DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] A description will be given below of an embodiment in accordance with the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this case, a whole structure of a refrigerant compressor is the same as that shown in FIG. 6 . That is, a suction chamber and a compression chamber (none of them are illustrated) which are sectioned by a vane (not shown) are formed within a cylinder 3 with respect to a roller 6 provided in a crank shaft 5 , and a refrigerant gas is introduced to a compression chamber from a suction chamber so as to be compressed and forms a refrigerant gas having a high temperature and a high pressure.

[0028] Further, the refrigerant gas reaches a discharge muffler 9 via a discharge port of a main frame 16 and a discharge valve apparatus 8 , a part thereof passes through a passage 14 between a stator 11 and a rotor 12 in a motor 10 and another part thereof passes through a passage 15 between the stator 11 and the closed container 2 so as to flow to an upper portion of the motor 10 , and the refrigerant gas further flows out of the compressor through a discharge pipe 13 .

[0029] FIGS. 1A and 1B are views showing a structure of the discharge valve apparatus 8 of the refrigerant compressor in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a plan view of the discharge valve apparatus 8 of the refrigerant compressor and FIG. 1B is a cross sectional view of a main portion of the discharge valve 8 portion. In the drawings, reference numeral 16 denotes a main frame, reference numeral 7 denotes a discharge port formed in the main frame, reference numeral 17 denotes a mounting hole formed in the main frame, reference numeral 18 denotes a caulking pin, reference numeral 80 denotes a discharge valve, and reference numeral 81 denotes a valve restricting plate. The discharge valve apparatus 8 is constituted by the discharge valve 80 , the valve restricting plate 81 , the caulking pin 18 and the like.

[0030] The main frame 16 corresponds to a member for forming a compression chamber (not shown) within a cylinder 3 by closing an opening of the cylinder 3 . The discharge port 7 for discharging the refrigerant gas compressed within the compression chamber is formed in the main frame 16 . The discharge valve 80 opening and closing the discharge port 7 is formed in a reed shape made of a thin sheet member, and has a substantially circular valve cover 80 a portion opening and closing the discharge port 7 in one end and a fixed portion for being fixed to the main frame 16 in another end.

[0031] The valve restricting plate 81 is formed in a rectangular shape similar to the discharge valve 80 , overlaps a fixed portion 81 b of the valve restricting plate 81 on the fixed portion of the discharge valve 80 , and is adhered to the mounting hole 17 of the main frame 16 by a caulking pin 18 . An opposite side to the fixed portion in the valve restricting plate 81 is provided with a head portion 81 a wider than an intermediate portion, has a shape smoothly warped up from a middle of the intermediate portion, and restricts an opening amount of the valve cover 80 a portion of the discharge valve 80 . Further, a circular through hole 81 c is provided in the head portion 81 a of the valve restricting plate 81 .

[0032] In the discharge valve apparatus 8 structure in the manner mentioned above, the compressed refrigerant gas presses up the valve cover 80 a of the discharge valve 80 closing the discharge port 7 from the below in the drawing so as to bring the discharge valve 80 into contact with the valve restricting plate 81 . Since the oil mixed into the refrigerant gas is attached to the contact portion at a time when the discharge of the refrigerant gas is thereafter finished and the discharge valve 80 is going to move toward the discharge port 7 from the valve restricting plate 81 , there is a problem that the discharge valve 80 is closely attached to the valve restricting plate 81 or a negative pressure is generated in the contact portion, whereby a valve disengagement is deteriorated.

[0033] When the valve disengagement is deteriorated, the refrigerant gas flows backward to the suction chamber due to a close delay of the discharge port 7 , thereby causing a reduction of a compression efficiency. However, in accordance with the present invention, since the circular through hole 81 c is provided in the head portion 81 a corresponding to the maximum area portion of the valve restricting plate 81 with which the discharge valve 80 is brought into contact, it is possible to well apply a back pressure to the valve cover 80 a of the discharge valve 80 by the gas introduced from the opposite side of the discharge valve. Due to the back pressure, the discharge valve 80 can easily move apart from the contact surface of the valve restricting plate 81 .

