A housing (11, 12, 13) accommodates a compressive mechanism. A drive shaft (15) is supported by the housing (11, 12, 13) and is connected with the compressive mechanism. A boss portion (16) is arranged along an outer wall of the housing (11, 12, 13) such that the boss portion (16) encompasses a portion of the drive shaft (15) projecting from the housing (11, 12, 13). A rotational body (18) is connected with the drive shaft (15) for transmitting drive force from an exterior drive source to the drive shaft (15). A seal (17) is arranged in the interior of the housing (11, 12, 13) for sealing at a location between the inner side of the housing (11, 12, 13) and the drive shaft (15). A collector (35, 36, 38) collects oil leaking from the seal (17). A stepped portion (40) is formed on an outer surface of a rotary portion (15, 21.alpha.) at a position between the seal (17) and an opening (16.alpha.) of the boss portion (16) within the interior of the housing (11, 12, 13). The stepped portion (40) is opposed to the collector (35, 36, 38).
A power transmitting mechanism transmits power from an engine to a drive shaft of a compressor. A pulley is supported by the compressor and is coupled to the engine. A hub is attached to the drive shaft. Rollers are located on the pulley. Elastic transmission arms are located between the pulley and the hub. The distal end of each arm is curved, and the proximal end is coupled to the hub. When the rollers are engaged with the arms, power is transmitted between the pulley and the hub. When, due to excessive torque, the rollers escape from the corresponding arm, power transmission between the pulley and the hub is disconnected. The distal ends of the arms are movable in the radial direction. When the rollers disengage from the corresponding arms, the distal ends of the arms move radially such that the pulley and the hub relatively rotate without interference by the arms.
variable displacement compressor has a drive shaft extending through a crank chamber. A lug plate is integrally fixed to the drive shaft. A drive plate is connected to and driven by the lug plate by a hinge mechanism. The drive plate inclines with respect to the drive shaft to vary the displacement of the compressor. The hinge mechanism has a linear guide on the lug plate and a pin projecting from the drive plate toward the lug plate. A bearing surface engages the pin. The pin has an axis that intersects an axis of the guide. The axis of the pin is parallel to the axis of the drive shaft when the compressor operates with a maximum load.
