Electric compressor

Abstract

The present application provides an electric compressor. The electric compressor is provided with: an inverter provided with a circuit board and an electric component; and an inverter cover that, together with an end wall of a motor housing member, defines an inverter housing chamber. In the inverter housing chamber, a first conductive member and a second conductive member are provided. A first end of the first conductive member, together with a lead portion of the electric component, penetrates the circuit board from a first face facing the end wall, and is welded to the circuit board at a second face opposite the first face. A first end of the second conductive member is electrically connected to a power supply connector. Second ends of the first conductive member and the second conductive member are electrically connected to each other by being fitted to each other in conjunction with coupling of the inverter cover to the motor housing member.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electric compressor. BACKGROUND

[0002] An electric compressor has a compression unit, an electric motor, and an inverter. The compression unit compresses a fluid. The electric motor drives the compression unit. The inverter drives the electric motor. The inverter has a circuit board and an electric component mounted to the circuit board. The electric compressor has a motor housing member having a cylindrical peripheral wall and an end wall closing one end of the peripheral wall. The motor housing member accommodates the electric motor. The electric compressor has an inverter cover. The inverter cover defines an inverter accommodation chamber that accommodates the inverter by engaging with the end wall of the motor housing member. The electric compressor has an external connector. The external connector is fixed to the inverter cover. A power supply connector is externally connected to the external connector. Power from the power supply connector connected to the external connector is supplied to the circuit board of the inverter, whereby the inverter drives the electric motor. As in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-159320, for example, there is a case where the external connector protrudes from the inverter cover. SUMMARY

[0003] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0004] The electric compressor is mostly electric component thermally coupled to the end wall for the purpose of cooling. Thus, the electric component is disposed between the circuit board and the end wall. The circuit board has a first surface facing the end wall and a second surface opposite the first surface. The lead portion of the electric component penetrates the circuit board and is soldered to the second surface. As in the above-described publication, in the case where the external connector protrudes from the inverter cover, it is difficult to solder the electrically conductive member that electrically connects the circuit board and the power supply connector with respect to the second surface of the circuit board. As a result, a process of soldering the electrically conductive member with respect to the first surface of the circuit board is required, and the productivity is impaired. Therefore, it is desirable to easily form an electrically conductive path from the power supply connector to the circuit board and to improve the productivity of the electric compressor.

[0005] TECHNICAL SOLUTION FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0006] An electric compressor according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a compression unit configured to compress a fluid, an electric motor configured to drive the compression unit, an inverter configured to drive the electric motor, a motor housing member having a cylindrical peripheral wall and an end wall closing one end of the peripheral wall, the electric motor being housed in the motor housing member, an inverter cover defining an inverter housing chamber in which the inverter is housed by engaging with the end wall, and an external connector fixed to the inverter cover and configured to be connected to an external power supply connector. The inverter includes a circuit board and an electric component mounted to the circuit board. The electric component is thermally coupled to the end wall. A first internal connector and a second internal connector are provided in the inverter housing chamber. The first internal connector includes a first resin frame fixed to the end wall and a first conductive member housed in the first resin frame. The second internal connector includes a second resin frame fixed to the inverter cover and a second conductive member housed in the second resin frame. The circuit board has a first surface facing the end wall and a second surface opposite the first surface. A first end of the first conductive member, together with a lead portion of the electric component, penetrates the circuit board from the first surface and is soldered to the circuit board at the second surface. A first end of the second conductive member is configured to be electrically connected to the power supply connector. Second ends of the first and second conductive members are configured to be electrically connected to each other by being fitted into each other in conjunction with engagement of the inverter cover to the motor housing member and to be electrically disconnected from each other by being disengaged from each other in conjunction with disengagement of the motor housing member from the inverter cover. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the electric compressor in the embodiment partially cut away.

[0008] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the electric compressor of Figure 1 enlarged.

[0009] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the electric compressor in another embodiment enlarged. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the electric compressor is embodied will be described in accordance with Figure 1 and Figure 2 The electric compressor of the embodiment is used, for example, in a vehicle air conditioning device.

[0011] (Overall configuration of electric compressor 10)

[0012] As Figure 1As shown in the figure, the electric compressor 10 is provided with a casing 11. The casing 11 has a motor casing member 12 and a discharge casing member 13. The motor casing member 12 and the discharge casing member 13 are made of metal, for example, aluminum.