[0034] Accordingly, since it is possible to improve a response of the discharge valve, it is possible to increase a compression efficiency of a whole of the refrigerant compressor.

[0035] FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing a structure of the discharge valve apparatus 8 of the refrigerant compressor in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a plan view of the discharge valve apparatus 8 of the refrigerant compressor and FIG. 2B is a cross sectional view of a main portion of the discharge valve 8 portion. In the drawings, reference numeral 16 denotes a main frame, reference numeral 7 denotes a discharge port formed in the main frame, reference numeral 17 denotes a mounting hole formed in the main frame, reference numeral 18 denotes a caulking pin, reference numeral 80 denotes a discharge valve, and reference numeral 81 denotes a valve restricting plate. The discharge valve apparatus 8 is constituted by the discharge valve 80 , the valve restricting plate 81 , the caulking pin 18 and the like.

[0036] The main frame 16 corresponds to a member for forming a compression chamber (not shown) within a cylinder 3 as described above. The discharge port 7 for discharging the refrigerant gas compressed within the compression chamber is formed in the main frame 16 . The discharge valve 80 opening and closing the discharge port 7 is formed in a reed shape made of a thin sheet member, and has a substantially circular valve cover 80 a portion opening and closing the discharge port 7 in one end and a fixed portion for being fixed to the main frame 16 in another end.

[0037] The valve restricting plate 81 is formed in a rectangular shape similar to the discharge valve 80 , overlaps a fixed portion 81 b of the valve restricting plate 81 on the fixed portion of the discharge valve 80 , and is adhered to the mounting hole 17 of the main frame 16 by a caulking pin 18 . An opposite side to the fixed portion in the valve restricting plate 81 is provided with a head portion 81 a wider than an intermediate portion, has a shape smoothly warped up from a middle of the intermediate portion, and restricts an opening amount of the valve cover 80 a portion of the discharge valve 80 . Further, a circular recess portion 81 d and a small hole 81 e extending through from the recess portion 81 d to the opposite side of the discharge valve are provided in the side of the discharge valve 80 in the head portion 81 a of the valve restricting plate 81 .

[0038] In the discharge valve apparatus 8 structure in the manner mentioned above, the compressed refrigerant gas presses up the valve cover 80 a of the discharge valve 80 closing the discharge port 7 from the below so as to bring the discharge valve 80 into contact with the valve restricting plate 81 . Since the oil mixed into the refrigerant gas is attached to the contact portion at a time when the discharge of the refrigerant gas is thereafter finished and the discharge valve 80 is going to move toward the discharge port 7 from the valve restricting plate 81 , there is a problem that the discharge valve 80 is closely attached or a negative pressure is generated in the contact portion, whereby a valve disengagement is deteriorated.

[0039] When the valve disengagement is deteriorated, the refrigerant gas flows backward to the suction chamber due to a close delay of the discharge port 7 , thereby causing a reduction of a compression efficiency. However, in accordance with the present invention, since the circular recess portion 81 d and the small hole 81 e extending through from the recess portion 81 d to the opposite side of the discharge valve are provided in the head portion 81 a corresponding to the maximum area portion of the valve restricting plate 81 with which the discharge valve 80 is brought into contact, it is possible to well apply a back pressure to the valve cover 80 a of the discharge valve 80 by the gas introduced from the opposite side of the discharge valve. Further, due to the back pressure, the discharge valve 80 can easily move apart from the contact surface of the valve restricting plate 81 .

[0040] Accordingly, since it is possible to improve a response of the discharge valve, it is possible to increase a compression efficiency of a whole of the refrigerant compressor.

[0041] FIGS. 3A and 3B are views showing a structure of the discharge valve apparatus 8 in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a plan view of the discharge valve apparatus 8 of the refrigerant compressor and FIG. 1B is a cross sectional view of a main portion of the discharge valve 8 portion. In the drawings, reference numeral 16 denotes a main frame, reference numeral 7 denotes a discharge port formed in the main frame, reference numeral 17 denotes a mounting hole formed in the main frame, reference numeral 18 denotes a caulking pin, reference numeral 80 denotes a discharge valve, and reference numeral 81 denotes a valve restricting plate. The discharge valve apparatus 8 is constituted by the discharge valve 80 , the valve restricting plate 81 , the caulking pin 18 and the like.

