Description

2 STAGE ROTARY COMPRESSOR Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a 2 stage rotary compressor, and more particularly, to a 2 stage rotary compressor, wherein an inner dameter or a volume of a first dscharge port dscharging refrigerant compressed in a low pressure cylinder and an inner dameter or a volume, of a second dscharge port dscharging refrigerant compressed in a high pressure cylinder are controlled to improve compression efficiency. Background Art

[2] In general, a compressor is a mechanical apparatus that receives power from a power generation apparatus such as an electric motor, a turbine or the like and compresses air, refrigerant or various operation gases to raise a pressure. The compressor has been widely used in an electric home appliance such as a refrigerator and an air condtioner, or in the whole industry.

[3] The compressor is roughly classified into a reciprocating compressor wherein a compression space to/from which an operation gas is sucked and dscharged is defined between a piston and a cylinder, and the piston is linearly reciprocated inside the cylinder to compress refrigerant, a rotary compressor wherein a compression space to/ from which an operation gas is sucked and dscharged is defined between an eccentrically-rotated roller and a cylinder, and the roller is eccentrically rotated along an inner wall of the cylinder to compress refrigerant, and a scroll compressor wherein a compression space to/from which an operation gas is sucked and dscharged is defined between an orbiting scroll and a fixed scroll, and the orbiting scroll is rotated along the fixed scroll to compress refrigerant.

[4] Particularly, the rotary compressor has been developed to a twin rotary compressor, wherein two rollers and two cylinders are provided at upper and lower portions, and the pairs of rollers and cylinders of the upper and lower portions compress some and the other of the entire compression capacity, and a 2 stage rotary compressor, wherein two rollers and two cylinders are provided at upper and lower portions, and the two cylinders communicate with each other so that one pair can compress relatively low pressure refrigerant and the other pair can compress relatively high pressure refrigerant passing through a low pressure compression step.

[5] Korean Registered Patent Publication 1994-0001355 dscloses a rotary compressor.

An electric motor is positioned in a shell, and a rotation axis is installed to pass through the electric motor. In addtion, a cylinder is positioned below the electric motor, and an eccentric portion fitted around the rotation axis and a roller fitted onto the eccentric portion are positioned in the cylinder. A refrigerant discharge hole and a refrigerant inflow hole are formed in the cylinder, and a vane for preventing non- compressed low pressure refrigerant from being mixed with compressed high pressure refrigerant is installed between the refrigerant discharge hole and the refrigerant inflow hole. Moreover, a spring is installed at one end of the vane so that the eccentrically- rotated roller and the vane can be continuously in contact with each other. When the rotation axis is rotated by the electric motor, the eccentric portion and the roller are rotated along the inner circumference of the cylinder to compress refrigerant gas, and the compressed refrigerant gas is dscharged through the refrigerant discharge hole.

[6] Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication 10-2005-0062995 suggests a twin rotary compressor. Referring to FIG. 1, two cylinders 1035 and 1045 for compressing the same capacity and a middle plate 1030 are provided to improve a compression capacity twice as much as that of an 1 stage compressor.

[7] Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication 10-2007-0009958 teaches a 2 stage rotary compressor. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a compressor 2001 includes an electric motor 2014 having a stator 2007 and a rotor 2008 at an inside upper portion of a hermetic container 2013, and a rotation axis 2002 connected to the electric motor 2014 includes two eccentric portions. A main bearing 2009, a high pressure compression element 2020b, a middle plate 2015, a low pressure compression element 2020a and a sub bearing 2019 are successively stacked from the side of the electric motor 2014 with respect to the rotation axis 2002. In addtion, a middle tube 2040 is installed to introduce refrigerant compressed in the low pressure compression element 2020a into the high pressure compression element 2020b. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[8] An object of the present invention is to provide a 2 stage rotary compressor, wherein an inner dameter and a volume of a first dscharge port dscharging refrigerant compressed in a low pressure cylinder and an inner dameter and a volume of a second dscharge port dscharging refrigerant compressed in a high pressure cylinder are restricted to implement the optimum performance.

[9] Another object of the present invention is to provide a 2 stage rotary compressor,

wherein an inner dameter ratio between a first discharge port and a second discharge port is restricted to implement the optimum performance. Technical Solution

[10] According to the present invention, there is provided a 2 stage rotary compressor, including: a hermetic container defining an outward appearance of the compressor; a 2 stage compression assembly provided in the hermetic container, wherein a low pressure cylinder, a middle plate and a high pressure cylinder are successively stacked from any one of upper and lower portions; a first discharge port for discharging refrigerant compressed in the low pressure cylinder; and a second discharge port for discharging refrigerant compressed in the high pressure cylinder, wherein a diameter of the second discharge port ranges from 0.5 times to 1.0 times of a dameter of the first dscharge port. In the 2 stage rotary compressor, a volume flow of refrigerant compressed in the low pressure cylinder is larger than a volume flow of refrigerant compressed in the high pressure cylinder. Accordngly, the dameter of the first dscharge port is preferably larger than or at least equal to the dameter of the second dscharge port. In addtion, in a case where the dameter of the second dscharge port is excessively small, a flow resistance of compressed refrigerant seriously increases. Therefore, the dameter of the second dscharge port is preferably at least 0.5 times of the dameter of the first dscharge port.

[11] Accordng to one aspect of the present invention, the first dscharge port has an inner volume equivalent to 0.5 % to 2.5 % of an inner volume of the low pressure cylinder. A valve is installed on or under the dscharge port. When the valve is opened, compressed refrigerant is dscharged through the dscharge port. Thereafter, when the valve is closed, refrigerant remains in the dscharge port as much as the volume of the dscharge port. Accordngly, refrigerant remaining in the dscharge port is re-expanded in the cylinder to thereby cause a compression loss. Moreover, in a case where the volume of the dscharge port is excessively small, a resistance occurs in a refrigerant passage. As a result, the volume of the dscharge port should be appropriately restricted.

[12] Accordng to another aspect of the present invention, the first dscharge port has an inner volume equivalent to 1.0 % to 2.0 % of an inner volume of the low pressure cylinder.

