Electric compressor

Abstract

To improve the reliability of electric compressors. [Solution] The control unit 28 controls the operation of the inverter circuit 29 to stop based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor 90. Therefore, even if refrigerant gas leaks from the motor chamber S1 into the inverter chamber 25 via the sealant 44, the circuit board 27 will not be exposed to the refrigerant gas while it is operating. Consequently, problems such as malfunctions in the electric compressor 10 are 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 circuit board mounts a switching element and a control unit. The switching element constitutes an inverter circuit. The control unit controls the driving of the inverter circuit. A pattern is formed on the circuit board. The pattern constitutes the inverter circuit. 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 comprises a conductive member, a support plate, and a sealing material. The conductive member is inserted into a hole through the partition wall. The first end of the conductive member is connected to the motor in the motor chamber, and the second end is connected to a connection terminal in the inverter chamber. The support plate is provided in either the motor chamber or the inverter chamber. The support plate supports the conductive member. The support plate is fixed to the partition wall. The sealing material is provided between the support plate and the partition wall. The sealing material seals to prevent refrigerant gas from leaking from the motor chamber 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 sealant. 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] The 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 has a switching element that constitutes an inverter circuit and a control unit that controls the driving of the inverter circuit, a circuit board on which a pattern constituting the inverter circuit is formed, and a connection terminal that connects the airtight terminal and the circuit board, and the partition wall has partition wall through-holes that penetrate to open into the motor chamber and the inverter chamber, respectively An electric compressor is formed, and the airtight terminal is inserted into the partition wall penetration hole, with a conductive member having a first end connected to the motor in the motor chamber and a second end connected to the connection terminal in the inverter chamber; a support plate provided in the motor chamber or the inverter chamber, supporting the conductive member and fixed to the partition wall; and a sealing material provided between the support plate and the partition wall, sealing to prevent refrigerant gas in the motor chamber from leaking into the inverter chamber, wherein a gas sensor is provided in the inverter chamber to detect refrigerant gas leaking from the motor chamber through the sealing material, the gas sensor is electrically connected to the circuit board, and the control unit controls the operation of the inverter circuit to stop based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor.

[0009] According to this, the control unit controls the operation of the inverter circuit to stop based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor. Therefore, even if refrigerant gas leaks from the motor chamber into the inverter chamber through the sealant, it is possible to avoid exposing the circuit board to the refrigerant gas while the circuit board is operating. Consequently, problems such as malfunctions in the electric compressor can be avoided. As a result, the reliability of the electric compressor can be improved.

[0010] In the above-described electric compressor, the control unit may control the switching operation of the switching element to stop based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor.

[0011] According to this, the control unit can stop the operation of the inverter circuit by controlling the switching operation of the switching element to stop based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor.

[0012] In the above-described electric compressor, the inverter circuit is driven by power supplied from an external power source via a system main relay, and the control unit controls the system main relay to shut off conduction based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor, thereby shutting off the power supply from the external power source to the inverter.

[0013] According to this, the control unit controls the system main relay to shut off the conduction based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor, thereby cutting off the power supply from the external power source to the inverter, and thus enhancing safety.

[0014] 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 sealing material accumulates. The housing is provided with an outlet for discharging the refrigerant gas in the second chamber to the outside of the housing, and the gas sensor is preferably located in the second chamber.

[0015] According to this, the gas sensor detects refrigerant gas leaking from the motor chamber through the sealing material in the second chamber. Therefore, since the refrigerant gas leaking from the motor chamber through the sealing material into the inverter chamber can be reliably detected by the gas sensor, the operation of the inverter circuit can be reliably stopped.

[0016] In the above-described electric compressor, the second chamber is partitioned by the support plate, the partition wall, the bottom wall facing the support plate, and the side wall extending between the bottom wall and the partition wall. The inverter has a resin housing member that houses the connection terminals. The housing member has a housing member insertion hole that opens so that the second end of the conductive member is inserted into the connection terminals. The side wall has a partition side wall insertion hole that opens so that the housing member insertion hole is located inside the second chamber, into which the housing member is inserted. The gas sensor is preferably attached to the housing member.

