Title of Invention

A DUAL CAPACITY COMPRESSOR

Abstract Dual capacity compressor including a power generating part (20) having a reversible motor (21, 22) and a crank shaft (23) inserted in the motor (21, 23), a compression part (30) having a cylinder (32), a piston (31), and a connecting rod (33), a crank pin (110) in an upper part of the crank shaft (23) eccentric to an axis of the crank shaft, an eccentric sleeve (120) rotatably fitted to the crank pin (110), and the connecting rod (33) respectively, a key member (130) for positive fastening of the eccentric sleeve (120) to the crank pin (110) in all rotation directions of the motor, and an eccentric mass (200) provided to the eccentric sleeve (120) for rotating the eccentric sleeve (120) around the crank pin (110), thereby preventing relative motion between components that sustain the eccentricity, and permitting a smooth motion between the components.
Full Text A DUAL CAPACITY COMPRESSOR
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a dual capacity compressor for compressing a
working fluid, such as refrigerant, to a required pressure, and more particularly, to a
compressor of which compression capacity changes with a direction of rotation.
Background Art
The dual capacity compressor is a kind of reciprocating type compressor of
which piston stroke and compression capacity changes with rotation directions of a
motor and a crankshaft, which is made by means of an eccentric sleeve rotatably
coupled with a crank pin of a crankshaft. Since the dual capacity compressor has a
compression capacity that can be changed depending on a required load, the dual
compressor is used widely in apparatuses which require compression of working fluid,
particularly in home appliances operative in a refrigeration cycle, such as a refrigerator,
for enhancing an operation efficiency. A US. Patent 4,236,874 discloses a general dual
capacity compressor, referring to which a related art dual capacity compressor will be
described, briefly.
FIG. 1 illustrates a section of a dual capacity compressor disclosed in the US
Patent 4,236,S74, and FIG. 2 illustrates operation of the dual capacity compressor,
schematically.
Referring to FIG. 1, the dual capacity compressor is provided with a piston 7
in a cylinder 8, a crankshaft 1, a crank pin 3 having an axis 3a eccentric from an axis
la of the crankshaft 1, an eccentric ring 4 coupled with the crank pin 3, and a
connecting rod 6 connected between the eccentric ring 4 and the piston 7, as key
components. The eccentric ring 4 and the connecting rod 6 are rotatable with respect to

each other, as well as the axis 3a of the crank pin. There are release areas 9 in contact
surfaces of the crank pin 3 and the eccentric ring 4 respectively, and a key 5 for
coupling the crank pin 3 with the eccentric ring 4 in the release areas. The operation of
the dual capacity compressor with respect to the compression capacity will be
?v*
described. As shown in FIG. 2, in the dual capacity compressor, a stroke of the piston 7
is regulated by an eccentricity varied with a position of the eccentric ring 4, wherein, if
a large capacity is required, the crank shaft 1 is rotated in a clockwise direction
(regular direction) and, if a small capacity is required, the crank shaft 1 is rotated in a
counter clockwise direction (reverse direction). In detail, FIG. 2A illustrates a moment
the piston 7 is at a top dead center during a clockwise direction rotation, and FIG. 2B
illustrates a moment the piston 7 is at a bottom dead center during a clockwise
direction rotation, when the stroke Lmax is the greatest because the eccentricity is the
greatest. FIG. 2C illustrates a moment the piston 7 is at a bottom dead center during a
counter clockwise direction rotation, and FIG. 2D illustrates a moment the piston 7 is
at a top dead center during a counter clockwise direction rotation, when the stroke
Lmin is the smallest because the eccentricity is the smallest.
However, during the foregoing operation, the crank pin 3 and the eccentric
ring 4 are involved in centrifugal forces, respectively caused by their rotation around
the axis 1a of the crank shaft, exerting on an extension line between the shaft axis la
and the pin axis 3a, and between the shaft axis 1a to the a center of gravity of the ring
4a, respectively. Therefore, different from FIGS. 2A and 2B, in cases of FIGS. 2C and
2D, as lines of actions are not on the same line, a local rotating moment is taken place
at the eccentric ring 4 with respect to the pin 3 as a product of a vertical distance "d" to
the pin 3 and its own centrifugal force, acting in a direction the same with a direction
(counter clockwise direction) of rotation of the crank shaft 1. Since the crank pin 3 and

the eccentric ring 4 are members that can make relative motion to each other, the
rotating moment causes a relative rotation of the eccentric ring 4 in a direction of
rotation of the crank shaft 1, releasing the key 5 both from the crank pin 3 and the
eccentric ring 4, and leaving the eccentric ring 4 and the key 5 to move in the rotation
direction as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3. for an
example, during clockwise direction operation, a pressure "P" (a pressure of re-
expansion of the working fluid) in the cylinder after compression pushes the eccentric
ring 4 to a direction of rotation of the crank shaft 1, to cause the eccentric ring 4 to
make a relative rotation with respect to the crank pin 3 in a rotation direction of the
crank shaft. At the end, such a relative rotation makes operation of the compressor
unstable, to fail to obtain a desired compression performance.
In fact, the relative rotation is occurred because the key 5 fails to hold both the
crank pin 3 and the eccentric ring, perfectly. The key 5 rolls within the release area
whenever the direction of rotation of the crank shaft is changed, to cause serious wear
at respective contact surfaces, that shortens a lifetime of the compressor.
Other than the USP 4,236,874, there are many patent publications that disclose
technologies of the dual capacity compressors, which will be described, briefly.
Similarly, USP 4,479,419 discloses a dual capacity compressor provided with
a crank pin, eccentric cam and a key. The key is fixed to the eccentric cam, and moves
along a track in a crank pin when a direction of rotation of the compressor is changed.
However, since the key can not hold both the crank pin and the eccentric cam,
positively, the USP 4,479,419 also has unstable operation caused by the relative
rotation.
USP 5,951,261 discloses a compressor having an eccentric part with an inside
diameter of bore formed across the eccentric part, and an eccentric cam with another

bore with an inside diameter the same with the eccentric part formed in one side
thereof. A pin is provided to the bore in the eccentric part, and a compression spring is
provided in the bore in the eccentric sleeve. Accordingly, when the bores are aligned
during rotation, the pin moves into the bore in the cam by a centrifugal force, to hold
the eccentric part and the eccentric cam, together. However, in the USP 5,951,261,
since the eccentric cam is provided with only one bore therein, the eccentric part and
the eccentric cam can hold together only when the compressor rotates in a particular
direction. Moreover, an operative reliability can not be secured, since an exact
movement of the pin from the eccentric part to the cam through the bores difficult.
In the meantime, basically, each of the dual capacity compressors described
before employs eccentric members, such as an eccentric ring and an eccentric cam, and
changes a stroke distance " of the piston and the compression capacity with
eccentricities of the eccentric members. Because relative arrangements of the eccentric
members with members around the eccentric members change with the rotation
directions of the compressor, the change of the eccentricity takes place. Therefore, for
causing an appropriate amount of change of the eccentricity, it is also important to
arrange the eccentric members at required positions accurately before the perfect
coupling of the eccentric members.
Disclosure of Invention
An object of the present invention is to provide a dual capacity compressor
which can maintain a constant eccentricity and make a stable operation even if the
compressor is rotated in any directions that have different compression capacity.
As described, the inventor understands that the unstable operation of the dual
capacity compressor is caused by a local centrifugal force of the eccentric sleeve, and
an external load thtough the connecting rod and etc., during operation. Though such

