Scroll compressor

Abstract

A scroll compressor with an improved compression rate is provided. A scroll compressor 10 includes a fixed scroll 21, a movable scroll 20 disposed in a manner capable of orbiting relative to the fixed scroll 21, a compression space 22 formed as a gap between the fixed scroll 21 and the movable scroll 20, a shaft 18 that gives a drive force to the movable scroll 20, a fan 17 attached to the shaft 18, and a first-stage compression chamber 14 in which the fan 17 is housed. In the scroll compressor 10, the fan 17 and the first-stage compression chamber 14 are disposed upstream of the movable scroll 20 in terms of a flow of a refrigerant 11.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a scroll compressor and relates particularly to a scroll compressor capable of increasing a fluid compression rate.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A typical scroll compressor is such that a fixed scroll is fixed to a scroll main body and a movable scroll interlocks with the fixed scroll in a manner capable of orbiting. While the scroll compressor is running, the movable scroll orbits with the orbit center being an axis of rotation, which makes a fluid introduced from a peripheral portion of the scroll compressor into a space between the fixed scroll and the movable scroll move toward a center portion while being compressed between the scrolls. The fluid having reached the center portion is supplied out of the system while being in a compressed state. A scroll compressor thus configured is described in, for example, Patent Literature 1.Citation ListPatent LiteraturePatent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 4,635,660SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONTechnical Problem

[0004] However, a scroll compressor having the typical configuration described above faces a problem of not being able to obtain a high compression rate because the fluid introduced into the space between the movable scroll and the fixed scroll is in a state of not being pressurized so much.

[0005] Also, increasing the motor's rotational speed in order to improve the compression rate of the scroll compressor causes a problem of increasing energy consumption by the scroll compressor.

[0006] Further, interposing a compressor for compressing the fluid at a stage before the scroll compressor can achieve a high compression rate because a fluid pressurized by the compressor can be supplied to the scroll compressor. However, this requires an additional separate compressor and therefore leads to a problem of complicating the entire apparatus and increasing the cost.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and aims to provide a scroll compressor with an improved compression rate.Solution to Problem

[0008] A scroll compressor of the present invention is a compressor that compresses a refrigerant used in a vapor compression refrigeration cycle and includes: a fixed scroll; a movable scroll disposed in a manner capable of orbiting relative to the fixed scroll; a compression space formed as a gap between the fixed scroll and the movable scroll; a shaft that gives a drive force to the movable scroll; a fan attached to the shaft; and a first-stage compression chamber in which the fan is housed, and the fan and the first-stage compression chamber are disposed upstream of the movable scroll in terms of a flow of the refrigerant.

[0009] Also, in the scroll compressor of the present invention, the fan has a first fan and a second fan disposed downstream of the first fan, and the first-stage compression chamber has a first first-stage compression chamber in which the first fan is housed and a second first-stage compression chamber in which the second fan is housed.

[0010] Also, in the scroll compressor of the present invention, the fan has a main surface portion and an air blower wall, the main surface portion is a substantially circular surface extending in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the shaft, and the air blower wall is a part formed by partially raising the main surface portion and extends radially outward in a shape of a wall.

[0011] Also, in the scroll compressor of the present invention, the main surface portion has an upstream-side main surface portion facing an upstream side in terms of the flow of the refrigerant and a downstream-side main surface portion facing a downstream side in terms of the flow of the refrigerant, and the air blower wall has an upstream-side air blower wall formed at the upstream-side main surface portion and a downstream-side air blower wall formed at the downstream-side main surface portion.

[0012] Also, in the scroll compressor of the present invention, a middle portion of the upstream-side air blower wall is shaped to curve in such a manner as to bulge in a direction in which the fan rotates.

[0013] Also, in the scroll compressor of the present invention, a middle portion of the downstream-side air blower wall is shaped to curve in such a manner as to be recessed in a direction in which the fan rotates.

[0014] Also, the scroll compressor of the present invention further includes a fan casing configured to cover the fan, the first-stage compression chamber is a space formed between an inner wall of the fan casing and the fan, the fan has an upstream-side main surface portion facing an upstream side in terms of the flow of the refrigerant, a downstream-side main surface portion facing a downstream side in terms of the flow of the refrigerant, and a side surface portion facing radially outward, and a thickness of a gap between the upstream-side main surface portion and the inner wall, a thickness of a gap between the downstream-side main surface portion and the inner wall, and a thickness of the side surface portion and the inner wall are substantially same.

