US20020015645A1 - Compressor - Google Patents
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- US20020015645A1 US20020015645A1 US09/904,681 US90468101A US2002015645A1 US 20020015645 A1 US20020015645 A1 US 20020015645A1 US 90468101 A US90468101 A US 90468101A US 2002015645 A1 US2002015645 A1 US 2002015645A1
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- Prior art keywords
- oil
- chamber
- seal
- rotary shaft
- compressor
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B27/00—Multi-cylinder pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids and characterised by number or arrangement of cylinders
- F04B27/08—Multi-cylinder pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids and characterised by number or arrangement of cylinders having cylinders coaxial with, or parallel or inclined to, main shaft axis
- F04B27/10—Multi-cylinder pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids and characterised by number or arrangement of cylinders having cylinders coaxial with, or parallel or inclined to, main shaft axis having stationary cylinders
- F04B27/1036—Component parts, details, e.g. sealings, lubrication
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B27/00—Multi-cylinder pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids and characterised by number or arrangement of cylinders
- F04B27/08—Multi-cylinder pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids and characterised by number or arrangement of cylinders having cylinders coaxial with, or parallel or inclined to, main shaft axis
- F04B27/10—Multi-cylinder pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids and characterised by number or arrangement of cylinders having cylinders coaxial with, or parallel or inclined to, main shaft axis having stationary cylinders
- F04B27/1036—Component parts, details, e.g. sealings, lubrication
- F04B27/109—Lubrication
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Compressors, Vaccum Pumps And Other Relevant Systems (AREA)
- Compressor (AREA)
Abstract
A compressor has a housing, which supports a rotary shaft, and a crank chamber. A swash plate is accommodated in the crank chamber. The compressor has an oil chamber located in the housing near a front end portion of the rotary shaft. The oil chamber has an inlet and an outlet. The outlet connects to the suction pressure zone. Either lubricant oil that is separated from refrigerant gas or refrigerant gas in the suction pressure zone flows into the oil chamber from the inlet and flows out from the outlet to the suction pressure zone. A seal mechanism seals the oil chamber. A seal seals between the oil chamber and the crank chamber. This permits an inclination angle of the swash plate to control accurately and smoothly while lubricating the seal mechanism optimally.
Description
- The present invention relates to compressors provided with a seal mechanism that prevents refrigerant gas from leaking from a housing to the exterior of the housing along a rotary shaft.
- FIG. 7 shows a prior art variable displacement compressor, which is described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-241681. The compressor includes a housing that has a
front housing member 71, acylinder block 72, and arear housing member 73. Thefront housing member 71 is securely coupled with thecylinder block 72, and thecylinder block 72 is securely coupled with therear housing member 73. The housing rotationally supports arotary shaft 74 through a pair of radial bearings, or a first radial bearing 75 and a second radial bearing 76. A front end of therotary shaft 74 projects from thefront housing member 71. Ashaft seal 78 is fitted around the front end of therotary shaft 74, thus preventing refrigerant gas from leaking from acrank chamber 77 to the exterior of the compressor. The refrigerant gas contains lubricant oil in the form of mist. The lubricant oil lubricates movable portions of theradial bearings rotary shaft 74. - A depressurizing
passage 79 is formed in therotary shaft 74. Aninlet 79 a of thedepressurizing passage 79 is formed in therotary shaft 74 at a position between the first radial bearing 75 and theshaft seal 78. Theinlet 79 a extends in a radial direction of therotary shaft 74 and is connected to anoil chamber 80. Anoutlet 79 b of thedepressurizing passage 79 forms an opening in a rear end of therotary shaft 74. Afan 81 is attached to the rear end of therotary shaft 74. Thefan 81 rotates integrally with therotary shaft 74, thus sending refrigerant gas from thedepressurizing passage 79 to the exterior of thedepressurizing passage 79 through theoutlet 79 b. The refrigerant gas then flows to thecrank chamber 77 through a clearance formed by the second radial bearing 76. - The
oil chamber 80 is connected to thecrank chamber 77 through a clearance formed by the firstradial bearing 75 and a clearance formed by a thrust bearing 82. Refrigerant gas thus flows from thecrank chamber 77 to theoil chamber 80 through the clearances. - As shown in FIG. 7, the
fan 81 rotates to draw some refrigerant gas from thecrank chamber 77 to thedepressurizing passage 79 through the clearance of the firstradial bearing 75 and the clearance of the thrust bearing 82. The refrigerant gas is then discharged from thedepressurizing passage 79. Afterward, some of the refrigerant gas is re-circulated to thecrank chamber 77 through the clearance of the second radial bearing 76. This sufficiently lubricates the first and secondradial bearings shaft seal 78. However, thefan 81 complicates the configuration of the compressor. - Further, some refrigerant gas flows from the
crank chamber 77 to theoil chamber 80 through a hole in which therotary shaft 74 is received and the clearance formed by the first radial bearing 75. That is, the hole and the clearance connect thecrank chamber 77 to theoil chamber 80. - The variable displacement compressor includes a
