Electric compressor

Abstract

To improve the reliability of electric compressors. [Solution] When the pressure inside the second chamber 57 rises due to refrigerant gas leaking through the support plate sealing material 44 and reaches a predetermined pressure, the sealing part 74 discharges the refrigerant gas inside the second chamber 57 to the outside of the housing 11. Therefore, the problem of malfunction occurring in the electric compressor 10 due to the circuit board 27 being exposed to refrigerant gas while the circuit board 27 is in operation is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] An electric compressor includes a compression part, a motor, an inverter, and a housing. The compression part compresses refrigerant gas. The motor drives the compression part. The inverter drives the motor. The housing partitions a motor chamber and an inverter chamber. The motor chamber houses the motor. Refrigerant gas is inhaled into the motor chamber. The inverter chamber houses the inverter. The housing has a partition wall. The partition wall separates the motor chamber and the inverter chamber.

[0003] For example, as in Patent Document 1, an electric compressor includes an airtight terminal. The airtight terminal seals the motor chamber and the inverter chamber. The airtight terminal electrically connects the motor and the inverter.

[0004] The inverter has a circuit board and connection terminals. The connection terminals connect the airtight terminal and the circuit board. A partition wall through-hole is formed in the partition wall. The partition wall through-hole penetrates the partition wall so as to open to the motor chamber and the inverter chamber respectively.

[0005] The airtight terminal has a conductive member, a support plate, and a support plate sealing material. The conductive member is inserted into the partition wall through-hole. The first end of the conductive member is connected to the motor in the motor chamber, and the second end is connected to the connection terminal in the inverter chamber. The support plate is provided in the motor chamber or the inverter chamber. The support plate supports the conductive member. The support plate is fixed to the partition wall. The support plate sealing material is provided between the support plate and the partition wall. The support plate sealing material seals so as to suppress the refrigerant gas in the motor chamber from leaking into the inverter chamber.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2024 / 190809 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In such electric compressors, refrigerant gas from the motor chamber may leak into the inverter chamber through the support plate seal. When refrigerant gas leaks into the inverter chamber, the circuit board may be exposed to the refrigerant gas. If the circuit board is exposed to the refrigerant gas while it is in operation, there is a risk of malfunction in the electric compressor. Consequently, the reliability of the electric compressor is reduced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An electric compressor that solves the above problems comprises a compression section for compressing refrigerant gas, a motor for driving the compression section, an inverter for driving the motor, a housing that partitions the motor chamber, which houses the motor and from which refrigerant gas is drawn, and an inverter chamber, which houses the inverter, and has a partition wall separating the motor chamber and the inverter chamber, and an airtight terminal that seals the motor chamber and the inverter chamber and electrically connects the motor and the inverter, the inverter having a circuit board and a connection terminal that connects the airtight terminal and the circuit board, the partition wall has a through-hole that penetrates through to open into the motor chamber and the inverter chamber respectively, the airtight terminal is inserted into the through-hole, and its first end is connected to the motor in the motor chamber, An electric compressor having a conductive member whose second end is connected to the connection terminal in the inverter chamber, a support plate provided in the motor chamber or the inverter chamber and supporting the conductive member and fixed to the partition wall, and a support plate sealing material provided between the support plate and the partition wall and sealing to prevent refrigerant gas in the motor chamber from leaking into the inverter chamber, wherein the housing is provided with an outlet for discharging refrigerant gas in the inverter chamber to the outside of the housing, the outlet is sealed by a sealing part, and when the pressure in the inverter chamber rises due to refrigerant gas leaking through the support plate sealing material and reaches a predetermined pressure, the sealing part discharges the refrigerant gas in the inverter chamber to the outside of the housing.

[0009] According to this design, when the pressure inside the inverter chamber rises due to refrigerant gas leaking through the support plate seal material and reaches a predetermined pressure, the sealing section discharges the refrigerant gas from inside the inverter chamber to the outside of the housing. Therefore, it is possible to avoid problems such as malfunctions in the electric compressor caused by the circuit board being exposed to refrigerant gas while the circuit board is in operation. As a result, the reliability of the electric compressor can be improved.

[0010] In the above-described electric compressor, the inverter chamber is divided into a first chamber housing the circuit board and a second chamber isolated from the first chamber, where refrigerant gas leaking from the motor chamber through the support plate seal material accumulates. The second chamber is divided by a partition wall and a support plate. Between the partition wall and the support plate, an annular outer-circumferential support plate seal material is provided that seals the space between them on the outer circumference side of the support plate seal material. The discharge port is provided between the sealing surface of the partition wall with the support plate seal material and the sealing surface of the outer-circumferential support plate seal material. The pressure resistance of the outer-circumferential support plate seal material is preferably higher than the predetermined pressure reached when the pressure in the second chamber rises due to the refrigerant gas leaking through the support plate seal material.

[0011] According to this design, refrigerant gas leaking from the motor chamber through the support plate seal accumulates in the second chamber. Here, the second chamber is isolated from the first chamber. The circuit board is housed in the first chamber. Therefore, problems such as malfunctions in the electric compressor due to the circuit board being exposed to refrigerant gas while it is in operation can be avoided. Furthermore, the pressure resistance of the outer peripheral support plate seal is higher than a predetermined pressure reached by the pressure increase in the second chamber due to refrigerant gas leaking through the support plate seal. Therefore, the outer peripheral support plate seal can prevent refrigerant gas in the second chamber from leaking into the first chamber from between the partition wall and the support plate.

