Co-rotating scroll compressor

Abstract

In this compressor, a drive scroll (30) and a driven scroll (40) form a compression chamber (12). The drive scroll (30) has a drive end plate (31) and a lid member (71). The lid member (71) forms a separation chamber (75) with the drive end plate (31) by covering the drive end plate (31) from a drive shaft center (O1) direction. A discharge port (32) for discharging a compressed refrigerant to the separation chamber (75) is formed in the drive end plate (31). A first guide part (73) and a second guide part (74) are provided in the separation chamber (75). The first guide part (73) separates lubricating oil (18) from the compressed refrigerant discharged from the discharge port (32) while guiding the compressed refrigerant in the rotation direction (R1) of the drive scroll (30). The second guide part (74) separates the lubricating oil (18) from the compressed refrigerant guided by the first guide part (73) while guiding the compressed refrigerant in a direction opposite to the rotation direction (R1) of the drive scroll (30).

Description

Double-rotating scroll compressor

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional double-rotating scroll compressor (hereinafter simply referred to as a compressor). This compressor includes a housing, a drive mechanism, a drive scroll, a driven scroll, and a driven mechanism. The drive mechanism and the drive scroll are accommodated in the housing. The housing also has a boss formed therein that protrudes toward the drive scroll. A support hole and a discharge communication port are formed inside the boss. The support hole is formed with a larger diameter than the discharge communication port and communicates with the discharge communication port. The discharge communication port communicates with the outside of the housing.

[0003] The drive scroll is provided with a drive shaft. The drive shaft is cylindrical and houses a boss therein. A bearing is provided between the drive shaft and the boss, more specifically, between the inner peripheral surface of the drive shaft and the outer peripheral surface of the boss. The outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft is fixed to the drive mechanism. Thus, the drive scroll is fixed to the drive mechanism within the housing and is supported by the boss via the bearing so as to be rotatable about the drive axis.

[0004] The driven scroll is accommodated in the housing. More specifically, the driven scroll is accommodated in the housing by being accommodated in the drive scroll. The driven scroll is accommodated in the drive scroll, thereby forming a compression chamber between the drive scroll and the driven scroll. The driven scroll also has a driven shaft that protrudes toward the boss. The driven shaft is inserted into the support hole. As a result, the driven scroll is supported by the boss so that it can rotate about the driven axis while being accommodated in the drive scroll. A discharge chamber is also formed inside the driven shaft. The discharge chamber communicates with the compression chamber and also with the discharge communication port. In other words, the compression chamber and the discharge communication port communicate with each other through the discharge chamber. The driven mechanism is disposed between the drive scroll and the driven scroll.

[0005] In this compressor, the drive scroll is rotationally driven about the drive axis by the drive mechanism, and the driven scroll is rotationally driven about the driven axis by the drive scroll and driven mechanism. As a result, the volume of the compression chamber changes depending on the rotationally driven drive scroll and the rotationally driven driven scroll. In this compressor, refrigerant is drawn into the compression chamber and compressed. The refrigerant compressed in the compression chamber is then discharged as compressed refrigerant into the discharge chamber and further discharged from the discharge chamber through a discharge connection port to the outside of the housing.

[0006] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2-227575

[0007] The refrigerant drawn into the compression chamber contains lubricating oil, which is discharged from the compression chamber to the discharge chamber along with the compressed refrigerant. Therefore, it is conceivable to use such lubricating oil to lubricate the driving scroll, the driven scroll, etc.

[0008] However, in the conventional compressor, most of the lubricating oil discharged into the discharge chamber is discharged from the discharge chamber through the discharge port to the outside of the housing together with the compressed refrigerant. As a result, in this compressor, the lubricating oil discharged into the discharge chamber cannot be used sufficiently to lubricate the driving scroll, the driven scroll, etc. Therefore, there is a concern that the durability of such a compressor will be reduced due to insufficient lubrication of the driving scroll, the driven scroll, etc.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and an object to be achieved is to provide a double-rotation scroll compressor having excellent durability.

[0010] The double-rotating scroll compressor of the present invention comprises a housing, a driving scroll, a driven scroll, a drive mechanism, and a driven mechanism, wherein the driving scroll, the driven scroll, and the drive mechanism are accommodated in the housing, wherein the driving scroll is rotationally driven about a drive axis by the drive mechanism, and the driven scroll is rotationally driven by the driving scroll and the driven mechanism about a driven axis while being eccentric with respect to the driving scroll, and wherein the driving scroll and the driven scroll form compression chambers that compress refrigerant by the rotational driving and the rotational driven, and wherein the driving scroll has a drive end plate extending in a radial direction of the driving scroll, and a cover member that covers the drive end plate from the drive axis direction to form a separation chamber between the drive end plate and the cover member, and the drive end plate is formed with a discharge port that communicates with the compression chamber and discharges the compressed refrigerant, which is the refrigerant compressed in the compression chamber, into the separation chamber, The separation chamber is provided with a first guide portion located radially outward of the discharge port, protruding from the drive end plate toward the cover member, and guiding the compressed refrigerant discharged from the discharge port into the separation chamber in the direction of rotation of the drive scroll while separating lubricating oil from the compressed refrigerant; and a second guide portion located radially outward of the first guide portion, protruding from the drive end plate toward the cover member, and guiding the compressed refrigerant guided by the first guide portion in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the drive scroll while separating the lubricating oil from the compressed refrigerant.The cover member is characterized in that it is formed with a communication port that communicates with the separation chamber at a position radially spaced apart from the discharge port and discharges the compressed refrigerant guided by the second guide portion to the outside of the separation chamber.

[0011] In the double rotary scroll compressor of the present invention, a separation chamber is formed between the cover member and the drive end plate. The compressed refrigerant compressed in the compression chamber is discharged into the separation chamber through a discharge port formed in the drive end plate. The compressed refrigerant discharged from the discharge port into the separation chamber contains lubricating oil. In this compressor, as the drive scroll rotates, centrifugal force of the rotating drive scroll acts on the compressed refrigerant in the separation chamber.

[0012] In this compressor, a first guide portion and a second guide portion are provided within the separation chamber. The first guide portion guides the compressed refrigerant discharged from the discharge port into the separation chamber in the rotational direction of the drive scroll while separating the lubricating oil from the compressed refrigerant. The second guide portion guides the compressed refrigerant guided by the first guide portion in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the drive scroll while separating the lubricating oil from the compressed refrigerant.

[0013] In this compressor, the lubricating oil is separated from the compressed refrigerant in the separation chamber not only by centrifugal force, but also by changing the flow direction of the compressed refrigerant in the separation chamber using the first and second guide members. The lubricating oil separated from the compressed refrigerant flows through the separation chamber radially outward from the drive end plate due to centrifugal force.

[0014] As a result, in this compressor, the compressed refrigerant from which the lubricating oil has been separated is discharged to the outside of the separation chamber through the communication port formed in the cover member, while the lubricating oil is prevented from being discharged to the outside of the separation chamber, making it easier to use the lubricating oil to lubricate the drive scroll, driven scroll, etc.

[0015] Therefore, the double-rotating scroll compressor of the present invention has excellent durability.

[0016] The compressor of the present invention may have a return passage for returning lubricating oil in the separation chamber to a location in the housing where the pressure is lower than that of the separation chamber. The return passage is preferably radially outward of the discharge port, the first guide portion, the second guide portion, and the communication port, and communicates with the separation chamber at a position between the second guide portion and the communication port in the flow direction of the compressed refrigerant flowing through the separation chamber toward the communication port.

[0017] In this case, the lubricating oil separated from the compressed refrigerant can be suitably used to lubricate the driving scroll, the driven scroll, and the like.