causes are not avoidable as far as an eccentric mechanism is used, the inventor
understand that, if the crank pin and the eccentric sleeve can be coupled positively
during operation, such a problem can be solved. Taking an idea of a key member that
has such a coupling feature, the key member and members related thereto are modified
to prevent the relative rotation between the crank pin and the eccentric sleeve.
Moreover, as known, the eccentricity and the stroke distance of the piston vary
with direct, or relative rotation to other adjoining members, of the eccentric sleeve.
Therefore, the inventor modifies the compressor further such that the eccentric sleeve
rotates smoothly, and arranged accurately in view of an operative reliability of the
compressor.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a dual capacity compressor
including a power generating part including a reversible motor and a crank shaft
inserted in the motor, a compression part having a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder,
and a connecting rod connected to the piston, a crank pin in an upper part of the crank
shaft eccentric to an axis of the crank shaft, an eccentric sleeve having an inside
circumferential surface rotatably fitted to an outside circumferential surface of the
crank pin, and an outside circumferential surface rotatably fitted to an end of the
connecting rod, a key member for positive fastening of the eccentric sleeve to the
crank pin in all rotation directions of the motor, and an eccentric mass provided to the
eccentric sleeve for rotating the eccentric sleeve around the crank pin.
The key member holds the eccentric sleeve at a plurality of points, and more
preferably the key member holds the eccentric sleeve at two points set up with
reference to a center line in any direction during operation.
The components will be described in more detail.
The crank pin includes one pair of key member fitting parts formed opposite

to each other.
The crank pin further includes at least one first oil supply hole for supplying
oil between the eccentric sleeve and the crank pin, and the first oil supply hole is
formed in the crank shaft so as to be in communication with an oil passage for
supplying oil to various moving parts of the compressor. Preferably, the crank pin has
one pair of first oil supply holes formed in the crank pin opposite to each other.
The eccentric sleeve includes a track part formed along a circumference
thereof for enabling rotation of the eccentric sleeve itself relative to the projection of
the key member, and a limiting part formed relative to the track part for limiting
rotation of the projection of the key member. The track part of the eccentric sleeve is a
cut away part cut along a circumferential direction at a depth from a top thereof, or a
pass through hole extended along a circumferential direction to a length at a depth
from the top thereof.
Preferably, the steps formed between the track part and the limiting part is
parallel to an extension line connecting an axis of the crank shaft and an axis of the
crank pin, and more preferably, the step is spaced apart from an extension line
connecting the axis of the crank shaft and the axis of the crank pin as much as a
distance equal to a half of a thickness of the key member.
The eccentric sleeve further includes at least one second oil supply hole in
communication with the first oil supply hole in the crank pin. The eccentric sleeve
further includes oil cavities formed in an outside circumferential surface thereof
around the second oil supply hole, and an oil groove extended from the second oil
supply hole vertically in the outside circumferential surface.
The key member includes a first projection for projecting a length from the
crank pin and engaging with the step of the eccentric sleeve, a first stopper for limiting

the length of projection of the first projection, and a second projection for projecting
in a direction opposite to the first projection and engaging with the step on the other
side of the eccentric sleeve during rotation.
Preferably, the key member further includes an elastic member for being
inserted on the second projection and supporting the first projection so that the first
projection is projected continuously regardless of an operation state of the compressor.
Preferably, the key member further includes a second stopper for limiting a length of
projection of the second projection from the crank pin depending on a direction of the
centrifugal force.
The eccentric mass rotates the eccentric sleeve so as to be held at a part of the
key member, and generates a rotation moment with a centrifugal force for rotating the
eccentric sleeve.
Preferably, the eccentric mass rotates the eccentric sleeve in a direction the
same with a relative friction generated at the eccentric sleeve, and in a direction
opposite to a rotation direction of the crank shaft. The eccentric mass is provided to a
part of the eccentric sleeve, of which weight is light relatively, and preferably adjacent
to the track part of the eccentric sleeve.
The eccentric sleeve is a plate member provided to the outside circumferential
surface of the eccentric sleeve on an upper part of the eccentric sleeve. The eccentric
mass is formed as one unit with the eccentric sleeve, or formed separate from the
eccentric sleeve, and fixed to the eccentric sleeve.
Thus, the dual capacity compressor of the present invention prevents the
relative rotation between the crank, pin and the eccentric sleeye, permitting a stable
operationo of the compressor and an improvement of an efficiency. The eccentric sleeve
is arranged accurately to provide a desired eccentricity, to secure an operation

reliability of the compressor, as well.
Brief Description of the Accompanying Drawings
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further
understanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together
with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention:
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 illustrates a section of a related art dual capacity compressor;
FIG. 2 illustrates the operation of the related art dual capacity compressor in
FIG. 1, schematically;
FIG. 3 illustrates a section of key parts of a related art dual capacity
compressor showing relative rotation between the crank pin and the eccentric sleeve,
schematically;
FIG. 4 illustrates a section of a dual capacity compressor in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5A illustrates a side view with a partial section of a dual capacity
compressor in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5B illustrates a plan view with a partial section of a dual capacity
compressor in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of a crank pin in accordance with a first
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective view of a crank pin modified from one in FIG.
6A;
FIG. 7A illustrates a perspective view of an eccentric sleeve of the present
invention;
FIGS. 7B ~ 7E illustrate variations of eccentric sleeves of the present

invention, respectively;
FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a key member of the present invention;
FIG. 9 illustrates a plan view of a variation of the key member to a crank pin
in FIG. S;
FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate perspective views of variations of key members
each having a detachable first stopper;
FIGS. 11A ~ 11C illustrate plan views of variations of key members each
having a second stopper;
FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrates plan views each showing a relation between
eccentric masses of the present invention versus forces caused by the eccentric masses;
FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate plan views each showing operation of the dual
capacity compressor of the present invention in a clockwise rotation thereof; and
FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate plan views each showing operation of the dual
capacity compressor of the present invention in an anti-clockwise rotation thereof.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the
present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In
describing the embodiments of the present invention, same parts will be given the
same names and reference symbols, and repetitive descriptions of which will be
omitted. An overall structure of the dual capacity compressor of the present invention
will be described, with reference to FIG. 4.
Referring to FIG. 4, the dual capacity compressor of the present invention
includes a power generating part 20 in a lower portion of the compressor for
generating and transmitting a required power, and a compression part 30 over the
power generating part 20 for compressing working fluid by using the power. Moreover,