[0042] The main frame 16 corresponds to a member for forming a compression chamber (not shown) in the same manner, and the discharge port 7 for discharging the refrigerant gas compressed within the compression chamber is formed in the main frame 16 . The discharge valve 80 opening and closing the discharge port 7 is formed in a reed shape made of a thin sheet member, and has a substantially circular valve cover 80 a portion opening and closing the discharge port 7 in one end and a fixed portion for being fixed to the main frame 16 in another end.

[0043] The valve restricting plate 81 is formed in a rectangular shape similar to the discharge valve 80 , overlaps a fixed portion 81 b of the valve restricting plate 81 on the fixed portion of the discharge valve 80 , and is adhered to the mounting hole 17 of the main frame 16 by a caulking pin 18 . An opposite side to the fixed portion in the valve restricting plate 81 is provided with a head portion 81 a wider than an intermediate portion, has a shape smoothly warped up from a middle of the intermediate portion, and restricts an opening amount of the valve cover 80 a portion of the discharge valve 80 . Further, a U-shaped notch 81 f having an open front end is provided in the head portion 81 a of the valve restricting plate 81 .

[0044] In the discharge valve apparatus 8 structure in the manner mentioned above, the compressed refrigerant gas presses up the valve cover 80 a of the discharge valve 80 closing the discharge port 7 from the below in the drawing so as to bring the discharge valve 80 into contact with the valve restricting plate 81 . Since the oil mixed into the refrigerant gas is attached to the contact portion at a time when the discharge of the refrigerant gas is thereafter finished and the discharge valve 80 is going to move toward the discharge port 7 from the valve restricting plate 81 , there is a problem that the discharge valve 80 is closely attached or a negative pressure is generated in the contact portion, whereby a valve disengagement is deteriorated.

[0045] When the valve disengagement is deteriorated, the refrigerant gas flows backward to the suction chamber due to a close delay of the discharge port 7 , thereby causing a reduction of a compression efficiency. However, in accordance with the present invention, since the U-shaped notch 81 f having the open front end is provided in the head portion 81 a corresponding to the maximum area portion of the valve restricting plate 81 with which the discharge valve 80 is brought into contact, it is possible to well apply a back pressure to the valve cover 80 a of the discharge valve 80 by the gas introduced from the opposite side of the discharge valve and the front end portion. Due to the back pressure, the discharge valve 80 can easily move apart from the contact surface of the valve restricting plate 81 .

[0046] Accordingly, since it is possible to improve a response of the discharge valve 80 , it is possible to increase a compression efficiency of a whole of the compressor.

[0047] FIGS. 4A and 4B are views showing a structure of the discharge valve apparatus 8 of the refrigerant compressor in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a plan view of the discharge valve apparatus 8 of the refrigerant compressor and FIG. 1B is a cross sectional view of a main portion of the discharge valve 8 portion. In the drawings, reference numeral 16 denotes a main frame, reference numeral 7 denotes a discharge port formed in the main frame, reference numeral 17 denotes a mounting hole formed in the main frame, reference numeral 18 denotes a caulking pin, reference numeral 80 denotes a discharge valve, and reference numeral 81 denotes a valve restricting plate. The discharge valve apparatus 8 is constituted by the discharge valve 80 , the valve restricting plate 81 , the caulking pin 18 and the like.

[0048] The main frame 16 corresponds to a member for forming a compression chamber (not shown) in the same manner as described above. The discharge port 7 for discharging the refrigerant gas compressed within the compression chamber is formed in the main frame 16 . The discharge valve 80 opening and closing the discharge port 7 is formed in a reed shape made of a thin sheet member, and has a substantially circular valve cover 80 a portion opening and closing the discharge port 7 in one end and a fixed portion for being fixed to the main frame 16 in another end.

[0049] The valve restricting plate 81 is formed in a rectangular shape similar to the discharge valve 80 , overlaps a fixed portion 81 b of the valve restricting plate 81 on the fixed portion of the discharge valve 80 , and is adhered to the mounting hole 17 of the main frame 16 by a caulking pin 18 . An opposite side to the fixed portion in the valve restricting plate 81 is provided with a head portion 81 a wider than an intermediate portion, has a shape smoothly warped up from a middle of the intermediate portion, and restricts an opening amount of the valve cover 80 a portion of the discharge valve 80 . Further, a recess portion 81 g having an open front end and circular fixed portion is provided in the head portion 81 a of the valve restricting plate 81 .

