Motor compressor

Abstract

To achieve downsizing of a physical constitution of a motor compressor.SOLUTION: In a motor compressor, a support plate 32 is disposed in a motor chamber S1 in a pressure atmosphere of a refrigerant, and thus the support plate 32 is less affected by a pressure of the refrigerant. Hence, it is not necessary to improve rigidity of the support plate 32 by increasing a thickness of the support plate 32. A periphery of a conductive member insertion hole 56 in a cluster block 50 is formed as a seal surface 57 which makes surface contact with the support plate 32. The structure inhibits foreign objects from entering the cluster block 50 through a space between the conductive member insertion hole 56 and a conductive member 31. Therefore, the motor compressor eliminates a need of a structure in which, for example, a length of the conductive member insertion hole 56 is maximized to maximize a length of a seal member provided between the conductive member insertion hole 56 and the conductive member 31 in order to improve sealability between the conductive member insertion hole 56 and the conductive member 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] An electric compressor includes a compression part, a motor, an inverter, and a housing. The compression part compresses a fluid. The motor drives the compression part. The inverter drives the motor. The housing partitions a motor chamber and an inverter chamber. The motor chamber houses the motor. A fluid is inhaled into the motor chamber. The inverter chamber houses the inverter. The housing has a partition wall that separates the motor chamber and the inverter chamber. A through hole is formed in the partition wall.

[0003] Further, the electric compressor includes an airtight terminal and a cluster block. The airtight terminal electrically connects the motor and the inverter in a state where the motor chamber and the inverter chamber are sealed. The cluster block is disposed in the motor chamber. The cluster block is insulating. The cluster block houses connection terminals inside. The connection terminals electrically connect the airtight terminal and motor wiring drawn out from the motor.

[0004] For example, as in Patent Document 1, the airtight terminal has a conductive member and a support plate. The conductive member passes through the through hole in the partition wall. And, one end of the conductive member is electrically connected to the inverter, and the other end is electrically connected to the connection terminal. The support plate supports the conductive member. The support plate is fixed to the partition wall in a state of closing the through hole in the partition wall. In Patent Document 1, the support plate is fixed to the partition wall in a state of being disposed in the inverter chamber.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, in such an electric compressor, the pressure of the fluid sucked into the motor chamber acts on the support plate through the through hole. For this reason, in order for the support plate to withstand the pressure of the fluid at least minimally, for example, it is conceivable to increase the rigidity of the support plate by increasing the thickness of the support plate. At this time, when the support plate is fixed to the partition wall in a state where the support plate is disposed in the inverter chamber as in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the support plate may interfere with the inverter by the amount of the increased thickness of the support plate. Therefore, it is necessary to newly secure an arrangement space in the inverter chamber in the inverter so that the inverter does not interfere with the support plate. As a result, the size of the electric compressor increases.

[0007] Further, the cluster block has a conductive member insertion hole through which the second end of the conductive member is inserted. In this case, it is conceivable to provide a seal member between the conductive member insertion hole and the conductive member so that foreign matter or the like does not enter the inside of the cluster block through between the conductive member insertion hole and the conductive member. At this time, in order to make the sealing performance between the conductive member insertion hole and the conductive member good, it is conceivable to make the length of the seal member provided between the conductive member insertion hole and the conductive member as long as possible by making the length of the conductive member insertion hole as long as possible. However, if this is done, the size of the cluster block increases by the amount of the increased length of the conductive member insertion hole, and as a result, the size of the electric compressor increases.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The electric compressor for solving the above problems includes a compression part that compresses a fluid, a motor that drives the compression part, an inverter that drives the motor, a motor chamber that houses the motor and into which the fluid is inhaled, and an inverter chamber that houses the inverter, and has a housing that partitions the motor chamber and the inverter chamber and has a partition wall that separates the motor chamber and the inverter chamber, an airtight terminal that electrically connects the motor and the inverter in a state where the motor chamber and the inverter chamber are sealed, and an insulating cluster block that is disposed in the motor chamber and houses therein a connection terminal that electrically connects the airtight terminal and a motor wiring drawn from the motor. A through hole is formed in the partition wall. The airtight terminal includes a conductive member that passes through the through hole, has a first end electrically connected to the inverter, and a second end electrically connected to the connection terminal, and a support plate that supports the conductive member and is fixed to the partition wall in a state of closing the through hole. The cluster block has a conductive member insertion hole into which the second end of the conductive member is inserted. In the electric compressor, the support plate is fixed to the partition wall in a state of being disposed in the motor chamber where the pressure atmosphere of the fluid is present, and a peripheral portion of the conductive member insertion hole in the cluster block forms a seal surface that is in surface contact with the support plate.

