ELECTRICALLY DRIVED COMPRESSOR

Abstract

An electrically driven compressor is provided, which, while ensuring heat dissipation (cooling) of the power switching elements, reduces the installation effort for these elements and improves electrical insulation performance. The electrically driven compressor consists of a housing containing an electric motor and a compression mechanism, and a converter housing section containing a converter with multiple power switching elements Q1-Q6, separated by a partition. The converter housing section includes an installation area where the multiple power switching elements Q1-Q6 are installed.The multiple power switching elements Q1-Q6 are formed in a state in which at least a section of their upper surfaces 20a and their lower surfaces 20b are exposed, in one piece by a thermosetting insulating resin IR, thus forming a switching element module 30, wherein the switching element module 30 is installed on the installation section.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrically driven compressor which integrally incorporates a converter. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Many electrically driven compressors used for compressing refrigerant in a vehicle air conditioning system or the like incorporate an integrated inverter. The inverter controls the power supply to an electric motor driving a compression mechanism, while direct current from a battery installed in the vehicle is converted into alternating current. Such an electrically driven compressor is described in patent document 1. The electrically driven compressor described in patent document 1 comprises a compression mechanism, an electric motor, and an inverter within a housing. The interior of the housing is divided by a partition into a space for accommodating the compression mechanism and the electric motor, and a space for accommodating the inverter.

[0003] The inverter incorporates several power switching elements, which are required to prevent a temperature increase due to heat generation. Patent document 1 specifies that by arranging the multiple power switching elements (semiconductor switching elements for electrical energy) on the inverter-side surface of the partition, the multiple power switching elements are cooled by aspirated refrigerant via the partition. LIST OF REFERENCE DOCUMENTS PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0004] Patent Document 1: JP 2010-275951 A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAL TASKS OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In the above configuration, however, the multiple power switching elements must each be individually mounted on the inverter-side surface of the partition, which is why there is room for improvement, particularly regarding the assembly effort. Furthermore, increasingly higher voltages are being applied to the power switching elements recently, which also necessitates improvements in maintaining electrical insulation.

[0006] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of providing an electrically driven compressor with which, while ensuring heat dissipation (cooling) of the power switching elements, the effort required for the installation of the power switching elements can be reduced and the electrical insulation capability improved. SOLUTION OF THE TASKS

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an electrically driven compressor is provided. This electrically driven compressor comprises an electric motor, a compression mechanism driven by the electric motor and which compresses a refrigerant, an inverter comprising several power switching elements for controlling the electric motor, a housing that accommodates the compression mechanism and the electric motor, and an inverter mounting section that accommodates the inverter, wherein the interior of the housing and the interior of the inverter mounting section are separated by a partition. In this electrically driven compressor, the inverter mounting section has an installation section on which the several power switching elements are installed, the installation section being provided on the surface of the partition on the side of the inverter mounting section.The multiple power switching elements are formed in a single piece by a thermosetting insulating resin in a state in which at least a section of their upper surfaces and their lower surfaces are exposed, thus forming a switching element module, the switching element module being installed on the installation section. EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to the present invention, an electrically driven compressor can be provided which, while ensuring heat dissipation (cooling) of the power switching elements, reduces the workload during the installation of the power switching elements and improves the electrical insulation performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic vertical sectional view of an electrically driven compressor according to one embodiment; Fig. 2 a view of the electrically driven compressor of the embodiment in a state in which a cover element has been removed from its converter receiving section, from the side of the converter receiving section; Fig. 3 a view of an example of the circuit configuration of the converter of the electrically driven compressor of the embodiment; Fig. 4 a view of the interior of the inverter intake section; Fig. 5 a view of power switching elements; Fig. 6 a view of the power switching elements; Fig. 7 a view of a switching element module; Fig. 8 a view to illustrate the installation of the switching element module on an installation section of the inverter receiving section; Fig. 9 a view to illustrate the installation of the switching element module at the installation section of the inverter mounting section; Fig. 10 A view of an insulating spacer used when installing the switching element module; Fig. 11 a view to illustrate the mounting of a printed circuit board on a printed circuit board carrier section of the inverter receiving section; Fig. 12. A view illustrating the mounting of a printed circuit board on the printed circuit board carrier section of the inverter mounting section; and Fig. 13 views of a modified example of the switching element module, where (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a section view. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION FORMS

[0010] With reference to the attached figures, an embodiment of the present invention is described below.

