ELECTRIC COMPRESSOR

Abstract

A switching element (70) comprises a conductive component (71) and a plastic component (72) having a rectangular, parallel-planar shape. The plastic component (72) has a first end surface (72a), which is an end surface in a longitudinal direction in which a portion of the conductive component (71) projects from the first end surface (72a), a second end surface (72b), which is an end surface located on one side opposite the first end surface (72a), and a first side surface (72c) that connects the first end surface (72a) and the second end surface (72b). The conductive component (71) has a heat-generating section (73a) that is exposed on the first side surface (72c). The switching element (70) is arranged in an inverter-housing chamber (S1) such that the longitudinal direction of the plastic component (72) extends in an axial direction of a rotating shaft.A heat dissipation component (80), made of metal, is arranged between the switching element (70) and a partition (22). The heat dissipation component (80) has a first heat dissipation section (81) arranged between the heat-generating section (73a) and the partition (22), and a second heat dissipation section (82) continuous with the first heat dissipation section (81) and arranged between the second end face (72b) and the partition (22).

Description

Electric compressor

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric compressor.

[0002] The electric compressor includes a rotating shaft, an electric motor that rotates the rotating shaft, a compression unit that compresses fluid by rotation of the rotating shaft, an inverter that drives the electric motor, and a housing. The inverter has a switching element. The housing houses the electric motor and has a partition wall that separates a suction chamber into which fluid is drawn and an inverter chamber that houses the inverter.

[0003] In the electric compressor disclosed in Patent Document 1, the switching element is pressed against the partition wall by a pressing fixture, so that the switching element is cooled by fluid drawn into the suction chamber through the partition wall.

[0004] JP 2015-81539 A

[0005] In such electric compressors, it is desirable to improve the cooling performance of the switching elements.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric compressor including a rotating shaft, an electric motor rotating the rotating shaft, a compression unit compressing a fluid by rotation of the rotating shaft, an inverter driving the electric motor and having a switching element, and a metal housing accommodating the electric motor and having a partition wall separating a suction chamber into which the fluid is drawn and an inverter accommodating chamber accommodating the inverter. The switching element includes a conductive member having a main portion and a pin protruding from the main portion, and a rectangular parallelepiped resin member accommodating the main portion. The resin member has a first end face that is a longitudinal end face and from which the pin protrudes, a second end face that is an end face opposite the first end face in the longitudinal direction, and a side face connecting the first end face and the second end face. The main portion has a heat-generating portion exposed to the outside of the resin member at the side face. The switching element is disposed in the inverter accommodating chamber so that the longitudinal direction of the resin member extends in the axial direction of the rotating shaft. A metal heat dissipation member is disposed between the switching element and the partition wall, and includes a first heat dissipation portion disposed between the heat generating portion and the partition wall, and a second heat dissipation portion continuous with the first heat dissipation portion and disposed between the second end surface and the partition wall.

[0007] 2(b) is a cross-sectional side view of an electric compressor; (a) is a plan view of an inverter, and (b) is a partially enlarged view of (a); (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2(b); (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2(b); and (d) is a perspective cross-sectional view of a switching module.

[0008] An embodiment of an electric compressor will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The electric compressor of this embodiment is used, for example, in a vehicle air conditioning system. As shown in FIG. 1, the electric compressor 10 includes a housing 11, a shaft support member 12, a rotating shaft 13, an electric motor 14, a compression unit 15, and an inverter 16. The housing 11 is made of metal. In this embodiment, the housing 11 is made of aluminum. The housing 11 accommodates the shaft support member 12, the rotating shaft 13, the electric motor 14, the compression unit 15, and the inverter 16. The electric motor 14 rotates the rotating shaft 13. The compression unit 15 compresses a refrigerant fluid as the rotating shaft 13 rotates. The inverter 16 drives the electric motor 14.

[0009] <Housing> The housing 11 has a first housing component 11a, a second housing component 11b, and a cover 11c.

