ELECTRIC COMPRESSOR

Abstract

Electric compressor (10) with: a housing (11); a rotary shaft (17) rotatably supported in the housing (11); a compression section (15) and a motor (16) arranged in the housing (11); a cover (20) attached to an outer surface of the housing (11) so as to form an accommodation chamber (20A) therebetween; a motor drive circuit (18) housed in the accommodation chamber (20A); and a conductor (31) which is attached to an outer surface (22A) of the cover (20) via a fastening element (40) and supplies electrical power to a circuit board (19) of the motor control circuit (18) from an external power source, characterized in that the cover (20) has a receiving portion (23) which is recessed towards the housing (11) and receives a part of the fastening element (40), wherein the receiving portion (23) is arranged such that the circuit board (19) overlaps with the receiving portion (23) in the radial direction of the axis of the rotary shaft (17).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an electric compressor.

[0002] Generally, an electric compressor includes a housing in which a compression section that compresses refrigerant gas and a motor that drives the compression section are arranged, and a cover mounted on an outer surface of the housing. The outer surface of the housing and the cover define a housing chamber in which a motor drive circuit that drives the motor is arranged (see, for example, JP 2010-93202 A).

[0003] In the Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B, which shows a cover of a conventional compressor and its surroundings, a motor drive circuit 100 is shown, which includes a circuit board 101 having a flat plate shape and electrical components 102 mounted on the circuit board 101. In some electric compressors such as this conventional compressor, there is a connector 104 having a bus bar 104A (a conductor) that electrically connects the circuit board 101 and an external connector 110 of an external power source on the vehicle side. The connector 104 is attached to an outer surface 103A of the cover 103 by means of a plurality of screws 105 as fastening elements.

[0004] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6A, the cover 103 may have a boss 103C recessed toward a housing 107 as a receiving portion for receiving a portion of the screw 105. With such a configuration, where the boss 103C and the circuit board 101 are disposed in a facing relationship, a gap 106 large enough to prevent interference between them must be provided between the boss 103C and the circuit board 101. Accordingly, the dimension of the electric compressor in its longitudinal direction increases by the gap 106.

[0005] In addition, as in Fig. 6B, the connector 104 is attached to the outer surface 103A of the cover 103, and a part of the screw 105, which is tightened from the outer surface 103A of the cover 103 through the cover 103, may protrude into an accommodation chamber 108 defined between an outer surface of the casing 107 and the cover 103. In this case, when the screw 105 and the circuit board 101 are arranged in the accommodation chamber 108 in a facing relationship, the gap 106 provided between the screw 105 and the circuit board 101 must be large enough to prevent interference between them. Accordingly, the dimension of the electric compressor in its longitudinal direction increases by the gap 106.

[0006] Finally, reference is made to DE 10 2011 000 179 A1, from which an electric compressor with the features of the preamble of patent claim 1 and patent claim 2 is known.

[0007] The invention aims to provide an electric compressor that has a smaller dimension. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] To solve the above problem, according to one embodiment of the invention, an electric compressor is provided which has the features of patent claim 1. Furthermore, according to a further embodiment of the invention, an electric compressor is provided which has the features of patent claim 2.

[0009] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a longitudinal partial sectional side view of an electric compressor according to a first embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2A is an enlarged sectional view showing a cover of the electric compressor and its related parts. Fig. Figure 2B is a front view of the electric compressor cover and a connector. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of busbars and a first mold assembly. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a molded connector, a first mounting plate, a second mounting plate, and a second mold assembly. Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional side view showing the cover of the electric compressor and its related parts according to a second embodiment of the invention. Fig. 6A is a sectional side view of a cover of a conventional electric compressor and its related parts. Fig. 6B is a sectional side view of a cover of the conventional electric compressor and its related parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTSFirst embodiment

[0010] With reference to the Fig. 1 to 4, an electric compressor according to a first embodiment of the invention will now be described. Note that the electric compressor of this embodiment is designed to be installed in a vehicle and used for an air conditioning system of the vehicle.