[0018] The second guide portion is preferably continuous with the first guide portion. In this case, the compressed refrigerant guided by the first guide portion can be suitably guided by the second guide portion in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the drive scroll. As a result, in this compressor, the first guide portion and the second guide portion can more suitably separate the lubricating oil from the compressed refrigerant.

[0019] The first guide portion and the second guide portion are preferably disposed at positions radially eccentric to the drive shaft center. Because centrifugal force of the drive scroll acts on the compressed refrigerant in the separation chamber, disposing the first guide portion and the second guide portion at positions radially eccentric to the drive shaft center makes it easier for the compressed refrigerant discharged from the discharge port to flow toward the first guide portion. This allows the first guide portion and the second guide portion to appropriately guide the compressed refrigerant.

[0020] The drive end plate may be provided with a discharge reed valve that can open and close the discharge port by elastic deformation. The discharge reed valve preferably has a base end fixed to the drive end plate radially outward of the drive shaft center and radially approaches the first guide portion from the base end to the tip.

[0021] In this case, the shape of the discharge reed valve that opens the discharge port by elastic deformation allows the compressed refrigerant discharged from the discharge port into the separation chamber to flow favorably toward the first guide portion.

[0022] The discharge port is preferably formed in the drive end plate at a position radially eccentric to the drive shaft center, so that the refrigerant can be discharged from the discharge port as compressed refrigerant in a state where it is sufficiently compressed in the compression chamber.

[0023] The communication port is preferably located between the first guide portion and the second guide portion in the radial direction, so that the compressed refrigerant guided to the second guide portion can be suitably discharged from the communication port to the outside of the separation chamber.

[0024] The housing may be formed with a discharge communication port for discharging the compressed refrigerant to the outside. The drive scroll may have a case that holds the cover member between itself and the drive end plate. The case preferably has a discharge chamber that communicates with the separation chamber through a communication port, and a discharge passage that communicates the discharge chamber with the discharge communication port.

[0025] In this case, the compressed refrigerant from which the lubricating oil has been separated in the separation chamber can be discharged from the separation chamber to the discharge chamber through the communication port, and further discharged from the discharge chamber to the outside of the housing through the discharge passage and the discharge communication port.

[0026] The case may be formed with a supported member that protrudes toward the housing. The supported member may be rotatably supported on the housing via a bearing. Preferably, a discharge passage extends through the supported member.

[0027] In this case, the driving scroll can be rotated efficiently within the housing. Also, the discharge passage can be formed efficiently by extending the discharge passage into the supported member. This allows the compressed refrigerant from which the lubricating oil has been separated to be efficiently discharged from the discharge chamber through the discharge passage and the discharge communication port to the outside of the housing.

[0028] The double-rotating scroll compressor of the present invention is excellent in durability.

[0029] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a compressor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a front view of a drive end plate of the compressor according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front.

[0030] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A double rotary scroll compressor according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted in a vehicle (not shown) and forms an air conditioning system for the vehicle.

[0031] 1, the compressor of the embodiment includes a housing 6, an electric motor 10, a driving scroll 30, a driven scroll 40, and a driven mechanism 20. The electric motor 10 is an example of the "driving mechanism" of the present invention.

[0032] In this embodiment, the front-to-rear direction and the up-to-down direction of the compressor are defined by solid arrows shown in Fig. 1. The front-to-rear direction and the up-to-down direction are perpendicular to each other. In Fig. 2, the up-to-down direction of the compressor is defined in accordance with Fig. 1. Note that these front-to-rear directions are examples for the convenience of explanation, and the compressor's position can be changed as appropriate depending on the vehicle in which it is installed.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1 , the housing 6 is composed of a housing main body 60 , a first housing cover 61 , and a second housing cover 62 .

[0034] The housing body 60 is made of an aluminum alloy and has a cylindrical shape with a drive axis O1 at its center, and is open at both the front and rear ends. The drive axis O1 is parallel to the front-to-rear direction.

[0035] An intake communication port 68 is also formed in the housing body 60. The intake communication port 68 extends in the radial direction of the housing body 60. The intake communication port 68 is connected to an evaporator (not shown) through a pipe (not shown).

[0036] The first housing cover 61 is made of steel and is located at the rear end of the housing main body 60. The first housing cover 61 is generally disk-shaped and centered on the drive shaft center O1. The first housing cover 61 has a front surface 61a facing forward and a rear surface 61b facing rearward and located on the opposite side of the front surface 61a.

[0037] A protrusion 64 is also provided inside the housing 6. More specifically, the protrusion 64 is integrally formed with the first housing cover 61. As a result, the protrusion 64 is also made of steel. The protrusion 64 has a cylindrical shape and protrudes forward from the center of the front surface 61a in the direction of the drive axis O1. The protrusion 64 has a first diameter portion 64a and a second diameter portion 64b.

[0038] The first diameter portion 64a constitutes the front portion of the protrusion 64. The first diameter portion 64a is formed to have a smaller diameter than an insertion hole 375, which will be described later. A pin hole 4 is formed in the first diameter portion 64a. The pin hole 4 extends inside the first diameter portion 64a in the direction of the drive axis O1 and opens at the front end surface of the first diameter portion 64a.

[0039] Further, the outer peripheral surface of the first diameter portion 64a is provided with a first radial ball bearing 51. Note that instead of the first radial ball bearing 51, a sliding bearing may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first diameter portion 64a.

[0040] The second diameter portion 64b is integral with the first diameter portion 64a and is located rearward of the first diameter portion 64a. As a result, the second diameter portion 64b constitutes the rear portion of the protrusion 64. The rear end of the second diameter portion 64b is connected to the front surface 61a of the first housing cover 61. The second diameter portion 64b is formed to have a larger diameter than the first diameter portion 64a.

[0041] The second housing cover 62 is disposed in front of the housing main body 60. The second housing cover 62 is made of an aluminum alloy. The second housing cover 62 is generally disk-shaped and centered on the drive shaft center O1. The second housing cover 62 has a front surface 62a facing forward and a rear surface 62b facing rearward and located opposite the front surface 62a.

[0042] The second housing cover 62 is also formed with a support portion 66 and a discharge communication port 69. The support portion 66 is integrally formed approximately at the center of the rear surface 62b and protrudes rearward from the rear surface 62b. The support portion 66 is formed in a cylindrical shape centered on the drive axis O1, and is provided therein with the second radial ball bearing 52 and a shaft seal member 63. Note that a sliding bearing may be provided inside the support portion 66 instead of the second radial ball bearing 52.

[0043] The shaft seal member 63 is disposed in front of the second radial ball bearing 52 within the support portion 66. The shaft seal member 63 is formed in an annular shape.

[0044] The discharge communication port 69 penetrates the second housing cover 62 in the direction of the drive axis O1 and communicates with the interior of the support portion 66. The discharge communication port 69 is also connected to a condenser (not shown) through piping (not shown).

[0045] In the housing 6, a front surface 61a of the first housing cover 61 abuts against the rear end of the housing main body 60, and a rear surface 62b of the second housing cover 62 abuts against the front end of the housing main body 60. Then, a plurality of bolts (not shown) secure the housing main body 60, the first housing cover 61, and the second housing cover 62 in the direction of the drive axis O1.

[0046] Thus, in the housing 6, the housing main body 60 is sandwiched in the front-to-rear direction between the first housing cover 61 and the second housing cover 62, and the front and rear ends of the housing main body 60 are closed by the first housing cover 61 and the second housing cover 62, respectively. As a result, a scroll chamber 65 is formed within the housing main body 60 in the housing 6. The scroll chamber 65 communicates with the suction communication port 68. Therefore, refrigerant is drawn into the scroll chamber 65 from outside the housing 6 through the suction communication port 68.

[0047] The protrusion 64 protrudes from the first housing cover 61 into the scroll chamber 65 in the direction of the drive axis O1. More specifically, the protrusion 64 protrudes forward from the first housing cover 61 toward the driving scroll 30 and the driven scroll 40.