in addition to these general parts, the dual capacity compressor includes a stroke
changing part 40 connected between the power generating part 20 and the compression
part 30 for varying a compression capacity of the compression part 30 during operation.
In the meantime, there is a shell which encloses the power generating part 20 and the
compression part 30 for preventing refrigerant from leaking, and there is a frame 12
elastically supported on a plurality of supporting members (i.e., springs) attached to an
inside of the shell. There are a refrigerant inlet 13 and a refrigerant outlet 15 fitted to,
and in communication with an inside of the shell.
The power generating part 20 under the frame 12 includes a motor with a
stator 21 and rotator 22 for generating a rotating force by an external electrical power,
and a crank shaft 23. The motor is reversible. The crank shaft 23 has a lower part
inserted in the rotator 22 for transmission of a power, and oil holes or grooves for
supplying lubrication oil held in the lower part to driving parts.
The compression part 30 is mounted on the frame 12 over the power
generating part 20, and includes a mechanical driving part for compression of the
refrigerant, and a suction and discharge valves for assisting the driving part. In addition
to a cylinder 32 that actually forms a compression space, the driving part has a piston
31 for reciprocating in the cylinder 32, and a connecting rod 33 for transmission of
reciprocating power to the piston 31. The valves receive and discharge refrigerant
to/from the cylinder 32 in association with a cylinder head 34 and the head cover 35.
The stroke changing part 40 of the dual capacity compressor of the present
invention will be described in detail, while description of the power generating part
and the compression part, which are identical to the related art, are omitted.
Referring to FIG. 5A, on the whole, the stroke changing part 40 includes a
crank pin 110 on top of, and in eccentric to, the crank shaft, an eccentric sleeve 120

rotatably fitted between an outside circumferential surface of the crank pin 110 and
the connecting rod 33, and a key member 130 fitted in the crank pin 110. The key
member 130holds the positions of the crank pin 110 and the eccentric sleeve 120 with
respect to each other during operation of the compressor. In the stroke changing part
40, the eccentric sleeve 120 is arranged, and rotated so that an effective eccentricity
thereof changes with rotation directions (regular or reverse direction) of the motor. For
maintaining such a changed effective eccentricity, the key member 130 is held at the
eccentric sleeve 120. Therefore, if the rotation direction of the motor changes by the
stroke changing part 40, basically a stroke length of the connecting rod and a
displacement of the piston change with the change of the effective eccentricity, and
according to this the compression capacity also changes depending on the rotation
direction. The stroke changing part 40 of the present invention described briefly will
be described in more detail, with reference to the attached drawings.
FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate side and plan views of dual capacity compressors
of the present invention respectively, wherein components thereof are shown in
assembled states with partial sections for easy description and clarity. FIGS. 6A ~ 12
illustrate the components, separately.
Referring to FIG. 5A, the crank pin 110 is hollow partially, for fitting the key
member 130 in the hollow, movably. The crank pin 110 also has one pair of key
member fitting parts 111 formed opposite to each other, and an oil passage 112 and at
least one oil supply hole 113 in a low part.
Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the fitting parts 111a and 111b are formed in
the hollow tube part so as to be disposed in a vertical plane containing the crank shaft
axis 23a and the crank pin axis 110a. Accordingly, the key member 130 in the fitting
parts 111a and 111b are influenced from a centrifugal force F exerting on the extension

line between the axes 23a and 110a along a longitudinal direction of the key member
130. The key member 130 is movable by the centrifugal force F guided by the fitting
parts 111a and 111b. As shown in FIG. 6A, the fitting parts 111a and 111b may
actually form a pass through hole. The fitting parts 111 of the pass through hole can
prevent the key member 130 from falling off during operation. Preferably, as shown in
FIG. 6B, at least one of the fitting parts 111a and 111b may be a slot extended from a
top end of a wall of the crank pin 110 to a position, for easy fitting of the key member
130 to the crank pin 110. It is more preferable that there is a seat part 111c at an end of
the fitting part for stable fitting of the key member 130.
Referring to FIG. 5A, the oil passage 112 is in communication both with the
oil groove in outside surface of the crank shaft 23, and the first oil supply hole 113.
The first oil supply hole 113 may be a through hole in any position" of the crank pin
110. However, if the oil supply hole 113 is formed parallel to the fitting parts 111a and
111b, i.e., along an extension line connecting the fitting parts 111a and 111b, the oil
supply hole, 113 can reduce strength of the crank pin, significantly. Therefore, as
shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, the oil supply hole 113 is formed in a direction
perpendicular to the extension line connecting the fitting parts 111a and 111b (i.e., an
extension line between the axes 23a and 110a in FIG. 5B). Moreover, it is preferable
that one pair of the first oil supply holes 113 are formed opposite to each other for
uniform supply of lubricating oil between the crank pin 110 and the eccentric sleeve
120. The lubrication oil on the bottom of the compressor is at first passed through the
oil groove and the oil passage 112, and sprayed from an upper end of the oil passage
112 so as to be supplied between contact surfaces of the components during operation
for prevention of wear and smooth operation of the components, and may be supplied
from the oil passage 112 to a gap between the crank pin 110 and the eccentric sleeve

120 directly through the oil supply hole 113. Preferably, the crank pin 110 is formed
higher than the eccentric sleeve 120, for spraying the lubrication oil to the components
evenly from a high position.
The eccentric sleeve 120 basically has an inside circumferential surface
rotatably coupled to an outside circumferential surface of the crank pin 110, and an
outside circumferential surface rotatably coupled to an end of the connecting rod 33. In
more detail, as shown in 7A, the eccentric sleeve 120 includes a track part 121 formed
along a circumference thereof, and a limiting part 122 for limiting a track of the track
part 121. There are two steps 123a and 123b between the track part 121 and the
limiting part 122. As shown in FIG. 5A, since at least a part of the key member 130 is
projected so as to be held at the eccentric sleeve 120 when the compressor is not in
operation, the track part 121 makes such a rotation of the eccentric sleeve 120 itself
relative to the key member possible. That is, the eccentric sleeve 120 can rotate round
the crank pin 110 as much as a range the track part 120 is formed therein. Opposite to
the track part 121, the limiting part 122 limits rotation of the sleeve itself together with
the key member 130 during stoppage and movement. Actually, the key member 130 is
held at the steps 123a and 123b.
In the eccentric sleeve 120, the track part 121 may be a cut away part cut along
a circumference direction starting from a top end of the eccentric sleeve 120 to a
required depth, actually. As shown in FIGS. 5B and 7B, the steps 123a and 123b are
formed in parallel to an extension line between the crank shaft axis 23a and the crank
pin axis 110a. That is, the steps 123a and 123b are actually formed in parallel to an
extension line between a maximum thickness and a minimum thickness of the
eccentric sleeve to have different widths, and the extension line is on the extension line
between the axes 23a and 110a during operation of the compressor. In other words, the