[0017] According to this, the gas sensor is mounted on a portion of the housing member located within the second chamber. The housing member is suitable as a mounting object for positioning the gas sensor within the second chamber.

[0018] In the above-described electric compressor, the gas sensor is configured to detect the pressure in the second chamber, the outlet is sealed by a sealing part, and when the pressure in the second chamber rises due to refrigerant gas leaking through the sealing material and reaches a predetermined pressure, the sealing part discharges the refrigerant gas in the second chamber to the outside of the housing, and the control unit may control the operation of the inverter circuit to stop when the gas sensor detects that the pressure in the second chamber has reached the predetermined pressure.

[0019] According to this, the control unit does not stop driving the inverter circuit after the pressure in the second chamber exceeds a predetermined pressure, thus further enhancing safety. Therefore, the reliability of the electric compressor can be further improved.

[0020] In the above-described electric compressor, the gas sensor is preferably located vertically downward within the second chamber. Since the refrigerant gas is heavier than air, the refrigerant gas that leaks from the motor chamber into the second chamber through the sealing material tends to stay below in the vertical direction within the second chamber. At this time, since the gas sensor is disposed below in the vertical direction within the second chamber, the gas sensor can easily detect the refrigerant gas.

[0021] In the electric compressor, the control unit may increase the rotational speed of a fan provided outside the housing based on the detection information of the refrigerant gas by the gas sensor.

[0022] According to this, based on the detection information of the refrigerant gas by the gas sensor, the control unit increases the rotational speed of the fan, whereby the refrigerant gas discharged from the discharge port to the outside of the housing can be easily diffused by the fan. Therefore, the refrigerant gas can be safely discharged from the discharge port.

[0023] In the electric compressor, electronic components are mounted on the circuit board, and the control unit may control to discharge the residual voltage of the electronic components based on the detection information of the refrigerant gas by the gas sensor.

[0024] According to this, based on the detection information of the refrigerant gas by the gas sensor, the control unit controls to discharge the residual voltage of the electronic components, so that the residual voltage of the electronic components disappears, and thus the safety can be enhanced.

Advantages of the Invention

[0025] According to this invention, the reliability of the electric compressor can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electric compressor in an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the electric compressor. [Figure 3]Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of an electric compressor. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] An embodiment of the electric compressor will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The electric compressor of this embodiment is used, for example, in a vehicle air conditioning system. <Basic configuration of an electric compressor> As shown in Figure 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 metal. 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 circumference of the end wall 13a.

[0028] The electric compressor 10 includes a rotating shaft 14. The rotating shaft 14 is housed within the motor housing 13. Therefore, the rotating shaft 14 is housed within the housing 11. The rotating shaft 14 is rotatably supported within the motor housing 13.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] As shown in Figure 2, the inverter circuit 29 comprises six switching elements Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, and Q6, and six diodes D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, and D6. On the power input side of the inverter circuit 29, a coil L1 is connected to the positive terminal wiring L11. A capacitor C1 is connected between the positive terminal wiring L11 and the negative terminal wiring L12. Capacitor C1 is an electronic component mounted on the circuit board 27. The coil L1 and capacitor C1 constitute a filter 31. The switching elements Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, and Q6 are electrically connected to the motor 16. The switching elements Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, and Q6 are also electrically connected to the control unit 28.

[0042] The positive terminal wiring L11 and the negative terminal wiring L12 are electrically connected to the external power supply B1 via the system main relay SMR. The external power supply B1 is a high-voltage battery. The system main relay SMR has a contact SW1 for the positive terminal and a contact SW2 for the negative terminal. The positive terminal of the external power supply B1 is electrically connected to the positive terminal wiring L11 via the positive terminal contact SW1. The negative terminal of the external power supply B1 is electrically connected to the negative terminal wiring L12 via the negative terminal contact SW2. The inverter circuit 29 is then driven by power supplied from the external power supply B1 via the system main relay SMR.