[13] Accordng to a further aspect of the present invention, the first dscharge port has an inner dameter equivalent to 10 % to 25 % of an inner dameter of the low pressure cylinder.

[14] Accordng to a still further aspect of the present invention, the first dscharge port has an inner dameter equivalent to 15 % to 23 % of an inner dameter of the low pressure cylinder.

[15] Accordng to a still further aspect of the present invention, the second dscharge port has an inner volume equivalent to 0.5 % to 2.5 % of an inner volume of the high pressure cylinder.

[16] Accordng to a still further aspect of the present invention, the second dscharge port has an inner volume equivalent to 1.0 % to 2.0 % of an inner volume of the high pressure cylinder.

[17] Accordng to a still further aspect of the present invention, the second dscharge port dscharges refrigerant compressed in the high pressure cylinder, and has an inner dameter equivalent to 10 % to 25 % of an inner dameter of the high pressure cylinder.

[18] Accordng to a still further aspect of the present invention, the second dscharge port has an inner dameter equivalent to 15 % to 23 % of an inner dameter of the high pressure cylinder.

[19] Accordng to a still further aspect of the present invention, the 2 stage rotary compressor further includes a first bearing positioned at any one of upper and lower portions of the low pressure cylinder, wherein the first dscharge port is formed in the first bearing. In this configuration, the first bearing successively stacked on the low pressure cylinder can support the 2 stage compression assembly, and the first dscharge port dscharging refrigerant compressed in the low pressure cylinder can be formed in the first bearing.

[20] Accordng to a still further aspect of the present invention, the 2 stage rotary compressor further includes a second bearing positioned at any one of upper and lower portions of the high pressure cylinder, wherein the second dscharge port is formed in the second bearing. Advantageous Effects

[21] Accordng to a 2 stage rotary compressor of the present invention, a ratio of a volume of a dscharge port to a volume of a cylinder compressing refrigerant is controlled to be smaller than a predetermined upper limit value, thereby reducing an amount of compressed refrigerant which is not dscharged but left in the dscharge port in a dscharge stroke of a compression assembly. Therefore, a loss caused by re- expansion of compressed refrigerant can be reduced.

[22] In addtion, accordng to a 2 stage rotary compressor of the present invention, a ratio of a volume of a dscharge port to a volume of a cylinder compressing refrigerant

is controlled to be larger than a predetermined lower limit value, thereby suppressing a flow resistance in a discharge stroke of a compression assembly. Accordingly, efficiency degrading caused by the flow resistance can be prevented. [23] Moreover, according to a 2 stage rotary compressor of the present invention, an inner dameter ratio between a first discharge port and a second discharge port is controlled to exist within a predetermined range. As a result, improved is efficiency of the 2 stage rotary compressor, wherein a volume flow of refrigerant passing through the first discharge port is larger than a volume flow of refrigerant passing through the second discharge port.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[24] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating one example of a conventional twin rotary compressor;

[25] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating one example of a conventional 2 stage stage rotary compressor; [26] FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating one example of a cycle including a 2 stage rotary compressor; [27] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a 2 stage rotary compressor according to one embodiment of the present invention; [28] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a low pressure compression assembly of the 2 stage rotary compressor accordng to one embodiment of the present invention; [29] FIGS. 6 and 7 are views illustrating portions of the 2 stage rotary compressor according to one embodiment of the present invention, seen from the top and bottom, respectively; [30] FIG. 8 is a cutaway view illustrating the 2 stage rotary compressor according to one embodment of the present invention; [31] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating one example of a rotation axis provided in the 2 stage rotary compressor accordng to one embodment of the present invention; [32] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a 2 stage rotary compressor with an injection tube installed therein accordng to one embodment of the present invention; [33] FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a lower bearing having a first dscharge port accordng to one embodment of the present invention; [34] FIG. 12 is a view illustrating an upper bearing having a second dscharge port accordng to one embodment of the present invention; [35] FIG. 13 is a graph showing an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of the compressor by a ratio of a volume of the dscharge port to a volume of the cylinder; [36] FIG. 14 is a graph showing an EER of the compressor by a ratio of an inner

dameter of the discharge port to an inner dameter of the cylinder; and

[37] FIG. 15 is a graph showing an EER of the compressor by a ratio of an inner dameter of the first dscharge port to an inner dameter of the second dscharge port. Mode for the Invention

[38] Hereinafter, preferred embodments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[39] FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating one example of a cycle includng a 2 stage rotary compressor accordng to the present invention. The freezing cycle includes a 2 stage rotary compressor 100, a condenser 300, an evaporator 400, a phase separator 500, a 4 way valve 600, etc.. The condenser 300 constitutes an indoor unit, and the compressor 100, the evaporator 400 and the phase separator 500 constitute an outdoor unit. Refrigerant compressed in the compressor 100 is introduced into the condenser 300 through the 4 way valve 600. The compressed refrigerant gas exchanges heat with the ambient air and is condensed. The condensed refrigerant becomes a low pressure through an expansion valve. The refrigerant passing through the expansion valve is separated into gas and liquid in the phase separator 500. The liquid flows into the evaporator 400. The liquid is heat-exchanged and evaporated in the evaporator 400, introduced into an accumulator 200 in a gas phase, and transferred from the accumulator 200 to a low pressure compression assembly (not shown) through a refrigerant inflow tube 151 of the compressor 100. In addtion, the gas separated in the phase separator 500 is introduced into the compressor 100 through an injection tube 153. Middle pressure refrigerant compressed in the low pressure compression assembly of the compressor 100 and refrigerant transferred through the injection tube 153 are supplied to a high pressure compression assembly (not shown) of the compressor, compressed to a high pressure, and dscharged to the outside of the compressor 100 through a refrigerant dscharge tube 152.