[0010] The first housing component 11a has a cylindrical peripheral wall 21 and a partition wall 22. The peripheral wall 21 has a first end 21a and a second end 21b. The first end 21a and the second end 21b are axial ends of the peripheral wall 21. The second end 21b is located opposite the first end 21a in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 21. The partition wall 22 axially divides the space within the peripheral wall 21. The partition wall 22 has a first wall surface 22a and a second wall surface 22b. The first wall surface 22a and the second wall surface 22b are surfaces that are approximately perpendicular to the axial direction of the peripheral wall 21. The second wall surface 22b is located opposite the first wall surface 22a in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 21.

[0011] The partition wall 22 has a boss 23. The boss 23 protrudes from the second wall surface 22b of the partition wall 22. The boss 23 has a bearing accommodating portion 23a recessed from the tip surface of the boss 23. The bearing accommodating portion 23a accommodates the first bearing 17.

[0012] 2A, the partition wall 22 has an accommodating recess 24. The partition wall 22 of this embodiment has three accommodating recesses 24. The three accommodating recesses 24 are arranged in a V-shape.

[0013] 3 and 4, the accommodation recess 24 is recessed from the first wall surface 22a and protrudes from the second wall surface 22b. The accommodation recess 24 has an inner bottom surface 24a and an inner side surface connecting the inner bottom surface 24a and the first wall surface 22a. The inner bottom surface 24a is located on the opposite side of the second wall surface 22b from the first wall surface 22a.

[0014] 2( a) and 2(b), the accommodating recess 24 has a rectangular shape when viewed in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 21. The inner surfaces of the accommodating recess 24 include a first inner surface 24b, a second inner surface 24c, a third inner surface 24d, and a fourth inner surface 24e. The first inner surface 24b and the second inner surface 24c extend in the longitudinal direction of the accommodating recess 24. The third inner surface 24d and the fourth inner surface 24e extend in the lateral direction of the accommodating recess 24.

[0015] 1, the second housing component 11b is connected to the first end 21a of the peripheral wall 21. The second housing component 11b closes an opening located at the first end 21a of the peripheral wall 21.

[0016] The cover 11c is connected to the second end 21b of the peripheral wall 21. The cover 11c closes an opening located at the second end 21b of the peripheral wall 21. An inverter accommodating chamber S1 is defined by the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 21, a first wall surface 22a of the partition wall 22, and the inner surface of the cover 11c. The inverter 16 is accommodated in the inverter accommodating chamber S1. The first wall surface 22a of the partition wall 22 is exposed to the inverter accommodating chamber S1.

[0017] The housing 11 has an inlet 111 and a discharge port 112. The inlet 111 is provided in the peripheral wall 21. The inlet 111 is located between the first end 21a of the peripheral wall 21 and the partition wall 22. The discharge port 112 is provided in the second housing component 11b. One end of an external refrigerant circuit (not shown) is connected to the inlet 111, and the other end of the external refrigerant circuit is connected to the discharge port 112.

[0018] <Shaft Support Member> The shaft support member 12 is housed within the peripheral wall 21. The shaft support member 12 is located between the first end 21a of the peripheral wall 21 and the partition wall 22. The shaft support member 12 has a shaft insertion hole 12a and a communication hole 12b. A second bearing 18 is housed in the shaft insertion hole 12a.

[0019] A suction chamber S2 is defined by the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 21, the second wall surface 22b of the partition wall 22, and the journal support member 12. The electric motor 14 is accommodated in the suction chamber S2. That is, the suction chamber S2 also serves as a motor accommodation chamber that accommodates the electric motor 14. The suction chamber S2 is aligned with the inverter accommodation chamber S1 in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 21. The partition wall 22 separates the inverter accommodation chamber S1 from the suction chamber S2. The second wall surface 22b of the partition wall 22 and the surfaces of the wall portion that defines the accommodation recess 24, which are located opposite to the inner bottom surface 24a and the inner sides 24b, 24c, 24d, and 24e, are exposed to the suction chamber S2.

