The present invention relates to a scroll compressor utilized in refrigerant compressors for air conditioning and freezers, or compressors for compressing gas such as air.
A screw compressor of the related art is described for example in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-163655 (Patent Literature 1). This technology of the related art includes: “a non-orbiting scroll member, an orbiting scroll member forming a suction chamber or a compression chamber by orbital motion engaging with the non-orbiting scroll member, a back pressure chamber to apply a pressing force against the non-orbiting scroll member to the scroll member, a back pressure chamber fluid inflow means to flow a fluid into the back pressure chamber to maintain the back pressure serving as the compression chamber pressure, and a back pressure chamber fluid outflow means to flow the inflow fluid into the suction chamber or back pressure chamber. The back pressure fluid outflow means includes in a series arrangement: a back pressure control valve to control the upstream and downstream pressure differential, and a throttle flow path, and an intermittent flow path intermittently connecting by way of the orbital motion of the orbiting scroll member along the back pressure chamber fluid outflow path connecting the back pressure chamber and suction chamber or compression chamber.
In the scroll compressor, a gas and oil compression effect acts on the orbital edge plate side surface of the back pressure chamber, along with the orbital motion of the orbiting scroll member. In the method disclosed in the patent literature 1, an orbital outer circumferential groove was formed to avoid gas and oil compression. This method alleviated pressure fluctuations on the orbital edge plate side surface of the back pressure chamber, however the pressure fluctuations were not completely eliminated and caused fluctuations in pressure in the back pressure valve inflow hole. Pressure on the orbital edge plate side surface reaches a maximum when the orbital edge plate is closest to the outer circumference; and the pressure reaches a minimum when the orbital edge plate is farthest away from the outer circumference. Orbital edge plate side surface pressure fluctuations acting directly on the back pressure valve plate, promote abnormal vibrations in the back pressure valve and increase the fluid volume flowing into the back pressure valve; so that the back pressure drops below the specified pressure, and therefore a correct orbital scroll pushup force cannot be achieved, causing problems such as drop in efficiency. In the method disclosed in patent literature 1, the orbital edge plate serves as an intermittent structure to block the back pressure valve inflow hole when the pressure on the orbital edge plate side surface is highest so that the pressure fluctuation width at the back pressure valve inflow hole dropped to a small level relative to the pressure fluctuation width at the orbital edge plate side surface. However, the back pressure valve inflow hole is fully open when the pressure on the orbital edge plate side surface is lowest, and the pressure on the orbital edge plate side surface acts directly on the back pressure valve plate causing the concern that problems from the above described drop in back pressure may occur under conditions where pressure fluctuations become large during high speed rotation.
In scroll compressors containing a back pressure control means that opens and closes by way of a pressure differential an object of the present invention is to provide a highly efficient and highly reliable compressor capable of maintaining the back pressure at a proper stable level even under operating conditions where pressure fluctuations of the orbital edge plate side surface become large.
In order to achieve the above described objects, the scroll compressor of the present invention includes a crankshaft to mutually engage a stationary scroll having a whirlpool shape on the base plate and an orbiting scroll, and drive the orbiting scroll; a suction chamber and a compression chamber formed between the orbiting scroll and stationary scroll by the orbital motion of the orbiting scroll accompanying the rotation of the crankshaft; a back pressure chamber included in the back surface of the orbital scroll to apply a pressing force on the stationary scroll to the orbiting scroll by a pressure that is higher than the pressure in the suction chamber; a communication path in the stationary scroll for connecting the suction chamber or the compression chamber and the back pressure chamber; and a back pressure control means for opening and closing the communication path by way of the pressure differential along the communication path; and in which an inlet communication path that extends from the back pressure control means of the communication path to the back pressure chamber includes at least two or more path cross-sectional areas, and the cross-sectional area of the inlet communication path on the back pressure chamber side is formed larger than the cross-sectional area of an inlet communication path located on the back pressure control means side, and configured so that the opening surface area of the back pressure chamber side of the inlet communication path on the back pressure chamber side is always equal to or smaller than the cross-sectional area of the inlet communication path on the back pressure control means side, by the base plate of the orbiting scroll always blocking part of the back pressure chamber side opening of the inlet communication path on the back pressure chamber side.
Even in cases where using a structure to intermittently connect to a communication path by opening and closing the back pressure chamber side opening of the communication path by way of the base plate of the orbiting scroll, a structure can be configured where the opening surface area of the back pressure chamber side of the communication path is equal to or smaller than a cross-sectional area of the communication path of the back pressure control means side, even during the maximum opening.
Moreover, a groove extending to the outer circumferential side may be formed in a section of the back pressure chamber side opening of the inlet communication path on the back pressure chamber side, in which the groove is blocked by the base plate of the orbiting scroll so that the edge of the groove is opened to the back pressure chamber side; and the opening surface area of the groove is always equal to or smaller than the cross-sectional area of the inlet communication path on the back pressure control means side.
A groove or a hole connecting the back pressure chamber side opening of the back pressure chamber side inlet communication path with the back pressure chamber can be formed over the base plate of the orbiting scroll, so that the opening surface area of the groove or hole is equal to or smaller than the cross-sectional area of the inlet communication path on the back pressure control means side.
