SEALING STRUCTURE AND PACKING ELEMENT THEREOF

Abstract

A sealing structure includes a first substrate having a first compartment, a second compartment and a first base surface. A first element, disposed between the first and second compartments, a second element and a third element, moves between a first initial position and a first predetermined position. The first element has a first acting surface and the second element has a second acting surface. The third element includes a body, a first sectioned part having a first main conjunctive surface, and a second sectioned part having a second main conjunctive surface. When the first element is moved to the first predetermined position, the body is clamped between the first and second acting surfaces, and the first main conjunctive surface contacts the second main conjunctive surface. Thus, the deformed third element pressing against the first base surface separates the first compartment from the second compartment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a sealing structure, and more particularly to a sealing structure and a packing element thereof capable of separating one compartment from another compartment.

2. Description of the Related Art

In FIG. 1, a sealing structure N comprises a first base C1, a second base C2, a pressure plate n1, a backing plate n2, a lip-like seal n3 and a spring n4. The first base C1 has a compartment c11 and an inner sidewall c100. The second base C2 has a hole for receiving the first base C1. The pressure plate n1 is disposed in the compartment c11 of the first base C1. The backing plate n2 is disposed in the compartment c11 of the first base C1. The lip-like seal n3 is clamped between the pressure plate n1 and the backing plate n2 to press against the inner sidewall c100 of the compartment c11 of the first base C1. The spring n4 is disposed between the pressure plate n1 and the bottom of the compartment c11 of the first base C1. That is, the pressure plate n1, the backing plate n2, the seal n3 and the spring n4 are disposed between the first and second bases C1 and C2, and the seal n3 is extended from the pressure plate n1 and the backing plate n2. When the extended part of the seal n3 presses the inner sidewall c100 of the compartment c11 of the first base C1, the inner space enclosed by the first and second bases C1 and C2 can be divided into a first compartment “I” and a second compartment “II” via the seal n3.

When the fluid in the first compartment “I” is pressurized, the pressurized fluid in the first compartment “I” forces the pressure plate n1, the backing plate n2, the seal n3 and the spring n4 toward the second base C2, pressing the backing plate n2 to contact the second base C2 and pressing the seal n3 to contact the inner sidewall c100 of the compartment c11 of the first base C1.

When the fluid in the first compartment “I” is further pressurized, the fluid in the first compartment “I” may travel to the second compartment “II” via the clearance between the seal n3 and the inner sidewall c100 of the compartment c11, thus, the seal n3 between the first and second compartment “I” and “II” is broken.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a sealing structure and packing element thereof. An embodiment of a packing element comprises a body, a first sectioned part and a second sectioned part. The body comprises a first surface, a second surface, a first end and a second end. The first surface and the second surface are parallel. The first sectioned part disposed on the first end of the body comprises a first main conjunctive surface and two first sub-conjunctive surfaces. The first main conjunctive surface is located between the two first sub-conjunctive surfaces and is not adjacent to the first and second surfaces of the body, and the two first sub-conjunctive surfaces are respectively disposed next to the first and second surfaces of the body. The second sectioned part disposed on the second end of the body comprises a second main conjunctive surface corresponding to the first main conjunctive surface and two second sub-conjunctive surfaces. The second main conjunctive surface is located between the two second sub-conjunctive surfaces and is not adjacent to the first and second surfaces of the body, and the two second sub-conjunctive surfaces are respectively disposed next to the first and second surfaces of the body, and the first and second main conjunctive surfaces are parallel to the first and second surfaces of the body.

The shape of the body can be circular. The body, the first sectioned part and the second sectioned part can be integrally formed. The body can further comprise a conical surface disposed next to the first surface, the second surface, the first main conjunctive surface of the first sectioned part, and the second main conjunctive surface of the second sectioned part. The first main conjunctive surface is perpendicular to the two first sub-conjunctive surfaces, and the second main conjunctive surface is perpendicular to the two second sub-conjunctive surfaces. The packing element can be made of an elastic material. The elastic material can be a reinforced Teflon resin.