[0011] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic vertical sectional view of an electrically driven compressor 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electrically driven compressor 1 of this embodiment is an electrically driven compressor with an integrated inverter, which is formed integrally with the inverter. The electrically driven compressor 1 is, for example, installed in a vehicle and forms part of a refrigerant circuit of a vehicle air conditioning system and is configured to compress and discharge the refrigerant.

[0012] With reference to Fig. 1 The electrically driven compressor 1 includes an electric motor 2, a compression mechanism 3 driven by the electric motor which compresses the refrigerant, a housing 4 which accommodates the electric motor 2 and the compression mechanism 3, a converter 5 which controls the electric motor 2, and a converter receiving section 6 which accommodates the converter 5.

[0013] The electric motor 2 is, for example, a three-phase synchronous motor (brushless DC motor). The compression mechanism 3 is, for example, a scroll compression mechanism. The electric motor 2 and the compression mechanism 3 are arranged in series in the housing 4 in the axial direction of an output shaft 2a of the electric motor 2. The output shaft 2a of the electric motor 2 is coupled to the compression mechanism 3 (in the case of a scroll compression mechanism, to the rotating screw).

[0014] The inverter 5 comprises various electronic components (described below) and a printed circuit board 7 on which the electronic components are mounted. In other words, in the present embodiment, the electronic components are mounted on the printed circuit board 7 and thus form the inverter 5.

[0015] The inverter mounting section 6 is integrally formed with the housing 4. The inverter mounting section 6 is located on one end of the housing 4 in the axial direction, specifically on the side opposite the compression mechanism 3 with the electric motor 2 located between them. In the present embodiment, the inverter mounting section 6 comprises a mounting section base body 61 formed integrally with the housing 4 and a cover element 62, which is detachably attached to the mounting section base body 61.

[0016] The receiving section base body 61 has a bottom wall 611 and a circumferential wall 612, which projects from the circumferential edge of the bottom wall 611 and defines an opening section facing the bottom wall 611. The cover element 62 is designed to be attached to the receiving section base body 61 and to close the opening section. A section of the bottom wall 611 of the receiving section base body 61 (which is also the bottom wall of the inverter receiving section 6) forms a partition 8 that separates the interior of the housing 4 and the inverter receiving section 6. A power supply line 9 from the inverter 5 to the electric motor 2 extends airtight and liquid-tight through the partition 8.

[0017] Fig. Figure 2 is a view of the electrically driven compressor 1 in a state in which the cover element 72 has been removed from its converter mounting section 6, from the side of the converter mounting section 6. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the circuit board 7 forming the converter 5 is attached inside the converter receiving section 6 (receiving section base body 61) by several first fixing bolts 11 (fixing elements).

[0018] Returning to Fig. 1. A refrigerant inlet opening 4a is formed at a point on the housing 4 on the side of the partition 8, through which refrigerant can flow into the housing 4. The refrigerant flowing into the housing 4 flows through the housing 4 (the gap at the electric motor 2) and reaches the compression mechanism 3, and the compression mechanism 3 is driven by the electric motor 2, compresses the refrigerant and releases it.

[0019] The refrigerant flowing through the housing 4 is, for example, refrigerant that has passed through an expansion valve, an evaporator, and the like in a refrigerant circuit of a vehicle air conditioning system, and is therefore a refrigerant of low temperature and low pressure. Consequently, the refrigerant flowing into the housing 4 through the refrigerant inlet opening 4a can cool the partition 8 and the electric motor 2. The refrigerant flowing through the housing 4 is compressed by the compression mechanism 3, whereupon the refrigerant, now at a high temperature and high pressure, is discharged from the compression mechanism 3. The refrigerant discharged from the compression mechanism 3 (at high temperature and high pressure) flows out through a refrigerant outlet opening 4b formed in the housing 4.

