and the outer cabinet. An “inner cabinet” may include at least one of a case, a plate, a panel, or a liner for forming a storage compartment. The inner cabinet may be formed in one body or may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates. An “outer cabinet” may form the exterior of the main body 1000, and may be coupled to the outside of the inner cabinet so as to arrange an insulating material between the inner cabinet and the outer cabinet.
[0065] An “insulating material” may insulate between the inside of the storage compartment and the outside of the storage compartment so that the temperature inside the storage compartment can be maintained at a set appropriate temperature without being affected by the external environment. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulating material may include a foam insulating material. The foam insulating material may be formed by injecting and foaming a urethane foam, in which polyurethane and a foaming agent are mixed, between the inner cabinet and the outer cabinet.
[0066] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulating material may include additionally a vacuum insulating material other than the foam insulating material, or the insulating material may be configured with a vacuum insulating material only instead of the foam insulating material. The vacuum insulating material may include a core material and a shell material that accommodates the core material and seals the inside at a vacuum or a pressure close to a vacuum. However, the insulating material is not limited to the foam insulating material or vacuum insulating material described above, and may include various materials used for insulation.
[0067] The storage compartment 1001 may include a space defined by the inner cabinet. The storage compartment 1001 may further include the inner cabinet that defines the space corresponding to the storage compartment 1001. The storage compartment 1001 may store various articles, such as food, medicine, and cosmetics, and the storage compartment 1001 may be formed so that at least one side is open for the entry and exist of the articles.
[0068] The refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments 1001. When two or more storage compartments 1001 are formed in the refrigerator, the storage compartments 1001 may have different purposes and may be maintained at different temperatures. To this end, the respective storage compartments 1001 may be partitioned from each other by a partition wall having an insulating material.
[0069] The storage compartment 1001 may be arranged to be maintained at an appropriate temperature range depending on the intended use, and may include “a refrigerating compartment,”“a freezing compartment,” or “a variable-temperature compartment” which are distinguished depending on the intended use and / or temperature range. The refrigerating compartment may be maintained at a temperature suitable for refrigerating the articles, and the freezing compartment may be maintained at a temperature suitable for freezing the articles. “Refrigerating” may mean cooling an item to a temperature that is not freezing, and as an example, a refrigerating compartment may be kept in a range of 0 degrees Celsius to 7 degrees Celsius. “Freezing” may mean cooling an item so as to keep the item frozen or in a frozen state, and as an example, a freezing compartment may be maintained in a range of −20 degrees Celsius to −1 degree Celsius. The variable-temperature compartment may be used as either a refrigerating compartment or a freezing compartment, with or without the user's choice.
[0070] The storage compartment 1001 may be referred to by various names, such as “a vegetable compartment,”“a freshness compartment,”“a cooling compartment,” and “an ice-making compartment,” in addition to the “refrigerating compartment,”“freezing compartment,” and “variable-temperature compartment”, or the terms “refrigerating compartment,”“freezing compartment,” and “variable-temperature compartment” as used herein should be understood to collectively refer to the storage compartment 1001 having a corresponding function and temperature range.
[0071] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include at least one door 1003 configured to open / close the open side of the storage compartment 1001. The door 1003 may open / close each of one or more storage compartments 1001, or one door 1003 may open / close a plurality of storage compartments 1001. The door 1003 may be rotatably or slidably installed on the front surface of the main body 1000.
[0072] The door 1003 may be configured to seal the storage compartment when the door 1003 is closed. The door 1003, like the main body, may include the insulating material to insulate the storage compartment when the door 1003 is closed.
[0073] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the door 1003 may include a door outer panel that forms the front surface of the door 1003, a door inner panel that forms the back surface of the door 1003 and facing the storage compartment 1001, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulating material provided inside thereof.
[0074] A gasket may be provided at the edge of the door inner panel, the gasket sealing the storage compartment 1001 by closely contacting the front surface of the main body 1000 when the door 1003 is closed. The door inner panel may include a dyke that protrudes backwards to mount a door basket for keeping articles.
[0075] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the door 1003 may include a door body and a front panel that is separably coupled to the front surface of the door body and forms the front surface of the door 1003. The door body may include a door outer panel that forms the front surface of the door body, a door inner panel that forms the back surface of the door body and faces the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulating material provided inside thereof.