[0009] According to this, since the support plate is disposed in the motor chamber where the pressure atmosphere of the fluid is present, it is difficult for the support plate to be affected by the pressure of the fluid. Therefore, there is no need to increase the rigidity of the support plate by increasing the thickness of the support plate so that the support plate can withstand the pressure of the fluid. As a result, since there is no need to newly secure an arrangement space in the inverter chamber in the inverter so that the inverter does not interfere with the support plate, it is possible to avoid the problem that the size of the electric compressor becomes large.

[0010] Furthermore, the periphery of the conductive member insertion hole in the cluster block is formed as a sealing surface that makes surface contact with the support plate. This prevents foreign matter from entering the cluster block through the gap between the conductive member insertion hole and the conductive member. By forming the periphery of the conductive member insertion hole in the cluster block as a sealing surface that makes surface contact with the support plate that is fixed to the partition wall while the cluster block is disposed inside the motor chamber, the sealing performance of the existing cluster block disposed inside the motor chamber is improved. Therefore, in order to improve the sealing performance between the conductive member insertion hole and the conductive member, for example, it is not necessary to maximize the length of the conductive member insertion hole, thereby increasing the length of the sealing member provided between the conductive member insertion hole and the conductive member. As a result, the size of the electric compressor can be reduced.

[0011] In the above-mentioned electric compressor, the partition has a partition-wall facing surface facing the support plate, the support plate has a plate-facing surface facing the partition-wall facing surface, and the airtight terminal has a flat gasket interposed between the partition-wall facing surface and the plate-facing surface.

[0012] With this, the support plate is pressed toward the partition wall-facing surface by the pressure of the fluid, and the gasket is suitably crushed between the partition wall-facing surface and the plate-facing surface. This improves the sealing performance between the partition wall-facing surface and the plate-facing surface of the gasket. Therefore, the airtight terminal can electrically connect the motor and the inverter while further sealing the motor chamber and the inverter chamber, thereby improving the reliability of the electric compressor.

[0013] In the above-described electric compressor, the hermetic terminal includes a nut having a nut cylinder portion and a nut flange portion that annularly projects radially outward from the nut cylinder portion, and a bolt that can be screwed into the nut cylinder portion. The partition wall has a wall hole through which the nut cylinder portion is inserted. The support plate has a plate hole through which the nut cylinder portion is inserted and that communicates with the wall hole. The nut is disposed relative to the support plate in a state where the nut cylinder portion is inserted through the plate hole and the wall hole and the nut flange portion is locked around the plate hole. The bolt fixes the support plate to the partition wall via the nut flange portion by the tightening force of the bolt generated as the bolt is screwed into the nut cylinder portion from the inside of the inverter chamber.

[0014] According to this, the fixing of the support plate to the partition wall by the bolt is performed in a state where the nut cylinder portion is inserted through the plate hole and the wall hole. Therefore, when fixing the support plate to the partition wall by the bolt, the relative position between the support plate and the partition wall is less likely to shift due to the nut cylinder portion. Thus, it is possible to easily ensure the positional accuracy between the support plate and the partition wall, and as a result, it is possible to easily position the position of the conductive member with respect to the partition wall at a desired position.

[0015] In the above-described electric compressor, it is preferable that the cluster block is formed with a housing portion for housing the nut flange portion. Thus, the configuration in which the housing portion for housing the nut flange portion is formed in the cluster block is suitable as a configuration in which the cluster block avoids interference with the nut flange portion.

[0016] In the above-described electric compressor, it is preferable that the cluster block has an annular seal portion that seals the space between the cluster block and the support plate by surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the support plate. This makes it possible for the annular seal to more easily prevent foreign matter from entering the cluster block through the gap between the conductive member insertion hole and the conductive member. The annular seal surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the support plate. Therefore, the cluster block is positioned closer to the partition wall by the amount that the annular seal surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the support plate. This allows the cluster block to be positioned as close to the partition wall as possible within the motor chamber, thereby further reducing the size of the electric compressor. In this way, the sealing performance of the cluster block can be improved while further reducing the size of the electric compressor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to this invention, the size of the electric compressor can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electric compressor according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the electric compressor. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the hermetic terminal and the cluster block. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] An electric compressor according to one embodiment will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The electric compressor of this embodiment is used in, for example, a vehicle air conditioner. <Outline of electric compressor> As shown in FIG. 1, the electric compressor 10 includes a housing 11. The housing 11 includes a discharge housing 12 and a motor housing 13. The discharge housing 12 and the motor housing 13 are cylindrical. The motor housing 13 is connected to the discharge housing 12. The discharge housing 12 and the motor housing 13 are made of a metal material. The discharge housing 12 and the motor housing 13 are made of aluminum, for example. The motor housing 13 includes a plate-shaped end wall 13a and a cylindrical peripheral wall 13b. The peripheral wall 13b extends from the outer periphery of the end wall 13a.