[0012] In the above-described electric compressor, the inverter chamber is divided into a first chamber housing the circuit board and a second chamber isolated from the first chamber, where refrigerant gas leaking from the motor chamber through the support plate seal material accumulates. The second chamber is divided by the support plate, the partition wall, and a bottomed cylindrical partition wall. A bottom wall insertion hole is formed in the bottom wall of the partition wall into which the second end of the conductive member is inserted. Between the side wall of the partition wall and the partition wall, there is a space between them on the outer circumference side of the support plate seal material. An annular first compartment wall sealing material is provided to seal the compartment wall, and a second compartment wall sealing material is provided between the compartment wall and the airtight terminal so as to surround the bottom wall insertion hole and to seal the space between them, and the discharge port is provided between the sealing surface of the partition wall with the support plate sealing material and the sealing surface of the first compartment wall sealing material, and the pressure resistance of the first compartment wall sealing material and the pressure resistance of the second compartment wall sealing material are preferably higher than the predetermined pressure reached when the pressure of the second chamber rises due to the refrigerant gas leaked through the support plate sealing material.

[0013] According to this, refrigerant gas leaking from the motor chamber through the support plate seal accumulates in the second chamber. Here, the second chamber is isolated from the first chamber. The circuit board is housed in the first chamber. Therefore, it is possible to avoid problems such as malfunctions in the electric compressor caused by the circuit board being exposed to refrigerant gas while the circuit board is in operation. Furthermore, the pressure resistance of the first compartment wall seal is higher than a predetermined pressure reached when the pressure in the second chamber rises due to the refrigerant gas leaking through the support plate seal. Therefore, the first compartment wall seal can prevent refrigerant gas in the second chamber from leaking into the first chamber from between the side wall and the partition wall of the compartment wall. Furthermore, the pressure resistance of the second compartment wall seal is higher than a predetermined pressure reached when the pressure in the second chamber rises due to the refrigerant gas leaking through the support plate seal. Therefore, the second compartment wall seal can prevent refrigerant gas in the second chamber from leaking into the first chamber from between the compartment wall and the airtight terminal.

[0014] In the electric compressor described above, the airtight terminal has a glass member that insulates and seals the space between the support plate and the conductive member, the bottom wall of the partition wall is provided with a bottom wall recess for housing the second partition wall sealing material, the bottom wall insertion hole is formed in the bottom wall recess, the second partition wall sealing material is housed in the bottom wall recess so as to seal the space between the bottom wall recess and the glass member, and at least one of the support plate and the second partition wall sealing material is provided with a communication groove that extends from the glass member toward the second chamber and communicates with the support plate and the second partition wall sealing material.

[0015] According to this design, the space between the bottom wall recess and the glass member is sealed by the second compartment wall sealant. Therefore, it is possible to prevent refrigerant gas leaking into the second chamber from leaking into the first chamber through the bottom wall insertion hole. Furthermore, at least one of the support plate and the second compartment wall sealant is provided with a communication groove that extends from the glass member toward the second chamber and communicates with it. As a result, refrigerant gas leaking from the motor chamber through the glass member leaks into the second chamber through the communication groove and remains in the second chamber. Therefore, it is possible to avoid problems such as malfunctions in the electric compressor caused by the circuit board being exposed to refrigerant gas while the circuit board is in operation. Consequently, the reliability of the electric compressor can be improved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] This invention makes it possible to improve the reliability of electric compressors. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the electric compressor in the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of an electric compressor. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of an electric compressor. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the electric compressor in the second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the electric compressor. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the electric compressor in the third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the electric compressor.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0018] [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which an electric compressor is embodied will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The electric compressor of the present embodiment is used, for example, in a vehicle air conditioner.

[0019] <Basic Configuration of Electric Compressor> As shown in FIG. 1, the electric compressor 10 includes a housing 11. The housing 11 has a discharge housing 12 and a motor housing 13. The discharge housing 12 and the motor housing 13 are cylindrical. The motor housing 13 is connected to the discharge housing 12. The discharge housing 12 and the motor housing 13 are made of a metal material. Therefore, the housing 11 is made of metal. The discharge housing 12 and the motor housing 13 are made of, for example, aluminum. The motor housing 13 has a plate-shaped end wall 13a and a cylindrical peripheral wall 13b. The peripheral wall 13b extends from the outer peripheral portion of the end wall 13a.

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

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

[0022] The compression unit 15 is driven by the rotation of the rotating shaft 14. The compression unit 15 compresses a refrigerant gas. The refrigerant gas is a natural refrigerant. The refrigerant gas is propane gas. The compression unit 15 is a scroll type, for example, having a fixed scroll (not shown) fixed to the motor housing 13 within the motor housing 13, and an orbiting scroll (not shown) positioned opposite the fixed scroll.

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

[0024] The housing 11 has an intake port 13h. The intake port 13h is formed in the peripheral wall 13b of the motor housing 13, near the end wall 13a. The intake port 13h draws refrigerant gas into the motor chamber S1. Therefore, refrigerant gas is drawn into the motor chamber S1.

[0025] The first end of an external refrigerant circuit (not shown) is connected to the intake port 13h. The housing 11 has a discharge port 12h. The discharge port 12h is formed in the discharge housing 12. The second end of the external refrigerant circuit is connected to the discharge port 12h.

[0026] The refrigerant gas drawn into the motor chamber S1 from the first end of the external refrigerant circuit via the intake port 13h is compressed by the compression unit 15. The refrigerant gas compressed in the compression unit 15 flows out to the second end of the external refrigerant circuit via the discharge port 12h. The refrigerant gas that has flowed out to the external refrigerant circuit then flows back into the motor chamber S1 via the intake port 13h after passing through the heat exchanger and expansion valve of the external refrigerant circuit. The electric compressor 10 and the external refrigerant circuit constitute a vehicle air conditioning system.

