Compressor and refrigeration device
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-02-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-13
Smart Images
Figure JP2026003610_13082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Compressor and refrigeration device
[0001] It relates to a compressor and a refrigeration device.
[0002] As described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-286949), a compressor is known that includes a gas guide for guiding a part of the refrigerant gas discharged from the compression mechanism in the circumferential direction of the casing.
[0003] In this type of compressor, a part of the droplet-like oil contained in the refrigerant gas collides with the inner wall surface of the gas guide and forms a liquid film when guided by the gas guide. When the liquid film-like oil is scattered by the refrigerant gas guided by the gas guide and becomes droplet-like again, there is a risk that the oil will be discharged from the compressor together with the refrigerant gas and the oil carryover will increase.
[0004] The compressor of the first aspect includes a casing, a compression mechanism, and a gas guide. The compression mechanism is housed in the casing. The compression mechanism compresses gas and discharges it into the first space inside the casing. The gas guide is disposed in the first space. The gas guide guides the gas discharged from the compression mechanism. The gas guide forms a first flow path, a second flow path, and a second space. The first flow path guides the gas discharged from the compression mechanism to the first outlet. The second flow path guides a part of the gas flowing through the first flow path to the second outlet in the vertically downward direction. The second space communicates with the first flow path and is located below the first outlet. The gas guide has a first surface. The first surface resists a part of the flow of the gas guided to the first outlet. The first surface is located in the second space.
[0005] The compressor of the first aspect suppresses the scattering of the oil separated from the refrigerant gas by colliding with the first surface, which is the inner wall surface of the gas guide, and reduces the oil carryover.
[0006] The compressor of the second aspect is the compressor of the first aspect, wherein the first flow path guides the gas so that the gas flowing out of the first outlet flows in the circumferential direction of the casing. The second space is located between the first outlet and the second outlet in the circumferential direction of the casing. The second space is located below the first flow path in the axial direction of the casing. The second space communicates with the first flow path in the axial direction of the casing.
[0007] In the second aspect of the compressor, the oil is separated from the refrigerant gas inside the gas guide, and the refrigerant gas is guided by the gas guide so that the oil is centrifuged inside the casing, thereby reducing oil leakage.
[0008] The compressor in the third perspective is a compressor in the first or second perspective, and the second space is in communication with the second flow path.
[0009] The third-party compressor reduces oil leakage by discharging the oil separated inside the gas guide downwards.
[0010] The compressor in the fourth view is the compressor in the third view, wherein the gas guide further has a second surface. The second surface is inclined downward in the circumferential direction of the casing from the first surface toward the second flow path. The second surface is located in the second space.
[0011] The compressor in the fourth aspect reduces oil leakage by discharging the oil separated inside the gas guide downwards.
[0012] The compressor of the fifth perspective is a compressor of the third or fourth perspective, and the second space is in communication with the first space.
[0013] The fifth aspect of the compressor reduces oil leakage by discharging the oil separated inside the gas guide to the outside of the gas guide.
[0014] The compressor in the sixth view is the compressor in the fifth view, wherein the gas guide further forms a third flow path. The third flow path communicates with the second space. The third flow path communicates with the first space below the second space.
[0015] The compressor in the sixth aspect reduces oil leakage by discharging the oil separated inside the gas guide downwards.
[0016] The compressor in the seventh aspect is a compressor in the first or second aspect, wherein the second space does not communicate with the second flow path. The second space communicates with the first space.
[0017] The compressor in the seventh aspect reduces oil leakage by discharging the oil separated inside the gas guide to the outside of the gas guide.
[0018] The compressor of the eighth aspect is the compressor of the seventh aspect, wherein the gas guide further forms a third flow path. The third flow path communicates with the second space. The third flow path communicates with the first space below the second space.
[0019] The compressor in the eighth perspective reduces oil leakage by discharging the oil separated inside the gas guide downwards.
[0020] The compressor of the ninth aspect is one of the compressors of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the distance from the first surface in the circumferential direction of the casing to the second flow path is longer than the dimension of the first surface in the axial direction of the casing.
[0021] The compressor of the tenth aspect is one of the compressors of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the angle of the first surface of the casing with respect to the axial direction is 30° or less.
[0022] The compressor of the 11th aspect is one of the compressors of the 1st to 10th aspects, wherein the dimension of the first surface in the axial direction of the casing is 5 mm or more.
[0023] The compressor of the twelfth aspect is a compressor of any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the dimension of the first surface of the casing in the axial direction is 50% or more of the dimension of the first outlet of the casing in the axial direction.
[0024] The compressor of the 13th aspect is one of the compressors of the 1st to 12th aspects, and the gas guide has a plurality of first surfaces.
[0025] The refrigeration system of the 14th aspect comprises one of the compressors of the first to 13th aspects.
[0026] The refrigeration system in the 14th aspect reduces oil buildup in the compressor and suppresses a decrease in performance.
[0027] This is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the refrigeration device 1 of the first embodiment. This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the scroll compressor 101 of the first embodiment. This is a perspective view of the gas guide 81 of the first embodiment. This is a top view of the gas guide 81 as seen from the direction of arrow X1 in Figure 3. This is a bottom view of the gas guide 81 as seen from the direction of arrow X2 in Figure 3. This is a perspective view of the gas guide 81 as seen from the direction of arrow X3 in Figure 4. This is a perspective view of the gas guide 81 as seen from the direction of arrow X4 in Figure 4. This is a diagram illustrating the position of the separation space 82c of the gas guide 81 of the first embodiment. This is a diagram illustrating the flow of refrigerant guided by the gas guide 81 of the first embodiment. This is a perspective view of a conventional gas guide 981 as a reference diagram. This is a perspective view of the gas guide 181 of the second embodiment. This is a perspective view of the gas guide 281 of the third embodiment. This is a diagram illustrating the shape of the gas guide 81 of modified examples C-F. This is a perspective view of the gas guide 281 of modified example J.