[0011] As from Fig. As can be seen from Figure 1, the electric compressor designated by numeral 10 has a housing 11. The housing 11 includes a discharge housing 12 made of aluminum (or a metal material) and having a bottomed cylindrical shape, and an intake housing 13 made of aluminum (or a metal material) and having a bottomed cylindrical shape, which is connected to the discharge housing 12. An inlet opening (not shown) is formed through the peripheral wall of the intake housing 13 and is connected to an external refrigerant circuit (not shown). An outlet opening 14 is formed through the discharge housing 12 and is connected to the external refrigerant circuit.

[0012] In the intake housing 13 there is a compression section 15 (indicated by a dashed line in Fig. 1), which compresses coolant gas, and a motor 16 (indicated by another dashed line in Fig. 1), which drives the compression section 15. In the intake housing 13, a rotary shaft 17 (indicated by another dashed line in Fig. 1). Although not shown in the drawing, the compression section 15 in the first embodiment includes a fixed scroll fixed in the intake casing 13 and a movable scroll disposed in facing relation to the fixed scroll. Although also not shown, the motor 16 includes a stator fixed to the inner wall surface of the intake casing 13 and a rotor fixedly mounted on the rotating shaft 17.

[0013] A cover 20 having a closed end is mounted on an end wall 13A of the intake casing 13, on the side opposite the discharge casing 12. The end wall 13A and the cover 20 define a housing chamber 20A therebetween. A motor drive circuit 18 that drives the motor 16 is disposed in the housing chamber 20A. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the compression section 15, the motor 16, and the motor drive circuit 18 are arranged along the axis L of the rotating shaft 17 (or along the rotating shaft 17) in this order.

[0014] As in Fig. 2A, the motor drive circuit 18 includes a circuit board 19 having a flat plate shape. The circuit board 19 is arranged in the accommodation chamber 20A in such an orientation that a surface of the circuit board 19 on which circuit components are implemented (or a plane direction of the circuit board 19) is perpendicular to the axis of the rotary shaft 17. A drive circuit of the motor 16 (i.e., an inverter circuit) is provided on the circuit board 19, and electrical components 19A, such as a plurality of switching elements (not shown) and a plurality of capacitors, are connected to the circuit board 19.

[0015] The cover 20 has a cylindrical peripheral wall 21 and an end wall 22 formed continuously with the peripheral wall 21 and extending perpendicularly to the peripheral wall 21. The end wall 22 has an outer surface 22A and an inner surface 22B extending in the same direction as the plane of the circuit board 19. An insertion hole 22H passes through the end wall 22. The end wall 22 is secured by means of a plurality of screws 40 (in Fig. 2A, only one screw is shown) as the fastening element of the invention, a plug 30 is attached. The plug 30 comprises three elongated, strip-shaped busbars 31 (in Fig. 2A, only one busbar 31 is shown) and a resin body 32 in which the busbars 31 are held. The circuit board 19 is electrically connected to an external connector 29 of an external power source via the busbars 31. The circuit board 19 is supplied with electrical power from the external power source via the external connector 29 and the busbars 31.

[0016] Each busbar 31 has a linear first extension portion 31A inserted from the outside of the end wall 22 of the cover 20 through the insertion hole 22H, and one end of the busbar 31 is electrically connected to the circuit board 19 in the accommodation chamber 20A. The first extension portion 31A extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the circuit board 19. The other end of the first extension portion 31A is located outside the end wall 22 of the cover 20.

[0017] Each busbar 31 also has a second extension section 31B, one end of which extends from the other end of the first extension section 31A. The second extension section 31B extends in a first direction (the direction shown in Fig. 2A by the arrow Y1) which is perpendicular to the first extension section 31A. Each busbar 31 further includes a third extension section 31C, one end of which extends from the other end of the second extension section 31B. The third extension section 31C extends in a direction perpendicular to the second extension section 31B (in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper of Fig. 2A). The direction perpendicular to the second extension portion 31B in which the third extension portion 31C extends indicates a direction that is perpendicular to the first extension portion 31A and different from the first direction. Each busbar 31 also has a fourth extension portion 31D, one end of which continues from the other end of the third extension portion 31C and which extends in the first direction. The second extension portion 31B and the fourth extension portion 31D extend parallel to each other. The other end of the fourth extension portion 31D is electrically connected to the external connector 29. The second extension portion 31B, the third extension portion 31C, and the fourth extension portion 31D extend along the outer surface 22A of the end wall 22.