[0048] The electric motor 10 is housed in the scroll chamber 65. As a result, the scroll chamber 65 also serves as a motor chamber that houses the electric motor 10.

[0049] The electric motor 10 is composed of a stator 17 and a rotor 11. The stator 17 has a stator core 17a and a winding 17b. The stator core 17a is formed in a cylindrical shape centered on the drive shaft center O1. The winding 17b is wound around the stator core 17a. As a result, the winding 17b forms a first coil end 171 and a second coil end 172.

[0050] The first coil end 171 protrudes forward from the stator core 17a in the direction of the drive axis O1 in a cylindrical shape. The second coil end 172 is located on the opposite side of the stator core 17a from the first coil end 171. The second coil end 172 protrudes rearward from the stator core 17a in the direction of the drive axis O1 in a cylindrical shape.

[0051] In the stator 17, the stator core 17a is fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the second diameter portion 64b. In this way, the stator core 17a is fixed to the second diameter portion 64b and, ultimately, to the protrusion 64. Although not shown, the inner peripheral surface of the stator core 17a has a plurality of slits extending in the direction of the drive axis O1. As a result, when the stator core 17a is fixed to the second diameter portion 64b, the slits form a gap between the stator core 17a and the outer peripheral surface of the second diameter portion 64b.

[0052] The rotor 11 is cylindrical around the drive axis O1. Although not shown in detail, the rotor 11 is composed of a plurality of permanent magnets corresponding to the stator 17 and laminated steel plates that secure the permanent magnets. The rotor 11 has a larger diameter than the stator core 17a. As a result, the rotor 11 covers the stator core 17a from the outside within the scroll chamber 65. The rotor 11 also has a plurality of first bolt holes 11a. Each of the first bolt holes 11a penetrates the rotor 11 in the direction of the drive axis O1.

[0053] The driving scroll 30 is housed in the scroll chamber 65. The driving scroll 30 is made of an aluminum alloy and includes a driving end plate 31, a cover member 71, a driving scroll 33, a driving peripheral wall 35, a cover body 37, and a case 39.

[0054] The drive end plate 31 extends in a generally disk-like shape, perpendicular to the drive axis O1 and the driven axis O2. The driven axis O2 extends parallel to the drive axis O1 while being eccentric with respect to the drive axis O1. In other words, the driven axis O2 is also parallel to the front-to-rear direction. The drive end plate 31 has a first front surface 311 facing forward and a first rear surface 312 located opposite the first front surface 311 and facing rearward.

[0055] As shown in Figure 2, an end plate recess 72 is formed in the driving end plate 31. The end plate recess 72 is recessed rearward from the first front surface 311. The end plate recess 72 is composed of a first portion 721, a second portion 722, and a third portion 723. Note that in Figure 1, the shape of the end plate recess 72 is simplified for ease of explanation.

[0056] 2, the first portion 721 constitutes the majority of the end plate recess 72. The first portion 721 is recessed to extend in the radial direction of the driving end plate 31, and therefore from one side to the other in the radial direction of the driving scroll 30. The first portion 721 has a shape that widens from one side to the other in the radial direction of the driving end plate 31.

[0057] The second portion 722 is disposed at a position radially outward of the driving end plate 31 relative to the first portion 721. The second portion 722 has a generally cylindrical shape. The third portion 723 is disposed between the first portion 721 and the second portion 722 and connects the first portion 721 and the second portion 722.

[0058] The drive end plate 31 is also formed with a discharge port 32, a first guide portion 73, and a second guide portion 74. The discharge port 32 is located at a position eccentric to the drive axis O1, and penetrates the drive end plate 31 in the direction of the drive axis O1 from the first front surface 311 side to the first rear surface 312 side. As a result, the discharge port 32 on the first front surface 311 side opens into the first portion 721.

[0059] The first guide portion 73 and the second guide portion 74 are formed integrally with the drive end plate 31. Both the first guide portion 73 and the second guide portion 74 are disposed within the first portion 721 and protrude from the bottom surface of the first portion 721 in the direction of the drive axis O1. The first guide portion 73 and the second guide portion 74 are substantially flush with the first front surface 311 while protruding from the bottom surface of the first portion 721.

[0060] The first guide portion 73 is disposed in the first section 721 at a location radially outward of the drive end plate 31 relative to the discharge port 32, and at a position eccentric in the radial direction of the drive end plate 31 relative to the drive axis O1. As a result, the first guide portion 73 is spaced apart in the radial direction of the drive end plate 31 from the discharge port 32. One end of the first guide portion 73 is connected to the peripheral wall 721a of the first section 721, and the first guide portion 73 curves from the peripheral wall 721a and extends in a direction intersecting the rotational direction R1 of the driving scroll 30.

[0061] The second guide portion 74 is disposed within the first section 721 at a location radially outward of the drive end plate 31 relative to the first guide portion 73 and radially eccentric relative to the drive axis O1 of the drive end plate 31. As a result, the second guide portion 74 is spaced further away from the discharge port 32 in the radial direction of the drive end plate 31 than the first guide portion 73. One end of the second guide portion 74 is connected to the other end of the first guide portion 73. In other words, the second guide portion 74 extends continuously with the first guide portion 73. The second guide portion 74 extends from the first guide portion 73 radially away from the drive end plate 31, and then extends in a direction intersecting the rotational direction R1 of the driving scroll 30 while remaining aligned with the first guide portion 73.

[0062] Due to the shapes of these first guide portion 73 and second guide portion 74, when the drive end plate 31 is viewed in a plane from the front, the first guide portion 73 and the second guide portion 74 form an approximately U-shape connected to the peripheral wall 721a of the first portion 721 at one end side of the first guide portion 73.

[0063] 1, a discharge reed valve 57 and a retainer 58 are provided on the first front surface 311 of the drive end plate 31. The discharge reed valve 57 and the retainer 58 are each disposed within the first portion 721 and extend in the radial direction of the drive end plate 31.

[0064] The base ends of the discharge reed valve 57 and the retainer 58 are fixed to the drive end plate 31 by fixing bolts 59 at locations radially spaced apart from the discharge port 32. As a result, the discharge reed valve 57 and the retainer 58 extend from the base end toward the tip end so as to approach the discharge port 32 and the first guide portion 73.

[0065] The discharge reed valve 57 is capable of opening and closing the discharge port 32 by elastically deforming its tip end. The retainer 58 extends gradually forward in the direction of the drive axis O1 from the base end toward the tip end so as to be gradually spaced apart from the discharge reed valve 57. As a result, the retainer 58 abuts against the elastically deformed discharge reed valve 57, thereby adjusting the opening degree of the discharge reed valve 57.

[0066] The cover member 71 is formed in the shape of a thin, circular plate having approximately the same diameter as the drive end plate 31. The cover member 71 is disposed in front of the drive end plate 31 and abuts against the first front surface 311 of the drive end plate 31 from the front. The cover member 71 also abuts against the first guide portion 73 and the second guide portion 74 from the front. This forms a separation chamber 75 between the cover member 71 and the end plate recess 72 of the drive end plate 31. As a result, the discharge port 32 is connected to the separation chamber 75, and the first guide portion 73 and the second guide portion 74 are disposed within the separation chamber 75. The discharge reed valve 57 and the retainer 58 are fixed to the drive end plate 31 within the separation chamber 75.

[0067] The cover member 71 has a communication port 71a and a plurality of through-holes 71b. As shown by the imaginary lines in Figure 2, the communication port 71a is formed in the cover member 71 at a position radially away from the discharge port 32 of the drive end plate 31, and penetrates the cover member 71 toward the drive axis O1. As a result, the communication port 71a is located at a position in the cover member 71 that is eccentric with respect to the drive axis O1. The communication port 71a is disposed between the first guide portion 73 and the second guide portion 74 in the radial direction of the drive end plate 31.