[0028] ―First Embodiment― (1) Overall Configuration The scroll compressor 101 of the first embodiment is provided in a refrigeration system 1. The refrigeration system 1 is, for example, an air conditioning system. As shown in Figure 1, the refrigeration system 1 includes a refrigerant circuit 100 through which the refrigerant circulates. The refrigerant circuit 100 connects the scroll compressor 101, a radiator 2, a pressure reducing mechanism 3, and a heat absorber 4. The scroll compressor 101 compresses the gaseous refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 100. The radiator 2 and the heat absorber 4 are heat exchangers. The radiator 2 and the heat absorber 4 perform, for example, heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outside air. The pressure reducing mechanism 3 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 100. The pressure reducing mechanism 3 is, for example, an electronic expansion valve. The refrigeration system 1 repeats a vapor compression type refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 100 is compressed, condensed (heat released), reduced in pressure, evaporated (heat absorbed), and then compressed again.
[0029] The scroll compressor 101 compresses a refrigerant by changing the volume of the space formed by two scroll members having interlocking spiral wraps. As shown in Figure 2, the scroll compressor 101 comprises a casing 10, a compression mechanism 15, a housing 23, a motor 16, a lower bearing 60, a crankshaft 17, a gas guide 81, an intake pipe 19, and a discharge pipe 20.
[0030] (2) Detailed Configuration (2-1) Casing 10 The casing 10 consists of a body casing portion 11, an upper wall portion 12, and a bottom wall portion 13. The body casing portion 11 has a cylindrical shape. The upper wall portion 12 has a bowl shape. The bottom wall portion 13 has a bowl shape. The upper wall portion 12 is airtightly welded to the upper end of the body casing portion 11. The bottom wall portion 13 is airtightly welded to the lower end of the body casing portion 11.
[0031] In the following, the axial direction of the casing 10 means the direction along the central axis of the cylindrical shape of the body casing portion 11. The circumferential direction of the casing 10 means the direction along the circumference of the ring shape obtained by cutting the cylindrical shape of the body casing portion 11 with a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the casing 10. The radial direction of the casing 10 means the direction along the radius of the ring shape obtained by cutting the cylindrical shape of the body casing portion 11 with a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the casing 10.
[0032] The casing 10 is molded from a rigid material that is resistant to deformation and breakage when pressure and temperature change inside and outside the casing 10. The casing 10 is installed so that its axial direction is aligned with the vertical direction. The vertical direction is indicated by arrow U in Figure 2.
[0033] The casing 10 houses a compression mechanism 15, a housing 23, a motor 16, a lower bearing 60, a crankshaft 17, and a gas guide 81. The suction pipe 19 and the discharge pipe 20 are airtightly welded to the wall of the casing 10.
[0034] An oil reservoir 10a, which is a space for storing lubricating oil, is formed at the bottom of the casing 10. The lubricating oil is used to maintain good lubrication of sliding parts such as the compression mechanism 15 during the operation of the scroll compressor 101.
[0035] (2-2) Compression mechanism 15 The compression mechanism 15 draws in a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant gas, compresses it, and discharges a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas (hereinafter referred to as "compressed refrigerant"). The compression mechanism 15 has a fixed scroll 24 and a movable scroll 26.
[0036] The fixed scroll 24 comprises a fixed end plate 24a, a fixed lap 24b, and an outer peripheral wall 24c. The fixed end plate 24a has a disc shape. The fixed lap 24b has a spiral shape when viewed along the vertical direction. The outer peripheral wall 24c has an annular shape when viewed along the vertical direction. The outer peripheral wall 24c is provided on the outer edge of the lower surface of the fixed end plate 24a. The fixed lap 24b is provided on the lower surface of the fixed end plate 24a, inside the outer peripheral wall 24c. When viewed along the vertical direction, the fixed lap 24b extends from the starting point of the winding, located in the center of the fixed end plate 24a, toward the ending point where it connects to the outer peripheral wall 24c.
[0037] A suction port (not shown) is formed in the fixed scroll 24. The suction port opens near the end of the winding of the fixed-side wrap 24b. The downstream end of the suction pipe 19 is connected to the suction port. The suction port communicates with the compression chamber 40.
[0038] A cylindrical recess, or enlarged recess 42, is formed on the upper surface of the fixed end plate 24a of the fixed scroll 24. The enlarged recess 42 is covered by a cover member 44. A discharge hole 41 is formed on the bottom surface of the enlarged recess 42. The discharge hole 41 is located in the center of the fixed end plate 24a. The discharge hole 41 is a hole that penetrates the fixed end plate 24a vertically. The discharge hole 41 connects the compression chamber 40 and the enlarged recess 42.
[0039] A first refrigerant flow path 46 is formed in the fixed end plate 24a and the outer peripheral wall 24c. The first refrigerant flow path 46 communicates with the enlarged recess 42. The first refrigerant flow path 46 communicates with the second refrigerant flow path 48 of the housing 23 at the lower surface of the outer peripheral wall 24c.
[0040] The movable scroll 26 has a movable end plate 26a and a movable wrap 26b. The movable end plate 26a has a disc shape. The movable wrap 26b is provided on the upper surface of the movable end plate 26a. When viewed along the vertical direction, the movable wrap 26b has a spiral shape. When viewed along the vertical direction, the movable wrap 26b extends from the starting point of the winding located in the center of the movable end plate 26a to the ending point located on the outside of the movable end plate 26a. An upper end bearing 26c is provided in the center of the lower surface of the movable end plate 26a. The upper end bearing 26c has a cylindrical shape. An oil supply hole 63 is formed inside the movable end plate 26a. The oil supply hole 63 communicates the outer circumference of the upper surface of the movable end plate 26a with the space inside the upper end bearing 26c.
[0041] The fixed scroll 24 and the movable scroll 26 form a compression chamber 40 when the fixed-side wrap 24b and the movable-side wrap 26b mesh together. The compression chamber 40 is a space enclosed by the fixed-side end plate 24a, the fixed-side wrap 24b, the movable-side end plate 26a, and the movable-side wrap 26b. The volume of the compression chamber 40 changes due to the orbital motion of the movable scroll 26. During the orbit of the movable scroll 26, the lower surfaces of the fixed-side end plate 24a and the fixed-side wrap 24b slide against the upper surfaces of the movable-side end plate 26a and the movable-side wrap 26b.