[0076] The refrigerator may be classified into a French door type, a side-by-side type, a bottom mounted freezer (BMF), a top mounted freezer (TMF), or a one (1) door refrigerator, according to the arrangement of the door 1003 and the storage compartment 1001.
[0077] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include the cold air supply device 1002 that supplies cold air to the storage compartment 1001. The cold air supply device 1002 may include a machine, an apparatus, an electronic device, and / or a system combining the same, which is capable of generating and guiding cold air to cool the storage compartment 1001. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may generate cold air through a refrigeration cycle including a compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation process of a refrigerant. To this end, the cold air supply device may include a refrigeration cycle device having a compressor (1 in FIG. 1), a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator, which is capable of driving the refrigeration cycle.
[0078] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include a machinery room that accommodates at least some components belonging to the cold air supply device 1002. The “machinery room” may be partitioned and insulated from the storage compartment 1001 in order to prevent heat generated by components disposed in the machinery room from being transferred to the storage compartment 1001. To radiate heat from the components disposed inside the machinery room, the inside of the machinery room may be communicated with the outside of the main body 1000.
[0079] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include a dispenser provided at the door to provide water and / or ice. The dispenser may be provided at the door to allow a user to access without opening the door.
[0080] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include an ice maker for generating ice. The ice maker may include an ice-making tray for storing water, a de-icing device for separating ice from the ice-making tray, and an ice bucket for storing ice generated in the ice-making tray.
[0081] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include a controller 1004 for controlling the refrigerator.
[0082] The controller 1004 may include a memory 1006 that stores and memorizes a program and / or data to control the refrigerator, and a processor 1005 that outputs a control signal for controlling the cold air supply device according to the program and / or data memorized in the memory 1006.
[0083] The memory 1006 stores or records various pieces of information, data, instructions, or program needed for the operation of the refrigerator. The memory 1006 may memorize temporary data generated during generation of a control signal for controlling the components included in the refrigerator. The memory 1006 may include at least one of volatile memory or non-volatile memory or a combination thereof.
[0084] The processor 1005 controls the overall operation of the refrigerator. The processor 1005 may control the components of the refrigerator by executing the program stored in the memory 1006. The processor 1005 may include a separate NPU that performs the operation of an artificial intelligence model. Also, the processor 1005 may include a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit(GPU). The processor 1005 may generate a control signal for controlling the operation of the cold air supply device 1002. For example, the processor 1005 may receive temperature information of the storage compartment 1001 from a temperature sensor, and may generate a cooling control signal for controlling the operation of the cold air supply device 1002 based on the temperature information of the storage compartment 1001.
[0085] Furthermore, the processor 1005 may process user input of a user interface according to the program and / or data memorized / stored in the memory 1006, and control the operation of the user interface. The user interface may be provided by using an input interface and an output interface. The processor 1005 may receive a user input from the user interface. Furthermore, the processor 1005 may transmit a display control signal and image data for displaying an image on the user interface, to the user interface, in response to the user input.
[0086] The processor 1005 and the memory 1006 may be provided integrally or separately. The processor 1005 may include one or more processors. For example, the processor 1005 may include a main processor and at least one sub-processor. The memory 1006 may include one or more memories.
[0087] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include the processor 1005 that controls components included in the refrigerator and the memory 1006, and may include a plurality of processors that individual control the components of the refrigerator and a plurality of memories. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor that controls the operation of the cold air supply device 1002 according to the output of a temperature sensor, and a memory. Furthermore, the refrigerator may separately include a processor that controls the operation of user interface according to a user input and a memory.
[0088] A communication module may communicate with an external device, such as a server, a mobile device, or other home appliances, through a nearby access point (AP). The AP may connect a local area network (LAN), to which the refrigerator or a user device is connected, to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The refrigerator or user device may be connected to the server through the WAN.
[0089] The input interface may include a key, a touchscreen, or a microphone. The input interface may receive a user input and transmit the user input to a processor.
[0090] The output interface may include a display or a speaker. The output interface may output various notifications, messages, and information generated by the processor.
[0091] The disclosure provides a compressor that may stably supply lubricant to moving parts even when a crank shaft of a compressor rotates at a slow speed, and a refrigerator employing the compressor.