[0068] Thus, the communication port 71a is located eccentrically with respect to the drive shaft center O1 and communicates with the separation chamber 75 between the first guide portion 73 and the second guide portion 74. The communication port 71a is formed in the shape of an elongated hole that fits along the first guide portion 73 and the second guide portion 74. The shape of the communication port 71a can be designed as appropriate.

[0069] 1, each through-hole 71b is disposed radially outward of the drive end plate 31 relative to the communication opening 71a and in the vicinity of the outer circumferential edge of the cover member 71. Note that FIG. 1 illustrates only one of the plurality of through-holes 71b.

[0070] The drive scroll 33 is integral with the drive end plate 31 and protrudes rearward from the first rear surface 312, i.e., parallel to the drive axis O1 and the driven axis O2, toward the driven scroll 40. Although not shown in detail, the drive scroll 33 has a spiral center located on the central side of the drive end plate 31 and protrudes outward from the spiral center in a spiral shape.

[0071] The drive circumferential wall 35 is formed in a cylindrical shape centered on the drive axis O1 and extending parallel to the drive axis O1 and the driven axis O2. The drive circumferential wall 35 surrounds the drive scroll 33 from the outside and protrudes cylindrically rearward from the first rear surface 312. Although not shown, the outer circumferential ends of the spirals of the drive scroll 33 are connected to the inner circumferential surface of the drive circumferential wall 35.

[0072] The drive peripheral wall 35 is also formed with a first return path 35a extending to the drive end plate 31. The first return path 35a is an example of the "return path" defined in the present invention. The first return path 35a penetrates the drive end plate 31 and the drive peripheral wall 35 in the direction of the drive axis O1. As a result, the front end of the first return path 35a opens into the second portion 722 of the end plate recess 72, and the rear end opens into the rear end surface of the drive peripheral wall 35. In this way, the first return path 35a communicates with the second portion 722 and, ultimately, the separation chamber 75.

[0073] The cover body 37 has a wall portion 37a, an inner cylindrical portion 37b, a connecting portion 37c, an outer cylindrical portion 37d, and a second return path 37f. The second return path 37f is also an example of the "return path" according to the present invention.

[0074] The wall portion 37a has a generally plate-like shape and extends in the radial direction of the cover body 37, i.e., in the radial direction of the driving scroll 30. The wall portion 37a has a second front surface 371 that faces forward and a second rear surface 372 that is located on the opposite side of the second front surface 371 and faces rearward.

[0075] The wall portion 37a is formed with a recess 373 and an intake port 374. The recess 373 is located approximately in the center of the second front surface 371, and is recessed from the second front surface 371 toward the rear.

[0076] The suction port 374 is disposed at a location radially outward of the cover body 37 relative to the recess 373. The suction port 374 penetrates the wall portion 37a in the front-rear direction, with its front end opening to the second front surface 371 and its rear end opening to the second rear surface 372. Note that a plurality of suction ports 374 may be formed in the wall portion 37a.

[0077] Additionally, a plurality of rings 22 are attached to the wall portion 37a between the recess 373 and the intake port 374. Although not shown in detail, the rings 22 are disposed at equal intervals around the circumferential direction of the recess 373 while facing forward, and surround the recess 373 from the outside. In this embodiment, the number of rings 22 is six. FIG. 1 illustrates one of the six rings 22.

[0078] The inner cylindrical portion 37b is formed at a position radially inward of the stator 17 on the cover body 37, and extends cylindrically rearward in the direction of the drive axis O1. The inner cylindrical portion 37b has a diameter larger than the first diameter portion 64a of the protrusion 64 and smaller than the second diameter portion 64b. The inner diameter of the inner cylindrical portion 37b is formed to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the first radial ball bearing 51. The outer diameter of the inner cylindrical portion 37b may be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the second diameter portion 64b, or may be larger than the outer diameter of the second diameter portion 64b.

[0079] The connecting portion 37c is located between the wall portion 37a and the inner cylindrical portion 37b and is integral with the wall portion 37a and the inner cylindrical portion 37b. The connecting portion 37c connects the wall portion 37a and the inner cylindrical portion 37b while increasing in diameter from the inner cylindrical portion 37b toward the wall portion 37a in the direction of the drive axis O1. This allows the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 37b to be continuous with the second rear surface 372 of the wall portion 37a through the connecting portion 37c.

[0080] An insertion hole 375 is formed in the cover body 37 at a location inside the connecting portion 37c. The insertion hole 375 extends in the direction of the drive axis O1 and connects the inner cylindrical portion 37b and the recess 373.

[0081] The outer cylindrical portion 37d is integral with the wall portion 37a. As a result, the outer cylindrical portion 37d is connected to the wall portion 37a and extends cylindrically rearward from the wall portion 37a in the direction of the drive axis O1. The outer diameter of the outer cylindrical portion 37d is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the drive circumferential wall 35 and the outer diameter of the rotor 11.

[0082] The inner diameter of the outer cylindrical portion 37d is larger than those of the inner cylindrical portion 37b and the connecting portion 37c. As a result, in the cover body 37, the inner cylindrical portion 37b and the connecting portion 37c are disposed on the inner peripheral side of the outer cylindrical portion 37d while being spaced apart from the outer cylindrical portion 37d in the radial direction of the cover body 37. In this way, in the cover body 37, the wall portion 37a, the inner cylindrical portion 37b, the connecting portion 37c, and the outer cylindrical portion 37d form a storage portion 38. The storage portion 38 has an annular shape with a bottom and an open rearward end.

[0083] The suction port 374 formed in the wall portion 37a is located outside the inner cylindrical portion 37b and the connecting portion 37c and inside the outer cylindrical portion 37d in the radial direction of the cover body 37. As a result, the suction port 374 is in communication with the storage portion 38.

[0084] Additionally, a plurality of second bolt holes 376 extending to the wall portion 37a are formed in the outer cylindrical portion 37d. Each second bolt hole 376 penetrates the wall portion 37a and the outer cylindrical portion 37d in the direction of the drive axis O1. Although not shown, the number of second bolt holes 376 is equal to the number of first bolt holes 11a formed in the rotor 11. FIG. 1 illustrates only one of the plurality of first bolt holes 11a and one of the plurality of second bolt holes 376.

[0085] One end of the second return passage 37f opens to the second front surface 371 of the wall portion 37a. The second return passage 37f extends radially within the wall portion 37a of the cover body 37, and the other end communicates with the recess 373.

[0086] In the cover body 37, the second front surface 371 of the wall portion 37a abuts against the rear end surface of the drive peripheral wall 35. In addition, in the cover body 37, the rotor 11 abuts against the rear end of the outer cylindrical portion 37d. In this state, the first bolts 34a are inserted into the first bolt holes 11a and the second bolt holes 376 from the rotor 11 side and screwed into the drive peripheral wall 35. In this way, the cover body 37 is fixed to the drive peripheral wall 35 and the rotor 11 while being sandwiched between them. As a result, the drive scroll 30 is integral with the rotor 11.

[0087] Furthermore, by fixing the cover body 37 to the driving peripheral wall 35 and the rotor 11 in this manner, the first return path 35a and the second return path 37f are connected to each other, thereby connecting the separation chamber 75 and the recess 373 through the first return path 35a and the second return path 37f.

[0088] The case 39 has a case body 39a and a boss 39d. The boss 39d is an example of the "supported object" in the present invention.

[0089] The case body 39a has a disk shape centered on the drive axis O1. The case body 39a is formed to have approximately the same diameter as the drive end plate 31 and the cover member 71. The case body 39a has a third front surface 391 that faces forward and a third rear surface 392 that is located on the opposite side of the third front surface 391 and faces rearward.