[0013] The motor casing member 12 has a cylindrical peripheral wall 12a and a plate-shaped end wall 12b that closes one end of the peripheral wall 12a. A portion of the end wall 12b extends to the radially outer side beyond the outer edge of the opening of the peripheral wall 12a. The discharge casing member 13 is joined to the open end of the peripheral wall 12a. The discharge casing member 13 closes the opening of the side opposite to the end wall 12b in the motor casing member 12.

[0014] The electric compressor 10 is provided with a rotary shaft 15. The rotary shaft 15 is housed in the motor casing member 12. The rotary shaft 15 is rotatably supported by the motor casing member 12. The electric compressor 10 is provided with a compression section 16. The compression section 16 compresses a refrigerant as a fluid by rotation of the rotary shaft 15. The compression section 16 is, for example, a scroll type compression section having an unillustrated fixed scroll that is fixed to the motor casing member 12 and an unillustrated movable scroll that is disposed in opposition to the fixed scroll.

[0015] The electric compressor 10 is provided with an electric motor 17. The electric motor 17 is housed in the motor casing member 12. Therefore, the casing 11 houses the compression section 16 and the electric motor 17. The electric motor 17 rotates the rotary shaft 15 to drive the compression section 16.

[0016] The electric motor 17 has a cylindrical stator 18 and a rotor 19 that is disposed inside the stator 18. The rotor 19 rotates integrally with the rotary shaft 15. The stator 18 surrounds the rotor 19. The rotor 19 has a rotor core 19a that is fixed to the rotary shaft 15 and unillustrated plural permanent magnets that are provided to the rotor core 19a. The stator 18 has a cylindrical stator core 18a and a motor coil 20 that is wound around the stator core 18a. The rotor 19 and the rotary shaft 15 rotate by supplying electric power to the motor coil 20.

[0017] An intake port 12h is formed in the peripheral wall 12a of the motor housing member 12. An exhaust port 13h is formed in the exhaust housing member 13. One end of the external refrigerant circuit 21 is connected to the intake port 12h. The other end of the external refrigerant circuit 21 is connected to the exhaust port 13h. Refrigerant from the external refrigerant circuit 21 is sucked into the motor housing member 12 via the intake port 12h. The refrigerant sucked into the motor housing member 12 is compressed by the compression section 16. The refrigerant compressed by the compression section 16 is exhausted into the exhaust housing member 13. The refrigerant exhausted into the exhaust housing member 13 is exhausted to the external refrigerant circuit 21 via the exhaust port 13h. The refrigerant exhausted to the external refrigerant circuit 21 is returned to the motor housing member 12 via the intake port 12h after passing through the heat exchanger and the expansion valve of the external refrigerant circuit 21. The electric compressor 10 and the external refrigerant circuit 21 constitute a vehicle air-conditioner 22.

[0018] The electric compressor 10 is provided with a converter cover 25. The converter cover 25 is made of metal, for example, aluminum. The converter cover 25 is coupled to the end wall 12b of the motor housing member 12. The converter cover 25 defines the converter housing chamber 26 by being joined to the end wall 12b. Thus, the converter cover 25 defines the converter housing chamber 26 together with the housing 11.

[0019] An annular seal member 27 is provided between the end wall 12b of the motor housing member 12 and the converter cover 25. The seal member 27 seals between the end wall 12b of the motor housing member 12 and the converter cover 25.

[0020] (Concerning the converter 30)

[0021] The electric compressor 10 is provided with a converter 30. The converter 30 drives the electric motor 17. The converter 30 is housed in the converter housing chamber 26. Thus, the converter housing chamber 26 houses the converter 30. The compression section 16, the electric motor 17, and the converter 30 are arranged in this order in the axial direction of the rotation axis 15. The converter 30 has a circuit board 31. The circuit board 31 is housed in the converter housing chamber 26 in a state where the thickness direction of the circuit board 31 coincides with the axial direction of the rotation axis 15. Thus, the extending direction of the circuit board 31 coincides with a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the rotation axis 15. The circuit board 31 has a first surface 31a facing the end wall 12b and a second surface 31b opposite the first surface 31a.