[0043] The control unit 28 is electrically connected to the higher-level ECU 36. The higher-level ECU 36 outputs signals such as drive commands to the inverter 26 to the control unit 28. Based on the drive command signals from the higher-level ECU 36, the control unit 28 controls the switching operation of the switching element Q. The higher-level ECU 36 has a program pre-stored that opens the positive terminal contact SW1 and the negative terminal contact SW2 when a vehicle collision is detected. When the positive terminal contact SW1 and the negative terminal contact SW2 are opened, the conduction by the system main relay SMR is interrupted. As a result, the relay of the system main relay SMR turns off. In this way, when a vehicle collision is detected, the higher-level ECU 36 controls the system main relay SMR to turn off the relay, thereby interrupting the power supply from the external power supply B1 to the inverter circuit 29.

[0044] The higher-level ECU 36 is electrically connected to the fan 37. The fan 37 is located outside the housing 11. The fan 37 is a radiator fan that constitutes the vehicle's air conditioning system. The higher-level ECU 36 controls the operation of the fan 37.

[0045] As shown in Figure 1, 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 constitute part of the motor coil 19 covered with an insulating coating.

[0046] 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.

[0047] <Bulkhead through hole> As shown in Figure 3, 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] <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.

[0050] The airtight terminal 40 includes a conductive member 41, a support plate 42, a glass member 43, and a sealing material 44. The conductive member 41 is made of a conductive material. The airtight terminal 40 has three conductive members 41 corresponding to the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase motor coils 19. Note that in Figure 2, only one conductive member 41 is shown for illustrative purposes. The conductive member 41 is a cylindrical metal pin extending in a straight line. The conductive member 41 is inserted into the partition wall penetration hole 34.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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 of the motor housing 13 such that the first surface of the plate end wall 45 extends along the surface of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 that is located on the inverter chamber 25 side. The support plate 42 is provided in the inverter chamber 25. The support plate 42 is fixed to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] The sealing material 44 is plate-shaped. The sealing material 44 is a gasket. The sealing material 44 is interposed between the first surface of the plate end wall 45 and the surface of the motor housing 13's end wall 13a that is located on the inverter chamber 25 side. Therefore, the sealing material 44 is provided between the support plate 42 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. The sealing material 44 seals to prevent the refrigerant gas in the motor chamber S1 from leaking into the inverter chamber 25.

[0057] The 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.

[0058] The airtight terminal 40 has an insulating member 48. The insulating member 48 is made of rubber. The insulating member 48 is cylindrical. The conductive member 41 penetrates the inside of the insulating member 48. The 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 insulating member 48 is recessed into the inside of the cluster block 33. The insulating member 48 insulates between the conductive member 41 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13.

[0059] <Case> The electric compressor 10 comprises a case 50. The case 50 has a bottom wall 51 and side walls 52. The bottom wall 51 is plate-shaped. The side walls 52 extend cylindrically from the outer circumference of the bottom wall 51.

[0060] The bottom wall 51 faces the support plate 42. The side wall 52 extends from the bottom wall 51 toward the end wall 13a and protruding wall 22 of the motor housing 13. The side wall 52 extends between the bottom wall 51 and the end wall 13a and protruding wall 22 of the motor housing 13.

[0061] <Insertion hole in the side wall of the compartment> A compartment side wall insertion hole 54 is formed in the side wall 52. The compartment side wall insertion hole 54 is formed in the portion of the side wall 52 located vertically downward. The compartment side wall insertion hole 54 penetrates the side wall 52.

[0062] <Wall sealing material for section 1> A first compartment wall sealant 55 is provided between the end face of the side wall 52 opposite to the bottom wall 51 and the end wall 13a and protruding wall 22 of the motor housing 13. The first compartment wall sealant 55 is made of rubber. The first compartment wall sealant 55 is, for example, an O-ring. The first compartment wall sealant 55 seals the space between the side wall 52 and the end wall 13a and protruding wall 22 of the motor housing 13. In this way, a first compartment wall sealant 55 is provided between the side wall 52 and the end wall 13a and protruding wall 22 of the motor housing 13 to seal the space between them.

[0063] <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 divided by a support plate 42, the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13, a protruding wall 22, a bottom wall 51, and a side wall 52. 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 sealing material 44 accumulates in the second chamber 57.

[0064] <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.

[0065] 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 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.

