Scroll compressor

Abstract

Provided is a scroll compressor in which lubricating oil readily accumulates in a mechanical chamber. This scroll compressor comprises a compression mechanism (30) having a fixed scroll (31) and an orbiting scroll (32) that forms a compression chamber (C3) together with the fixed scroll (31), a drive shaft (40) connected to the orbiting scroll (32) via a drive bearing (72), an electric motor (50) that is disposed below the orbiting scroll (32) and that rotates the drive shaft (40), a main bearing (71) that is disposed between the electric motor (50) and the orbiting scroll (32) and that pivotally supports the drive shaft (40), and a bearing seal member (91) provided on the lower surface of the main bearing (71). A mechanical chamber (C5) accommodating the drive bearing (72) and the main bearing (71) is formed between the orbiting scroll (32) and the bearing seal member (91), and an oil supply passage (32a1) allowing communication between the mechanical chamber (C5) and the compression chamber (C3) is formed in the orbiting scroll (32).

Description

Scroll compressor

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a scroll compressor.

[0002] For example, in Patent Document 1, lubricating oil remaining in the compression chamber is guided to the mechanical chamber through an oil supply passage provided in the end plate of the orbiting scroll, and the bearing portion and the engaging portion are lubricated by the lubricating oil stored in the mechanical chamber. A horizontally placed scroll compressor is disclosed.

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 4848202

[0004] When attempting to use the scroll compressor of Patent Document 1, which is used horizontally, in an inclined position (for example, when attempting to use it vertically), the lubricating oil is directly discharged into the space below through the bearing portion. In that case, it is difficult for the lubricating oil to accumulate in the mechanical chamber, and there is a possibility that a sufficient amount of lubricating oil cannot be supplied to the bearing portion and the engaging portion.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a scroll compressor in which lubricating oil easily accumulates in the mechanical chamber.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the scroll compressor of the present disclosure employs the following means. The scroll compressor according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a compression mechanism having a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll that forms a compression chamber together with the fixed scroll, a drive shaft connected to the orbiting scroll via a transmission portion, a drive portion disposed below the orbiting scroll for rotating the drive shaft, a bearing portion disposed between the drive portion and the orbiting scroll for supporting the drive shaft, and a seal member provided on a surface of the bearing portion facing the drive portion. A mechanical chamber housing the transmission portion and the bearing portion is formed between the orbiting scroll and the seal member, and an oil supply passage communicating the mechanical chamber and the compression chamber is formed in the orbiting scroll.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a scroll compressor in which lubricating oil easily accumulates in the mechanical chamber.

[0008] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a scroll compressor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. This is a view of the support member from above. This is a view of the support member from above. This is a view of the support member from above. This is a view of the support member from above (modified example 1). This is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of a scroll compressor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure (modified example 2).

[0009] A scroll compressor according to one embodiment of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] The scroll compressor 1 is a compressor that constitutes an air conditioning system installed in a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. As shown in Figure 1, the scroll compressor 1 comprises a housing 10 with a space formed inside, a compression mechanism 30 for compressing a refrigerant R, a drive shaft 40 extending in the direction of axis X1, and an electric motor (drive unit) 50 for rotating the drive shaft 40. The axis X is, for example, along the vertical direction.

[0011] The housing 10 is a container having a circumferential wall with axis X1 as its central axis and closed at both ends. Inside the housing 10, there is a space for housing the compression mechanism 30, the drive shaft 40, and the electric motor 50.

[0012] The housing 10 may be composed of multiple parts. In Figure 1, the housing 10 consists of a cylindrical main case 11 with openings at both ends and extending in the direction of axis X1, an upper case 12 that closes the upper opening of the main case 11, and a lower case 13 that closes the lower opening of the main case 11.

[0013] The housing 10 (main case 11) is provided with a support member 60. The support member 60 is a portion or part that protrudes from the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the housing 10 toward the center. The support member 60 may be integrally formed with the housing 10 as a single part, or it may be attached to the housing 10 as a separate part.

[0014] The central part of the support member 60 is the bearing retaining portion 61. The outer ring of the main bearing (bearing portion) 71 is fitted into the bearing retaining portion 61. In this way, the main bearing 71 is held by the support member 60. The bearing retaining portion 61, which corresponds to the central part of the support member 60, is located below the peripheral portion of the support member 60. That is, the upper surface of the main bearing 71 is located below the peripheral portion of the support member 60.