[0090] The case body 39a is also formed with a discharge chamber 14 and a plurality of third bolt holes 39b. The discharge chamber 14 is recessed in a generally cylindrical shape forward from the third rear surface 392. The discharge chamber 14 is recessed in the third rear surface 392 at a position eccentric to the drive axis O1 in the case body 39a.

[0091] Each third bolt hole 39b is disposed at a position radially outward of the case 39 relative to the discharge chamber 14, and penetrates the case body 39a in the direction of the drive axis O1. The number of third bolt holes 39b is the same as the number of through holes 71b in the cover member 71. FIG. 1 illustrates one of the multiple third bolt holes 39b.

[0092] The boss 39d is formed integrally with the case body 39a and protrudes forward from the center of the third front surface 391 in the direction of the drive axis O1. The outer diameter of the boss 39d is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the second radial ball bearing 52 and the inner diameter of the shaft seal member 63. A discharge passage 390 is formed in the boss 39d. The discharge passage 390 penetrates the boss 39d in the direction of the drive axis O1. As a result, the rear end of the discharge passage 390 is in communication with the discharge chamber 14. The formation of the discharge passage 390 gives the boss 39d a cylindrical shape centered on the drive axis O1.

[0093] The case 39 is disposed in front of the cover member 71. The third rear surface 392 of the case body 39a of the case 39 is abutted against the cover member 71, and the third bolt holes 39b are aligned with the through holes 71b of the cover member 71. In this state, the second bolts 34b are inserted into the third bolt holes 39b and the through holes 71b from the case body 39a side, and the second bolts 34b are screwed into the driving end plate 31. In this way, in the driving scroll 30, the case 39 is fixed to the driving end plate 31, with the cover member 71 sandwiched between the driving end plate 31 and the case 39.

[0094] In this way, by fixing the case 39 to the drive end plate 31, the discharge chamber 14 communicates with the communication port 71a of the lid member 71. Thus, the separation chamber 75 and the discharge chamber 14 communicate with each other through the communication port 71a. In other words, the discharge chamber 14 is separated from the separation chamber 75 by the lid member 71 at locations other than the communication port 71a. Furthermore, the case main body 39a supports the lid member 71 from the front at locations other than the discharge chamber 14.

[0095] The driven scroll 40 is also made of an aluminum alloy. The driven scroll 40 has a driven end plate 41 and a driven scroll 43.

[0096] The driven end plate 41 has a generally disk-like shape and extends perpendicular to the drive axis O1 and the driven axis O2. The driven end plate 41 has a fourth front surface 411 facing forward and a fourth rear surface 412 facing rearward, located on the opposite side of the fourth front surface 411.

[0097] An accommodating recess 15 is formed in the driven end plate 41. The accommodating recess 15 is located in the center of the driven end plate 41. The accommodating recess 15 is recessed in a cylindrical shape centered on the driven axis O2 and extends forward from the fourth rear surface 412 of the driven end plate 41. As a result, the accommodating recess 15 faces the rear of the driven end plate 41, and ultimately faces the first diameter portion 64a of the protrusion 64.

[0098] A driven shaft portion 16 is provided in the accommodation recess 15. The driven shaft portion 16 has a bushing 53 and a driven pin 55. The bushing 53 is accommodated in the accommodation recess 15 via the sliding bearing 13. The driven pin 55 is inserted into the bushing 53. More specifically, the driven pin 55 is inserted into the bushing 53 at a position eccentric to the center of the bushing 53, i.e., the driven axis O2. The driven pin 55 protrudes rearward from the bushing 53 and, therefore, from the driven end plate 41.

[0099] Furthermore, a rotation prevention pin 21 is fixed to the driven end plate 41 at a position facing the ring 22. The rotation prevention pin 21 protrudes rearward from the fourth rear surface 412. Six rotation prevention pins 21 are fixed to the driven end plate 41, the same number as the number of rings 22. Only one of the six rotation prevention pins 21 is shown in FIG. 1.

[0100] The driven spiral body 43 is integral with the driven end plate 41 and extends forward from the fourth front surface 411 of the driven end plate 41 in parallel with the drive axis O1 and the driven axis O2. The driven spiral body 43 has a spiral center on the center side of the driven end plate 41 and extends spirally outward from the spiral center.

[0101] In this compressor, the driven scroll 40 is housed within the driving scroll 30, more specifically, in a location in the driving scroll 30 between the driving scroll 33 and the driving peripheral wall 35 and the cover body 37. The driving scroll 30 and the driven scroll 40 are arranged such that the driving scroll 33 and the driven scroll 43 are meshed with each other. As a result, the driving scroll 33 and the driven scroll 43 face each other to form a compression chamber 12.

[0102] Furthermore, an intake section 30a is formed between the driving peripheral wall 35 and the driven scroll 40. That is, the driving scroll 33 and the driven scroll 43 are located within the intake section 30a. The intake section 30a is separated from the scroll chamber 65 by the driving peripheral wall 35 and the cover body 37, and is also separated from the separation chamber 75 by the driving end plate 31. The intake section 30a also communicates with the intake port 374. As a result, the intake section 30a communicates with the accommodation section 38 through the intake port 374.

[0103] Furthermore, by accommodating the driven scroll 40 within the driving scroll 30, each of the rotation-preventing pins 21 enters each of the rings 22. In this manner, the driving scroll 30 and the driven scroll 40 are assembled in the front-to-rear direction, and the driving scroll 30 and the driven scroll 40 form a scroll compression section 100. Strictly speaking, after the driving scroll 33 and the driven scroll 43 are engaged with each other and the rotation-preventing pins 21 enter each of the rings 22, the cover body 37 of the driving scroll 30 is fixed to the driving peripheral wall 35 and the rotor 11.

[0104] Furthermore, by assembling the driving scroll 30 and the driven scroll 40 together, the accommodating recess 15 of the driven end plate 41 and the driven shaft portion 16 face the recess 373 of the cover body 37 .

[0105] The driving scroll 30 is disposed in front of the stator 17 within the scroll chamber 65. Furthermore, in the driving scroll 30, the inner cylindrical portion 37b of the cover body 37 is inserted into the inner circumferential side of the first coil end 171. In this state, the first radial ball bearing 51 is inserted into the inner cylindrical portion 37b. As a result, the cover body 37 is rotatably supported by the first diameter portion 64a via the first radial ball bearing 51. The accommodating portion 38 communicates with the scroll chamber 65. Furthermore, the front portion of the first diameter portion 64a is inserted into the insertion hole 375.

[0106] The inner cylindrical portion 37b faces the second diameter portion 64b in the direction of the drive axis O1. Here, the outer diameter of the inner cylindrical portion 37b is smaller than the outer diameter of the second diameter portion 64b, so that when the cover body 37 is supported by the first diameter portion 64a, the inner cylindrical portion 37b and the first coil end 171 are spaced apart in the radial direction of the cover body 37.

[0107] Furthermore, with the cover body 37 supported by the first diameter portion 64a in this manner, the wall portion 37a of the cover body 37 faces the first coil end 171 from the front. Furthermore, the outer cylindrical portion 37d of the cover body 37 is located outside the first coil end 171 in the radial direction of the cover body 37. In this case, the outer cylindrical portion 37d and the first coil end 171 are spaced apart in the radial direction of the cover body 37.

[0108] In other words, with the cover body 37 supported by the first diameter portion 64a, the first coil end 171 is accommodated within the accommodation portion 38. As a result, within the accommodation portion 38, the first coil end 171 is covered from the front by the wall portion 37a and the connecting portion 37c, and is covered from the radially inside by the inner cylindrical portion 37b. Furthermore, within the accommodation portion 38, the first coil end 171 is covered from the radially outside by the outer cylindrical portion 37d.