[0042] (2-3) Housing 23 The housing 23 is located below the compression mechanism 15. The outer surface of the housing 23 is airtightly joined to the inner surface of the casing 10. As a result, the internal space of the casing 10 is divided into a high-pressure space S1 below the housing 23 and a low-pressure space S2 above the housing 23. The housing 23 supports the fixed scroll 24 and holds the movable scroll 26 together with the fixed scroll 24 via an Oldham joint 39. The Oldham joint 39 is an annular member for preventing the rotational movement of the movable scroll 26. A second refrigerant passage 48 is formed vertically through the outer surface of the housing 23. The second refrigerant passage 48 communicates with the first refrigerant passage 46 at the upper surface of the housing 23. The second refrigerant passage 48 communicates with the high-pressure space S1 at the lower surface of the housing 23.
[0043] On the upper surface of the housing 23, a crank chamber 23a is recessed. In the housing 23, a housing through-hole 31 is formed. The housing through-hole 31 vertically penetrates the housing 23 from the central portion of the bottom surface of the crank chamber 23a to the central portion of the lower surface of the housing 23. Hereinafter, a part of the housing 23 where the housing through-hole 31 is formed is referred to as an upper bearing 32.
[0044] In the housing 23, an oil discharge passage 23b that communicates the crank chamber 23a and the high-pressure space S1 is formed. In the crank chamber 23a, the opening of the oil discharge passage 23b is formed near the bottom surface of the crank chamber 23a.
[0045] (2-4) Motor 16 The motor 16 is disposed below the housing 23. The motor 16 has a stator 51 and a rotor 52. The motor 16 drives the compression mechanism 15.
[0046] The stator 51 has a stator core 51a and a plurality of coils 51b. The stator core 51a is a cylindrical member fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the casing 10. The stator core 51a has a plurality of teeth (not shown). By winding a winding around the teeth, the coil 51b is formed.
[0047] On the outer peripheral surface of the stator core 51a, a plurality of core cuts 55 are formed. The core cuts 55 are grooves formed in the vertical direction from the upper end surface to the lower end surface of the stator core 51a.
[0048] The rotor 52 is a cylindrical member disposed inside the stator core 51a. The rotor 52 has a ventilation hole 52b penetrating in the vertical direction. An air gap 54 is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the stator core 51a and the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 52.
[0049] The rotor 52 is connected to the crankshaft 17. The rotor 52 is connected to the compression mechanism 15 via the crankshaft 17. The rotor 52 rotates the crankshaft 17 around the rotation axis 52a. The rotation axis 52a passes through the central axis of the rotor 52.
[0050] The motor 16 functions as a power source for compressing the gaseous refrigerant in the compression chamber 40 by rotating the movable scroll 26 via the rotation of the crankshaft 17.
[0051] (2-5) Lower bearing 60 The lower bearing 60 is located below the motor 16. The outer surface of the lower bearing 60 is joined to the inner surface of the casing 10. The lower bearing 60 supports the crankshaft 17.
[0052] (2-6) Crankshaft 17 The crankshaft 17 is positioned so that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the vertical direction. The crankshaft 17 has a shape in which the axis of the upper end of the crankshaft 17 is slightly eccentric with respect to the axis of the part excluding the upper end.
[0053] The crankshaft 17 is connected to the rotor 52 by passing vertically through the rotor 52 along the rotation axis 52a of the rotor 52. The crankshaft 17 is connected to the movable scroll 26 by fitting its upper end into the upper end bearing 26c. The crankshaft 17 is supported by an upper bearing 32 and a lower bearing 60.
[0054] The crankshaft 17 has a main oil supply passage 61 extending vertically inside. The upper end of the main oil supply passage 61 communicates with an oil chamber 64 formed by the upper end surface of the crankshaft 17 and the lower surface of the movable end plate 26a. The oil chamber 64 communicates with the compression chamber 40 through oil supply holes 63 formed in the movable end plate 26a. The lower end of the main oil supply passage 61 communicates with the oil reservoir 10a of the high-pressure space S1.
[0055] The crankshaft 17 has a first auxiliary oil supply passage 62a, a second auxiliary oil supply passage 62b, and a third auxiliary oil supply passage 62c. The first auxiliary oil supply passage 62a, the second auxiliary oil supply passage 62b, and the third auxiliary oil supply passage 62c branch off from the main oil supply passage 61 and extend horizontally. The first auxiliary oil supply passage 62a opens to the sliding surface between the crankshaft 17 and the upper end bearing 26c of the movable scroll 26. The second auxiliary oil supply passage 62b opens to the sliding surface between the crankshaft 17 and the upper bearing 32 of the housing 23. The third auxiliary oil supply passage 62c opens to the sliding surface between the crankshaft 17 and the lower bearing 60.
[0056] (2-7) Gas guide 81 The gas guide 81 is placed in the high-pressure space S1. The gas guide 81 is a component formed from a metal plate. The gas guide 81 is fixed to the body casing portion 11 of the casing 10 by spot welding or the like. The gas guide 81 guides the compressed refrigerant discharged from the compression mechanism 15.
[0057] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the gas guide 81. Figure 4 is a top view of the gas guide 81 as seen from the direction of arrow X1 in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a bottom view of the gas guide 81 as seen from the direction of arrow X2 in Figure 3. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the gas guide 81 as seen from the direction of arrow X3 in Figure 4. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the gas guide 81 as seen from the direction of arrow X4 in Figure 4. Figures 4, 5, and 7 show the body casing portion 11 to which the gas guide 81 is fixed. Figures 3-7 show the axial direction of the casing 10 (hereinafter referred to as "axial direction V1"), the circumferential direction of the casing 10 (hereinafter referred to as "circumferential direction V2"), and the radial direction of the casing 10 (hereinafter referred to as "radial direction V3"). The axial direction V1 is the upward direction in the vertical direction. The circumferential direction V2 and radial direction V3 are directions in the horizontal plane.