[0027] The motor housing 13 has a protruding wall 22 and an extending wall 23. The protruding wall 22 protrudes radially outward from a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the circumferential wall 13b of the motor housing 13. The protruding wall 22 is continuous with the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. The thickness direction of the protruding wall 22 coincides with the thickness direction of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. The outer circumferential portion of the protruding wall 22 and the outer circumferential portion of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 are continuous. The extending wall 23 extends cylindrically from the outer circumferential portion of the protruding wall 22 and the outer circumferential portion of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 toward the opposite side from the circumferential wall 13b.

[0028] The electric compressor 10 is mounted on the vehicle such that the direction of protrusion from the outer surface of the peripheral wall 13b of the motor housing 13 is upward in the vertical direction. The radial direction of the rotating shaft 14 coincides with the vertical direction.

[0029] The electric compressor 10 is equipped with a cover 24. The cover 24 is part of the housing 11. Therefore, the housing 11 has the cover 24. The cover 24 is plate-shaped. The cover 24 is connected to the extending wall 23 in a manner that closes the opening of the extending wall 23. The inverter room 25 is partitioned by the end wall 13a, the protruding wall 22, the extending wall 23, and the cover 24 of the motor housing 13. Therefore, the housing 11 partitions the inverter room 25. The end wall 13a and the protruding wall 22 of the motor housing 13 form a partition wall separating the motor room S1 and the inverter room 25.

[0030] The electric compressor 10 is equipped with an inverter 26. The inverter 26 is housed in an inverter chamber 25. Therefore, the inverter chamber 25 houses the inverter 26. The inverter 26 drives the motor 16. The compression unit 15, the motor 16, and the inverter 26 are arranged in this order in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 14.

[0031] The inverter 26 has a circuit board 27. The circuit board 27 is placed in the inverter chamber 25 such that the thickness direction of the circuit board 27 coincides with the thickness direction of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 and the thickness direction of the protruding wall 22.

[0032] The circuit board 27 has a switching element Q and a control unit 28 mounted on it. The switching element Q constitutes an inverter circuit 29. The switching element Q performs a switching operation to drive the motor 16. The control unit 28 controls the driving of the inverter circuit 29. The control unit 28 controls the switching operation of the switching element Q. A pattern 30 is formed on the circuit board 27. The pattern 30 constitutes the inverter circuit 29. The circuit board 27 also has a filter 31 mounted on it. The filter 31 reduces noise.

[0033] The electric compressor 10 is equipped with motor wiring 32. The motor wiring 32 is drawn out from the motor coil 19 of the motor 16. Specifically, three motor wirings 32 are drawn out from the portion of the motor coil 19 located near the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13, corresponding to the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase motor coils 19. Each motor wiring 32 is drawn out from the motor coil 19 with the windings that make up a part of the motor coil 19 covered with an insulating coating.

[0034] A cluster block 33 is located inside the motor chamber S1. The cluster block 33 is made of resin. Terminals 33a are housed inside the cluster block 33. The end of each motor wiring 32 opposite to the motor coil 19 is inserted into the cluster block 33 and connected to terminals 33a.

[0035] <Bulkhead through hole> As shown in Figure 2, a partition wall through-hole 34 is formed in the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. The partition wall through-hole 34 penetrates the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 in the thickness direction of the end wall 13a. The partition wall through-hole 34 is formed in the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 in a portion located radially outward from the center of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 in the direction of the rotation axis 14. The partition wall through-hole 34 is formed in a portion located vertically above the center of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13.

[0036] The first end of the partition wall through-hole 34 opens to the surface of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 that is located on the motor chamber S1 side. The surface of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 that is located on the motor chamber S1 side is the inner circumferential surface of the motor chamber S1 that partitions the motor chamber S1 at the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. The second end of the partition wall through-hole 34 opens to the surface of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 that is located on the inverter chamber 25 side. Therefore, the partition wall through-hole 34 penetrates through to open into the motor chamber S1 and the inverter chamber 25, respectively.

[0037] <Airtight terminal> The electric compressor 10 is equipped with an airtight terminal 40. The airtight terminal 40 is located on the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. The airtight terminal 40 seals the motor chamber S1 and the inverter chamber 25. The airtight terminal 40 electrically connects the motor 16 and the inverter 26.

[0038] The airtight terminal 40 includes a conductive member 41, a support plate 42, a glass member 43, and a support plate sealing material 44. The conductive member 41 is made of a conductive material. The conductive member 41 is a cylindrical metal pin that extends in a straight line. The conductive member 41 is inserted into the partition wall penetration hole 34.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the airtight terminal 40 has three conductive members 41 corresponding to the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase motor coils 19. The three conductive members 41 are arranged in a straight line in one direction.

[0040] As shown in Figure 2, the first end of the conductive member 41 is electrically connected to the motor wiring 32 via terminal 33a in the cluster block 33 within the motor chamber S1. Thus, the first end of the conductive member 41 is connected to the motor 16 within the motor chamber S1. The second end of the conductive member 41 passes through the partition wall penetration hole 34 and protrudes into the inverter chamber 25.

[0041] The support plate 42 is plate-shaped. The support plate 42 is made of metal. The support plate 42 is formed of, for example, steel. The support plate 42 has a plate end wall 45 and a plate cylindrical wall 46. The plate end wall 45 is flat. The support plate 42 is fixed to the end wall 13a and protruding wall 22 of the motor housing 13 such that the first surface of the plate end wall 45 extends along the end wall 13a and protruding wall 22 of the motor housing 13. The support plate 42 is provided in the inverter room 25. The support plate 42 is fixed to the end wall 13a and protruding wall 22 of the motor housing 13.

[0042] The support plate 42 has a plate through hole 47. The plate through hole 47 is formed in the plate end wall 45. The plate through hole 47 penetrates the plate end wall 45 in the thickness direction of the plate end wall 45.