[40] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the 2 stage rotary compressor accordng to one embodment of the present invention. The 2 stage rotary compressor 100 accordng to one embodment of the present invention includes a low pressure compression assembly 120, a middle plate 140, a high pressure compression assembly 130 and an electric motor 110 in a hermetic container 101 from the bottom. In addtion, the 2 stage rotary compressor 100 includes a refrigerant inflow tube 151 connected to an accumulator 200, and a refrigerant dscharge tube 152 for dscharging compressed refrigerant to the outside of the hermetic container 101, which pass through the hermetic container 101.

[41] The electric motor 110 includes a stator 111, a rotor 112 and a rotation axis 113.

The stator 111 has a lamination of ring-shaped electronic steel plates and a coil wound around the lamination. The rotor 112 also has a lamination of electronic steel plates. The rotation axis 113 passes through a center of the rotor 112 and is fixed to the rotor 112. When a current is applied to the electric motor 110, the rotor 112 is rotated due to a mutual electromagnetic force between the stator 111 and the rotor 112, and the rotation axis 113 fixed to the rotor 112 is rotated with the rotor 112. The rotation axis 113 is extended from the rotor 112 to the low pressure compression assembly 120 to pass through the central portions of the low pressure compression assembly 120, the middle plate 140 and the high pressure compression assembly 130.

[42] The low pressure compression assembly 120 and the high pressure compression assembly 130 may be stacked with the middle plate 140 positioned therebetween in the order of the low pressure compression assembly 120 - the middle plate 140 - the high pressure compression assembly 130 from the bottom. On the contrary, the low pressure compression assembly 120 and the high pressure compression assembly 130 may be stacked in the order of the high pressure compression assembly 130 - the middle plate 140 - the low pressure compression assembly 120 from the bottom. In addition, a lower bearing 161 and an upper bearing 162 are installed under and on the stacked assembly, regardless of the stacked order of the low pressure compression assembly 120, the middle plate 140 and the high pressure compression assembly 130 so as to facilitate the rotation of the rotation axis 113 and support load of respective vertically- stacked components of the 2 stage compression assembly.

[43] The refrigerant inflow tube 151 passing through the hermetic container 101 from the outside is connected to the low pressure compression assembly 120. Moreover, the lower bearing 161 and a lower cover 171 are positioned under the low pressure compression assembly 120. A middle pressure chamber P is defined between the m lower bearing 161 and the lower cover 171. The middle pressure chamber P is a space to which refrigerant compressed in the low pressure compression assembly 120 is discharged, and a space in which refrigerant is temporarily stored before it is introduced into the high pressure compression assembly 130. The middle pressure chamber P serves as a buffering space on a passage of flowing refrigerant from the m low pressure compression assembly 120 to the high pressure compression assembly 130. [44] A structure of defining the middle pressure chamber P at the lower bearing 161 m will be explained. Ibr example, in the lower bearing 161, a central portion into/in

which the rotation axis 113 is inserted or installed and a peripheral portion which is in contact with the lower cover 171 protrude in a downward drection, respectively. The lower cover 171 is formed in the shape of a flat plate, provided with a hole through which the rotation axis 113 passes, and attached to the lower bearing 161. Here, the downwardly-protrudng peripheral portion of the lower bearing 161 and the flat peripheral portion of the lower cover 171 are bolt-fastened to the low pressure cylinder 121 at a time. R>r another example, in the lower bearing 161, a central portion into/in which the rotation axis 113 is inserted or installed protrudes in a downward drection and the other portion is flat. In the lower cover 171, a central portion provided with a hole through which the rotation axis 113 passes is flat, and a peripheral portion protrudes in an upward drection with a step dfference. Here, the flat peripheral portion of the lower bearing 161 and the upwardly-protrudng peripheral portion of the lower cover 171 with the step dfference are bolt-fastened to the low pressure cylinder 121 at a time. In this case, the lower bearing 161 can be simplified in shape, thereby reducing the number of processes. Moreover, the lower cover 171 can be easily manufactured by means of a press process. The shapes and fastening methods of the lower bearing 161 and the lower cover 171 are not limited to the foregoing description. Further, although the middle pressure chamber P is formed at the lower bearing 161 m by way of example, the middle pressure chamber P may be formed at any one of the m upper bearing 162 and the middle plate 140.

[45] A dscharge port (not shown) is formed in an upper portion of the upper bearing

162 positioned on the high pressure compression assembly 130. High pressure refrigerant dscharged from the high pressure compression assembly 130 through the dscharge port of the upper bearing 162 is dscharged to the outside through the refrigerant dscharge tube 152 positioned at an upper portion of the hermetic container 101.

[46] An inner passage 180 connected to cause refrigerant to flow from the low pressure compression assembly 120 to the high pressure compression assembly 130 is formed in the lower bearing 161, the low pressure compression assembly 120, the middle plate 140 and the high pressure compression assembly 130. The inner passage 180 is vertically formed to be parallel with an axis direction of the compressor 100.

[47] Snce the inner passage 180 is not a separate tube, the injection tube 153 (see FIG.

3) for introducing refrigerant gas separated in the phase separator 500 (see FIG. 3) may be installed in any portion of the inner passage 180. For example, a through hole (not shown) is formed in any one of the lower bearing 161, the middle plate 140 and the

high pressure cylinder 131 defining the middle pressure chamber P , and the injection m tube 153 is inserted into the through hole to introduce refrigerant gas, thereby improving compression efficiency.

