Scroll compressors including ring-shaped counterweight assemblies

A subassembly for a compressor, the subassembly comprising:

• a driveshaft;
• a first counterweight assembly positioned proximate a first end portion of the driveshaft;
• and
• a second counterweight assembly positioned proximate a second end portion of the driveshaft,
• wherein each counterweight assembly is ring-shaped, having two radial surfaces and a circumferential edge between the two radial surfaces, and includes:
• a counterweight fixed on the driveshaft, the counterweight including a coupling ring and a main weight extending from the coupling ring, the coupling ring defining a bore sized and shaped to receive the driveshaft to fix the counterweight on the driveshaft, wherein the main weight has an arcuate shape with two circumferential main weight end surfaces;
• and
• a cover attached to the driveshaft via a snap fit connection, wherein the counterweight and the cover cooperate to define the respective counterweight assembly, wherein the cover extends circumferentially between two cover end surfaces to define a disk-shape of the respective counterweight assembly, each cover positioned adjacent one of the main weight end surfaces, wherein, for at least one of the first and second counterweight assemblies, the cover includes a coupling collar including a circular base and flexible fingers, the flexible fingers engageable with a circumferential groove defined on the driveshaft to form the snap fit connection.

A method of assembling a compressor, the method comprising:

• positioning a compression mechanism within a shell of the compressor;
• operably connecting a driveshaft to the compression mechanism;
• positioning a ring-shaped counterweight assembly on the driveshaft, the counterweight assembly having two radial surfaces and a circumferential edge between the two radial surfaces, the counterweight assembly including:
• a counterweight including a coupling ring and a main weight extending from the coupling ring, the coupling ring defining a bore sized and shaped to receive the driveshaft, the main weight having an arcuate shape with two circumferential main weight end surfaces;
• and
• a cover including a main body, wherein the cover includes a top and a bottom, wherein the top is spaced from the bottom, the top and bottom defining a mouth that receives the coupling ring, wherein the counterweight and the cover cooperate to define the counterweight assembly, wherein the cover extends circumferentially between two cover end surfaces to define a disk-shape of the counterweight assembly;
• fixing the counterweight on the driveshaft;
• and
• attaching the cover to the driveshaft using a snap fit connection such that the two cover end surfaces are each positioned adjacent one of the main weight end surfaces, wherein the snap fit connection is formed by flexible fingers extending from a circular base of a coupling collar of the cover engaging with a circumferential groove defined on the driveshaft.