Electric compressor

Abstract

An electric compressor is disclosed. The present invention provides an electric compressor which improves coupling stability when a terminal portion is inserted therein by reducing a protruding height of a terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electric compressor, and more particularly, to an electric compressor capable of improving insulation performance by changing the structure of a terminal portion. Background Art

[0002] Generally, an air conditioning system for cooling or heating a passenger compartment is provided in a vehicle. Such an air conditioning system includes a compressor configured to compress a low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant introduced from an evaporator into a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant to be supplied to a condenser.

[0003] Compressors applied in vehicles may be classified into mechanical compressors configured to be driven by driving force received from an engine and electric compressors configured to use a motor driven by electricity, and recently, as electrification of vehicles accelerates, use of electric compressors is increasing.

[0004] Meanwhile, as examples of compressors, there are reciprocating compressors that compress refrigerant according to the reciprocating motion of pistons and rotary compressors that compress refrigerant while rotating. Reciprocating compressors include, according to the power transmission method from a driving source, a crank compressor that transmits the driving force from a driving source to a plurality of pistons using a crank, a swash plate compressor that transmits the driving force from a driving source to a rotating shaft on which a swash plate is installed, and the like. Rotary compressors include: a vane rotary compressor that utilizes a rotating rotating shaft and vanes, and a scroll compressor that utilizes a movable scroll and a fixed scroll.

[0005] In addition, the development of inverter type compressors capable of changing the operating speed of the motor has been actively carried out. In the inverter type electric compressor, the inverter is mounted on the outer circumferential surface or side surface of the housing, and the inverter is electrically connected to the motor provided in the housing using a bus bar and a terminal penetrating the housing.

[0006] An inverter unit provided in a conventional electric compressor will be described.

[0007] A conventional inverter-incorporated electric compressor includes a driving portion (not shown) and a compression portion (not shown) arranged inside a main housing (not shown), and an inverter unit provided inside an inverter housing on one surface of the main housing.

[0008] A bus bar is provided in the inverter housing and a terminal unit including terminal pins is provided in the drive unit, thereby forming an electrical connection between the drive unit and the inverter unit. That is, the terminal unit is electrically connected to the inverter unit through the bus bar.

[0009] Such a conventional inverter-integrated electric compressor has problems in that an unnecessary dead volume of the inverter unit increases due to the bus bar, and the number and weight of components increase due to the use of the bus bar and the terminal unit, thereby increasing the complexity of the assembly process.

[0010] In addition, the conventional inverter-incorporated electric compressor has a problem in that since the terminal pins provided in the terminal unit are formed in a cylindrical shape, the volume of the entire package increases due to an inevitable increase in a gap distance for insulation under a high voltage condition.

[0011] It is difficult to manufacture the terminal pin into a cylindrical shape, sealing of the cylindrical shape is difficult, and when a bus bar is used, the bus bar is arranged to protrude from the inverter unit toward the drive part, and therefore, the bus bar causes a problem of height reduction. Therefore, measures to solve such problems are required.

[0012] Public Content

[0013] Technical issues

[0014] Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to providing an electric compressor in which electrical insulation between a printed circuit board and a terminal is improved by changing the structure of a terminal portion.

[0015] Technical Solutions

[0016] One embodiment is an electric compressor, which includes: a shell; a motor part, which is arranged in the shell; a compression part, which is driven by the motor part; an inverter part, which is connected to one side of the shell and is configured to control the operation of the motor part; and a terminal unit, which is configured to electrically connect the motor part and the inverter part to each other, and the terminal unit may include: a plurality of terminal parts; and a terminal retainer, which allows the terminal parts to be connected to the terminal retainer at a certain interval, and the surfaces of the plurality of terminal parts facing each other may be flat surfaces.

[0017] The terminal portion may have a quadrilateral cross section.

[0018] The terminal portion may be a sheet having a certain thickness and extending in a longitudinal direction.

[0019] The electric compressor may include one or more terminals configured to electrically contact the terminal portion to allow an extended end portion of the terminal portion to be coupled to the terminal and electrically connected to the printed circuit board.

[0020] A plurality of terminal pins may be formed in the terminal.

[0021] The terminal pins may be arranged parallel to each other in a width direction of the terminal portion.