[0015] Also, in the scroll compressor of the present invention, in an up-down direction, a distance between a lower edge portion of the fan and the first-stage compression chamber is shorter than a distance between an upper edge portion of the fan and the first-stage compression chamber.

[0016] Also, in the scroll compressor of the present invention, a protrusion portion is formed at a side surface portion of the fan, protruding radially outward.Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0017] A scroll compressor of the present invention is a compressor that compresses a refrigerant used in a vapor compression refrigeration cycle and includes: a fixed scroll; a movable scroll disposed in a manner capable of orbiting relative to the fixed scroll; a compression space formed as a gap between the fixed scroll and the movable scroll; a shaft that gives a drive force to the movable scroll; a fan attached to the shaft; and a first-stage compression chamber in which the fan is housed, and the fan and the first-stage compression chamber are disposed upstream of the movable scroll in terms of a flow of the refrigerant. According to the scroll compressor of an embodiment of the present invention, the compression space can be supplied with a refrigerant pressurized in the first-stage compression chamber by the rotation of the fan, and thus, compression efficiency for the scroll compressor can be improved.

[0018] Also, in the scroll compressor of the present invention, the fan has a first fan and a second fan disposed downstream of the first fan, and the first-stage compression chamber has a first first-stage compression chamber in which the first fan is housed and a second first-stage compression chamber in which the second fan is housed. According to the scroll compressor of an embodiment of the present invention which has a plurality of sets of a fan and a first-stage compression chamber in series, a refrigerant in a further compressed state can be supplied to the compression space.

[0019] Also, in the scroll compressor of the present invention, the fan has a main surface portion and an air blower wall, the main surface portion is a substantially circular surface extending in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the shaft, and the air blower wall is a part formed by partially raising the main surface portion and extends radially outward in a shape of a wall. According to the scroll compressor of an embodiment of the present invention, the air blower wall blows the refrigerant radially outward, and thus, the refrigerant can be compressed more effectively.

[0020] Also, in the scroll compressor of the present invention, the main surface portion has an upstream-side main surface portion facing an upstream side in terms of the flow of the refrigerant and a downstream-side main surface portion facing a downstream side in terms of the flow of the refrigerant, and the air blower wall has an upstream-side air blower wall formed at the upstream-side main surface portion and a downstream-side air blower wall formed at the downstream-side main surface portion. According to the scroll compressor of an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerant can be compressed inside the first-stage compression chamber by the upstream-side air blower wall and the downstream air blower wall, and thus, the refrigerant can be compressed more effectively.

[0021] Also, in the scroll compressor of the present invention, a middle portion of the upstream-side air blower wall is shaped to curve in such a manner as to bulge in a direction in which the fan rotates. According to the scroll compressor of an embodiment of the present invention, the upstream-side air blower wall blows the refrigerant radially outward as the fan rotates, and thus, the refrigerant can be compressed more effectively.

[0022] Also, in the scroll compressor of the present invention, a middle portion of the downstream-side air blower wall is shaped to curve in such a manner as to be recessed in a direction in which the fan rotates. According to the scroll compressor of an embodiment of the present invention, the downstream-side air blower wall blows the refrigerant radially inward as the fan rotates, and thus, the refrigerant can be compressed more effectively.

[0023] Also, the scroll compressor of the present invention further includes a fan casing configured to cover the fan, the first-stage compression chamber is a space formed between an inner wall of the fan casing and the fan, the fan has an upstream-side main surface portion facing an upstream side in terms of the flow of the refrigerant, a downstream-side main surface portion facing a downstream side in terms of the flow of the refrigerant, and a side surface portion facing radially outward, and a thickness of a gap between the upstream-side main surface portion and the inner wall, a thickness of a gap between the downstream-side main surface portion and the inner wall, and a thickness of the side surface portion and the inner wall are substantially same. According to the scroll compressor of an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerant can be compressed effectively between the inner wall of the fan casing and the fan.

[0024] Also, in the scroll compressor of the present invention, in an up-down direction, a distance between a lower edge portion of the fan and the first-stage compression chamber is shorter than a distance between an upper edge portion of the fan and the first-stage compression chamber. According to the scroll compressor of an embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the lower edge portion of the fan and the first-stage compression chamber is short, and thus, a lubricant oil stagnant at the lower end of the first-stage compression chamber can be agitated to be atomized into a mist and mixed with the refrigerant.