[0020] <Rotating Shaft> The rotating shaft 13 is accommodated within the peripheral wall 21. The rotating shaft 13 extends along the axial direction of the peripheral wall 21. That is, the axial direction of the rotating shaft 13 coincides with the axial direction of the peripheral wall 21. A first end of the rotating shaft 13 is inserted into the bearing accommodating portion 23a. The first end of the rotating shaft 13 is rotatably supported by the boss 23 via a first bearing 17. A second end of the rotating shaft 13, which is the end opposite to the first end, is inserted into the shaft insertion hole 12a of the shaft support member 12. The second end of the rotating shaft 13 is rotatably supported by the shaft support member 12 via a second bearing 18.

[0021] <Electric Motor> The electric motor 14 has a rotor 41 and a stator 42. The rotor 41 has a cylindrical rotor core 41a and multiple permanent magnets 41b. The rotor core 41a is fixed to the rotating shaft 13. The multiple permanent magnets 41b are embedded in the rotor core 41a. The permanent magnets 41b are arranged at equal intervals around the rotor core 41a. The stator 42 surrounds the rotor 41. The stator 42 has a cylindrical stator core 42a and three-phase motor coils 42b. The stator core 42a is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 21. The motor coils 42b are wound around the stator core 42a. The rotor 41 rotates when a current flows through the motor coils 42b. The rotating shaft 13 rotates integrally with the rotor 41.

[0022] <Compression section> The compression section 15 is housed within the peripheral wall 21. The compression section 15 is located on the opposite side of the electric motor 14 across the shaft support member 12 in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 13. The compression section 15 of this embodiment is of a scroll type. The compression section 15 has a fixed scroll 51 and a movable scroll 52. The fixed scroll 51 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 21. The movable scroll 52 is disposed to face the fixed scroll 51.

[0023] A variable-volume compression chamber S3 is defined between the fixed scroll 51 and the movable scroll 52. The compression chamber S3 communicates with the suction chamber S2 via the communication hole 12b of the shaft support member 12. A discharge chamber S4 is defined by the fixed scroll 51 and the inner surface of the second housing component 11b. The compression chamber S3 and the discharge chamber S4 are in communication with each other.

[0024] Refrigerant is drawn into the suction chamber S2 through the suction port 111. The refrigerant drawn into the suction chamber S2 flows into the compression chamber S3 through the communication hole 12b. The refrigerant that flows into the compression chamber S3 is compressed by changing the volume of the compression chamber S3. The compressed refrigerant is discharged into the discharge chamber S4. The refrigerant discharged into the discharge chamber S4 flows out from the discharge port 112 into the external refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant that flows out into the external refrigerant circuit passes through a heat exchanger and an expansion valve of the external refrigerant circuit and returns to the suction chamber S2 through the suction port 111. The electric compressor 10 and the external refrigerant circuit constitute a vehicle air conditioning system.

[0025] <Inverter> As shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the inverter 16 has six switching modules 61, coils 62, capacitors 63, and a circuit board 64. The three-phase switching modules 61 will be described later. The capacitors 63 and coils 62 form an LC circuit. The LC circuit is a filter circuit for reducing noise contained in the input current from the outside. The six switching modules 61, coils 62, and capacitors 63 are mounted on the circuit board 64.

[0026] The six switching modules 61, the coils 62, the capacitors 63, and the circuit board 64 are disposed on the partition wall 22. That is, the entire inverter 16 is disposed on the partition wall 22. The six switching modules 61, the coils 62, and the capacitors 63 are disposed between the partition wall 22 and the circuit board 64 in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 13.

[0027] Airtight terminals 65 are disposed on the partition wall 22. The airtight terminals 65 are inserted into through-holes 22h that penetrate the partition wall 22. The airtight terminals 65 have three-phase connection terminals 65a and terminal insulating portions 65b. One end of the connection terminals 65a is connected to the circuit board 64, and the other end of the connection terminals 65a is connected to the motor coil 42b of the same phase. The connection terminals 65a connect the inverter 16 and the electric motor 14. The terminal insulating portions 65b insulate the connection terminals 65a from the partition wall 22.