drive plate 83. Thedrive plate 83 is inclined at an angle altered in relation to the pressure in thecrank chamber 77 and the pressure in a suction chamber, or suction pressure, which both act on apiston 84. The pressure in thecrank chamber 77 is thus adjusted to change the stroke of thepiston 84. This varies the compressor displacement. However, if thecrank chamber 77 is connected to theoil chamber 80, the compressor displacement is not varied as desired. Further, if carbon dioxide is used as refrigerant, the pressure in the compressor is greatly increased as compared to a case in which chlorofluorocarbon is used as refrigerant. This increases the load that acts on the first and secondradial bearings shaft seal 78, thus requiring an increased lubrication. - Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-66252 describes a swash plate type variable displacement compressor with double-headed pistons. The compressor includes a seal mechanism that is located near a front end of the compressor. When a front side of a double-headed piston does not compress refrigerant gas, which is referred to as “a decompressing state”, lubricant oil must be supplied to the seal mechanism. Thus, in this state, refrigerant gas flows from the suction chamber to a chamber that accommodates the seal mechanism, thus lubricating the seal mechanism.
- However, this structure is applicable only to swash plate type variable displacement compressors that have double-headed pistons. Thus, the structure is inapplicable to single-headed piston type variable displacement compressors.
- Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a single-headed piston type compressor that controls inclination angle of a drive plate accurately and smoothly while lubricating a seal mechanism optimally.
- To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides following a compressor. The compressor has a housing, which has a suction pressure zone, and a crank chamber. A cylinder bore is formed in the housing. A rotary shaft has a front end portion and a rear end portion. The rotary shaft is supported by the housing such that the front end portion of the rotary shaft protrudes from the housing. A piston is accommodated in the cylinder bore. A swash plate is accommodated in the crank chamber and is connected to the piston such that rotation of the rotary shaft is converted to reciprocation of the piston. An oil chamber is located in the housing near the front end portion of the rotary shaft. The oil chamber has an inlet and an outlet. The outlet connects to the suction pressure zone. Either lubricant oil that is separated from refrigerant gas or refrigerant gas in the suction pressure zone flows into the oil chamber from the inlet and flows out from the outlet to the suction pressure zone. A seal mechanism seals the oil chamber. A seal seals between the oil chamber and the crank chamber.
- Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.
- The invention, together with objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of the presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which:
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a compressor of a first embodiment according to the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a compressor of a second embodiment according to the present invention;
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a compressor of a third embodiment according to the present invention;
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a compressor of a fourth embodiment according to the present invention;
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a compressor of a fifth embodiment according to the present invention;
- FIG. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a ring seal of a sixth embodiment according to the present invention;
- FIG. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a ring seal of a seventh embodiment according to the present invention;
- FIG. 6(c) is a cross-sectional view showing a ring seal of an eighth embodiment according to the present invention; and
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a prior art compressor.
- A compressor of a first embodiment according to the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 1.
- As shown in FIG. 1, the compressor includes a housing that has a
cylinder block 11, afront housing member 12, and arear housing member 13. Thefront housing member 12 and therear housing member 13 are coupled to thecylinder block 11 through a plurality of bolts (only one is shown). Thefront housing member 12 and thecylinder block 11 form acrank chamber 12 a. Thecylinder block 11 and thefront housing member 12 rotationally support arotary shaft 14 through a firstradial bearing 15 and a secondradial bearing 16. More specifically, the firstradial bearing 15 is received in a throughhole 12 b that extends through thefront housing member 12, thus supporting therotary shaft 14. The secondradial bearing 16 is received in a through hole that extends through thecylinder block 11, thus supporting therotary shaft 14. Acircular lug plate 17 is secured to therotary shaft 14 in thecrank chamber 12 a. A pair ofsupport arms 17 a project from an outer circumferential portion of thelug plate 17. Aguide hole 17 b extends through eachsupport arm 17 a. - The
rotary shaft 14 supports aswash plate 18, which functions as a drive plate. Theswash plate 18 inclines with respect to therotary shaft 14 and axially slides along therotary shaft 14. Aconnector 18 a projects from theswash plate 18. A pair of guide pins 19 are attached to a distal end of theconnector 18 a. - Each
guide pin 19 is fitted in the associatedguide hole 17 b. Thelug plate 17 guides theswash plate 18 to slide along therotary shaft 14 through the guide pins 19 fitted in the associated guide holes 17 b. In other words, theswash plate 18 is allowed to incline with respect to therotary shaft 14, axially move along therotary shaft 14, and rotate integrally with therotary shaft 14 by the fitting contact between the guide pins 19 and the guide holes 17 b, and between therotary shaft 14 and theswash plate 18. - A plurality of cylinder bores11 a are formed in the