steps 123a and 123b are positioned on an extension line parallel to the extension line
of the axes 23a and 110a at the same time. Consequently, the key member 130
disposed on the same extension line can be held at both of the steps 123a and 123b,
such that the steps 123a and 123b form common contact surfaces for the key member
130, actually. Preferably, the steps 123a and 123b are spaced away from the extension
line between the axes 23a and 110a by a half of a thickness "t" of the key member 130.
According to this, the key member 130 can be held at the steps 123a and 123b more
stably and accurately. On the other hand, the steps 123a and 123b may be formed to
have slopes respectively each at an angle with respect to the extension line between the
axes 23a and 110a. In more detail, the steps 123c and 123d may be formed in a radial
direction extension line from the crank pin axis 110a sloped at an angle 9 with respect
to the extension line between the axes 23a and 110a. Also, the steps 123e and 123f
may be sloped at an angle toward the limiting part centered on a cross point with an
inside circumferential surface of the crank pin 110. Even in above cases, the steps 123c,
123d, 123e and 123f have common contact points with the key member 130, to enable
engagement with each other. Moreover, the track part 121 may be, not only the cut
away part as shown in FIG. 7A, but also a pass through hole extended to a length along
a circumferential direction at a depth from the top end of the sleeve 120 as shown in
FIG. 7E. The track part 121 of such a pass through hole holds the key member 130 so
as not to break ay/ay in a vertical direction.
Other than this, referring to FIGS. 7C and 7D, the eccentric sleeve 120 may
further include a second oil supply hole 124 formed at a height. The second oil supply
hole 124 is formed to be in communication with the first oil supply hole 113 in the
crank pin 110 when the compressor is in operation. In more detail, the key member
130 keeps holding the eccentric sleeve 120 when the compressor of the present

invention is in operation. Therefore, as shown, it is basically preferable that the
second oil supply hole 124 is in communication with the first oil supply hole 113 when
the key member 130 holds the eccentric sleeve 110. Moreover, as described before,
since the first oil supply hole 113 is perpendicular to the key member 130, it is
required that the second oil supply hole 124 also perpendicular to the steps 123a and
123b in contact with the key member 130 for communication with the first oil supply
hole 113. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7C, the eccentric sleeve 120 is arranged
oppositely with reference to the key member 130 every time the rotation direction of
the crank shaft changes, for changing eccentricity of the eccentric sleeve 120.
Therefore, it is useful that the eccentric sleeve 120 has another second oil supply hole
124 opposite to the one second oil supply hole 124 in communication with the first oil
supply hole 113. That is, the eccentric sleeve 120 becomes to have one pair of second
oil holes 124 formed oppositely. At the end, either one of the two second oil supply
holes 124 is in communication with the first oil supply hole 113 regardless of rotation
direction when the compressor is in operation. The second oil supply holes keep in
communication with the first oil supply hole 133, selectively depending on directions
of rotation of the compressor. Therefore, the lubricating oil can be supplied to a gap
between the eccentric sleeve 120 and the connecting rod 33, continuously during
operation. In addition to this, a depth of oil cavity 124a is formed around the second oil
supply hole 124, for forming a stand-by space for distributing the oil around the
second oil supply hole 124, thereby making supply of lubrication oil between the
eccentric sleeve 120 and the connecting rod 33 easy. Moreover, there is an oil groove
124b formed in an outside circumferential surface of the eccentric sleeve 120 extended
in a vertical direction so as to be in communication with the second oil supply hole 124,
so that the lubricating oil reaches to a top end, and a bottom end of the outside

circumferential surface of the eccentric sleeve 120 from the secpnd oil supply hole
124 along the oil groove 124b. According to this, the lubricating oil can be supplied
between the eccentric sleeve 120 and the connecting rod 33, uniformly.
Referring to FIG. 7A again, preferably, the steps 123a and 123b between the
track part 121 and the limiting part 122 are rounded. In more detail, as shown, there is
a round portion 125 between the steps 123a and the track part 122. The key member
130 is supported on the round portion 125 when the key member 130 is held at the
eccentric sleeve 120. A curvature of the round portion 125 is formed such that the
round portion 125 comes into contact with the key member 130 in an area as large as
possible. According to this, the key member 130 can be stably held at the eccentric
sleeve 120 by the round portion 125. Moreover, owing to the round portion 125, the
key member 130 can make, not point to point contact, but surface to surface contact,
with the eccentric sleeve 120. Moreover, the round portion 125 strengthens the steps
123a and the 123b, actually. Therefore, even if the key member 130 and the eccentric
sleeve 120 are brought into repetitive, and continual contact during operation of the
compressor, neither the key member 130, nor the eccentric sleeve 120, is not broken
due to stress concentration and fatigue caused thereby.
FIGS. 5A, 5B, or 8 illustrate the key member 130 in detail. As shown,
basically the key member 130 has a first projection 131 to be projected for a length
from the crank pin 110 even when the compressor is not in operation, and a second
projection 132 to be projected for a length from the crank pin 110 when the
compressor is in operation. The key member 130 also has a first stopper 133 for
limiting a projection length of the first projection 131. Together with this, the key
member 130 has an elastic member 140 for regulating a position of the key member
130 during the compressor is stopped or in operation. In the present invention, the key

member 130 holds the eccentric sleeve 120 while the key member 130 is moved by
the centrifugal force. Especially, as described before, the second projection 132 holds
the eccentric sleeve 12.0 as the second projection 132 is projected during operation. For
being projected by the centrifugal force generated during operation, it is required that
the second projection 132 is directed to the same direction with a direction of the
centrifugal force. Therefore, as shown, while the second projection 132 is positioned at
outer sides of radii of the crank shaft 23 and the crank pin 110 relatively, the first
projection 131 is positioned at inner sides of radii of the crank shaft 23 and the crank
pin 110. In other words, actually, the second projection 132 is arranged in the crank pin
110 spaced away from the axis 23a of the crank shaft for receiving a great centrifugal
force, and relative to this, the first projection 131 is arranged adjacent to the center.
Moreover, in order for the first and second projections 131 and 132 to hold the
eccentric sleeve 120 at the same time when the compressor is in operation, it is
preferable that the key member 130 has a length greater than an outside diameter of the
crank pin 110.
In more detail, referring to FIG. 5A, the first projection 131 is projected from
the crank pin 110 and engaged with one of the steps 123a and 123b regardless of
operation state (stop or in operation) of the compressor, and maintains an engaged state
even during operation of the compressor. For this, the elastic member 140 is fitted on
the second projection 132 and supports the first stopper 133 elastically, together with
an inside wall of the crank pin 110. A length of the projection of the first projection is
limited as the first stopper 133 of the key member 130 interferes with the inside wall of
the crank pin 110. For more stable operation, it is preferable that the length of the first
projection is at least a. half of a minimum width of the steps 123a and 123b. Also, as
described before, since the first projection 131 is positioned at an inner side of a radial

direction of the crank shaft 23 and the crank pin 110, the first projection 131 is
projected toward the inner side of the radial direction, i.e., the axis 23a of the crank
shaft, continuously. Therefore, the key member 130 is held at at least a part of the
eccentric sleeve 120 relatively positioned at the inner side of radial direction of the
crank shaft 23, always.
The second projection is projected in a direction opposite to the first projection,
to engage with the other step during operation. According to this, the first and second
projections 131 and 132 of the key member 130 engage with the eccentric sleeve 120
at the same time. The centrifugal force along the key member 130 becomes the greater
gradually as the rotation speed of the crank shaft 23 becomes the faster to overcome
the elastic force of the elastic member 140. According to this, the second projection is
moved and projected in a direction of the centrifugal force (i.e., in a direction of an
extension line between the axes 23a and 110a). In this instance, the eccentric sleeve
120 rotates round the crank pin 110 for changing eccentricity when the compressor
changes a direction of rotation. Therefore, in order not to interfere the rotation of the
eccentric sleeve 120, it is required that the second projection 132 has a length a tip of
which does not project beyond an outside circumference of the crank pin 110 when the
compressor is not in operation.
The first and second projections 131 and 132 are engaged with the steps 123a
and 123b alternately depending on the rotation direction of the crank shaft. Since the
key member 130 is arranged on the extension line between the axes 23a and 110a or at
least parallel thereto, respective contact positions of the key member 130 to the steps
123a and 123b differ if thickness "t1" and "t2" of the first and second projections differ.
Therefore, the thickness "t1" and "t2" of the first and second projections 131 and 132
are required to have the same thickness for accurate engagement with the steps 123a