[0025] Also, in the scroll compressor of the present invention, a protrusion portion is formed at a side surface portion of the fan, protruding radially outward. According to the scroll compressor of an embodiment of the present invention, even if a lubricant oil becomes stagnant at a lower end of the first-stage compression chamber while the scroll compressor is running, the lubricant oil can be agitated by the protrusion to be atomized into a mist and mixed with the refrigerant.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a scroll compressor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 1B is a cutaway perspective view showing the scroll compressor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the scroll compressor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a fan casing of the scroll compressor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the fan casing of the scroll compressor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of a first fan and a second fan of the scroll compressor according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front.

[0032] FIG. 5B is an exploded perspective view of the first fan and the second fan of the scroll compressor according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from the rear.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a front view of the first fan of the scroll compressor according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a front view of a first fan of a scroll compressor according to another embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0035] A scroll compressor 10 of the present embodiment is described below with reference to the drawings. The following description denotes the same part with the same reference numeral and omits repetitive descriptions. Further, the following description uses up, down, front, rear, left, and right as directions as needed. The front represents an upstream side in terms of the flow of a fluid inside the scroll compressor 10, and the rear represents an opposite side from the front. Also, the left and right represent left and right as seen from the front of the scroll compressor 10.

[0036] FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the scroll compressor 10. FIG. 1B is a cutaway perspective view showing the scroll compressor 10.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the scroll compressor 10 is a compressor that compresses a refrigerant 11 used in a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The scroll compressor 10 is connected to a condenser, an expansion means, and an evaporator (none shown here) through piping (not shown). This refrigeration cycle is used as, for example, a vehicle cabin air conditioner to cool or heat the vehicle cabin of a vehicle.

[0038] The refrigeration cycle according to the present embodiment employs, for example, a mist lubrication method. In a mist lubrication method, a lubricant oil dissolved in the refrigerant 11 to be described later is circulated in the refrigeration cycle along with the refrigerant 11 to lubricate sliding locations in the compressor using the lubricant oil in mist form contained in the refrigerant 11 in gas form. Because the present embodiment has a mechanism for atomizing a liquified lubricant oil into a mist again as will be described later, the refrigerant 11 contains a lubricant oil in mist form at all times, making each device lubricated.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, in the scroll compressor 10, members to function as the scroll compressor 10 are housed inside a casing 31. Referring to FIG. 1B, a fan casing 15 and a motor 23 are housed in the front side of the casing 31.

[0040] FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the scroll compressor 10.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 2, disposed inside the casing 31 are, from the front side, an inlet 13, a front chamber 19 and the fan casing 15, a partitioning wall 12, a motor housing chamber 16 and the motor 23, a movable scroll 20 and a fixed scroll 21, a compression space 22, as well as an outlet 24. Further, a shaft 18 is disposed at the center of the casing 31. Although not shown here, an orbiting mechanism to convert a rotating motion of the shaft 18 to an orbiting motion of the movable scroll 20 is disposed in front of the movable scroll 20.

[0042] The inlet 13 is an opening formed at the front surface of the casing 31. The refrigerant 11 is sucked in from the inlet 13.

[0043] The front chamber 19 is a space formed at a front end of the casing 31. The front chamber 19 is a space housing the fan casing 15.

[0044] The fan casing 15 is a case-shaped member for housing a fan 17 to be described later. A front end of the fan casing 15 is connected to the inlet 13. A rear end of the fan casing 15 communicates with the motor housing chamber 16.

[0045] The fan 17 is attached to the shaft 18 in a manner incapable of relative rotation. The fan 17 has a function of, at an upstream side, compressing the refrigerant 11 to be introduced into the compression space 22. This function will be described later with reference to FIG. 4 and the like. In the present embodiment, the fan 17 and a first-stage compression chamber 14 to be described later are disposed upstream of the movable scroll 20, the fixed scroll 21, and the compression space 22 in terms of the flow of the refrigerant 11.

[0046] The partitioning wall 12 is a wall-shaped member partitioning the front chamber 19 and the motor housing chamber 16 from each other inside the casing 31. A penetration hole is formed in substantially the center of the partitioning wall 12, and the front chamber 19 and the motor housing chamber 16 communicate with each other through this penetration hole.

[0047] The motor housing chamber 16 is a space housing the motor 23.

[0048] The motor 23 includes a rotor 25 and a stator 26. In the present embodiment, the motor 23 causes the above-described movable scroll 20 to orbit and further rotates the fan 17.