[0043] The plate cylindrical wall 46 protrudes from the second surface of the plate end wall 45. The inside of the plate cylindrical wall 46 communicates with the plate through hole 47. A conductive member 41 penetrates through the plate through hole 47 and the inside of the plate cylindrical wall 46.

[0044] The glass member 43 is positioned inside the plate through-hole 47 and the plate cylinder wall 46. The glass member 43 has insulating properties. The glass member 43 is a glass sintered body. The glass member 43 is interposed between the support plate 42 and the conductive member 41. The glass member 43 insulates the space between the support plate 42 and the conductive member 41. The glass member 43 seals the space between the support plate 42 and the conductive member 41. The support plate 42 supports the conductive member 41 with the glass member 43 providing insulation between the support plate 42 and the conductive member 41.

[0045] The support plate sealing material 44 is plate-shaped. The support plate sealing material 44 is a gasket. The support plate sealing material 44 is interposed between the first surface of the plate end wall 45 and the surface of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 that is located on the inverter chamber 25 side. Therefore, the support plate sealing material 44 is provided between the support plate 42 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. The support plate sealing material 44 seals to prevent the refrigerant gas in the motor chamber S1 from leaking into the inverter chamber 25.

[0046] The support plate sealing material 44 has a sealing hole 44a. The sealing hole 44a connects the partition wall through hole 34 and the plate through hole 47. A conductive member 41 passes through the sealing hole 44a.

[0047] The airtight terminal 40 has a first insulating member 48. The first insulating member 48 is made of rubber. The first insulating member 48 is cylindrical. The conductive member 41 penetrates the inside of the first insulating member 48. The first insulating member 48 covers the portion of the conductive member 41 that protrudes from the plate end wall 45 and is located inside the partition wall through hole 34. The first insulating member 48 is embedded inside the cluster block 33. The first insulating member 48 insulates between the conductive member 41 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13.

[0048] The airtight terminal 40 has a second insulating member 49. The second insulating member 49 is made of rubber. The second insulating member 49 is cylindrical. The conductive member 41 penetrates the inside of the second insulating member 49. The second insulating member 49 covers the portion of the conductive member 41 that protrudes from the plate cylinder wall 46. The second insulating member 49 covers the plate cylinder wall 46.

[0049] <Sealing material for outer peripheral support plate> An outer peripheral support plate seal material 55 is provided between the end wall 13a and protruding wall 22 of the motor housing 13 and the support plate 42. The outer peripheral support plate seal material 55 is made of rubber. The outer peripheral support plate seal material 55 is annular in shape. The outer peripheral support plate seal material 55 is, for example, an O-ring. The outer peripheral support plate seal material 55 seals the space between the end wall 13a and protruding wall 22 of the motor housing 13 and the outer peripheral portion of the support plate 42, on the outer peripheral side of the support plate seal material 44.

[0050] <First Chamber, Second Chamber> The inverter chamber 25 is divided into a first chamber 56 and a second chamber 57. The second chamber 57 is separated by the end wall 13a and protruding wall 22 of the motor housing 13 and a support plate 42. The second chamber 57 is isolated from the first chamber 56. The first chamber 56 is the space outside the second chamber 57 within the inverter chamber 25. The first chamber 56 houses the circuit board 27. Refrigerant gas leaking from the motor chamber S1 through the support plate seal material 44 accumulates in the second chamber 57.

[0051] <Containing components> The inverter 26 has a housing member 60. The housing member 60 is made of resin. The housing member 60 has a housing member body 61 and a housing member lid 62. The housing member body 61 is rectangular in shape. The housing member body 61 has a housing chamber 63 and a housing member insertion hole 64. The first end of the housing member insertion hole 64 opens to the outside of the housing member body 61. The second end of the housing member insertion hole 64 communicates with the housing chamber 63.

[0052] The lid portion 62 of the housing member is flat. The lid portion 62 of the housing member closes the opening in the housing chamber 63 that is located on the opposite side from the housing member insertion hole 64. A resin sealing material 65 is provided between the housing member body portion 61 and the housing member lid portion 62 to seal the space between them. The resin sealing material 65 is annular in shape. The resin sealing material 65 is made of rubber. The housing member 60 is positioned in the first chamber 56 such that the housing member insertion hole 64 overlaps with the plate through hole 47.

[0053] <Connection terminals> The inverter 26 has a connection terminal 68. The connection terminal 68 has a first terminal 69 and a second terminal 70. The first terminal 69 is housed in the housing chamber 63. Therefore, the housing member 60 houses the connection terminal 68.

[0054] The first end of the first terminal 69 is configured to be connectable to the second end of the conductive member 41. The first end of the first terminal 69 is cylindrical. The second end of the first terminal 69 is located inside the housing chamber 63. The second terminal 70 is embedded in the housing member body 61, penetrating through it. The first end of the second terminal 70 protrudes into the housing chamber 63. The first end of the second terminal 70 is connected to the second end of the first terminal 69. The second end of the second terminal 70 protrudes from the outer surface of the housing member body 61 toward the circuit board 27.

[0055] The second end of the conductive member 41, which protrudes into the housing chamber 63 via the housing member insertion hole 64, is inserted into the first end of the first terminal 69. Therefore, the housing member insertion hole 64 is open so that the second end of the conductive member 41 is inserted into the connection terminal 68. When the second end of the conductive member 41 is inserted into the first end of the first terminal 69, the connection terminal 68 and the second end of the conductive member 41 are electrically connected. In this way, the second end of the conductive member 41 is connected to the connection terminal 68 within the inverter chamber 25. Furthermore, when the second end of the second terminal 70 is connected to the circuit board 27, the connection terminal 68 and the circuit board 27 are electrically connected. In this way, the connection terminal 68 connects the airtight terminal 40 and the circuit board 27.