[48] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the low pressure compression assembly of the 2 stage rotary compressor according to the present invention. The low pressure compression assembly 120 includes a low pressure cylinder 121, a low pressure eccentric portion 122, a low pressure roller 123, a low pressure vane 124, a low pressure elastic member 125, a low pressure inflow hole 126, and a middle pressure dscharge hole 127. The rotation axis 113 passes through a central portion of the low pressure cylinder 121, and the low pressure eccentric portion 122 is fixed to the rotation axis 113. Here, the low pressure eccentric portion 122 may be integrally formed with the rotation axis 113. In addtion, the low pressure roller 123 is rotatably installed on the low pressure eccentric portion 122, so that the low pressure roller 123 is rolled and rotated along an inner dameter of the low pressure cylinder 121 due to the rotation of the rotation axis 113. The low pressure inflow hole 126 and the middle pressure dscharge hole 127 are formed at both sides of the low pressure vane 124. Moreover, a space inside the low pressure cylinder 121 is partitioned off by the low pressure vane 124 and the low pressure roller 123, so that refrigerant before compression and refrigerant after compression coexist in the low pressure cylinder 121. A portion partitioned by the low pressure vane 124 and the low pressure roller 123 and includng the low pressure inflow hole 126 is referred to as a low pressure refrigerant inflow portion S , and a portion includng the middle pressure dscharge hole 127 is referred to as a middle pressure refrigerant dscharge portion D . At this time, the low pressure elastic m member 125 is a means for applying force to the low pressure vane 124 so that the low pressure vane 124 can be continuously in contact with the low pressure roller 123. A vane hole 124h formed in the low pressure cylinder 121 to position the low pressure vane 124 therein penetrates through the low pressure cylinder 121 in a horizontal drection. The low pressure vane 124 is guided through the vane hole 124, and the low pressure elastic member 125 imparting force to the low pressure vane 124 passes through the low pressure cylinder 121 and extends to the hermetic container 101 through the vane hole 124. One end of the low pressure elastic member 125 contacts the low pressure vane 124 and the other end thereof contacts the hermetic container 101 to push the low pressure vane 124 to be continuously in contact with the low pressure roller 123. [49] In addtion, a middle pressure communication hole 120a is formed in the low

pressure cylinder 121 so that refrigerant compressed in the low pressure compression assembly 120 can be introduced into the high pressure compression assembly 130 via the middle pressure chamber P defined by the lower bearing 161. The middle pressure m communication hole 120a is formed to avoid the refrigerant inflow tube 151 so that the middle pressure communication hole 120a can not overlap with the refrigerant inflow tube 151 inserted into the low pressure inflow hole 126, i.e., the inner passage 180 can not overlap with the refrigerant inflow tube 151. Even if the middle pressure communication hole 120a partially overlaps with the refrigerant inflow tube 151, it causes middle pressure refrigerant to flow from the middle pressure chamber P to the high pressure compression assembly 130. However, in this case, a loss may occur as much as a sectional area of the inner passage 180 overlapping with the refrigerant inflow tube 151. In addition, since refrigerant bypasses the refrigerant inflow tube 151, a pressure may be lowered.

[50] As shown in FIG. 5, when the low pressure eccentric portion 122 is rotated due to the rotation of the rotation axis 113 and the low pressure roller 123 is rolled along the low pressure cylinder 121, a volume of the low pressure inflow portion S is increased, so that the low pressure inflow portion S has a low pressure. Therefore, refrigerant is introduced through the low pressure inflow hole 126. Meanwhile, a volume of the middle pressure discharge portion D is decreased, so that refrigerant filled in the m middle pressure discharge portion D is compressed and discharged through the m middle pressure discharge hole 127. The volumes of the low pressure inflow portion S and the middle pressure discharge portion D are continuously changed according to m the rotation of the low pressure eccentric portion 122 and the low pressure roller 123, and compressed refrigerant is discharged in every one rotation. [51] FIGS. 6 to 8 are views illustrating portions of the 2 stage rotary compressor according to one embodment of the present invention. The lower bearing 161, the low pressure compression assembly 120, the middle plate 140 and the high pressure compression assembly 130 are successively stacked from the bottom. As described above, low pressure refrigerant is introduced into the low pressure cylinder 121 through the refrigerant inflow tube 151 and the low pressure inflow hole 126, compressed, and discharged to the middle pressure chamber P which is a space m restricted by a bottom surface of the low pressure compression assembly 120, the lower bearing 161 and the lower cover 171 through the middle pressure discharge hole 127. A middle pressure discharge hole 16lh is formed in the lower bearing 161 to overlap with the middle pressure discharge hole 127, and a valve (not shown) is

installed under the middle pressure discharge hole 161h of the lower bearing 161. When refrigerant compressed in the middle pressure discharge portion D of the low m pressure compression assembly 120 is compressed to a predetermined pressure, it is dscharged to the middle pressure chamber P . The refrigerant discharged to the m middle pressure chamber P is introduced into the high pressure compression assembly m

130 via the middle pressure communication hole 161a formed in the lower bearing 161, the middle pressure communication hole 120a formed in the low pressure cylinder 121, a middle pressure communication hole 140a formed in the middle plate 140 and a middle pressure inflow groove 130a formed in the high pressure cylinder 131. The middle pressure communication hole 161a of the lower bearing 161, the middle pressure communication hole 120a of the low pressure compression assembly 120, the middle pressure communication hole 140a of the middle plate 140 and the middle pressure inflow groove 130a of the high pressure compression assembly 130 define the inner passage 180 for middle pressure refrigerant compressed in the low pressure compression assembly 120. Here, the middle pressure inflow groove 130a of the high pressure compression assembly 130 is formed in the shape of an inclined groove to communicate with an inner space of the high pressure cylinder 131. Some lower portion of the middle pressure inflow groove 130a is in contact with the middle pressure communication hole 140a of the middle plate 140 to be a part of the inner passage 180. Compressed middle pressure refrigerant is introduced into the high pressure cylinder 131 through the middle pressure inflow groove 130a. When middle pressure refrigerant is supplied to the high pressure compression assembly 130 through the inner passage 180, the high pressure compression assembly 130 compresses the middle pressure refrigerant to a high pressure in the same operation principle as that of the low pressure compression assembly 120.

[52] As set forth above, when the inner passage 180 for middle pressure refrigerant is not defined by a separate tube but formed in the hermetic container 101, noise can be suppressed and a length of the inner passage 180 can be reduced, so that a refrigerant pressure loss caused by a resistance can be reduced. In the above description, although the middle pressure chamber P is formed at the lower bearing 161, it may be formed m at any one of the upper bearing 162 and the middle plate 140. Accordingly, detailed configuration may be slightly changed. However, in every case, the inner passage 180 is formed in the 2 stage compression assembly to guide middle pressure refrigerant compressed in the middle pressure compression assembly 120 to the high pressure compression assembly 130. In this configuration, since a length of the passage for

guidng middle pressure refrigerant is reduced, a flow loss can be minimized, and since refrigerant d>es not pass through a connection tube passing through the hermetic container 101, noise and vibration can be suppressed.