[0022] As Figure 2As shown, on the circuit board 31, one or more electric components 32 are mounted. Thus, the inverter 30 is provided with the circuit board 31 and the electric components 32 mounted to the circuit board 31. As the electric components 32, for example, a capacitor as a filter element for reducing noise and a coil that constitutes a filter circuit together with the capacitor can be cited. The electric components 32 are arranged between the circuit board 31 and the end wall 12b of the motor housing member 12, and are thermally coupled to the end wall 12b. The electric components 32 have component lead portions 32a as lead portions. The component lead portions 32a penetrate the circuit board 31 from the first face 31a toward the second face 31b, and are soldered to the second face 31b. Thus, the component lead portions 32a penetrate the circuit board 31 from the side on which the electric motor 17 is located with respect to the circuit board 31, and are soldered to the circuit board 31.

[0023] (Configuration of the inverter cover 25)

[0024] The inverter cover 25 has an extension wall 41 and a protrusion wall 42. The extension wall 41 is plate-shaped. The extension wall 41 extends along the circuit board 31. The extension wall 41 extends in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the circuit board 31. The extension wall 41 is located on the side opposite to the end wall 12b of the motor housing member 12 with respect to the circuit board 31.

[0025] The protrusion wall 42 protrudes from the outer face 41a of the extension wall 41. The protrusion wall 42 protrudes from the extension wall 41 toward the side opposite to the circuit board 31. The protrusion direction in which the protrusion wall 42 protrudes from the extension wall 41 coincides with the thickness direction of the circuit board 31. The protrusion wall 42 is located at a position close to the outer peripheral portion of the outer face 41a of the extension wall 41.

[0026] The protrusion wall 42 has a mounting face 42a continuous with the outer face 41a of the extension wall 41. The mounting face 42a extends from the outer face 41a of the extension wall 41 in the protrusion direction of the protrusion wall 42. Thus, the mounting face 42a extends in the thickness direction of the circuit board 31.

[0027] The inverter cover 25 has a first receiving hole 43. The first receiving hole 43 penetrates the extension wall 41 and is recessed in the protrusion wall 42. The first end of the first receiving hole 43 opens on the inner face 41b of the extension wall 41. The second end of the first receiving hole 43 is closed inside the protrusion wall 42. The first receiving hole 43 extends inside the protrusion wall 42 in the protrusion direction of the protrusion wall 42. As viewed from the axial direction of the rotation shaft 15, the first receiving hole 43 opens on a portion of the inner face 41b of the extension wall 41 that does not overlap the circuit board 31 with respect to the circuit board 31.

[0028] The inverter cover 25 has a second receiving hole 44. The second receiving hole 44 is provided through the protruding wall 42. The first end of the second receiving hole 44 is opened in the mounting surface 42a of the protruding wall 42. The second end of the second receiving hole 44 is communicated with the second end of the first receiving hole 43. The second receiving hole 44 extends inside the protruding wall 42 along the extending wall 41. Thus, the second receiving hole 44 extends along the circuit board 31.

[0029] (Structure of the external connector 45)

[0030] The electric compressor 10 has a cylindrical external connector 45. The external connector 45 has a metal terminal and a cylindrical body 45a made of resin that surrounds the metal terminal. A power supply connector 46 is connected to the external connector 45. The external connector 45 protrudes from the inverter cover 25. The external connector 45 is fixed to the protruding wall 42. Specifically, the cylindrical body 45a is mounted to the mounting surface 42a of the protruding wall 42 by a screw 47. The cylindrical body 45a is mounted to the mounting surface 42a of the protruding wall 42 in a state where the axis of the cylindrical body 45a coincides with the axis of the second receiving hole 44. Thus, the external connector 45 extends from the protruding wall 42 along the extending wall 41. As a result, the external connector 45 is located on the side opposite to the end wall 12b of the motor housing member 12 with respect to the circuit board 31 and extends along the circuit board 31. Thus, the inverter 30 is disposed between the end wall 12b and the external connector 45 in the axis direction of the rotary shaft 15. The extending direction of the external connector 45 is a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the circuit board 31.

[0031] (Structure of the first frame 51)

[0032] The electric compressor 10 has a first frame 51 made of resin. The first frame 51 is, for example, a box member of a quadrangular box shape. The first frame 51 is fixed to the end wall 12b of the motor housing member 12 by a screw B1. Thus, the first frame 51 is fixed to the housing 11. The first frame 51 has a first surface facing the end wall 12b and a second surface on the side opposite to the first surface. The first frame 51 has a first insertion hole 51h. The first insertion hole 51h is opened in the second surface of the first frame 51. The first surface of the first frame 51 is also a surface facing the electric motor 17.

