Cluster block, electric motor to which cluster block is assembled, electric compressor including cluster block, and air conditioner, refrigerator, and in-vehicle device equipped with electric compressor

Abstract

To provide a cluster block or the like which can be easily miniaturized by securing an insulation distance between connection terminals.SOLUTION: At least a part of the inner walls defining the plurality of individual spaces S1 to S3 in which the plurality of connection terminals 61 to 63 are individually accommodated is formed by overlapping the first inner walls 8687 rising from the first plate 81 and the second inner walls 9697 rising from the second plate 91. In this overlapping portion, the insulation distance between the adjacent connection terminals 61 to 63 is not linear, but detours between the first inner wall 86,87 and the second inner wall 96,97, so that the insulation distance can be secured. By securing the insulating distances, the individual spaces S1 to S3 can be easily brought close to each other, and the cluster block 70 can be easily reduced in size.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cluster block that can be miniaturized while ensuring an insulating distance between connection terminals, an electric motor to which the cluster block is assembled, an electric compressor equipped with the cluster block, and an air conditioner, a refrigerator, and an in-vehicle device equipped with the electric compressor. [Background technology]

[0002] An electric compressor installed in an air conditioner, a refrigerator, an in-vehicle device, etc. mainly comprises a compression unit that compresses a fluid, an electric motor that drives the compression unit, a control circuit that controls the drive of the electric motor, a plurality of motor wires drawn from the electric motor, a plurality of connection terminals that are respectively provided at the ends of the plurality of motor wires and electrically connected to mating terminals on the control circuit side, and an insulating cluster block that houses the connection terminals.

[0003] The cluster block 40 disclosed in Patent Document 1 is composed of two members: a case member 50 having three storage chambers 55 (individual spaces) that open upward, and a cover member 60 that is placed on the case member 50 so as to cover the upper openings of the storage chambers 55. Each of the connection terminals 41 is individually housed in one of the three storage chambers 55. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-168833 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that when trying to bring the three storage chambers 55 closer to each other in order to miniaturize the cluster block 40, the insulation distance between the connection terminals 41 is insufficient, making it difficult to miniaturize the cluster block 40.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a cluster block that can be easily miniaturized by ensuring an insulating distance between connection terminals, an electric motor to which the cluster block is assembled, an electric compressor equipped with the cluster block, and an air conditioner, a refrigerator, and an in-vehicle device equipped with the electric compressor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve this object, the cluster block of the present invention is an insulating device to be installed in an electric compressor having a compression section that compresses a fluid, an electric motor that drives the compression section, a control circuit that controls the drive of the electric motor, a plurality of motor wires drawn out from the electric motor, and a plurality of connection terminals that are respectively provided at the ends of the plurality of motor wires and electrically connected to mating terminals on the control circuit side, and is equipped with a first plate portion and a second plate portion that face each other with the plurality of connection terminals sandwiched between them, an outer circumferential wall that connects the outer periphery of the first plate portion and the outer periphery of the second plate portion to form an accommodating space between the first plate portion and the second plate portion, and one or more inner wall portions that divide the accommodating space into a plurality of individual spaces that individually accommodate the plurality of connection terminals, and the inner wall portion comprises a first inner wall that rises from the first plate portion toward the second plate portion and a second inner wall that rises from the second plate portion toward the first plate portion, and at least a portion of the inner wall portion is formed by overlapping the first inner wall and the second inner wall. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the cluster block of claim 1, at least a portion of the inner wall portion that partitions the plurality of individual spaces in which the plurality of connection terminals are individually housed is formed by overlapping a first inner wall rising from the first plate portion and a second inner wall rising from the second plate portion. In this overlapping portion, the insulation distance between adjacent connection terminals is not linear but bypasses the gap between the first inner wall and the second inner wall, thereby ensuring the insulation distance. By ensuring this insulation distance, the individual spaces can be easily placed close to each other, making it easier to miniaturize the cluster block.

[0009] The cluster block of claim 2 achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the cluster block of claim 1. The motor wiring is formed by covering a conductor with an insulating coating. The connection terminal includes a tubular connection portion that covers the coating, a tip portion that connects to a mating terminal, and a connecting portion that connects between the tip portion and the connection portion and is formed lower toward the second plate portion than the tip portion. The inner wall portion adjacent to the relatively high tip portion is formed by overlapping the first inner wall and the second inner wall, thereby ensuring the insulation distance as described above.

[0010] In contrast, the inner wall portion between the connecting portions is formed only by the second inner wall. Because the second inner wall rises from the second plate portion to a position higher than the connecting portion, it is possible to ensure an insulating distance between the connecting portions by bypassing the second inner wall even if there is no overlap with the first inner wall. Furthermore, by partially eliminating the overlap between the first and second inner walls, it is possible to make the cluster block smaller and lighter, and to reduce the amount of material used in the cluster block.

[0011] The cluster block of claim 3 achieves the following effects in addition to the effects of the cluster block of claim 2. The connection portions, like the connecting portions, are formed lower toward the second plate portion relative to the tip portions. Adjacent individual spaces are arranged offset so that the connection portion in one individual space and the connecting portion in the other individual space are adjacent to each other. The inner wall portion between the connection portions and the connecting portions is formed solely by the second inner wall. Even in this case, the second inner wall rises from the second plate portion to a position higher than the connection portions and the connecting portions, ensuring an insulation distance between the connection portions and the connecting portions, just as between the connecting portions. Furthermore, the area where the overlap between the first inner wall and the second inner wall can be omitted can be expanded, making it easier to further miniaturize the cluster block.

[0012] The cluster block of claim 4 achieves the following effect in addition to the effect of the cluster block of claim 2. The outer peripheral wall includes a first outer wall that rises from the first plate portion toward the second plate portion, is continuous with the first inner wall, and has a tip that abuts against the second plate portion. In the opposing direction of the first plate portion and the second plate portion, the tip of the first outer wall is located closer to the second plate portion than the center of the tip of the connection terminal that contacts the first plate portion. In other words, the first outer wall is formed relatively higher than the tip. When assembling the cluster block to sandwich the connection terminal between the first plate portion and the second plate portion, by accommodating the connection terminal in the area surrounded by the first outer wall and the first inner wall, the higher first outer wall makes it easier to stably hold the connection terminal on the first plate portion side. Furthermore, because the first inner wall surrounding the connection terminal is partially omitted, it is easier to insert and remove the connection terminal from the area surrounded by the first outer wall and the first inner wall.

[0013] An electric motor according to claim 5 is assembled with a cluster block according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and exhibits the effects of the cluster block. Also, an electric compressor according to claim 6, an air conditioner according to claim 7, a refrigerator according to claim 8, and an in-vehicle device according to claim 9 each include a cluster block according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and exhibit the effects of the cluster block. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is a block diagram that shows a model of a vehicle equipped with an electric compressor according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view that shows a model of the electric compressor. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a half-sectional view of the electric compressor taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the electric compressor showing the vicinity of a connector including a cluster block. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector as viewed from above. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector as viewed from below. [Figure 6]6(a) is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along line VIa-VIa in FIG. 2, and FIG. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along line VIb-VIb in FIG. 6(a). [Figure 7] 7A is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along line VIIa-VIIa in FIG. 2, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along line VIIb-VIIb in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10(a) is a top view of an electric compressor according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 10(b) is a perspective view of a connector. [Figure 9] FIG. 10(a) is a perspective view of a cluster block according to a third embodiment, and FIG. 10(b) is a perspective view of a cluster block according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 1(a) is a block diagram that schematically shows an air conditioner equipped with an electric compressor, and FIG. 1(b) is a block diagram that schematically shows a refrigerator equipped with an electric compressor. [Figure 11] 10A is a top view of a cluster block in a modified example, and FIG. 10B is a bottom view of the cluster block. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Preferred embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1(a) is a block diagram that schematically shows a vehicle 1 equipped with an air conditioner 10 equipped with an electric compressor 11 according to a first embodiment. Fig. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows the electric compressor 11. In Fig. 1(b), hatching of parts of the electric compressor 11 (such as the rotor 31 and the stator 40) has been omitted to simplify the drawing.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), an air conditioning device 10 (on-board device) of a vehicle 1 is a device for blowing cool air generated by an electric compressor 11 into the interior space of the vehicle 1. The electric compressor 11 mainly includes a compression section 20, an electric motor 30, and an accumulator 12. The compression section 20 and the electric motor 30 are disposed in a sealed container 13. The sealed container 13 is provided with a suction pipe 15 and a discharge pipe 16 that communicate between the inside and outside of the sealed container 13.

[0017] The accumulator 12 separates the cooling medium (e.g., cooling gas) which is a fluid from the lubricating oil. The cooling medium separated in the accumulator 12 returns to the compression section 20 via the suction pipe 15. The lubricating oil separated in the accumulator 12 returns to the lubricating oil reservoir in the sealed container 13. The air conditioner 10 may be provided with a receiver for storing the compressed cooling medium together with the accumulator 12 or in place of the accumulator 12.