[0049] The rotor 25 includes a plurality of magnets (not shown) disposed at substantially equal intervals in a circumferential direction. A penetration hole is formed in the radial center of the rotor 25, and the shaft 18 is inserted through this penetration hole. The rotor 25 and the shaft 18 are connected to each other in a manner incapable of relative rotation. Thus, when the rotor 25 rotates, the shaft 18 rotates together.

[0050] The stator 26 consists of a stator core 261 and a coil 262. The stator core 261 is fitted into the inner surface of the casing 31. The stator core 261 is also referred to as an iron core. The coil 262 is wound on the stator core 261. The coil 262 is supplied with AC power at a predetermined frequency from an inverter (not shown). The stator 26 forms an electromagnet.

[0051] The shaft 18 is a substantially columnar steel rod that gives a drive force to the movable scroll 20. A front end of the shaft 18 is connected to the fan 17 in a manner incapable of relative rotation, a middle part of the shaft 18 is connected to the rotor 25 in a manner incapable of relative rotation, and a rear end of the shaft 18 is connected to the orbiting mechanism that causes the movable scroll 20 to orbit. The orbiting mechanism is not shown here. The shaft 18 is rotatably fixed to the casing 31 with a bearing and the like interposed in between.

[0052] The movable scroll 20 is connected to the rear end of the shaft 18 in a manner incapable of relative rotation and is disposed in a manner capable of orbiting relative to the fixed scroll 21. The movable scroll 20 orbits by rotating together with the shaft 18.

[0053] The fixed scroll 21 is fixed to the inner surface of a rear surface portion of the casing 31.

[0054] The compression space 22 is formed as a gap between the fixed scroll 21 and the movable scroll 20.

[0055] The outlet 24 is a penetration hole penetrating through the rear surface portion of the casing 31. The outlet 24 communicates with the compression space 22.

[0056] Referring further to FIG. 2, the flow of the refrigerant 11 inside the scroll compressor 10 is described. In FIG. 2, the broken lines indicate the flow of the refrigerant 11 inside the scroll compressor 10.

[0057] First, the refrigerant 11 is introduced into the scroll compressor 10 through the inlet 13. Here, the refrigerant 11 existing the evaporator is introduced into the scroll compressor 10. Next, the refrigerant 11 is introduced into the fan casing 15. The refrigerant 11 is preliminarily compressed by the fan 17 rotating inside the fan casing 15. The refrigerant 11 preliminarily compressed in the fan casing 15 is introduced into the motor housing chamber 16. After that, the refrigerant 11 is introduced into the compression space 22 and is compressed further in the compression space 22 by the orbiting of the movable scroll 20. The refrigerant 11 is discharged to the outside of the scroll compressor 10 through the outlet 24. After that, the refrigerant 11 is sent to the condenser through piping.

[0058] As will be described later, because the present embodiment can supply the compression space 22 with the refrigerant 11 pressurized in the first-stage compression chamber 14 by the rotation of the fan 17, the compression efficiency for the scroll compressor 10 can be improved.

[0059] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the fan casing 15 of the scroll compressor 10.

[0060] The fan casing 15 is a substantially columnar member having a center axis extending in the front-rear direction. The fan casing 15 is disposed with its side surface abutting against an inner surface of the casing 31 shown in FIG. 2. The fan 17 described earlier is housed inside the fan casing 15. A first-stage introduction port 32 is formed in the center portion of the front surface of the fan casing 15. The first-stage introduction port 32 is linked with the inlet 13 shown in FIG. 2.

[0061] FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the fan casing 15 of the scroll compressor 10. In FIG. 4, the broken-line arrows indicate the flow of the refrigerant 11.

[0062] The fan casing 15 is formed of a metal member configured to cover the fan 17.

[0063] The fan 17 has a first fan 28 and a second fan 29. In the flow of the refrigerant 11, the first fan 28 is disposed upstream of the second fan 29.

[0064] The first-stage compression chamber 14 is a space formed between an inner wall 27 and the fan 17 in the fan casing 15. The first-stage compression chamber 14 is a space disposed upstream of the compression space 22 described earlier and used to perform first-stage compression on the refrigerant 11. In other words, the first-stage compression chamber 14 is also a space for supercharging the refrigerant 11 to the compression space 22 disposed downstream.