[0066] The housing member 60 is inserted into the compartment side wall insertion hole 54. Therefore, the housing member 60 is inserted into the compartment side wall insertion hole 54. The housing member 60 is inserted into the compartment side wall insertion hole 54 such that the housing member insertion hole 64 is located inside the second chamber 57. Therefore, the compartment side wall insertion hole 54 is open so that the housing member insertion hole 64 is located inside the second chamber 57.

[0067] <Wall sealing material for section 2> A second compartment wall sealing material 66 is provided between the housing member 60 and the compartment side wall insertion hole 54. The second compartment wall sealing material 66 is made of rubber. The second compartment wall sealing material 66 is, for example, a grommet. The second compartment wall sealing material 66 seals the space between the housing member 60 and the compartment side wall insertion hole 54. In this way, a second compartment wall sealing material 66 is provided between the housing member 60 and the compartment side wall insertion hole 54 to seal the space between them.

[0068] <Board connector section> The circuit board 27 is provided with a board connector 67. The board connector 67 is a female connector component. The board connector 67 is electrically connected to the circuit board 27. Specifically, the board connector 67 is electrically connected to the pattern 30 of the circuit board 27. Therefore, the board connector 67 is electrically connected to the inverter circuit 29.

[0069] <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.

[0070] 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. The second end of the second terminal 70 is a press-fit portion 71 that is press-fitted into the board connector portion 67. Therefore, the connection terminal 68 has a press-fit portion 71 that protrudes from the housing member 60 and is press-fitted into the board connector portion 67.

[0071] 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 press-fitted into the board connector portion 67, 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.

[0072] <Sealing material for containment components> A housing member seal material 72 is provided between the conductive member 41 and the housing member insertion hole 64. The housing member seal material 72 is made of rubber. The housing member seal material 72 is cylindrical. The conductive member 41 passes through the inside of the housing member seal material 72. The housing member seal material 72 is in close contact with the conductive member 41. The housing member seal material 72 is inserted into the housing member insertion hole 64. The housing member seal material 72 is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the housing member insertion hole 64. The housing member seal material 72 seals the space between the conductive member 41 and the housing member insertion hole 64. In this way, a housing member seal material 72 is provided between the conductive member 41 and the inner circumferential surface of the housing member insertion hole 64 to seal the space between them.

[0073] <Exhaust port> An outlet 73 is formed in the protruding wall 22. Therefore, an outlet 73 is formed in the housing 11. The first end of the outlet 73 communicates with 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 formed between the sealing material 44 and the first compartment wall sealing material 55 in the protruding wall 22.

[0074] <Sealing part> 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 due to refrigerant gas leaking through the 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.

[0075] The predetermined pressure is set lower than the pressure resistance of the housing member 60. Furthermore, the predetermined pressure is set lower than the pressure resistance of the first compartment wall sealing material 55 and the pressure resistance of the second compartment wall sealing material 66.

[0076] <Gas sensor> A gas sensor 90 is provided inside the second chamber 57. Therefore, a gas sensor 90 is provided inside the inverter chamber 25. The gas sensor 90 is attached to the portion of the housing member body 61 located inside the second chamber 57. Therefore, the gas sensor 90 is attached to the housing member 60. In this way, the gas sensor 90 is located inside the second chamber 57. The gas sensor 90 is located vertically downward inside the second chamber 57.

[0077] The gas sensor 90 detects the refrigerant gas in the second chamber 57. Therefore, the gas sensor 90 detects the refrigerant gas leaking from the motor chamber S1 through the sealing material 44. The gas sensor 90 is configured to detect the pressure in the second chamber 57. The gas sensor 90 is electrically connected to the circuit board 27 via a signal line 91. The detection information of the refrigerant gas detected by the gas sensor 90 is transmitted to the control unit 28 via the signal line 91.

[0078] <Department Head> The control unit 28 has a program pre-stored that controls the inverter circuit 29 to stop driving based on refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor 90. Therefore, the control unit 28 controls the inverter circuit 29 to stop driving based on refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor 90. The control unit 28 controls the switching operation of the switching element Q to stop based on refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor 90. Specifically, the control unit 28 has a program pre-stored that controls the switching operation of the switching element Q to stop when the gas sensor 90 detects that the pressure in the second chamber 57 has reached a predetermined pressure. In this way, the control unit 28 controls the inverter circuit 29 to stop driving when the gas sensor 90 detects that the pressure in the second chamber 57 has reached a predetermined pressure.