[0058] The gas guide 81, together with the body casing portion 11 of the casing 10, forms a first flow path 82a, a second flow path 82b, and a separation space 82c. The first flow path 82a, the second flow path 82b, and the separation space 82c are spaces between the inner surface 81a of the gas guide 81 and the inner circumferential surface 11a of the body casing portion 11. The inner surface 81a of the gas guide 81 is the surface on the side of the body casing portion 11, and is the surface of the portion that is recessed in the direction away from the body casing portion 11. The joint surface 81b around the inner surface 81a of the gas guide 81 comes into close contact with the inner circumferential surface 11a of the body casing portion 11, thereby forming the first flow path 82a, the second flow path 82b, and the separation space 82c. Except in Figure 8, the joint surface 81b is shown as a hatched area. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, when viewed from the vertical direction, the joint surface 81b of the gas guide 81 and the inner circumferential surface 11a of the body casing portion 11 are aligned with the circumferential direction V2.
[0059] The first flow path 82a is a space for guiding the compressed refrigerant discharged from the compression mechanism 15 from the inlet 83a to the first outlet 83b. The inlet 83a is formed at the upper end of the axial direction V1 of the gas guide 81, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The inlet 83a is located vertically below the lower end of the second refrigerant flow path 48 of the housing 23. The circumferential dimension V2 of the inlet 83a is longer than the radial dimension V3 of the inlet 83a. The first outlet 83b is formed at the circumferential end V2 of the gas guide 81, as shown in Figures 3 and 7. The compressed refrigerant, compressed by the compression mechanism 15 and having passed through the second refrigerant flow path 48, flows from the inlet 83a into the first flow path 82a. The compressed refrigerant flows through the first flow path 82a and exits from the first outlet 83b into the high-pressure space S1.
[0060] The second flow path 82b is a space for guiding a portion of the compressed refrigerant flowing through the first flow path 82a to the second outlet 83c, which is vertically downward. The second flow path 82b branches off from the first flow path 82a. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in the axial direction V1, the second outlet 83c is located below the inlet 83a. The second outlet 83c is formed at the lower end of the gas guide 81 in the axial direction V1, as shown in Figures 3 and 5. The circumferential V2 and radial V3 dimensions of the second flow path 82b are approximately constant in the axial direction V1. The circumferential V2 dimension of the second outlet 83c is shorter than the circumferential V2 dimension of the inlet 83a. The radial V3 dimension of the second outlet 83c is shorter than the radial V3 dimension of the inlet 83a. The second outlet 83c is located vertically above the upper end of the core cut 55.
[0061] The first flow path 82a consists of a vertical flow path 82a1 and a horizontal flow path 82a2. The vertical flow path 82a1 extends vertically (axial direction V1) from the inlet 83a to the second flow path 82b. The horizontal flow path 82a2 extends horizontally and circumferentially (circumferentially) from the side of the vertical flow path 82a1 to the first outlet 83b. The gas guide 81 has a curved portion 81c such that the circumferential V2 and radial V3 dimensions of the vertical flow path 82a1 gradually decrease from top to bottom.
[0062] The separation space 82c communicates with the first channel 82a. Figure 8 is a perspective view similar to Figure 6, illustrating the location of the separation space 82c. In Figure 8, the separation space 82c is shown as a region hatched with a solid line, and the horizontal channel 82a2 is shown as a region hatched with a dashed line. The separation space 82c is located below the first outlet 83b in the axial direction V1. The separation space 82c is located below the horizontal channel 82a2. The separation space 82c communicates with the horizontal channel 82a2 in the axial direction V1. At its circumferential end V2, the separation space 82c communicates with the lower part of the vertical channel 82a1. At its circumferential end V2, the separation space 82c communicates with the upper end of the second channel 82b.
[0063] The separation space 82c is located in the circumferential direction V2 between the first outlet 83b and the second outlet 83c. The separation space 82c extends in the circumferential direction V2 from the side of the vertical flow path 82a1 to the side of the first outlet 83b. The end of the separation space 82c on the side of the first outlet 83b is located in the circumferential direction V2 between the vertical flow path 82a1 and the first outlet 83b. In other words, the separation space 82c does not extend to the same position as the first outlet 83b in the circumferential direction V2. Therefore, the end of the separation space 82c on the side of the first outlet 83b in the circumferential direction V2 forms the first surface 81d. The first surface 81d is part of the gas guide 81. The first surface 81d is located in the separation space 82c. The first surface 81d corresponds to the side surface of the separation space 82c.
[0064] In the axial direction V1, the lower end of the separation space 82c forms a second surface 81e. The second surface 81e is part of the gas guide 81. The second surface 81e is located in the separation space 82c. The second surface 81e corresponds to the bottom surface of the separation space 82c. The height of the second surface 81e is constant in the circumferential direction V2. In other words, the second surface 81e is not inclined in the circumferential direction V2. The second surface 81e may be inclined in the radial direction V3. In Figures 3, 6, and 7, the second surface 81e is inclined downward along the radial direction V3 as it approaches the inner circumferential surface 11a of the body casing portion 11.
[0065] (2-8) Intake pipe 19 The intake pipe 19 is a pipe for introducing refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit to the compression mechanism 15 from outside the casing 10. The intake pipe 19 is airtightly fitted into the upper wall portion 12 of the casing 10. The intake pipe 19 penetrates vertically through the low-pressure space S2. The end of the intake pipe 19 inside the casing 10 is fitted into the intake port of the fixed scroll 24.
[0066] (2-9) Discharge pipe 20 The discharge pipe 20 is a pipe for discharging compressed refrigerant from the high-pressure space S1 to the outside of the casing 10. The discharge pipe 20 is airtightly fitted into the body casing portion 11 of the casing 10. The discharge pipe 20 penetrates the high-pressure space S1 in the horizontal direction. The opening 20a of the discharge pipe 20 inside the casing 10 is located in the vicinity of the housing 23 in the vertical direction.