[0020] The following is a brief description of inverter 5. Fig. Figure 3 shows an example of a circuit configuration of the inverter 5. In the present embodiment, the inverter 5 is designed such that it converts direct current from an external power supply (for example, a vehicle battery) VB into three-phase alternating current and supplies it to the electric motor 2.

[0021] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the inverter 5 includes a smoothing capacitor 51, a switching unit 52, a control circuit 53, and a noise filter 54. As mentioned above, these are mounted on the circuit board 7 and thus form the inverter 5.

[0022] The smoothing capacitor 51 is connected between a power supply line of the external power supply VB and a grounding line and smooths the DC voltage from the external power supply VB.

[0023] The switching unit 52 comprises six power switching elements Q1-Q6 and six diodes D1-D6. Although there is no restriction, the power switching elements Q1-Q6 can be IGBTs (insulated-gate bipolar transistors). The switching unit 52 is designed such that, by controlling (PMW control) the power switching elements Q1-Q6, it converts the DC voltage from the external power supply, smoothed by the smoothing capacitor 51, into three-phase AC voltage and applies this to the electric motor 2.

[0024] As a further explanation of the switching unit 52, the switching unit 52 has a U-phase branch, a V-phase branch and a W-phase branch, which are connected in parallel between the power supply line of the external power supply VB and the earthing line.

[0025] In the W-phase branch, the two power switching elements Q1 and Q2 are connected in series, and a diode D1 and D2 is connected in reverse parallel to each of the power switching elements Q1 and Q2. In the V-phase branch, the two power switching elements Q3 and Q4 are connected in series, and a diode D3 and D4 is connected in reverse parallel to each of the power switching elements Q3 and Q4. In the W-phase branch, the two power switching elements Q5 and Q6 are connected in series, and a diode D5 and D6 is connected in reverse parallel to each of the power switching elements Q5 and Q6.

[0026] The intermediate points of the U, V, and W phase branches are connected to the other end of the coils of the U, V, and W phases of the electric motor 2, which are each connected at one end in a star configuration. Thus, the intermediate point of the power switching elements Q1, Q2 of the U phase branch is connected to the U phase coil, the intermediate point of the power switching elements Q3, Q4 of the V phase branch is connected to the V phase coil, and the intermediate point of the power switching elements Q5, Q6 of the W phase branch is connected to the W phase coil.

[0027] By controlling the ratio of the duty cycle of the power switching elements of the individual phase branches on the side of the power supply line and the duty cycle of the power switching elements on the side of the grounding line, i.e., by PWM control of the several power switching elements Q1-Q6, the switching unit 52 can convert the DC voltage smoothed by the smoothing capacitor 51 from the external power supply into three-phase AC voltage and apply it to the electric motor 2 and thus control the electric motor 2.

[0028] The control circuit 53 performs control (PWM control) of the power switching elements Q1-Q6 on the basis of an external control signal (for example from the control device of the above-mentioned vehicle air conditioning device) in order to drive the electric motor 2 and thus the compression mechanism 3.

[0029] The noise filter 54 includes, among other things, a capacitor and an inductor, which are not shown. Although there is no restriction, in the present embodiment the noise filter 54 is provided between the smoothing capacitor 51 and the switching unit 52 and primarily suppresses residual ripple, EMI / EMC noise, and the like, which originate from the operation of the power switching elements Q1-Q6.

[0030] Next, the mounting structure of the inverter 5 in the present embodiment will be described. As mentioned above, in the present embodiment the inverter 5 is mounted in the inverter mounting section 6. Inverter mounting section 6

[0031] Fig. Figure 4 shows a view of the interior of the inverter receiving section 6 (excluding the inverter 5). As mentioned above, the inverter receiving section 6 includes the receiving section base body 61 and the cover element 62. In the present embodiment, the inverter receiving section 6 has inside it an installation section 63, on which the power switching elements Q1-Q6 are installed, and a printed circuit board carrier section 64, which supports the printed circuit board 7 that forms the inverter 5.

[0032] The installation section 63 is provided on an inner bottom surface of the receiving section base body 61, namely a surface of the partition 8 on the side of the inverter receiving section 6. The installation section 63 can be provided on the surface of the partition 8 on the side of the inverter receiving section 6, can be formed on the surface of the partition 8 on the side of the inverter receiving section 6 by a bulge, can be formed on the surface of the partition 8 on the side of the inverter receiving section 6 by a recess, or can be formed by arranging another element on the surface of the partition 8 on the side of the inverter receiving section 6.