[0092] A refrigerator according to an aspect of the disclosure includes a main body including at least one storage compartment and a cold air supply device that supplies cold air to the storage compartment and includes a compressor. The compressor may include a compression portion that compresses refrigerant by reciprocation of a piston, a motor unit, a crank shaft having one end portion connected to the motor unit and rotating and the other end portion on which a crank pin that is eccentric to a rotation axis is provided, and a connecting rod that connects the crank pin to the piston and converts a rotational motion of the crank shaft into a reciprocating motion of the piston. A first opening portion through which lubricant is discharged and a scattering portion that collects and scatters the lubricant discharged through the first opening portion by using a centrifugal force are provided at an end portion of the crank pin.
[0093] According to the above configuration, as the lubricant discharged by the centrifugal force through the first opening portion is collected in a scattering portion and then scattered from the scattering portion, the lubricant may be easily scattered even when the crank shaft rotates at a slow speed.
[0094] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the scattering portion may be provided at a position corresponding to the eccentric peak of the outer circumference of the first opening portion. Accordingly, as the centrifugal force strongly acts at the eccentric peak, the lubricant may be effectively scattered.
[0095] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the scattering portion may be provided at a position misaligned from a position corresponding to the eccentric peak of the outer circumference of the first opening portion in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the crank shaft. Accordingly, after the piston starts to move from the top dead center to the bottom dead center, the lubricant may be quickly supplied to the piston.
[0096] In an embodiment of the disclosure, a plurality of the scattering portions may be provided around the position corresponding to the eccentric peak of the outer circumference of the first opening portion.
[0097] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the scattering portion may include a notch having a concave V shape and being formed on the outer circumference of the first opening portion. Accordingly, as a separate additional member that scatters lubricant is unnecessary, costs may be reduced.
[0098] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the scattering portion may be provided on an additional member mounted on the end portion of the crank pin. Accordingly, the degree of freedom regarding the shape, size, etc. of the scattering portion may be improved.
[0099] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the additional member may be an additional member that scatters the lubricant, and an additional member for purposes other than the scattering of the lubricant.
[0100] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the additional member may include a second opening portion into which the end portion of the crank pin is inserted and which is communicated with the first opening portion of the crank pin. The scattering portion may have a beak-like shape protruding outward from the outer circumference of the second opening portion in the radial direction, and include a notch having a concave V shape and being formed on the outer circumference of the second opening portion.
[0101] The compressor according to an aspect of the disclosure may include a compression portion that compresses refrigerant by reciprocation of a piston, a motor unit, a crank shaft having one end portion connected to the motor unit and rotating and the other end portion on which a crank pin that is eccentric to a rotation axis is provided, and a connecting rod that connects the crank pin to the piston and converts a rotational motion of the crank shaft into a reciprocating motion of the piston. A first opening portion through which lubricant is discharged a scattering portion that collects and scatters the lubricant discharged through the first opening portion by using a centrifugal force are provided at an end portion of the crank pin.
[0102] In an embodiment of the disclosure, thescattering portion may be provided at a position corresponding to the eccentric peak of the outer circumference of the first opening portion.
[0103] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the scattering portion may be provided at a position misaligned from a position corresponding to the eccentric peak of the outer circumference of the first opening portion in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the crank shaft.
[0104] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the scattering portion may have a beak-like shape protruding outward from the outer circumference of the first opening portion in the radial direction.
[0105] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the compressor may have a second opening portion into which the end portion of the crank pin is inserted and which is communicated with the first opening portion of the crank pin and include an additional member mounted on the end portion of the crank pin. The scattering portion may be provided on the additional member.
[0106] The technical effects of the disclosure to be achieved in the disclosure are not limited to the above-described effects, and other various technical effects that are not described in the disclosure may be clearly understood from the following descriptions by one skilled in the art to which the disclosure belongs.
[0107] While the compressor of the disclosure and the refrigerator employing the same have been illustrated and described through the limited embodiments and drawings, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising:a main body comprising at least one storage compartment; anda cold air supply device configured to supply cold air to the at least one storage compartment and comprising a compressor,wherein the compressor comprises:a piston;a compression portion configured to compress refrigerant by reciprocation of the piston;a motor unit;a crank pin;a crank shaft comprising:a first end portion connected to the motor unit such that the crank shaft is rotatable by the motor unit about a rotation axis; anda second end portion on which the crank pin is provided, the crank pin being eccentric to the rotation axis; anda connecting rod connecting the crank pin to the piston to convert crank shaft rotation into piston reciprocation,wherein a first opening portion through which lubricant is discharged and a scattering portion that collects and scatters the lubricant discharged through the first opening portion by centrifugal force are provided at the crank pin.