[0109] Furthermore, in this compressor, when the cover body 37 is supported by the first diameter portion 64a, the first radial ball bearing 51, the inner cylindrical portion 37b, the first coil end 171, and the outer cylindrical portion 37d are arranged in this order from the drive axis O1 side toward the outside in the radial direction of the cover body 37. The first diameter portion 64a, the first radial ball bearing 51, the inner cylindrical portion 37b, the first coil end 171, and the outer cylindrical portion 37d are arranged while overlapping each other in the radial direction.

[0110] Furthermore, in the driving scroll 30, the boss 39d of the case 39 is inserted into the second radial ball bearing 52 and the shaft seal member 63. As a result, the case 39 is rotatably supported by the support portion 66 via the second radial ball bearing 52. In this way, the driving scroll 30 is disposed in the scroll chamber 65 and is supported by the housing 6 by both the protrusion 64 and the support portion 66 so as to be rotatable around the drive axis O1.

[0111] Furthermore, since the case 39 is supported by the support portion 66, the discharge passage 390 faces the discharge communication port 69 from the rear. As a result, the discharge chamber 14 and the discharge communication port 69 communicate with each other through the discharge passage 390. The shaft seal member 63 seals the discharge passage 390 and the discharge communication port 69 from the scroll chamber 65.

[0112] On the other hand, in the driven scroll 40, the driven pin 55 of the driven shaft portion 16 is inserted into the pin hole 4. As a result, the driven scroll 40 is disposed in the scroll chamber 65 and supported rotatably about the driven axis O2 with respect to the first diameter portion 64a of the protruding body 64. In other words, unlike the driving scroll 30, the driven scroll 40 is supported rotatably about the driven axis O2 in the housing 6 only by the protruding body 64.

[0113] In the compressor configured as described above, as indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 1 , low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator is drawn into the scroll chamber 65 through the suction port 68. When the electric motor 10 is operated and the rotor 11 rotates, the rotation of the rotor 11 is transmitted to the driving scroll 30, causing the driving scroll 30 to rotate about the drive axis O1 within the scroll chamber 65. In other words, the driving scroll 30 and the rotor 11 rotate integrally in the rotation direction R1 shown in FIG. 2 . At this time, in the driven mechanism 20 shown in FIG. 1 , the rotation-preventing pins 21 slide against the inner circumferential surfaces of the rings 22, causing the rings 22 to rotate relatively about the centers of the rotation-preventing pins 21. In this way, the driven mechanism 20 transmits the torque of the driving scroll 30 to the driven scroll 40.

[0114] As a result, the driven scroll 40 is rotated around the driven axis O2 by the driving scroll 30 and the driven mechanism 20. At this time, the driven mechanism 20 restricts the rotation of the driven scroll 40. As a result, the driven scroll 40 revolves around the driven axis O2 relative to the driving scroll 30. Then, as the driving scroll 33 and the driven scroll 43 each rotate within the suction section 30a, the driving scroll 33 and the driven scroll 43 change the volume of the compression chamber 12.

[0115] The refrigerant drawn into the scroll chamber 65 from the suction port 68 contains lubricating oil 18. The refrigerant in the scroll chamber 65 flows between the rotor 11 and the stator 17 and reaches the accommodation section 38. The refrigerant drawn into the scroll chamber 65 also flows into the accommodation section 38 by flowing through slits formed in the stator core 17a. In this way, the refrigerant in the accommodation section 38 is drawn into the compression chamber 12 from the suction port 374 through the suction section 30a. As a result, the lubricating oil 18 is also drawn into the compression chamber 12 together with the refrigerant from the suction port 374 through the suction section 30a.

[0116] The compression chambers 12 then reduce their volumes and compress the refrigerant while trapping the refrigerant and lubricating oil 18 therein due to the rotational drive of the drive scroll 30 and the driven rotation of the driven scroll 40. The high-pressure refrigerant compressed to the discharge pressure in this manner is discharged from the discharge port 32 as compressed refrigerant by the elastically deformed discharge reed valve 57 opening the discharge port 32 to the first portion 721 of the end plate recess 72, i.e., the separation chamber 75. This compressed refrigerant contains the lubricating oil 18.

[0117] In this compressor, the driving end plate 31, and therefore the driving scroll 30, are driven to rotate, and thus the centrifugal force of the rotating driving scroll 30 acts on the compressed refrigerant discharged from the discharge port 32 to the first portion 721. The compressed refrigerant discharged to the first portion 721 separates the lubricating oil 18 contained therein due to the action of the centrifugal force.

[0118] The compressed refrigerant discharged from the discharge port 32 to the first portion 721 flows through the first portion 721 toward the first guide portion 73. The discharge reed valve 57 and the retainer 58 are disposed radially of the drive end plate 31, from the base end toward the tip end, toward the first guide portion 73. Therefore, when the compressed refrigerant is discharged from the discharge port 32 to the first portion 721, the compressed refrigerant follows the shapes of the discharge reed valve 57 and the retainer 58, and is guided from the discharge port 32 toward the first guide portion 73. This facilitates the flow of the compressed refrigerant toward the first guide portion 73.

[0119] The compressed refrigerant collides with the first guide portion 73, thereby changing its flow direction within the first section 721 and being guided into the first guide portion 73. As described above, the first guide portion 73 has one end connected to the circumferential wall 721a of the first section 721, and extends in a direction intersecting the rotational direction R1 of the driving scroll 30 while curving from the circumferential wall 721a of the first section 721. Therefore, as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 2 , the first guide portion 73 guides the compressed refrigerant that collides with it in a direction along the rotational direction R1 of the driving scroll 30. At this time, the first guide portion 73 guides the compressed refrigerant while separating the lubricating oil 18 from the compressed refrigerant.

[0120] In this manner, the compressed refrigerant guided by the first guide portion 73 flows through the first portion 721 toward the second guide portion 74. The compressed refrigerant guided by the first guide portion 73 is then further guided through the first portion 721 by the second guide portion 74. As a result, the compressed refrigerant changes its flow direction again. Here, the second guide portion 74 is continuous with the first guide portion 73 and extends from the first guide portion 73 away from the drive end plate 31 in the radial direction, and then extends in a direction intersecting the rotational direction R1 of the driving scroll 30 while remaining aligned with the first guide portion 73. As a result, the second guide portion 74 guides the compressed refrigerant guided by the first guide portion 73 to the opposite side of the rotational direction R1 of the driving scroll 30. At this time, the second guide portion 74 also guides the compressed refrigerant while separating the lubricating oil 18 from the compressed refrigerant.

[0121] In this way, the compressed refrigerant guided by the first guide portion 73 and the second guide portion 74 reaches the communication port 71 a between the first guide portion 73 and the second guide portion 74, and is discharged from the communication port 71 a to the outside of the separation chamber 75, i.e., into the discharge chamber 14. The compressed refrigerant discharged from the communication port 71 a into the discharge chamber 14 in this way has had the lubricating oil 18 suitably separated from it.

[0122] In this way, in this compressor, not only can the lubricating oil 18 be separated from the compressed refrigerant in the separation chamber 75 by the action of centrifugal force, but the first guide section 73 and the second guide section 74 can also be used to change the flow direction of the compressed refrigerant in the first section 721 and ultimately in the separation chamber 75, thereby making it possible to separate the lubricating oil 18 from the compressed refrigerant.

[0123] The compressed refrigerant discharged into the discharge chamber 14 is then discharged from the discharge passage 390 through the discharge communication port 69 to the outside of the housing 6. Meanwhile, the lubricating oil 18 separated from the compressed refrigerant tends to remain in the separation chamber 75, including the first portion 721. As a result, this compressor can prevent the lubricating oil 18 from being discharged to the outside of the housing 6 through the discharge passage 390 and the discharge communication port 69.