[0033] Although in Fig. 4 not shown, on the installation section 63 bolt holes 631 are formed in the same number as the power switching elements Q1-Q6 (i.e. six), into which second fixing bolts 12 are inserted as fixing elements for fixing the respective power switching elements Q1-Q6 (see Fig. 5) are screwed in, with a countersunk section 632 formed around each bolt hole 631. The installation section 63, with the exception of the bolt holes 631 and the countersunk sections 632, is largely formed as a flat surface. A flange section 412 of an insulating spacer 41, described below, is accommodated in the countersunk sections 632.

[0034] The printed circuit board support section 64 is designed such that it supports the printed circuit board 7 at a position that is located away from the partition 8 (or its surface on the side of the inverter mounting section 6) with respect to the installation section 63. Thus, the printed circuit board 7 is located closer to the cover element 62 in the inverter mounting section 6 than the power switching elements Q1-Q6. In other words, if the side of the cover element 62 is considered the top and the side of the partition 8 the bottom, the printed circuit board 7 is located above the power switching elements Q1-Q6.In the present embodiment, the printed circuit board carrier section 64 includes several projection sections 641, each of which projects from the inner bottom surface of the receiving section base body 61, i.e., the surface of the partition wall 8 on the side of the inverter receiving section 6, wherein bolt holes are formed on the upper surfaces of the several projection sections 641, into which the first fixing bolts 11 (see . Fig. 2) are screwed in. Power switching elements Q1-Q6 and switching element module

[0035] Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows views of the power switching elements. In the present embodiment, the power switching elements Q1-Q6 each have a through-hole (hereinafter referred to as the “first through-hole”) 21 into which the second fixing bolt 12 is inserted to secure them. The first through-hole 21 extends from an upper surface 20a to a lower surface 20b of the power switching element. The second fixing bolts 12 are generally electrically conductive.

[0036] The power switching elements Q1-Q6 each have three terminals 22. In the present embodiment, the three terminals 22 extend from a side face of the power switching elements to the side and then bend so that their front end points upwards.

[0037] The power switching elements Q1-Q6 each have a PCB solder lug 23. A part of the PCB solder lug 23 (specifically a part on its two side sections) is exposed on the two side sections of the power switching element.

[0038] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, in the present embodiment a part of the printed circuit board soldering lug 23 (specifically the lower surface) is also exposed on the lower surface 20b of the power switching elements Q1-Q6.

[0039] The circuit board solder lug 23 enables the dissipation of the heat generated at the power switching element and is made, for example, of a metal with thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the power switching elements Q1-Q6 are as shown in Fig. 7 shows that the components are hardened with a thermosetting insulating resin IR such as epoxy resin or the like (hereinafter referred to as "insulating resin"), thus forming a single piece, and thereby constitute a switching element module 30. In the present embodiment, the switching element module 30 is therefore installed on the installation section 63 of the inverter mounting section 6.

[0041] Specifically, the power switching elements Q1-Q6 form the switching element module 30 by being formed in one piece by the insulating resin IR (hardened by the insulating resin IR) in a state in which their upper surfaces 20a and lower surfaces 20b are exposed and spaced apart from each other. In other words, in the switching element module 30, the majority of all side surfaces of the power switching elements Q1-Q6 and the part on the side of the base end of the three terminals 22 are covered with the insulating resin IR.

[0042] On the switching element module 30, the exposed lower surfaces 20b of the power switching elements Q1-Q6 and the lower surface of the insulating resin IR are flush. The lower surface of the switching element module 30 is therefore completely flat.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the power switching elements Q1-Q6 are arranged in two columns within the switching element module 30. Thus, power switching elements Q1, Q3, and Q5 are arranged on one side of the switching element module 30, and power switching elements Q2, Q4, and Q6 are arranged on the other side of the switching element module 30. However, there is no restriction on this arrangement, and the arrangement of the power switching elements Q1-Q6 within the switching element module 30 can be determined as desired.