[0022] The terminal pins may be formed at various positions parallel to a longitudinal direction of the terminal portion.

[0023] The terminal pins can be directly secured to a printed circuit board.

[0024] In the terminal holder, an extension portion may be formed in a longitudinal direction of the terminal portion, the extension portion extending to protrude more than a surface on which the terminal holder is formed.

[0025] The extension portion may cover the outer surface of the terminal portion with an insulating material in a certain region.

[0026] The terminal portion may be formed of a metal of a different material or a non-ferrous metal.

[0027] The terminal portion may have an insulating layer formed on an outer surface thereof for electrical insulation.

[0028] The insulating layer may be selected from one of silver plating or tin plating.

[0029] The terminal holder may allow the terminal portion to be inserted into the terminal holder, and have an insulating member covering the outer side.

[0030] The insulating member may be molded together with the terminal retainer by double molding.

[0031] Beneficial Effects

[0032] The embodiment of the present disclosure may have a gap distance increased more than that under the same voltage condition, and may be used in a high-voltage vehicle by changing the structure of the terminal portion, whereby restrictions due to installation may be reduced.

[0033] The embodiments of the present disclosure have advantages in that the sealing performance of the terminal portion is improved and thus the sealing area is increased, as compared with a conventional terminal portion formed in a cylindrical shape, and the manufacturing of the terminal member is easy.

[0034] The embodiments of the present disclosure allow the electrical connection between the motor portion and the inverter portion to be stably maintained when installed in the electric compressor.

[0035] The embodiments of the present disclosure allow for a simple improvement in the connection structure between a terminal portion and a printed circuit board, thereby improving operator workability and assembly efficiency, and reducing weight and costs incurred by manufacturing.

[0036] The embodiments of the present disclosure can ensure an insulation distance between terminal pins connected to each of a plurality of terminal parts on a printed circuit board, similarly to where the plurality of terminal parts are spaced apart from each other for insulation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an electric compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the terminal holder according to the present embodiment is provided in a printed circuit board.

[0039] Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a terminal portion according to the present embodiment.

[0040] Figures 4 to 5 2 is a view illustrating a terminal holder of a terminal unit according to the present embodiment.

[0041] Figure 6 1 is a view illustrating a state in which a terminal unit according to the present embodiment is mounted in a printed circuit board and coupled to a terminal portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] By referring to the following and attached Figure 1 With the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments, the advantages and features of the present disclosure and the methods for achieving these advantages and features will be clear. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, but will be implemented in various forms. The exemplary embodiments are provided only by way of example so that those of ordinary skill in the art can fully understand the disclosure of the present disclosure and the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure will only be limited by the scope of the appended claims. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout.

[0043] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it may be directly connected or directly coupled to the other element, or there may be intervening elements. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes, but is not limited to, any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0044] The terms used in this specification are used to describe exemplary embodiments and are not intended to limit the inventive concept. In this specification, unless otherwise specified in a phrase, the singular form also includes the plural form. The terms "comprise" and / or "include" used in the inventive concept refer to components, steps, operations and / or elements and do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations and / or elements.

[0045] Although the terms "first", "second", etc. are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from other components.

[0046] Hereinafter, the configuration of a motor-driven compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in more detail by referring to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an electric compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the terminal holder according to the present embodiment is provided in a printed circuit board. Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a terminal member according to the present embodiment. Figures 4 to 5 is a view illustrating a terminal holder of a terminal unit according to the present embodiment; and Figure 6 1 and 2 are views illustrating a state in which a terminal unit according to the present embodiment is mounted in a printed circuit board and a state in which the terminal unit according to the present embodiment is coupled to a terminal portion.

[0047] Reference Figures 1 to 6 , the electric compressor according to the present embodiment includes a housing 100 , a motor part 200 , a compression part 300 , an inverter part 400 , and a terminal unit 500 configured to electrically connect the motor part 200 and the inverter part 400 to each other.

[0048] The housing 100 defines the overall appearance of the electric compressor, and in the present embodiment, the housing 100 is formed of a front housing 110 and a rear housing 120 .