[0020] The electric compressor 10 includes a rotating shaft 14. The rotating shaft 14 is accommodated in a motor housing 13. Therefore, the rotating shaft 14 is accommodated in the housing 11. The rotating shaft 14 is rotatably supported by the motor housing 13.

[0021] The electric compressor 10 includes a compression unit 15 and a motor 16. The compression unit 15 and the motor 16 are housed in a motor housing 13. Therefore, the housing 11 houses the compression unit 15 and the motor 16. The compression unit 15 and the motor 16 are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 14, which is the direction in which the rotation axis of the rotating shaft 14 extends. The motor 16 is arranged closer to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 than the compression unit 15. Within the motor housing 13, a space located closer to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 than the compression unit 15 forms a motor chamber S1 that houses the motor 16. Therefore, the housing 11 defines the motor chamber S1.

[0022] The compression section 15 is driven by the rotation of the rotary shaft 14. The compression section 15 compresses a refrigerant fluid. The compression section 15 is, for example, a scroll type having a fixed scroll (not shown) fixed to the motor housing 13 inside the motor housing 13 and an orbiting scroll (not shown) disposed opposite the fixed scroll.

[0023] The motor 16 has a cylindrical stator 17 and a cylindrical rotor 18. The rotor 18 is disposed inside the stator 17. The rotor 18 is configured to be rotatable integrally with the rotating shaft 14. The rotor 18 has a rotor core 18a and a plurality of permanent magnets 18b. The rotor core 18a is fixed to the rotating shaft 14. The plurality of permanent magnets 18b are provided on the rotor core 18a. The stator 17 surrounds the rotor 18. The stator 17 has a cylindrical stator core 17a and a motor coil 19. The motor coil 19 is wound around the stator core 17a. When power is supplied to the motor coil 19, the rotor 18 rotates, and the rotating shaft 14 rotates integrally with the rotor 18. The compression unit 15 is driven in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating shaft 14. In this manner, the motor 16 drives the compression unit 15.

[0024] The housing 11 has a suction port 13h. The suction port 13h is formed in a portion of the peripheral wall 13b of the motor housing 13 near the end wall 13a. The suction port 13h draws refrigerant into the motor chamber S1. Therefore, the refrigerant is drawn into the motor chamber S1. A first end of the external refrigerant circuit 20 is connected to the suction port 13h. The housing 11 has a discharge port 12h. The discharge port 12h is formed in the discharge housing 12. A second end of the external refrigerant circuit 20 is connected to the discharge port 12h.

[0025] The refrigerant drawn into the motor chamber S1 from the first end of the external refrigerant circuit 20 via the suction port 13h is compressed in the compression section 15 as the compression section 15 is driven. The refrigerant compressed in the compression section 15 flows out to the second end of the external refrigerant circuit 20 via the discharge port 12h. The refrigerant that has flowed out to the external refrigerant circuit 20 passes through a heat exchanger and an expansion valve of the external refrigerant circuit 20 and returns to the motor chamber S1 via the suction port 13h. The electric compressor 10 and the external refrigerant circuit 20 constitute a vehicle air conditioning system 21.

[0026] The electric compressor 10 is provided with an inverter cover 22. The inverter cover 22 is a part of the housing 11. Therefore, the housing 11 has the inverter cover 22. The inverter cover 22 is cylindrical. The inverter cover 22 is connected to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. And an inverter chamber 23 is defined by the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 and the inverter cover 22. Therefore, the housing 11 defines the inverter chamber 23. The end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 is a partition wall separating the motor chamber S1 and the inverter chamber 23.

[0027] The electric compressor 10 is provided with an inverter 24. The inverter 24 is housed in the inverter chamber 23. Therefore, the inverter chamber 23 houses the inverter 24. The inverter 24 drives the motor 16. The compression part 15, the motor 16, and the inverter 24 are arranged in this order along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 14.