Another embodiment of a sealing structure comprises a first substrate, a first element, a second element and a packing element. The first substrate comprises an inner space and a first base surface. The first base surface is a sidewall of the inner space. The first element comprising a first acting surface disposed on the inner space moves between a first initial position and a first predetermined position. The second element disposed in the inner space of the first substrate comprises a second acting surface. The packing element disposed between the first acting surface of the first element and the second acting surface of the second element comprises a body, a first sectioned part and a second sectioned part. The body comprises a first surface, a second surface, a first end and a second end. The first surface and the second surface are parallel. The first sectioned part disposed on the first end of the body comprises a first main conjunctive surface and two first sub-conjunctive surfaces. The first main conjunctive surface is located between the two first sub-conjunctive surfaces and is not adjacent to the first and second surfaces of the body, and the two first sub-conjunctive surfaces are respectively disposed next to the first and second surfaces of the body. The second sectioned part disposed on the second end of the body comprises a second main conjunctive surface corresponding to the first main conjunctive surface and two second sub-conjunctive surfaces. The second main conjunctive surface is located between the two second sub-conjunctive surfaces and is not adjacent to the first and second surfaces of the body. The two second sub-conjunctive surfaces are respectively disposed next to the first and second surfaces of the body, and the first and second main conjunctive surfaces are parallel to the first and second surfaces of the body.

The body is deformedly clamped between the first acting surface of the first element and the second acting surface of the second element. The first main conjunctive surface of the first sectioned part contacts the second main conjunctive surface of the second sectioned part, pressing the deformed third element against the first base surface of the first substrate.

The first acting surface of the first element comprises a first conical surface and the body of the packing element comprises a second conical surface contacting the first conical surface of the first acting surface of the first element. The first conical surface of the first acting surface of the first element and the second conical surface of the body of the packing element have the same conical angle. The formed packing element can have a trapezoidal cross-section. The body of the packing element can be formed in circular. The packing element can be made of an elastic material. The elastic material can be a reinforced Teflon resin.

The sealing structure can further comprise a second substrate having a second base surface. The second element contacts the second base surface of the second substrate when the first element is moved from the first initial position to the first predetermined position. The first main conjunctive surface of the packing element is perpendicular to the two first sub-conjunctive surfaces of the packing element, and the second main conjunctive surface is perpendicular to the two second sub-conjunctive surfaces. The first surface of the packing element contacts the first acting surface of the first element, and the second surface of the packing element contacts the second acting surface of the second element.

The sealing structure can further comprise an elastic member disposed between the first substrate and the first element. The elastic member can be a spring. The sealing structure can be a scroll compressor.

A detailed description is given in the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional sealing structure;

FIG. 2A is an assembled perspective view of an scroll compressor and a sealing structure of the invention;

FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the sealing structure of the invention, wherein the sealing structure comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a first element, a second element, a packing element and an elastic member;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the packing element of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 4A is a sectional view of the sealing structure of FIG. 2A along line a-a, wherein the sealing structure is in a normal status (not pressurized);

FIG. 4B is a sectional view of the sealing structure of FIG. 2A along line a-a, wherein the sealing structure is in a working status (pressurized); and

FIG. 4C is an enlarged view of region z of FIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is of the best-contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims.

In FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the scroll compressor E comprises a main body B0 and a sealing structure M disposed in the main body B0. The sealing structure M comprises a first substrate B1 having a shaft portion b10, a second substrate B2 having a hole portion b20, a first element 1, a second element 2, a third element 3 disposed between the first and second elements 1 and 2, and an elastic member 4 disposed between the first element 1 and the first substrate B1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the structure of the third element 3 of FIG. 2B. FIGS. 4A and 4B show the sealing structure M in a normal status (not pressurized) and a working status (pressurized), respectively. The main body B0 has an inner space connected to a first chamber CR1 and a second chamber CR2, and the sealing structure M disposed in the main body B0 is utilized to separate the first chamber CR1 from the second chamber CR2. In this embodiment, the sealing structure M can be a scroll compressor.