[53] Here, in order to prevent the inner passage 180 from being blocked by the refrigerant inflow tube 151, the middle pressure communication hole 120a of the low pressure compression assembly 120, the middle pressure communication hole 140a of the middle plate 140 and the middle pressure inflow groove 130a of the high pressure compression assembly 130 constituting the inner passage 180 are spaced apart from the refrigerant inflow tube 151, as seen in an axis drection of the compressor 100.

[54] The middle pressure communication hole 161a of the lower bearing 161 is formed to avoid an insertion position of the refrigerant inflow tube 151 connected to the low pressure cylinder 121 so that the middle pressure communication hole 161a can not be blocked by the refrigerant inflow tube 151. The refrigerant inflow tube 151 is inserted into the low pressure inflow hole 126 formed in the low pressure cylinder 121. The low pressure inflow hole 126 is adjacent to the low pressure vane insertion hole 124h into which the low pressure vane 124 (see FIG. 5) is to be inserted. As the low pressure inflow hole 126 is distant from the low pressure vane 124 (shown in FIG. 5), a dead volume which does not contribute to compression of refrigerant is increased in an inner space of the low pressure cylinder 121.

[55] In addition, the middle pressure inflow groove 130a of the high pressure cylinder

131 is not formed from the lower to upper portions of the high pressure cylinder 131, but inclinedly formed from the lower portion to the inner space of the high pressure cylinder 131. Here, the middle pressure inflow groove 130a is adjacent to a high pressure vane hole 134h into which a high pressure vane (not shown) is to be inserted. As in the low pressure compression assembly 120, when the middle pressure inflow groove 130a is adjacent to the high pressure vane (not shown), a dead volume is reduced in the inner space of the high pressure cylinder 131.

[56] The low pressure vane 124 and the high pressure vane (not shown) are positioned on the same axis. Accordingly, the middle pressure communication hole 161a formed in the lower bearing 161 and the middle pressure inflow groove 130a formed in the high pressure cylinder 131 are not formed on the same axis, but spaced apart from each other in a horizontal direction. According to a third embodiment of the present invention, the middle pressure communication hole 120a of the low pressure cylinder 121 and the middle pressure communication hole 140a of the middle plate 140 are formed in a spiral shape to connect the middle pressure communication hole 161a of

the lower bearing 161 to the middle pressure inflow groove 130a of the high pressure cylinder 131. The middle pressure communication hole 120a of the low pressure cylinder 121 and the middle pressure communication hole 140a of the middle plate 140 are formed in a spiral shape to overlap with each other. That is, the middle pressure communication hole 120a of the low pressure cylinder 121 and the middle pressure communication hole 140a of the middle plate 140 overlap with each other to define a spiral communication hole. At this time, one end of the spiral communication hole overlaps with the middle pressure communication hole 161a of the lower bearing 161, and the other end thereof overlaps with the middle pressure inflow groove 130a of the high pressure cylinder 131. Here, one end of the middle pressure communication hole 120a of the low pressure cylinder 121 is connected to the middle pressure communication hole 161a of the lower bearing 161. That is, one end of the middle pressure communication hole 120a of the low pressure cylinder 121 which is in contact with the middle pressure communication hole 161a of the lower bearing 161 is formed in a vertical drection of the low pressure cylinder 121, and the other portion of the middle pressure communication hole 120a is entirely formed in a spiral shape as a bottom end thereof is gradually heightened from one end to the other end. On the contrary, the other end of the middle pressure communication hole 140a of the middle plate 140, i.e., the other end of the spiral communication hole overlapping with the middle pressure inflow groove 130a of the high pressure cylinder 131 is formed in a vertical drection of the middle plate 140. In addtion, the middle pressure communication hole 140a is entirely formed in a spiral shape as a top end thereof is gradually heightened from one end overlapping with the middle pressure communication hole 161a of the lower bearing 161 to the other end.

[57] In a case where the middle pressure communication hole 120a of the low pressure cylinder 121 and the middle pressure communication hole 140a of the middle plate 140 are formed in a spiral shape, when refrigerant flows through the middle pressure communication hole 120a of the low pressure cylinder 121 and the middle pressure communication hole 140a of the middle plate 140, a resistance imparted to the refrigerant is reduced. Meanwhile, the middle pressure communication hole 120a of the low pressure cylinder 121 and the middle pressure communication hole 140a of the middle plate 140 may be formed in a circular arc shape with a constant top or bottom end height as well as in a spiral shape.

[58] Moreover, when the middle pressure communication hole 120a of the low pressure cylinder 121 and the middle pressure communication hole 140a of the middle plate