[0056] <Exhaust port> An outlet 73 is formed in the protruding wall 22. Therefore, the housing 11 is provided with an outlet 73. The first end of the outlet 73 communicates with the inside of the second chamber 57. The second end of the outlet 73 opens to the outer surface of the protruding wall 22. The outlet 73 is provided between the sealing surface of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 and the support plate sealing material 44 and the sealing surface of the outer peripheral support plate sealing material 55 on the protruding wall 22. The outlet 73 communicates with a portion located vertically upward within the second chamber 57.

[0057] As shown in Figure 3, when the support plate 42 is viewed from above, the discharge port 73 is positioned in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the three conductive members 41 are arranged side by side, and overlaps with the conductive member 41 that is positioned in the center of the three conductive members 41.

[0058] <Sealing part> As shown in Figure 2, the outlet 73 is sealed by a sealing part 74. The sealing part 74 is an explosion-proof valve. The sealing part 74 is configured to open when the pressure in the second chamber 57 rises and reaches a predetermined pressure. Once the sealing part 74 opens, it remains open. When the sealing part 74 opens, the refrigerant gas in the second chamber 57 is discharged to the outside of the housing 11 through the outlet 73. Therefore, when the pressure in the second chamber 57 rises and reaches a predetermined pressure, the sealing part 74 discharges the refrigerant gas in the second chamber 57 to the outside of the housing 11. Thus, when the pressure in the inverter room 25 rises due to refrigerant gas leaking through the support plate sealing material 44 and reaches a predetermined pressure, the sealing part 74 discharges the refrigerant gas in the second chamber 57 to the outside of the housing 11. In this way, the outlet 73 discharges the refrigerant gas in the second chamber 57 to the outside of the housing 11. Therefore, the outlet 73 discharges the refrigerant gas in the inverter chamber 25 to the outside of the housing 11. The predetermined pressure is set higher than atmospheric pressure. In addition, the pressure resistance of the outer peripheral support plate seal material 55 is higher than the predetermined pressure reached when the pressure in the second chamber 57 rises due to the refrigerant gas leaking through the support plate seal material 44.

[0059] <First bolt, second bolt> As shown in Figure 3, the electric compressor 10 is equipped with two first bolts 75. When the support plate 42 is viewed from above, the two first bolts 75 are positioned to sandwich the three conductive members 41 in the direction in which they are arranged side by side. The two first bolts 75 fasten the portion of the support plate 42 located inside the outer peripheral support plate seal material 55 to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13.

[0060] The electric compressor 10 is equipped with four second bolts 76. Two of the four second bolts 76 are positioned on either side of one of the two first bolts 75, in a direction that intersects the direction in which the three conductive members 41 are arranged side by side when viewing the support plate 42 from above. The remaining two of the four second bolts 76 are positioned on either side of the other of the two first bolts 75, in a direction that intersects the direction in which the three conductive members 41 are arranged side by side when viewing the support plate 42 from above. Two of the four second bolts 76 are positioned on either side of the discharge port 73 in the direction in which the three conductive members 41 are arranged side by side when viewing the support plate 42 from above. The portions of the support plate 42 located outside the outer peripheral support plate seal material 55 fasten the end wall 13a and the protruding wall 22 of the motor housing 13. In this manner, the support plate 42 is fixed to the end wall 13a and the protruding wall 22 of the motor housing 13 by the first bolt 75 and the second bolt 76.

[0061] [Operation of the First Embodiment] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. Refrigerant gas in the motor chamber S1 may leak from the motor chamber S1 into the second chamber 57 via the support plate seal material 44. Alternatively, refrigerant gas in the motor chamber S1 may leak from the motor chamber S1 into the second chamber 57 via the glass member 43. The refrigerant gas that leaks into the second chamber 57 remains in the second chamber 57. When the pressure in the second chamber 57 rises and reaches a predetermined pressure, the sealing part 74 opens. The sealing part 74 then discharges the refrigerant gas in the second chamber 57 to the outside of the housing 11. In this way, the refrigerant gas accumulated in the second chamber 57 is discharged to the outside of the housing 11 through the outlet 73.

[0062] The pressure resistance of the outer peripheral support plate seal material 55 is higher than a predetermined pressure reached when the pressure in the second chamber 57 rises due to refrigerant gas leaking through the support plate seal material 44. Therefore, the outer peripheral support plate seal material 55 prevents refrigerant gas in the second chamber 57 from leaking into the first chamber 56 from between the end wall 13a and protruding wall 22 of the motor housing 13 and the support plate 42.

[0063] The second chamber 57 is isolated from the first chamber 56. The circuit board 27 is housed inside the first chamber 56. Therefore, the problem of the electric compressor 10 malfunctioning due to the circuit board 27 being exposed to the refrigerant gas while it is operating is avoided.

[0064] [Effects of the First Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1-1) When the pressure in the second chamber 57 rises due to refrigerant gas leaking through the support plate sealing material 44 and reaches a predetermined pressure, the sealing section 74 discharges the refrigerant gas in the second chamber 57 to the outside of the housing 11. Therefore, it is possible to avoid problems such as malfunctions in the electric compressor 10 caused by the circuit board 27 being exposed to refrigerant gas while the circuit board 27 is in operation. As a result, the reliability of the electric compressor 10 can be improved.