In FIGS. 4A and 4B, the first and second substrates B1 and B2 are respectively connected to the first and second chambers CR1 and CR2. The elastic member 4, the first element 1, the third element 3 and the second element 2 are sequentially disposed between the first and second substrates B1 and B2, thus, the inner space of the main body B0 is separately divided into two partitions.

The shaft portion b10 of the first substrate B1 comprises an outer diameter D1, a first main axial hole b11 exposed to the exterior, and a first sub axial hole b12 connected to the first main axial hole b11. The first main axial hole b11 comprises the described inner space, a first main hole diameter d11, and a first base surface b100 serving as a sidewall of the inner space. The first sub axial hole b12 has a first sub hole diameter d12 which is far smaller than the first main hole diameter d11 of the first main axial hole b11.

The hole portion b20 of the second substrate B2 comprises a second main axial hole b21 exposed to the exterior, a second main hole diameter d21 larger than the outer diameter D1 of the shaft portion b10 of the first substrate B1, and a second sub axial hole b22 connected to the second main axial hole b21. The second sub axial hole b22 has a second sub hole diameter d22 far smaller than the second main hole diameter d21 of the second main axial hole b21.

Referring to FIGS. 2B and 4A, the first element 1, an integrally hollow cylindrical structure, serves as a movable compression element when the first element 1 is disposed between the first and second substrates B1 and B2. The first element 1 comprises a cylindrical portion 10 having an outer surface f00, a conical portion 11 protruding from the cylindrical portion 10 and having an outer surface f01, a shoulder f02 formed between the cylindrical portion 10 and the conical portion 11, a first end 10e1 formed on the cylindrical portion 10, a second end 10e2 formed on the conical portion 11, and a hole portion 13 penetrating the cylindrical portion 10 and the conical portion 11 from the first end 10e1 to the second end 10e2. The shoulder f02 is a surface formed between the outer surfaces f00 and f01. To simplify the structural relationship, both of the outer surfaces f01 and f02 are defined as a first acting surface 100, and the outer surface f01 is defined as a first conical surface. The hole portion 13 comprises a first inner hole 131 and a second inner hole 132 smaller than the first inner hole 131. A shoulder 133 is a surface formed between the first and second holes 131 and 132. A positioning portion b113 is formed on the bottom of the first base surface b100 of the first main axial hole b11.

Referring to FIGS. 2B and 4A, the second element 2, an integrally hollow cylindrical structure, serves as a back up element with respect to the first element 1 when the second element 2 is disposed between the first and second substrates B1 and B2. The second element 2 comprises a first cylindrical portion 21 having an outer surface 210 and a second cylindrical portion 22 protruding from the first cylindrical portion 21. The first cylindrical portion 21 of the second element 2 is fitted into the second inner hole 132 of the hole portion 13 of the first element 1. The second cylindrical portion 22 of the second element 2 has an outer diameter larger than that of the first cylindrical portion 21. A shoulder 200 is formed between the outer surfaces 210 and 220 of the first and second cylindrical portions 21 and 22. A first end 20e1 and a second end 20e2 are respectively formed on the first cylindrical portion 21 and the second cylindrical portion 22. A hole portion 23 is penetrated the first and second cylindrical portions 21 and 22 from the first end 20e1 to the second end 20e2. A flange 24 is formed on the second end 20e2 and penetrated by the hole portion 23. To simplify the structural relationship, the shoulder 200 is defined as a second acting surface.