140 are formed in a spiral or circular arc shape, fastening holes 120b and 140b may be formed in central portions of the spiral or circular arc-shaped middle pressure communication holes 120a and 140a. Normally, the lower bearing 161, the low pressure cylinder 121, the middle plate 140, the high pressure cylinder 131 and the upper bearing 162 are fastened by means of bolts. Here, bolt fastening holes 161b, 120b, 130b, 140b and 162b should be formed to avoid various members and the inner passage, such as the refrigerant inflow tube 151, the middle pressure communication holes 161a, 120a, 140a and 162a, the middle pressure inflow groove 130a and the middle pressure dscharge hole 127. In addtion, the fastening holes 161b, 120b, 130b, 140b and 162b should be formed in at least three positions to evenly disperse a fastening force to the entire compression assembly 105. At this time, the middle pressure communication hole 120a of the low pressure cylinder 121 and the middle pressure communication hole 140a of the middle plate 140 are longer than the middle pressure communication hole 161a of the lower bearing 161 and the middle pressure inflow groove 130a of the high pressure cylinder 131, which makes it dfficult to form the fastening holes 161b, 120b, 130b, 140b and 162b in a plural number. Accordngly, when the middle pressure communication hole 120a of the low pressure cylinder 121 and the middle pressure communication hole 140a of the middle plate 140 are formed in a spiral or circular arc shape, since the fastening holes 161b, 120b, 130b, 140b and 162b are formed in the centers of the spiral or circular arc shapes, the fastening holes 161b, 120b, 130b, 140b and 162b can be dspersively arranged in the entire compression assembly 105. [59] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating one example of the rotation axis provided in the 2 stage rotary compressor accordng to the present invention. A low pressure eccentric portion 122 and a high pressure eccentric portion 132 are coupled to the rotation axis 113. In order to reduce vibration, the low pressure eccentric portion 122 and the high pressure eccentric portion 132 are generally coupled to the rotation axis 113 with a phase dfference of 180 °. In addtion, the rotation axis 113 is a hollow axis, and oil communication holes 103a are formed below the low pressure eccentric portion 122 and over the high pressure eccentric portion 132. Moreover, a thin-plate stirrer 103b bent in a spiral shape is inserted into the hollow rotation axis 113. The stirrer 103b is fitted into the rotation axis 113 and rotated with the rotation axis 113 during the rotation of the rotation axis 113. When the stirrer 103b is rotated due to the rotation of the rotation axis 113, oil filled in a lower portion of the hermetic container 101 (see FIG. 4) is lifted along the inside of the rotation axis 113 by means of the stirrer 103b.

Some oil is dscharged to the low pressure cylinder 121, the middle plate 140 and the high pressure cylinder 131 through the oil communication holes 103a formed in the rotation axis 113, thereby lubricating the low pressure roller 123 (see FIG. 5) and a high pressure roller (not shown).

[60] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a compressor with an injection tube inserted thereinto according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In a 2 stage compressor 100 according to the present invention, since an inner passage 180 is not a separate tube, an injection tube 153 for injecting refrigerant gas separated in a phase separator 500 may be installed in any portion of the inner passage 180. For example, a through hole 153h is formed in any one of a lower bearing 161, a middle plate 140 and a high pressure cylinder 131 constituting a middle pressure chamber P , and the injection tube 153 is m inserted into the through hole 153h so as to inject refrigerant gas. As shown in FIG. 8, in a state where the through hole 153h is formed to pass through a middle pressure discharge hole 127 of a low pressure cylinder 121 or formed in the lower bearing 161, when the injection tube 153 is inserted into the through hole 153h, a pressure loss occurs along the middle pressure chamber P and the inner passage 180. However, m although liquid phase refrigerant is introduced through the injection tube 153, it is collected in a lower portion of the middle pressure chamber P , so that the compressor m

100 can be stably operated.

[61] FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a lower bearing having a first discharge port according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The lower bearing 161 includes a first discharge port 161p, a middle pressure communication hole 161a, a fastening hole 161b, a rotation axis through hole 161c, a discharge valve fastening hole 161d and a discharge valve reception groove 161e.

[62] According to the first embodiment of the present invention, a 2 stage compression assembly 105 (see FIG. 4), wherein a low pressure compression assembly 120 (see FIG. 4), a middle plate 140 (see FTG. 4) and a high pressure compression assembly 130 (see FIG. 4) are successively stacked from the bottom, is accommodated in a hermetic container 101 (see FIG. 4).

[63] In addition, the compressor 100 includes the lower bearing 161 under the low pressure compression assembly 120 (see FTG. 4), and a lower cover 171 (see FIG. 4) under the lower bearing 161. Here, a space between the lower bearing 161 and the lower cover 171 serves as the middle pressure chamber P . The first discharge port m

161p is formed in a top surface of the lower bearing 161, i.e., a surface which is in contact with a bottom surface of the low pressure compression assembly 120 (see FIG.

4). Middle pressure refrigerant compressed in the low pressure compression assembly 120 (see FIG.4) is introduced into the middle pressure chamber P through the middle m pressure dscharge hole 127 (see FIG. 5) formed in the low pressure cylinder 121 (see FIG. 5) and the first dscharge port 16 Ip, and guided to the high pressure compression assembly 130 (see FIG. 4) through the inner passage 180 (see FIG. 4).

[64] Moreover, a dscharge valve (not shown) for opening and closing the first dscharge port 16 Ip is provided on the top surface of the lower bearing 161. R>r example, the dscharge valve (not shown) is a thin valve. One end of the dscharge valve (not shown) is fastened to the lower bearing 161 by a fastening member. Therefore, the lower bearing 161 includes the fastening hole 161d to which the dscharge valve (not shown) is to be fastened. Moreover, the lower bearing 161 includes the dscharge valve reception groove 161e for receiving the dscharge valve (not shown). The dscharge valve (not shown) is set to open the dscharge port 16 Ip over a predetermined pressure. Here, the pressure imparted to the dscharge valve (not shown) is the sum of a positive pressure by a dscharge stroke of the low pressure compression assembly 120 (see FIG. 4) and a negative pressure by a suction stroke of the high pressure compression assembly 130 (see FIG. 4).

[65] FIG. 12 is a view illustrating an upper bearing having a second dscharge port accordng to the first embodment of the present invention. An upper bearing 162 includes a second dscharge port 162p, a fastening hole 162b, a rotation axis through hole 162c, a dscharge valve fastening hole 162d and a dscharge valve reception groove 162e. Accordng to the first embodment of the present invention, the upper bearing 162 is positioned on the 2 stage compression assembly 105 (see FIG. 4), and stacked so that a top surface of the high pressure compression assembly 130 and a bottom surface of the upper bearing 162 can be in contact with each other. The second dscharge port 162p for dscharging high pressure refrigerant compressed in the high pressure compression assembly 130 is formed in the upper bearing 162. In addtion, an upper cover 172 (see FIG. 4) is positioned on the upper bearing 162, and a space defined by the upper bearing 162 and the upper cover 172 (see FIG. 4) functions as a muffler for reducing pulsation, vibration and noise.