and 123b. Though a section of the key member 130 is circular in the drawing and
description of the present invention, any form of the section, such as square or
hexagonal, as faras"that canrnakeengagement with the steps 123a and 123b, may be
used.
Referring to FIG. 9, a contact surface 133a of the first stopper 133 may have a
form fit to an inside circumferential surface of the crank pin 100. According to this, the
key member 130 can be engaged with the crank pin 110 exactly, and can make more
smooth operation owing to an increased weight thereof (i.e., an increased centrifugal
force makes an easy projection of the second projection 132). Preferably, the first
stopper 133 may further include a recess 133b for making stable reception of the
elastic member 140. Such contact surface 133a and the recess 133b supplement stable
operation of the key member 230, actually. In the meantime, the first stopper 133 may
be formed as a unit with the key member 130, or separately to be fitted to the key
member 130. Examples of such separate type first stopper 133 are shown in FIGS. 10A
and 10B.
Referring to FIG. 10A, the first stopper 133 may include projections 133a
extended inward in a radial direction. According to this, the first stopper 133 is fitted
to the key member 130 as the projections 133a are inserted in a circumferential groove
in a position of the key member 130. Or, as shown in FIG. 10B, the first stopper 133 of
a simple ring member may be fastened to a position of the key member 130 with a
fastening member. These separate type stoppers 133 enable fitting of the key member
130 to the crank pin 130 even when both of the key member fitting parts 111a and
111b are through holes. In more detail, by placing the stopper 133 on an inside of the
crank pin 110, and inserting the key member 130 through the through holes, the
stopper 133 and the key member 130 are engaged.

In the meantime, as described before, in the key member 130, the projection
length of the second projection 132 in the key member 130 can be regulated by the
elastic force of the elastic member 140 during regular operation. However, the
transient sharp acceleration of the crank shaft 23 and the crank pin 110 at starting of
the compressor causes a substantially great momentary centrifugal force exerted on the
key member 130. It is liable that the second projection 132 is projected excessively by
the centrifugal force enough to cause the first projection 131 broken away from the
fitting part 111. Therefore, it is preferable that the key member 130 further includes a
second stopper 134 for limiting the projection length of the second projection 133
beyond the crank pin 110 by the centrifugal force.
Referring to FIG. 11A, the second stopper 134 may be a hollow tube member
134a movably fitted on the second projection 132 in a length direction of the second
projection 132. In this instance, the elastic member 140 is arranged between the second
stopper 134a and the second projection 132. The second stopper 134a comes into
contact both with the first stopper 133 and an inside wall of the crank pin 110 when the
key member 130 moves in a direction of the centrifugal force, thereby preventing the
second projection 133 from being projected more than a certain length. As shown in
FIG. 11B, the second stopper 134 may be an extension 134b having a thickness at least
greater than a thickness of the second projection 133. That is, the second stopper 134b
in FIG. 11B is a lengthwise extension of the first stopper 133, actually. In this case, the
elastic member 140 is fitted on an outside circumference of the second stopper 134b.
Or, as shown in FIG. 11C, the second stopper 134 may be a radial direction extension
134c of the second projection to a required thickness, having a form similar to the first
stopper 133, actually. In this case, the elastic member 140 is fitted between the second
stopper 134b and the inside circumferential surface of the crank pin 110. Similar to

variations to the first stopper 133 described with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B,
the stoppers 134b and 134c may be separate members fixed to the key member 130,
respectively.:
In summary, basically the key member 130 has a length greater than a
diameter of the crank pin by at least a predetermined amount, and is movably fitted in
the crank pin. At least a part of the key member 130 (i.e., the first projection) is
projected from the crank pin even if the compressor is not in operation, and the other
part thereof (the second projection) is projected from the crank pin 110 by the
centrifugal force during the compressor is in operation. That is, the key member 130 is
held at least at a part of the eccentric sleeve 120 continuously, and held at the eccentric
sleeve 120 additionally when the compressor is in operation. Therefore, the key
member 130 is in contact with the eccentric sleeve 120 at a plurality of points, and
more particularly, the key member 130 is in contact with opposite ends of the eccentric
member 120 set up with reference to a center line of any direction at the same time
during operation, actually. Eventually, the key member 130 makes the eccentric sleeve
120 coupled with the rotating crank pin 110 positively in any direction rotation of the
motor, thereby preventing the eccentric sleeve 120 and the crank pin 110 from moving
relative to each other.
In the meantime, if the rotation direction of the crank shaft 23 changes, the
eccentric sleeve 120 rotates around the crank pin 110 to change eccentricity and the
piston stroke distance and the compression capacity. As shown in FIG. 12B, when the
crank shaft 23 starts to turn, a friction force "f" is generated between the crank pin 110
rotated with the crank shaft 23 and the connecting rod 33 stationary relative to the
crank pin 110, i.e., on the eccentric sleeve 120 in a direction (a clockwise direction
when the drawing is seen from above) opposite to the rotation direction (an anti-

clockwise direction when the drawing is seen from above) of the crank shaft 23. In
general, the rotation of the eccentric sleeve 120 is caused by such a relative friction
force "f" until one of the steps 123a or 123b of the eccentric sleeve is brought into-
contact with the first projection 131 from the key member. However, such a relative
friction force "f" overcomes friction forces between the eccentric sleeve 120 and the
connecting rod 33, and between the eccentric sleeve 120 and the crank pin 110, and
exerts on the eccentric sleeve 120. Due to this, the relative rotation force may not be
enough to rotate the eccentric sleeve 120 smoothly depending on operation conditions.
For an example, if supply of the lubricating oil between the crank pin 110, the
eccentric sleeve 120, and the connecting rod 33 are not enough, friction forces between
the members 110, 120, and 33 increase, such that the relative friction force "f" can not
rotate the eccentric sleeve 120. Or, if an abnormal external force exerts on the eccentric
sleeve 120 through the connecting rod 33, the relative friction force "f" can not
overcome the external force enough to rotate the eccentric sleeve 120.
In those cases, the eccentric sleeve 120 can not be arranged at an accurate
position to generate a required eccentricity change, failing in obtaining desired two
different compression capacities. That is, the eccentric sleeve 120 fails to rotate
adequately such that one of the steps 123a and the 123b is held at the first projection
131, leading the second projection 132 to fail in holding the other step, and thereby
holding the eccentric sleeve 120, positively. Therefore, in the present invention, an
eccentric mass 200 configured to make smooth rotation of the eccentric sleeve 120 is
provided to the eccentric sleeve 120.
Referring to FIG. 12A, the eccentric sleeve 200 is eccentric to the eccentric
sleeve 120, and, therefore, has an eccentric center of gravity G. When the crank shaft
23 starts to turn, a centrifugal force "C" exerts on the center of gravity "G" along an