[0033] The first frame 51 is received in the inverter receiving chamber 26 in a state where a major part of the first frame 51 does not overlap the circuit board 31 when viewed in the axis direction of the rotary shaft 15. Thus, the first frame 51 is received in the inverter receiving chamber 26 in a state where a part of the first frame 51 overlaps the circuit board 31 in the axis direction of the rotary shaft 15. The first insertion hole 51h is opened in a portion of the second surface of the first frame 51 that does not overlap the circuit board 31 when viewed in the axis direction of the rotary shaft 15.

[0034] (Structure of the first conductive member 61)

[0035] The electric compressor 10 has the first conductive member 61. The first conductive member 61 is built in the first housing 51. The first end of the first conductive member 61 has a connector lead portion 62. The connector lead portion 62 is columnar. The connector lead portion 62 protrudes from the first housing 51. The connector lead portion 62, together with the component lead portion 32a of the electric component 32, penetrates the circuit board 31 from the first face 31a, and is soldered to the second face 31b of the circuit board 31. The connector lead portion 62 protrudes from the second face of the first housing 51. The connector lead portion 62 protrudes from a portion of the first housing 51 that overlaps the circuit board 31 when viewed in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 15.

[0036] The second end of the first conductive member 61 has a first connection portion 63. The first connection portion 63 is cylindrical. The first connection portion 63 is located inside the first housing 51. The first conductive member 61 is built in the first housing 51 in a state in which the first connection portion 63 is exposed to the outside of the first housing 51 via the first through-hole 51h. Therefore, the inside of the first connection portion 63 and the first through-hole 51h communicate with each other. The first housing 51 and the first conductive member 61 constitute the first internal connector 81.

[0037] (Structure of the second housing 52)

[0038] The electric compressor 10 has the second housing 52 made of resin. The second housing 52 includes the first holding portion 53 and the second holding portion 54. The first holding portion 53 is, for example, a box member of a quadrangular box shape. The first holding portion 53 is disposed with respect to the inverter case 25 in a state in which a large portion of the first holding portion 53 is disposed inside the first accommodation hole 43. Therefore, a large portion of the first holding portion 53 is disposed inside the protruding wall 42. The first holding portion 53 is fixed to the inverter case 25 by a screw B2. The first holding portion 53 has a second through-hole 53h. The second through-hole 53h is opened to a face of the first holding portion 53 that faces the second accommodation hole 44. The first holding portion 53 is disposed with respect to the first accommodation hole 43 in a manner such that the second through-hole 53h communicates with the second accommodation hole 44.

[0039] The second holding portion 54 is, for example, a columnar block. The second holding portion 54 has an embedded portion 54a and a cylindrical portion 54b. The embedded portion 54a is embedded in the second housing hole 44. Therefore, the embedded portion 54a is provided inside the protruding wall 42. Thus, a part of the second frame 52 is provided inside the protruding wall 42. The second holding portion 54 is fixed to the inverter case 25 by the embedded portion 54a being embedded in the second housing hole 44. Therefore, the second frame 52 is fixed to the inverter case 25. The second holding portion 54 is arranged with respect to the second housing hole 44 in a manner such that the cylindrical portion 54b protrudes from the second housing hole 44 beyond the mounting surface 42a. The cylindrical portion 54b of the second holding portion 54 protrudes toward the inside of the external connector 45.

[0040] (Structure of the second conductive member 71)

[0041] The electric compressor 10 has a second conductive member 71. The second conductive member 71 is built in the second frame 52. A first end of the second conductive member 71 has a connector connecting portion 72. The connector connecting portion 72 is exposed toward the outside inside the cylindrical body 45a, forming a metal terminal of the external connector 45. Thus, the connector connecting portion 72 is electrically connected to the power supply connector 46. A second end of the second conductive member 71 has a second connecting portion 73. The second connecting portion 73 is electrically connected to the first connecting portion 63 of the first conductive member 61. Therefore, the second end of the first conductive member 61 and the second end of the second conductive member 71 respectively have the first connecting portion 63 and the second connecting portion 73 that are electrically connected to each other.