[0028] <Switching Module> As shown in FIG. 5 , the switching module 61 has switching elements 70, heat dissipation members 80, and insulating members 90. In this embodiment, the switching elements 70 are IGBTs. The six switching elements 70 perform switching operations to drive the electric motor 14. The six switching elements 70 constitute a U-phase upper arm, a U-phase lower arm, a V-phase upper arm, a V-phase lower arm, a W-phase upper arm, and a W-phase lower arm, respectively. The heat dissipation members 80 are made of metal. In this embodiment, the heat dissipation members 80 are made of aluminum. The insulating members 90 are formed of an insulating material. In this embodiment, the insulating members 90 are made of rubber.

[0029] The switching element 70 has a conductive member 71 and a rectangular parallelepiped resin member 72. The conductive member 71 has a plate-shaped main portion 73 and three pins 74 extending from the main portion 73. The resin member 72 houses the main portion 73.

[0030] The resin member 72 has a first end face 72a and a second end face 72b. The first end face 72a and the second end face 72b are end faces in the longitudinal direction of the resin member 72. The second end face 72b is located opposite the first end face 72a in the longitudinal direction of the resin member 72. The three pins 74 of the conductive member 71 protrude from the first end face 72a of the resin member 72.

[0031] The resin member 72 has side surfaces connecting the first end surface 72a and the second end surface 72b in the longitudinal direction. The side surfaces include a first side surface 72c, a second side surface 72d, and a pair of third side surfaces 72e. The first side surface 72c and the second side surface 72d are connected to the long sides of the first end surface 72a and the long sides of the second end surface 72b. Each third side surface 72e is connected to the short sides of the first end surface 72a and the short sides of the second end surface 72b. The areas of the first side surface 72c and the second side surface 72d are each larger than the area of ​​the third side surface 72e.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, the resin member 72 has window portions 72g at corners connecting the second side surface 72d and one of the third side surfaces 72e, and at corners connecting the second side surface 72d and the other of the third side surfaces 72e.

[0033] 5, the main portion 73 has a heat-generating portion 73a. The heat-generating portion 73a is the portion of the main portion 73 that is most likely to generate heat. The heat-generating portion 73a is exposed to the outside of the resin member 72 at the first side surface 72c.

[0034] 3, the main portion 73 has an exposed portion 73b that is exposed to the outside of the resin member 72 through the window portion 72g. The exposed portion 73b is exposed to the outside of the resin member 72 at the second side surface 72d and the pair of third side surfaces 72e.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the heat dissipation member 80 includes a first heat dissipation portion 81, a second heat dissipation portion 82, and a pair of third heat dissipation portions 83. The first heat dissipation portion 81 is rectangular. The second heat dissipation portion 82 extends from one of a pair of short sides of the first heat dissipation portion 81 in the thickness direction of the first heat dissipation portion 81. The second heat dissipation portion 82 is continuous with the first heat dissipation portion 81. The pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 extend from a pair of long sides of the first heat dissipation portion 81 in the thickness direction of the first heat dissipation portion 81. The pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 are continuous with the first heat dissipation portion 81. The pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 are connected to the first heat dissipation portion 81 in the short direction by the second heat dissipation portion 82. The pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 are continuous with the second heat dissipation portion 82.

[0036] The switching element 70 is disposed in a space surrounded by the first heat dissipation portion 81, the second heat dissipation portion 82, and a pair of third heat dissipation portions 83. The second end surface 72b of the resin member 72 faces the second heat dissipation portion 82. The first side surface 72c and the heat generating portion 73a of the resin member 72 face the first heat dissipation portion 81. In this embodiment, a heat dissipation sheet 91 is disposed between the first side surface 72c and the heat generating portion 73a and the first heat dissipation portion 81. One surface of the heat dissipation sheet 91 abuts against the first side surface 72c and the heat generating portion 73a, and the other surface of the heat dissipation sheet 91 abuts against the first heat dissipation portion 81. The pair of third side surfaces 72e of the resin member 72 face the pair of third heat dissipation portions 83.