[0028] <Motor Wiring> The electric compressor 10 is provided with motor wiring 25. The motor wiring 25 is led out from the motor coil 19 of the motor 16. Specifically, three motor wirings 25 corresponding to the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase motor coils 19 are led out from the part of the motor coil 19 located near the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. Each motor wiring 25 is led out from the motor coil 19 in a state where the winding constituting a part of the motor coil 19 is coated with an insulating film.

[0029] <Through Hole> As shown in FIG. 2, a through hole 26 is formed in the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. The through hole 26 penetrates the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 in the thickness direction of the end wall 13a. The through hole 26 is formed in a portion of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 that is positioned radially outward from the rotary shaft 14 relative to the center of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. A first end of the through hole 26 opens to a surface of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 that faces the motor chamber S1. A second end of the through hole 26 opens to a surface of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 that faces the inverter chamber 23.

[0030] <Airtight terminal> 2 and 3, the electric compressor 10 includes an airtight terminal 30. The airtight terminal 30 electrically connects the motor 16 and the inverter 24 while sealing the motor chamber S1 and the inverter chamber 23.

[0031] The hermetic terminal 30 includes a conductive member 31, a support plate 32, and a gasket 33. The hermetic terminal 30 includes three conductive members 31 corresponding to the U-, V-, and W-phase motor coils 19. Each conductive member 31 is a cylindrical metal pin extending linearly. Each conductive member 31 passes through a through hole 26. The conductive members 31 extend parallel to one another. A first end of each conductive member 31 protrudes into the inverter chamber 23 through the through hole 26. The first end of each conductive member 31 is electrically connected to the inverter 24. A second end of each conductive member 31 protrudes into the motor chamber S1 through the through hole 26.

[0032] The support plate 32 has a flat plate shape. The support plate 32 is made of metal. Each conductive member 31 penetrates the support plate 32 in the thickness direction of the support plate 32. An insulating glass member 34 is interposed between each conductive member 31 and the support plate 32. Each glass member 34 insulates each conductive member 31 from the support plate 32. The support plate 32 supports each conductive member 31 while insulating each conductive member 31 from the support plate 32 by each glass member 34.

[0033] The support plate 32 is fixed to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 while being disposed within the motor chamber S1. The support plate 32 is fixed to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 in a state of closing the through hole 26. The end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 has a partition wall facing surface 35 facing the support plate 32. The partition wall facing surface 35 is in a flat surface shape. The through hole 26 opens to the partition wall facing surface 35. The support plate 32 has a plate facing surface 36 facing the partition wall facing surface 35. The plate facing surface 36 is in a flat surface shape. The support plate 32 is disposed on the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 in a state where the plate facing surface 36 is along the partition wall facing surface 35.

[0034] The gasket 33 is in a flat plate shape. The gasket 33 is made of rubber configured to be elastically deformable. The gasket 33 is interposed between the partition wall facing surface 35 and the plate facing surface 36. The gasket 33 is in close contact with the partition wall facing surface 35. The gasket 33 is in close contact with the plate facing surface 36. The gasket 33 seals between the partition wall facing surface 35 and the plate facing surface 36.

[0035] The gasket 33 has a hole 33a. The hole 33a penetrates the gasket 33 in the thickness direction of the gasket 33. The hole 33a has the same shape as the through hole 26. The hole 33a communicates with the through hole 26. The gasket 33 has two holes 33b. Each hole 33b penetrates the gasket 33 in the thickness direction of the gasket 33. Each hole 33b is formed in a portion located on both sides of the hole 33a in the gasket 33, respectively. Each hole 33b is in a circular hole shape.

[0036] The end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 has two wall holes 37. Each wall hole 37 is formed in a portion of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13, on either side of the through hole 26. Each wall hole 37 is circular. Each wall hole 37 opens to the partition wall opposing surface 35. Each wall hole 37 communicates with a corresponding hole 33b of the gasket 33. The diameter of each wall hole 37 is the same as the diameter of each hole 33b.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2 , the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 has two bolt insertion holes 38. Each bolt insertion hole 38 is connected to an end of each wall hole 37 on the opposite side from the partition wall-facing surface 35. Each bolt insertion hole 38 opens to an end surface of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 that is located on the inverter chamber 23 side. Each bolt insertion hole 38 is circular. The diameter of each bolt insertion hole 38 is smaller than the diameter of each wall hole 37.

