Method of making a two-piece counterweight for a scroll compressor

A method of manufacturing a two-piece counterweight for a scroll compressor, the method comprising:

• molding an outer plate;
• molding a base separately from the molding of the outer plate, the base having a first opening configured to receive a scroll compressor drive shaft having a longitudinal axis, and configuring the base for assembly and attachment to the drive shaft;
• attaching the outer plate to the base, wherein the outer plate is axially offset from the base, with respect to the longitudinal axis;
• wherein the step of molding the base comprises molding the base having:
• a central hub portion configured to completely encircle the drive shaft;
• a perimeter portion located radially outward from the central hub portion with respect to the longitudinal axis, the perimeter portion only partially encircling the drive shaft;
• and
• a first axially-extending step with a first radially-inward facing surface;
• wherein the step of molding the outer plate comprises molding the outer plate with a second axially-extending step with a second radially-outward facing surface that abuts the first radially-inward facing surface to locate the outer plate with respect to the base, and to absorb some of the centrifugal force generated when the attached base and outer plate spin with the rotating drive shaft;
• wherein molding the outer plate comprises molding the outer plate with an inner radial portion, and with an outer radial portion disposed radially outward from the inner radial portion, wherein the second axially-extending step is on the inner radial portion.

A method of manufacturing a two-piece counterweight for a scroll compressor, the method comprising:

• molding an outer plate;
• molding a base separately from the molding of the outer plate, the base having a first opening configured to receive a scroll compressor drive shaft having a longitudinal axis, and configuring the base for assembly and attachment to the drive shaft;
• attaching the outer plate to the base, wherein the outer plate is axially offset from the base, with respect to the longitudinal axis;
• wherein the step of molding the base comprises molding the base having:
• a central hub portion configured to completely encircle the drive shaft;
• a perimeter portion located radially outward from the central hub portion with respect to the longitudinal axis, the perimeter portion only partially encircling the drive shaft;
• and
• a first axially-extending step with a first radially-inward facing surface;
• wherein the step of molding the outer plate comprises molding the outer plate with a second axially-extending step with a second radially-outward facing surface that abuts the first radially-inward facing surface to locate the outer plate with respect to the base, and to absorb some of the centrifugal force generated when the attached base and outer plate spin with the rotating drive shaft;
• wherein the step of attaching the outer plate to the base comprises attaching the outer plate to the base by brazing to form a brazing attachment, or by welding to form a welding attachment.