[0037] In this embodiment, the insulating member 90 is insert-molded with the switching element 70 disposed in the heat dissipation member 80. As a result, the switching element 70 and the heat dissipation member 80 are integrated by the insulating member 90.

[0038] The insulating member 90 is interposed between the second end face 72b of the resin member 72 and the second heat dissipation portion 82, and between the pair of third side faces 72e of the resin member 72 and the pair of third heat dissipation portions 83. The insulating member 90 also covers the first end face 72a and the second side faces 72d of the resin member 72. In other words, the insulating member 90 covers five faces of the resin member 72 excluding the first side face 72c. Therefore, the exposed portion 73b is covered by the insulating member 90.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2A , the six switching modules 61 are accommodated in the inverter accommodating chamber S1 so that the longitudinal direction of the resin members 72 extends in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 13. Each pin 74 of the switching elements 70 is connected to a circuit board 64. The six switching modules 61 are accommodated in the accommodating recesses 24. In this embodiment, the switching modules 61 of the same phase are accommodated in one accommodating recess 24. Hereinafter, one of the switching modules 61 of the same phase will be referred to as a first switching module 61a, and the other switching module 61 will be referred to as a second switching module 61b.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 2B and 4, the first switching module 61a and the second switching module 61b are arranged so that the second side surfaces 72d of the resin members 72 face each other with the insulating member 90 interposed therebetween.

[0041] The first heat dissipation portion 81 of the first switching module 61a faces the first inner side surface 24b of the accommodating recess 24 via the heat dissipation grease 92. The second heat dissipation portion 82 of the first switching module 61a faces the inner bottom surface 24a of the accommodating recess 24 via the heat dissipation grease 92. One of the pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 of the first switching module 61a faces the third inner side surface 24d of the accommodating recess 24 via the heat dissipation grease 92, and the other faces the fourth inner side surface 24e of the accommodating recess 24 via the heat dissipation grease 92.

[0042] The first heat dissipation portion 81 of the second switching module 61b faces the second inner side surface 24c of the accommodating recess 24 via the heat dissipation grease 92. The second heat dissipation portion 82 of the second switching module 61b faces the inner bottom surface 24a of the accommodating recess 24 via the heat dissipation grease 92. One of the pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 of the second switching module 61b faces the third inner side surface 24d of the accommodating recess 24 via the heat dissipation grease 92, and the other faces the fourth inner side surface 24e of the accommodating recess 24 via the heat dissipation grease 92.

[0043] That is, in each switching module 61, the first heat dissipation portion 81 is disposed between the heat generating portion 73 a of the switching element 70 and the partition wall 22. The second heat dissipation portion 82 is disposed between the second end surface 72 b of the switching element 70 and the partition wall 22. The pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 are disposed between the pair of third side surfaces 72 e of the switching element 70 and the partition wall 22.

[0044] [Operation of the Present Embodiment] The operation of the present embodiment will be described. The conductive member 71 of the switching element 70 generates heat when the inverter 16 is operating. The heat from the switching element 70 is transferred to the first heat dissipation portion 81 via the heat dissipation sheet 91. The heat transferred to the first heat dissipation portion 81 is then transferred to the partition wall 22 via the thermal grease 92. The partition wall 22 is exposed to the suction chamber S2. Therefore, the partition wall 22 is cooled by the refrigerant drawn into the suction chamber S2. Therefore, the switching element 70 is cooled by the refrigerant drawn into the suction chamber S2 via the first heat dissipation portion 81 and the partition wall 22.