2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the scattering portion is provided at a position corresponding to an eccentric peak of an outer circumference of the first opening portion.
3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the scattering portion is provided at a position misaligned from a position corresponding to an eccentric peak of an outer circumference of the first opening portion in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the crank shaft.
4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the scattering portion is provided as a plurality of scattering portions provided around a position corresponding to an eccentric peak of an outer circumference of the first opening portion.
5. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the scattering portion comprises a notch having a concave V shape and being formed on an outer circumference of the first opening portion.
6. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising additional members mounted on the crank pin, wherein the scattering portion is provided on at least one of the additional members.
7. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein the at least one of the additional members on which the scattering portion is provided is configured to scatter the lubricant.
8. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein the scattering portion is not provided on one of the additional members and the one of the additional members on which the scattering portion is not provided is configured for weight balance.
9. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein the at least one of the additional members on which the scattering portion is provided comprises a second opening portion into which the crank pin is inserted and which is communicated with the first opening portion, andthe scattering portion comprises a beak-like shape protruding outward from an outer circumference of the second opening portion in a radial direction.
10. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein the at least one of the additional members on which the scattering portion is provided comprises a second opening portion into which the crank pin is inserted and which communicates with the first opening portion, andthe scattering portion comprises a notch having a concave V shape and being formed on an outer circumference of the second opening portion.
11. A compressor comprising:a piston;a compression portion configured to compress refrigerant by reciprocation of the piston;a motor unit;a crank pin;a crank shaft comprising:a first end portion connected to the motor unit such that the crank shaft is rotatable by the motor unit about a rotation axis; anda second end portion on which the crank pin is provided, the crank pin being eccentric to the rotation axis; anda connecting rod connecting the crank pin to the piston to convert crank shaft rotation into piston reciprocation,wherein a first opening portion through which lubricant is discharged and a scattering portion that collects and scatters the lubricant discharged through the first opening portion by centrifugal force are provided at the crank pin.
12. The compressor of claim 11, wherein the scattering portion is provided at a position corresponding to an eccentric peak of an outer circumference of the first opening portion.
13. The compressor of claim 11, wherein the scattering portion is provided at a position misaligned from a position corresponding to an eccentric peak of an outer circumference of the first opening portion in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the crank shaft.
14. The compressor of claim 11, wherein the scattering portion comprises a beak-like shape protruding outward from an outer circumference of the first opening portion in a radial direction.
15. The compressor of claim 11, further comprising an additional member comprising a second opening portion into which the crank pin is inserted and which is communicated with the first opening portion, the second opening portion being mounted on the crank pin,wherein the scattering portion is provided on the additional member.
16. A compressor comprising:a piston configured to reciprocate for refrigerant compression;a motor unit;a crank pin assembly;a crank shaft comprising:a first end portion connected to the motor unit such that the crank shaft is rotatable by the motor unit about a rotation axis; anda second end portion on which the crank pin assembly is provided, the crank pin assembly being eccentric to the rotation axis; anda connecting rod connecting the crank pin to the piston to convert crank shaft rotation into piston reciprocation,the crank pin assembly comprising:a first opening portion through which lubricant is discharged; anda scattering portion that collects and scatters the lubricant discharged through the first opening portion.
17. The compressor of claim 16, wherein the scattering portion is provided at a position corresponding to an eccentric peak of an outer circumference of the first opening portion.
18. The compressor of claim 16, wherein the scattering portion is provided at a position misaligned from a position corresponding to an eccentric peak of an outer circumference of the first opening portion in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the crank shaft.
19. The compressor of claim 16, further comprising additional members mounted on the crank pin assembly, wherein the scattering portion is provided on at least one of the additional members.
20. The compressor of claim 19, wherein:the at least one of the additional members on which the scattering portion is provided is configured to scatter the lubricant, andone of the additional members on which the scattering portion is not provided is configured for weight balance.