[0049] The motor part 200 is disposed in the front housing 110 and provides power to the compression part 300 for compressing the refrigerant. The motor part 200 includes a rotor 240 coupled to a rotating shaft 220 rotatably mounted at the center of the front housing 110 and a stator 260 fixed to the front housing 110 and arranged radially outside the rotor 240. The stator 260 includes a stator core 262 and a coil 264 wound on the stator core 262.

[0050] The compression part 300 is disposed in the rear housing 120 and includes a movable scroll 320 and a fixed scroll 340, wherein the movable scroll 320 is connected to the rotating shaft 220 via an eccentric bushing, and the fixed scroll 340 is fixed between the front housing 110 and the rear housing 120 and forms a compression chamber, in which refrigerant is compressed together with the movable scroll 320.

[0051] Therefore, when the compression part 300 is connected to the motor part 200 through the rotation shaft 220 , the rotation force generated in the motor part 200 may be provided to the movable scroll 320 of the compression part through the rotation shaft 220 .

[0052] The inverter part 400 is disposed outside the housing 100 and is coupled to a side opposite to the compression part 300 based on the motor part 200. The inverter part 400 is electrically connected to the motor part 200, and applies power to the motor part 200 and controls operation by power and a control signal provided from the outside.

[0053] More specifically, the stator 260 forms an electromagnetic field by power applied from the inverter part 400 , and when the rotor 240 is rotated by the electromagnetic field formed by the stator 260 , a rotation force for operating the compression part 300 is generated.

[0054] In the inverter part 400 , a printed circuit board P is provided, a switching element is disposed on the printed circuit board P, and an inverter housing 460 coupled to the housing 100 and configured to accommodate the printed circuit board P is included.

[0055] The structure of the terminal unit 500 configured to electrically connect the motor part 200 and the inverter part 400 to each other will be described in more detail.

[0056] The terminal unit 500 according to the embodiment may include a terminal part 520 , a terminal holder 530 , and a terminal 540 .

[0057] In the embodiment, a three-phase motor is used, and therefore, three terminal members 520 and three terminals 540 each connected to three phases are provided to supply three-phase power from the inverter part 400 to the motor part 200 .

[0058] The three terminal parts 520 are respectively connected to the three-phase coils 264 of the stator 260 of the motor part, penetrate the housing 100 to the inside of the housing 100 , and protrude to the inside of the inverter unit 400 .

[0059] The terminal part 520 according to the embodiment is not formed in a pin shape having a certain diameter like the related art, and surfaces thereof facing each other are flat.

[0060] In addition, the terminal part 520 is formed of a sheet having a certain thickness, protruding in the longitudinal direction, and having a quadrilateral cross-section.

[0061] The reason why the terminal portion 520 has a sheet shape and a quadrilateral cross-section is that when the terminal portion 520 is installed in the terminal retainer 530, the electrical insulation performance and the sealing performance can be improved at the same time, and a stable connection with the terminal 540 can be achieved, and stable use under high voltage conditions can be promoted by increasing the gap distance between multiple terminal portions 520.

[0062] In this case, the embodiment may use the terminal unit 500 in a high voltage vehicle or a high voltage electric compressor, and thus may significantly improve the withstand voltage characteristics.

[0063] like Figure 2 As illustrated in , the terminal bodies 522 of the terminal parts 520 having a rectangular plate shape and having a certain length and thickness are respectively coupled to the plurality of terminal holders 530 , and the terminals 540 are provided in a number corresponding to the number of the terminal parts 520 .

[0064] The terminal portion 520 includes a first rounded portion 524 which is an end portion extending from the terminal body 522 toward the terminal 540 and having a streamlined shape, and a second rounded portion 526 which is a longitudinal end portion having a streamlined shape.

[0065] In the terminal part 520 , a first rounded portion 524 is formed at the lower end of the terminal body 522 to ensure stable insertion into the interior of the terminal 540 without getting stuck, so that insertion of the terminal part 520 into the terminal 540 can be performed stably and continuously.

[0066] When the terminal part 520 is formed as above, the contact stability according to the coupling to the terminal 540 is improved, and thus the electrical connection can be continuously maintained.

[0067] The second rounded portion 526 is formed to be rounded with a certain radius of curvature so as not to be bent at a right angle in the longitudinal direction of the terminal part 520 , thereby preventing concentration of electric energy and enabling stable use.