[0065] (1-2) Refrigerant gas leaking from the motor chamber S1 through the support plate seal material 44 accumulates in the second chamber 57. Here, the second chamber 57 is isolated from the first chamber 56. The circuit board 27 is housed in the first chamber 56. Therefore, it is possible to avoid problems such as malfunctions in the electric compressor 10 caused by the circuit board 27 being exposed to refrigerant gas while the circuit board 27 is in operation. In addition, the pressure resistance of the outer peripheral support plate seal material 55 is higher than a predetermined pressure reached when the pressure in the second chamber 57 rises due to the refrigerant gas leaking through the support plate seal material 44. Therefore, the outer peripheral support plate seal material 55 can prevent refrigerant gas in the second chamber 57 from leaking into the first chamber 56 from between the motor housing 13 and the protruding wall 22 and the support plate 42.

[0066] [Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the electric compressor will be described below with reference to Figures 4 and 5. In the embodiments described below, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those in the first embodiment already described, and redundant explanations will be omitted or simplified.

[0067] As shown in Figure 4, the electric compressor 10 is equipped with a partition wall 80. The partition wall 80 is cylindrical with a bottom. The partition wall 80 has a bottom wall 81 and side walls 82. The bottom wall 81 is flat. The side walls 82 extend cylindrically from the outer circumference of the bottom wall 81.

[0068] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a bottom wall insertion hole 83 is formed in the bottom wall 81. As shown in Figure 5, the bottom wall insertion hole 83 is an elongated hole. The longitudinal direction of the bottom wall insertion hole 83 coincides with the direction in which the three conductive members 41 are arranged side by side. As shown in Figure 4, the bottom wall insertion hole 83 penetrates the bottom wall 81 in the thickness direction of the bottom wall 81. The second end of the conductive member 41 is inserted into the bottom wall insertion hole 83.

[0069] A first compartment wall sealing material 84 is provided between the side wall 82 and the end wall 13a and protruding wall 22 of the motor housing 13. The first compartment wall sealing material 84 is made of rubber. The first compartment wall sealing material 84 is, for example, an O-ring. The first compartment wall sealing material 84 seals the space between the side wall 82 and the end wall 13a and protruding wall 22 of the motor housing 13 on the outer circumference side of the support plate sealing material 44. In this way, an annular first compartment wall sealing material 84 is provided between the side wall 82 and the end wall 13a and protruding wall 22 of the motor housing 13, sealing the space between them on the outer circumference side of the support plate sealing material 44.

[0070] The support plate 42 is positioned inside the bottom wall insertion hole 83. A second compartment wall sealing material 85 is provided between the bottom wall insertion hole 83 and the support plate 42. The second compartment wall sealing material 85 seals the space between the bottom wall insertion hole 83 and the support plate 42. In this way, a second compartment wall sealing material 85 is provided between the compartment wall 80 and the airtight terminal 40, surrounding the bottom wall insertion hole 83 and sealing the space between them.

[0071] The second chamber 57 is partitioned by a support plate 42, the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13, a protruding wall 22, and a partition wall 80. The discharge port 73 is provided between the sealing surface of the support plate seal material 44 on the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 and the sealing surface of the first partition wall seal material 84 on the protruding wall 22. The pressure resistance of the first partition wall seal material 84 and the pressure resistance of the second partition wall seal material 85 are higher than a predetermined pressure reached when the pressure in the second chamber 57 rises due to refrigerant gas leaking through the support plate seal material 44.

[0072] As shown in Figure 5, the electric compressor 10 is equipped with two first bolts 75. When the partition wall 80 is viewed from above, the two first bolts 75 are positioned to sandwich the three conductive members 41 in the direction in which they are arranged side by side. The two first bolts 75 are located inside the bottom wall insertion holes 83. The two first bolts 75 fasten the support plate 42 to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. In this way, the support plate 42 is fixed to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 by the first bolts 75.

[0073] The electric compressor 10 is equipped with four second bolts 76. Two of the four second bolts 76 are positioned on either side of one of the two first bolts 75, in a direction that intersects the direction in which the three conductive members 41 are arranged side by side when the partition wall 80 is viewed from above. The remaining two of the four second bolts 76 are positioned on either side of the other of the two first bolts 75, in a direction that intersects the direction in which the three conductive members 41 are arranged side by side when the partition wall 80 is viewed from above. Two of the four second bolts 76 are positioned on either side of the discharge port 73 in the direction in which the three conductive members 41 are arranged side by side when the partition wall 80 is viewed from above. The portions of the four second bolts 76 located outside the first partition wall seal material 84 in the partition wall 80 are fastened to the end wall 13a and the protruding wall 22 of the motor housing 13. In this manner, the partition wall 80 is fixed to the end wall 13a and the protruding wall 22 of the motor housing 13 by the second bolt 76.

[0074] [Effects of the second embodiment] In the second embodiment, in addition to the effects (1-1) of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0075] (2-1) Refrigerant gas leaking from the motor chamber S1 through the support plate seal material 44 accumulates in the second chamber 57. Here, the second chamber 57 is isolated from the first chamber 56. The circuit board 27 is housed in the first chamber 56. Therefore, it is possible to avoid problems such as malfunctions in the electric compressor 10 caused by the circuit board 27 being exposed to refrigerant gas while the circuit board 27 is in operation. In addition, the pressure resistance of the first compartment wall seal material 84 is higher than a predetermined pressure reached when the pressure in the second chamber 57 rises due to the refrigerant gas leaking through the support plate seal material 44. Therefore, the first compartment wall seal material 84 can prevent the refrigerant gas in the second chamber 57 from leaking into the first chamber 56 from between the side wall 82 of the compartment wall 80 and the end wall 13a and protruding wall 22 of the motor housing 13. Furthermore, the pressure resistance of the second compartment wall sealant 85 is higher than a predetermined pressure reached when the pressure in the second chamber 57 rises due to refrigerant gas leaking through the support plate sealant 44. Therefore, the second compartment wall sealant 85 can prevent refrigerant gas in the second chamber 57 from leaking into the first chamber 56 from between the compartment wall 80 and the airtight terminal 40.