cylinder block 11. A single-headedpiston 20 is accommodated in each cylinder bore 11 a. Eachpiston 20 forms acompression chamber 11 b in the associated cylinder bore 11 a. Ahead 20 a of eachpiston 20 is operationally connected to theswash plate 18 through a pair ofshoes 21. When theswash plate 18 rotates in thecrank chamber 12 a, the rotation of theswash plate 18 is converted to reciprocation of eachpiston 20 through the associated shoes 21. Thepiston 20 thus moves in the associated cylinder bore 11 a. - A
suction chamber 13 a and adischarge chamber 13 b are formed in therear housing member 13. Avalve plate assembly 50 is located between thecylinder block 11 and therear housing member 13. Thevalve plate assembly 50 includes amain plate 22, afirst sub-plate 23, and asecond sub-plate 24. A plurality ofsuction ports 22 a and a plurality ofdischarge ports 22 b are formed in themain plate 22 at positions corresponding to the associated cylinder bores 11 a. Eachsuction port 22 a is selectively opened and closed by a correspondingsuction valve 23 a that is formed in thefirst sub-plate 23. Eachdischarge port 22 b is selectively opened and closed by acorresponding discharge valve 24 a that is formed in thesecond sub-plate 24. The opening size of thedischarge valve 24 a is restricted by aretainer 24 b. - When each
piston 20 moves from a bottom dead center to a top dead center, refrigerant gas flows from thecompression chamber 11 b, which is formed in the associated cylinder bore 11 a, to thedischarge chamber 13 b through the associateddischarge port 22 b that is opened by thedischarge valve 24 a. In contrast, when eachpiston 20 moves from a top dead center to a bottom dead center, refrigerant gas flows from thesuction chamber 13 a to thecompression chamber 11 b through the associatedsuction port 22 a that is opened by thesuction valve 23 a. - The stroke of each
piston 20 is altered in accordance with the difference between the pressure in thecrank chamber 12 a and the pressure in thecompression chamber 11 b, or the difference between the pressure in thecrank chamber 12 a and the suction pressure of the compressor. In other words, the inclination angle of theswash plate 18 is altered in relation to the pressure in thecrank chamber 12 a. If the pressure in thecrank chamber 12 a increases, the inclination angle of theswash plate 18 decreases, thus reducing the compressor displacement. In contrast, if the pressure in thecrank chamber 12 a decreases, the inclination angle of theswash plate 18 increases, thus raising the compressor displacement. - A
control valve 25 is located in therear housing member 13. Thecontrol valve 25 adjusts the amount of the refrigerant gas that flows from thedischarge chamber 13 b to the crankchamber 12 a. The refrigerant gas in thecrank chamber 12 a is supplied to thesuction chamber 13 a through a bleedingpassage 26 that has a restrictor. The pressure in thecrank chamber 12 a is thus varied in relation to the amount of the refrigerant gas that flows from thecrank chamber 12 a to thesuction chamber 13 a through the bleedingpassage 26, as well as the amount of the refrigerant gas that flows from thedischarge chamber 13 b to the crankchamber 12 a, which is controlled by thecontrol valve 25. - The
suction chamber 13 a is connected to thedischarge chamber 13 b through an externalrefrigerant circuit 27, which includes afirst line 27 a and asecond line 27 b. Anoil separator 28 is located in thefirst line 27 a of the externalrefrigerant circuit 27. Theoil separator 28 incorporates a separating cylinder. Refrigerant gas is introduced to theoil separator 28 and is circulated around the separating cylinder. This causes centrifugal force that acts to separate lubricant oil from refrigerant gas. The separated lubricant oil is collected in a lower portion of theseparator 28, as viewed in a state in which the compressor is installed in the vehicle. - The through
hole 12 b, which is formed in thefront housing member 12, includes anoil chamber 29. Afirst seal mechanism 30 and asecond seal mechanism 31 are located between the inner wall of the throughhole 12 b and the outer side of therotary shaft 14. Thefirst seal mechanism 30 and thesecond seal mechanism 31 serve to seal theoil chamber 29 to prevent the refrigerant gas from leaking to the outside of the housing. Thefirst seal mechanism 30 includes aseal ring 30 a that abuts against the inner wall of the throughhole 12 b. Asupport ring 30 b supports theseal ring 30 a. Thesecond seal mechanism 31 contacts a facing side of thesupport ring 30 b. Thesecond seal mechanism 31 has a ring that rotates integrally with therotary shaft 14. - A
seal 32 is located between thesecond seal mechanism 31 and the firstradial bearing 15. Theseal 32 isolates theoil chamber 29 from thecrank chamber 12 a. The material of theseal 32 is, for example, rubber or fluorine contained resin. Theseal 32 is a ring type that has a substantially C-shaped cross-section. Theseal 32 abuts against the inner wall of the throughhole 12 b and the outer side of therotary shaft 14. More specifically, theoil chamber 29 is formed by thefirst seal mechanism 30, thesecond seal mechanism 31, and theseal 32, which are located in the throughhole 12 b. Theseal 32 axially moves along therotary shaft 14, and the movement is restricted by a step (not shown). - The
oil chamber 29 has aninlet 29 a and anoutlet 29 b. Theinlet 29 a is connected to asupply passage 33. Thesupply passage 33 has an end that opens to theoil chamber 29. Theoutlet 29 b is connected to adischarge passage 34. Thedischarge passage 34 has an end that opens to theoil chamber 29. Thesupply passage 33 is connected to the lower end of theoil separator 28 through afirst pipe 35. Thedischarge passage 34 is connected to thesecond line 27 b of the externalrefrigerant circuit 27 through asecond pipe 36. - The operation of the compressor, which is configured as described above, will hereafter be described.