[0038] The support plate 32 has two plate holes 39. Each plate hole 39 penetrates the support plate 32 in the thickness direction of the support plate 32. Each plate hole 39 is formed in a portion of the support plate 32 located on both sides of the three conductive members 31. Each plate hole 39 is circular. Each plate hole 39 communicates with a corresponding hole 33b in the gasket 33. Each plate hole 39 communicates with a corresponding wall hole 37 via a corresponding hole 33b. The diameter of each plate hole 39 is the same as the diameter of each hole 33b and the diameter of each wall hole 37.

[0039] The airtight terminal 30 has two nuts 40. The nuts 40 have a nut tubular portion 41 and a nut flange portion 42. The nut tubular portion 41 is cylindrical. The inside of the nut tubular portion 41 is an internally threaded hole. The outer diameter of the nut tubular portion 41 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the wall hole 37, the diameter of the hole 33b, and the diameter of the plate hole 39. The nut tubular portion 41 is configured to be insertable through the plate hole 39, the hole 33b, and the wall hole 37 in that order. Therefore, the nut tubular portion 41 is inserted through the wall hole 37. The nut tubular portion 41 is also inserted through the plate hole 39.

[0040] The nut flange portion 42 protrudes annularly outward in the radial direction of the nut cylinder portion 41 from the nut cylinder portion 41. The nut flange portion 42 protrudes from a portion located at the axial end of the nut cylinder portion 41 on the outer peripheral surface of the nut cylinder portion 41. Each nut 40 is arranged with respect to the support plate 32 in a state where each nut cylinder portion 41 is inserted through each plate hole 39 and each wall hole 37 and the nut flange portion 42 is locked around each plate hole 39.

[0041] The hermetic terminal 30 has two bolts 43. Each bolt 43 is configured to be threadable into the nut cylinder portion 41 of each nut 40. A washer 43a is integrated with each bolt 43. Each bolt 43 is screwed into each nut cylinder portion 41 through each bolt insertion hole 38 from within the inverter chamber 23. Each bolt 43 fixes the support plate 32 to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 via each nut flange portion 42 by the tightening force of each bolt 43 generated as each bolt 43 is screwed into each nut cylinder portion 41 from within the inverter chamber 23.

[0042] <Cluster block> The electric compressor 10 includes a cluster block 50. The cluster block 50 is arranged within the motor chamber S1. The cluster block 50 is insulating. The cluster block 50 is made of resin. The cluster block 50 houses three connection terminals 51 inside. Each connection terminal 51 electrically connects the hermetic terminal 30 and each motor wiring 25. Thus, the cluster block 50 is arranged within the motor chamber S1 and houses the connection terminals 51 inside that electrically connect the hermetic terminal 30 and the motor wiring 25.

[0043] The cluster block 50 has a block main body portion 52 and a block plate portion 53. The block main body portion 52 is substantially square box-shaped. The block plate portion 53 is flat plate-shaped. The block main body portion 52 protrudes from one surface of the block plate portion 53.

[0044] Three terminal accommodating chambers 54 are defined inside the block main body 52. Each terminal accommodating chamber 54 accommodates a corresponding connection terminal 51. As shown in FIG. 3 , three motor wire insertion holes 55 are formed in the block main body 52. Each motor wire insertion hole 55 communicates with a corresponding terminal accommodating chamber 54. Each motor wire insertion hole 55 is configured to allow a corresponding motor wire 25 to pass therethrough. Each motor wire 25 is electrically connected to a corresponding connection terminal 51 in each terminal accommodating chamber 54 via each motor wire insertion hole 55.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2 , three conductive member insertion holes 56 are formed in the block plate portion 53. Therefore, the cluster block 50 has the conductive member insertion holes 56. Each conductive member insertion hole 56 opens on the surface of the block plate portion 53 opposite the block main body portion 52. Each conductive member insertion hole 56 communicates with a corresponding terminal accommodating chamber 54. Each conductive member insertion hole 56 is configured to allow the second end of each conductive member 31 to be inserted therethrough. The second end of each conductive member 31 is electrically connected to the corresponding connection terminal 51 in the corresponding terminal accommodating chamber 54 via the corresponding conductive member insertion hole 56. In this manner, the second end of the conductive member 31 is inserted into the conductive member insertion hole 56. The conductive member 31 passes through the through hole 26, and a first end is electrically connected to the inverter 24, and a second end is electrically connected to the connection terminal 51. Power from the inverter 24 is supplied to the motor 16 via the conductive members 31, the connection terminals 51, and the motor wiring 25. This drives the motor 16.