[0067] (3) Operation of the scroll compressor 101 (3-1) When the refrigerant flow motor 16 is started and the rotor 52 rotates around the rotation axis 52a, the crankshaft 17 connected to the rotor 52 rotates axially. The rotational motion of the crankshaft 17 is transmitted to the movable scroll 26 via the upper end bearing 26c. The axis of the upper end of the crankshaft 17 is eccentric with respect to the axis of the rotational motion of the crankshaft 17. The movable scroll 26 is prevented from rotating on its own by the Oldham coupling 39. Therefore, the movable scroll 26 revolves around the fixed scroll 24 without rotating on its own.
[0068] Low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant is supplied from the suction pipe 19 through the main suction port to the compression chamber 40 of the compression mechanism 15. Due to the orbital motion of the movable scroll 26, the compression chamber 40 moves from the outer periphery to the center of the fixed scroll 24, gradually decreasing in volume. As a result, the refrigerant in the compression chamber 40 is compressed into compressed refrigerant. The compressed refrigerant is discharged from the discharge port 41 into the enlarged recess 42, and then flows into the inlet 83a of the gas guide 81 via the first refrigerant flow path 46 and the second refrigerant flow path 48.
[0069] The compressed refrigerant flowing into the inlet 83a of the gas guide 81 passes through the first flow path 82a and the second flow path 82b and is sent to the high-pressure space S1. The first flow path 82a guides the compressed refrigerant so that the compressed refrigerant flowing out from the first outlet 83b flows in the circumferential direction V2. The compressed refrigerant that has passed through the first flow path 82a flows along the circumferential direction of the casing 10 in the high-pressure space S1 above the motor 16 and gradually flows downward. The compressed refrigerant that has passed through the first flow path 82a descends through a part of the core cut 55 and the air gap 54 of the motor 16 and reaches the high-pressure space S1 below the motor 16. The compressed refrigerant that has passed through the second flow path 82b descends through the core cut 55 located below the second flow path 82b and reaches the high-pressure space S1 below the motor 16.
[0070] The compressed refrigerant that reaches the high-pressure space S1 below the motor 16 reverses its flow direction and rises through some of the core cuts 55, the air vents 52b of the rotor 52, and the air gap 54 of the motor 16. Subsequently, the compressed refrigerant reaches the high-pressure space S1 above the motor 16 and is discharged from the discharge pipe 20 to the outside of the scroll compressor 101.
[0071] (3-2) Flow of lubricating oil While the refrigerant is being compressed in the compression chamber 40 of the compression mechanism 15, the lubricating oil in the oil reservoir 10a is supplied to the main oil supply passage 61 by the differential pressure between the high-pressure space S1 and the compression chamber 40. The lubricating oil supplied to the main oil supply passage 61 rises within the main oil supply passage 61 toward the oil chamber 64.
[0072] The lubricating oil rising in the main oil supply passage 61 is divided into the third secondary oil supply passage 62c, the second secondary oil supply passage 62b, and the first secondary oil supply passage 62a, in order. The lubricating oil flowing through the third secondary oil supply passage 62c lubricates the sliding surface between the crankshaft 17 and the lower bearing 60, and is then supplied to the high-pressure space S1 and returned to the oil reservoir 10a. The lubricating oil flowing through the second secondary oil supply passage 62b lubricates the sliding surface between the crankshaft 17 and the upper bearing 32 of the housing 23, and is then supplied to the high-pressure space S1 and the crank chamber 23a. The lubricating oil supplied to the high-pressure space S1 is returned to the oil reservoir 10a. The lubricating oil flowing through the first secondary oil supply passage 62a lubricates the sliding surface between the crankshaft 17 and the upper end bearing 26c of the movable scroll 26, and is then supplied to the crank chamber 23a. The lubricating oil supplied to the crank chamber 23a is supplied to the high-pressure space S1 via the oil discharge passage 23b of the housing 23 and returned to the oil reservoir 10a. The lubricating oil that reaches the oil chamber 64 flows through the oil supply holes 63 and is supplied to the compression chamber 40.
[0073] The compressed refrigerant that has passed through the first channel 82a flows along the circumferential direction of the casing 10 and gradually flows downwards. As a result, tiny oil droplets of lubricating oil contained in the compressed refrigerant that has passed through the first channel 82a are blown towards the casing 10 by centrifugal force. The oil droplets blown away by centrifugal force adhere to the inner circumferential surface of the casing 10 and fall back to the oil reservoir 10a by their own weight. In other words, the gas guide 81 removes lubricating oil from the compressed refrigerant by allowing a portion of the compressed refrigerant to flow along the circumferential direction of the casing 10.
[0074] A portion of the lubricating oil contained in the compressed refrigerant that flows into the first flow path 82a falls down the vertical flow path 82a1 by its own weight and flows into the second flow path 82b, and then flows out from the second outlet 83c. The lubricating oil that flows out from the second outlet 83c falls down the core cut 55 by its own weight and is returned to the oil reservoir 10a.
[0075] (4) Flow of the refrigerant guided by the gas guide 81 In diagram 9, the flow of the compressed refrigerant guided by the gas guide 81 is shown by a solid arrow. The compressed refrigerant that flows into the first flow path 82a from the inlet 83a of the gas guide 81 flows along the axial direction V1 in the vertical flow path 82a1 (arrow F1 in Figure 9). As the compressed refrigerant flows along the curved portion 81c of the gas guide 81 in the vertical flow path 82a1, the direction of the compressed refrigerant flow is changed. As a result, most of the compressed refrigerant begins to flow toward the first outlet 83b in the circumferential direction V2 (arrows F2, F4 in Figure 9). The compressed refrigerant flowing in the direction indicated by arrow F2 flows through the separation space 82c and collides with the first surface 81d. The first surface 81d is a surface that opposes a portion of the flow of compressed refrigerant guided to the first outlet 83b.
