Linear compressor intake muffler arrangement with communication hole

A linear compressor comprising:

• a cylinder;
• a piston configured to axially reciprocate in the cylinder;
• a back cover disposed at a rear of the piston, the back cover defining an opening at a central area thereof in a radial direction;
• a first muffler unit coupled to the piston, the first muffler unit comprising (i) an inner guide disposed in the piston and (ii) a first intake muffler disposed between the inner guide and the back cover;
• a second muffler unit comprising (i) a second intake muffler that is in fluid communication with the first intake muffler and is coupled to the opening and (ii) a muffler body that surrounds the second intake muffler,
• wherein an outer circumferential surface of the second intake muffler defines a first communication hole that fluidly communicates an inside of the second intake muffler with a first space that is defined radially between the second intake muffler and the muffler body,
• wherein the second intake muffler comprises:
• a first cylindrical portion,
• a first flange that extends radially outward from a front portion of the first cylindrical portion and radially overlaps with a front end of the muffler body,
• a second flange that extends radially outward from a central area of the first cylindrical portion, and
• a coupling portion that extends radially outward from a rear area of the first cylindrical portion and is coupled to the opening,
• wherein the muffler body comprises a second cylindrical portion disposed radially outside the second intake muffler, the second cylindrical portion comprising (i) a front side surface that faces the second intake muffler, (ii) an inner circumferential surface that defines a central opening axially through the front side surface, and (iii) the outer circumferential surface that surrounds the inner circumferential surface and is spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface,
• wherein the front side surface of the second cylindrical portion blocks a front portion of a body space that is defined between the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface,
• wherein a rear side of the second cylindrical portion is open rearward to a rear portion of the body space,
• wherein the muffler body further comprises a third flange extending inward from the inner circumferential surface of the second cylindrical portion, and
• wherein a rear surface of the second flange contacts a front surface of the third flange.