The scroll compressor of the present invention including a back pressure control means that opens and closes by differential pressure, is configured so that cross-sectional area of the communication path on the back pressure chamber side of the communication path connecting the suction chamber or the compression chamber and the back pressure chamber is larger than the cross-sectional area of the communication path of the back pressure control means, and also the opening surface area on the back pressure chamber side is always equal to or smaller than the cross-sectional area of the communication path on the back pressure control means side so that a pressure fluctuation transmittance suppression effect is obtained according to the enlargement or shrinkage of the path. Pressure fluctuations acting on the back pressure control means can therefore be suppressed even under operating conditions where pressure fluctuations on the orbital edge plate side surface have become large, and abnormal vibrations in the back pressure control means can be prevented so that the back pressure can be maintained at an appropriately stable level and a highly efficient and highly reliable scroll compressor can be achieved.
The embodiments of the present invention are described next in detail while referring to the accompanying drawings. Sections in the drawings having identical reference numeral indicate identical or equivalent sections.
The scroll compressor of the first embodiment is shown in
In order to maintain the sealing of the compression chamber 2, the intermediate pressure (hereafter called back pressure) between the dispensing pressure and suction pressure acts on the back space (hereafter called back pressure chamber 102) of the orbiting scroll 19 to press the orbiting scroll 19 against the stationary scroll 20. By utilizing the back pressure control means 106 installed in the stationary scroll 20 to generate and maintain a correct back pressure, energy loss caused by coolant leakage during compression operation can be reduced and satisfactory reliability for the push-sliding action of the orbiting scroll 19 can be ensured.
The structure of the back pressure control means 106 is described while referring to
The outlet side of the outlet communication path 201 is an opening to a suction groove 202 of the stationary scroll, and fulfills the task of connecting the back pressure control means 106 with the suction groove 202.
In the state shown in
The outer circumferential space 101 of the base plate of the orbiting scroll is connected to the back pressure chamber 102 of the base plate 100 of the orbiting scroll by way of the path 303. However fluctuations in the pressure differential applied by the gas compression effect that accompanies movement of the base plate 100 of the orbiting scroll relative to the back pressure Pb occur in the outer circumferential pressure P0. The pressure as shown in (a) in the figure reaches a maximum at the position where the base plate 100 of the orbiting scroll is closest to the outer circumference; and the pressure as shown in (b) in the figure reaches a minimum at the position where the base plate 100 of the orbiting scroll approaches the inner side (position farthest from outer circumference). When the fluctuation in outer circumferential pressure P0 is directly conveyed to the path 302 which is the bottom section of the valve body 109, the valve body 109 causes an abnormal vibration due to effects from the pressure fluctuation, so that the flow rate of gas and oil passing through the back pressure control means 106 increases, leading to a drop in the back pressure Pb. In the present embodiment, the path 301 forms an enlarged space between the constricted opening 300 and the constricted path 302 as described above, so that transmitta0 is suppressed, providing the effect of minimizing fluctuations in the pressure P2, and preventing problems from a drop in the back pressure Pb.
The pressing force from the orbiting scroll 19 on the stationary scroll 20 can in this way be correctly maintained and the supply of oil to the compression chamber can also be maintained at a correct level, so that coolant leakage losses during the compression operation can be prevented and the energy efficiency improved. Providing a correct back pressure also improves the reliability of the sliding action of the orbiting scroll 19. A scroll compressor capable of high energy efficiency and high reliability can therefore be provided.
The second embodiment of the scroll compressor of the present invention is described while referring to
This embodiment is configured so that the surface area S0 of the opening 300 is equivalent or smaller than the cross-sectional area S2 of the inlet communication path 302 on the back pressure control means side, the same as in the first embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the point that there is a time in which the inlet communication path 301 on the back pressure chamber side is temporarily fully closed by the base plate 100 of the orbiting scroll; and in the point that the path 301 intermittently connects to the outer circumferential space 101. By configuring the present embodiment so that the path 301 does not connect to the outer circumferential space 101 when the outer circumferential pressure P0 is high, a pressure P2 can be maintained with greater stability within the path 302 and problems from a drop in the back pressure Pb can be prevented.
The third embodiment of the scroll compressor of the present invention is described while referring to
In the present embodiment, a groove 104 extending from the inlet communication path 301 on the back pressure chamber side towards the outer circumference is formed over the base plate surface of the stationary scroll. A base plate 100 of the stationary scroll is positioned below this groove 104, and the outer circumferential edge of the groove 104 is configured to be on the outer side from the outer circumferential edge of the base plate 100 of the orbiting scroll. A structure was in this way configured that always connects the inlet communication path 301 on the back pressure chamber side with the outer circumferential space 101. The cross-sectional area S0 of the groove 104 is made identical to or smaller than the cross-sectional area S2 of the inlet communication path 302 on the back pressure control means side. The path 301 forms an enlarged space between the constricted groove 104 and the constricted path 302 so that the transmittance of fluctuations in the outer circumferential pressure P0 within the path 302 is suppressed, and an effect that reduces fluctuations in pressure P2 is obtained, and the problem of a drop in back pressure Pb is prevented.
