Linear compressor and lubricating oil pump thereof

Abstract

Disclosed herein are a linear compressor and a lubricating oil pump thereof. The lubricating oil pump comprises a lubricating oil cylinder integrally formed in a frame that supports a compression unit, a lubricating oil piston mounted to be reciprocated inside the lubricating oil cylinder to resonate with the compression unit, and a lubricating oil cylinder protector to prevent generation of friction between the lubricating oil cylinder and the lubricating oil piston. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the durability of the lubricating oil cylinder and to simplify or omit additional processing of the lubricating oil piston.

1 . A lubricating oil pump for use in a linear compressor comprising: 
 a lubricating oil cylinder to suction lubricating oil;    a lubricating oil piston to be reciprocated inside the lubricating oil cylinder to thereby pump the lubricating oil; and    a lubricating oil cylinder protector to prevent generation of friction between the lubricating oil cylinder and the lubricating oil piston.    
   
   
       2 . The pump as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the lubricating oil cylinder protector is a tubular liner interposed between the lubricating oil cylinder and the lubricating oil piston.  
   
   
       3 . The pump as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the liner is made of Teflon or a polymer material.  
   
   
       4 . The pump as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the liner is press fitted in the lubricating oil cylinder.  
   
   
       5 . The pump as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the lubricating oil cylinder has a hollow cylindrical structure having open first and second ends, the first end of the lubricating oil cylinder as a lubricating oil entrance/exit end having a diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the lubricating oil cylinder;    the open second end of the lubricating oil cylinder is covered with a lubricating oil cylinder cap; and    the liner is inserted into the lubricating oil cylinder through the open second end of the lubricating oil cylinder.    
   
   
       6 . A linear compressor comprising: 
 a hermetic container containing lubricating oil stored in a bottom region thereof;    a compression unit arranged in the hermetic container to compress operating fluid using a driving force from a linear motor;    a lubricating oil cylinder mounted to the compression unit to suction or discharge the lubricating oil stored in the hermetic container;    a lubricating oil piston mounted to be reciprocated inside the lubricating oil cylinder to thereby pump the lubricating oil;    a resonance unit to resonate the lubricating oil piston with the compression unit to thereby allow the lubricating oil piston to be reciprocated; and    a lubricating oil cylinder protector to prevent generation of friction between the lubricating oil cylinder and the lubricating oil piston.    
   
   
       7 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein: 
 a metal frame is arranged in the hermetic container to support the compression unit; and    the lubricating oil cylinder is integrally formed in the frame.    
   
   
       8 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the lubricating oil cylinder protector is a tubular liner interposed between the lubricating oil cylinder and the lubricating oil piston.  
   
   
       9 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the liner is made of Teflon or a polymer material.  
   
   
       10 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the liner is press fitted in the lubricating oil cylinder.  
   
   
       11 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the lubricating oil cylinder has a hollow cylindrical structure having open first and second ends, the first end of the lubricating oil cylinder as a lubricating oil entrance/exit end having a diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the lubricating oil cylinder;    the open second end of the lubricating oil cylinder is covered with a lubricating oil cylinder cap; and    the liner is inserted into the lubricating oil cylinder through the open second end of the lubricating oil cylinder.    
   
   
       12 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the liner has the same length as that of the lubricating oil cylinder.  
   
   
       13 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the lubricating oil cylinder cap is a linear motor cover to support the linear motor.  
   
   
       14 . A linear compressor comprising: 
 a hermetic container containing lubricating oil stored in a bottom region thereof;    a compression unit having a cylinder arranged in the hermetic container to suction and discharge operating fluid, a piston mounted to be reciprocated inside the cylinder, and a linear motor to reciprocate the piston;    a frame to support the compression unit;    a linear motor cover to support the linear motor along with the frame;    a lubricating oil cylinder integrally formed in the frame to be located between the frame and the linear motor cover and adapted to suction and discharge the lubricating oil stored in the hermetic container;    a lubricating oil piston mounted to be reciprocated inside the lubricating oil cylinder to thereby pump the lubricating oil;    a resonance unit to resonate the lubricating oil piston with the compression unit to thereby allow the lubricating oil piston to be reciprocated; and    a lubricating oil cylinder protector to prevent generation of friction between the lubricating oil cylinder and the lubricating oil piston.    
   
   
       15 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the lubricating oil cylinder and the lubricating oil piston are made of metal.  
   
   
       16 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the lubricating oil cylinder is mounted in parallel relative to the cylinder of the compression unit.  
   
   
       17 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the lubricating oil cylinder has a hollow cylindrical structure having open first and second ends, the first end of the lubricating oil cylinder as a lubricating oil entrance/exit end having a diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the lubricating oil cylinder, and the open second end of the lubricating oil cylinder being covered with the linear motor cover.  
   
   
       18 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the lubricating oil cylinder protector is a tubular liner to be inserted into the lubricating oil cylinder through the open second end of the lubricating oil cylinder.  
   
   
       19 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the liner is made of Teflon or a polymer material.  
   
   
       20 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the liner is press fitted in the lubricating oil cylinder.