[0044] In the present embodiment, the majority of all side surfaces of the power switching elements Q1-Q6 in the switching element module 30 are covered by the insulating resin IR. However, this is not a limitation. It is sufficient if the exposed part of the printed circuit board solder pad 23 and the part on the base side of the terminals 22 are covered by the insulating resin IR on the side sections of the power switching elements Q1-Q6, whereby the area of ​​the side surface of the power switching elements covered by the insulating resin IR can be defined as desired. Installation of the switching element module 30

[0045] Fig. 8 and Fig. Figure 9 shows views illustrating the installation of the switching element module 30 on the installation section 63 of the inverter mounting section 6. In the present embodiment, the switching element module 30 is installed on the installation section 63 of the inverter mounting section 6 via insulating spacers 41 in the same number as the power switching elements Q1-Q6 (i.e., six) and two insulating foils 42, and fixed to the installation section 63 by the second fixing bolts 12, which are present in the same number as the power switching elements Q1-Q6.

[0046] The insulating spacers 41, for example, are made of insulating resin and, as shown in Fig. Figure 10 shows a cylindrical section (insulating pipe section) 411 and a flanged section (insulating flanged section) 412 provided on one end of the cylindrical section 411. The cylindrical section 411 can be inserted into the first through-hole 21 of the power switching elements Q1-Q6, and is therefore of a smaller diameter than the first through-hole 21, and has the same length as the first through-hole 21 or preferably a slightly shorter length. The second fixing bolt 12 can pass through the interior of the cylindrical section 411.The flange section 412 can be received in the countersink section 632 formed at the installation section 63 of the converter receiving section 6, is therefore of a smaller diameter than the countersink section 632, and has a thickness that corresponds to the depth of the countersink section 632, or preferably a thickness that is slightly less than the depth of the countersink section 632.

[0047] The insulating foils 42 are made of a material with heat dissipation and insulating properties and are sized to cover the lower surfaces 20b of the power switching elements Q1, Q3 and Q5 (or Q2, Q4 and Q6) of the switching element module 30. Through holes 421 are formed at positions of the insulating foils 42 corresponding to the first feedthrough holes 21 of the power switching elements Q1, Q3 and Q5 (or Q2, Q4 and Q6) of the switching element module 30, through which the cylindrical sections 411 of the insulating spacers 41 can pass.

[0048] The installation of the switching element module 30 is carried out, for example, according to the following procedure.

[0049] First, the flange sections 412 of the six insulating spacers 41 are arranged in the six countersunk sections 632 formed in the installation section 63 of the inverter mounting section 6. Consequently, the cylindrical sections 411 of the insulating spacers 41 (i.e., the insulating pipe sections) project from the installation section 63 (or its surface).

[0050] Next, the two insulating foils 42 are placed on the installation section 63. The cylindrical sections 411 of the insulating spacers 41, arranged in the countersunk sections 632, are guided through the through-holes 421 of the insulating foils 42.

[0051] Next, the switching element module 30 is placed onto the two insulating films 42. The cylindrical sections 411 of the insulating spacers 41, arranged in the countersunk sections 632, are thereby guided through the first through-holes 21 of the power switching elements of the switching element module 30.

[0052] In this way, the switching element module 30 is installed on the installation section 63 of the inverter mounting section 6 via the insulating spacers 41, which are present in the same number as the power switching elements Q1-Q6, and the two insulating foils 42. More precisely, the switching element module 30 is installed on the installation section 63 via the two insulating foils 42 in a state in which the cylindrical sections 411 of the insulating spacers 41 (i.e., the insulating tube sections) are passed through the respective first feedthrough hole 21 of the power switching elements Q1-Q6.

[0053] Here, two insulating foils 42 are used, but a single, one-piece insulating foil can also be used.

[0054] The switching element module 30 is then fixed to the installation section 63 using the same number of second fixing bolts 12 as the power switching elements Q1-Q6. Specifically, the switching element module 30 is fixed to the installation section 63 by screwing the second fixing bolts 12, which have been passed through the cylindrical sections 411 (insulating pipe sections) of the insulating spacers 41 inserted into the respective first feedthrough hole 21 of the power switching elements Q1-Q6, into the bolt holes 631 formed on the installation section 63 (see Fig. 9). Mounting of the printed circuit board 7 on the printed circuit board carrier section 64

[0055] Fig. 11 and Fig. Figure 12 shows views illustrating the attachment of the printed circuit board 7 to the printed circuit board carrier section 64 of the inverter mounting section 6. In the present embodiment, the printed circuit board 7 is attached to the printed circuit board carrier section 64 after the switching element module 30 has been installed (fixed) on the installation section 63.