[0042] The second conductive member 71 includes a first extension portion 74 and a second extension portion 75. The first extension portion 74 is held by the first holding portion 53. Therefore, the first holding portion 53 holds the first extension portion 74. A first end of the first extension portion 74 has a first extension terminal 74a. The first extension terminal 74a is cylindrical. The first extension terminal 74a is located inside the first holding portion 53. The first extension portion 74 is built in the first holding portion 53 in a state in which the first extension terminal 74a is exposed to the outside of the first holding portion 53 via the second through-hole 53h. Therefore, the inside of the first extension terminal 74a and the second through-hole 53h communicate with each other.

[0043] A second end of the first extension portion 74 is columnar and protrudes from the first holding portion 53. The second end of the first extension portion 74 is inserted into the first frame 51 via the first through-hole 51h and is embedded in the first connecting portion 63 of the first conductive member 61. Thus, the first extension portion 74 and the first conductive member 61 are electrically connected to each other. The second end of the first extension portion 74 is the second connecting portion 73 that is electrically connected to the first connecting portion 63. Therefore, the second end of the first extension portion 74 is the second end of the second conductive member 71. Thus, the first extension portion 74 has an end portion that extends in the protruding direction of the protruding wall 42 and is fitted to the second end of the first conductive member 61.

[0044] The first connecting portion 63 of the first conductive member 61 and the second connecting portion 73 of the second conductive member 71 are electrically connected to each other by being fitted into each other in conjunction with the coupling of the inverter case 25 to the motor housing member 12. On the other hand, the first connecting portion 63 of the first conductive member 61 and the second connecting portion 73 of the second conductive member 71 are electrically disconnected from each other by being disengaged from each other in conjunction with the decoupling of the motor housing member 12 from the inverter case 25.

[0045] The second extension portion 75 is held by the second holding portion 54. Thus, the second holding portion 54 holds the second extension portion 75. The first end of the second extension portion 75 is in a thin plate shape and protrudes to the inside of the cylindrical portion 54b of the second holding portion 54 through the second holding portion 54. The first end of the second extension portion 75 is a connector connecting portion 72 that is electrically connected to the power supply connector 46. Thus, the first end of the second extension portion 75 is the first end of the second conductive member 71 and is electrically connected to the power supply connector 46. Thus, the second extension portion 75 has an end portion that extends in the extending direction of the extending wall 41 and is exposed to the outside of the connector 45.

[0046] The second end of the second extension portion 75 is in a columnar shape and protrudes from the second holding portion 54. The second end of the second extension portion 75 is inserted into the first holding portion 53 through the second insertion hole 53h and is fitted into the first extension terminal 74a of the first extension portion 74. Thus, the first extension portion 74 and the second extension portion 75 are electrically connected to each other. The second frame 52 and the second conductive member 71 constitute a second internal connector 82. Thus, the first internal connector 81 and the second internal connector 82 are provided in the inverter housing chamber 26.

[0047] (Action)

[0048] Next, the action of the present embodiment will be described.

[0049] The first end of the first conductive member 61 has a connector lead portion 62 soldered to the circuit substrate 31. The connector lead portion 62 protruding from the first housing 51 penetrates the circuit substrate 31 from the first surface 31a and is soldered to the second surface 31b of the circuit substrate 31. The component lead portion 32a also penetrates the circuit substrate 31 from the first surface 31a and is soldered to the second surface 31b of the circuit substrate 31, like the connector lead portion 62. The first connecting portion 63 of the first conductive member 61 and the second connecting portion 73 of the second conductive member 71 are connected to each other in conjunction with the engagement of the end wall 12b and the inverter cover 25. Thus, the first conductive member 61 and the second conductive member 71 are electrically connected to each other. The electric power from the power supply connector 46 is supplied to the circuit substrate 31 via the connector connecting portion 72 of the second conductive member 71, the second connecting portion 73 of the second conductive member 71, the first connecting portion 63 of the first conductive member 61, and the connector lead portion 62 of the first conductive member 61. Thus, the inverter 30 drives the electric motor 17.

[0050] (EFFECTS)

[0051] The following effects can be obtained in the above-described embodiment.