[0065] The first-stage compression chamber 14 has a first first-stage compression chamber 141 where the first fan 28 is housed and a second first-stage compression chamber 142 where the second fan 29 is housed. The first first-stage compression chamber 141 is a space formed between the inner wall 27 and the first fan 28. The second first-stage compression chamber 142 is a space formed between the inner wall 27 and the second fan 29. The second first-stage compression chamber 142 is disposed downstream of the first first-stage compression chamber 141. The first first-stage compression chamber 141 and the second first-stage compression chamber 142 are a continuous space.

[0066] The refrigerant 11 flows inside the fan casing 15 in the following order: the first-stage introduction port 32, the first first-stage compression chamber 141, the second first-stage compression chamber 142, and a first-stage discharge port 33.

[0067] The first fan 28 has a first upstream-side main surface portion 281 and a first downstream-side main surface portion 282, which are main surface portions, and a first side surface portion 285. The first upstream-side main surface portion 281 is a main surface facing frontward, the first downstream-side main surface portion 282 is a main surface facing rearward, and the first side surface portion 285 is a surface facing in the radial direction.

[0068] In the first fan 28, a thickness L10 of a gap between the first upstream-side main surface portion 281 and the inner wall 27, a thickness L11 of a gap between the first downstream-side main surface portion 282 and the inner wall 27, and a thickness L12 of the first side surface portion 285 and the inner wall 27 are substantially the same. For example, in a comparison between L10, L11, and L12, one of them is equal to or less than two times, preferably equal to or less than 1.5 times, or more preferably equal to or less than 1.2 times the other two. Further, in a comparison between L10, L11, and L12, one of them is equal to or greater than 0.5 times, preferably equal to or greater than 0.75 times, or more preferably equal to or greater than 0.9 times the other two. This enables the refrigerant 11 to flow smoothly in the first first-stage compression chamber 141 and thus allows the refrigerant 11 to be compressed effectively.

[0069] These points are true for the second first-stage compression chamber 142 as well.

[0070] FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of the first fan 28 and the second fan 29 of the scroll compressor 10 as seen from the front. FIG. 5B is an exploded perspective view of the first fan 28 and the second fan 29 of the scroll compressor 10 as seen from the rear.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 5A, the fan 17 has, from the front side, the first fan 28 and the second fan 29.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, as described earlier, the first fan 28 has the first upstream-side main surface portion 281, the first downstream-side main surface portion 282, and the first side surface portion 285. The first upstream-side main surface portion 281 is a substantially circular surface extending in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the shaft 18 and is a surface facing an upstream side in terms of the flow of the refrigerant 11. The first downstream-side main surface portion 282 is a substantially circular surface extending in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the shaft 18 and is a surface facing a downstream side in terms of the flow of the refrigerant 11. Also, a first insertion hole 286 is formed in the center of the first fan 28, and a first insertion hole 296 is formed in the center of the second fan 29. The shaft 18 described earlier is inserted into the first insertion hole 286 and the first insertion hole 296.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 5A, a first upstream-side air blower wall 283 is formed at the first upstream-side main surface portion 281. The first upstream-side air blower wall 283 is a portion formed by partially raising the first upstream-side main surface portion 281 frontward and extends radially outward in the shape of a wall. A middle portion of the first upstream-side air blower wall 283 is shaped to curve in such a manner as to bulge in the direction in which the fan 17 rotates. Here, the rotational direction is counterclockwise when the first fan 28 is seen from the front. Also, a plurality of the first upstream-side air blower walls 283 are formed at the first upstream-side main surface portion 281, spaced away from each other at substantially the same angular intervals in the circumferential direction. When the first fan 28 rotates counterclockwise, as shown in FIG. 4, the refrigerant 11 flows radially outward from the center of the first fan 28 in the first first-stage compression chamber 141 surrounded by the first upstream-side main surface portion 281 and the inner wall 27.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 5B, first downstream-side air blower walls 284 are formed at the first downstream-side main surface portion 282. The first downstream-side air blower walls 284 are each a portion formed by partially raising the first upstream-side main surface portion 281 rearward and extends radially outward in the shape of a wall. A middle portion of the first downstream-side air blower wall 284 is shaped to curve in such a manner as to be recessed counterclockwise, which is the direction in which the fan 17 rotates. When the first fan 28 rotates counterclockwise, as shown in FIG. 4, the refrigerant 11 flows radially inward from the peripheral of the first fan 28 in the first first-stage compression chamber 141 surrounded by the first downstream-side main surface portion 282 and the inner wall 27.