Configuring a structure for the present invention according to the indicated dimensions is difficult in the above described first or second embodiments due to the size of the orbital radius. The third embodiment however can be easily configured by adjusting the length of the groove 104 and is not susceptible to effects from the orbital radius.
The fourth embodiment of the scroll compressor of the present invention is described while referring to
The point where the fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment is that the outer circumferential edge of the groove 104 is configured to temporarily function as the inner side from the outer circumferential edge of the base plate 100 of the orbiting scroll. Utilizing this type of configuration allows a structure that is capable of intermittently connecting the inlet communication path 301 on the back pressure chamber side and the outer circumferential space 101. Utilizing this embodiment, allows configuring a structure where the path 301 and outer circumferential space 101 are not connected when the outer circumferential pressure P0 is high, and maintains the pressure P2 with greater stability within the inlet communication path 302 on the back pressure control means side.
Configuring a structure for the present invention according to the indicated dimensions is difficult in the above described first or second embodiments due to the size of the orbital radius. The fourth embodiment however can be easily configured by adjusting the length of the groove 104 and is not susceptible to effects from the orbital radius.
The fifth embodiment of the scroll compressor of the present invention is described while referring to
In the present embodiment, a groove 103 extending to the outer circumferential edge is formed over the base plate surface of the orbiting scroll, and configured so that an inlet communication path 301 on the back pressure chamber side of the stationary scroll is positioned permanently on that applicable groove 103, and so that the path 301 and outer circumferential space 101 are constantly connected to each other. The cross-sectional area S0 of the groove 103 is configured to be identical to or smaller than the cross-sectional area S2 of the inlet communication path 302 on the back pressure control means side. The path 301 forms an enlarged space between the constricted groove 103 and the constricted path 302 so that the transmittance of fluctuations in the outer circumferential pressure P0 within the path 302 is suppressed, and an effect that reduces fluctuations in pressure P2 is obtained, and the problem of a drop in back pressure Pb is prevented.
Configuring a structure for the present invention according to the indicated dimensions is difficult in the above described first or second embodiments due to the size of the orbital radius. The fifth embodiment however can be easily configured by adjusting the length of the groove 103 and is not susceptible to effects from the orbital radius.
The sixth embodiment of the scroll compressor of the present invention is described referring to
The point where the sixth embodiment differs from the above described fifth embodiment is that an inlet communication path 301 on the back pressure chamber side of the stationary scroll is temporarily positioned on the groove 103, in a structure where the path 301 and the outer circumferential space 101 are intermittently connected. Utilizing this embodiment, allows configuring a structure where the path 301 and outer circumferential space 101 are not connected when the outer circumferential pressure P0 is high, and maintains the pressure P2 with greater stability within the inlet communication path 302 on the back pressure control means side.
Configuring a structure for the present invention according to the indicated dimensions is difficult in the above described first or second embodiment due to the size of the orbital radius. The sixth embodiment however can be easily configured by adjusting the length of the groove 103 and is not susceptible to effects from the orbital radius.
The seventh embodiment of the scroll compressor of the present invention is described next while referring to
In the present embodiment, a hole 105 is formed in the base plate surface of the orbiting scroll; and configured so that an inlet communication path 301 on the back pressure chamber side of the stationary scroll is positioned permanently on the hole 105, and so that the path 301 and outer circumferential space 101 are constantly connected to each other. The cross-sectional area S0 of the hole 105 is configured to be identical to or smaller than the cross-sectional area S2 of the inlet communication path 302 on the back pressure control means side. The path 301 forms an enlarged space between the constricted hole 105 and the constricted path 302 so that the transmittance of fluctuations in the outer circumferential pressure P0 within the path 302 is suppressed, and an effect that reduces fluctuations in pressure P2 is obtained, and the problem of a drop in back pressure Pb is prevented.
The eighth embodiment of the scroll compressor of the present invention is described next while referring to
The point where the present embodiment differs from the above seventh embodiment is that an inlet communication path 301 on the back pressure chamber side of the stationary scroll is positioned temporarily on the hole 105, and so that the path 301 and outer circumferential space 101 are intermittently connected to each other. By utilizing a structure where the path 301 and outer circumferential space 101 are not connected when the outer circumferential pressure P0 is high, the pressure P2 within the inlet communication path 302 on the back pressure control means side can be maintained with greater stability.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/JP2011/057824 | 3/29/2011 | WO | 00 | 9/6/2013 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2012/131904 | 10/4/2012 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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20070201997 | Hiwata et al. | Aug 2007 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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11-132164 | May 1999 | JP |
2005120939 | May 2005 | JP |
2005-163655 | Jun 2005 | JP |
2007321685 | Dec 2007 | JP |
2008-2311 | Jan 2008 | JP |
2008002419 | Jan 2008 | JP |
2009270433 | Nov 2009 | JP |
2010-53798 | Mar 2010 | JP |
2012-207606 | Oct 2012 | JP |
Entry |
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Corresponding International Search Report with English Translation dated Jun. 21, 2011 (five (5) pages). |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20140010693 A1 | Jan 2014 | US |