[0015] The main bearing 71 is a bearing that supports the shaft body 41 of the drive shaft 40. The main bearing 71 is located between the compression mechanism 30 and the electric motor 50. A bearing seal member 91 is provided on the lower surface of the main bearing 71 (the surface facing the electric motor 50). The bearing seal member 91 is a member that seals the gap between the outer ring and the inner ring of the main bearing 71 (the space housing the rolling elements) from below.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the upper surface of the peripheral portion of the support member 60 is a thrust surface 62 that is substantially perpendicular to the axis X1. The orbital end plate 32a of the orbital scroll 32, which will be described later, is placed on the thrust surface 62. As a result, the support member 60 receives the thrust load of the orbital scroll 32. The thrust surface 62, which corresponds to the upper surface of the peripheral portion of the support member 60, is located above the bearing holding portion 61, which corresponds to the center of the support member 60. That is, the thrust surface 62 is located above the upper surface of the main bearing 71.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the support member 60 divides the internal space of the housing 10 in the direction of axis X. In this case, the space below the support member 60 is defined as the lower chamber C1, and the space above the support member 60 is defined as the upper chamber C2.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a plurality of communication passages 63 are formed in the peripheral portion of the support member 60 that is further outward than the thrust surface 62, penetrating the support member 60 in the direction of axis X1. Each communication passage 63 connects the lower chamber C1 and the upper chamber C2. As a result, the refrigerant R (Rs) that is introduced into the lower chamber C1 via a port (not shown) for drawing in the refrigerant R is introduced into the upper chamber C2. As shown in Figure 2, the plurality of communication passages 63 are arranged, for example, around axis X1. In Figure 2, six communication passages 63 are arranged at equal angular intervals.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, an electronic equipment housing section 20 is attached to the lower part of the housing 10 (lower case 13). Inside the electronic equipment housing section 20 are electronic devices (for example, an inverter) used for the operation and control of the scroll compressor 1.

[0020] The compression mechanism 30 is a mechanism for compressing the refrigerant R. The compression mechanism 30 is located in the upper chamber C2. The compression mechanism 30 has a fixed scroll 31 and an orbiting scroll 32.

[0021] The fixed scroll 31 has a disc-shaped fixed end plate 31a that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis X1, and a spiral-shaped fixed wrap 31b that is erected from the fixed end plate 31a in the direction of axis X1 and has teeth that point downward. The periphery of the fixed end plate 31a is fixed to the housing 10 (upper case 12).

[0022] The orbital scroll 32 has a disc-shaped orbital end plate 32a that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis X1, and a spiral-shaped orbital wrap 32b that is erected from the orbital end plate 32a in the direction of axis X1 and has teeth pointing upward. The periphery of the orbital end plate 32a is placed on the thrust surface 62 of the support member 60. A plate with excellent sliding properties may be interposed between the orbital end plate 32a and the thrust surface 62.

[0023] The orbiting wrap 32b of the orbiting scroll 32 engages with the fixed wrap 31b of the fixed scroll 31 to form a compression chamber C3.

[0024] A discharge port 31a1 is formed in the center of the fixed end plate 31a, penetrating the fixed end plate 31a in the direction of axis X1. The discharge port 31a1 communicates the compression chamber C3 with the space defined by the upper surface of the fixed end plate 31a and the housing 10 (upper case 12) (this space is defined as the "discharge chamber C4"). As a result, the refrigerant R compressed in the compression chamber C3 is guided to the discharge chamber C4. The housing 10 (upper case 12) defining the discharge chamber C4 is provided with a port (not shown) for discharging the compressed refrigerant R (Rd).

[0025] The outer ring of the drive bearing (transmission unit) 72 is fitted into the center of the lower surface of the orbiting end plate 32a. This holds the drive bearing 72 in place of the orbiting scroll 32. A balance weight 80 is fitted into the inner ring of the drive bearing 72, which is held in place of the orbiting scroll 32. The crankpin 42 of the drive shaft 40 is fitted inside the balance weight 80. As a result, the orbiting scroll 32 is connected to the drive shaft 40 via the balance weight 80 and the drive bearing 72.

[0026] The space formed between the lower surface of the swivel end plate 32a and the bearing seal member 91, and surrounded around the axis X1 by the support member 60, is defined as the mechanical chamber C5. The mechanical chamber C5 will house the main bearing 71, the drive bearing 72, and the balance weight 80.

[0027] The drive shaft 40 is a shaft-shaped member extending in the direction of axis X1, and has a shaft body 41 and a crank pin 42. The shaft body 41 is a shaft-shaped portion with axis X1 as its central axis, with its upper end located in the mechanical chamber C5 and its lower end located in the lower chamber C1. A crank pin 42 is provided at the upper end of the shaft body 41, with axis X2, which is eccentric with respect to axis X1, as its central axis. As described above, the upper part of the shaft body 41 is supported by a main bearing 71, and the crank pin 42 is fitted into a balance weight 80. The lower part of the shaft body 41 is supported by a sub-bearing 73 held in the housing 10 (lower case 13).