[0075] The configuration described above is true for the second fan 29 as well. Specifically, referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the second fan 29 has a second upstream-side main surface portion 291, a second downstream-side main surface portion 292, and a second side surface portion 295. Also, second upstream-side air blower walls 293 are formed at the second upstream-side main surface portion 291, and second downstream-side air blower walls 294 are formed at the second downstream-side main surface portion 292.

[0076] Referring back to FIG. 4, advantageous effects offered by the walls formed at the first fan 28 and the second fan 29 are described. First, the refrigerant 11 introduced from the first-stage introduction port 32 enters between the inner wall 27 and the first upstream-side main surface portion 281. As described earlier, the first upstream-side air blower walls 283 are formed at the first upstream-side main surface portion 281. Thus, as the first fan 28 rotates, the first upstream-side air blower walls 283 blow the refrigerant 11 radially outward. After that, the refrigerant 11 passes between the first side surface portion 285 and the inner wall 27 and is then blown into the space between the first downstream-side main surface portion 282 and the inner wall 27. After that, the first downstream-side air blower walls 284 formed at the first downstream-side main surface portion 282 blow the refrigerant 11 radially inward. Thus, the refrigerant 11 is blown radially outward by the first upstream-side air blower walls 283 and is then blown radially inward by the first downstream-side air blower walls 284; thus, the refrigerant 11 is blown at both surfaces of the first fan 28, namely the first upstream-side main surface portion 281 side and the first downstream-side main surface portion 282, which enables more effective compression of the refrigerant 11.

[0077] The points described above are true for the second fan 29 as well. Specifically, the second upstream-side air blower walls 293 of the second fan 29 blow the refrigerant 11 radially outward, and the second downstream-side air blower walls 294 blow the refrigerant 11 radially inward. The refrigerant 11 is thereby compressed further, and the supercharging effect is enhanced.

[0078] FIG. 6 is a front view of the first fan 28 of the scroll compressor 10 seen from the front.

[0079] Here, inside the first first-stage compression chamber 141, the first fan 28 is disposed eccentrically downward. As a result, in terms of the up-down direction, a distance L20 between a lower edge of the first fan 28 and the inner wall 27 is shorter than a distance L21 between an upper edge portion of the fan 17 and the inner wall 27. For example, the ratio of L20 to L21 may be 2 / 3 or smaller or 1 / 2 or smaller.

[0080] This helps prevent a lubricant oil from being stagnant inside the first first-stage compression chamber 141. Specifically, as described earlier, the scroll compressor 10 of the present embodiment employs the mist lubrication method. Thus, while the scroll compressor 10 is running, a lubricant oil contained in the refrigerant 11 may separate from the refrigerant 11 inside the first first-stage compression chamber 141 and pool in a lower end portion of the first first-stage compression chamber 141. FIG. 6 shows, using a screentone, the lubricant oil pooling at the lower end of the first first-stage compression chamber 141. When the lubricant oil stays there, the refrigerant 11 does not contain a sufficient amount of lubricant oil. Thus, a device having a movable part in the vapor compression refrigeration cycle such as, e.g., the scroll compressor 10, fails to be lubricated sufficiently, which may lead to shortening of the life of the device.

[0081] In the present embodiment, the first side surface portion 285 is disposed eccentrically downward. Thus, when the first fan 28 rotates while the scroll compressor 10 is running, the first upstream-side air blower walls 283 agitate the stagnant lubricant oil, atomizing the lubricant oil into a mist again and mixing the lubricant oil with the refrigerant 11 inside the first first-stage compression chamber 141. Thus, the lubricant oil in mist form can be supplied, along with the refrigerant 11, to each device in the vapor compression refrigeration cycle to extend the life of the device.

[0082] FIG. 7 is a front view of the first fan 28 of the scroll compressor 10 according to a different embodiment seen from the front.

[0083] Here, protrusions 30 protruding radially outward are formed at the first side surface portion 285, which is the outer peripheral surface of the first fan 28. The protrusions 30 are disposed at the first side surface portion 285 at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Here, in the up-down direction, the first fan 28 may be disposed at the center of the first first-stage compression chamber 141 or may be disposed eccentrically downward as shown in FIG. 7. Note that the protrusions 30 are also referred to as slingers.

[0084] The provision of the protrusions 30 can atomize the lubricant oil pooling in the lower portion of the first first-stage compression chamber 141 into a mist. Specifically, when the first fan 28 rotates while the scroll compressor 10 is running, the protrusions 30 agitate the stagnant lubricant oil, atomizing the lubricant oil into a mist again and mixing the lubricant oil with the refrigerant 11 inside the first first-stage compression chamber 141. Thus, the lubricant oil in mist form can be supplied, along with the refrigerant 11, to each device in the vapor compression refrigeration cycle to extend the life of the device.