[0018] The compression unit 20 includes a rotating shaft 21, an orbiting scroll 22 driven by an electric motor 30 via the rotating shaft 21, and a fixed scroll 23 fixed to the sealed container 13. The rotating shaft 21 is a rod-shaped member that rotates around an axis C that is the axial center of the rotating shaft 21. The compression unit 20 orbits the orbiting scroll 22 by rotating it around the axis C, and compresses the cooling medium sucked from the intake pipe 15 between a spiral wrap provided on the orbiting scroll 22 and a spiral wrap provided on the fixed scroll 23 so as to mesh with the spiral wrap. In the following description, the axial direction of the axis C will be referred to as the "axis C direction," the direction perpendicular to the axis C will be referred to as the "radial direction," and the direction around the axis C will be referred to as the "circumferential direction."

[0019] The cooling medium compressed in the compression section 20 is discharged from the discharge pipe 16. In the electric compressor 11 of this embodiment, a mixture of the cooling medium and the lubricating oil is discharged from the discharge pipe 16. The compression section 20 is not limited to the scroll type as described above, and may be a reciprocating type, a rotary type, a screw type, or the like.

[0020] The electric motor 30 includes a cylindrical stator 40 fixed to the sealed container 13, and a cylindrical rotor 31 arranged on the inner circumferential side of the stator 40. The rotor 31 surrounds the axis C, and the stator 40 surrounds the rotor 31.

[0021] The rotor 31 includes a cylindrical rotor core 32 formed by laminating a plurality of thin electromagnetic steel plates in the direction of axis C, and a plurality of permanent magnets 33 embedded in the rotor core 32. The rotating shaft 21 is inserted into the inner periphery of the rotor core 32 and fixed to the rotor core 32 by press fitting, shrink fitting, or the like. The plurality of permanent magnets 33 are arranged rotationally symmetrically around the axis C. The permanent magnets 33 may be embedded so as to be exposed on the outer periphery of the rotor core 32, or may be embedded so as not to be exposed.

[0022] Fig. 2 is a half-side cross-sectional view of the electric compressor 11 taken along line II-II in Fig. 1(b). Specifically, the right half of the electric compressor 11 in Fig. 2 is shown in cross-section, and the left half is shown in top view. In Fig. 2, the accumulator 12, the sealed container 13, the compression unit 20, the rotor 31, the control circuit 56, etc. are omitted (similar to Fig. 3).

[0023] As shown in Figures 1(b) and 2, the stator 40 mainly comprises a cylindrical stator core 41 fixed to the inner surface of the sealed container 13, cylindrical bobbins 42 arranged on both axial end faces 41a of the stator core 41, and a coil 43 wound around the bobbin 42 and the stator core 41.

[0024] The stator core 41 is formed by stacking a plurality of thin, plate-shaped electromagnetic steel sheets in the direction of the axis C. The stator core 41 may be formed into a cylindrical shape using annular electromagnetic steel sheets that are continuous in the circumferential direction, or may be formed into a cylindrical shape by connecting a plurality of electromagnetic steel sheets that are divided in the circumferential direction or the radial direction. The stator core 41 includes a cylindrical yoke portion 41b that forms the outer periphery of the stator core 41, and a plurality of teeth 41c that protrude from the inner circumferential surface of the yoke portion 41b toward the axis C. Inner circumferential end portions 41d of the teeth 41c that face the rotor 31 protrude on both sides in the circumferential direction.

[0025] The multiple teeth 41c have the same shape and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Multiple slots are formed between adjacent teeth 41c in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the number of teeth 41c and slots is nine, but this may be changed as appropriate.

[0026] Concentrated winding coils 43 are inserted into the slots. The coils 43 are not limited to concentrated winding coils, and may be distributed winding coils. To prevent the coils 43 from directly touching the inner circumferential surface of the yoke portion 41 b, both circumferential faces of the teeth 41 c, or the outer circumferential surface of the inner circumferential end portion 41 d, and to prevent the coils 43 wound around adjacent teeth 41 c from touching each other, a plurality of insulating buffer plates 44 are provided between them.

[0027] The bobbin 42 is an insulating member that prevents the coil 43 from directly contacting the axial end surface 41a of the stator core 41. The bobbin 42 may be integrally formed in the circumferential direction, like the stator core 41, or may be formed by connecting multiple members that are divided in the circumferential direction or the radial direction. The bobbin 42 includes a cylindrical outer cylinder wall portion 42a that rises in the direction of the axis C from the axial end surface 41a of the yoke portion 41b, multiple wall connecting portions 42b that extend radially inward from the lower part of the outer cylinder wall portion 42a along the teeth portions 41c, and multiple inner circumferential wall portions 42c that rise in the direction of the axis C from radially inner ends of the wall connecting portions 42b.

[0028] The multiple wall connecting portions 42b have the same shape and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The multiple inner circumferential wall portions 42c also have the same shape and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The number of wall connecting portions 42b and inner circumferential wall portions 42c is the same as the number of teeth 41c. The wall connecting portions 42b are arranged on the axial end surfaces 41a of the teeth 41c and inner circumferential end portion 41d, and are formed with approximately the same circumferential width as the teeth 41c excluding the inner circumferential end portion 41d. The inner circumferential wall portion 42c is located above the inner circumferential end portion 41d, and is formed with approximately the same circumferential width as the inner circumferential end portion 41d.

[0029] An axial end face 42e of the inner circumferential wall portion 42c opposite to the stator core 41 is positioned lower toward the stator core 41 than an axial end face 42d of the outer circumferential wall portion 42a opposite to the stator core 41. A portion of the coil 43 is housed in the area surrounded by the outer circumferential wall portion 42a, the wall connecting portion 42b, and the inner circumferential wall portion 42c.

[0030] The coil 43 is formed by winding a conductor. There are three types of coils 43: U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase. Motor wires 51, 52, and 53 are drawn out from the coil 43 of each phase. Each of the motor wires 51 to 53 is formed by covering the conductors 51a, 52a, and 53a with covering portions 51b, 52b, and 53b made of an insulating elastic body (see FIG. 6(a)).

[0031] The motor wiring 51 to 53 is electrically connected to a control circuit 56 via a connector 55. The connector 55 is disposed on the axial end faces 42d, 42e of the bobbin 42 on the upper side of the paper surface of FIG. 1(b), and is also disposed on a portion of the circumferential direction of the cylindrical bobbin 42. The motor wiring 51 to 53 extending from the connector 55 toward the electric motor 30 is curved in the circumferential direction around the axis C.

[0032] The control circuit 56 is placed in a space 57 that is defined by a partition wall 57a within the sealed container 13, separating it from the space in which the electric motor 30 is disposed. The partition wall 57a is provided at a position facing the connector 55 in the direction of the axis C. Note that the space 57 may be provided outside the sealed container 13, with part of the outer wall of the sealed container 13 serving as the partition wall 57a.

[0033] Three mating terminals 56a, 56b, and 56c corresponding to the U, V, and W phases, respectively, protrude from the control circuit 56. The mating terminals 56a to 56c are cylindrical metal terminals electrically connected to the control circuit 56. The mating terminals 56a to 56c penetrate the partition wall 57a and protrude into the space in which the electric motor 30 is disposed. The tips of the three mating terminals 56a to 56c are respectively connected to the connector 55, so that the mating terminals 56a to 56c are individually electrically connected to the motor wires 51 to 53.

[0034] The control circuit 56 is an inverter that controls the current flowing to the coils 43 of each phase via the mating terminals 56a to 56c, the connector 55, and the motor wiring 51 to 53, and this current generates a magnetic field for rotating the rotor 31, thereby driving and controlling the electric motor 30.

[0035] Next, the connector 55 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7. In the following description of the connector 55, unless otherwise specified, the control circuit 56 side (upper side of FIG. 1(b)) will be referred to as the upper side of the connector 55, and the axial end faces 42d and 42e side (lower side of FIG. 1(b)) will be referred to as the lower side of the connector 55. Similarly, the radially inner side of the axis C (right side of FIG. 2) will be referred to as the right side of the connector 55, and the radially outer side of the axis C (left side of FIG. 2) will be referred to as the left side of the connector 55. Furthermore, the upper side of FIG. 2 in directions perpendicular to the up-down and left-right directions will be referred to as the front side of the connector 55, and the lower side of FIG. 2 will be referred to as the rear side of the connector 55. The motor wiring 51 to 53 extend from the rear side of the connector 55. The directions of arrows U, D, F, B, L, and R in each drawing respectively indicate the upper, lower, front, rear, left, and right sides of the connector 55.

[0036] FIG. 3 is an enlarged top perspective view of the electric compressor 11 showing the vicinity of the connector 55. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 55 as seen from above (the control circuit 56 side). FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 55 as seen from below (the bobbin 42 side). FIG. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view of the connector 55 taken along line VIa-VIa in FIG. 2. FIG. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view of the connector 55 taken along line VIb-VIb in FIG. 6(a). FIG. 7(a) is a cross-sectional view of the connector 55 taken along line VIIa-VIIa in FIG. 2. FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view of the connector 55 taken along line VIIb-VIIb in FIG. 2. Note that while FIG. 3 illustrates almost all of the ridge lines of the various parts of the electric compressor 11, some of the ridge lines are omitted in the other drawings. Also, FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) schematically illustrate the connection terminals 61-63.