[0028] The electric motor 50 is a device for rotating the drive shaft 40. The electric motor 50 is located in the lower chamber C1. The electric motor 50 has a stator 51 and a rotor 52. The stator 51 is fixed to the housing 10 (lower case 13). The rotor 52 is fixed to the shaft body 41 of the drive shaft 40 between the main bearing 71 and the sub bearing 73.

[0029] The support member 60 and the swivel end plate 32a are provided with a known anti-rotation mechanism 75. This allows the swivel scroll 32, driven by the drive shaft 40, to revolve around the fixed scroll 31 without rotating on its own axis. When the swivel scroll 32 revolves, the swivel end plate 32a slides against the thrust surface 62.

[0030] A lubrication passage 32a1 is formed around the swivel end plate 32a, penetrating the swivel end plate 32a in the direction of the axis X1. The lubrication passage 32a1 connects the compression chamber C3 and the mechanical chamber C5. This allows the lubricating oil remaining in the compression chamber C3 to be guided to the mechanical chamber C5.

[0031] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the support member 60 has a plurality of discharge passages 62a formed therein, extending radially from the inside to the outside with respect to the axis X1. Each discharge passage 62a is, for example, a groove formed in the thrust surface 62. Each discharge passage 62a is provided at a position corresponding to at least one of the communication passages 63. The inner end of each discharge passage 62a communicates with the mechanical chamber C5. On the other hand, the outer end of the discharge passage 62a does not have to reach the communication passage 63 as shown in Figures 2 and 3, or it may reach the communication passage 63 as shown in Figure 4. However, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, if the discharge passage 62a does not reach the communication passage 63, the dimensions of the discharge passage 62a are designed so that the upper part of the outer end of the discharge passage 62a is opened at some timing of the orbital motion of the orbiting scroll 32. In either case, the discharge passage 62a will communicate the mechanical chamber C5 with the upper chamber C2 (more specifically, the space around the compression mechanism 30).

[0032] [Effects] A mechanical chamber C5 housing the drive bearing 72 and the main bearing 71 is formed between the orbiting scroll 32 and the bearing seal member 91. An oil supply passage 32a1 connecting the mechanical chamber C5 and the compression chamber C3 is formed in the orbiting scroll 32, so that the lubricating oil remaining in the compression chamber C3 can be guided into the mechanical chamber C5. This allows the drive bearing 72 and the main bearing 71 housed in the mechanical chamber C5 to be lubricated with lubricating oil. In addition, the action of the bearing seal member 91 makes it difficult for the lubricating oil guided into the mechanical chamber C5 to flow out into the lower chamber C1. As a result, lubricating oil accumulates more easily in the mechanical chamber C5, allowing the drive bearing 72 and the main bearing 71 to be effectively lubricated.

[0033] If the support member 60 has at least one discharge passage 62a that connects the mechanical chamber C5 and the space surrounding the compression mechanism 30, the lubricating oil accumulated in the mechanical chamber C5 can be guided to the compression mechanism 30. This allows the compression mechanism 30 to be lubricated effectively.

[0034] If the discharge passage 62a is formed only at a position corresponding to the communication passage 63, the lubricating oil can be concentrated and guided to the communication passage 63 through which the refrigerant R heading towards the upper chamber C2 passes. This makes it possible to guide the lubricating oil accumulated in the mechanical chamber C5 to the compression mechanism 30 more efficiently.

[0035] If a discharge passage 62a is formed at a position corresponding to the communication passage 63, and the discharge passage 62a reaches the communication passage 63, the lubricating oil discharged from the discharge passage 62a is more easily drawn up by the refrigerant R heading towards the upper chamber C2 via the communication passage 63. This allows the lubricating oil accumulated in the mechanical chamber C5 to be guided to the compression mechanism 30 more efficiently.

[0036] [Modification 1] In Figure 5, the rotation direction of the balance weight 80 is indicated by the arrow Aw. Each discharge passage 62a may be inclined in the direction of rotation of the balance weight 80. Specifically, the outer end of each discharge passage 62a may be positioned in front of the inner end of each discharge passage 62a in the direction of rotation of the balance weight 80. By inclining each discharge passage 62a, the direction in which the lubricating oil accumulated in the mechanical chamber C5 is pushed out by the balance weight 80 can be made to substantially coincide with the direction in which each discharge passage 62a extends. This makes it easier for the lubricating oil to flow into each discharge passage 62a.