[0045] Furthermore, the heat of the switching element 70 that is transferred to the first heat dissipation portion 81 is also transferred to the second heat dissipation portion 82 that is continuous with the first heat dissipation portion 81. The heat that is transferred to the second heat dissipation portion 82 is transferred to the partition wall 22 via the thermal grease 92. In other words, the switching element 70 is cooled by the refrigerant that is drawn into the suction chamber S2 via the second heat dissipation portion 82 and the partition wall 22. This improves the cooling performance of the switching element 70.

[0046] Furthermore, the heat of the switching element 70 transferred to the first heat dissipation portion 81 is also transferred to a pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 that are continuous with the first heat dissipation portion 81. The heat transferred to the pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 is transferred to the partition wall 22 via the thermal grease 92. In other words, the switching element 70 is cooled by the refrigerant drawn into the suction chamber S2 via the pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 and the partition wall 22. This further improves the cooling performance of the switching element 70.

[0047] [Advantages of this embodiment] The advantages of this embodiment will be described. (1) A metal heat dissipation member 80 is disposed between the switching element 70 and the partition wall 22. The heat dissipation member 80 has a first heat dissipation portion 81 disposed between the heat-generating portion 73a and the partition wall 22, and a second heat dissipation portion 82 continuous with the first heat dissipation portion 81 and disposed between the second end surface 72b of the resin member 72 and the partition wall 22. Heat from the switching element 70 is dissipated to the partition wall 22 not only via the first heat dissipation portion 81 but also via the second heat dissipation portion 82 continuous with the first heat dissipation portion 81. This improves the cooling performance of the switching element 70.

[0048] (2) The switching element 70 is disposed in the inverter accommodating chamber S1 so that the longitudinal direction of the resin member 72 extends in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 13. Therefore, the area of ​​the switching element 70 as viewed in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 13 is reduced compared to when the longitudinal direction of the resin member 72 extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating shaft 13 so that the heat-generating portion 73a abuts against the first wall surface 22a of the partition wall 22. This prevents the inverter 16 from becoming larger as viewed in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 13. As a result, the housing 11 as viewed in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 13 is also prevented from becoming larger. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the entire inverter 16 can be disposed on the partition wall 22. Therefore, not only the switching element 70 but also other heat-generating components such as the coil 62 and the capacitor 63 can be cooled.

[0049] (3) The partition wall 22 has an accommodating recess 24 that is recessed from the first wall surface 22a and protrudes from the second wall surface 22b. The switching element 70 is disposed in the accommodating recess 24. Because the area of ​​the partition wall 22 exposed to the suction chamber S2 is increased, the partition wall 22 is more easily cooled by the refrigerant drawn into the suction chamber S2. This further improves the cooling performance of the switching element 70.

[0050] (4) The heat dissipation member 80 has a pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 that are continuous with the first heat dissipation portion 81 and are disposed between the pair of third side surfaces 72e and the partition wall 22. Therefore, heat from the switching element 70 is dissipated to the partition wall 22 not only through the first heat dissipation portion 81 and the second heat dissipation portion 82, but also through the pair of third heat dissipation portions 83. This further improves the cooling performance of the switching element 70.

[0051] (5) The switching element 70 and the heat dissipation member 80 are integrated by the rubber insulating member 90 provided between the second end surface 72b and the second heat dissipation portion 82 and between the pair of third side surfaces 72e and the pair of third heat dissipation portions 83. Therefore, the switching element 70 and the heat dissipation member 80 are easier to handle than when the switching element 70 and the heat dissipation member 80 are separate bodies.

[0052] (6) The main portion 73 of each switching element 70 has an exposed portion 73b that is exposed on the second side surface 72d and the third side surface 72e. Therefore, when accommodating multiple switching elements 70 in the inverter accommodating chamber S1, it is necessary to ensure an insulating distance between the exposed portions 73b. Since the switching elements 70 of this embodiment are IGBTs that are used under high voltage, ensuring an insulating distance is particularly important.