[0076] [Third Embodiment] The third embodiment of the electric compressor will be described below with reference to Figures 6 and 7. The electric compressor of the third embodiment is a modified version of the electric compressor of the second embodiment. The third embodiment will be described focusing on the changes from the second embodiment.

[0077] As shown in Figure 6, a bottom wall recess 86 is provided in the bottom wall 81 of the partition wall 80. The bottom wall recess 86 accommodates the second partition wall sealing material 85. A bottom wall insertion hole 83 is formed in the bottom wall recess 86.

[0078] The second compartment wall sealing material 85 has a first planar sealing portion 85a, a second planar sealing portion 85b, and a cylindrical sealing portion 85c. The first planar sealing portion 85a faces the support plate 42. The first planar sealing portion 85a is in close contact with the support plate 42. The second planar sealing portion 85b faces the area around the bottom wall insertion hole 83 in the bottom wall recess 86. The second planar sealing portion 85b is in close contact with the area around the bottom wall insertion hole 83 in the bottom wall recess 86. The cylindrical sealing portion 85c is in close contact with the portion of the outer circumferential surface of the conductive member 41 that is closer to the bottom wall insertion hole 83 than the glass member 43. In this way, the second compartment wall sealing material 85 is housed in the bottom wall recess 86 so as to seal the space between the bottom wall recess 86 and the glass member 43.

[0079] The support plate 42 is provided with a communication groove 87. The communication groove 87 is formed on a part of the surface of the plate end wall 45 that faces the first planar seal portion 85a. The first end of the communication groove 87 is continuous with the outer circumferential surface of the plate cylindrical wall 46. The second end of the communication groove 87 opens to the outer circumferential edge of the plate end wall 45. The communication groove 87 extends and communicates between the support plate 42 and the second compartment wall sealing material 85, from the glass member 43 toward the second chamber 57.

[0080] As shown in Figure 7, two through holes 81a are formed in the bottom wall 81 of the partition wall 80. The two through holes 81a are circular. The two through holes 81a are located on either side of the bottom wall insertion hole 83 in the direction in which the three conductive members 41 are arranged side by side. Each first bolt 75 is inserted through each through hole 81a.

[0081] [Effects of the third embodiment] In the third embodiment, in addition to the effects (1-1) of the first embodiment and the effects (2-1) of the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0082] (3-1) The second compartment wall sealing material 85 is housed in the bottom wall recess 86 so as to seal the space between the bottom wall recess 86 and the glass member 43. As a result, the space between the bottom wall recess 86 and the glass member 43 is sealed by the second compartment wall sealing material 85. Therefore, it is possible to prevent refrigerant gas leaking into the second chamber 57 from leaking into the first chamber 56 through the bottom wall insertion hole 83. The support plate 42 is provided with a communication groove 87 that extends from the glass member 43 toward the second chamber 57 and communicates with the support plate 42 and the second compartment wall sealing material 85. As a result, refrigerant gas leaking from the motor chamber S1 through the glass member 43 leaks into the second chamber 57 through the communication groove 87 and remains in the second chamber 57. Therefore, it is possible to avoid problems such as malfunctions in the electric compressor 10 occurring due to the circuit board 27 being exposed to refrigerant gas while the circuit board 27 is in operation. As a result, the reliability of the electric compressor 10 can be improved.

[0083] [Example of changes] Furthermore, each of the above embodiments can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiments and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0084] ○ In the first embodiment, the outer peripheral support plate sealing material 55 may be, for example, an adhesive such as a liquid gasket or potting agent. ○ In the second and third embodiments, the first partition wall sealing material 84 may be, for example, an adhesive such as a liquid gasket or potting agent.

[0085] ○ In the second embodiment, the second compartment wall sealing material 85 may be, for example, an adhesive such as a liquid gasket or potting agent. ○ In the third embodiment, the support plate 42 does not need to be provided with a communication groove 87. Alternatively, the communication groove 87 may be formed in the portion of the first planar seal portion 85a that faces the plate end wall 45.

[0086] ○ In the third embodiment, a communication groove 87 may also be formed in the portion of the first planar sealing portion 85a facing the plate end wall 45. In short, it is sufficient that a communication groove 87 is provided in at least one of the support plate 42 and the second partition wall sealing material 85.

[0087] ○ In each of the above embodiments, the support plate 42 may have positioning protrusions. In this case, the motor housing 13 has a positioning recess into which the positioning protrusions are inserted. When the positioning protrusions are inserted into the positioning protrusions, the support plate 42 is positioned relative to the motor housing 13 and placed on the motor housing 13.

[0088] ○ In the second and third embodiments, the partition wall 80 may have positioning protrusions. In this case, the motor housing 13 has a positioning recess into which the positioning protrusions are inserted. When the positioning protrusions are inserted into the positioning protrusions, the partition wall 80 is positioned relative to the motor housing 13 and positioned accordingly.

[0089] ○ In the second and third embodiments, the support plate 42 may be provided in the motor chamber S1. ○ In each of the above embodiments, the sealing portion 74 may be a relief valve. The relief valve opens when the pressure in the second chamber 57 rises to a predetermined pressure, and closes when the pressure in the second chamber 57 falls below the predetermined pressure.

[0090] ○ In each of the above embodiments, the sealing portion 74 may be a vent filter. A vent filter is a ventilation membrane that allows the passage of gas while maintaining a pressure adjustment function and blocking the passage of liquid. The vent filter also functions as a dust filter.

[0091] ○ In each of the above embodiments, the sealing portion 74 may be a rubber-like sealing plug. The sealing plug is configured to seal the outlet 73. When the pressure in the second chamber 57 rises and reaches a predetermined pressure, the sealing plug releases the sealing state of the outlet 73.