[0037] [Modification 2] As shown in Figure 6, the support member 60 is provided with a cover portion 64. The cover portion 64 is the part that covers the lower surface of the main bearing 71. The cover portion 64 is distinguished from the bearing seal member 91. The cover portion 64 may be integrally constructed with the support member 60 as a single part, or it may be attached to the support member 60 as a separate part. By providing the cover portion 64, the lubricating oil guided into the mechanical chamber C5 is further prevented from flowing out into the lower chamber C1. As a result, lubricating oil is more likely to accumulate in the mechanical chamber C5, and the drive bearing 72 and the main bearing 71 can be effectively lubricated.

[0038] Furthermore, a shaft seal member (sub-seal member) 92 may be provided between the inner end of the cover portion 64 and the outer circumferential surface of the drive shaft 40. By providing a sub-seal member, lubricating oil is less likely to leak out from the gap between the cover portion 64 and the outer circumferential surface of the drive shaft 40. As a result, lubricating oil is more likely to accumulate in the mechanical chamber C5, and the drive bearing 72 and the main bearing 71 can be effectively lubricated.

[0039] [Modification 3] The electric motor 50 may be omitted, and the lower end of the drive shaft 40 may be directly or indirectly connected to a drive source located outside the scroll compressor 1.

[0040] [Modification 4] The axis X1 may be tilted with respect to the vertical direction to the extent that the axis X1 does not coincide with the horizontal direction.

[0041] [Supplementary Note] The scroll compressor according to the embodiment described above can be understood as follows, for example.

[0042] The scroll compressor (1) according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes a compression mechanism (30) having a fixed scroll (31) and a orbiting scroll (32) that forms a compression chamber (C3) together with the fixed scroll, a drive shaft (40) connected to the orbiting scroll via a transmission part (72), a drive part (50) disposed below the orbiting scroll for rotating the drive shaft, a bearing part (71) disposed between the drive part and the orbiting scroll for supporting the drive shaft, and a seal member (91) provided on a surface of the bearing part facing the drive part. A mechanical chamber (C3) that houses the transmission part and the bearing part is formed between the orbiting scroll and the seal member, and an oil supply passage (32a1) that communicates the mechanical chamber and the compression chamber is formed in the orbiting scroll.

[0043] Since a mechanical chamber that houses the transmission part and the bearing part is formed between the orbiting scroll and the seal member, and an oil supply passage that communicates the mechanical chamber and the compression chamber is formed in the orbiting scroll, lubricating oil remaining in the compression chamber can be guided to the mechanical chamber. Thereby, the transmission part and the bearing part housed in the mechanical chamber can be lubricated with the lubricating oil. Further, due to the action of the seal member, it becomes difficult for the lubricating oil guided to the mechanical chamber to flow out into the space where the drive part is disposed. As a result, lubricating oil tends to accumulate in the mechanical chamber, and the transmission part and the bearing part can be effectively lubricated.

[0044] The scroll compressor according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, includes a support member (60) that holds the bearing part and receives the thrust load of the orbiting scroll, and at least one discharge passage (62a) that communicates the mechanical chamber and the space around the compression mechanism is formed in the support member.

[0045] Since at least one discharge passage that communicates the mechanical chamber and the space around the compression mechanism is formed in the support member, lubricating oil accumulated in the mechanical chamber can be guided to the compression mechanism. Thereby, the compression mechanism can be effectively lubricated.

[0046] In the scroll compressor according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, in the second aspect, at least one communication passage (63) that communicates the space where the drive unit is disposed and the space where the refrigerant is inhaled with the space where the compression mechanism is disposed is formed in the support member, and the discharge passage is formed only at a position corresponding to the communication passage.

[0047] Since the discharge passage is formed only at a position corresponding to the communication passage, lubricating oil can be intensively guided to the communication passage through which the refrigerant heading toward the space where the compression mechanism is disposed passes. As a result, the lubricating oil accumulated in the mechanical chamber can be more efficiently guided to the compression mechanism.

[0048] In the scroll compressor according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in the second aspect, at least one communication passage that communicates the space where the drive unit is disposed and the space where the refrigerant is inhaled with the space where the compression mechanism is disposed is formed in the support member, the discharge passage is formed at a position corresponding to the communication passage, and the discharge passage reaches the communication passage.

[0049] Since the discharge passage is formed at a position corresponding to the communication passage and the discharge passage reaches the communication passage, the lubricating oil discharged from the discharge passage is easily rolled up by the refrigerant heading toward the space where the compression mechanism is disposed through the communication passage. As a result, the lubricating oil accumulated in the mechanical chamber can be more efficiently guided to the compression mechanism.