[0124] In this compressor, centrifugal force causes lubricating oil 18 separated from the compressed refrigerant in separation chamber 75 to flow through first portion 721 toward the radially outer side of drive end plate 31. In end plate recess 72, second portion 722 is disposed at a location radially outward of drive end plate 31 relative to first portion 721 and is connected to first portion 721 by third portion 723. More specifically, second portion 722 is radially outward of drive end plate 31 relative to first portion 721 and is connected to third portion 723 at a position between second guide portion 74 and communication port 71a in the flow direction of compressed refrigerant flowing through separation chamber 75 toward communication port 71a.

[0125] 2, the lubricating oil 18 in the first section 721 flows through the third section 723 to reach the second section 722 and is stored in the second section 722. Therefore, in this compressor, it is possible to effectively prevent the lubricating oil 18 in the separation chamber 75 from being discharged from the communication port 71a to the discharge chamber 14, and further to the outside of the housing 6 via the discharge communication port 69.

[0126] The second portion 722 is connected to the first return path 35a. Therefore, as shown by the solid arrows in FIG. 1 , the lubricating oil 18 in the second portion 722 flows through the first return path 35a and the second return path 37f and reaches the recess 373. Because the recess 373 is under suction pressure due to the refrigerant drawn through the suction port 374, the pressure in the recess 373, including the second portion 722, is lower than that of the separation chamber 75. The lubricating oil 18 that has reached the recess 373 lubricates the gap between the second front surface 371 of the wall portion 37a and the fourth rear surface 412 of the driven end plate 41, as well as the driven shaft portion 16, the first radial ball bearing 51, and the like. After lubricating these components, the lubricating oil 18 flows between the first radial ball bearing 51 and the inner cylindrical portion 37b, and flows into the scroll chamber 65. The lubricating oil 18 in the scroll chamber 65 is then sucked together with the refrigerant through the suction port 374 back into the suction section 30a and ultimately into the compression chamber 12. As a result, in this compressor, the lubricating oil 18 can suitably lubricate the driving scroll 30, the driven scroll 40, etc., thereby suitably preventing wear thereon.

[0127] Therefore, the compressor of the embodiment has excellent durability.

[0128] In particular, in this compressor, the first return path 35a is connected to the second portion 722. As a result, in this compressor, the first return path 35a is connected to the separation chamber 75 at a location that is radially outward of the drive end plate 31 relative to the discharge port 32, the first guide portion 73, the second guide portion 74, and the communication port 71a. Therefore, in this compressor, the lubricating oil 18 stored in the second portion 722 can be suitably returned to the recess 373 by the first return path 35a and the second return path 37f.

[0129] Furthermore, in this compressor, the first guide portion 73 and the second guide portion 74 are disposed at positions radially eccentric to the drive end plate 31 from the drive axis O1. Therefore, the compressed refrigerant discharged from the discharge port 32 to the separation chamber 75 is easily urged toward the first guide portion 73 by centrifugal force. Furthermore, the compressed refrigerant guided by the first guide portion 73 is easily urged toward the second guide portion 74 by centrifugal force. As a result, in this compressor, the first guide portion 73 and the second guide portion 74 can suitably separate the lubricating oil 18 from the compressed refrigerant.

[0130] Furthermore, because the second guide portion 74 is continuous with the first guide portion 73, the compressed refrigerant guided by the first guide portion 73 can be preferably guided by the second guide portion 74 to the opposite side of the rotation direction R1 of the driving scroll 30. Furthermore, in this compressor, the compressed refrigerant guided by the first guide portion 73 can be preferably prevented from reaching the communication port 71 a without being guided by the second guide portion 74.

[0131] Furthermore, in this compressor, the discharge port 32 is formed in the drive end plate 31 at a position radially eccentric from the drive axis O1. Therefore, in this compressor, the refrigerant that has been sufficiently compressed in the compression chamber 12 can be discharged from the discharge port 32 into the separation chamber 75.

[0132] In this compressor, the communication port 71a communicates with the separation chamber 75 at a position between the first guide portion 73 and the second guide portion 74 in the radial direction of the drive end plate 31. This allows the compressed refrigerant guided to the second guide portion 74 to be suitably discharged from the communication port 71a to the discharge chamber 14.

[0133] Furthermore, in this compressor, the compressed refrigerant guided by the second guide portion 74 is guided to the opposite side of the rotational direction R1 of the driving scroll 30. Therefore, in order for the compressed refrigerant to reach the communication port 71a, it is necessary to change the flow of the compressed refrigerant to the same direction as the rotational direction R1 of the driving scroll 30. That is, in this compressor, within the separation chamber 75, the radially outer side of the second guide portion 74 forms a flow path through which the compressed refrigerant flows in the opposite direction to the rotational direction R1 of the driving scroll 30, and the radially inner side of the second guide portion 74 forms a flow path through which the compressed refrigerant flows in the same direction as the rotational direction R1 of the driving scroll 30. Therefore, the flow path of the compressed refrigerant to reach the communication port 71a turns from the opposite direction to the rotational direction R1 of the driving scroll 30 toward the radially inner side at the second guide portion 74, turning back in the same direction as the rotational direction R1 of the driving scroll 30. This effectively prevents the lubricating oil 18 from reaching the communication port 71a.

[0134] In addition, in this compressor, forming the discharge passage 390 inside the boss 39d makes it possible to easily form the discharge passage 390. Furthermore, in this compressor, since the boss 39d is supported by the second radial ball bearing 52, the discharge passage 390 and the discharge communication port 69 can be suitably brought close to each other, and therefore it is possible to suitably prevent the compressed refrigerant flowing through the discharge passage 390 toward the discharge communication port 69 from leaking into the scroll chamber 65.

[0135] Furthermore, in this compressor, the second diameter portion 64b of the protruding body 64 is formed to have a larger diameter than the first diameter portion 64a. As a result, in this compressor, the rigidity of the protruding body 64 is suitably ensured by the second diameter portion 64b. Therefore, in this compressor, the second diameter portion 64b can suitably support the stator 17. Furthermore, because the first diameter portion 64a is smaller in diameter than the second diameter portion 64b, in this compressor, it is possible to prevent the first radial ball bearing 51 and the inner cylindrical portion 37b from becoming larger in diameter.

[0136] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the examples, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above examples and can be modified and applied as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0137] For example, in the compressor of the embodiment, the first guide portion 73 and the second guide portion 74 are formed integrally with the drive end plate 31. However, this is not limiting, and the first guide portion 73 and the second guide portion 74 may be formed as separate parts from the drive end plate 31 and fixed within the first portion 721. Furthermore, the first guide portion 73 and the second guide portion 74 may be formed integrally with the cover member 71.

[0138] In the compressor of the embodiment, the stator core 17a of the stator 17 is fixed to the protrusion 64, and the rotor 11 is disposed outside the stator core 17a. However, this is not limiting, and a configuration may be adopted in which the stator core 17a is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the housing main body 60, while the rotor 11 is disposed inside the stator core 17a and is fixed to the inner cylindrical portion 37b of the cover body 37.

[0139] In the compressor of the embodiment, the cover member 71 is sandwiched between the drive end plate 31 and the case 39, and the cover member 71 is supported by the case 39. However, this is not limiting, and the case 39 may be omitted, and the cover member 71 may be rotatably supported by the second radial ball bearing 52.

[0140] Furthermore, in the compressor of the embodiment, the protrusion 64 has a first diameter portion 64a and a second diameter portion 64b, but this is not limited to this, and the protrusion 64 may be formed only with the first diameter portion 64a, or the protrusion 64 may be formed only with the second diameter portion 64b.