extension line between the axis 23a of the crank shaft and the center of gravity "G"
Since the center of gravity "G" is spaced significantly far from the axis 23a of the crank
pin which is a center of rotation of the eccentric sleeve 120, a length "d" of an arm is
perpendicular to the extension line from the axis 23a of the crank pin. Therefore, the
centrifugal force "C" generates a local rotation moment "M" owing to the length "d" of
the arm, to rotate the eccentric sleeve 120 in a clockwise direction. The rotation
moment "M" caused by the eccentric mass 200 is substantially great, enough to rotate
the crank sleeve 120 around the crank pin 110 stably even under any external
disturbance. Accordingly, the eccentric sleeve 120 keeps rotating, to be held at the key
member 130, more precisely, at the first projection 131, and produce an accurate
eccentricity required for the change of the compression capacity. Alternatively, as
shown in a dashed line, the eccentric mass 200 may be arranged at the eccentric sleeve
120, symmetrically. In this case too, when the crank shaft 23 starts to turn, a
centrifugal force "C" exerts on a center of gravity "G", and rotation moment "M" is
generated owing to a length "d" of an arm. Alikely, the rotation moment "M" rotates
the eccentric sleeve 120 stably, such that the sleeve 120 is held at the first projection
131 of the key member. Therefore, even if the eccentric mass 200 is arranged at any
part of the eccentric sleeve 120, the eccentric mass 200 generates the rotation moment,
and rotates the eccentric sleeve 120.
As described before, referring to FIG. 12B, the friction force "f" exerts on the
eccentric sleeve 120 during rotation of the crank shaft 23. If a direction of the friction
force "f" is opposite to the direction of the rotation moment "M", the friction force "f"
offsets the rotation moment "M", resulting to interfere rotation of the eccentric sleeve.
Therefore, it is preferable that the eccentric mass 200 is arranged at the eccentric
sleeve 120 such that the eccentric mass 200 generates the rotation moment "M" in a

direction the same with the friction force "f". That is, in a preferred embodiment of .
the present invention, the eccentric mass 200 is configured to rotate the eccentric
sleeve 120 in a direction the same with the direction of the friction force "f". Moreover,
since the friction force "f" exerts in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the
crank shaft 23, preferably, the eccentric mass 200 rotates the eccentric sleeve 120 in a
direction opposite to a direction of rotation of the crank shaft 23.
Moreover, as shown, the eccentric sleeve 120 has an eccentric center "Gs".of
gravity, not only owing to its own non-uniform thickness, but also owing to the track
part 121 formed by cutting out. That is, the center of gravity "Gs" is positioned on the
limiting part 122 that is heavier. Therefore, during rotation of the crank shaft 23, a
centrifugal force "Cs" exerts on an extension line between the center of gravity "Gs" of
the eccentric sleeve 120 and the axis 23a of the crank shaft. Due to the eccentricity of
the center of gravity "Gs", the centrifugal force "C generates a rotation moment "Ms"
caused by a perpendicular distance between the extension line and the axis 110a of the
crank pin 110a, i.e., a length "ds" of an arm. The rotation moment "Ms" always exerts
in a direction the same with a rotation direction of the crank shaft 23. That is, as shown
in FIG. 12B, during anti-clockwise direction rotation of the crank shaft 23, the rotation
moment "Ms" is generated at the eccentric sleeve 120 in the anti-clockwise direction
by the center of gravity "Gs". Furthermore, though not shown, during clockwise
direction rotation of the crank shaft 23, a rotation moment "Ms" is generated in the
clockwise direction. As described, the friction force "f" rotates the eccentric sleeve 120
in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the compressor, until the eccentric
sleeve 120 is held at the first projection 131. However, the rotation moment Ms tends
to rotate the eccentric sleeve 120 in the rotation direction of the compressor. Even
when the moment "M" caused by the eccentric mass 200 exerts on the eccentric sleeve

120, the moment "Ms" rotates the eccentric sleeve 120 in a direction opposite to the
direction of rotation caused by the eccentric mass 200, finely and intermittently.
Therefore; the fine rotation of the eccentric sleeve 120 interferes the projection and
holding of the second projection 132 for perfect holding of the eccentric sleeve 120.
Since such an unstable action is caused by unbalance of weight of the eccentric sleeve
120, it is preferable that the eccentric mass 200 is arranged at a light part of the
eccentric sleeve 120. That is, as shown in FIG. 12B, the eccentric sleeve 200 is
arranged adjacent to the track part 121. Such eccentric mass 200 shifts the center of
gravity "Gs" of the eccentric sleeve 120 to a position adjacent to the axis 110a of the
crank pin, and minimizes the length ds of the arm, to eliminate an influence of the
rotation moment "Ms" from the eccentric sleeve 120. According to this, fine rotation of
the eccentric sleeve 120 is prevented, making the second projection 132 held at the
eccentric sleeve 120, more stably, by its own centrifugal force "F". Moreover, as shown,
the eccentric mass 200 at the limiting part 121 generates a rotation moment in a
direction the same with a direction of the friction force "f", i.e., opposite to the rotation
direction of the crank shaft 23, to rotate the eccentric sleeve 120. Therefore, the
eccentric sleeve 200 at the limiting part 121 is the most preferable in the rotation of the
eccentric sleeve 120 to an accurate position, and sustaining the eccentric sleeve 120 to
be at the accurate position.
The eccentric mass 200 may be arranged at any position as far as the eccentric
mass 200 can generate the rotation moment by means of the centrifugal force. For an
example, an eccentric mass of a great specific gravity may be provided in a hole
formed in the eccentric sleeve 120. However, such a provision of the eccentric sleeve
requires a larger eccentric sleeve 120, resulting to increase other members engaged
with the eccentric sleeve 120. Therefore, preferably, as shown in FIG. 5A, the

eccentric mass 200 is arranged on an outside circumferential surface of the eccentric
sleeve 120, which is made of a thin plate member for avoiding interference with other
adjacent members. The eccentric mass 200 may be formed as one unit with the
eccentric sleeve 120, when the eccentric mass 200 is an extension from the outside
circumferential surface of the eccentric sleeve 120. Or, the eccentric mass 200 may be
formed separate from the eccentric sleeve 120, and fixed to the outside circumferential
surface of the eccentric sleeve 120. The eccentric mass 200 may be arranged on or
under the eccentric sleeve 120 without interference with the connecting rod 33.
However, as shown in FIG. 5A, the eccentric mass 200 on the eccentric sleeve 120 can
prevent the connecting rod 33 from breaking away upward from the eccentric sleeve
120.
The operation of the dual capacity compressor will be described with
reference to the attached drawings. FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate plan views each
showing operation of the dual capacity compressor of the present invention in a
clockwise rotation thereof, and FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate plan views each showing
operation of the dual capacity compressor of the present invention in an anti-clockwise
rotation thereof.
FIG. 13A illustrates a plan view showing relative positions of the key member
130 and the eccentric sleeve 120 when the crank shaft 23 starts to turn in a regular, i.e.,
the clockwise direction. As described, the first projection 131 is always projected
beyond the crank pin 110 to an inward radial direction of the crank pin 110 by the
elastic force. When the crank shaft 23 starts to rotate in the clockwise direction in a
state the first projection 131 is projected, the crank pin, the eccentric sleeve, and the
key member 110, 120, and 130 are start to revolve around the axis of the crank shaft.
During the revolution, the relative friction force "f" is generated between the crank pin