[0052] (1) The first end of the first conductive member 61 penetrates the circuit substrate 31 from the first surface 31a toward the second surface 31b and is soldered to the circuit substrate 31 at the second surface 31b. Thus, the first end of the first conductive member 61 and the component lead portion 32a of the electric component 32 can be soldered at the second surface 31b in the same process. Also, the first end of the second conductive member 71 is electrically connected to the power supply connector 46. Also, the second end of the first conductive member 61 and the second end of the second conductive member 71 are fitted to each other in conjunction with the coupling of the inverter cover 25 to the motor housing member 12 to be electrically connected. Thus, the first conductive member 61 and the second conductive member 71 can be electrically connected to each other only by coupling the inverter cover 25 to the motor housing member 12. Also, the electric power from the power supply connector 46 is supplied to the circuit substrate 31 via the connector connecting portion 72 of the second conductive member 71, the second connecting portion 73 of the second conductive member 71, the first connecting portion 63 of the first conductive member 61, and the connector lead portion 62 of the first conductive member 61. Thus, the inverter 30 drives the electric motor 17. As such, even in a configuration in which the electric component 32 is thermally coupled to the end wall 12b and the external connector 45 protrudes from the inverter cover 25, it is not necessary to solder the conductive member that electrically connects the power supply connector 46 to the circuit substrate 31 to the first surface 31a of the circuit substrate 31. Also, it is possible to easily form the conductive path from the power supply connector 46 to the circuit substrate 31. According to the above, it is possible to improve the productivity of the electric compressor 10.

[0053] (2) An external connector 45 extends from the protruding wall 42 along the extension wall 41, and a portion of the second frame 52 is disposed inside the protruding wall 42. Therefore, even with the configuration that the converter cover 25 is made of metal and the external connector 45 extends along the extension wall 41, an easily manufactured electric compressor 10 can be achieved.

[0054] (3) The second frame 52 includes a first retaining portion 53 that holds the first extension 74 and a second retaining portion 54 that holds the second extension 75, which is a preferred configuration in terms of manufacturing an electric compressor 10 in which the external connector 45 extends along the extension wall 41.

[0055] (4) In the electric compressor 10, by assembling the first conductive member 61 and the second conductive member 71 together, the dimensional tolerances of the first conductive member 61 and the second conductive member 71 are easily absorbed at the assembly point. Therefore, stress is less likely to be applied to the soldering portion between the connector lead portion 62 of the first conductive member 61 and the circuit board 31, thus improving reliability.

[0056] (5) By embedding the second connecting portion 73 of the second conductive member 71 into the first connecting portion 63 of the first conductive member 61, an electrical connection between the first conductive member 61 and the second conductive member 71 across the sealing member 27 can be achieved. Therefore, a conductive path from the power supply connector 46 to the circuit board 31 can be easily formed without changing the position of the sealing member 27.

[0057] (Example of Change)

[0058] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be implemented with modifications as follows. The above-described embodiments and the following modifications can be combined with each other to implement them without technical inconsistencies.

[0059] like Figure 3 As shown, the converter cover 25 can also be made of resin. Furthermore, the second conductive member 71 can also be integrally formed by the first extension 74 and the second extension 75. In this case, the second conductive member 71 and the converter cover 25 can also be integrated by insert molding. Therefore, the second frame 52, which houses the second conductive member 71, can also be integrally formed on the converter cover 25. Additionally, the external connector 45 can also be integrally formed on the converter cover 25. Accordingly, compared to the case where the second frame 52 and the converter cover 25 are separate, the number of parts can be reduced. Therefore, the structure of the electric compressor 10 can be simplified.

[0060] In the embodiment, the end wall 12b can also be divided into two wall portions in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 15. In this case, the other wall portion of the end wall 12b can be coupled after the inverter housing 25 is coupled to the one wall portion of the end wall 12b to define the inverter housing chamber 26.

[0061] In the embodiment, the external connector 45 can also not extend from the protruding wall 42 along the extending wall 41. For example, the external connector 45 can also protrude from the extending wall 41 in the thickness direction of the extending wall 41. In any case, as long as the inverter 30 is disposed between the electric motor 17 and the external connector 45.

[0062] In the embodiment, the entire second frame 52 can also be disposed inside the protruding wall 42. In any case, at least a portion of the second frame 52 can be disposed inside the protruding wall 42.

[0063] In the embodiment, the first frame 51 is fixed to the end wall 12b of the motor housing member 12 by the screw B1, but is not limited thereto. The first frame 51 can also be fixed to the end wall 12b of the motor housing member 12 by, for example, an adhesive. In any case, as long as the first frame 51 is fixed to the housing 11, the method of fixation is not particularly limited.