[0037] 3 and 4, connector 55 includes three connection terminals 61, 62, and 63, and an insulating cluster block 70 that houses connection terminals 61 to 63. Connection terminal 61 is a metal terminal provided at the tip of motor wiring 51 and electrically connects motor wiring 51 to mating terminal 56a. Connection terminal 62 is a metal terminal provided at the tip of motor wiring 52 and electrically connects motor wiring 52 to mating terminal 56b. Connection terminal 63 is a metal terminal provided at the tip of motor wiring 53 and electrically connects motor wiring 53 to mating terminal 56c.

[0038] The connection terminals 61 to 63 are formed to extend in the front-to-rear direction (circumferential direction around the axis C) and are arranged in the order of connection terminals 61, 62, 63 toward the right (toward the inside in the radial direction of the axis C). Each of the connection terminals 61 to 63 includes a cylindrical connection portion 61a, 62a, 63a that covers the motor wiring 51 to 53, a tip portion 61b, 62b, 63b that is connected to the mating terminal 56a to 56c, respectively, and a coupling portion 61c, 62c, 63c that couples the connection portion 61a to 63a and the tip portion 61b to 63b.

[0039] The connecting portions 61a to 63a are reduced in diameter and are thereby crimped and fixed to the outer peripheral surfaces of the covering portions 51b to 53b of the motor wiring 51 to 53. The tip portions 61b to 63b are formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped box that is long in the front-to-rear direction. The tip portions 61b to 63b have open tops for receiving the mating terminals 56a to 56c therein.

[0040] The connecting portions 61c to 63c are portions to which the conductive wires 51a to 53a exposed from the covering portions 51b to 53b are electrically connected. The connecting portions 61c to 63c connect the lower portions of the connecting portions 61a to 63a to the lower portions of the tip portions 61b to 63b in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the connecting portions 61c to 63c are formed lower than the upper ends of the connecting portions 61a to 63a and the upper ends of the tip portions 61b to 63b. Furthermore, the connecting portions 61a to 63a are formed lower than the upper ends of the tip portions 61b to 63b. The connecting portions 61c to 63c are recessed in a stepped shape with respect to the tip portions 61b to 63b, and the portions that gradually slope upward toward the tip portions 61b to 63b are portions of the connecting portions 61c to 63c.

[0041] Additionally, an annular seal member 54 is provided on each of the motor wiring 51 to 53 near the connection terminals 61 to 63. The seal member 54 is an annular portion made of an elastic body, and covers the entire periphery of the covering portions 51b to 53b of the motor wiring 51 to 53. The inner circumferential surface of the seal member 54 and the outer circumferential surfaces of the covering portions 51b to 53b are in close contact with each other over the entire periphery.

[0042] The cluster block 70 is a box-shaped body placed on top of the axial end faces 42d, 42e of the bobbin 42, and is divided in the vertical direction (direction of axis C) by a dividing surface. The part of the cluster block 70 above the dividing surface is a first member 80, and the part below the dividing surface is a second member 90. The dividing surface on the first member 80 side is dividing surface P1, and the dividing surface on the second member 90 side is dividing surface P2.

[0043] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first member 80 comprises a first plate portion 81 that forms the upper surface of the cluster block 70, first outer walls 82, 83, 84, and 85 that rise from the outer periphery of the first plate portion 81 toward the second member 90, and first inner walls 86 and 87 that rise from the first plate portion 81 toward the second member 90 inside the first outer walls 82 to 85.

[0044] The first plate portion 81 is a generally flat plate-shaped portion that covers the upper sides of the connection terminals 61 to 63. A total of three circular insertion holes 81a are formed through the first plate portion 81 at positions that individually cover the three tip portions 61b to 63b. By inserting the mating terminals 56a to 56c into the insertion holes 81a, the mating terminals 56a to 56c are electrically connected to the tip portions 61b to 63b, respectively.

[0045] The first outer wall 82 is a portion that rises from the left edge of the outer periphery of the first plate portion 81. The first outer wall 83 is a portion that rises from the right edge of the outer periphery of the first plate portion 81 and faces the first outer wall 82 in the left-right direction. Between these opposing portions, the connection terminals 61 to 63 are lined up in the left-right direction.

[0046] The first outer wall 84 is a portion that rises from the front edge of the outer periphery of the first plate portion 81, and connects the front edges of the first outer walls 82, 83. The first outer wall 84 is formed in a stepped shape by three tip walls 84a against whose inner surfaces the tips (front ends) of the tip portions 61b to 63b of the connection terminals 61 to 63 come into contact, and two front side walls 84b that connect the tip walls 84a in the front-rear direction.

[0047] The three tip walls 84a are positioned so that the rightmost one is shifted further forward. A sloped portion 84c is connected to the leftmost tip wall 84a and the front side wall 84b, filling the corners of these walls at an angle. Claws 80a protrude from the outer surface of this sloped portion 84c, the outer surface of the rightmost tip wall 84a, and the rear outer surfaces of the first outer walls 82 and 83.

[0048] Three hooking protrusions 81b for accommodating the tip portions 61b to 63b between the three tip walls 84a protrude from the underside of the first plate portion 81. The distance in the front-rear direction between the hooking protrusions 81b and the tip wall 84a is approximately the same as the length in the front-rear direction of the tip portions 61b to 63b. This allows the tip portions 61b to 63b (connection terminals 61 to 63) to be positioned in the front-rear direction between the hooking protrusions 81b and the tip wall 84a.

[0049] The first outer wall 85 is a portion of the outer periphery of the first plate portion 81 that rises from the rear edge, connects the rear edges of the first outer walls 82, 83, and faces the first outer wall 84 in the front-to-rear direction. Similar to the first outer wall 84, the outer surface of the first outer wall 85 is formed in a stepped pattern with three rearward-facing end faces 85a and two side wall faces 85b that connect the end faces 85a in the front-to-rear direction. The three end faces 85a are arranged so that the rightmost one is shifted further forward. Furthermore, when the first member 80 and the second member 90 are assembled, the three end faces 85a are flush with and continuous with three end faces 95a provided on the second member 90.

[0050] The first outer wall 85 is formed with three communication grooves 85c recessed upward in a U-shape from the dividing plane P1 (the lower end of the first outer wall 85) so as to open to each end face 85a. The communication grooves 85c are regions in which the upper sides of the three motor wirings 51 to 53 are individually housed, and also open to the inner surface of the first outer wall 85. In the middle of each communication groove 85c, a seal groove 85d is formed, which is an even deeper U-shaped recess than the communication groove 85c. The seal groove 85d is a region in which the upper sides of the three seal members 54 are individually housed, and restricts the movement of the housed seal members 54 in the front-rear and left-right directions. The outer peripheral surfaces of the seal members 54 come into close contact with the seal grooves 85d, sealing the gap between them.

[0051] The first member 80 includes three extension portions 88 that respectively extend rearward from each end face 85a, and three restriction portions 89 that extend downward from the extension portions 88. The extension portions 88 include an extension groove 88a that extends the communication groove 85c rearward, and a pair of extension surfaces 88b, 88c that are provided on both left and right sides of the extension groove 88a and extend the dividing plane P1. Note that the left and right sides of the extension groove 88a refer to both radial sides of a communication hole (described below) that is formed by the communication groove 85c that communicates with the extension groove 88a.

[0052] The extension groove 88a is formed over the entire length of the extension portion 88 in the front-to-rear direction. The extension surface 88b is the left side of the extension groove 88a. The extension surface 88c is the right side of the extension groove 88a. The restriction portion 89 is a portion that protrudes straight downward from the entire surface of the right extension surface 88c, and protrudes downward beyond the dividing plane P1. The extension surface 88c is the boundary between the restriction portion 89 and the extension portion 88, and is hidden by the restriction portion 89, so the extension surface 88c is shown by a dashed line in Figure 4. No restriction portion 89 is provided on the left extension surface 88b, and the entire surface of the extension surface 88b is exposed.

[0053] The space surrounded by the first plate portion 81 and the first outer walls 82-85 is a first housing space that houses the upper sides of the connection terminals 61-63. The first inner walls 86 and 87 are portions that divide this first housing space into three first individual spaces SA1, SA2, and SA3 that respectively house the three connection terminals 61-63. The first individual space SA1 houses the connection terminal 61, the first individual space SA2 houses the connection terminal 62, and the first individual space SA3 houses the connection terminal 63. The three first individual spaces SA1-SA3 are also individually connected to three communicating grooves 85c.

[0054] The first inner wall 86 is provided between the first individual spaces SA1, SA2 and is formed to extend rearward from the left front wall 84b. The first inner wall 87 is provided between the first individual spaces SA2, SA3 and is formed to extend rearward from the right front wall 84b. The first inner walls 86, 87 are formed with a gap between them and the first outer wall 85, and the first individual spaces SA1 to SA3 communicate with each other rearward of the first inner walls 86, 87. The height (vertical dimension) of the first inner walls 86, 87 is approximately the same as the height of the first outer walls 82 to 85, and the lower ends of the first inner walls 86, 87 are located on approximately the same plane as the dividing plane P1.

[0055] The second member 90 includes a second plate portion 91 that forms the lower surface (bottom plate) of the cluster block 70, second outer walls 92, 93, 94, and 95 that rise from the outer periphery of the second plate portion 91 toward the first member 80, and second inner walls 96 and 97 that rise from the second plate portion 91 toward the first member 80 inside the second outer walls 92 to 95. The second member 90 is mostly formed symmetrically with the first member 80 in the vertical direction, although the second member 90 has a different height in the vertical direction.