[0050] The scroll compressor according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure includes, in any one of the second aspect to the fourth aspect, a balance weight (80) provided on the drive shaft, the balance weight is housed in the mechanical chamber, and the discharge passage is inclined in the rotational direction of the balance weight.

[0051] Since the balance weight is housed in the mechanical chamber and the discharge passage is inclined in the rotational direction of the balance weight, the direction in which the lubricating oil accumulated in the mechanical chamber is pushed out by the balance weight can be made substantially coincide with the extending direction of the discharge passage. As a result, the lubricating oil easily flows into the discharge passage.

[0052] In the scroll compressor according to the sixth aspect of this disclosure, in any of the second to fifth aspects, a cover portion (64) that covers the surface of the bearing portion facing the drive portion is provided on the support member.

[0053] Since a cover portion is provided on the support member that covers the surface of the bearing portion facing the drive portion, the lubricating oil guided into the mechanical chamber is further prevented from leaking into the space where the drive portion is located. As a result, lubricating oil accumulates more easily in the mechanical chamber, allowing for effective lubrication of the transmission portion and the bearing portion.

[0054] A scroll compressor according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, in a sixth aspect, includes a subseal member (92) provided between the cover portion and the outer circumferential surface of the drive shaft.

[0055] Because a sub-seal member is provided between the cover and the outer surface of the drive shaft, lubricating oil is less likely to leak out from the gap between the cover and the outer surface of the drive shaft. As a result, lubricating oil can accumulate more easily in the mechanical chamber, allowing for effective lubrication of the transmission and bearing sections.

[0056] 1 Scroll compressor 10 Housing 11 Main case 12 Upper case 13 Lower case 20 Electronic equipment housing 30 Compression mechanism 31 Fixed scroll 31a Fixed end plate 31a1 Discharge port 31b Fixed lap 32 Orbiting scroll 32a Orbiting end plate 32a1 Lubrication passage 32b Orbiting lap 40 Drive shaft 41 Shaft body 42 Crankpin 50 Electric motor (drive unit) 51 Stator 52 Rotor 60 Support member 61 Bearing holder 62 Thrust surface 62a Discharge passage 63 Communication passage 64 Cover 71 Main bearing (bearing unit) 72 Drive bearing (transmission unit) 73 Sub bearing 75 Anti-rotation mechanism 80 Balance weight 91 Bearing seal member (seal member) 92 Shaft seal member (sub-seal member) C1 Lower chamber C2 Upper chamber C3 Compression chamber C4 Discharge chamber C5 Mechanical chamber X1 Axis X2 Axis

Claims

1. A scroll compressor comprising: a compression mechanism having a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll that together with the fixed scroll form a compression chamber; a drive shaft connected to the orbiting scroll via a transmission unit; a drive unit disposed below the orbiting scroll for rotating the drive shaft; a bearing unit disposed between the drive unit and the orbiting scroll for pivotally supporting the drive shaft; and a seal member provided on the surface of the bearing unit facing the drive unit, wherein a mechanical chamber housing the transmission unit and the bearing unit is formed between the orbiting scroll and the seal member, and an oil supply passage connecting the mechanical chamber and the compression chamber is formed in the orbiting scroll.

2. The scroll compressor according to claim 1, further comprising a support member that holds the bearing portion and receives the thrust load of the orbiting scroll, wherein the support member has at least one discharge passage that connects the mechanical chamber and the space surrounding the compression mechanism.

3. The scroll compressor according to claim 2, wherein at least one communication passage is formed in the support member that connects the space in which the drive unit is arranged and into which the refrigerant is drawn with the space in which the compression mechanism is arranged, and the discharge passage is formed only at a position corresponding to the communication passage.

4. The scroll compressor according to claim 2, wherein at least one communication passage is formed in the support member that connects the space in which the drive unit is arranged and into which refrigerant is drawn with the space in which the compression mechanism is arranged, the discharge passage is formed at a position corresponding to the communication passage, and the discharge passage reaches the communication passage.

5. The scroll compressor according to claim 2, comprising a balance weight provided on the drive shaft, wherein the balance weight is housed in the mechanical chamber, and the discharge passage is inclined in the rotational direction of the balance weight.

6. The scroll compressor according to claim 2, wherein a cover portion is provided on the support member to cover the surface of the bearing portion facing the drive portion.

7. The scroll compressor according to claim 6, further comprising a subseal member provided between the cover portion and the outer circumferential surface of the drive shaft.

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