[0079] The control unit 28 has a program pre-stored that controls the system main relay SMR to shut off conduction based on refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor 90. Therefore, the control unit 28 controls the system main relay SMR to shut off conduction based on refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor 90. Specifically, when the gas sensor 90 detects that the pressure in the second chamber 57 has reached a predetermined pressure, the control unit 28 sends a signal to the higher-level ECU 36 indicating that the system main relay SMR should be shut off. When the higher-level ECU 36 receives the signal from the control unit 28 indicating that the system main relay SMR should be shut off, it opens the positive terminal contact SW1 and the negative terminal contact SW2. This shuts off conduction by the system main relay SMR. In this way, the control unit 28 shuts off the power supply from the external power supply B1 to the inverter 26.

[0080] The control unit 28 has a program pre-programmed to increase the rotation speed of the fan 37 based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor 90. Therefore, the control unit 28 increases the rotation speed of the fan 37, which is located outside the housing 11, based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor 90. Specifically, when the gas sensor 90 detects that the pressure in the second chamber 57 has reached a predetermined pressure, the control unit 28 sends a signal to the higher-level ECU 36 to increase the rotation speed of the fan 37. When the higher-level ECU 36 receives the signal from the control unit 28 to increase the rotation speed of the fan 37, it controls the drive of the fan 37 to increase its rotation speed. In this way, the control unit 28 increases the rotation speed of the fan 37.

[0081] [Effect of the Embodiment] Next, the operation of the 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 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.

[0082] The first compartment wall sealing material 55 prevents the refrigerant gas in the second chamber 57 from leaking into the first chamber 56 through the gap between the side wall 52 and the end wall 13a and protruding wall 22 of the motor housing 13. The second compartment wall sealing material 66 prevents the refrigerant gas in the second chamber 57 from leaking into the first chamber 56 through the gap between the housing member 60 and the inner circumferential surface of the compartment side wall insertion hole 54.

[0083] 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.

[0084] Furthermore, the containment member sealing material 72 prevents the refrigerant gas in the second chamber 57 from entering the inside of the containment member 60 through the gap between the conductive member 41 and the inner circumferential surface of the containment member insertion hole 64. Therefore, the problem of malfunction in the electric compressor 10 occurring due to the connection between the conductive member 41 and the connection terminal 68 being exposed to refrigerant gas while the connection between the conductive member 41 and the connection terminal 68 is energized is avoided.

[0085] The control unit 28 stops the switching operation of the switching element Q when the gas sensor 90 detects that the pressure in the second chamber 57 has reached a predetermined pressure. Therefore, even if refrigerant gas leaks from the motor chamber S1 into the inverter chamber 25 via the sealing material 44, the circuit board 27 is not exposed to the refrigerant gas while it is in operation.

[0086] When the gas sensor 90 detects that the pressure in the second chamber 57 has reached a predetermined pressure, the control unit 28 transmits a signal to the higher-level ECU 36 to interrupt the conduction of the system main relay SMR. When the higher-level ECU 36 receives the signal from the control unit 28 to interrupt the conduction of the system main relay SMR, it opens the positive terminal contact SW1 and the negative terminal contact SW2. As a result, the conduction of the system main relay SMR is interrupted. Consequently, the power supply from the external power supply B1 to the inverter 26 is cut off.

[0087] When the gas sensor 90 detects that the pressure in the second chamber 57 has reached a predetermined pressure, the control unit 28 transmits a signal to the higher-level ECU 36 to increase the rotation speed of the fan 37. Upon receiving the signal from the control unit 28 to increase the rotation speed of the fan 37, the higher-level ECU 36 controls the operation of the fan 37 to increase its rotation speed. As a result, the fan 37 rotates at a higher speed, and the refrigerant gas discharged from the outlet 73 to the outside of the housing 11 is diffused by the fan 37.