- When the
rotary shaft 14 is rotated, theswash plate 18 is rotated integrally with therotary shaft 14 through thelug plate 17. The rotation of theswash plate 18 is converted to the reciprocation of eachpiston 20 through the associated shoes 21. Accordingly, refrigerant gas flows from the externalrefrigerant circuit 27 to thesuction chamber 13 a. The refrigerant gas is then supplied to thecompression chamber 11 b of eachpiston 20 through the associatedsuction port 22 a. When thepiston 20 is moved from the bottom dead center to the top dead center, the refrigerant gas in thecompression chamber 11 b is compressed to a predetermined pressure. The refrigerant gas is then discharged to thedischarge chamber 13 b through the associateddischarge port 22 b. Subsequently, the refrigerant gas is returned from thedischarge chamber 13 b to the externalrefrigerant circuit 27 through a discharge line. - A controller (not shown) controls the opening size of the
control valve 25 in relation to the cooling load required for the compressor. The amount of the refrigerant gas that flows from thedischarge chamber 13 b to the crankchamber 12 a is thus altered. If the cooling load is relatively large, the amount of the refrigerant gas that flows from thedischarge chamber 13 b to the crankchamber 12 a is decreased. This reduces the pressure in thecrank chamber 12 a, thus inclining theswash plate 18 toward a maximum inclination angle. Accordingly, the stroke of eachpiston 20 is increased to raise the compressor displacement. In contrast, if the cooling load is relatively small, the amount of the refrigerant gas that flows from thedischarge chamber 13 b to the crankchamber 12 a is increased. This raises the pressure in thecrank chamber 12 a, thus inclining theswash plate 18 toward a minimum inclination angle. Accordingly, the stroke of eachpiston 20 is decreased to lower the compressor displacement. - The refrigerant gas that is returned from the
discharge chamber 13 b to the externalrefrigerant circuit 27 passes through theoil separator 28. Theoil separator 28 separates lubricant oil from the refrigerant gas. The refrigerant gas is then supplied to a condenser. The separated lubricant oil enters thesupply passage 33 through thefirst pipe 35 and then flows to theoil chamber 29. The lubricant oil then enters thedischarge passage 34 and flows to thesecond line 27 b of the externalrefrigerant circuit 27 through thesecond pipe 36. - The first embodiment has the following advantages.