[0056] The second plate portion 91 is a generally flat plate-shaped portion that covers the underside of the connection terminals 61-63 and faces the first plate portion 81 in the up-down direction, with the connection terminals 61-63 sandwiched therebetween. The second outer wall 92 is a portion that rises from the left edge of the outer periphery of the second plate portion 91. The second outer wall 93 is a portion that rises from the right edge of the outer periphery of the second plate portion 91 and faces the second outer wall 92 in the left-right direction. The connection terminals 61-63 are lined up in the left-right direction between these opposing portions.

[0057] The second outer wall 94 is a portion of the outer periphery of the second plate portion 91 that rises from the front edge portion and connects the front edges of the second outer walls 92, 93. The second outer wall 94 is formed in a stepped shape, similar to the first outer wall 84. Furthermore, the second outer wall 94 is also provided with an inclined portion 94c that is vertically symmetrical to the inclined portion 84c of the first member 80. Similar to the claw portion 80a of the first member 80, hook portions 90a that hook onto the claw portion 80a are provided on the outer surface of the inclined portion 94c, the outer surface of the right side of the second outer wall 94, and the outer surfaces of the rear sides of the second outer walls 92, 93.

[0058] The second outer wall 95 is a portion of the outer periphery of the second plate portion 91 that rises from the rear edge, connects the rear edges of the second outer walls 92, 93, and faces the second outer wall 94 in the front-to-rear direction. Similar to the second outer wall 94, the outer surface of the second outer wall 95 is formed in a stepped pattern by three end faces 95a facing rearward and two side wall faces 95b that connect the end faces 95a in the front-to-rear direction. The three end faces 95a are arranged so that the rightmost one is shifted further forward.

[0059] The second outer wall 95 is formed with three communication grooves 95c recessed in an arc downward from the dividing plane P2 (the upper end of the second outer wall 95) so as to open to each end face 95a. The communication grooves 95c are regions in which the lower sides of the three motor wires 51 to 53 are individually housed, and also open to the inner surface of the second outer wall 95. A seal groove 95d is formed in the middle of each communication groove 95c, by recessing the communication groove 95c even deeper in an arc shape. The seal groove 95d is a region in which the lower sides of the three seal members 54 are individually housed, and restricts the movement of the housed seal members 54 in the front-rear and left-right directions. The outer peripheral surfaces of the seal members 54 come into close contact with the seal grooves 95d, creating a seal between them.

[0060] The space surrounded by the second plate portion 91 and the second outer walls 92-95 is a second accommodating space that accommodates the lower sides of the connection terminals 61-63. The second inner walls 96 and 97 are portions that divide this second accommodating space into three second individual spaces SB1, SB2, and SB3 that individually accommodate the three connection terminals 61-63. The second individual space SB1 accommodates the connection terminal 61, the second individual space SB2 accommodates the connection terminal 62, and the second individual space SB3 accommodates the connection terminal 63. The three second individual spaces SB1-SB3 are individually in communication with the three communicating grooves 95c.

[0061] The second inner wall 96 is provided between the second individual spaces SB1 and SB2. The second inner wall 97 is provided between the second individual spaces SB2 and SB3. The second inner walls 96 and 97 are continuous over the entire length between the second outer walls 94 and 95 and are connected to the second outer walls 94 and 95. The second inner walls 96 and 97 are formed higher than the second outer walls 92 to 95.

[0062] To assemble the cluster block 70 (connector 55) described above, first, the connection terminals 61-63, motor wiring 51-53, and seal member 54 are accommodated in the respective portions (first individual spaces SA1-SA3 or second individual spaces SB1-SB3, etc.) of the first member 80 or the second member 90. Next, dividing surface P1, which is the lower end of the first outer walls 82-85, is aligned with dividing surface P2, which is the upper end of the second outer walls 92-95, and the four hook portions 90a are hooked onto the four claw portions 80a, respectively. This joins the first member 80 and the second member 90 together, and the cluster block 70 is assembled.

[0063] This assembled state is referred to as the assembled state of the cluster block 70. In the assembled state, the four sets of claws 80a and hooks 90a are spaced apart from one another in the front, back, left, and right directions and are oriented in different directions, thereby firmly maintaining the assembly of the first member 80 and the second member 90. Note that the number and positions of the claws 80a and hooks 90a may be changed as appropriate, and the hooks 90a may be provided on the first member 80 and the claws 80a may be provided on the second member 90.

[0064] An engagement step 80b that protrudes inward from the outside in a stepped manner is formed continuously around substantially the entire circumference on the dividing surface P1 of the first outer walls 82 to 84. In contrast, an engagement step 90b that is recessed inward from the outside in a stepped manner is formed continuously around substantially the entire circumference on the dividing surface P2 of the second outer walls 92 to 94. In the assembled state, the engagement steps 80b, 90b interlock with each other, thereby preventing misalignment between the first member 80 and the second member 90.

[0065] In the assembled state, the first outer walls 82-84 and the second outer walls 92-94 are connected to form an outer peripheral wall that connects the outer peripheral portion of the first plate portion 81 and the outer peripheral portion of the second plate portion 91. Between the first plate portion 81 and the second plate portion 91 and in the portion surrounded by this outer peripheral wall, an accommodation space is formed by stacking the above-mentioned first accommodation space and second accommodation space one above the other.

[0066] In the assembled state, the first individual space SA1 of the first member 80 and the second individual space SB1 of the second member 90 are stacked vertically to form a single individual space S1 (see FIG. 6(b) and other figures). Similarly, the first individual space SA2 and the second individual space SB2 form a single individual space S2, and the first individual space SA3 and the second individual space SB3 form a single individual space S3. Furthermore, the three communication grooves 85c, 95c (including the seal grooves 85d, 95d) are stacked vertically, forming three communication holes that open to the end faces 85a, 95a, respectively. The cluster block 70 is divided into the first member 80 and the second member 90 by dividing planes P1, P2 that pass through these three communication holes and the three individual spaces S1, S2, S3.

[0067] 6(a), the dividing surfaces P1, P2 are positioned below the axes of the motor wiring 51-53 housed in the communication holes (communication grooves 85c, 95c and seal grooves 85d, 95d). As a result, the communication groove 85c is relatively deep in the vertical direction and the communication groove 95c is relatively shallow, the seal groove 85d is relatively deep and the seal groove 95d is relatively shallow, and the first outer walls 82-85 are relatively high in the vertical direction and the second outer walls 92-95 are relatively low.

[0068] In this embodiment, in order to prevent fluid such as a coolant from seeping into the interior of the cluster block 70 through gaps between the motor wiring 51-53 and the communication holes, the outer peripheral surface of the seal member 54 is brought into close contact with the seal grooves 85d, 95d along the entire periphery, thereby closing these gaps. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the seal member 54 and the seal grooves 85d, 95d may be omitted, and the gaps may be closed by bringing the coated portions 51b-53b of the motor wiring 51-53 into close contact with the communication grooves 85c, 95c along the entire periphery.

[0069] In either case, there is a risk that covering portions 51b to 53b and sealing member 54 may become caught in dividing surfaces P1, P2 during assembly of cluster block 70. In particular, if communicating grooves 85c, 95c and sealing grooves 85d, 95d are semicircular and of the same dimensions, covering portions 51b to 53b and sealing member 54, which are pressed against each groove and deform in the left-right direction so as to protrude from the groove, are likely to become caught in dividing surfaces P1, P2.

[0070] In contrast, because the communicating groove 85c and the seal groove 85d are formed deep, by first accommodating the covering portions 51b-53b and the seal member 54 in the communicating groove 85c and the seal groove 85d during assembly of the cluster block 70, the inner walls of the communicating groove 85c and the seal groove 85d can restrict deformation of the covering portions 51b-53b and the seal member 54 in the left-right direction. As a result, the covering portions 51b-53b and the seal member 54 are less likely to become caught between the dividing surfaces P1 and P2 during assembly.

[0071] Furthermore, even when covering portions 51b-53b etc. are first accommodated in shallow communicating grooves 95c etc. during assembly of cluster block 70, covering portions 51b-53b etc. are less likely to become caught in dividing surfaces P1, P2. This is because the inner walls of communicating grooves 85c etc. are located on the left and right of covering portions 51b-53b etc., and can restrict deformation before covering portions 51b-53b etc. are sandwiched between communicating grooves 85c etc. and 95c etc. and deform in the left-right direction.

[0072] 4 and 6(a), if the motor wiring 51-53 housed in the first member 80 moves outside the end face 85a during assembly of the cluster block 70, the coated portions 51b-53b and the like are likely to become caught in the dividing surfaces P1 and P2. In contrast, in this embodiment, such movement can be restricted by aligning the motor wiring 51-53 with the extension groove 88a of the extension portion 88 that protrudes from the end face 85a. This makes it more difficult for the coated portions 51b-53b and the like to become caught in the dividing surfaces P1 and P2 near the end faces 85a and 95a.

[0073] If this extension 88 were provided not only on the first member 80 but also on the second member 90, there would be a risk that the covering portions 51b to 53b etc. would become caught in the extension surfaces 88b, 88c that are the dividing surfaces between the extensions 88. However, in this embodiment, the extension 88 is provided only on the first member 80, so such catch-up can be prevented.