[0018] The body 32 of the connector 30 has a first holding portion 32A that holds a part of the first extension portion 31A of each bus bar 31. A part of the first holding portion 32A is disposed in the insertion hole 22H and provides insulation between the bus bars 31 and the end wall 22. One end of the first extension portion 31A extends from the first holding portion 32A. The body 32 has a second holding portion 32B that continues from the first holding portion 32A and holds the second holding portion 31B of each bus bar 31 therein. The second holding portion 32B extends along the second extension portion 31B. The body 32 has a third holding portion 32C that continues from the second holding portion 32B and holds the third extension portion 31C of each bus bar 31 therein. The third holding section 32C runs along the third extension section 31C.The body 32 has a fourth holding portion 32D extending from the third holding portion 32C and holding therein the fourth extension portion 31D of each busbar 31. The fourth holding portion 32D extends along the fourth extension portion 31D.

[0019] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2B, the second retaining portion 32B, the third retaining portion 32C, and the fourth retaining portion 32D form an extension 33 extending along the outer surface 22A of the end wall 22. The extension 33 has at one end thereof (or the end of the fourth retaining portion 32D) a plug connection 33A to which the external connector 29 is connected.

[0020] The body 32 has a first mounting plate 41 formed individually from a metal such as aluminum. The first mounting plate 41 has a flat plate shape and is disposed between the second holding portion 32B and the outer surface 22A of the end wall 22.

[0021] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 2A, an insertion hole 41H is formed through the first mounting plate 41 for the first extension portion 31A of each bus bar 31 to pass therethrough. The part of the first mounting plate 41 surrounding the insertion hole 41H is held by the body 32 so as to be integral therewith.

[0022] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 2B, the first mounting plate 41 has two mounting parts 41A disposed on the outer surface 22A of the end wall 22 and fixed to the end wall 22 by the screws 40. The mounting parts 41A are disposed radially outwardly of the plane of the circuit board 19 in a plane direction of the circuit board 19 relative to the axis of the rotary shaft 17. Each mounting part 41A has a screw hole 41B through which the screw 40 is inserted.

[0023] The body 32 has a second mounting plate 42 formed individually from a metal such as aluminum. The second mounting plate 42 includes a plate-shaped mounting portion 42A disposed on the outer surface 22A of the end wall 22 and fixed to the end wall 22 by the screws 40, and a plate-shaped embedded portion 42F embedded in the fourth holding portion 32D. The second mounting plate 42 is curved so that the mounting portion 42A and the embedded portion 42F are aligned in two different parallel planes. The second mounting plate 42 and the body 32 form an integral structure by embedding the embedded portion 42F of the second mounting plate 42 in the fourth holding portion 32D. The mounting portion 42A is disposed radially outside the plane of the circuit board 19 with respect to the axis of the rotary shaft 17. The mounting part 42A has two screw holes 42B through which the screws 40 pass.

[0024] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 2A, the end wall 22 of the cover 20 is formed, on its side adjacent to the end wall 13A of the intake casing 13, with a plurality of cylindrical bosses 23 (four bosses 23 in this embodiment) having internally threaded holes 23A for receiving the bolts 40 therein. The plurality of bosses 23 serve as receiving portions. The mounting parts 41A and 42A are fixed to the cover 20 by the bolts 40 screwed into the internally threaded holes 23A of the respective bosses 23. Thus, the connector 30, that is, the bus bars 31, are mounted on the end wall 22 of the cover 20.