Referring to FIGS. 2B, 3 and 4A, the third element 3 is a packing or sealing element disposed between the first acting surface 100 of the first element 1 and the second acting surface 200 of the second element 2. The third element 3 comprises a C-shaped circular body 30 formed with trapezoidal cross-section, a first sectioned part 31, and a second sectioned part 32 corresponding to the first sectioned part 31. The body 30 comprises a first side surface S01, a first surface S02, a second side surface S03, a second surface S04, a first end 300e1 and a second end 300e2. The first and second sectioned parts 31 and 32 are formed on the first and second ends 300e1 and 300e2, respectively.

The first and second surfaces S02 and S04 are top and bottom surfaces of the body 30. The first and third side surfaces S01 and S03 are inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the body 30, respectively. The first side surface S01 is a conical surface disposed next to the first and second surfaces S02 and S04. The second side surface S03 is a cylindrical surface disposed next to the first and second surfaces S02 and S04. The first and second ends 300e1 and 300e2 are distal ends of the body 30. To simplify the structural relationship, the first side surface S01 is defined as a second conical surface. In this embodiment, the body 30 of the third element 3 is made of an elastic material, such as reinforced Teflon resin, and the first conical surface f01 and the second conical surface S01 of the third element 3 have the same conical angle.

The first sectioned part 31 comprises a first main conjunctive surface 310 and two first sub-conjunctive surfaces 311 and 312. The first main conjunctive surface 310 is located between and perpendicular to the two first sub-conjunctive surfaces 311 and 312. That is, the two first sub-conjunctive surfaces 311 and 312 are respectively located between the first main conjunctive surface 310 and the first surface S02 and between the first main conjunctive surface 310 and the second surface S04. The first main conjunctive surface 310 is not adjacent, but, parallel to the first and second surfaces S02 and S04. The first side surface S01 (conical surface) is adjacent to the first main conjunctive surface 310 of the first sectioned part 31.

The second sectioned part 32 comprises a second main conjunctive surface 320 corresponding to the first main conjunctive surface 310 and two second sub-conjunctive surfaces 321 and 322.

The second main conjunctive surface 320 is located between and perpendicular to the two second sub-conjunctive surfaces 321 and 322. That is, the two second sub-conjunctive surfaces 321 and 322 are located between the second main conjunctive surface 320 and the first surface S02 and between the second main conjunctive surface 320 and the second surface S04 respectively. The second main conjunctive surface 320 is not adjacent, but, parallel to the first and second surfaces S02 and S04. The first side surface S01 (conical surface) is adjacent to the second main conjunctive surface 320 of the first sectioned part 31.

The first and second main conjunctive surfaces 310 and 320 are partially parallel to the first acting surface 100 of the first element 1 and the second acting surface 200 of the second element 2. That is, the first main conjunctive surface 310 is parallel to the surface f02 of the first acting surface 100 of the first element 1, and the second main conjunctive surface 320 is parallel to the second acting surface 200 of the second element 2.

In this embodiment, the body 30, the first sectioned part 31 and the second sectioned part 32 are integrally formed, and the elastic member 4 is a spring disposed between the first element 1 and the first substrate B1.

In FIGS. 4A and 4C, referring also to FIGS. 2B and 3, one end of the elastic member 4 is disposed on the positioning portion b113 of the first base surface b100 of the first main axial hole b11 of the first substrate B1. In the process of fitting the first cylindrical portion 21 of the second element 2 into the second inner hole 132 of the hole portion 13 of the first element 1, the third element 3 is clamped between the first acting surface 100 of the first element 1, the surface f02 and the second acting surface 200 of the second element 2.

The assembled first element 1, the second element 2 and the third element 3 are movable along the first main axial hole b11 of the first substrate B1, and the second side surface S03 of the third element 3 is frictionally contacted by the first base surface b100 of the first main axial hole b11 of the first substrate B1. When the assembled first element 1, the second element 2 and the third element 3 disposed between the first and second substrates B1 and B2 is moved to a position, defined as a first initial position r1 located at the first end 10e1 of the first element 1 in FIG. 4A, where the other end of the elastic member 4 is confined within the first inner hole 131 of the hole portion 13 of the first element 1, the elastic member 4 contacts the shoulder 133 of the hole portion 13 of the first element 1.