[0088] [Effects of the Embodiment] In this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) The control unit 28 controls the operation of the inverter circuit 29 to stop based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor 90. Therefore, even if refrigerant gas leaks from the motor chamber S1 into the inverter chamber 25 via the sealant 44, it is possible to avoid the circuit board 27 being exposed to the refrigerant gas while the circuit board 27 is in operation. Consequently, problems such as malfunctions in the electric compressor 10 can be avoided. As a result, the reliability of the electric compressor 10 can be improved.

[0089] (2) The control unit 28 can stop the operation of the inverter circuit 29 by controlling the switching operation of the switching element Q to stop based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor 90.

[0090] (3) The control unit 28 controls the system main relay SMR to shut off the conduction based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor 90, thereby cutting off the power supply from the external power supply B1 to the inverter 26, and thus enhancing safety.

[0091] (4) The gas sensor 90 is located inside the second chamber 57. With this configuration, the gas sensor 90 detects the refrigerant gas leaking from the motor chamber S1 through the sealing material 44 inside the second chamber 57. Therefore, the gas sensor 90 can reliably detect the refrigerant gas leaking from the motor chamber S1 into the inverter chamber 25 through the sealing material 44, and thus the operation of the inverter circuit 29 can be reliably stopped.

[0092] (5) The gas sensor 90 is attached to the portion of the housing member 60 located within the second chamber 57. The housing member 60 is suitable as a mounting object for positioning the gas sensor 90 within the second chamber 57.

[0093] (6) The control unit 28 controls the inverter circuit 29 to stop driving when the gas sensor 90 detects that the pressure in the second chamber 57 has reached a predetermined pressure. As a result, the control unit 28 does not stop driving the inverter circuit 29 after the pressure in the second chamber 57 exceeds the predetermined pressure, thus further enhancing safety. Therefore, the reliability of the electric compressor 10 can be further improved.

[0094] (7) Since refrigerant gas is heavier than air, refrigerant gas that leaks from the motor chamber S1 into the second chamber 57 via the seal material 44 tends to accumulate in the lower vertical direction within the second chamber 57. At this time, since the gas sensor 90 is positioned in the lower vertical direction within the second chamber 57, the refrigerant gas can be easily detected by the gas sensor 90.

[0095] (8) The control unit 28 increases the rotation speed of the fan 37 based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor 90, thereby making it easier for the refrigerant gas discharged from the outlet 73 to the outside of the housing 11 to be diffused by the fan 37. Therefore, the refrigerant gas can be safely discharged from the outlet 73.

[0096] [Example of changes] The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0097] ○ In this embodiment, a shut-off mechanism for, for example, cutting off the power to the connection terminal 68 may be built into the housing member 60. The control unit 28 then controls the shut-off mechanism so that the power to the connection terminal 68 is cut off by the shut-off mechanism based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor 90. In this way, the control unit 28 may control the operation of the inverter circuit 29 to stop based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor 90.

[0098] ○ In this embodiment, the control unit 28 does not need to control the system main relay SMR to shut off the conduction based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor 90. ○ In this embodiment, the gas sensor 90 may be attached to, for example, the support plate 42. In short, the gas sensor 90 just needs to be located inside the second chamber 57.

[0099] ○ In this embodiment, the inverter chamber 25 does not necessarily have to be divided into a first chamber 56 and a second chamber 57. In this case, the gas sensor 90 detects the pressure inside the inverter chamber 25. The gas sensor 90 may be mounted on the circuit board 27.

[0100] ○ In this embodiment, the gas sensor 90 may be configured to detect the concentration of refrigerant gas in the second chamber 57. In short, the gas sensor 90 only needs to be configured to detect refrigerant gas leaking from the motor chamber S1 through the sealing material 44.

[0101] ○ In this embodiment, 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.

[0102] ○ In this embodiment, the sealing portion 74 may be a vent filter. The vent filter is a ventilation membrane that allows the passage of gas while maintaining a pressure regulating function and blocking the passage of liquid. The vent filter also functions as a dust filter.

[0103] ○ In this embodiment, 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.

[0104] ○ In this embodiment, the discharge port 73 does not need to be sealed by the sealing portion 74. ○ In this embodiment, the gas sensor 90 may be located, for example, vertically upward within the second chamber 57.