[0025] In Fig. 3 shows a first mold assembly 50 and the three busbars 31 extending parallel to each other at each portion of the first extension sections 31A, the second extension sections 31B, the third extension sections 31C, and the fourth extension sections 31D. The three busbars 31 are housed in the first mold assembly 50, except for the first extension sections 31A, the ends of the second extension sections 31B connected to the first extension sections 31A, and the ends of the fourth extension sections 31D opposite the ends connected to the third extension sections 31C. The first mold assembly 50 includes a first mold component 51 and a second mold component 52.

[0026] The first molded part 51 is in the shape of a box, including a bottom wall 51A forming the closed side and a peripheral wall 51B extending along and projecting from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 51A. The peripheral wall 51B corresponds, in plan view, to the second extension portions 31B, the third extension portions 31C, and the fourth extension portions 31D. The bottom wall 51A has a plurality of positioning pieces 51E (three positioning pieces 51E in this embodiment) projecting from the inner surface of the bottom wall 51A. Each of the positioning pieces 51E has a recess 51C for receiving therein the center busbar 31 of the three busbars 31, and, on the opposite sides of the respective recesses 51C, two projections 51D designed to separate the center busbar 31 from its two adjacent outer busbars 31.The positioning parts 51E are formed such that the top surfaces of the respective projections 51D on the open side of the first mold component 51 are coplanar with the surface of the peripheral wall 51B.

[0027] The peripheral wall 51B has, on the open side of the first mold member 51, three grooves 51F that receive the parts of the second extension portions 31B, and three grooves 51G that receive the parts of the fourth extension portions 31D. The bottom wall 51A of the first mold member 51 has a plurality of circular recesses 51H (four recesses 51H in this embodiment) in its inner surface.

[0028] The three busbars 31 are placed in the first mold member 51 such that the middle busbar 31 fits into the recesses 51C of the positioning parts 51E, and the projections 51D of the positioning parts 51E are each located between the middle busbar 31 and its two adjacent outer busbars 31. The busbars 31 thus housed in the first mold member 51 are each positioned such that the ends of the second extension portions 31B fit into the groove 51F and the ends of the fourth extension portions 31D fit into the groove 51G.

[0029] When the busbars 31 are inserted into the first mold member 51, a gap is formed between the busbars 31 and the inner surface of the bottom wall 51A, and the surfaces of the respective second extension portions 31B, the third extension portions 31C, and the fourth extension portions 31D are substantially flush with the surfaces of the projections 51D of the first mold member 51 and also with the end surface of the peripheral wall 51B on the open side of the first mold member 51.

[0030] The second mold member 52 is in the shape of a flat plate. The second mold member 52 has a shape and size such that it can close the first mold member 51 when the second mold member 52 is placed on the end surface of the first peripheral wall 51B. When the first mold member 51 is closed by the second mold member 52, the busbars 31 are securely held between the first mold member 51 and the second mold member 52. In this state of the first mold member 51, resin is poured into the cavity formed in the first mold assembly 50, in which the busbars 31 are housed.

[0031] Since the three busbars 31 are spaced apart from each other by the projections 51D in the first mold assembly 50 and are securely held, the busbars 31 do not come into contact with each other under the influence of the injection pressure of the resin injected into the cavity of the first mold assembly 50.

[0032] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, once the resin in the first mold assembly 50 is cured, a resin molding 53 is formed in which the busbars 31 are molded in the resin. Thus, a molded connector 54 is manufactured. In the molded connector 54, a portion of the resin molding 53 formed by the resin flowing into the recesses 51H forms a plurality of columnar projections 54F (four projections 54F in this embodiment). The resin molding 53 also has three holes 53H formed by the positioning portions 51E of the first mold member 51.

[0033] The molded connector 54 is then placed into a second mold assembly 60. The second mold assembly 60 includes a third mold component 61 and a fourth mold component 62. The third mold component 61 is in the shape of a box, including a bottom wall 61A forming the closed side, and a peripheral wall 61B extending along and projecting from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 51A. The peripheral wall 61B, in plan view, corresponds to the configuration of the second extension portions 31B, the third extension portions 31C, and the fourth extension portions 31D. The peripheral wall 61B has a projection 61F on its inner surface forming the connector connection 43 and has insertion holes (not shown) into which the ends of the respective fourth extension portions 31D are to be inserted.