- The
seal 32 isolates theoil chamber 29 from thecrank chamber 12 a, thus preventing refrigerant gas from leaking from thecrank chamber 12 a to theoil chamber 29. Accordingly, the pressure in thecrank chamber 12 a is optimally adjusted to a preferred value. As a result, the inclination angle of theswash plate 18 is controlled accurately and smoothly. - The
oil chamber 29 is sealed by thefirst seal mechanism 30, thesecond seal mechanism 31, and theseal 32. Theoil chamber 29 is constantly supplied with lubricant oil, which is separated from refrigerant gas by theoil separator 28. Thus, lubricant oil is reliably supplied to the movable portions of the first andsecond seal mechanism seal 32. This structure increases lubrication of the first andsecond seal mechanism seal 32, thus prolonging their lives. - In the prior art, lubricant oil is supplied to the oil chamber in the form of mist, as dispersed in refrigerant gas. However, in this embodiment, the
oil separator 28 separates lubricant oil from refrigerant gas. The separated lubricant oil is supplied to theoil chamber 29 in the form of liquid. This increases the amount of the lubricant oil supplied to theoil chamber 29, thus optimizing the lubrication of the first andsecond seal mechanisms - The
seal 32 isolates theoil chamber 29 from thecrank chamber 12 a. The pressure in theoil chamber 29 remains thus lower than the pressure in thecrank chamber 12 a. This structure decreases the load that acts on the first andsecond seal mechanisms seal mechanism crank chamber 12 a, which is relatively hot, does not enter theoil chamber 29. Thus, the temperature in theoil chamber 29 does not rise. This improves durability of eachseal mechanism - The
outlet 29 b of theoil chamber 29 is located upward from the axis of therotary shaft 14, when the compressor is installed in the vehicle. The lubricant oil that is retained in theoil chamber 29 thus constantly lubricates therotary shaft 14. Accordingly, the first andsecond seal mechanisms seal mechanism - If refrigerant gas leaks from the
crank chamber 12 a to theoil chamber 29 through theseal 32, the leaked gas is introduced to thesecond pipe 36 through thedischarge passage 34. This structure prevents the refrigerant gas from leaking to the exterior of the compressor. In other words, as long as the inclination angle of theswash plate 18 is reliably controlled in relation to the crank pressure, theseal 32, which isolates thecrank chamber 12 a from theoil chamber 29, does not necessarily have to have an improved seal performance. It is thus possible to use a simply configured, inexpensive product as theseal 32. - If carbon dioxide is used as refrigerant in the compressor, pressure produced by the refrigerant in the compressor is ten or more times as high as pressure caused by chlorofluorocarbon in the compressor. Thus, in this case, the
seal 32, which maintains the pressure in theoil chamber 29 at a relatively low level, is further advantageous. - The
oil chamber 29 is connected to theoil separator 28 through thefirst pipe 35. Theoil chamber 29 is also connected to thesecond line 27 b of the externalrefrigerant circuit 27 through thesecond pipe 36. The circuit in which lubricant oil flows is thus simply configured. - Since the
oil separator 28 is located in the exterior of the compressor, it is easy to replace. - Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2. Same or like reference numerals are given to parts in FIG. 2 that are the same as or line corresponding parts in FIG. 1. The description of these parts is omitted. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the
oil separator 28 is located in the interior of the compressor. Theoil separator 28 is described in U.S. Pat No. 6,015,269 (corresponding to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-281060). - More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the
oil separator 28 of the second embodiment is accommodated in therear housing member 13. Theoil separator 28 incorporates theoil separating cylinder 28 a. When refrigerant gas is circulated around the separatingcylinder 28 a, lubricant oil is separated from the refrigerant gas. The refrigerant gas then flows from theoil separator 28 to thedischarge chamber 13 b. - The
oil separator 28 is connected to theinlet 29 a of theoil chamber 29 through afirst passage 37 and thesupply passage 33. Thefirst passage 37 extends through therear housing member 13, thecylinder block 11, and thefront housing member 12. Thesupply passage 33 is formed in thefront housing member 12. Theoutlet 29 b of theoil chamber 29 is connected to thesuction chamber 13 a through asecond passage 38 and thedischarge passage 34. Thesecond passage 38 extends through therear housing member 13, thecylinder block 11, and thefront housing member 12. Thedischarge passage 34 is formed in thefront housing member 12. - The second embodiment has the following advantage, in addition to the advantages of the first embodiment.