[0068] In particular, when the terminal portion 520 is connected to the terminal retainer 530, since the gap distance L between the terminal portions 520 is maintained as illustrated in the drawings, the gap distance increases compared to the case of the same voltage, thereby enabling stable use under high voltage conditions.

[0069] The terminal body 522 includes a first terminal body portion 522a defining an overall appearance and formed of a first material, and a second terminal body portion 522b formed of a material different from the first terminal body portion 522a and formed on an outer surface of the first terminal body portion 522a.

[0070] The terminal portion 520 may be configured as a dual-material portion formed of a first terminal body portion 522a and a second terminal body portion 522b to maintain stable electrical insulation performance.

[0071] For example, the first terminal body portion 522a and the second terminal body portion 522b can be formed of different materials. For example, the first terminal body portion 522a can be formed of stainless steel, and the second terminal body portion 522b can be formed of an inorganic material. However, for ease of description, the above materials are only examples and can be changed to different materials.

[0072] The first terminal body portion 522 a is formed of stainless steel and forms an integral structure, and the second terminal body portion 522 b is coupled to an outer surface of the first terminal body portion 522 a to form the terminal part 520 .

[0073] As described above, when the terminal portion 520 is formed of different materials, the electrical insulation performance is stable compared to the case where the terminal portion 520 is formed of a single material. In addition, when such a terminal portion 520 formed of different materials that makes the electrical insulation performance constant is used in the terminal unit 500, a more stable operation can be achieved. In addition, when the terminal portion 520 is installed and used in the electric compressor equipped with the terminal unit 500, a stable voltage can be maintained, thereby improving the operational stability.

[0074] The second terminal body portion 522b is formed of an inorganic material, and the plurality of terminal portions 520 are spaced apart from each other, so that electrical interference therebetween is minimized, thereby maintaining stable insulation performance.

[0075] Therefore, the electric compressor mounted with the terminal unit 500 can be stably operated at a constant voltage, and even when the electric compressor is used under a high voltage condition, the electric compressor can be used without the occurrence of unstable electrical insulation performance.

[0076] In the terminal unit 500 according to the embodiment, an insulating layer 521 for electrical insulation is formed on the outer surface of the terminal body 522 .

[0077] In this case, the terminal portion 520 may be manufactured such that the terminal body 522 is first manufactured, and a plating process is performed on the outer surface for forming the insulating layer 521 .

[0078] The insulating layer 521 maintains electrical insulation constant due to the gap distance between the terminal parts 520, thereby ensuring stable operation under the condition of applying a certain voltage or a high voltage.

[0079] The terminal portion 520 is inserted into a terminal holder 530, and an insulating member 532 covering the terminal from the outside is provided in the terminal holder 530. The insulating member 532 may be formed of a plastic resin or rubber, but may also be formed of other materials.

[0080] The insulating member 532 may be molded together with the terminal holder 530 by double molding, and thus, an insulating property may be provided outside the terminal holder 530 .

[0081] When the terminal parts 520 are installed in the terminal 540 , the terminal parts 520 may maintain a gap distance between each other, and a stable insulation performance may be maintained through the insulating layer 521 , thereby maintaining a stable operation of the electric compressor.

[0082] As illustrated in the drawings, the terminal portion 520 is inserted into the interior of the terminal 540 in the longitudinal direction when the terminal portion 520 is inserted into the terminal 540, and remains fully inserted into the terminal 540 rather than partially inserted into the terminal 540. In this case, the contact stability between the terminal portion 520 and the terminal 540 is improved, thereby being able to always maintain electrical connection.

[0083] The terminal parts 520 are coupled to the terminal holder 530 and installed in the housing 100. When each of the terminal parts 520 is coupled to the terminal 540 mounted on the printed circuit board P, the terminal parts 520 are electrically connected to the printed circuit board P.

[0084] The terminal 540 has a terminal pin 542 electrically connected to the printed circuit board P, and the terminal pin 542 is fixed to the printed circuit board P by direct soldering or other fixing methods.

[0085] A plurality of terminal pins 542 are formed in the terminal 540 , and the terminal pins 542 are arranged parallel to each other in the width direction of the terminal portion 520 .