To specify the relationship of the third element 3 and the first main axial hole b11 of the first substrate B1, the inner space of the first main axial hole b11 of the first substrate B1 connected to the first chamber CR1 is divided into a first compartment bill and a second compartment b112 by the third element 3. The inner space of the second main axial hole b21 of the hole portion b20 is defined as a third compartment b201 connected to the second sub axial hole b22 and the second chamber CR2. That is, the first compartment b111 is a partial inner space of the first main axial hole b11 connected to the first sub axial hole b12, and the second compartment b112 is a partial inner space of the first main axial hole b11 connected to the third compartment b201. The first base surface b100 is a common sidewall of the first and second compartments b111 and b112. A second base surface b200 is defined as an inner sidewall of the third compartment b201.

The shaft portion b10 of the first substrate B1 is fitted in the second main axial hole b21 of the hole portion b20 of the second substrate B2 to connect the first main axial hole b11 of the shaft portion b10 of the first substrate B1 to the second main and sub axial holes b21 and b22 of the second substrate B2.

In FIG. 4B, referring also to FIGS. 2B and 3, when the first chamber CR1 is constantly pressurized, the fluid in the first chamber CR1 is in a “Hi” status. The high pressured fluid in the first chamber CR1 presses the outer surfaces of the elastic member 4, the first element 1, the third element 3 and the second element 2 via the first main and sub axial holes b11 and b12 of the shaft portion b10 of the first substrate B1 to move the first element 1, the third element 3 and the second element 2 toward the second substrate B2, i.e., the first element 1 is moved from the first initial position r1 toward a predetermined position r2.

When the first element 1 is moved from the first initial position r1 to the predetermined position r2, the flange 24 of the second element 2 is pressed against the inner bottom surface of the second main axial hole b21 of the second substrate B2 to clamp the third element 3 between the first base surface b100 of the first element 1 and the second base surface b200 of the second element 2. The third element 3 is deformedly clamped under a wedge effect generated from the approach of the first conical surface f01 of the first acting surface 100 and the second conical surface S01.

The first conical surface f01 of the first acting surface 100 of the first element 1 is outwardly and radially moved, pushing and pressing the deformed third element 3 against the first base surface b100 of the first main axial hole b11 of the first substrate B1. With the structural design of the first and sectioned parts 31 and 32, the deformed third element 3 can be further outwardly expanded, to press closely against the second side surface S03 thereof against the first base surface b100 of the first main axial hole b11 of the first substrate B1 and to radially and axially seal the inner space of the main body B0 (shown in FIG. 2A). Thus, the fluid in the second chamber CR2 is retained in a “Lo” status.

When the fluid in the first chamber CR1 is pressurized, the axial and radial contacting force from the deformed third element 3, clamped by the first acting surface 100 of the first element 1 and the second acting surface 200 of the second element 2, is relatively increased, i.e., the strength of the seal can be increased.

That is, in the first main axial hole b11 of the first substrate B1, the first compartment bill and the second compartment b112 are completely separated from each other by the deformed third element 3 pressing against the first base surface b100 of the first main axial hole b11 of the first substrate B1.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.

Claims

1. A packing element, comprising

a body, comprising a first surface, a second surface, a first end and a second end, wherein the first surface and the second surface are parallel;

a first sectioned part disposed on the first end of the body, comprising a first main conjunctive surface and two first sub-conjunctive surfaces, wherein the first main conjunctive surface is located between the two first sub-conjunctive surfaces and is not adjacent to the first and second surfaces of the body, and the two first sub-conjunctive surfaces are respectively disposed next to the first and second surfaces of the body; and

a second sectioned part disposed on the second end of the body, comprising a second main conjunctive surface corresponding to the first main conjunctive surface and two second sub-conjunctive surfaces, wherein the second main conjunctive surface is located between the two second sub-conjunctive surfaces and is not adjacent to the first and second surfaces of the body, and the two second sub-conjunctive surfaces are respectively disposed next to the first and second surfaces of the body, and the first and second main conjunctive surfaces are parallel to the first and second surfaces of the body.