- In the second embodiment, the
oil separator 28 is accommodated in therear housing member 13. After theoil separator 28 separates lubricant oil from refrigerant gas, the lubricant oil enters thesupply passage 33 through thefirst passage 37, thus flowing to theoil chamber 29. The lubricant oil then enters thedischarge passage 34 and is returned to thesuction chamber 13 a through thesecond passage 38. Thepassages front housing member 12, thecylinder block 11, and therear housing member 13. It is thus unnecessary to locate any passages in the exterior of the compressor. Accordingly, the compressor is easy to handle. - A third embodiment of the present invention will hereafter be described with reference to FIG. 3. The
second line 27 b, thefirst pipe 35, thesupply passage 33, thedischarge passage 34, thesecond pipe 36 andsuction chamber 13 a form a suction pressure zone, or a low pressure zone, which is exposed to a relatively low pressure. The third embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in that refrigerant gas is supplied from the suction pressure zone to theoil chamber 29 without separating lubricant oil from the refrigerant gas. The refrigerant gas is then returned to the suction pressure zone. - As shown in FIG. 3, an end of the
first pipe 35 is connected to thesecond line 27 b of the externalrefrigerant circuit 27, and the other is connected to thesupply passage 33. Thefirst pipe 35 has abranch 35 a, and thebranch 35 a is connected to thedischarge passage 34 through thesecond pipe 36. The third embodiment thus has the following advantage, in addition to the advantage that leakage of refrigerant gas is sufficiently suppressed. - The refrigerant gas supplied from the suction pressure zone to the
oil chamber 29 contains lubricant oil in the form of mist. The lubricant oil thus optimally lubricates the first andsecond seal mechanisms oil chamber 29 is constantly supplied with relatively cool refrigerant. This suppresses heating of the first andsecond seal mechanisms seal mechanism - Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The fourth embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in that an
accumulator 39, instead of theoil separator 28, is located in the externalrefrigerant circuit 27. - As shown in FIG. 4, the external
refrigerant circuit 27 includes thefirst line 27 a, thesecond line 27 b which located at the upper stream side of theaccumulator 39, and athird line 27 c which located at the lower stream side of theaccumulator 39. Theaccumulator 39 is located in the externalrefrigerant circuit 27. Theaccumulator 39 prevents refrigerant liquid from entering thesuction chamber 13 a. That is, theaccumulator 39 separates refrigerant liquid and lubricant oil from refrigerant gas. The lubricant oil is then separated from the refrigerant liquid and is accumulated in a lower portion of theaccumulator 39, as viewed in a state in which the compressor is installed in the vehicle. Meanwhile, some lubricant oil remains contained in refrigerant gas and is supplied to thesuction chamber 13 a, together with the refrigerant gas. The lower portion of theaccumulator 39 is connected to thesupply passage 33 through thefirst pipe 35. Thedischarge passage 34 is connected to thethird line 27 c of the externalrefrigerant circuit 27 through thesecond pipe 36. - The fourth embodiment has the following advantage, in addition to the advantages of the first embodiment.
- The temperature of the lubricant oil separated from the refrigerant gas by the
accumulator 39 is relatively low. Since the lubricant oil is supplied to theoil chamber 29, the movable portions of the first andsecond seal mechanisms oil chamber 29, are sufficiently cooled. This sufficiently suppresses heating of the first andsecond seal mechanisms - A fifth embodiment of the present invention will hereafter be described with reference to FIG. 5. The fifth embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that a part of the refrigerant path is formed in the
rotary shaft 14. - As shown in FIG. 5, the
suction chamber 13 a is formed in the middle of therear housing member 13. Thedischarge chamber 13 b is formed around thesuction chamber 13 a and is located radially outward from thesuction chamber 13 a. Anaccommodating recess 40 is formed in thecylinder block 11 and receives the rear end of therotary shaft 14. Theaccommodating recess 40 is connected to thesuction chamber 13 a through acommunication hole 41 that extends through thevalve plate assembly 50. Aseal 42 is located between the inner wall of theaccommodation recess 40 and the outer side of therotary shaft 14. - A
communication passage 43 is formed in therotary shaft 14 and connects theaccommodating recess 40 to theoil chamber 29. Thecommunication passage 43 thus has an opening to theoil chamber 29. The opening corresponds to theinlet 29 a of theoil chamber 29. Alip seal 44 , or a seal mechanism, is located between the outer side of the front end of therotary shaft 14 and the inner wall of thefront housing member 12. In the fifth embodiment, some refrigerant flows from thesuction chamber 13 a to theoil chamber 29 through thecommunication passage 43. The refrigerant then enters thedischarge passage 34 and is returned to thesuction chamber 13 a through apassage 38 that is formed in the wall of the compressor housing. That is, refrigerant circulates only in the compressor, and it is unnecessary to install a refrigerant passage in the exterior of the compressor. - It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Particularly, it should be understood that the invention may be embodied in the following forms.
- The
seal 32 does not necessarily have to be a ring type that has a C-shaped cross-sectional shape. For example, in a sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 6(a), theseal 32 is a ring type that has an L-shaped cross section. Theseal 32 of this embodiment is formed of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Further, in a seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 6(b), theseal 32 is an oil seal type. Alternatively, in an eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 6(c), theseal 32 is a ring type that has a square-shaped cross section. Likewise, theseal 42, which is shown in FIG. 5, may be a ring type that has a C-shaped or square-shaped cross section. Alternatively, theseal 42 may be an oil seal type. - Further, a lip seal may be used in embodiments other than the fifth embodiment, which is shown in FIG. 5.