[0105] ○ In this embodiment, the control unit 28 does not need to increase the rotation speed of the fan 37 based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor 90. ○ In this embodiment, the control unit 28 may control the remaining voltage of the circuit board 27 or the electronic components mounted on the circuit board 27 to discharge based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor 90. In this case, the electronic component may be a capacitor C1.

[0106] According to this, the control unit 28 controls the remaining voltage of electronic components such as capacitor C1 to discharge based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor 90, thereby eliminating the remaining voltage of the electronic components and thus enhancing safety.

[0107] ○ In this embodiment, the sealing material 44 may be a rubber seal. ○ In this embodiment, the substrate connector portion 67 may be configured such that, for example, the through hole formed in the circuit board 27 is treated with plating or the like. The press-fit portion 71 may also be press-fitted into the through hole.

[0108] ○ In this embodiment, the circuit board 27 does not necessarily have to be provided with a board connector portion 67. In this case, the connection terminal 68 is connected to the circuit board 27, for example, by soldering.

[0109] ○ In this embodiment, a sealing material may be further provided between the second terminal 70 of the connection terminal 68 and the housing member body 61 to seal the space between them. ○ In this embodiment, the first partition wall sealing material 55 may be, for example, an adhesive such as a liquid gasket or potting agent.

[0110] ○ In this embodiment, the second compartment wall sealing material 66 may be, for example, an adhesive such as a liquid gasket or potting agent. ○ In this embodiment, the sealing material 72 for the housing member may be, for example, an adhesive such as a liquid gasket or potting compound.

[0111] ○ In this embodiment, the housing member sealing material 72 may be integrated with the support plate 42 and the conductive member 41. Alternatively, the housing member sealing material 72 may be integrated with the housing member 60.

[0112] ○ In this embodiment, the second compartment wall sealing material 66 may be integrated with the housing member 60. ○ In this embodiment, the cover 24 may also serve as the bottom wall 51.

[0113] ○ In this embodiment, the support plate 42 may be provided in the motor chamber S1. ○ In this embodiment, 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.

[0114] ○ In this embodiment, 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 this embodiment, the refrigerant gas may be, for example, a fluorocarbon gas.

[0115] The technical concepts that can be understood from the above embodiments and modified examples are described below. <Note 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 A circuit board on which switching elements constituting an inverter circuit and a control unit for controlling the driving of the inverter circuit are mounted, and on which patterns constituting the inverter circuit are formed, 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 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 inverter chamber is equipped with a gas sensor that detects refrigerant gas leaking from the motor chamber through the sealing material. The gas sensor is electrically connected to the circuit board, The control unit is characterized by controlling the operation of the inverter circuit to stop based on the detection information of the refrigerant gas by the gas sensor.

[0116] <Note 2> The electric compressor according to Appendix 1, characterized in that the control unit controls the switching operation of the switching element to stop based on the detection information of the refrigerant gas by the gas sensor.

[0117] <Note 3> The inverter circuit is driven by power supplied from an external power source via the system main relay. The electric compressor according to Appendix 1 or Appendix 2, characterized in that the control unit controls the system main relay to shut off conduction based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor, thereby shutting off the power supply from the external power source to the inverter.

[0118] <Note 4> 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 sealing material accumulates. The housing is provided with an outlet for discharging the refrigerant gas in the second chamber to the outside of the housing. The electric compressor according to any one of <Appendix 1> to <Appendix 3>, characterized in that the gas sensor is located in the second chamber.

[0119] <Note 5> The second chamber is partitioned by the support plate, the partition wall, the bottom wall facing the support plate, and the side wall extending between the bottom wall and the partition wall. The inverter has a resin housing member that houses the connection terminals, The housing member has a housing member insertion hole that opens so that the second end of the conductive member is inserted into the connection terminal, The side wall has an opening that is formed such that the insertion hole for the housing member is located within the second chamber, and the housing member is inserted into the compartment side wall. The electric compressor according to Appendix 4, characterized in that the gas sensor is attached to the housing member.