[0074] Furthermore, since the first member 80 is provided on the extension portion 88, the extension groove 88a can be made deeper, similar to the communication groove 85c. As a result, when assembling the cluster block 70, it is possible to more easily restrict the movement of the motor wiring 51-53 housed in the extension groove 88a, and it is even more difficult for the covering portions 51b-53b, etc. to become caught on the dividing surfaces P1, P2 near the end faces 85a, 95a.

[0075] Furthermore, a restricting portion 89 projects from an extension surface 88c on the right side of the extension portion 88 along an end surface 95a of the second member 90 on which the extension portion 88 is not provided. As a result, even if the motor wires 51-53 are lifted from the communicating grooves 85c, 95c or the extension groove 88a during assembly of the cluster block 70, the movement of the lifted portions of the motor wires 51-53 can be restricted by the restricting portion 89. This makes it more difficult for the covering portions 51b-53b, etc. to become caught in the dividing surfaces P1, P2 near the end surfaces 85a, 95a.

[0076] The restricting portion 89 may extend from the left extension surface 88b of the extension portion 88. In this case as well, it is possible to make it difficult for the covering portions 51b to 53b to become caught in the dividing surfaces P1 and P2 near the end surfaces 85a and 95a.

[0077] However, in this embodiment, since the multiple end faces 95a of the second member 90 are connected in a stepped manner via the side wall faces 95b, it is preferable to provide the extension portion 88 on the extension face 88c on the side away from the side wall face 95b in the left-right direction (radial direction of the communication hole). As a result, even if the motor wires 51-53 float from the communication grooves 85c, 95c or the extension grooves 88a during assembly of the cluster block 70, the movement of the floated portions of the motor wires 51-53 can be restricted between the restricting portion 89 and the opposing side wall face 95b. This makes it even more difficult for the covering portions 51b-53b to become caught in the dividing faces P1, P2 near the end faces 85a, 95a.

[0078] The motor wires 51-53 coming out of the cluster block 70 curve to the right along the circumferential direction of the axis C (see FIG. 2). Therefore, when assembling the cluster block 70, the motor wires 51-53 that float from the communicating grooves 85c, 95c and the extension groove 88a tend to be displaced to the right, which could cause the coated portions 51b-53b, etc. to become caught in the dividing surfaces P1, P2 to the right of the communicating grooves 85c, 95c. However, because the extension portion 88 projects from the extension surface 88c on the right side of the extension groove 88a, such displacement of the motor wires 51-53 to the right can be restricted by the extension portion 88. This effectively prevents the coated portions 51b-53b, etc. from becoming caught in the dividing surfaces P1, P2 depending on the direction in which the motor wires 51-53 curve.

[0079] Furthermore, although the restricting portion 89 may protrude from both of the pair of extended surfaces 88b, 88c, it is preferable to have the restricting portion 89 protrude only from the right extended surface 88b. This is because the direction in which the motor wiring 51-53 curves and the presence of the side wall surface 95b make it difficult for the covering portions 51b-53b to become caught in the dividing surfaces P1, P2 on the left side of the communicating grooves 85c, 95c. By not having the restricting portion 89 protrude from this left extended surface 88c, it is possible to reduce the weight of the cluster block 70 and the amount of material used.

[0080] When assembling the cluster block 70, the connection terminals 61-63 are first accommodated in the first individual spaces SA1-SA3 of the first member 80, which are surrounded by the high first outer walls 82-85, making it difficult for the connection terminals 61-63 to tilt. This makes it easier to stably hold the connection terminals 61-63 in the first member 80 during assembly. Furthermore, because the heights of the first inner walls 86, 87 between the first individual spaces SA1-SA3 and the first outer walls 82-85 are approximately the same, it is easier to stably hold the connection terminals 61-63 in the first member 80.

[0081] Furthermore, even though the first individual spaces SA1 to SA3 are surrounded by high first outer walls 82 to 85 and first inner walls 86, 87, the first inner walls 86, 87 are partially omitted, making it easier to store the connection terminals 61 to 63 in the first individual spaces SA1 to SA3 and to remove the connection terminals 61 to 63 from them.

[0082] 7(a) and 7(b), in the vertical direction in which the first plate portion 81 and the second plate portion 91 face each other, the tips (partition plane P1) of the first outer walls 82-85 are located closer to the second plate portion 91 than the vertical center of the tip ends 61b-63b of the connection terminals 61-63 that are in contact with the first plate portion 81. That is, the first outer walls 82-85 are formed relatively higher than the tip ends 61b-63b. This makes it easier for the first member 80 to hold the connection terminals 61-63 more stably when assembling the cluster block 70 by the higher first outer walls 82-85.

[0083] 6(b) and 7(b), a portion of the inner wall portion that partitions the three individual spaces S1, S2, and S3, which individually accommodate the three connection terminals 61 to 63, is formed by overlapping the first inner walls 86 and 87 and the second inner walls 96 and 97. In this overlapping portion, the insulation distance between adjacent connection terminals 61 to 63 is not linear, but instead detours between the first inner walls 86 and 87 and the second inner walls 96 and 97, so that the insulation distance can be ensured. By ensuring this insulation distance, the individual spaces S1, S2, and S3 can be easily brought closer to each other, and the cluster block 70 can be easily made smaller.

[0084] The connection terminals 61 to 63 have connecting portions 61a to 63a that are lower toward the second plate portion 91 than the tip portions 61b to 63b, and the linking portions 61c to 63c that are even lower toward the second plate portion 91 than the connecting portions 61a to 63a. The inner wall portions adjacent to the relatively high tip portions 61b to 63b are formed by overlapping the first inner walls 86, 87 and the second inner walls 96, 97, thereby ensuring the insulation distance as described above.

[0085] In contrast, the inner wall portions between the connecting portions 61c to 63c are formed only by the second inner walls 96, 97. Because the second inner walls 96, 97 rise from the second plate portion 91 to a position higher than the connecting portions 61c to 63c, even if there is no overlap with the first inner walls 86, 87, an insulation distance between the connecting portions 61c to 63c can be ensured by bypassing the second inner walls 96, 97. Furthermore, by partially eliminating the overlap between the first inner walls 86, 87 and the second inner walls 96, 97, it is possible to make the cluster block 70 smaller and lighter, and to reduce the amount of material used for the cluster block 70.

[0086] Adjacent individual spaces S1, S2 are arranged with a shift between them so that the linking portion 61c in individual space S1 and the connecting portion 62a in individual space S2 are adjacent to each other. Similarly, adjacent individual spaces S2, S3 are arranged with a shift between them so that the linking portion 62c in individual space S2 and the connecting portion 63a in individual space S3 are adjacent to each other. The inner wall portions between these connecting portions 62a, 63a and the linking portions 61c, 62c are also formed only by second inner walls 96, 97.

[0087] Even in such a case, because the second inner walls 96, 97 rise from the second plate portion 91 to a position higher than the connecting portions 62a, 63a and the linking portions 61c, 62c, an insulation distance can be ensured between the connecting portions 62a, 63a and the linking portions 61c, 62c, as well as between the linking portions 61c-63c. Furthermore, the area where the overlap between the first inner walls 86, 87 and the second inner walls 96, 97 can be omitted can be expanded, making it easier to further reduce the size of the cluster block 70.

[0088] Next, a cluster block fixing structure for assembling the cluster block 70 to the bobbin 42 of the electric motor 30 will be described. As shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the bottom surface (lower surface) of the second plate portion 91, which is the bottom plate of the cluster block 70, contacts the axial end faces 42d, 42e of the bobbin 42. The axial end face 42e is located lower than the axial end face 42d, and the bottom surface of the second plate portion 91 is configured to absorb the difference in height therebetween. Specifically, the bottom surface of the second plate portion 91 has adjustment protrusions 91b, 91c that protrude downward at positions corresponding to the axial end face 42e, and the lower ends of the adjustment protrusions 91b, 91c contact the axial end face 42e.

[0089] A first through-hole 91a that passes through the second plate portion 91 in the up-down direction is formed in a portion of the second plate portion 91 that protrudes outward beyond the second outer wall 94. A protrusion 45 that is inserted into this first through-hole 91a protrudes from the axial end surface 42d of the bobbin 42. This basically restricts movement of the cluster block 70 relative to the bobbin 42 in any direction other than upward.

[0090] Furthermore, the tip of the protrusion 45 inserted into the first through-hole 91a is positioned higher than the second plate portion 91, and the protruding portion 46 protrudes from the tip toward the outside in the radial direction of the axis C. This causes a part of the second plate portion 91 around the first through-hole 91a to face the protruding portion 46 in the up-down direction. As a result, when the cluster block 70 is moved upward relative to the bobbin 42, the second plate portion 91 catches on the protruding portion 46, thereby restricting the upward movement.

[0091] A wall portion 91d having a restriction surface 91e that faces the first through-hole 91a and the direction in which the protrusion 45 protrudes rises downward from the bottom surface of the second plate portion 91. In this embodiment, the first through-hole 91a is shifted rearward in the circumferential direction from the front position of the restriction surface 91e when viewed in the vertical direction. The wall portion 91d is connected to the adjustment protrusion 91c so that the restriction surface 91e rises from the adjustment protrusion 91c. When the protrusion 45 is inserted into the first through-hole 91a and a portion of the second plate portion 91 around the first through-hole 91a and the protrusion 46 face each other vertically, the restriction surface 91e abuts against an abutment surface 42f, which is the inner circumferential wall surface of the inner circumferential wall portion 42c.