[0056] In the present embodiment, of the electronic components forming the inverter 5, those other than the power switching elements Q1-Q6 are already mounted on the circuit board 7. Specifically, in the present embodiment, on the other surface which, when the circuit board 7 is attached to the circuit board support section 64, faces the surface of the circuit board 7 facing the partition 8 (hereinafter referred to as the "partition-side surface"), the smoothing capacitor 51, the diodes D1-D6, the control circuit 53, and the noise filter 54 are already mounted. Fig. 11 and Fig. However, diodes D1-D6 were omitted, and the smoothing capacitor 51 and the noise filter 54 are mounted on the circuit board 7 in a state in which they are contained in a filter housing 55 and formed integrally with the filter housing 55 by overmolding with insulating resin.

[0057] The circuit board 7 has connection holes 71 through which the terminals 22 of the power switching elements Q1-Q6 are connected (by insertion). The circuit board 7 also has several feedthrough holes (hereinafter referred to as "second feedthrough holes") 72 through which the first fixing bolts 11 can be passed. The several second feedthrough holes 72 are arranged corresponding to the several projecting sections 641 that form the circuit board carrier section 64.

[0058] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 12, the printed circuit board 7 is placed with its other surface, on which the remaining electronic components are mounted, as its top side on the printed circuit board support section 64 of the inverter mounting section 6 (i.e., on the upper surface of the multiple projecting sections 641). The multiple secondary feedthrough holes 72 of the printed circuit board 7 are arranged on bolt holes formed in the upper surface of the multiple projecting sections 641, and the terminals 22 of the power switching elements Q1-Q6 are passed through the terminal holes 71 of the printed circuit board 7, whereby their front end section projects from the other surface of the printed circuit board 7 (the surface opposite the partition-side surface).

[0059] The printed circuit board 7, placed on the circuit board carrier section 64 (the upper surface of the multiple projecting sections 641), is then fixed to the circuit board carrier section 64 by means of the multiple first fixing bolts 11. Specifically, the multiple first fixing bolts 11, which pass through the multiple second feedthrough holes 72, are screwed into the bolt holes formed in the upper surface of the multiple projecting sections 641 to fix the circuit board 7 to the circuit board carrier section 64. The filter housing 55 is also tightened to the circuit board carrier section 64 by some of the first fixing bolts 11 (see Figure 1). Fig. 2) Then the power switching elements Q1-Q6 and the circuit board 7 are electrically connected by soldering the front end sections of the terminals 22 of the power switching elements Q1-Q6 to the circuit board 7.

[0060] Although not described in detail, the power supply line 9 (or its connecting section) is also passed through a feedthrough hole formed in the circuit board 7, so that its front end protrudes from the other surface of the circuit board 7, and is electrically connected to the circuit board 7 by means of a connecting element or the like (not shown). When the circuit board 7 is placed on the circuit board support section 64, it is electrically connected to the external power supply VB via the connector 13. Installation of the cover element 62

[0061] After the printed circuit board 7 has been attached to the printed circuit board carrier section 64 and electrically connected, the cover element 62 is attached to the receiving section base body 61 by means of fastening bolts or the like (not shown). In this way, the inverter 5 is received in the inverter receiving section 6. Inside the inverter receiving section 6, the other surface of the printed circuit board 7 (the surface opposite the partition-side surface) faces the cover element 62 and can also be referred to as the "cover-element-side surface". In the present embodiment, the switching element module 30 (power switching elements Q1-Q6) is thus provided on the partition-side surface of the printed circuit board 7, while the smoothing capacitor 51, the noise filter 54, and the like are provided on the cover-element-side surface of the printed circuit board 7.