[0034] The fourth molded member 62 is a plate member. The fourth molded member 62 has, in its surface to be mated with the third molded member 61, a first recess 62A into which the first mounting plate 41 is to be fitted. A plurality of projections 62B are formed in the bottom surface of the first recess 62A and are fitted into the screw holes 41B. Also formed in the bottom surface of the first recess 62A, at a position corresponding to the insertion hole 41H of the first mounting plate 41, is a recess 62C forming the first holding portion 32A. Insertion holes 62D are formed in the bottom surface of the recess 62C, through which the first extension portions 31A of the busbars 31 are to pass.

[0035] In the end surface of the fourth mold member 62 to be mated with the third mold member 61, there is a second recess 62E into which the mounting portion 42A of the second mounting plate 42 is to be fitted. In the bottom surface of the second recess 62E, there are a plurality of projections 62F that can be fitted into the screw holes 42B of the mounting portion 42A. In the surface of the fourth mold member 62 to be mated with the third mold member 61, there are a plurality of projections 62G (three projections 62G in this embodiment) that extend toward the opening of the third mold member 61.

[0036] The molded plug 54 is inserted into the third mold member 61 such that the ends of the projections 54B contact the bottom wall 61A of the third mold member 61, creating a gap between the molded plug 54 and the bottom wall 61A. Moreover, when the molded plug 54 is inserted into the third mold member 61, the surface of the molded plug 54 on the side facing the opening of the third mold member 61 is closer to the bottom wall 61A than the end surface of the peripheral wall 61B, which is located on the open side and is to be mated with the fourth mold member 62.

[0037] The first mounting plate 41 is arranged on the end surface of the peripheral wall 61B on the open side thereof such that the first extension portions 31A of the bus bars 31 are inserted through the insertion hole 41H of the first mounting plate 41, creating a gap between the first mounting plate 41 and the molded connector 54. Furthermore, the embedded portion 41F of the second mounting plate 42 is placed on the resin molding 53 of the molded connector 54, thereby being housed in the third molding member 61. In this state, the surface of the embedded portion 41F opposite the resin molding 53 is closer to the bottom wall 61A of the third molding member 61 than the end surface of the peripheral wall 61B to be mated with the fourth molding member 62.

[0038] Subsequently, the first mounting plate 41 is fitted into the first recess 62A of the fourth mold member 62, and the mounting portion 42A of the second mounting plate 42 is fitted into the second recess 62E of the fourth mold member 62. The fourth mold member 62 is placed on the open side of the third mold member 61 on the end surface of the peripheral wall 61B, thereby closing the opening of the third mold member 61. When the third and fourth mold members 61, 62 are closed, the ends of the projections 62G contact the end surface of the resin molding 53 on the open side of the third mold member 61 (or the end surface of the resin molding 53 facing the fourth mold member 62), creating a gap between the end surface of the fourth mold member 62 paired with the third mold member 61 and the surface of the molded plug 54 on its side facing the fourth mold member 62.A gap is also created between the embedded part 42F and the fourth mold component 62.

[0039] The third mold assembly 61 and the fourth mold assembly 62 are closed, holding the molded connector 54 between the bottom wall 61A of the third mold assembly 61 and the projections 62G of the fourth mold assembly 62, and resin is poured into the cavity of the closed second mold assembly 60. The resin is cured in the second mold assembly 60, thereby molding the molded connector 54, the first mounting plate 41, and the second mounting plate 42. As a result, the above-mentioned connector 30 is manufactured.

[0040] The operation of the first embodiment is described below.

[0041] According to the above-described embodiment, the mounting parts 41A and 42A are arranged radially outside the circuit board 19 with respect to the axis of the rotary shaft 17. That is, the bosses 23, which are recessed toward the end wall 13A of the intake casing 13, are arranged in the plane direction of the circuit board 19 so that the circuit board 19 overlaps with the bosses 23 in the radial direction of the axis of the rotary shaft 17. In other words, the bosses 23 are arranged radially outside the circuit board 19 to avoid interference with each other. Therefore, the dimension of the electric compressor 10 in the axis direction of the rotary shaft 17 is reduced compared to the electric compressor in which the bosses 23 and the circuit board 13 are arranged in a facing relationship in the extension direction of the bosses 23 and there is a gap between the circuit board 19 and the bosses 23.