[0076] When the compressed refrigerant collides with the first surface 81d, tiny oil droplets of lubricating oil contained in the compressed refrigerant adhere to the first surface 81d. When the oil droplets of lubricating oil adhering to the first surface 81d reach a certain size, they fall down the first surface 81d due to their own weight. As a result, the lubricating oil separated from the compressed refrigerant is stored in the separation space 82c. The lubricating oil stored in the separation space 82c flows into the second flow path 82b and flows out from the second outlet 83c. The lubricating oil that flows out from the second outlet 83c falls down the core cut 55 due to its own weight and returns to the oil storage section 10a. In Figure 9, the flow of lubricating oil stored in the separation space 82c is shown by the dotted arrow G. The compressed refrigerant that collides with the first surface 81d flows into the horizontal flow path 82a2 and flows out from the first outlet 83b (arrow F3 in Figure 9). In this way, the first surface 81d separates the compressed refrigerant and the lubricating oil.
[0077] In the vertical flow path 82a1, a portion of the compressed refrigerant flowing along the axial direction V1 has its flow direction changed along the curved section 81c and flows into the horizontal flow path 82a2, and then flows out from the first outlet 83b (arrow F4 in Figure 9).
[0078] In the vertical flow path 82a1, a portion of the compressed refrigerant flowing along the axial direction V1 continues to flow along the axial direction V1 into the second flow path 82b and flows out from the second outlet 83c (arrow F5 in Figure 9).
[0079] (5) Features (5-1) The scroll compressor 101 is equipped with a gas guide 81 having a first surface 81d. The compressed refrigerant discharged from the compression mechanism 15 is guided by the gas guide 81. The compressed refrigerant guided by the gas guide 81 collides with the first surface 81d in the separation space 82c, thereby separating the lubricating oil contained in the compressed refrigerant.
[0080] Figure 10 shows a conventional gas guide 981 as a reference diagram. The gas guide 981 has a first flow path 982a corresponding to the first flow path 82a of the embodiment, and a second flow path 982b corresponding to the second flow path 82b of the embodiment. The first flow path 982a is composed of a vertical flow path 982a1 corresponding to the vertical flow path 82a1 of the embodiment, and a horizontal flow path 982a2 corresponding to the horizontal flow path 82a2 of the embodiment. The gas guide 981 does not have components corresponding to the separation space 82c and the first surface 81d of the embodiment.
[0081] In a conventional gas guide 981, as shown by arrow F91 in Figure 10, most of the compressed refrigerant flowing through the vertical channel 982a1 has its flow direction changed by the curved portion 981c, which corresponds to the curved portion 81c in the embodiment, and begins to flow toward the first outlet 983b, which corresponds to the first outlet 83b in the embodiment. The compressed refrigerant with the flow indicated by arrow F91 flows into the horizontal channel 982a2 and collides with the bottom surface 982e of the horizontal channel 982a2. The bottom surface 982e is the surface of the gas guide 981 and is the surface that constitutes the bottom of the horizontal channel 982a2. The lubricating oil separated upon collision with the bottom surface 982e adheres to the bottom surface 982e. The lubricating oil adhering to the bottom surface 982e may be scattered by the compressed refrigerant with the flow indicated by arrow F91, leaving the bottom surface 982e and potentially flowing out from the first outlet 983b. The tiny oil droplets of lubricating oil that leak out from the first outlet 983a are separated by centrifugal force in the high-pressure space S1 as they are blown toward the casing 10. However, if a large amount of lubricating oil leaks out from the first outlet 983b, there is a risk that oil leakage, which is lubricating oil leaking out of the scroll compressor 101 along with the compressed refrigerant, will increase.
[0082] In the scroll compressor 101 of this embodiment, most of the compressed refrigerant guided by the gas guide 81 collides with the first surface 81d in the separation space 82c. The compressed refrigerant that collides with the first surface 81d flows out from the first outlet 83b. The lubricating oil separated from the compressed refrigerant after colliding with the first surface 81d adheres to the first surface 81d and falls down. As a result, the separated lubricating oil is stored in the separation space 82c. The first surface 81d and the separation space 82c are located below the first outlet 83b. Therefore, the lubricating oil adhering to the first surface 81d and the lubricating oil stored in the separation space 82c are prevented from being scattered by the compressed refrigerant colliding with the first surface 81d and flowing out from the first outlet 83b. In other words, the lubricating oil separated from the compressed refrigerant in the separation space 82c is prevented from being swept up by the flow of compressed refrigerant and flowing out from the first outlet 83b together with the compressed refrigerant. Therefore, the scroll compressor 101 has the effect of reducing oil leakage.
[0083] (5-2) In the scroll compressor 101, the compressed refrigerant that flows through the first flow path 82a and exits the first outlet 83b into the high-pressure space S1 flows along the circumferential direction of the casing 10. As a result, tiny oil droplets of lubricating oil contained in the compressed refrigerant that exits the first outlet 83b are blown towards the casing 10 by centrifugal force. In this way, the gas guide 81 guides the compressed refrigerant so that the lubricating oil is centrifuged in the high-pressure space S1, thereby suppressing the discharge of lubricating oil from the discharge pipe 20 to the outside of the scroll compressor 101 together with the compressed refrigerant. Therefore, the scroll compressor 101 has the effect of reducing oil leakage.
[0084] (5-3) In the scroll compressor 101, the lubricating oil separated from the compressed refrigerant by colliding with the first surface 81d of the gas guide 81 is stored in the separation space 82c and discharged downward from the second outlet 83c. As a result, the lubricating oil that has been separated from the compressed refrigerant and adhered to the first surface 81d is prevented from being scattered by the compressed refrigerant colliding with the first surface 81d and flowing out from the first outlet 83b. Therefore, the scroll compressor 101 has the effect of reducing oil leakage.
[0085] —Second Embodiment— The basic configuration and operation of the scroll compressor 101 of the second embodiment are the same as those of the scroll compressor 101 of the first embodiment. The main difference between the scroll compressor 101 of the second embodiment and the scroll compressor 101 of the first embodiment is the shape of the gas guide.