2. The packing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body is formed in circular.

3. The packing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body, the first sectioned part and the second sectioned part are integrally formed.

4. The packing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a conical surface disposed next to the first surface, the second surface, the first main conjunctive surface of the first sectioned part, and the second main conjunctive surface of the second sectioned part.

5. The packing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first main conjunctive surface is perpendicular to the two first sub-conjunctive surfaces, and the second main conjunctive surface is perpendicular to the two second sub-conjunctive surfaces.

6. The packing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the packing element is made of an elastic material.

7. The packing element as claimed in claim 6, wherein the elastic material comprises a reinforced Teflon resin.

8. A sealing structure, comprising

a first substrate, comprising an inner space and a first base surface, wherein the first base surface is a sidewall of the inner space;

a first element moved between a first initial position and a first predetermined position, comprising a first acting surface disposed on the inner space;

a second element disposed in the inner space of the first substrate, comprising a second acting surface;

a packing element disposed between the first acting surface of the first element and the second acting surface of the second element, comprising: a body, comprising a first surface, a second surface, a first end and a second end, wherein the first surface and the second surface are parallel; a first sectioned part disposed on the first end of the body, comprising a first main conjunctive surface and two first sub-conjunctive surfaces, wherein the first main conjunctive surface is located between the two first sub-conjunctive surfaces and is not adjacent to the first and second surfaces of the body, and the two first sub-conjunctive surfaces are respectively disposed next to the first and second surfaces of the body; and a second sectioned part disposed on the second end of the body, comprising a second main conjunctive surface corresponding to the first main conjunctive surface and two second sub-conjunctive surfaces, wherein the second main conjunctive surface is located between the two second sub-conjunctive surfaces and is not adjacent to the first and second surfaces of the body, and the two second sub-conjunctive surfaces are respectively disposed next to the first and second surfaces of the body, and the first and second main conjunctive surfaces are parallel to the first and second surfaces of the body;

wherein the body is deformedly clamped between the first acting surface of the first element and the second acting surface of the second element and the first main conjunctive surface of the first sectioned part and the second main conjunctive surface of the second sectioned part are contacted, to press the deformed third element on the first base surface of the first substrate.

9. The sealing structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first acting surface of the first element comprises a first conical surface and the body of the packing element comprises a second conical surface contacting the first conical surface of the first acting surface of the first element, wherein the first conical surface of the first acting surface of the first element and the second conical surface of the body of the packing element have the same conical angle.

10. The sealing structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the packing element is formed in trapezoidal cross-section.

11. The sealing structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the body of the packing element is formed in circular.

12. The sealing structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the packing element is made of an elastic material.

13. The sealing structure as claimed in claim 12, wherein the elastic material comprises a reinforced Teflon resin.

14. The sealing structure as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a second substrate having a second base surface, wherein the second element contacts the second base surface of the second substrate when the first element is moved from the first initial position to the first predetermined position.

15. The sealing structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first main conjunctive surface of the packing element is perpendicular to the two first sub-conjunctive surfaces of the packing element, and the second main conjunctive surface is perpendicular to the two second sub-conjunctive surfaces.

16. The sealing structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first surface of the packing element contacts the first acting surface of the first element, and the second surface of the packing element contacts the second acting surface of the second element.

17. The sealing structure as claimed in claim 8, further comprising an elastic member disposed between the first substrate and the first element.

18. The sealing structure as claimed in claim 17, wherein the elastic member comprises a spring.

19. The sealing structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sealing structure is a compressor.

20. The sealing structure as claimed in claim 19, wherein the compressor is a scroll compressor.