[0062] According to the electrically driven compressor 1 of the present embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0063] The power switching elements Q1-Q6 are formed in a single piece by the insulating resin IR in a state where their upper and lower surfaces are exposed, thus forming the switching element module 30. The switching element module 30 is installed at installation section 63 of the inverter mounting section 6. Therefore, the installation of the power switching elements Q1-Q6 can be carried out in a single operation, reducing the labor required for installing the power switching elements compared to the prior art. Since the power switching elements Q1-Q6 are surrounded by the insulating resin IR, the electrical insulation of the power switching elements is also improved compared to the prior art.Installation section 63 is provided in housing 4 on the surface of partition 8 on the side of inverter mounting section 6, which divides the interior of inverter mounting section 6, and partition 8 is cooled by the refrigerant (low temperature, low pressure refrigerant) flowing in housing 4. Therefore, heat dissipation (cooling) of the power switching elements Q1-Q6 can also be ensured.

[0064] In addition to the installation section 63, the inverter mounting section 6 includes the printed circuit board support section 64, which is designed to support the printed circuit board 7 forming the inverter 5 at a position further away from the partition 8 than the installation section 63. If the side of the cover element 62 of the inverter mounting section 6 is considered the top and the side of the partition 8 the bottom, the printed circuit board 7 can thus be supported above the power switching elements Q1-Q6. Therefore, the influence of the heat generated by the power switching elements Q1-Q6 on the printed circuit board 7 is reduced, while at the same time the surface area occupied by the inverter 5 is reduced. Consequently, an increase in the size of the inverter mounting section 6, and thus of the electrically driven compressor 1, can be prevented.

[0065] In switching element module 30, the area on the bottom end of the terminals 22 of the power switching elements Q1-Q6 is covered with insulating resin IR. This reinforces the terminals 22 of the power switching elements Q1-Q6, thus improving their vibration resistance.

[0066] In the switching element module 30, the exposed part of the printed circuit board solder pads 23 of the power switching elements Q1-Q6 is covered with the insulating resin IR. Even when a higher voltage is applied to the power switching elements, they can therefore be stably fixed to the installation section 63 using the (electrically conductive) fixing elements. Consequently, the vibration resistance of the power switching elements Q1-Q6 is improved.

[0067] In the switching element module 30, the lower surfaces 20b of the power switching elements Q1-Q6 and the lower surface of the insulating resin IR are flush. Therefore, the switching element module 30 can be stably installed on the installation section 63, and by utilizing the PCB solder pads 23, part of which (the lower surface) is exposed on the lower surfaces 20b of the power switching elements Q1-Q6, effective heat dissipation (cooling) of the power switching elements Q1-Q6 can be achieved.

[0068] The switching element module 30 is installed on the installation section 63 via the insulating foils 42 in a state in which the cylindrical sections 411 of the insulating spacers 41 (the insulating tube sections) are passed through the respective first feedthrough hole 21 of the power switching elements Q1-Q6 and fixed to the installation section 63 by the second fixing bolts 12, which also pass through the cylindrical sections 411 (insulating tube sections). In this configuration, a portion of the printed circuit board solder pad 23 (the lower surface) is exposed on the lower surface 20b of the power switching elements Q1-Q6. Even when a higher voltage is applied to the power switching elements, this ensures sufficient resistance, and high heat dissipation (cooling performance), high electrical insulation performance, and high vibration resistance can be achieved for the power switching elements Q1-Q6.

[0069] In the switching element module 30 of the embodiment described above, the entire upper surface 20a of the power switching elements Q1-Q6 is exposed. However, there is no restriction on this. As long as at least the first feedthrough hole 21 and its surroundings are exposed on the upper surfaces 20a of the power switching elements Q1-Q6, the remaining part of the upper surfaces 20a can also be covered with the insulating resin IR. It is therefore sufficient if at least a section of the upper surfaces 20a of the power switching elements Q1-Q6 is exposed.

[0070] The switching element module is not limited to the configuration described above. It can also be configured as shown in Fig.Figures 13(a) and (b) show that the six power switching elements Q1-Q6 are divided into two groups and two switching element modules 30' are formed, each containing three switching elements. In this case, on the switching element modules 30', the side surface, the area on the foot end of the terminals 22, and at least one section of the upper surface (any location except for the first feedthrough hole 21 and its surroundings) of the three power switching elements Q1, Q3, and Q5 (or Q2, Q4, and Q6) are each individually covered with insulating resin IR.