[0092] As a result, even if the second plate portion 91 is moved relative to the protruding portion 46 in the direction in which the protruding portion 46 protrudes so as to release the opposing relationship between the second plate portion 91 and the protruding portion 46, the relative movement is restricted by the contact between the restricting surface 91e and the contact surface 42f, and the release of the opposing relationship can be suppressed. As a result, the cluster block 70 is less likely to come off the bobbin 42.

[0093] On the other hand, when assembling the cluster block 70 to the bobbin 42, first, the second plate portion 91 is tilted so that the wall portion 91d side of the second plate portion 91 is away from the inner peripheral wall portion 42c of the bobbin 42, and then the overhanging portion 46 and the protruding portion 45 are inserted into the first through hole 91a. Note that the length of the first through hole 91a in the direction in which the overhanging portion 46 overhangs is greater than the sum of the overhang amount L1 of the overhanging portion 46 from the protruding portion 45 to the tip of the overhanging portion 46 and the thickness L2 of the dimension of the protruding portion 45 in the direction in which the overhanging portion 46 overhangs. This makes it easier to insert the protruding portion 45 and the overhanging portion 46 into the first through hole 91a.

[0094] After insertion into the first through-hole 91a, the wall portion 91d side of the second plate portion 91 is tilted using the first through-hole 91a as a fulcrum, so that the second plate portion 91 contacts the axial end faces 42d, 42e of the bobbin 42, and the restricting surface 91e faces the abutment surface 42f. In this way, the cluster block 70 can be easily assembled to the bobbin 42. As a result, it is possible to achieve both ease of assembly of the cluster block 70 to the bobbin 42 and resistance to removal after assembly.

[0095] The extension amount L1 of the extension portion 46 is equal to or greater than half the thickness L2 of the protruding portion 45 within the first through-hole 91a. Since the extension amount L1 is secured to a certain extent in this manner, it is possible to prevent the extension portion 46 from coming out of the first through-hole 91a and releasing the opposition between the second plate portion 91 and the extension portion 46 due to deformation of the protruding portion 45 and the extension portion 46. This makes it more difficult for the cluster block 70 to come off the bobbin 42.

[0096] The second plate portion 91 is continuous with the entire circumference of the first through hole 91a, and the first through hole 91a is not open all the way around. This makes it difficult for the second plate portion 91 around the first through hole 91a to deform, which prevents the protruding portion 46 from coming out of the first through hole 91a due to the deformation and thus prevents the second plate portion 91 and the protruding portion 46 from being released from opposing each other. This makes it even more difficult for the cluster block 70 to come off the bobbin 42.

[0097] Because the motor wires 51-53 extending from the cluster block 70 are curved in the circumferential direction about the axis C, a force is applied radially outward to the cluster block 70 relative to the bobbin 42 of the electric motor 30 due to the elastic reaction force of the motor wires 51-53. Because the abutment surface 42f is an inner peripheral wall surface of the bobbin 42 facing radially inward, this elastic reaction force presses the restriction surface 91e of the cluster block 70 against the abutment surface 42f. In this way, the elastic reaction force of the motor wires 51-53 makes it easier to maintain the abutment between the abutment surface 42f and the restriction surface 91e, thereby improving the radial positioning accuracy of the cluster block 70 relative to the bobbin 42.

[0098] 2 and 7(b), a second through-hole 91f that passes through the second plate portion 91 in the up-down direction is formed in a portion of the second plate portion 91 that protrudes outward beyond the second outer wall 92. The second through-hole 91f is provided at a position away from the first through-hole 91a in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the protruding portion 46 protrudes (the front-rear direction of the cluster block 70).

[0099] An insertion portion 47 that can be inserted into this second through-hole 91f protrudes from the axial end surface 42d of the bobbin 42. The insertion portion 47 is a pin whose entire outer circumferential surface is exposed, and does not have a portion that protrudes radially like the protrusion 46. The dimensions of the insertion portion 47 are set so that it fits into the second through-hole 91f with a slight gap.

[0100] After assembling the cluster block 70 to the bobbin 42 by inserting the insertion portion 47 into the second through-hole 91f, tilting the cluster block 70 only in the direction in which the overhanging portion 46 overhangs, using the first through-hole 91a as a fulcrum, would be difficult because the second plate portion 91 and the insertion portion 47 around the second through-hole 91f would interfere with each other. On the other hand, tilting the cluster block 70 so as to lift the straight line connecting the wall portion 91d and the second through-hole 91f, using the first through-hole 91a as a fulcrum, would make it easier to tilt the cluster block 70, preventing the second plate portion 91 and the insertion portion 47, and the abutment surface 42f and the restricting surface 91e from interfering with each other. This tilting allows the cluster block 70 to be easily removed from the bobbin 42 and easily assembled. Therefore, if an operator understands how to assemble the cluster block 70, the ease of assembly can be reduced. Furthermore, limiting the method for removing the cluster block 70 can prevent unintended removal.

[0101] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8(a) and 8(b). In the first embodiment, a case where the first through hole 91a is not open over the entire circumference will be described. In contrast, in the second embodiment, a case where the first through hole 102 is partially open will be described. Note that the same parts as in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the following description will be omitted. Figure 8(a) is a top view of an electric compressor having a cluster block 100 in the second embodiment. Figure 8(b) is a perspective view of a connector having the cluster block 100.

[0102] Instead of the first through hole 91a in the first embodiment, a first through hole 102 is formed in the second plate portion 91 of the second member 90 of the cluster block 100. Except for this first through hole 102 and its surroundings, the cluster block 100 and the cluster block 70 of the first embodiment are configured identically.

[0103] A rear portion of the radially outer side of the first through-hole 102 opens to the radially outer edge of the second plate portion 91. As a result, the front side of the second plate portion 91 around the first through-hole 102 is formed by a hook portion 103, the tip of which extends radially outward and is bent rearward into a claw shape.

[0104] When assembling the cluster block 100 to the bobbin 42, first, the insertion portion 47 is inserted into the second through-hole 91f so that the hook portion 103 is positioned radially inward from the protrusion 45, and the lower surface of the second plate portion 91 is brought into contact with the axial end faces 42d, 42e of the bobbin 42. Thereafter, the hook portion 103 is rotated around the insertion portion 47, and elastically deformed while being pressed against the protrusion 45, so that the hook portion 103 is hooked onto the protrusion 45 below the overhang 46. This allows the cluster block 100 to be easily assembled to the bobbin 42.

[0105] Furthermore, the direction in which hook portion 103 is pressed against protrusion 45 during assembly is the same as the direction of the force applied to cluster block 70 relative to bobbin 42 by the elastic reaction force of motor wiring 51 to 53. Therefore, by utilizing this elastic reaction force, hook portion 103 can be pressed against protrusion 45 to cause elastic deformation, making it easier to hook hook portion 103 onto protrusion 45.

[0106] In the second embodiment in which the first through-hole 102 is opened by the hook portion 103, the cluster block 100 may be assembled to the bobbin 42 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Specifically, after the protrusion 45 and the overhanging portion 46 are inserted into the first through-hole 102, the wall portion 91d side of the second plate portion 91 may be tilted using the first through-hole 102 as a fulcrum, so that the second plate portion 91 comes into contact with the axial end face 42e.

[0107] A pair of attachment portions 104 that are hooked onto the wall portion 91d protrude from the contact surface 42f of the bobbin 42 in the second embodiment. Except for the provision of the attachment portions 104, the bobbin 42 in the first embodiment and the bobbin 42 in the second embodiment have the same configuration.

[0108] The pair of mounting portions 104 protrude radially inward from the abutment surface 42f along both circumferential sides of the wall portion 91d, where the restriction surface 91e abuts against the abutment surface 42f, and are formed with their tips bent toward each other in a claw-like shape. The tips of the mounting portions 104 abut against the radial inner surface of the wall portion 91d. The pair of mounting portions 104 makes it easier to maintain the abutment between the abutment surface 42f and the restriction surface 91e, further improving the radial positioning accuracy of the cluster block 100 relative to the bobbin 42.

[0109] When the pair of mounting portions 104 are hooked onto the wall portion 91d, the wall portion 91d is pressed against the pair of mounting portions 104, causing the pair of mounting portions 104 to elastically deform in directions away from each other. Note that, as in the first embodiment, after inserting the protruding portion 45 into the first through hole 102, the wall portion 91d side of the second plate portion 91 may be tilted using the first through hole 102 as a fulcrum, and the mounting portions 104 may be hooked onto the wall portion 91d when the second plate portion 91 is brought into contact with the axial end face 42e. In this case, the number of steps required to press the wall portion 91d against the pair of mounting portions 104 increases slightly.

[0110] However, in this embodiment, as described above, after the second plate portion 91 is brought into contact with the axial end faces 42d, 42e, the hook portion 103 can be rotated around the insertion portion 47 to hook the hook portion 103 onto the protrusion 45. Therefore, the attachment portion 104 can be hooked onto the wall portion 91d simultaneously with this rotation, so even when the attachment portion 104 is provided, the cluster block 100 can be easily assembled to the bobbin 42 with almost no increase in the number of steps.