[66] A thin dscharge valve (not shown) is formed on the second dscharge port 162p to open and close the second dscharge port 162p like the first dscharge port 16 Ip (see FIG. 11). The upper bearing 162 includes the dscharge valve fastening hole 162d to which the dscharge valve (not shown) is to be fastened, and the dscharge valve reception groove 162e for receiving the dscharge valve (not shown) when the

dscharge valve (not shown) closes the second dscharge port 162p. The dscharge valve (not shown) opens the second dscharge port 162p over a set pressure. High pressure refrigerant compressed in the high pressure compression assembly 130 (see FIG. 4) is pulsation-reduced in the space between the upper bearing 162 and the upper cover 172 (see FIG. 4) due to opening of the second dscharge port 162p, and dscharged to the hermetic container 101 (see FIG. 4).

[67] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the first dscharge port 161p and the second dscharge port 162p are generally formed in the shape of a cylindrical hole due to processing convenience. Therefore, volumes of the first dscharge port 16 Ip and the second dscharge port 162p can be easily computed by a formula of computing a volume of a cylinder. That is, the volumes of the first dscharge port 161p and the second dscharge port 162p can be computed by inner dameters and heights thereof.

[68] FIGS. 13 to 15 are graphs showing variations of an EER of the 2 stage rotary compressor by variations of a volume ratio and an inner dameter ratio between the dscharge port and the cylinder, and variations of an inner dameter ratio between the first dscharge port and the second dscharge port, respectively.

[69] The EER of the 2 stage compressor is measured in Ashrae-T and ARI condtions.

[70] Ps (suction pressure) : 5.34 kg/cπf

[71] Pd (dscharge pressure) : 20.86 kg/cπf

[72] Condensing temperature : 54.4 ⁰ C

[73] Evaporating temperature : 7.2 ⁰ C

[74] Liquid sub cooled temperature : 46.1 ⁰ C

[75] Suction temperature (Ashrae-T) : 35 ⁰ C

[76] Suction temperature (ARI) : 18.3 ⁰ C

[77] Referring to FIG. 13, as the ratio of the volume of the dscharge port to the volume of the cylinder increases, the EER increases. When the volume of the dscharge port exceeds 1.8 % of the volume of the cylinder, the EER starts to decrease.

[78] In a case where the volume of the dscharge port is excessively large with respect to the volume of the cylinder, for example, refrigerant is not dscharged but left in a dscharge stroke of the low pressure compression assembly 120 (see FIG. 4) as much as the sum of the volume of the dscharge port and the volume of the middle pressure dscharge hole 127 (see FIG. 5) of the low pressure cylinder 121 (see FIG. 6). Therefore, middle pressure refrigerant remaining in the dscharge port and the middle pressure dscharge hole 127 is re-expanded and compressed in a suction stroke of the low pressure compression assembly 120 (see FIG. 4), thereby causing a loss of energy

efficiency.

[79] Meanwhile, in a case where the volume of the dscharge port is excessively small with respect to the volume of the cylinder, when compressed middle pressure refrigerant is discharged, a resistance occurs. Snce the compressed middle pressure refrigerant is not smoothly discharged, a pressure of a compression space inside the cylinder is excessively raised, so that the compression assembly has overload. It also causes a loss of energy efficiency.

[80] Accordingly, the ratio of the volume of the discharge port to the volume of the cylinder is preferably restricted within a range larger than 0.5 % and smaller than 2.5 %, more preferably, larger than 1.0 % and smaller than 2.0 %. Here, the volume ratio between the first discharge port and the low pressure cylinder and the volume ratio between the second discharge port and the high pressure cylinder are restricted within the aforementioned range.

[81] Referring to FIG. 14, the ratio of the inner diameter of the dscharge port to the inner dameter of the cylinder is preferably restricted due to the aforementioned reasons. The ratio of the inner dameter of the dscharge port to the inner dameter of the cylinder is preferably larger than 10 % and smaller than 25 %, and more preferably, larger than 15 % and smaller than 23 %. In this configuration, the design reference value can be established, restricting the ratio of the inner dameter of the dscharge port to the inner dameter of the cylinder before/after 20 % to maximize the EER.

[82] Referring to FIG. 15, the ratio of the inner dameter of the second dscharge port to the inner dameter of the first dscharge port is also restricted within a predetermined range. In case of the 2 stage rotary compressor, a volume flow of refrigerant compressed in the low pressure compression assembly is substantially larger than a volume flow of refrigerant compressed in the high pressure compression assembly. Therefore, a height of the low pressure cylinder is larger than a height of the high pressure cylinder, so that a compression space of the low pressure cylinder is wider than a compression space of the high pressure cylinder. In addtion, a volume flow of middle pressure refrigerant compressed in and dscharged from the low pressure compression assembly is larger than a volume flow of high pressure refrigerant compressed in and dscharged from the high pressure compression assembly. Ac- cordngly, the inner dameter of the first dscharge port dscharging middle pressure refrigerant compressed in the low pressure compression assembly should be larger than or at least equal to the inner dameter of the second dscharge port dscharging high

pressure refrigerant compressed in the high pressure compression assembly. On the other hand, in a case where the second dscharge port is excessively smaller than the first dscharge port, a flow resistance is imparted to high pressure refrigerant dscharged through the second dscharge port, so that the high pressure compression assembly has overload. Therefore, the size of the second dscharge port should be larger than or at least equal to 0.5 times of the size of the first dscharge port.

[83] In this configuration, the design reference values of the first dscharge port and the second dscharge port can be established, maximizing efficiency of the 2 stage compressor, wherein refrigerant is primarily compressed in the low pressure compression assembly and secondarily compressed in the high pressure compression assembly. As set forth above, the dscharge ports of the compressor are not portions manually dscharging compressed refrigerant. Energy efficiency of the compressor is changed accordng to the size ratio between the dscharge port and the cylinder and the size ratio between the dscharge ports. In addtion, since two compression elements are coupled to one rotation axis with a phase dfference of 180 ° and rotated to compress refrigerant in the 2 stage compressor, the design of the dscharge ports greatly influences efficiency of the compressor. Accordng to the present invention, efficiency of the compressor can be maximized by restricting the sizes of the first and second dscharge ports without changing the other constituent elements.