[0042] The first embodiment produces the following effects. (1) The cover 20 has bosses 23 arranged radially outward from the circuit board 19 with respect to the axis of the rotary shaft 17 and recessed toward the end wall 13A of the intake casing 13 to receive part of the screws 40. With this configuration, the bosses 23 are arranged so as not to face the circuit board 19 in the direction in which the bosses 23 are recessed toward the end wall 13A. Therefore, the dimension of the electric compressor 10 in its axial direction can be reduced compared with an electric compressor in which the bosses 23 and the circuit board 19 are arranged in a facing relationship in the direction in which the bosses 23 are recessed toward the end wall 13A, and there is a gap between the circuit board 19 and the bosses 23. (2) In the configuration in which the second extension portions 31B, the third extension portions 31C, and the fourth extension portions 31D of the bus bars 31 extend along the outer surface 22A of the end wall 22, the dimension of the electric compressor 10 in its axial direction or in the direction crossing the outer surface 22A of the end wall 22 can be reduced compared with an electric compressor in which the second extension portions 31B, the third extension portions 31C, and the fourth extension portions 31D of the bus bars 31 extend in the direction crossing the outer surface 22A of the end wall 22. (3) Due to the limited space for installing the electric compressor 10 in a vehicle, it may be desirable to change the arrangement of the connector 33A to run along the outer surface 22A of the end wall 22. According to this embodiment, simply attaching the connector 30 to the cover 20 allows the connector 33A to be arranged to run along the outer wall 22A of the end wall 22 without changing the design or position of the circuit board 19. (4) In the embodiment in which the body 32 of the connector 30 made of a resin and the mounting parts 41A, 42A made of a metal are individually formed, the metal mounting parts 41A, 42A are less susceptible to deformation, and therefore, compared with a structure in which the mounting parts 41A, 42A and the body 32 form an integral part made of a resin, rigid mounting of the mounting parts 41A, 42A to the cover 20 can be achieved with screws 40. (5) In the electric compressor 10 in which the compression section 15, the motor 16, and the motor drive circuit 18 are arranged along the rotary shaft 17 in this order, and the circuit board 19 is arranged with its plane perpendicular to the axis of the rotary shaft 17, the dimension of the electric compressor 10 in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 17 can be reduced. (6) The extension 33 is arranged to extend along the outer surface 22A of the end wall 22. Therefore, in the case where any vehicle component is present in the compressor installation space in a vehicle at a position adjacent to the end wall 22 and on the extension of the rotary shaft 17 of the compressor 10, the connector 30 can be attached, for example, to the end wall 22 in such a manner as to avoid or bypass the vehicle component. (7) In the above case, if the connector 33A is arranged to protrude in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 17, the work of connecting the connector 33A and the external connector 29 may be difficult. However, providing the connector 33A at the end of the extension 33 or the ends of the fourth extension portions 31D extending along the outer surface 22A of the end wall 22 facilitates the connection of the connector 33A and the external connector 29. Second embodiment

[0043] With reference to Fig. 5, a second embodiment of the invention will be described below. In the following description of the second embodiment, components or elements common to the first embodiment are designated by the same numerals, and their description will not be repeated.

[0044] As from Fig. As shown in Figure 5, an internally threaded hole 22C for receiving the screw 40 extends through the end wall 22 of the cover 20. The internally threaded hole 22C is formed at a position radially outside the circuit board 19 with respect to the axis of the rotary shaft 17. A portion of the screw 40 protrudes into the accommodation chamber 20A. The fastening parts 41A, 42A are arranged radially outside the circuit board 19 and are attached to the cover 20 via the screw 40.

[0045] The effects of the second embodiment are described below.