[0064] In the embodiment, the first holding portion 53 is fixed to the inverter housing 25 by the screw B2, but is not limited thereto. The first holding portion 53 can also be fixed to the inverter housing 25 by, for example, an adhesive. In any case, as long as the first holding portion 53 is fixed to the inverter housing 25, the method of fixation is not particularly limited.

[0065] In the embodiment, the second holding portion 54 is fixed to the inverter housing 25 by being inserted into the second housing hole 44 by the insertion portion 54a, but is not limited thereto. The second holding portion 54 can also be fixed to the inverter housing 25 by, for example, a screw. In any case, as long as the second holding portion 54 is fixed to the inverter housing 25, the method of fixation is not particularly limited.

[0066] In the embodiment, the electric compressor 10 can also be configured such that the inverter 30 is disposed radially outward of the rotation shaft 15 with respect to the housing 11, for example. In any case, the compression portion 16, the electric motor 17, and the inverter 30 can not be arranged in this order in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 15. Also, as long as the external connector 45 protrudes from the inverter housing 25.

[0067] In the embodiment, the compression portion 16 is not limited to a scroll type, and can also be a piston type, a vane type, or the like, for example.

[0068] In the embodiment, the electric compressor 10 constitutes the vehicle air conditioner 22, but is not limited thereto. For example, the electric compressor 10 can also be mounted on a fuel cell vehicle, and compress air as a fluid to be supplied to a fuel cell using the compression portion 16.

[0069] The term "annular" used in the present specification can refer to any configuration that forms a ring shape as a whole. The shape of "annular" includes a circular shape, an elliptical shape, and a polygonal shape having sharp corners or rounded corners, but is not limited thereto. Also, the term "cylindrical" can similarly refer to any configuration having a cross-sectional shape of a circular shape, an elliptical shape, and a polygonal shape having sharp corners or rounded corners, but is not limited thereto.

Claims

1. An electric compressor, provided with: a compression unit configured to compress a fluid; an electric motor configured to drive the compression unit; an inverter configured to drive the electric motor; a motor housing member having a peripheral wall and an end wall closing one end of the peripheral wall, and accommodating the electric motor; an inverter cover defining an inverter accommodation chamber accommodating the inverter by engaging with the end wall; and an external connector fixed to the inverter cover and configured to be connected to an external power supply connector from the outside, the inverter is provided with a circuit board and an electric component mounted to the circuit board, the electric component is thermally coupled to the end wall, wherein, in the inverter accommodation chamber, a first internal connector and a second internal connector are provided, the first internal connector has a first resin frame fixed to the end wall and a first conductive member built in the first frame, the second internal connector has a second resin frame fixed to the inverter cover and a second conductive member built in the second frame, the circuit board has a first surface facing the end wall and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a first end of the first conductive member penetrates the circuit board from the first surface together with a lead portion of the electric component, and is welded to the circuit board at the second surface, a first end of the second conductive member is configured to be electrically connected to the power supply connector, a second end of the first conductive member and a second end of the second conductive member are configured to be electrically connected to each other by being fitted into each other in conjunction with the engagement of the inverter cover to the motor housing member, and to be electrically disconnected from each other by the disengagement of the motor housing member from the inverter cover.

2. The electric compressor according to claim 1, wherein the inverter cover is made of metal, the inverter cover has: an extension wall extending along the circuit board; and a protrusion wall protruding from the extension wall to a side opposite to the circuit board, the external connector is fixed to the protrusion wall and extends from the protrusion wall along the extension wall, at least a portion of the second frame is disposed inside the protrusion wall.

3. The electric compressor according to claim 2, wherein the second conductive member includes: a first extension portion extending in a protruding direction of the protrusion wall; and a second extension portion extending in an extending direction of the extension wall, the first extension portion has an end portion fitted into the second end of the first conductive member, the second extension portion has an end portion exposed to the outside and configured to be connected to the power supply connector, the second frame includes: a first holding portion holding the first extension portion; and a second holding portion holding the second extension portion.

4. The electric compressor according to claim 3, wherein the first extension portion and the second extension portion are fitted into each other or are formed as a single body.

5. The electric compressor according to claim 1, wherein the inverter cover is made of resin, the second frame is formed integrally with the inverter cover.

6. The electric compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein ​ The inverter is disposed between the electric motor and the external connector.

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