[0111] Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9(a). In the first embodiment, an extension portion 88 and a restriction portion 89 are provided on the first member 80. In contrast, in the third embodiment, an extension portion 111 and a restriction portion 115 are provided on the second member 90. Note that the same parts as in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the following description will be omitted. Fig. 9(a) is a perspective view of a cluster block 110 in the third embodiment.

[0112] The cluster block 110 is configured identically to the cluster block 70 in the first embodiment, except that the extension portion 88 and the regulating portion 89 are omitted from the first member 80, and an extension portion 111 and a regulating portion 115 are provided on the second member 90.

[0113] The extension portions 111 are portions that protrude rearward from each of the three end faces 95a of the second member 90, and three extension portions 111 are provided in total. The extension portion 111 includes an extension groove 112 that extends the communication groove 95c (see FIG. 4) rearward, and a pair of extension surfaces 113, 114 that are provided on both the left and right sides of the extension groove 112 (on both radial sides of the communication hole) and extend the dividing plane P2. The extension groove 112 is formed over the entire length of the extension portion 111 in the front-to-rear direction. The extension surface 113 is a portion on the left side of the extension groove 112. The extension surface 114 is a portion on the right side of the extension groove 112. The extension surface 114 is a boundary between the restriction portion 115 and the extension portion 111, and is hidden by the restriction portion 115, so the extension surface 114 is shown by a dashed line in FIG. 9(a).

[0114] According to such an extension 111 of the second member 90, like the extension 88 of the first member 80 in the first embodiment, it is possible to make it difficult for the covering portions 51b to 53b, etc. to become caught in the parting surfaces P1, P2 near the end faces 85a, 95a. Moreover, since the first member 80 does not have the extension 88, it is possible to prevent the covering portions 51b to 53b, etc. from becoming caught between the extension 88 and the extension surfaces 113, 114 of the extension 111.

[0115] The restricting portion 115 is a portion that protrudes straight upward from the entire surface of the right-side extension surface 114, and protrudes upward beyond the dividing surface P2. The restricting portion 115 is formed along the end surface 85a of the first member 80. Similar to the restricting portion 89 of the first member 80 in the first embodiment, the restricting portion 115 makes it more difficult for the covering portions 51b to 53b to become caught in the dividing surfaces P1 and P2 near the end surfaces 85a and 95a.

[0116] Furthermore, as in the first embodiment, the movement of the motor wiring 51-53 is restricted between the restricting portion 115 and the opposing side wall surface 85b, and since the restricting portion 115 is located in the direction in which the motor wiring 51-53 curves, it is even more difficult for the covering portions 51b-53b, etc. to become caught in the dividing surfaces P1, P2.

[0117] Furthermore, no restricting portion 115 is provided on the left extended surface 113, and the entire extended surface 113 is exposed. As in the first embodiment, by not providing the restricting portion 115 on the left side where the covering portions 51b to 53b etc. are less likely to get caught, it is possible to reduce the weight of the cluster block 110 and the amount of material used.

[0118] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9(b). In the first embodiment, an extension portion 88 and a restriction portion 89 are provided on the first member 80, and an extension portion 111 and a restriction portion 115 are not provided on the second member 90. In contrast, in the fourth embodiment, a case will be described in which extension portions 88, 111 and restriction portions are provided on both the first member 80 and the second member 90. Note that the same parts as in the first and third embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and the following description will be omitted. Fig. 9(b) is a perspective view of a cluster block 120 in the fourth embodiment.

[0119] The first member 80 of the cluster block 120 is configured substantially the same as the first member 80 of the cluster block 70 in the first embodiment, except that the restricting portion 89 is replaced with a first restricting portion 121. The second member 90 of the cluster block 120 is configured substantially the same as the second member 90 of the cluster block 110 in the third embodiment, except that the restricting portion 115 is replaced with a second restricting portion 122.

[0120] In the assembled state of the cluster block 120 where the dividing surfaces P1, P2 of the first member 80 and the second member 90 are aligned, the extended surface 88b of the extended portion 88 of the first member 80 and the extended surface 113 of the extended portion 111 of the second member 90 are aligned. However, since the extended surface 113 protrudes toward the extension grooves 88a, 112 relative to the extended surface 88b, it is difficult for the covering portions 51b to 53b, etc. to become caught between the extended surfaces 88b, 113.

[0121] The first restricting portion 121 is a portion that protrudes straight downward from the right-side extended surface 88c, and protrudes downward beyond the dividing surface P1. The first restricting portion 121 is formed along the end surface 95a of the second member 90. A portion of the extended portion 111 is removed so as to avoid the first restricting portion 121 (so that the first restricting portion 121 can fit). The second restricting portion 122 is a portion that protrudes straight upward from the right-side extended surface 114, and protrudes upward beyond the dividing surface P2. The second restricting portion 122 is formed along the first restricting portion 121. A portion of the extended portion 88 is removed so as to avoid the second restricting portion 122 (so that the second restricting portion 122 can fit).

[0122] As a result, similarly to the first and third embodiments, even if the motor wiring 51-53 floats from the extension grooves 88a, 112 during assembly of the cluster block 120, the movement of the floated portions of the motor wiring 51-53 can be restricted by the first restricting portion 121 and the second restricting portion 122. As a result, it is possible to prevent the covering portions 51b-53b, etc. from getting caught on the extension surfaces 88b, 113 and the dividing surfaces P1, P2.

[0123] Furthermore, in the assembled state, the first and second restricting portions 121 and 122, which rise vertically from the extension surfaces 88c and 114, overlap along the extension grooves 88a and 112. When assembling the cluster block 70 by bringing the first member 80 and the second member 90 relatively closer in the vertical direction, the first and second restricting portions 121 and 122 slide against each other. This makes it less likely that the covering portions 51b to 53b will become caught between the sliding first and second restricting portions 121 and 122, compared to between the extension surfaces 88c and 114 or between the dividing surfaces P1 and P2, which gradually move closer in the vertical direction during assembly.

[0124] The present invention has been described above based on an embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it can be easily inferred that various improvements and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0125] For example, although the above description has been given of a case in which the electric compressor 11 equipped with the cluster blocks 70, 100, 110, and 120 is mounted on the vehicle 1, the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in Fig. 10(a), the electric compressor 11 equipped with the cluster blocks 70, 100, 110, and 120 may be mounted on an air conditioner 130 for blowing cool air into the interior of a building, etc. This air conditioner 130 generates cool air using the electric compressor 11, which mainly includes an electric motor 30 and an accumulator 12, similar to the air conditioner 10 described in the above embodiment.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 10(b), the electric compressor 11 including the cluster blocks 70, 100, 110, and 120 may be mounted on a refrigerator 140. Similar to the air conditioner 10 described in the above embodiment, the refrigerator 140 generates cold air using the electric compressor 11, which mainly includes the electric motor 30 and the accumulator 12, and cools the interior of the refrigerator with the cold air.

[0127] In the first embodiment, the first through-hole 91a is shifted rearward in the circumferential direction from the front position of the restriction surface 91e. However, this is not limiting. For example, the first through-hole 91a may be shifted forward in the circumferential direction from the front position of the restriction surface 91e. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), the cluster block 150 may be configured so that the first through-hole 91a is located in front of the restriction surface 91e. The restriction surface 91e is considered to face the first through-hole 91a both when the first through-hole 91a is located in front of the restriction surface 91e and when the first through-hole 91a is shifted from the front position.

[0128] 11(a) and 11(b), similar to FIG. 3, almost all ridgelines of the cluster block 150 are illustrated. The cluster block 150 is essentially identical to the cluster block 70 of the first embodiment, except that the portion of the second plate portion 91 that protrudes outward beyond the second outer wall 94 is extended forward in the circumferential direction. This protruding portion has multiple holes formed therethrough, in addition to the first through-hole 91a, and multiple steps formed therein, thereby reducing the thickness of the second plate portion 91. The lower end of the adjustment protrusion 91c of the cluster block 150 has two recesses recessed upward along the restriction surface 91e, forming the adjustment protrusion 91c in an E-shape to reduce the thickness. The number or shape of these multiple holes, steps, and recesses may be changed as appropriate, and these holes, steps, and recesses may also be applied to the cluster block 70, etc.

[0129] Furthermore, in the cluster block 150, the adjustment protrusion 91b is divided into three in the front-to-rear direction compared to the cluster block 70. The adjustment protrusion 91b of the cluster block 150 may be one, two, or four or more, and the adjustment protrusion 91b of the cluster block 70 etc. may be divided into two or more in the front-to-rear direction. Note that, compared to the first embodiment, the bobbin 42 to which the cluster block 150 is attached has the protrusion 45 moved to a position where it can be inserted into the first through-hole 91a.

[0130] In the above embodiment, three individual spaces S1-S3 are formed in the cluster block 70, 100, 110, 120, 150. However, for example, one, two, four or more individual spaces may be formed. The number of individual spaces may be the same as the number of connection terminals 61-63 provided at the ends of the motor wires 51-53 drawn from the electric motor 30. Furthermore, depending on the number of individual spaces, the number of inner walls separating them may be one or three or more, and the numbers of communication holes (communication grooves 85c, 95c), end faces 85a, 95a, extensions 88, 111, etc. may be changed as appropriate.