[0046] In the second embodiment, the internally threaded hole 22C is formed at a position radially outside the circuit board 19. More specifically, the screw 40 protrudes into the accommodation chamber 20A at a position radially outside the circuit board 19, and therefore, the screw 40 does not face the circuit board 19 in the direction in which the screw 40 protrudes into the accommodation chamber 20A. Therefore, the dimension of the electric compressor 10 in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 17 can be reduced compared with an electric compressor in which the screw 40 and the circuit board 19 are arranged in a facing relationship and a gap exists between the circuit board 19 and the screw 40.

[0047] In the second embodiment, in addition to the effects (2) to (7) of the first embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0048] (8) The internally threaded hole 22C is formed in the cover 20 at a position radially outside the circuit board 19, and the bus bars 31 are attached to the cover 20 via the screw 40 that is inserted through the internally threaded hole 22C and projects into the accommodation chamber 20A. With this configuration, in which the screw 40 projects into the accommodation chamber 20A at a position radially outside the circuit board 19 and the screw 40 therefore does not face the circuit board 19 in the direction in which the screw 40 projects into the accommodation chamber 20A, the dimension of the electric compressor 10 in its axial direction can be reduced compared with an electric compressor in which the screw 40 and the circuit board 19 are arranged in a facing relationship in the projecting direction of the screw 40 and there is a gap between the circuit board 19 and the screw 40.

[0049] It should be noted that the first and second embodiments can be modified as follows.

[0050] In the first embodiment, the design may be such that at least one of the bosses 23 is recessed toward the end wall 13A. For example, only one of the bosses 23 may be recessed toward the end wall 13A. In this case, only the boss 23 recessed toward the end wall 13A should be arranged radially outside the circuit board 19, so that the boss 23 does not face the circuit board 19 in the direction in which the boss 23 is recessed toward the end wall 13A.

[0051] In the second embodiment, the configuration may be such that at least one of the screws 40 is disposed to protrude into the accommodation chamber 20A. For example, only one of the screws 40 may be disposed to protrude into the accommodation chamber 20A. In this case, only the screw 40 protruding into the accommodation chamber 20A should be disposed radially outside the circuit board 19 so that the screw 40 does not face the circuit board 19 in the protrusion direction of the screw 40.

[0052] Although the connector 30 is manufactured using the first mold assembly 50 and the second mold assembly 60 in the first and second embodiments, the manufacturing method is not limited thereto. For example, the connector 30 can be manufactured by holding the bus bar 31 with a pair of resin parts that have not yet been cured, and then allowing the resin parts to cure. The method for manufacturing the connector 30 is not particularly limited by the invention.

[0053] In the first and second embodiments, the connector 30 (or the bus bars 31) may be mounted on the outer surface of the peripheral wall 21 of the cover 20. In other words, the extension 33 (or the bus bars 31) may be arranged to run along the outer surface of the peripheral wall 21.

[0054] In the first embodiment, the eyes 23 and the cover 20 can be formed individually.

[0055] In the first and second embodiments, the mounting parts 41A and 42A and the body 32 may be integrally formed from a resin.

[0056] Although the mounting parts 41A and 42A are formed as part of the first mounting plate 41 and the second mounting plate 42 in the first and second embodiments, the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the mounting parts 41A and 42A can be provided by cylindrical metal collars. The shape of the mounting parts 41A and 42A is not particularly limited by the invention.

[0057] In the first and second embodiments, the number of the mounting parts 41A and 42A is not particularly limited.

[0058] In the first and second embodiments, the shape of the bus bars 31 is not particularly limited, and the bus bars 31 may have an elongated cylindrical shape.

[0059] In the first and second embodiments, the shape of the extension 33 is not particularly limited.

[0060] In the first and second embodiments, the number of bus bars 31 is not particularly limited.

[0061] In the first and second embodiments, the cover 20 may be made of a resin.

[0062] In the first and second embodiments, a press-fit pin may be used as the fastening member of the invention for attaching the plug 30 to the cover 20.

[0063] In the first and second embodiments, the second extension portions 31B, the third extension portions 31C, and the fourth extension portions 31D of the bus bars 31 may extend in the direction across the outer surface 22A of the end wall 22 of the cover 20.