[0086] (1) Shape of the gas guide 181 In the first embodiment, the second surface 81e of the gas guide 81 is not inclined in the circumferential direction V2. In the second embodiment, the second surface 181e of the gas guide 181 is inclined in the circumferential direction V2. As shown in Figure 11, the second surface 181e is inclined downward in the circumferential direction V2 from the first surface 81d toward the second flow path 82b. In other words, the axial dimension V1 of the separation space 182c of the gas guide 181 gradually increases in the circumferential direction V2 from the first surface 81d toward the second flow path 82b.
[0087] (2) Features In the scroll compressor 101 of the second embodiment, the lubricating oil stored in the separation space 182c of the gas guide 181 is discharged downward from the second outlet 83c. Since the second surface 181e is inclined downward from the first surface 81d toward the second flow path 82b, the lubricating oil stored in the separation space 182c flows easily along the second surface 181e toward the second flow path 82b. Therefore, the lubricating oil stored in the separation space 182c is easily discharged downward from the second outlet 83c. Accordingly, the scroll compressor 101 has the effect of reducing oil leakage.
[0088] —Third Embodiment— The basic configuration and operation of the scroll compressor 101 of the third embodiment are the same as those of the scroll compressor 101 of the first embodiment. The main difference between the scroll compressor 101 of the third embodiment and the scroll compressor 101 of the first embodiment is the shape of the gas guide.
[0089] (1) Shape of the gas guide 281 The separation space 82c of the gas guide 81 in the first embodiment communicates with the second flow path 82b. The separation space 282c of the gas guide 281 in the third embodiment does not communicate with the second flow path 82b. As shown in Figure 12, the separation space 282c has a first surface 81d, a second surface 281e, and a third surface 281f. The first surface 81d corresponds to the side surface of the separation space 282c on the side of the first outlet 83b in the circumferential direction V2. The second surface 281e corresponds to the bottom surface of the separation space 282c. The third surface 281f corresponds to the side surface of the separation space 282c on the side of the second flow path 82b in the circumferential direction V2. The separation space 282c occupies the range from the first surface 81d to the third surface 281f in the circumferential direction V2. The second surface 281e is not inclined in the circumferential direction V2.
[0090] The gas guide 281, together with the body casing portion 11 of the casing 10, further forms a third flow path 282d. The third flow path 282d is the space between the inner surface 281a of the gas guide 281 and the inner circumferential surface 11a of the body casing portion 11.
[0091] The third channel 282d extends in the axial direction V1. The third channel 282d communicates with the separation space 282c in the axial direction V1. The third channel 282d is located below the separation space 282c. An inlet 283d for the third channel 282d is formed on the second surface 281e of the separation space 282c. The third channel 282d has a third outlet 283e. The third outlet 283e is formed at the lower end of the gas guide 281 in the axial direction V1. The third channel 282d communicates with the high-pressure space S1 below the separation space 282c via the third outlet 283e. Therefore, the separation space 282c communicates with the high-pressure space S1 below the gas guide 281 via the third channel 282d.
[0092] (2) Features In the scroll compressor 101 of the third embodiment, the lubricating oil stored in the separation space 282c of the gas guide 281 flows into the third flow path 282d from the inlet 283d of the second surface 281e. As a result, the lubricating oil stored in the separation space 282c flows through the third flow path 282d and is discharged into the high-pressure space S1 below the gas guide 281. Consequently, the scroll compressor 101 has the effect of reducing oil leakage.
[0093] —Modifications— (1) Modification A In the first to third embodiments, the gas guides 81, 181, 281 together with the body casing portion 11 form a first flow path 82a, a second flow path 82b, and separation spaces 82c, 182c, 282c. In other words, the first flow path 82a, the second flow path 82b, and separation spaces 82c, 182c, 282c are the spaces between the inner surfaces of the gas guides 81, 181, 281 and the inner circumferential surface 11a of the body casing portion 11.
[0094] However, the gas guides 81, 181, and 281 may also be members that independently form the first flow path 82a, the second flow path 82b, and the separation spaces 82c, 182c, and 282c.
[0095] In the third embodiment, the gas guide 281, together with the body casing portion 11, forms a third flow path 282d. In other words, the third flow path 282d is the space between the inner surface of the gas guide 281 and the inner circumferential surface 11a of the body casing portion 11.
[0096] However, the gas guide 281 may be a component that forms the third flow path 282d on its own.
[0097] (2) Modification B In the first to third embodiments, the first surface 81d may be located on the side of the body casing portion 11 rather than the curved portion 81c in the radial direction V3.
[0098] In the first to third embodiments, the first surface 81d may be parallel to a surface perpendicular to the circumferential direction V2.
[0099] (3) Modification C Modifications C to G from here on can be applied to the gas guide 81 of the first embodiment, the gas guide 181 of the second embodiment, and the gas guide 281 of the third embodiment. Modifications C to G will be described below based on the gas guide 81 of the first embodiment. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the gas guide 81 similar to Figure 3, and is a diagram for explaining the shape of the gas guide 81 of Modifications C to F.
[0100] The distance L1 from the first surface 81d to the second flow path 82b in the circumferential direction V2 is preferably longer than the dimension L2 of the first surface 81d in the axial direction V1. The longer the distance L1, the more likely the compressed refrigerant is to collide with the first surface 81d and the second surface 81e of the separation space 82c, making it easier for the lubricating oil to separate from the compressed refrigerant.
[0101] (4) Modification D The first surface 81d may be inclined along the circumferential direction V2. In this case, the inclination angle of the first surface 81d with respect to the axial direction V1 is preferably 30° or less. If the inclination angle is too large, the lubricating oil adhering to the first surface 81d may be scattered by the compressed refrigerant and flow out from the first outlet 83b, or the lubricating oil separated from the compressed refrigerant may accumulate in the separation space 82c and become difficult to discharge downward.