[0131] In the above embodiment, the cluster blocks 70, 100, 110, 120, and 150 are divided into two members at the dividing planes P1 and P2, but the cluster blocks 70, 100, 110, 120, and 150 may be composed of a single member, or may be composed of three or more members. When the cluster blocks 70, 100, 110, 120, and 150 are composed of a single member, the extensions 88 and 111, the restricting portions 89 and 115, the first restricting portion 121, and the second restricting portion 122, which are provided to prevent jamming at the dividing planes P1 and P2, may be omitted. Furthermore, when the cluster blocks 70, 100, 110, 120, and 150 are constructed from a single member, the inner wall portions that partition the individual spaces S1 to S3 are integrated with the first plate portion 81 and the second plate portion 91, respectively, so that the inner wall portions do not have to be formed by overlapping the first inner walls 86, 87 and the second inner walls 96, 97.

[0132] In the above embodiment, the restriction surface 91e of the wall portion 91d faces radially outward, and the overhang portion 46 overhangs radially outward from the protrusion 45. However, this is not necessarily limited to this. As long as the direction in which the restriction surface 91e faces and the direction in which the overhang portion 46 overhangs from the protrusion 45 are the same when viewed in the vertical direction, these directions may be radially inward or circumferential. Note that, when viewed in the vertical direction, the direction in which the restriction surface 91e faces and the direction in which the overhang portion 46 overhangs from the protrusion 45 are not necessarily limited to the case in which a line substantially perpendicular to the restriction surface 91e and a line passing through the center of the overhang portion 46 in the width direction (circumferential direction) are parallel. Even if they are slightly deviated (for example, by 10 degrees) from the parallel state, the direction in which the restriction surface 91e faces and the direction in which the overhang portion 46 overhangs from the protrusion 45 are the same.

[0133] Furthermore, the positions of the wall portion 91d, the first through holes 91a, 102, the second through hole 91f, etc. may be changed as appropriate, and the positions of the abutment surface 42f, the protrusion 45, and the insertion portion 47 may be changed accordingly. For example, the abutment surface 42f is not limited to the inner circumferential wall surface of the inner circumferential wall portion 42c, but may also be the inner circumferential wall surface or the outer circumferential wall surface of the outer cylinder wall portion 42a. When the outer circumferential wall surface of the outer cylinder wall portion 42a is the abutment surface 42f, the radially inner surface of the wall portion 91d becomes the restriction surface 91e.

[0134] In the above embodiment, the protrusion amount L1 of the protrusion portion 46 is more than half the thickness L2 of the protrusion portion 45 in the first through hole 91a, and the sum of the protrusion amount L1 and the thickness L2 is greater than the length of the first through hole 91a in the direction in which the protrusion portion 46 protrudes, but these dimensional relationships may be changed as appropriate.

[0135] In the above embodiment, the inner wall portions that partition the individual spaces S1 to S3 are formed by partially overlapping the first inner walls 86, 87 and the second inner walls 96, 97, but this is not necessarily limited to this. The first inner walls 86, 87 may be formed over the entire length in the front-to-rear direction from the first outer wall 84 to the first outer wall 85, and the entire inner wall portion may be formed by overlapping the first inner walls 86, 87 and the second inner walls 96, 97. In this case, for example, the insulation distance between the coupling portions 61c to 63c and the insulation distance between the connecting portions 62a, 63a and the coupling portions 61c, 62c can be increased.

[0136] Furthermore, as long as the necessary insulating distance can be ensured between the connection terminals 61 to 63, the overlap between the first inner walls 86, 87 and the second inner walls 96, 97 may be omitted as appropriate. For example, the shape (height relationship) of each part of the connection terminals 61 to 63 may be appropriately changed to change the insulating distance required therebetween, thereby changing the position at which the first inner walls 86, 87 and the second inner walls 96, 97 must overlap. Furthermore, in cases where the connection terminals 61 to 63 are partially recessed upward, the first member 80 may be the second member, the second member 90 may be the first member, and the first inner walls of the replaced first member may be partially omitted to correspond to the position of the upward recess.

[0137] In the above embodiment, the individual spaces S1 to S3 are arranged with a shift in the front-to-rear direction, but this is not necessarily limited to this. The front and rear ends of the individual spaces S1 to S3 may be aligned, or the shift may be changed as appropriate. The inner wall portions between the connecting portions 61a to 63a may be formed by overlapping the first inner walls 86, 87 and the second inner walls 96, 97, depending on the insulation distance required between the connecting portions 61a to 63a, or may be formed only by the second inner walls 96, 97. Furthermore, when the rear ends of the individual spaces S1 to S3 are aligned, the end faces 85a around the three communication holes (communication grooves 85c, 95c) are also aligned.

[0138] In the above embodiment, a total of three extensions 88 extend from the end face 85a around each of the three communicating holes, and a total of three extensions 111 extend from the end face 95a around each of the three communicating holes, but this is not limiting. For example, one or two extensions 88 may extend from the end face 85a around one or two of the three communicating holes, and one or two extensions 111 may extend from the end face 95a around one or two of the three communicating holes. This is true both when the end face 85a around the three communicating holes is aligned and when the end face 85a is separate for each communicating hole.

[0139] In the above embodiment, the dividing planes P1 and P2 between the first member 80 and the second member 90 are located below (toward the second member 90) the axes of the motor wiring 51-53 housed in the communicating grooves 85c and 95c. However, this is not necessarily limited to this. The dividing planes P1 and P2 may pass through the axes of the motor wiring 51-53, or may be located above (toward the first member 80) the axes. Note that when the dividing planes P1 and P2 are located above the axes, the first member 80 provided with the insertion hole 81a may be the second member, and the second member 90 on the bobbin side may be the first member. Alternatively, the cluster blocks 70, 100, 110, 120, and 150 may be turned upside down, and the insertion hole 81a may be provided in the upper second member 90. Furthermore, depending on the positions of the dividing planes P1 and P2, the first outer walls 82 to 85 or the second outer walls 92 to 95 may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 10 Air conditioning system (vehicle equipment) 11 Electric compressor 20 Compression section 30 Electric motor 51, 52, 53 Motor wiring 51a,52a,53a Conductor 51b,52b,53b Abdomen 56 Control circuit 56a, 56b, 56c Mating terminal 61, 62, 63 Connection terminals 61a, 62a, 63a Connections 61b,62b,63b Tip 61c,62c,63c connection part 70, 100, 110, 120, 150 cluster blocks 81 1st plate part 82, 83, 84, 85 First outer wall (part of the outer wall) 86, 87 First inner wall (part of the inner wall) 91 2nd plate part 92, 93, 94, 95 Second outer wall (part of the outer wall) 96,97 Second inner wall (part of the inner wall) 130 Air conditioning equipment 140 Refrigerator S1,S2,S3 Individual space

Claims

1. An insulating cluster block provided in an electric compressor including: a compression unit that compresses a fluid; an electric motor that drives the compression unit; a control circuit that controls the drive of the electric motor; a plurality of motor wires drawn from the electric motor; and a plurality of connection terminals that are provided at the ends of the plurality of motor wires and are electrically connected to mating terminals on the control circuit side, a first plate portion and a second plate portion facing each other with the plurality of connection terminals interposed therebetween; an outer circumferential wall that connects an outer circumferential portion of the first plate portion and an outer circumferential portion of the second plate portion to form an accommodation space between the first plate portion and the second plate portion; one or more inner wall portions that partition the accommodating space into a plurality of individual spaces that accommodate the plurality of connection terminals individually, The inner wall portion includes a first inner wall rising from the first plate portion toward the second plate portion; a second inner wall rising from the second plate portion toward the first plate portion, The cluster block according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the inner wall portion is formed by overlapping the first inner wall and the second inner wall.

2. The motor wiring is formed by covering a conductor with an insulating covering portion, the connection terminal includes a tubular connecting portion that covers the covering portion, a tip portion that is connected to the mating terminal, and a connecting portion that connects the tip portion and the connecting portion and is formed lower toward the second plate portion than the tip portion, the inner wall portion adjacent to the tip portion is formed by overlapping the first inner wall and the second inner wall, 2. The cluster block according to claim 1, wherein the inner wall portion between the connecting portions is formed solely by the second inner wall rising from the second plate portion to a position higher than the connecting portion.

3. The connection portion is formed lower on the second plate portion side than the tip portion, The adjacent individual spaces are arranged so as to be shifted from each other such that the connection portion in one individual space and the coupling portion in the other individual space are adjacent to each other, The cluster block according to claim 2, characterized in that the inner wall portion between the connection portion and the connecting portion is formed only by the second inner wall that rises from the second plate portion to a position higher than the connection portion and the connecting portion.

4. the outer peripheral wall includes a first outer wall that rises from the first plate portion toward the second plate portion, is continuous with the first inner wall, and has a tip that abuts against the second plate portion side, A cluster block as described in claim 2, characterized in that in the opposing direction between the first plate portion and the second plate portion, the tip of the first outer wall is located closer to the second plate portion than the center of the tip portion that contacts the first plate portion.

5. An electric motor to which the cluster block according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is assembled.

6. 5. An electric compressor comprising: the cluster block according to claim 1; the compression unit; the electric motor; the control circuit; the motor wiring; and the connection terminal.

7. An air conditioner equipped with the electric compressor according to claim 6.

8. A refrigerator equipped with the electric compressor according to claim 6.

9. An in-vehicle device equipped with the electric compressor according to claim 6.

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