Linear compressor

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a linear compressor wherein a piston and a cylinder are arranged to extend vertically in a shell, and oil suction paths are formed in the cylinder for introducing oil stored in the shell into a space between the cylinder and the piston without requiring oil pumping parts, whereby a simplified oil supply structure can be accomplished via a reduced number of parts, and therefore, manufacturing costs and assembling time can be reduced.

1 . A linear compressor comprising: 
 a shell;    an elongated cylinder extending vertically in the shell;    a piston disposed to perform linear reciprocating movements in the cylinder;    a linear motor to linearly reciprocate the piston in a vertical direction; and    an oil supply device provided in the cylinder to supply oil into a space between the cylinder and the piston.    
   
   
       2 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the oil supply device includes: 
 a storage portion formed in a wall of the cylinder to store oil therein; and    a plurality of oil suction paths perforated through the cylinder for introducing the oil stored in the storage portion into the space between the cylinder and the piston.    
   
   
       3 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of oil suction paths are spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance along a circumferential direction of the cylinder.  
   
   
       4 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of oil suction paths are spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance along a vertical direction of the cylinder.  
   
   
       5 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein an oil pocket is formed on at least one of an inner wall surface of the cylinder and an outer wall surface of the piston.  
   
   
       6 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the oil is filled in the storage portion to a height higher than the oil suction paths.  
   
   
       7 . A linear compressor comprising: 
 a shell in which oil is stored;    an elongated cylinder extending vertically in the shell;    a piston disposed to perform linear reciprocating movements in the cylinder;    a linear motor to linearly reciprocate the piston in a vertically direction; and    a plurality of oil suction paths formed in the cylinder for introducing the oil stored in the shell into a space between the cylinder and the piston.    
   
   
       8 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the oil suction paths are perforated through a wall of the cylinder.  
   
   
       9 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of oil suction paths are spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance along a circumferential direction of the cylinder.  
   
   
       10 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of oil suction paths are spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance along a vertical direction of the cylinder.  
   
   
       11 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein an oil pocket is formed on at least one of an inner wall surface of the cylinder and an outer wall surface of the piston.  
   
   
       12 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the oil is filled in the shell to a height higher than the oil suction paths.  
   
   
       13 . A linear compressor comprising: 
 a shell;    an elongated cylinder extending vertically in the shell;    a piston disposed to perform linear reciprocating movements in the cylinder;    a linear motor to linearly reciprocate the piston in a vertical direction;    an oil supply device provided in the cylinder to supply oil into a space between the cylinder and the piston; and    a motor holder radially spaced apart from an cuter circumference of the cylinder and used to secure the linear motor.    
   
   
       14 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the oil supply device includes: 
 a storage portion defined between the cylinder and the motor holder to store oil therein; and    a plurality of oil suction paths formed in the cylinder for introducing the oil stored in the storage portion into a space between the cylinder and the piston.    
   
   
       15 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of oil suction paths are spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance along a circumferential direction of the cylinder.  
   
   
       16 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of oil suction paths are spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance along a vertical direction of the cylinder.  
   
   
       17 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein an oil pocket is formed on at least one of an inner wall surface of the cylinder and an outer wall surface of the piston.  
   
   
       18 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the oil is filled in the storage portion to a height higher than the oil suction paths.  
   
   
       19 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the storage portion is provided with an oil cap to prevent oil leakage.  
   
   
       20 . The compressor as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the storage portion is provided with a gasket inserted between the cylinder and the motor holder.