[0071] The switching element modules 30' are formed in one piece by coupling adjacent power switching elements, for example Q1 and Q3 or Q4 and Q6, to one another by means of a coupling section 31, which is deformably formed from the insulating resin IR. The coupling section 31 deforms when at least a certain force is applied to it and is designed such that it increases or decreases the distance between the adjacent switching element modules. The shape and number of the coupling sections 31 can be determined as desired.

[0072] When the switching element modules 30' are installed at installation section 63, it is readily possible, for example, to align the first feedthrough holes 21 of the power switching elements and the bolt holes 631 formed in installation section 63. Even in the event of discrepancies between the switching element modules 30', the switching element modules 30' can therefore be installed easily and reliably at installation section 63.

[0073] The foregoing description was made with reference to one embodiment of the present invention and its variations, but it is understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment and variations discussed above and that, based on the technical concept of the present invention, further variations are of course possible. LIST OF REFERENCE MARKS 1 electrically driven compressor 2 electric motors 3. Compression mechanism 4 cases 5 inverters 6 Inverter mounting section 7 printed circuit board 8 Partition wall 21 first feedthrough hole 22 connection 23 PCB solder lugs 30, 30' switching element module 31 Coupling section 41 insulating spacers 411 Cylinder section (insulating pipe section) 42 Insulation film 61 Recording section base body 62 Cover element 63 Installation section 64 Printed circuit board carrier section IR insulating resin Q1-Q6 Power switching element QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2010-275951 A

[0004]

Claims

[1] Electrically driven compressor, comprising: an electric motor, a compression mechanism driven by the electric motor that compresses a refrigerant, a converter that includes several power switching elements for controlling the electric motor, a housing that houses the compression mechanism and the electric motor, and an inverter receiving section that receives the inverter, wherein the interior of the housing and the interior of the inverter receiving section are separated by a partition wall, wherein the inverter receiving portion has an installation portion on which the plurality of power switching elements are installed, the installation portion being provided on the surface of the partition wall on the side of the inverter receiving portion, wherein the plurality of power switching elements are integrally formed by a thermosetting insulating resin in a state where at least a portion of their upper surfaces and their lower surfaces are exposed, and form a switching element module, the switching element module being installed at the installation portion. [2] The electrically driven compressor according to claim 1, wherein the inverter receiving portion further comprises a circuit board support portion supporting a circuit board constituting the inverter, the circuit board support portion being configured to support the circuit board at a position farther from the partition wall than the installation portion. [3] The electrically driven compressor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of power switching elements each have a through-hole through which a fixing member for fixing the power switching element to the installation portion can be passed, the through-hole being continuous from the upper surface to the lower surface, wherein in the switching element module, the through-hole and its surroundings are exposed on the upper surface of the respective power switching elements, a position on a base end side of respective terminals of the plurality of power switching elements is covered with the insulating resin. [4] An electrically driven compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a part of a printed circuit board pad is exposed at each side portion of the plurality of power switching elements, wherein in the switching element module, the part of the printed circuit board pads exposed at the each side portion of the plurality of power switching elements is covered with the insulating resin. [5] An electrically driven compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the switching element module, the respective lower surfaces of the plurality of power switching elements and the lower surface of the insulating resin are flush. [6] An electrically driven compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of power switching elements each have a through-hole through which a fixing element having electrical conductivity is passed for fixing the power switching element to the installation section, the through-hole being continuous from the upper surface to the lower surface, a part of a printed circuit board pad being exposed on the respective lower surface of the plurality of power switching elements, the switching element module being placed on the installation section by passing insulating tube sections through the respective through-holes of the plurality of power switching elements and over an insulating film, and being fixed to the installation section by the fixing elements having electrical conductivity passed through the insulating tube sections. [7] The electrically driven compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, in the switching element module, the plurality of power switching elements are individually covered with the insulating resin at a portion of the upper surface, the side surface, and the location on the base end side of the terminals, and are coupled via a coupling portion deformably formed of the insulating resin between two adjacent power switching elements.

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