[0046] <Sealing surface> The surface of the block plate portion 53 opposite to the block main body portion 52 is flat. The surface of the block plate portion 53 opposite to the block main body portion 52 is configured to be able to come into surface contact with the support plate 32. The periphery of each conductive member insertion hole 56 in the block plate portion 53 forms a sealing surface 57 that comes into surface contact with the support plate 32. In this way, the periphery of each conductive member insertion hole 56 in the cluster block 50 forms a sealing surface 57 that comes into surface contact with the support plate 32.

[0047] <Receiving portion> Two receiving portions 58 are formed in the block plate portion 53. Therefore, the receiving portions 58 are formed in the cluster block 50. Each receiving portion 58 is formed on a surface of the block plate portion 53 that is located on the side opposite to the block main body portion 52. Each receiving portion 58 is disposed on portions located on both sides sandwiching three conductive member insertion holes 56. Each receiving portion 58 is a concave portion having a circular hole shape in plan view. The hole diameter of each receiving portion 58 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the nut flange portion 42 of each nut 40. Each receiving portion 58 houses the nut flange portion 42 of each nut 40.

[0048] <Annular seal portion> The block plate portion 53 has an outer peripheral wall 59. The outer peripheral wall 59 projects cylindrically from the outer peripheral portion of the surface of the block plate portion 53 that is located on the side opposite to the block main body portion 52. The cluster block 50 is disposed with respect to the support plate 32 in a state where the outer peripheral wall 59 surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the support plate 32. The inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 59 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the support plate 32. Thus, the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 59 serves as an annular seal portion 60 that seals the space between the support plate 32 by surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the support plate 32. Thus, the cluster block 50 has the annular seal portion 60.

[0049] [Operation of the embodiment] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The periphery of the conductive member insertion hole 56 in the cluster block 50 is a sealing surface 57 that is in surface contact with the support plate 32. Therefore, it is suppressed that foreign matter enters the inside of the cluster block 50 through the space between the conductive member insertion hole 56 and the conductive member 31. Furthermore, the annular seal portion 60 makes it easier to further suppress foreign matter from entering the inside of the cluster block 50 through the space between the conductive member insertion hole 56 and the conductive member 31.

[0050] [Effects of the embodiment] In the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) Because the support plate 32 is disposed in the motor chamber S1, which is in a pressurized atmosphere of the refrigerant, the support plate 32 is less susceptible to the effects of the refrigerant pressure. Therefore, there is no need to increase the rigidity of the support plate 32 by increasing its thickness so that the support plate 32 can withstand the refrigerant pressure. As a result, there is no need to secure additional space for the inverter 24 within the inverter chamber 23 so that the inverter 24 does not interfere with the support plate 32, which avoids the problem of the electric compressor 10 becoming larger in size.

[0051] Furthermore, the periphery of the conductive member insertion hole 56 in the cluster block 50 is formed with a sealing surface 57 that makes surface contact with the support plate 32. This prevents foreign matter from entering the cluster block 50 through the gap between the conductive member insertion hole 56 and the conductive member 31. The periphery of the conductive member insertion hole 56 in the cluster block 50 is formed with the sealing surface 57 that makes surface contact with the support plate 32, which is fixed to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 when the cluster block 50 is disposed in the motor chamber S1. This improves the sealing performance of the existing cluster block 50 disposed in the motor chamber S1. Therefore, in order to improve the sealing performance between the conductive member insertion hole 56 and the conductive member 31, it is not necessary to maximize the length of the conductive member insertion hole 56, thereby eliminating the need to maximize the length of the sealing member provided between the conductive member insertion hole 56 and the conductive member 31. As a result, the size of the electric compressor 10 can be reduced.

[0052] (2) The hermetic terminal 30 has a flat gasket 33 interposed between the partition wall-facing surface 35 and the plate-facing surface 36. With this, when the support plate 32 is pressed toward the partition wall-facing surface 35 by the pressure of the refrigerant, the gasket 33 is suitably crushed between the partition wall-facing surface 35 and the plate-facing surface 36. This improves the sealing performance between the partition wall-facing surface 35 and the plate-facing surface 36 of the gasket 33. Therefore, the hermetic terminal 30 can electrically connect the motor 16 and the inverter 24 while further sealing the motor chamber S1 and the inverter chamber 23, thereby improving the reliability of the electric compressor 10.