[0050] In the discharge valve apparatus 8 structure in the manner mentioned above, the compressed refrigerant gas presses up the valve cover 80 a of the discharge valve 80 closing the discharge port 7 from the below so as to bring the discharge valve 80 into contact with the valve restricting plate 81 . Since the oil mixed into the refrigerant gas is attached to the contact portion at a time when the discharge of the refrigerant gas is thereafter finished and the discharge valve 80 is going to move toward the discharge port 7 from the valve restricting plate 81 , there is a problem that the discharge valve 80 is closely attached or a negative pressure is generated in the contact portion, whereby a valve disengagement is deteriorated.

[0051] When the valve disengagement is deteriorated, the refrigerant gas flows backward to the suction chamber due to a close delay of the discharge port 7 , thereby causing a reduction of a compression efficiency. However, in accordance with the present invention, since the recess portion 81 g having the open front end and the circular fixed portion is provided in the head portion 81 a corresponding to the maximum area portion of the valve restricting plate 81 with which the discharge valve 80 is brought into contact, it is possible to well apply a back pressure to the valve cover 80 a of the discharge valve 80 by the gas introduced from the front end of the recess portion 81 g . Further, due to the back pressure, the discharge valve 80 can easily move apart from the contact surface of the valve restricting plate 81 .

[0052] Accordingly, since it is possible to improve a response of the discharge valve 80 , it is possible to increase a compression efficiency of a whole of the refrigerant compressor. In this case, the same effect can be obtained in the case that the shape of the recess portion 81 g is a U shape having an open front end.

[0053] Further, it is recommended to set an area of the through hole 81 a , or the recess portion 81 d or 81 g , or the notch 81 f provided in the head portion 81 a of the valve restricting plate 81 in accordance with the present invention mentioned above to a range between 3% and 50% of an area of the valve cover 80 a portion in the discharge valve 80 shown in FIG. 5 . This means that in the case of setting the area of the valve cover 80 a portion to 100 mm ² and forming the valve cover 80 a portion in the circular shape, a diameter thereof corresponds to about 2 mm to 8 mm. By applying the back pressure to the valve cover 80 a with the corresponding area to the diameter 2 mm or more, it is possible to sufficiently obtain the valve disengaging property apart from the contact surface, and it is possible to keep a strength of the valve restricting plate 81 without increasing the thickness by setting to the corresponding area to the diameter 8 mm or less. Accordingly, since it is possible improve a response of the discharge valve 80 , it is possible to increase the compression efficiency of the whole of the compressor.

[0054] Further, it is recommended that the through hole 81 c , or the recess portion 81 d or 81 g , or the notch 81 f provided in the head portion 81 a of the valve restricting plate 81 in accordance with the present invention mentioned above is formed by being press molded from the side of the contact surface in the discharge valve 80 . If the convex portion exists on the contact surface of the valve restricting plate 81 at a time when the discharge valve 80 is brought into contact therewith, an excessive stress is generated in the discharge valve 80 due to the contact with a local portion at the front end of the convex portion, whereby there is fear that a disadvantage is generated due to breakage. However, since a shear drop is generated around the contact surface by press molding from the side of the contact surface and an angle formed with respect to the contact surface is rounded, it is possible to prevent the convex shape from being generated on the contact surface, and it is possible to easily manufacture the contact surface smoothly warped up from the intermediate portion restricting an opening amount of the discharge valve 80 at a high accuracy and with a good workability.

[0055] Further, the embodiments of the discharge valve apparatus mentioned above are shown as the embodiments applied to the rotary type compressor, however, the structure is not limited to this, and can be applied to a scroll type refrigerant compressor or a reciprocating type refrigerant compressor.