[0141] Furthermore, in the compressor of the embodiment, the protrusion 64 is provided integrally with the first housing cover 61. However, this is not limiting, and the first housing cover 61 and the protrusion 64 may be formed separately, and the protrusion 64 may be fixed to the first housing cover 61. In this case, it is easy to form the first housing cover 61 and the protrusion 64 from different materials.

[0142] The present specification also includes the following inventions: (Supplementary Note 1) A double-rotary scroll compressor comprising a housing, a driving scroll, a driven scroll, a drive mechanism, and a driven mechanism, wherein the driving scroll, the driven scroll, and the drive mechanism are accommodated in the housing, the driving scroll is rotationally driven about a drive axis by the drive mechanism, and the driven scroll is rotationally driven by the driving scroll and the driven mechanism about a driven axis while being eccentric with respect to the driving scroll, and the driving scroll and the driven scroll form compression chambers that compress refrigerant by the rotational driving and the rotational driven, wherein the driving scroll has a drive end plate extending in a radial direction of the driving scroll, and a cover member that covers the drive end plate from the drive axis direction to form a separation chamber between the drive end plate and the cover member, and the drive end plate is formed with a discharge port that communicates with the compression chamber and discharges the compressed refrigerant, which is the refrigerant compressed in the compression chamber, into the separation chamber, a first guide portion located radially outward of the discharge port, protruding from the drive end plate toward the cover member, and guiding the compressed refrigerant discharged from the discharge port into the separation chamber in the rotational direction of the drive scroll while separating lubricating oil from the compressed refrigerant; and a second guide portion located radially outward of the first guide portion, protruding from the drive end plate toward the cover member, and guiding the compressed refrigerant guided by the first guide portion in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the drive scroll while separating the lubricating oil from the compressed refrigerant. The double-rotating scroll compressor is characterized in that the cover member is formed with a communication port that is connected to the separation chamber at a position radially spaced apart from the discharge port, and that discharges the compressed refrigerant guided by the second guide portion to the outside of the separation chamber.(Supplementary Note 2) The double-rotary scroll compressor according to Supplementary Note 1, further comprising a return passage for returning the lubricating oil in the separation chamber to a location in the housing where the pressure is lower than that of the separation chamber, the return passage being radially outward of the discharge port, the first guide portion, the second guide portion, and the communication port, and communicating with the separation chamber at a position between the second guide portion and the communication port in a flow direction of the compressed refrigerant flowing through the separation chamber toward the communication port. (Supplementary Note 3) The double-rotary scroll compressor according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the second guide portion is continuous with the first guide portion. (Supplementary Note 4) The double-rotary scroll compressor according to any one of Supplements 1 to 3, wherein the first guide portion and the second guide portion are arranged at positions eccentric in the radial direction from the drive shaft center. (Supplementary Note 5) The double rotary scroll compressor according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein the drive end plate is provided with a discharge reed valve capable of opening and closing the discharge port by elastic deformation, a base end of the discharge reed valve being fixed to the drive end plate radially outward of the drive shaft center and approaching the first guide portion in the radial direction as it moves from the base end to the tip. (Supplementary Note 6) The double rotary scroll compressor according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, wherein the discharge port is formed in the drive end plate at a position eccentric in the radial direction from the drive shaft center. (Supplementary Note 7) The double rotary scroll compressor according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, wherein the communication port is located between the first guide portion and the second guide portion in the radial direction. (Supplementary Note 8) The double rotary scroll compressor according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7, wherein the housing is formed with a discharge communication port through which the compressed refrigerant is discharged to the outside, the driving scroll has a case that holds the cover member between itself and the drive end plate, and the case is formed with a discharge chamber that communicates with the separation chamber through the communication port and a discharge passage that communicates the discharge chamber with the discharge communication port. (Supplementary Note 9) The double rotary scroll compressor according to Supplementary Note 8, wherein the case is formed with a supported member that protrudes toward the housing, the supported member is rotatably supported on the housing via a bearing, and the discharge passage extends inside the supported member.

[0143] The present invention can be used in vehicle air conditioning systems and the like.

[0144] 6 Housing 10 Electric motor (drive mechanism) 12 Compression chamber 14 Discharge chamber 18 Lubricating oil 20 Driven mechanism 30 Drive scroll 31 Drive end plate 32 Discharge port 35a First return path (return path) 37f Second return path (return path) 39 Case 39d Boss (supported member) 40 Driven scroll 52 Second radial ball bearing (bearing) 57 Discharge reed valve 69 Discharge communication port 71 Cover member 71a Communication port 73 First guide portion 74 Second guide portion 75 Separation chamber 390 Discharge passage O1 Drive axis O2 Driven axis R1 Rotation direction

Claims

1. A double-rotating scroll compressor comprising a housing, a driving scroll, a driven scroll, a driving mechanism, and a driven mechanism, wherein the driving scroll, the driven scroll, and the driving mechanism are contained within the housing, the driving scroll is rotationally driven about the drive axis by the driving mechanism, and the driven scroll is rotationally driven by the driving scroll and the driven mechanism about the driven axis while being eccentric with respect to the driving scroll, the driving scroll and the driven scroll forming a compression chamber that compresses a refrigerant by the rotational driving and the rotational driven, wherein the driving scroll has a drive end plate extending in the radial direction of the driving scroll, and a cover member that covers the drive end plate from the drive axis direction to form a separation chamber between the drive end plate and the cover member, and the drive end plate is formed with a discharge port that communicates with the compression chamber and discharges the compressed refrigerant, which is the refrigerant compressed in the compression chamber, into the separation chamber, a first guide portion located radially outward of the discharge port, protruding from the drive end plate toward the cover member, and guiding the compressed refrigerant discharged from the discharge port into the separation chamber in the rotational direction of the drive scroll while separating lubricating oil from the compressed refrigerant; and a second guide portion located radially outward of the first guide portion, protruding from the drive end plate toward the cover member, and guiding the compressed refrigerant guided by the first guide portion in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the drive scroll while separating the lubricating oil from the compressed refrigerant. The double-rotating scroll compressor is characterized in that the cover member is formed with a communication port that is connected to the separation chamber at a position radially spaced apart from the discharge port, and that discharges the compressed refrigerant guided by the second guide portion to the outside of the separation chamber.

2. A double-rotating scroll compressor as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a return passage for returning the lubricating oil in the separation chamber to a location in the housing where the pressure is lower than that of the separation chamber, the return passage being radially outward of the discharge port, the first guide portion, the second guide portion and the communication port, and communicating with the separation chamber at a position between the second guide portion and the communication port in the flow direction of the compressed refrigerant flowing through the separation chamber towards the communication port.

3. A double-rotating scroll compressor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second guide portion is continuous with the first guide portion.

4. A double-rotating scroll compressor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first guide portion and the second guide portion are arranged at positions eccentric to the drive shaft center in the radial direction.

5. A double rotary scroll compressor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive end plate is provided with a discharge reed valve capable of opening and closing the discharge port by elastic deformation, the base end of the discharge reed valve being fixed to the drive end plate radially outward of the drive shaft center, and the discharge reed valve approaching the first guide portion in the radial direction as it moves from the base end to the tip.

6. A double rotary scroll compressor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the discharge port is formed in the drive end plate at a position eccentric in the radial direction from the drive shaft center.

7. A double-rotating scroll compressor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication port is located between the first guide portion and the second guide portion in the radial direction.

8. A double-rotating scroll compressor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing is formed with a discharge communication port for discharging the compressed refrigerant to the outside, the drive scroll has a case for holding the cover member between itself and the drive end plate, and the case is formed with a discharge chamber communicating with the separation chamber by the communication port, and a discharge passage for communicating the discharge chamber with the discharge communication port.

9. A double rotary scroll compressor according to claim 8, wherein the case is formed with a supported member that protrudes toward the housing, the supported member is rotatably supported on the housing via a bearing, and the discharge passage extends inside the supported member.

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