[0053] In this embodiment, the insulating member 90 covers not only the second end surface 72b and the pair of third side surfaces 72e of the resin member 72 but also the second side surface 72d. Therefore, the exposed portions 73b are covered by the insulating member 90. This makes it easier to ensure an insulation distance between the exposed portions 73b. In this case, the inverter 16 is less likely to become large compared to when the insulation distance between the exposed portions 73b is ensured by widening the spacing between the multiple switching elements 70.

[0054] (7) The insulating member 90 covers five surfaces of the resin member 72 excluding the first side surface 72 c. Therefore, the switching element 70 is pressed toward the first heat dissipation portion 81 by the insulating member 90. This allows the heat generating portion 73 a and the heat dissipation sheet 91 to be in close contact with each other, and also allows the heat dissipation sheet 91 and the first heat dissipation portion 81 to be in close contact with each other.

[0055] (8) For example, the heat dissipation member 80 may have a fourth heat dissipation portion facing the second side surface 72d of the resin member 72, in addition to the first to third heat dissipation portions 81 to 83. However, if the fourth heat dissipation portion is provided, the heat dissipation member 80 will have a bottomed rectangular tubular shape with the second heat dissipation portion 82 as the bottom wall, making it difficult to form the heat dissipation member 80. Furthermore, because the fourth heat dissipation portion is not continuous with the first heat dissipation portion 81, it contributes less to the cooling effect of the switching element 70 than the second heat dissipation portion 82 and the third heat dissipation portion 83. Therefore, it is preferable that the heat dissipation member 80 have the first heat dissipation portion 81, the second heat dissipation portion 82, and a pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 as heat dissipation portions.

[0056] [Modifications] The above-described embodiments can be modified as follows: The above-described embodiments and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0057] The partition wall 22 may have a protrusion protruding from the first wall surface 22a instead of the accommodating recess 24. The protrusion is, for example, a rectangular cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 13. The switching module 61 is disposed inside the protrusion. Specifically, the first heat dissipation portion 81 is disposed between the heat generating portion 73a and the inner surface of the protrusion. The second heat dissipation portion 82 is disposed between the second end surface 72b of the resin member 72 and the first wall surface 22a of the partition wall 22. Each third heat dissipation portion 83 is disposed between the third side surface 72e of the resin member 72 and the inner surface of the protrusion.

[0058] In this case, heat from the switching element 70 is transferred to the first heat dissipation portion 81, as well as to the second heat dissipation portion 82 and the pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 that are continuous with the first heat dissipation portion 81. The heat transferred to the second heat dissipation portion 82 is transferred to the partition wall 22. The heat transferred to the first heat dissipation portion 81 and each of the third heat dissipation portions 83 is transferred to the protrusions. The protrusions are part of the partition wall 22. Therefore, the protrusions are cooled by the refrigerant drawn into the suction chamber S2. As a result, the switching element 70 is cooled by the refrigerant drawn into the suction chamber S2 through the partition wall 22.

[0059] The configuration of the housing 11 may be modified as appropriate. For example, instead of the first housing component 11a, the housing 11 may have a cylindrical motor housing with a bottom and a cylindrical inverter housing connected to the bottom wall of the motor housing. In this case, the suction chamber S2 is defined by the inner surface of the motor housing and the shaft support member 12. The inverter accommodating chamber S1 is defined by the inner surface of the inverter housing and the inner surface of the cover 11c. The bottom wall of the motor housing is a partition wall that separates the suction chamber S2 from the inverter accommodating chamber S1.

[0060] The number of the accommodating recesses 24 in the partition wall 22 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the three accommodating recesses 24 in the above embodiment may be connected to each other to form one accommodating recess 24.

[0061] For example, the partition wall 22 may have six accommodating recesses 24. In this case, one switching module 61 is accommodated in each accommodating recess 24. The arrangement of the switching modules 61 in the partition wall 22 may be changed as appropriate depending on the arrangement of other components of the inverter 16. For example, the U-phase switching module 61, the V-phase switching module 61, and the W-phase switching module 61 may be aligned in a row.