[0086] In addition, the terminal pins 542 are formed at various positions parallel to the longitudinal direction of the terminal portion 520 , and are directly fixed to the printed circuit board P.

[0087] As described above, when the constituent components connected to the terminal portion 520 are assembled into the housing 100 together with the motor portion 200, the motor portion 200, the terminal pin 542 and the terminal retainer 530 are assembled in the correct position, and the terminal pin 542 is inserted into the through hole formed in the printed circuit board P, so that they can be easily connected to each other through a subsequent welding process.

[0088] In the terminal holder 530 , fastening holes 532 are formed in end portions on the left and right sides based on the drawing, and fastening members 536 are inserted into the fastening holes 532 , thereby allowing the terminal holder 530 to be fastened to the housing 100 .

[0089] When the terminal portion 520 is inserted into the terminal retainer 530 according to the embodiment, in order to facilitate reliable insulation and fixation, an extension portion 538 is formed in the longitudinal direction of the terminal portion 520, and the extension portion 538 extends to protrude much more than the surface on which the terminal retainer 530 is formed.

[0090] Since the extension portion 538 covers the outer surface of the terminal portion 520 with the insulating material in a certain area, reliable insulation and fixation can be achieved at the same time.

[0091] In addition, in the present embodiment, when the terminal holder 530 is assembled, the terminal portion 520, the terminal holder 530, and the extension portion 538 coupled to each other are coupled to the housing 100 in a state where the terminal 540 is soldered to the printed circuit board P, and at the same time, one end portion of the terminal portion 520 can be inserted into the terminal 540. With this structure, the motor and the printed circuit board P can be electrically connected, and the motor and the printed circuit board P can be coupled to the housing 100.

[0092] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications may be made by adding, changing, deleting, etc., elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0093] Industrial Applicability

[0094] The embodiments of the present disclosure may maintain stable electrical connection between a motor part and an inverter part provided in an electric compressor.

Claims

1. An electric compressor comprising: case; a motor portion, the motor portion being disposed in the housing; a compression unit driven by the motor unit; an inverter section coupled to one side of the housing and configured to control an operation of the motor section; as well as a terminal unit configured to electrically connect the motor portion and the inverter portion to each other, Wherein, the terminal unit comprises: a plurality of terminal portions; and a terminal holder that allows the terminal portion to be coupled to the terminal holder at intervals, and Wherein, surfaces of the plurality of terminal portions facing each other are flat surfaces.

2. The electric compressor according to claim 1, in, The cross section of the terminal portion is a quadrilateral.

3. The electric compressor according to claim 1, in, The terminal portion is a sheet having a certain thickness and extending in a longitudinal direction.

4. The electric compressor according to claim 3, comprising: One or more terminals are configured to electrically contact the terminal portion to allow an extended end portion of the terminal portion to be coupled to the terminal and electrically connected to a printed circuit board.

5. The electric compressor according to claim 4, in, A plurality of terminal pins are formed in the terminal.

6. The electric compressor according to claim 5, in, The terminal pins are arranged parallel to each other in a width direction of the terminal portion.

7. The electric compressor according to claim 5, in, The terminal pins are formed at respective positions parallel to a longitudinal direction of the terminal portion.

8. The electric compressor according to claim 5, in, The terminal pins are directly fixed to the printed circuit board.

9. The electric compressor according to claim 5, in, In the terminal holder, an extension portion is formed in the longitudinal direction of the terminal portion, the extension portion extending to protrude more than a surface on which the terminal holder is formed.

10. The electric compressor according to claim 9, in, The extension portion covers the outer surface of the terminal portion with an insulating material in a certain region.

11. The electric compressor according to claim 10, in, The terminal portion is formed of a metal of a different material or a non-ferrous metal.

12. The electric compressor according to claim 11, in, The terminal portion has an insulating layer formed on an outer surface of the terminal portion for electrical insulation.

13. The electric compressor according to claim 12, in, The insulating layer is selected from one of silver plating and tin plating.

14. The electric compressor according to claim 1, in, The terminal holder allows the terminal portion to be inserted therein, and has an insulating member covering an outer side portion.

15. The electric compressor according to claim 14, in, The insulating member is molded together with the terminal holder by double molding.

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