[0102] (5) Modification E The dimension L2 of the first surface 81d in the axial direction V1 is preferably 5 mm or more. If the dimension L2 is too short, the amount of compressed refrigerant flowing out from the first outlet 83b without colliding with the first surface 81d may increase, or the amount of lubricating oil adhering to and separating from the first surface 81d may decrease.
[0103] (6) Modified form F The dimension L2 of the first surface 81d in the axial direction V1 is preferably 50% or more of the dimension L3 of the first outlet 83b in the axial direction V1. If the dimension L2 is too short, the amount of compressed refrigerant flowing out from the first outlet 83b without colliding with the first surface 81d may increase, or the amount of lubricating oil adhering to and separating from the first surface 81d may decrease.
[0104] (7) Modified form G The gas guide 81 may have a plurality of first surfaces 81d. For example, the gas guide 81 may have a configuration in which a plurality of first surfaces 81d are formed in a stepped manner in the circumferential direction V2.
[0105] (8) Modification H The gas guide 281 of the third embodiment forms a third flow path 282d that connects the separation space 282c and the high-pressure space S1. The third flow path 282d extends in the axial direction V1. However, the gas guide 281 may form other flow paths that connect the separation space 282c and the high-pressure space S1. For example, the gas guide 281 may have a through hole formed in the second surface 281e of the separation space 282c. This through hole connects the separation space 282c and the high-pressure space S1 outside the gas guide 281. Similar to the third flow path 282d, this through hole discharges the lubricating oil stored in the separation space 282c into the high-pressure space S1.
[0106] (9) Modification I The gas guide 81 of the first embodiment and the gas guide 181 of the second embodiment may further form a flow path corresponding to the third flow path 282d of the third embodiment. This flow path connects the separation spaces 82c, 182c and the high-pressure space S1 and extends in the axial direction V1. This flow path may also be a through hole formed in the second surfaces 81e, 181e, similar to Modification H.
[0107] (10) Modification J The separation space 282c of the gas guide 281 in the third embodiment may communicate with the second flow path 82b, similar to the separation space 82c in the first embodiment and the separation space 182c in the second embodiment. For example, as shown in Figure 14, the gas guide 281 may further form a fourth flow path 282e that connects the separation space 282c and the second flow path 82b together with the body casing portion 11 of the casing 10. The fourth flow path 282e is the space between the inner surface 281a of the gas guide 281 and the inner circumferential surface 11a of the body casing portion 11.
[0108] In Figure 14, the fourth channel 282e extends in the circumferential direction V2. An opening for the fourth channel 282e is formed on the third surface 281f of the separation space 282c. An opening for the fourth channel 282e is formed on the side surface of the second channel 82b. Preferably, the lower end of the fourth channel 282e is at the same height as the second surface 281e of the separation space 282c.
[0109] A portion of the lubricating oil stored in the separation space 282c of the gas guide 281 flows into the fourth passage 282e. As a result, a portion of the lubricating oil stored in the separation space 282c flows through the fourth passage 282e into the second passage 82b and is discharged from the second outlet 83c into the high-pressure space S1 below the gas guide 281. Consequently, the scroll compressor 101 has the effect of reducing oil leakage.
[0110] Similar to the second surface 181e of the first embodiment, the second surface 281e may be inclined downward in the circumferential direction V2 from the first surface 81d toward the second flow path 82b. Also, the fourth flow path 282e may be inclined downward in the circumferential direction V2 from the first surface 81d toward the second flow path 82b.
[0111] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that various modifications to the form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as described in the claims.
[0112] 1: Refrigeration device 10: Casing 15: Compression mechanism 81: Gas guide 81d: First surface 82a: First flow path 82b: Second flow path 82c: Separation space (second space) 83b: First outlet 83c: Second outlet 101: Scroll compressor (compressor) 181: Gas guide 181e: Second surface 182c: Separation space (second space) 281: Gas guide 282d: Third flow path S1: High-pressure space (first space)
[0113] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-286949
Claims
1. A compressor (101) comprising: a casing (10); a compression mechanism (15) housed within the casing and discharging gas into a first space (S1) inside the casing; and gas guides (81, 181, 281) positioned in the first space and guiding the gas discharged from the compression mechanism, wherein the gas guides form: a first flow path (82a) that guides the gas discharged from the compression mechanism to a first outlet (83b); a second flow path (82b) that guides a portion of the gas flowing through the first flow path to a second outlet (83c) that is vertically downward; and a second space (82c, 182c) that communicates with the first flow path and is located below the first outlet, wherein the gas guides have a first surface (81d) that resists a portion of the gas flow guided to the first outlet, and the first surface is located in the second space.
2. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the first flow path guides the gas flowing out from the first outlet so as to flow in the circumferential direction of the casing, the second space is located between the first outlet and the second outlet in the circumferential direction of the casing, the second space is located below the first flow path in the axial direction of the casing and communicates with the first flow path in the axial direction of the casing.
3. The compressor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second space is in communication with the second flow path.
4. The compressor according to claim 3, wherein the gas guide further has a second surface (181e) that is inclined downward from the first surface toward the second flow path in the circumferential direction of the casing, and the second surface is located in the second space.
5. The compressor according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the second space is in communication with the first space.
6. The compressor according to claim 5, wherein the gas guide further forms a third flow path, the third flow path communicates with the second space and communicates with the first space below the second space.
7. The compressor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second space does not communicate with the second flow path, but communicates with the first space.
8. The compressor according to claim 7, wherein the gas guide further forms a third flow path (282d), the third flow path communicates with the second space and communicates with the first space below the second space.
9. The compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the distance from the first surface to the second flow path in the circumferential direction of the casing is longer than the dimension of the first surface in the axial direction of the casing.
10. The compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the angle of the first surface of the casing with respect to the axial direction is 30° or less.
11. The compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the dimension of the first surface of the casing in the axial direction is 5 mm or more.
12. The compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the dimension of the first surface of the casing in the axial direction is 50% or more of the dimension of the first outlet in the axial direction of the casing.
13. The compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the gas guide has a plurality of the first surfaces.
14. A refrigeration apparatus (1) comprising a compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 13.