[0053] (3) The support plate 32 is fixed to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 with the bolts 43 while the nut cylindrical portions 41 are inserted through the plate holes 39 and the wall holes 37. Therefore, when the support plate 32 is fixed to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 with the bolts 43, the relative positions of the support plate 32 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 are less likely to shift due to the nut cylindrical portions 41. This makes it easier to ensure the positional accuracy of the support plate 32 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13, which in turn makes it easier to position the conductive member 31 at a desired position relative to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13.

[0054] (4) The cluster block 50 is formed with an accommodating portion 58 that accommodates the nut collar portion 42. In this manner, the configuration in which the accommodating portion 58 that accommodates the nut collar portion 42 is formed in the cluster block 50 is suitable as a configuration in which the cluster block 50 avoids interference with the nut collar portion 42.

[0055] (5) The cluster block 50 has an annular seal portion 60 that seals between the cluster block 50 and the support plate 32 by surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the support plate 32. According to this, the annular seal portion 60 can further facilitate suppressing the entry of foreign matter into the interior of the cluster block 50 through between the conductive member insertion hole 56 and the conductive member 31. The annular seal portion 60 surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the support plate 32. Therefore, the cluster block 50 is arranged in a state of being close to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 by the amount that the annular seal portion 60 surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the support plate 32. Thus, since the cluster block 50 can be arranged in the motor chamber S1 in a state of being as close as possible to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13, the size of the electric compressor 10 can be further reduced. In this way, while further reducing the size of the electric compressor 10, the sealing performance of the cluster block 50 can be improved.

[0056] [Modification Example] Note that the above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiment and the following modification examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically non - conflicting range.

[0057] ○ In the embodiment, the cluster block 50 may be configured not to have the annular seal portion 60. ○ In the embodiment, the accommodating portion 58 for accommodating the nut flange portion 42 may be formed, for example, in the support plate 32. In this case, the accommodating portion 58 is a circular - hole - shaped recess that communicates with the plate hole 39 and is slightly larger than the plate hole 39.

[0058] ○ In the embodiment, the accommodating portion 58 does not have to be a recess, and may be, for example, a hole that penetrates the block plate portion 53 in the thickness direction of the block plate portion 53. In short, the accommodating portion 58 only needs to be configured to be able to accommodate the nut flange portion 42.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the cluster block 50 may be integrally molded with a resin part that forms part of the motor 16. An example of the resin part is a resin cover that ensures insulation between the motor coil 19 and the housing 11.

[0060] In one embodiment, for example, a female threaded hole may be formed in the end wall 13 a of the motor housing 13, and a bolt may pass through the plate hole 39 from the support plate 32 side and be screwed into the female threaded hole, thereby fixing the support plate 32 to the end wall 13 a of the motor housing 13.

[0061] In one embodiment, the inverter chamber 23 may be defined by a cylindrical cover body with a bottom that is separate from the motor housing 13 and attached to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13, and a lid member that closes the opening of the cover body. In this case, the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 and the bottom wall of the case body function as a partition wall that separates the motor chamber S1 from the inverter chamber 23.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the electric compressor 10 may be configured such that the inverter 24 is disposed radially outward of the rotary shaft 14 relative to the housing 11. In other words, the compression unit 15, the motor 16, and the inverter 24 do not have to be disposed side by side in this order in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 14.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, the compression unit 15 is not limited to a scroll type, but may be, for example, a piston type, a vane type, or a rotary type. In the above embodiment, the electric compressor 10 constitutes the vehicle air-conditioning device 21. However, 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.

[0064] [Note] The technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modifications will be described below. <Appendix 1> a compression section that compresses the fluid; a motor that drives the compression unit; an inverter that drives the motor; a housing that divides a motor chamber that accommodates the motor and into which fluid is drawn, and an inverter chamber that accommodates the inverter, the housing having a partition wall that separates the motor chamber from the inverter chamber; an airtight terminal that electrically connects the motor and the inverter in a state in which the motor chamber and the inverter chamber are sealed; an insulating cluster block that is disposed within the motor chamber and that accommodates a connection terminal therein that electrically connects the airtight terminal and a motor wiring drawn out from the motor; The partition wall has a through hole formed therein, The airtight terminal is a conductive member that passes through the through hole and has a first end electrically connected to the inverter and a second end electrically connected to the connection terminal; a support plate that supports the conductive member and is fixed to the partition wall in a state where the through hole is closed, the cluster block has a conductive member insertion hole through which the second end of the conductive member is inserted, the support plate is disposed in the motor chamber and fixed to the partition wall, The electric compressor according to claim 1, wherein the periphery of the conductive member insertion hole in the cluster block is a sealing surface that comes into surface contact with the support plate.