[0085] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to them and can be changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. Also, the embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

[0086] For example, referring to FIG. 2, the motor 23 does not necessarily have to be provided inside the casing 31, and the motor 23 can be disposed outside the casing 31.Reference Signs List10 scroll compressor

[0088] 11 refrigerant

[0089] 12 partitioning wall

[0090] 13 inlet

[0091] 14 first-stage compression chamber

[0092] 141 first first-stage compression chamber

[0093] 142 second first-stage compression chamber

[0094] 15 fan casing

[0095] 16 motor housing chamber

[0096] 17 fan

[0097] 18 shaft

[0098] 19 front chamber

[0099] 20 movable scroll

[0100] 21 fixed scroll

[0101] 22 compression space

[0102] 23 motor

[0103] 24 outlet

[0104] 25 rotor

[0105] 26 stator

[0106] 261 stator core

[0107] 26 coil

[0108] 27 inner wall

[0109] 28 first fan

[0110] 281 first upstream-side main surface portion

[0111] 282 first downstream-side main surface portion

[0112] 283 first upstream-side air blower wall

[0113] 284 first downstream-side air blower wall

[0114] 285 first side surface portion

[0115] 286 first insertion hole

[0116] 29 second fan

[0117] 291 second upstream-side main surface portion

[0118] 292 second downstream-side main surface portion

[0119] 293 second upstream-side air blower wall

[0120] 294 second downstream-side air blower wall

[0121] 295 second side surface portion

[0122] 296 first insertion hole

[0123] 30 protrusion

[0124] 31 casing

[0125] 32 first-stage introduction port

[0126] 33 first-stage discharge port

Claims

1. A scroll compressor that compresses a refrigerant used in a vapor compression refrigeration cycle, the scroll compressor comprising:a fixed scroll;a movable scroll disposed in a manner capable of orbiting relative to the fixed scroll;a compression space formed as a gap between the fixed scroll and the movable scroll;a shaft that gives a drive force to the movable scroll;a fan attached to the shaft; anda first-stage compression chamber in which the fan is housed, whereinthe fan and the first-stage compression chamber are disposed upstream of the movable scroll in terms of a flow of the refrigerant.

2. The scroll compressor according to claim 1, whereinthe fan has a first fan and a second fan disposed downstream of the first fan, andthe first-stage compression chamber has a first first-stage compression chamber in which the first fan is housed and a second first-stage compression chamber in which the second fan is housed.

3. The scroll compressor according to claim 1, whereinthe fan has a main surface portion and an air blower wall,the main surface portion is a substantially circular surface extending in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the shaft, andthe air blower wall is a part formed by partially raising the main surface portion and extends radially outward in a shape of a wall.

4. The scroll compressor according to claim 3, whereinthe main surface portion has an upstream-side main surface portion facing an upstream side in terms of the flow of the refrigerant and a downstream-side main surface portion facing a downstream side in terms of the flow of the refrigerant, andthe air blower wall has an upstream-side air blower wall formed at the upstream-side main surface portion and a downstream-side air blower wall formed at the downstream-side main surface portion.

5. The scroll compressor according to claim 4, whereina middle portion of the upstream-side air blower wall is shaped to curve in such a manner as to bulge in a direction in which the fan rotates.

6. The scroll compressor according to claim 4, whereina middle portion of the downstream-side air blower wall is shaped to curve in such a manner as to be recessed in a direction in which the fan rotates.

7. The scroll compressor according to claim 1, further comprising a fan casing configured to cover the fan, whereinthe first-stage compression chamber is a space formed between an inner wall of the fan casing and the fan,the fan has an upstream-side main surface portion facing an upstream side in terms of the flow of the refrigerant, a downstream-side main surface portion facing a downstream side in terms of the flow of the refrigerant, and a side surface portion facing radially outward, anda thickness of a gap between the upstream-side main surface portion and the inner wall, a thickness of a gap between the downstream-side main surface portion and the inner wall, and a thickness of the side surface portion and the inner wall are substantially same.

8. The scroll compressor according to claim 1, whereinin an up-down direction, a distance between a lower edge portion of the fan and the first-stage compression chamber is shorter than a distance between an upper edge portion of the fan and the first-stage compression chamber.