[0062] The switching element 70 may be a switching element other than an IGBT. The switching module 61 does not need to have the insulating member 90. In this case, the switching element 70 and the heat dissipation member 80 may be separate bodies, or may be integrated by being fixed to each other with an adhesive or the like.

[0063] The heat dissipation member 80 does not have to be made of aluminum as long as it is made of a metal with high thermal conductivity. The heat dissipation member 80 does not have to have either or both of the pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 as long as it has the first heat dissipation portion 81 and the second heat dissipation portion 82.

[0064] The heat dissipation member 80 may have a fourth heat dissipation portion facing the second side surface 72d of the resin member 72, in addition to the first heat dissipation portion 81, the second heat dissipation portion 82, and the pair of third heat dissipation portions 83. In this case, the heat dissipation member 80 has a bottomed rectangular tubular shape with the second heat dissipation portion 82 as the bottom wall.

[0065] The insulating member 90 does not have to be made of rubber as long as it is made of an insulating material. The heat dissipation sheet 91 may be omitted. In this case, the first side surface 72c of the resin member 72 and the heat generating portion 73a abut against the first heat dissipation portion 81.

[0066] The heat dissipation grease 92 may be changed to potting (resin filling). Also, the heat dissipation grease 92 may be omitted. In this case, the heat dissipation sections 81 to 83 abut against the partition wall 22. The compression section 15 is not limited to the scroll type as long as it compresses the refrigerant by the rotation of the rotary shaft 13.

[0067] Although the electric compressor 10 in the above embodiment is used in a vehicle air conditioning system, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the electric compressor 10 may be mounted on a fuel cell vehicle and may compress air, which serves as a fluid to be supplied to the fuel cell, using the compression unit 15.

Claims

1. An electric compressor comprising: a rotating shaft; an electric motor that rotates the rotating shaft; a compression section that compresses a fluid by rotation of the rotating shaft; an inverter that drives the electric motor and has a switching element; and a metal housing that houses the electric motor and has a partition wall that separates a suction chamber into which the fluid is drawn and an inverter accommodating chamber that accommodates the inverter, wherein the switching element has: a conductive member having a main portion and a pin protruding from the main portion; and a rectangular parallelepiped resin member that accommodates the main portion, wherein the resin member has: a first end face that is an end face in the longitudinal direction and from which the pin protrudes; a second end face that is an end face opposite to the first end face in the longitudinal direction; and a side face that connects the first end face and the second end face, wherein the main portion has a heat-generating portion that is exposed to the outside of the resin member at the side face, and the switching element is arranged in the inverter accommodating chamber so that the longitudinal direction of the resin member extends in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, a metal heat dissipation member is disposed between the switching element and the partition wall, the heat dissipation member having: a first heat dissipation portion disposed between the heat generating portion and the partition wall; and a second heat dissipation portion continuous with the first heat dissipation portion and disposed between the second end surface and the partition wall.

2. An electric compressor as described in claim 1, wherein the partition wall has a first wall surface which is an end face of the partition wall in the axial direction of the rotating shaft and is exposed inside the inverter accommodating chamber, a second wall surface which is located opposite the first wall surface in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, and an accommodating recess which is recessed from the first wall surface and protrudes from the second wall surface, and the switching element is arranged inside the accommodating recess.

3. An electric compressor as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the side has a first side to which the heat-generating portion is exposed, a second side opposite the first side, and a pair of third side faces connecting the first side and the second side, and the heat-dissipating member has a pair of third heat-dissipating portions that are continuous with the first heat-dissipating portion and are arranged between the third side face and the partition wall.

4. An electric compressor as described in claim 3, wherein the switching element and the heat dissipation member are integrated by rubber insulating members provided between the second end face and the second heat dissipation portion, and between the pair of third side faces and the pair of third heat dissipation portions.

5. The electric compressor according to claim 4, wherein the inverter has a plurality of the switching elements, the main portions of the plurality of the switching elements each have an exposed portion that is exposed to the outside of the resin member on the second side surface and the third side surface, and the insulating member covers the second side surface.

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