[84] The schematic operation principle of the 2 stage rotary compressor accordng to one embodment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 to 12.

[85] Refrigerant circulated in the freezing cycle is temporarily stored in the accumulator

200 before being introduced into the compressor 100. The accumulator 200 serves as a temporary storage space of refrigerant and functions as a gas-liquid separator to introduce only gas into the compressor 100. Gaseous refrigerant flows from the accumulator 200 to the low pressure cylinder 121 of the low pressure compression assembly 120 through the refrigerant inflow tube 151. The refrigerant inflow tube 151 penetrates through the hermetic container 101 and is fixed to the hermetic container 101 by means of weldng. In addtion, the refrigerant inflow tube 151 is inserted into the refrigerant inflow hole 126 formed in the low pressure cylinder 121. The refrigerant inflow hole 126 is formed to reach the inner dameter of the low pressure cylinder 121. The refrigerant introduced into the inner space of the low pressure cylinder 121 through the refrigerant inflow hole 126 is compressed by volume variations of the spaces defined by the low pressure cylinder 121, the low pressure

roller 123 and the low pressure vane 124 due to relative motion of the low pressure cylinder 121 and the low pressure roller 123. The compressed refrigerant is transferred from the low pressure cylinder 121 to the high pressure cylinder 131 through the inner passage 180, and compressed by the high pressure compression assembly 130. [86] The inner passage 180 is connected to cause middle pressure refrigerant to flow from the low pressure cylinder 121 to the high pressure cylinder 131 by way of the middle pressure discharge hole 127 of the low pressure cylinder 121, the middle pressure chamber P , the middle pressure communication hole 161a of the lower m bearing 161, the middle pressure communication hole 120a of the low pressure cylinder 121, the middle pressure communication hole 140a of the middle plate 140, and the middle pressure inflow groove 130a of the high pressure cylinder 131. Here, the middle pressure chamber P may be replaced by a pipe or may be omitted. m

[87] That is, the refrigerant compressed by the low pressure compression assembly 120 is discharged to the middle pressure chamber P formed below the low pressure m cylinder 121 through the middle pressure discharge hole 127 formed in the low pressure cylinder 121. The middle pressure chamber P is defined by the lower bearing m

161 and the lower cover 171. In addition, the middle pressure discharge hole 161h is formed in the lower bearing 161 to overlap with the middle pressure discharge hole 127 of the low pressure cylinder 121. Moreover, a valve 191 for opening and closing the middle pressure discharge hole 161h is installed on the lower bearing 161. The valve 191 opens the middle pressure discharge hole 127 of the low pressure cylinder 121 and the middle pressure discharge hole 161h of the lower bearing 161 over a set pressure. Middle pressure refrigerant discharged to the middle pressure chamber P m due to opening of the valve 191 is introduced into the inner space of the high pressure cylinder 131 through the middle pressure communication hole 161a of the lower bearing 161, the middle pressure communication hole 120a of the low pressure cylinder 121, the middle pressure communication hole 140a of the middle plate 140 and the middle pressure inflow groove 130a of the high pressure cylinder 131. Here, the injection tube 153 is connected to the middle pressure communication hole 120a of the low pressure cylinder 121 so as to inject gaseous refrigerant separated in the phase separator 500 into the inner passage 180. Refrigerant separated in the phase separator 500 has a higher pressure than refrigerant passing through the evaporator 400. Therefore, when the refrigerant separated in the phase separator 500 is introduced into the high pressure compression assembly 130 with the refrigerant compressed in the low pressure compression assembly 120, compressed and discharged, input power of

the compressor 200 can be reduced.

[88] The refrigerant separated in the phase separator 500 and the refrigerant compressed in the low pressure compression assembly 120 are introduced into the high pressure cylinder 131 through the middle pressure inflow groove 130a of the high pressure cylinder 131, and compressed to a high pressure by the high pressure compression assembly 130 in the same operation principle as that of the low pressure compression assembly 120. The refrigerant compressed to a high pressure in the high pressure compression assembly 130 is discharged to a discharge space D defined between the upper bearing 162 and the upper cover 172 through a high pressure discharge hole 137 of the high pressure cylinder 131 and a high pressure discharge hole 162h of the upper bearing 162. Here, a valve 192 is installed on the upper bearing 162 to open and close the high pressure discharge hole 137 of the high pressure cylinder 131 and the high pressure discharge hole 162h of the upper bearing 162. Accordingly, only when refrigerant is compressed in the high pressure compression assembly 130 over a predetermined pressure, the valve 192 opens the high pressure discharge hole 137 of the high pressure cylinder 131 and the high pressure discharge hole 162h of the upper bearing 162, thereby discharging refrigerant to the discharge space D. High pressure refrigerant is temporarily stored in the discharge space D, and then discharged to the top of the hermetic container 101 through the discharge port 172p of the upper cover 172. The high pressure refrigerant is filled in the hermetic container 101. The high pressure refrigerant filled in the hermetic container 101 is discharged to the outside through the discharge tube 152 passing through the upper portion of the hermetic container 101, circulated in the freezing cycle, introduced into the compressor 100 again through the accumulator 200 and the phase separator 500, and compressed in the compressor 100.

[89] Moreover, lubrication oil for lubricating the compression assembly 105 is filled in the lower portion of the hermetic container 101. The lubrication oil is lifted along the inside of the rotation axis 113 due to the rotation of the stirrer 103b inserted into the rotation axis 113, and supplied to the low pressure compression assembly 120 and the high pressure compression assembly 130 through the oil communication holes 103a formed in the rotation axis 113 to lubricate the compression assembly 105. Further, the oil may be supplied to the low pressure compression assembly 120 and the high pressure compression assembly 130 through the vane holes 124h and 134h formed in the low pressure cylinder 121 and the high pressure cylinder 131 to lubricate the compression assembly 105.