9. The scroll compressor according to claim 1, whereina protrusion portion is formed at a side surface portion of the fan, protruding radially outward.

10. The scroll compressor according to claim 1, further comprising a fan casing configured to cover the fan, whereinthe first-stage compression chamber is a space formed between an inner wall of the fan casing and the fan,the fan has an upstream-side main surface portion facing an upstream side in terms of the flow of the refrigerant, a downstream-side main surface portion facing a downstream side in terms of the flow of the refrigerant, and a side surface portion facing radially outward, andin a comparison between L10, L11, and L12 where L10 is a thickness of a gap between the upstream-side main surface portion and the inner wall, L11 is a thickness of a gap between the downstream-side main surface portion and the inner wall, and L12 is a thickness of a gap between the side surface portion and the inner wall, any one of L10, L11, and L12 is equal to or less than two times the other two of L10, L11, and L12.

11. A scroll compressor that compresses a refrigerant used in a vapor compression refrigeration cycle, the scroll compressor comprising:a fixed scroll;a movable scroll disposed in a manner capable of orbiting relative to the fixed scroll;a compression space formed as a gap between the fixed scroll and the movable scroll;a shaft that gives a drive force to the movable scroll;a fan attached to the shaft; anda first-stage compression chamber in which the fan is housed, whereinthe fan and the first-stage compression chamber are disposed upstream of the movable scroll in terms of a flow of the refrigerant,the scroll compressor further comprises a fan casing configured to cover the fan,the first-stage compression chamber is a space formed between an inner wall of the fan casing and the fan,the fan has an upstream-side main surface portion facing an upstream side in terms of the flow of the refrigerant, a downstream-side main surface portion facing a downstream side in terms of the flow of the refrigerant, and a side surface portion facing radially outward,in a comparison between L10, L11, and L12 where L10 is a thickness of a gap between the upstream-side main surface portion and the inner wall, L11 is a thickness of a gap between the downstream-side main surface portion and the inner wall, and L12 is a thickness of a gap between the side surface portion and the inner wall, any one of L10, L11, and L12 is equal to or less than two times the other two of L10, L11, and L12, anda protrusion portion is formed at a side surface portion of the fan, protruding radially outward.

12. The scroll compressor according to claim 11, whereinin a comparison between L10, L11, and L12, any one of L10, L11, and L12 is equal to or less than 1.5 times the other two of L10, L11, and L12.

13. The scroll compressor according to claim 11, wherein in a comparison between L10, L11, and L12, any one of L10, L11, and L12 is equal to or less than 1.2 times the other two of L10, L11, and L12.

14. A scroll compressor that compresses a refrigerant used in a vapor compression refrigeration cycle, the scroll compressor comprising:a fixed scroll;a movable scroll disposed in a manner capable of orbiting relative to the fixed scroll;a compression space formed as a gap between the fixed scroll and the movable scroll;a shaft that gives a drive force to the movable scroll;a fan attached to the shaft; anda first-stage compression chamber in which the fan is housed, whereinthe fan and the first-stage compression chamber are disposed upstream of the movable scroll in terms of a flow of the refrigerant,the scroll compressor further comprises a fan casing configured to cover the fan,the first-stage compression chamber is a space formed between an inner wall of the fan casing and the fan,the fan has an upstream-side main surface portion facing an upstream side in terms of the flow of the refrigerant, a downstream-side main surface portion facing a downstream side in terms of the flow of the refrigerant, and a side surface portion facing radially outward,in a comparison between L10, L11, and L12 where L10 is a thickness of a gap between the upstream-side main surface portion and the inner wall, L11 is a thickness of a gap between the downstream-side main surface portion and the inner wall, and L12 is a thickness of a gap between the side surface portion and the inner wall, any one of L10, L11, and L12 is equal to or less than two times the other two of L10, L11, and L12, andin an up-down direction, a distance between a lower edge portion of the fan and the inner wall is shorter than a distance between an upper edge portion of the fan and the inner wall.

15. (The scroll compressor according to claim 14, whereina ratio of L20 to L21 is 2 / 3 or smaller, where L20 is a distance between a lower edge of the fan and the inner wall and L21 is a distance between an upper edge of the fan and the inner wall.

16. The scroll compressor according to claim 14, whereina ratio of L20 to L21 is 1 / 2 or smaller, where L20 is a distance between a lower edge of the fan and the inner wall and L21 is a distance between an upper edge of the fan and the inner wall.

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