[0092] ○ In each of the above embodiments, the discharge port 73 may be in communication with a portion located vertically downward within the second chamber 57. ○ In each of the above embodiments, the inverter chamber 25 does not necessarily have to be divided into a first chamber 56 and a second chamber 57. Even in this case, when the pressure inside the inverter chamber 25 rises due to refrigerant gas leaking through the support plate sealing material 44 and reaches a predetermined pressure, the sealing portion 74 discharges the refrigerant gas inside the inverter chamber 25 to the outside of the housing 11.

[0093] ○ In each of the above embodiments, the support plate sealing material 44 may be a rubber seal. ○ In each of the above embodiments, the electric compressor 10 may be configured such that, for example, the inverter 26 is positioned radially outward from the housing 11 relative to the rotating shaft 14. In short, the compression unit 15, motor 16, and inverter 26 do not necessarily have to be arranged in this order in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 14.

[0094] ○ In each of the above embodiments, the compression unit 15 is not limited to a scroll type, but may be a piston type, vane type, rotary type, or the like. ○ In each of the above embodiments, the refrigerant gas may be, for example, a fluorocarbon gas. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0095] 10...Electric compressor, 11...Housing, 13a...End wall forming a partition, 15...Compression section, 16...Motor, 22...Protruding wall forming a partition, 25...Inverter chamber, 26...Inverter, 27...Circuit board, 34...Partition through hole, 40...Airtight terminal, 41...Conductive member, 42...Support plate, 43...Glass member, 44...Support plate sealing material, 55...Outer peripheral support plate sealing material, 56...First chamber, 57...Second chamber, 68...Connection terminal, 73...Discharge port, 74...Sealing section, 80...Partition wall, 81...Bottom wall, 82...Side wall, 83...Bottom wall insertion hole, 84...First partition wall sealing material, 85...Second partition wall sealing material, 86...Bottom wall recess, 87...Communication groove, S1...Motor chamber.

Claims

1. A compression section that compresses the refrigerant gas, A motor that drives the compression section, An inverter that drives the motor, A housing comprising a motor chamber that houses the motor and from which refrigerant gas is drawn, and an inverter chamber that houses the inverter, with a partition wall separating the motor chamber and the inverter chamber, The motor chamber and the inverter chamber are sealed, and the motor and the inverter are electrically connected by airtight terminals, The aforementioned inverter is Circuit board and It has a connection terminal that connects the airtight terminal and the circuit board, The partition wall has through-holes that penetrate to open into the motor room and the inverter room, respectively. The aforementioned airtight terminal is A conductive member is inserted into the partition wall penetration hole, with its first end connected to the motor in the motor chamber and its second end connected to the connection terminal in the inverter chamber, A support plate provided in the motor room or the inverter room, which supports the conductive member and is fixed to the partition wall, An electric compressor having a support plate sealing material provided between the support plate and the partition wall, which seals to prevent refrigerant gas in the motor chamber from leaking into the inverter chamber, The housing is provided with an outlet for discharging the refrigerant gas inside the inverter chamber to the outside of the housing. The aforementioned outlet is sealed by a sealing part. The sealing portion is characterized in that, when the pressure inside the inverter chamber rises due to refrigerant gas leaking through the support plate sealing material and reaches a predetermined pressure, it discharges the refrigerant gas inside the inverter chamber to the outside of the housing.

2. The inverter chamber is divided into a first chamber for housing the circuit board and a second chamber, which is isolated from the first chamber and where refrigerant gas leaking from the motor chamber through the support plate seal material accumulates. The second chamber is partitioned by the partition wall and the support plate. Between the partition wall and the support plate, an annular outer-circumferential support plate sealing material is provided that seals the space between them on the outer circumferential side of the support plate sealing material. The discharge port is provided between the sealing surface of the support plate sealing material in the partition wall and the sealing surface of the outer peripheral support plate sealing material. The electric compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure resistance of the outer peripheral support plate sealing material is higher than the predetermined pressure reached by the pressure increase in the second chamber due to refrigerant gas leaking through the support plate sealing material.

3. The inverter chamber is divided into a first chamber for housing the circuit board and a second chamber, which is isolated from the first chamber and where refrigerant gas leaking from the motor chamber through the support plate seal material accumulates. The second chamber is partitioned by the support plate, the partition wall, and the bottomed cylindrical partition wall. A bottom wall insertion hole is formed in the bottom wall of the partition wall into which the second end of the conductive member is inserted. Between the side wall of the partition wall and the partition wall, an annular first partition wall sealing material is provided that seals the space between them on the outer circumference side of the support plate sealing material. Between the partition wall and the airtight terminal, a second partition wall sealing material is provided so as to surround the bottom wall insertion hole and to seal the space between them. The discharge port is provided between the sealing surface of the support plate sealing material in the partition wall and the sealing surface of the first partition wall sealing material. The electric compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure resistance of the first compartment wall sealing material and the pressure resistance of the second compartment wall sealing material are higher than the predetermined pressure reached by the pressure increase in the second chamber due to refrigerant gas leaking through the support plate sealing material.

4. The airtight terminal has a glass member that insulates and seals the space between the support plate and the conductive member. The bottom wall of the partition wall is provided with a bottom wall recess for accommodating the second partition wall sealing material. The bottom wall recess has the bottom wall insertion hole formed therein. The second partition wall sealing material is housed in the bottom wall recess so as to seal the space between the bottom wall recess and the glass member. The electric compressor according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of the support plate and the second compartment wall sealing material is provided with a communication groove that extends from the glass member toward the second chamber and communicates with the support plate and the second compartment wall sealing material.

Images