Scroll compressor with spring to assist in holding scroll wraps in contact

Abstract

An electric motor drives a shaft to cause one scroll member to orbit relative to another scroll member. The shaft has an eccentric pin extending upwardly into a slider block. The eccentric pin is further provided with a generally flat drive surface, with clearance provided between the bore of the slider block and an outer periphery of the eccentric pin such that the slider block can move relative to the eccentric pin. The slider block extends upwardly into a boss extending away from the base of one scroll member wrap. A spring is positioned to bias the one scroll wrap toward the other scroll member wrap. The spring is positioned between the eccentric pin and the bore of the slider block.

1 . A scroll compressor comprising:
 a first scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from said base;   a second scroll member having a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from its base, said wraps of said first and second scroll members interfitting to define compression chambers;   an electric motor driving a shaft to cause said second scroll member to orbit relative to said first scroll member, and said shaft having an eccentric pin extending upwardly into a slider block, said slider block being provided with a bore with a generally flat drive surface, and a curved surface at locations removed from said generally flat drive surface, said eccentric pin further being provided with a generally flat drive surface, with clearance provided between said bore of said slider block and an outer periphery of said eccentric pin such that said slider block can move relative to said eccentric pin;   said slider block extending upwardly into a boss extending away from said base of said second scroll member, with movement of said slider block relative to said eccentric pin causing movement of said second scroll member relative to said first scroll member; and   a spring biasing said second scroll member wrap toward said first scroll member wrap, said spring being positioned between said eccentric pin and said bore of said slider block.   
     
     
         2 . The scroll compressor as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said spring is a leaf spring. 
     
     
         3 . The scroll compressor as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said leaf spring is positioned within said bore of said slider block, and within said curved portion. 
     
     
         4 . The scroll compressor as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein one end of said leaf spring is formed adjacent an end of said flat drive surface. 
     
     
         5 . The scroll compressor as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said flat drive face of said slider block is formed along a line which is non-parallel to a center line of said counterweight. 
     
     
         6 . The scroll compressor as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said flat drive face of said slider block is formed to be parallel to a centerline of a counterweight received about said slider block. 
     
     
         7 . The scroll compressor as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein there are a plurality of springs. 
     
     
         8 . The scroll compressor as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein there are at least four leaf springs. 
     
     
         9 . The scroll compressor as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a face of said spring facing an inner periphery of said slider block bore is spaced from said slider block bore.