[0064] In the first and second embodiments, a cable may be used as the conductor of the invention.

[0065] In the first and second embodiments, the configuration may be such that the cover 20 is fixedly mounted on the peripheral wall of the intake casing 13, and the motor drive circuit 18 is housed in an accommodating chamber 20A defined by the peripheral wall of the intake casing 13 and the cover 20.

[0066] Although the compression section 15, the motor 16, and the motor drive circuit 18 are arranged in this order along the rotating shaft 17 in the first and second embodiments, the arrangement order is not limited thereto. For example, the motor 16, the compression section 15, and the motor drive circuit 18 may be arranged in this order along the rotating shaft 17.

[0067] In the first and second embodiments, the compression section 15 is configured with a fixed screw and a movable screw. However, the compression section 15 can also be a piston type or a vane type.

[0068] In the first and second embodiments, the electric compressor 10 can be used in air conditioning systems other than the vehicle air conditioning system.

[0069] In the first and second embodiments, the cover may be formed integrally with the metal receiving portion.

Claims

[1] Electric compressor (10) with: a housing (11); a rotary shaft (17) rotatably supported in the housing (11); a compression section (15) and a motor (16) arranged in the housing (11); a cover (20) attached to an outer surface of the housing (11) so as to form an accommodation chamber (20A) therebetween; a motor drive circuit (18) housed in the accommodation chamber (20A); and a conductor (31) which is attached to an outer surface (22A) of the cover (20) via a fastening element (40) and supplies electrical power to a circuit board (19) of the motor control circuit (18) from an external power source, characterized by , that the cover (20) has a receiving portion (23) which is recessed towards the housing (11) and receives a part of the fastening element (40), wherein the receiving portion (23) is arranged such that the circuit board (19) overlaps with the receiving portion (23) in the radial direction of the axis of the rotary shaft (17). [2] Electric compressor (10) with: a housing (11); a rotary shaft (17) rotatably supported in the housing (11); a compression section (15) and a motor (16) arranged in the housing (11); a cover (20) attached to an outer surface of the housing (11) so as to form an accommodation chamber (20A) therebetween; a motor drive circuit (18) housed in the accommodation chamber (20A); and a conductor (31) supplying a circuit board (19) of the motor control circuit (18) with electrical power from an external power source, wherein an insertion hole (22C) is formed in the cover (20) at a position radially outside the circuit board (19) with respect to the axis of the rotary shaft (17), and the conductor (31) is attached to an outer surface (22A) of the cover (20) by means of a fastening element (40) which is inserted through the insertion hole (22C), characterized by , that a part of the fastening element (40) protrudes into the accommodation chamber (20A) and overlaps with the circuit board (19) in the radial direction of the axis of the rotary shaft (17). [3] Electric compressor (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conductor (31) is a busbar (31) and the busbar (31) runs partially along the outer surface (22A) of the cover (20). [4] Electric compressor (10) according to claim 3, wherein the busbar (31) is held in a body (32) of a plug (30) having an extension (33) running along the outer surface (22A) of the cover (20), the extension (33) has at one end thereof a plug connection (33A) which is to be connected to an external plug of the external power source, the body (32) has a mounting part (41A, 42A) which is arranged on the outer surface (22A) of the cover (20) and is fastened by the fastening element (40), and the mounting part (41A, 42A) is arranged such that the circuit board (19) overlaps with the mounting part (41A, 42A) in the radial direction of the axis of the rotary shaft (17). [5] Electric compressor (10) according to claim 4, wherein the body (32) and the mounting part (41A, 42A) are formed individually, the body (32) consists of a resin and the mounting part (41A, 42A) is made of a metal. [6] Electric compressor (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the compression section (15), the motor (16) and the motor drive circuit (18) are arranged along the axis of the rotary shaft (17) in this order and the circuit board (19) is arranged so that its plane direction is perpendicular to the axis of the rotary shaft (17). [7] Electric compressor (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cover (20) is made of a metal and the cover (20) is formed integrally with the receiving portion (23).

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