Discharge valve for linear compressor

Abstract

A discharge valve is adapted to a linear compressor which is elastically supported in an axial direction by a discharge valve spring and which opens/closes a compression space defined between a cylinder and a piston, the discharge valve comprising: a body made from a metal material; and a coating layer made from a plastic material to wrap the body. The linear compressor provided with such a discharge valve is ensured with a satisfactory level of strength with less use of materials.

1 . A discharge valve for a linear compressor which is elastically supported in an axial direction by a discharge valve spring and which opens/closes a compression space defined between a cylinder and a piston, the discharge valve comprising:
 a body made from a metal material; and   a coating layer made from a plastic material to wrap the body.   
     
     
         2 . The discharge valve of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a center portion, on which the discharge valve spring is settled;   an expanded portion, which expands in a radial direction of the center portion with a uniform thickness and which has a plurality of reinforcement ribs; and   a rim portion, which is formed in a circumference direction of the expanded portion with a uniform thickness.   
     
     
         3 . The discharge valve of  claim 2 , wherein the reinforcement ribs are uniformly arranged at the expanded portion along the circumference direction. 
     
     
         4 . The discharge valve of  claim 2  or  claim 3 , wherein the reinforcement ribs have a decreasing height in an outward direction from the center portion to the rim portion. 
     
     
         5 . The discharge valve of one of  claims 2  through  4 , wherein the reinforcement ribs have a linear form. 
     
     
         6 . The discharge valve of one of  claims 2  through  5 , wherein the reinforcement ribs have a branched ‘Y-shaped’ form in an outward direction from the center portion to the rim portion. 
     
     
         7 . The discharge valve of one of  claims 1  through  6 , wherein the body is made from aluminum material, and the coating layer is made from PEEK material. 
     
     
         8 . The discharge valve of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a center portion on which a discharge valve spring is settled;   an expanded portion, which expands in a radial direction of the center portion with a decreasing thickness and which has a plurality of weight reduction grooves; and   a rim portion, which is formed in a circumference direction of the expanded portion with a uniform thickness.   
     
     
         9 . The discharge valve of  claim 8 , wherein the weight reduction grooves are uniformly arranged at the expanded portion. 
     
     
         10 . The discharge valve of  claim 8  or  claim 9 , wherein the weight reduction grooves form a molecular pattern where at least two weight reduction grooves are arranged within a given section in a circumference direction of the expanded portion. 
     
     
         11 . The discharge valve of one of  claims 8  through  10 , wherein the weight reduction grooves are arranged at the expanded portion in a radiation pattern about the center portion. 
     
     
         12 . The discharge valve of one of  claims 8  through  11 , wherein the weight reduction grooves are arranged at the expanded portion with a uniform depth. 
     
     
         13 . The discharge valve of one of  claims 8  through  12 , wherein the weight reduction grooves have a triangular shape. 
     
     
         14 . The discharge valve of one of  claims 8  through  12 , wherein the weight reduction grooves have a circular shape. 
     
     
         15 . The discharge valve of  claim 14 , wherein four neighboring weight reduction grooves are arranged in a diamond-shape.