[0065] <Appendix 2> the partition wall has a partition wall facing surface facing the support plate, the support plate has a plate facing surface facing the partition wall facing surface, The electric compressor according to <Appendix 1>, wherein the airtight terminal has a flat gasket interposed between the partition wall opposing surface and the plate opposing surface.

[0066] <Appendix 3> The airtight terminal is a nut having a nut tubular portion and a nut flange portion that annularly protrudes from the nut tubular portion toward the outside in the radial direction of the nut tubular portion; a bolt that can be threaded into the tubular nut portion, the partition wall has a wall hole through which the nut tubular portion is inserted, the support plate has a plate hole through which the nut cylindrical portion is inserted and which communicates with the wall hole, the nut is disposed on the support plate in a state in which the nut cylindrical portion is inserted into the plate hole and the wall hole and the nut flange portion is engaged around the plate hole, The electric compressor according to <Appendix 1> or <Appendix 2>, wherein the bolt fixes the support plate to the partition wall via the nut flange portion by a tightening force of the bolt generated when the bolt is screwed into the nut cylindrical portion from inside the inverter chamber.

[0067] <Appendix 4> The electric compressor according to <Appendix 3>, wherein the cluster block is formed with an accommodating portion that accommodates the nut flange portion.

[0068] <Appendix 5> The electric compressor according to any one of <Appendix 1> to <Appendix 4>, wherein the cluster block has an annular seal portion that surrounds an outer peripheral surface of the support plate to form a seal between the cluster block and the support plate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 10…Electric compressor, 11…Housing, 13a…End wall which is a partition wall, 15…Compression section, 16…Motor, 23…Inverter chamber, 24…Inverter, 25…Motor wiring, 26…Through hole, 30…Hermetic terminal, 31…Conductive member, 32…Support plate, 33…Gasket, 35…Partition wall facing surface, 36…Plate facing surface, 37…Wall hole, 39…Plate hole, 40…Nut, 41…Nut cylinder portion, 42…Nut flange portion, 43…Bolt, 50…Cluster block, 51…Connection terminal, 56…Conductive member insertion hole, 57…Sealing surface, 58…Accommodation portion, 60…Annular seal portion, S1…Motor chamber.

Claims

1. a compression section for compressing a fluid; a motor for driving the compression section; an inverter for driving the motor; a housing that defines a motor chamber for housing the motor and into which the fluid is inhaled, and an inverter chamber for housing the inverter, and has a partition wall that separates the motor chamber and the inverter chamber; an airtight terminal that electrically connects the motor and the inverter in a state where the motor chamber and the inverter chamber are sealed; an insulating cluster block that is disposed in the motor chamber and houses therein a connection terminal that electrically connects the airtight terminal and a motor wiring drawn from the motor; a through hole is formed in the partition wall; the airtight terminal includes: a conductive member that passes through the through hole, has a first end electrically connected to the inverter, and a second end electrically connected to the connection terminal; a support plate that supports the conductive member and is fixed to the partition wall in a state of closing the through hole; the cluster block is an electric compressor having a conductive member insertion hole into which the second end of the conductive member is inserted; the support plate is fixed to the partition wall in a state of being disposed in the motor chamber; an electric compressor, characterized in that a periphery of the conductive member insertion hole in the cluster block forms a seal surface that is in surface contact with the support plate.

2. the partition wall has a partition wall facing surface facing the support plate; the support plate has a plate facing surface facing the partition wall facing surface; The electric compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that the airtight terminal has a flat gasket interposed between the partition wall facing surface and the plate facing surface.

3. the airtight terminal includes: a nut having a nut cylinder portion and a nut flange portion that annularly projects radially outward from the nut cylinder portion; a bolt that can be screwed into the nut cylinder portion; the partition wall has a wall hole through which the nut cylinder portion is inserted; the support plate has a plate hole through which the nut cylinder portion is inserted and that communicates with the wall hole; the nut is disposed with respect to the support plate in a state where the nut cylinder portion is inserted through the plate hole and the wall hole and the nut flange portion is locked around the plate hole. The bolt fixes the support plate to the partition wall via the nut flange portion by the tightening force of the bolt generated as the bolt is screwed into the nut cylinder portion from the inside of the inverter chamber, according to the electric compressor described in claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The electric compressor according to claim 3, wherein the cluster block is formed with a housing portion for housing the nut flange portion.

5. The electric compressor according to claim 1, wherein the cluster block has an annular seal portion that seals the space between the cluster block and the support plate by surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the support plate.

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