- In the first, third, and fourth embodiments, the
second pipe 36 may be replaced by thepassage 38, which is formed in the wall of the compressor housing. In this case, refrigerant or lubricant oil is returned to thesuction chamber 13 a through thepassage 38. Alternatively, thesecond pipe 36 may be connected directly to thesuction chamber 13 a, instead of being connected to thesuction chamber 13 a through thesecond line 27 b of the externalrefrigerant circuit 27. - In the illustrated embodiments, the
outlet 29 b of theoil chamber 29 is located in an upper section of theoil chamber 29, as viewed in a state in which the compressor is installed in the vehicle. However, theoutlet 29 b may be located in a lower section of theoil chamber 29. - The
seal 32 may be located between theradial bearing 15 and thecrank chamber 12 a. In this case, theradial bearing 15 is located in theoil chamber 29 and is sufficiently lubricated. - The present invention may be applied to a fixed displacement type compressor.
- The present invention may be applied to a wobble plate type compressor. In this compressor, a wobble plate, or a drive plate, is supported by a rotary shaft and rotates relative to the rotary shaft.
- Therefore, the present examples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalence of the appended claims.
Claims (19)
1. A compressor comprising:
a housing, which has a suction pressure zone, and a crank chamber;
a cylinder bore formed in the housing;
a rotary shaft, which has a front end portion and a rear end portion, wherein the rotary shaft is supported by the housing such that the front end portion of the rotary shaft protrudes from the housing;
a piston accommodated in the cylinder bore;
a swash plate, which is accommodated in the crank chamber and is connected to the piston such that rotation of the rotary shaft is converted to reciprocation of the piston;
an oil chamber located in the housing near the front end portion of the rotary shaft, wherein the oil chamber has an inlet and an outlet, wherein the outlet connects to the suction pressure zone, wherein either lubricant oil that is separated from refrigerant gas or refrigerant gas in the suction pressure zone flows into the oil chamber from the inlet and flows out from the outlet to the suction pressure zone;
a seal mechanism for sealing the oil chamber; and
a seal for sealing between the oil chamber and the crank chamber.
2. The compressor according to claim 1 , wherein the seal mechanism is located in the vicinity of the front end portion of the rotary shaft, wherein the seal is located between the seal mechanism and the crank chamber.
3. The compressor according to claim 1 , wherein the inclination of the swash plate is changed in accordance with the pressure of the crank chamber, and a stroke of the piston is changed.
4. The compressor according to claim 1 , wherein a pipe connects the outlet of the oil chamber to the suction pressure zone.
5. The compressor according to claim 1 further being connected to an external refrigerant circuit, wherein the compressor has an oil separator, which separates lubricant oil from the refrigerant gas, wherein the oil separator is connected to the external refrigerant circuit.
6. The compressor according to claim 5 , wherein the oil separator is an accumulator, which separates refrigerant liquid and refrigerant gas.
7. The compressor according to claim 1 , wherein an oil separator is accommodated in the compressor, wherein the lubricant oil separated by the oil separator is introduced to the oil chamber through the inlet of the oil chamber.
8. The compressor according to claim 1 , wherein the outlet of the oil chamber is located above the axis of the rotary shaft.
9. The compressor according to claim 1 , wherein the seal is located in the periphery of the rotary shaft, wherein the seal has a C-shaped cross section.
10. The compressor according to claim 1 , wherein the seal has an L-shaped cross section.
11. The compressor according to claim 1 , wherein the seal has a square-shaped cross section.
12. A compressor comprising:
a housing, which has a suction pressure zone, and a crank chamber;
a plurality of cylinder bores formed in the housing;
a rotary shaft which has a front end portion and a rear end portion, wherein the rotary shaft is supported by the housing such that the front end portion of the rotary shaft protrudes from the housing;
a piston accommodated in each of the cylinder bores;
a swash plate, which is accommodated in the crank chamber and is connected to the piston such that rotation of the rotary shaft is converted to reciprocation of the piston, wherein the swash plate is supported by the rotary shaft to change the inclination of the swash plate and a stroke of the piston is changed;
an oil chamber located in the housing near the front end portion of the rotary shaft, wherein the oil chamber has an inlet and an outlet, wherein the outlet connects to the suction pressure zone and is located above the axis of the rotary shaft, wherein either lubricant oil separated from refrigerant gas or refrigerant gas in the suction pressure zone flows in the oil chamber form the inlet and flows out from the outlet to the suction pressure zone;
a seal mechanism for preventing the refrigerant gas from leaking to an outside of the housing, wherein the seal mechanism is located in the front end portion of the rotary shaft; and
a seal for sealing between the oil chamber and the crank chamber, wherein the seal is located between the seal mechanism and the crank chamber.
13. The compressor according to claim 12 , wherein a pipe connects the outlet of the oil chamber to the suction pressure zone.
14. The compressor according to claim 12 further being connected to an external refrigerant circuit, wherein the compressor has an oil separator, which separates lubricant oil from the refrigerant gas, wherein the oil separator is connected to the external refrigerant circuit.
15. The compressor according to claim 14 , wherein the oil separator is an accumulator, which separates refrigerant liquid and refrigerant gas.