[0056] As described above, in accordance with the present invention, in the refrigerant compressor provided with the discharge port constructed in the member forming the compression chamber, the discharge vale formed in the reed shape and constituted by the valve cover portion for opening and closing the discharge port at one end and the fixed portion at another end, and the substantially rectangular valve restricting plate closely fixed to a member forming the compression chamber together with the fixed portion of the discharge valve and restricting the opening amount of the side of the valve cover portion, since the head portion wider than the middle portion of the valve restricting plate is provided in the valve restricting plate in the side with which the valve cover portion of the discharge valve is brought into contact, and the circular through hole is provided in the head portion, it is possible to well apply a back pressure to the valve cover of the discharge valve. Accordingly, the discharge valve can easily move apart from the contact surface of the valve restricting plate, and it is possible to obtain an effect of improving the response of the discharge valve.

[0057] Further, in accordance with the present invention, in the refrigerant compressor provided with the discharge port constructed in the member forming the compression chamber, the discharge vale formed in the reed shape and constituted by the valve cover portion for opening and closing the discharge port at one end and the fixed portion at another end, and the substantially rectangular valve restricting plate closely fixed to a member forming the compression chamber together with the fixed portion of the discharge valve and restricting the opening amount of the side of the valve cover portion, since the head portion wider than the middle portion of the valve restricting plate is provided in the valve restricting plate in the side with which the valve cover portion of the discharge valve is brought into contact, and the circular recess portion and the small hole extending from the recess portion to an opposite side to the contact surface are provided in the side of the contact surface of the head portion, it is possible to well apply a back pressure to the valve cover of the discharge valve. Accordingly, the discharge valve can easily move apart from the contact surface of the valve restricting plate, and it is possible to obtain an effect of improving the response of the discharge valve.

[0058] Further, in accordance with the present invention, in the refrigerant compressor provided with the discharge port constructed in the member forming the compression chamber, the discharge vale formed in the reed shape and constituted by the valve cover portion for opening and closing the discharge port at one end and the fixed portion at another end, and the substantially rectangular valve restricting plate closely fixed to a member forming the compression chamber together with the fixed portion of the discharge valve and restricting the opening amount of the side of the valve cover portion, since the head portion wider than the middle portion of the valve restricting plate is provided in the valve restricting plate in the side with which the valve cover portion of the discharge valve is brought into contact, and the U-shaped notch having the open front end is provided in the head portion, it is possible to well apply a back pressure to the valve cover of the discharge valve. Accordingly, the discharge valve can easily move apart from the contact surface of the valve restricting plate, and it is possible to obtain an effect of improving the response of the discharge valve.

[0059] Further, in accordance with the present invention, in the refrigerant compressor provided with the discharge port constructed in the member forming the compression chamber, the discharge vale formed in the reed shape and constituted by the valve cover portion for opening and closing the discharge port at one end and the fixed portion at another end, and the substantially rectangular valve restricting plate closely fixed to a member forming the compression chamber together with the fixed portion of the discharge valve and restricting the opening amount of the side of the valve cover portion, since the head portion wider than the middle portion of the valve restricting plate is provided in the valve restricting plate in the side with which the valve cover portion of the discharge valve is brought into contact, and the recess portion having the front end open to the side of the contact surface and the circular shape in the side of the fixed portion is provided in the head portion, it is possible to well apply a back pressure to the valve cover of the discharge valve. Accordingly, the discharge valve can easily move apart from the contact surface of the valve restricting plate, and it is possible to obtain an effect of improving the response of the discharge valve.

[0060] Further, in accordance with the present invention, since the area of the through hole, or the recess portion or the notch in the head portion of the valve restricting plate is set to the range between 3 and 50% of the area of the valve cover portion in the discharge valve, it is possible to well apply a back pressure to the valve cover of the discharge valve, and it is possible to improve the response of the discharge valve. Accordingly, it is possible to increase a compression efficiency of a whole of the compressor.

[0061] Further, in accordance with the present invention, since the through hole, or the recess portion or the notch in the head portion of the valve restricting plate is formed by being press molded from the side of the contact surface in the discharge valve, it is possible to prevent a convex shape from being generated on the contact surface, and it is possible to easily manufacture the contact surface of the valve restricting plate smoothly warped up from the intermediate portion for restricting the opening amount of the discharge valve at a high accuracy and with a good workability.