110 and the connecting rod 33 in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the
crank shaft. The eccentric sleeve 120 rotates around the crank pin 110a in an anti-
clockwise direction by the friction force "f". At the same time with this, the rotation
moment "M" is generated by the centrifugal force "C" generated at the center of gravity
"G" of the eccentric mass 200, and rotates the eccentric sleeve 120 in the anti-
clockwise direction more smoothly, together with the friction force T. According to
this, the step 123b on the thin side of the eccentric sleeve is held at the projected first
projection 131, positively. Once the crank shaft 23 rotates, since the friction force "f"
and the rotation moment "M" are generated continuously, the holding between the first
projection 131 and the step 123 is continued. As shown in FIG. 13B, if rotation speed
reaches to a certain level, the key member 130 moves following the extension line
between the axes 23a, and 110a by the centrifugal force "F". According to this, the
second projection 132 engages with the step 123a on the thick side, while the contact
between the first projection 131 and the step 123b is maintained. This simultaneous
multi-point contact enables the key member 130 to make a positive engagement with
the eccentric sleeve 120. Therefore, in the regular direction rotation, even if the
external force "P" coming from re-expansion of the working fluid after compression, or
other force is applied through the connecting rod 33, the relative rotation between the
crank pin 210 and the eccentric sleeve 220 is prevented. Even if there is a local
rotation moment generated at the eccentric sleeve 120, the relative rotation of the
eccentric sleeve 110 with respect to the crank pin 110 can be prevented. As shown in
FIG. 13B, a solid line part in the drawing illustrates a top dead center state, a dashed
line part in the drawing illustrates a bottom dead center state, and the eccentric sleeve
120 arranged such that the eccentric sleeve 120 generates a maximum eccentricity
between a piston (not shown) connected to the connecting rod 33 and the crank pin 110

in the case of regular direction rotation. According to this, the piston reciprocates a
maximum stroke length Lmax, and the compressor of the present invention has the
maximum compression capacity.
In the meantime, when the crank shaft 23 starts to turn in the reverse, i.e., in
the anti-clockwise direction, the relative friction force "f" is generated between the
crank pin 110 and the connecting rod 33 in a direction opposite to the rotation direction,
i.e., in the clockwise direction, to generate the rotation moment "M" in a direction the
same with the eccentric mass 200. The eccentric sleeve 120 rotates in the clockwise
direction around the axis 110a of the crank pin starting from a position shown in FIG.
13A by the friction force "f" and the moment "M", and, as shown in FIG. 14A, has the
step 123a on the thick side engaged with the first projection 131. Alikely, during
rotation of the crank shaft 23, the engagement between the first projection 131 and the
step 123a are sustained by the friction force "f" and the moment "M". Identical to the
regular direction rotation, as shown in FIG. 14B, when the rotation speed reaches to a
certain level, the second projection 132 engages with the step 123b on the thin side by
the centrifugal force "F", such that a multi-point contact is made between the eccentric
sleeve 120 and the key member 130. Therefore, in the reverse direction rotation,
relative rotation between the crank pin 110 and the eccentric sleeve 120 can be
prevented, even if the external force "P" caused by the pressure of the working fluid
applied to the piston during compression, and other force is applied thereto. Moreover,
as shown in FIG. 14B, in the case of the reverse direction rotation, since the eccentric
sleeve 120 is arranged to have a minimum eccentricity, the piston reciprocates in a
minimum stroke length Lmin, and the compressor of the present invention has a
minimum compression capacity.
At the end, the compressor of the present invention can make stable operation

even in any operation states, i.e., in regular and reverse direction rotations, by
eliminating relative rotation between elements that are made to maintain the
eccentricity by the key member 130, i.e., the crank pin 110 and the eccentric sleeve
120.
Moreover, the eccentric sleeve 120 is made to rotate, and engage with the key
member 130 smoothly by the eccentric mass 200. That is, the eccentric mass 200
serves to arrange the eccentric sleeve 120 at a required position accurately such that
the eccentricity is changed, properly.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or
scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the
modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of
the appended claims and their equivalents.
Industrial Applicability
The multi-point contact between the eccentric sleeve and the key member
during operation permits positive engagement of the crank pin and the eccentric sleeve
through the key member, such that any external, or internal cause can make relative
movement between the eccentric sleeve and the crank pin, thereby permitting a stable
operation of the compressor without variation of an output. That is, since the
eccentricity is constant, a designed compression capacity can be obtained, without
change. Moreover, a friction loss caused by relative rotation between the crank pin and
the eccentric sleeve is prevented. At the end, such a stable operation brings about an
increase of an efficiency of the dual capacity compressor. In addition to this, noise
occurred in the relative rotation can be prevented, and lifetimes of the components can
be increased.

The rotation moment generated by the eccentric mass at the eccentric sleeve
permits smooth rotation, and change of the eccentricity of the eccentric sleeve.
Accordingly, the eccentric sleeve is arranged at a required position accurately so as to
change the eccentricity and the compression capacity before the eccentric sleeve is
held completely by the key member, thereby increasing an operative reliability of the
compressor of the present invention.

WE CLAIM :
1. A dual capacity compressor comprising:
a power generating part having a reversible motor and a crank shaft
inserted in the motor;
a compression part having a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, and a
connecting rod connected to the piston;
a crank pin in an upper part of the crank shaft eccentric to an axis of the
crank shaft;
an eccentric sleeve having an inside circumferential surface rotatably
fitted to an outside circumferential surface of the crank pin, and an outside
circumferential surface rotatably fitted to an end of the connecting rod;
a key member for positive fastening of the eccentric sleeve to the crank
pin in all rotation directions of the motor; and
an eccentric mass provided to an eccentric sleeve for rotating the
eccentric sleeve around the crank pin,
thereby providing different compression capacities by re-arranging the
eccentric sleeve that changes an effective eccentricity and a piston displacement
following change of a direction of rotation of the motor, and preventing relative
motion between the crank pin and the eccentric sleeve during operation by
means of the key member actually regardless of the direction of rotation of the
motor.
2. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the key
member is held at at least a part of the eccentric sleeve continuously, and
designed to be held at the eccentric sleeve, additionally.
3. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the key
member holds the eccentric sleeve at a plurality of points.
4. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the key
member holds the eccentric sleeve at two points set up with reference to a
center line in an direction during operation.

5. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the key
member has a length greater than an outside diameter of the crank pin.
6. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the crank
pin comprises one pair of key member fitting parts formed opposite toVeach
other.
7. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the key
member fitting parts of the crank pin are through holes in a wall of the crank pin.
8. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the crank
pin has at least one first oil supply hole for supplying oil between the eccentric
sleeve and the crank pin.
9. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first oil
supply hole is formed in the crank shaft so as to be in communication with an oil
passage for supplying oil to various moving parts of the compressor.
10. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least
one first oil hole has one pair of first oil supply holes in the crank pin opposite to
each other.
11. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the eccentric
sleeve comprises:
a track part formed along the circumference thereof for enabling rotation
of the eccentric sleeve itself relative to the projection of the key member, and
a limiting part formed relative to the track part for limiting rotation of the
projection of the key member.
12. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 11, wherein the track
part of the eccentric sleeve is a cut away part cut along a circumferential
direction at a depth from the top thereof.

13. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 11, wherein the track
part of the eccentric sleeve is a pass through hole extended along a
circumferential direction to a length at a depth from the top thereof.
14. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 11, wherein the steps
formed between the track part and the limiting part is parallel to an extension line
connecting an axis of the crank shaft and an axis of the crank pin.
15. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step is
spaced apart from an extension line connecting the axis of the crank shaft and
the axis of the crank pin as much as a distance equal to a half of a thickness of
the key member.
16. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 8, wherein the eccentric
sleeve has at least one second oil supply hole in communication with the first oil
supply hole in the crank pin.
17. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second
oil supply hole is in communication with the first oil supply hole, selectively.
18. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 11, wherein the step
between the limiting part and the track part is rounded.
19. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 16, wherein the
eccentric sleeve has oil cavities formed in an outside circumferential surface
thereof around the second oil supply hole.
20. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 16, wherein the
eccentric sleeve has an oil groove extended from the second oil supply hole
vertically in the outside circumferential surface.

21. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the key
member comprises:
a first projection for projection for a length from the crank pin even when
the compressor is not in operation, and
a second projection for projection for a length from the crank pin when the
compressor is in operation.
22. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 21, wherein the second
projection has such a length that a tip thereof is not projected beyond the outside
circumference of the crank pin when the compressor is not in operation.
23. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the key
member has a stopper for limiting movement of the key member within the key
member fitting parts.
24. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the key
member comprises an elastic member for supporting the key member such that
at least a part of the key member is kept projected out of the crank pin
regardless of operation of the compressor.
25. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 23, wherein the stopper
has a crank pin contact surface in conformity with an inside circumferential
surface of the crank pin.
26. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 23, wherein the stopper
is a first stopper for limiting one direction movement of the key member.
27. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 23, wherein the stopper
comprises a second stopper for limiting the other direction movement of the key
member.

28. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the eccentric
mass rotates the eccentric sleeve so as to be held at a part of the key member.
29. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the eccentric
mass generates a rotation moment with a centrifugal force for rotating the
eccentric sleeve.
30. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the eccentric
mass rotates the eccentric sleeve in a direction the same with a relative friction
generated at the eccentric sleeve.
31. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the eccentric
mass rotates the eccentric sleeve in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of
the crank shaft.
32. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 1 or 11, wherein the
eccentric mass is provided to a part of the eccentric sleeve, of which weight is
light, relatively.
33. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 32, wherein the
eccentric mass is arranged adjacent to the track part of the eccentric sleeve.
34. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the eccentric
sleeve is a plate member provided to the outside circumferential surface of the
eccentric sleeve.
35. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the eccentric
mass is formed as one unit with the eccentric sleeve.
36. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the eccentric
mass is formed separate from the eccentric sleeve, and fixed to the eccentric
sleeve.

37. The dual capacity compressor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the eccentric
mass arranged on an upper part of the eccentric sleeve.
A dual capacity compressor comprises a power generating part (20)
having a reversible motor (21, 22) and a crank shaft (23) inserted in the motor
(21, 23), a compression part (30) having a cylinder (32), a piston (31), and a
connecting rod (33), a crank pin (110) in an upper part of the crank shaft (23)
eccentric to an axis of the crank shaft, an eccentric sleeve (120) rotatably fitted
to the crank pin (110), and the connecting rod (33) respectively, a key member
(130) for positive fastening of the eccentric sleeve (120) to the crank pin (110) in
all rotation directions of the motor; and an eccentric mass (200) provided to an
eccentric sleeve (120) for rotating the eccentric sleeve (120) around the crank
pin (110), thereby preventing relative motion between components that sustain
the eccentricity, and permitting a smooth motion between the components.

Documents:

685-KOLNP-2005-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

685-KOLNP-2005-FORM-27.pdf

685-kolnp-2005-granted-abstract.pdf

685-kolnp-2005-granted-assignment.pdf

685-kolnp-2005-granted-claims.pdf

685-kolnp-2005-granted-correspondence.pdf

685-kolnp-2005-granted-description (complete).pdf

685-kolnp-2005-granted-drawings.pdf

685-kolnp-2005-granted-examination report.pdf

685-kolnp-2005-granted-form 1.pdf

685-kolnp-2005-granted-form 18.pdf

685-kolnp-2005-granted-form 3.pdf

685-kolnp-2005-granted-form 5.pdf

685-kolnp-2005-granted-gpa.pdf

685-kolnp-2005-granted-letter patent.pdf

685-kolnp-2005-granted-priority document.pdf

685-kolnp-2005-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

685-kolnp-2005-granted-specification.pdf

685-kolnp-2005-granted-translated copy of priority document.pdf

685-KOLNP-2005-PA.pdf


Patent Number 214642
Indian Patent Application Number 685/KOLNP/2005
PG Journal Number 07/2008
Publication Date 15-Feb-2008
Grant Date 13-Feb-2008
Date of Filing 20-Apr-2005
Name of Patentee LG ELECTRONICS INC.
Applicant Address 20 YOIDO-DONG, YOUNGDUNGPO GU, 150-721 SEOUL
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 CHOI CHEAL LAK 306-503, SINJUGON APT., OE-DONG, GIMHAE-SI, 621-754 GEYONGSANGNAM-DO
2 KANG DAL SOO 105-502, SUNGWON 1-CHA APT., 641-751 GEYONGSANGNAM-DO
3 RHO CHUL GI 123-2204, DAEDONG PAT., 44-1, SANGNAM-DONG, CHANGWON-SI, 641-777 GEYONGSANGNAM-DO
4 SEO MIN YOUNG 204-302, SINWOL JUGONG APT., SINWOL-DONG, CHANGWON-SI, 641-777 GEYONGSANGNAM-DO
5 KIM KEE JOO 110-1705, DAEDONG APT., 44-1, SANGNAM-DONG, CHANGWON-SI, 641-777 GEYONGSANGNAM-DO,
6 HUR JUNE SOO 103-407, GAENARI 1-CHA APT., DAEBANG-DONG, CHANGWON-SI, 641-753 GEYONGSANGNAM-DO,
PCT International Classification Number F04B 49/12
PCT International Application Number PCT/KR2003/002320
PCT International Filing date 2003-10-31
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 10-2002-0067277 2002-10-31 Republic of Korea