16. The compressor according to claim 12 , wherein an oil separator is accommodated in the compressor, wherein the lubricant oil separated by the oil separator is introduced to the oil chamber through the inlet of the oil chamber.
17. The compressor according to claim 12 , wherein the seal is located in the periphery of the rotary shaft, wherein the seal has a C-shaped cross section.
18. The compressor according to claim 12 , wherein the seal has an L-shaped cross section.
19. The compressor according to claim 12 , wherein the seal has a square-shaped cross section.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2000-214380 | 2000-07-14 | ||
JP2000214380A JP2002031043A (en) | 2000-07-14 | 2000-07-14 | Compressor |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20020015645A1 true US20020015645A1 (en) | 2002-02-07 |
Family
ID=18709965
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/904,681 Abandoned US20020015645A1 (en) | 2000-07-14 | 2001-07-13 | Compressor |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20020015645A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1172557A2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2002031043A (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6589022B2 (en) * | 2000-10-10 | 2003-07-08 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki | Compressor having a seal cooling structure in which all refrigerant fluid supplied to the compressor is used to cool compressor shaft seals |
US20040057836A1 (en) * | 2002-09-25 | 2004-03-25 | Caterpillar Inc. | Hydraulic pump circuit |
US20040120829A1 (en) * | 2002-12-23 | 2004-06-24 | Pitla Srinivas S. | Controls for variable displacement compressor |
US20060228229A1 (en) * | 2005-04-06 | 2006-10-12 | Yoshinori Inoue | Piston type compressor |
Families Citing this family (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP4078229B2 (en) * | 2002-03-20 | 2008-04-23 | カルソニックカンセイ株式会社 | Compressor |
DE10315477B4 (en) | 2003-04-04 | 2005-08-11 | Zexel Valeo Compressor Europe Gmbh | Axial piston compressors, in particular CO2 compressors for automotive air conditioning systems |
DE10324802A1 (en) * | 2003-06-02 | 2004-12-30 | Zexel Valeo Compressor Europe Gmbh | Axial piston compressors, in particular CO2 compressors for motor vehicle air conditioning systems |
DE10335159A1 (en) * | 2003-07-31 | 2005-02-17 | Zexel Valeo Compressor Europe Gmbh | Axial piston compressor for automobile climate-control unit using pivot ring drive mechanism with separation of torque transmission and axial support forces for pistons |
DE10354038B4 (en) * | 2003-11-19 | 2006-06-22 | Zexel Valeo Compressor Europe Gmbh | Axial piston compressor, in particular compressor for the air conditioning of a motor vehicle |
DE102004027321A1 (en) * | 2004-06-04 | 2005-12-22 | Zexel Valeo Compressor Europe Gmbh | axial piston |
DE102004029021A1 (en) * | 2004-06-16 | 2005-12-29 | Zexel Valeo Compressor Europe Gmbh | Axial piston compressor, in particular compressor for the air conditioning of a motor vehicle |
DE102004041645A1 (en) * | 2004-08-27 | 2006-03-16 | Zexel Valeo Compressor Europe Gmbh | axial piston |
JP2007198155A (en) * | 2006-01-24 | 2007-08-09 | Sanden Corp | Compressor |
EP3176433B1 (en) * | 2014-06-27 | 2020-09-02 | Valeo Japan Co., Ltd. | Variable displacement swash plate compressor |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH11241681A (en) | 1997-12-26 | 1999-09-07 | Toyota Autom Loom Works Ltd | Protective device of seal mechanism in compressor |
-
2000
- 2000-07-14 JP JP2000214380A patent/JP2002031043A/en active Pending
-
2001
- 2001-07-13 US US09/904,681 patent/US20020015645A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-07-13 EP EP01117137A patent/EP1172557A2/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6589022B2 (en) * | 2000-10-10 | 2003-07-08 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki | Compressor having a seal cooling structure in which all refrigerant fluid supplied to the compressor is used to cool compressor shaft seals |
US20040057836A1 (en) * | 2002-09-25 | 2004-03-25 | Caterpillar Inc. | Hydraulic pump circuit |
US20040120829A1 (en) * | 2002-12-23 | 2004-06-24 | Pitla Srinivas S. | Controls for variable displacement compressor |
GB2396669B (en) * | 2002-12-23 | 2006-02-01 | Visteon Global Tech Inc | Controls for variable displacement compressor |
US7014428B2 (en) * | 2002-12-23 | 2006-03-21 | Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. | Controls for variable displacement compressor |
US20060228229A1 (en) * | 2005-04-06 | 2006-10-12 | Yoshinori Inoue | Piston type compressor |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2002031043A (en) | 2002-01-31 |
EP1172557A2 (en) | 2002-01-16 |
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