[0120] <Note 6> The gas sensor is configured to detect the pressure in the second chamber, The aforementioned outlet is sealed by a sealing part. When the pressure inside the second chamber rises due to refrigerant gas leaking through the sealing material and reaches a predetermined pressure, the sealing portion discharges the refrigerant gas inside the second chamber to the outside of the housing. The electric compressor according to Appendix 4 or Appendix 5, characterized in that the control unit controls the operation of the inverter circuit to stop when the gas sensor detects that the pressure in the second chamber has reached the predetermined pressure.

[0121] <Note 7> The electric compressor according to any one of <Appendix 4> to <Appendix 6>, characterized in that the gas sensor is located vertically downward within the second chamber.

[0122] <Note 8> The electric compressor according to any one of the appendices 4 to 7, characterized in that the control unit increases the rotation speed of a fan provided outside the housing based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor.

[0123] <Note 9> Electronic components are mounted on the aforementioned circuit board. The electric compressor according to any one of the appendices 1 to 8, characterized in that the control unit controls the remaining voltage of the electronic component to discharge based on the detection information of the refrigerant gas by the gas sensor. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0124] 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, 28...Control unit, 29...Inverter circuit, 30...Pattern, 34...Partition through-hole, 37...Fan, 40...Airtight terminal, 41...Conductive member, 42...Support plate, 44...Sealing material, 51...Bottom wall, 52...Side wall, 54...Partition side wall insertion hole, 56...First chamber, 57...Second chamber, 60...Housing member, 64...Housing member insertion hole, 68...Connection terminal, 73...Discharge port, 74...Sealing section, 90...Gas sensor, B1...External power supply, C1...Electronic component: Capacitor, Q, Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6...Switching elements, S1...Motor chamber, SMR...System main relay.

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 A circuit board on which switching elements constituting an inverter circuit and a control unit for controlling the driving of the inverter circuit are mounted, and on which patterns constituting the inverter circuit are formed, It has a connection terminal that connects the airtight terminal and the circuit board, The partition wall has through-holes that penetrate it so as 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 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 inverter chamber is equipped with a gas sensor that detects refrigerant gas leaking from the motor chamber through the sealing material. The gas sensor is electrically connected to the circuit board, The control unit is characterized by controlling the operation of the inverter circuit to stop based on the detection information of the refrigerant gas by the gas sensor.

2. The electric compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit controls the switching operation of the switching element to stop based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor.

3. The inverter circuit is driven by power supplied from an external power source via the system main relay. The control unit controls the system main relay to shut off conduction based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor, thereby shutting off the power supply from the external power source to the inverter, as described in claim 1 or 2.

4. 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 sealing material accumulates. The housing is provided with an outlet for discharging the refrigerant gas in the second chamber to the outside of the housing. The electric compressor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the gas sensor is located inside the second chamber.

5. The second chamber is partitioned by the support plate, the partition wall, the bottom wall facing the support plate, and the side wall extending between the bottom wall and the partition wall. The inverter has a resin housing member that houses the connection terminals, The housing member has a housing member insertion hole that opens so that the second end of the conductive member is inserted into the connection terminal. The side wall has an opening that is formed in such a way that the insertion hole for the housing member is located within the second chamber, and into which the housing member is inserted. The electric compressor according to claim 4, characterized in that the gas sensor is attached to the housing member.

6. The gas sensor is configured to detect the pressure in the second chamber, The aforementioned outlet is sealed by a sealing part. When the pressure inside the second chamber rises due to refrigerant gas leaking through the sealing material and reaches a predetermined pressure, the sealing portion discharges the refrigerant gas inside the second chamber to the outside of the housing. The electric compressor according to claim 4, characterized in that the control unit controls the operation of the inverter circuit to stop when the gas sensor detects that the pressure in the second chamber has reached the predetermined pressure.

7. The electric compressor according to claim 4, characterized in that the gas sensor is located vertically downward within the second chamber.

8. The electric compressor according to claim 4, characterized in that the control unit increases the rotation speed of a fan provided outside the housing based on the refrigerant gas detection information from the gas sensor.

9. Electronic components are mounted on the aforementioned circuit board. The electric compressor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit controls the remaining voltage of the electronic component to discharge based on the detection information of the refrigerant gas by the gas sensor.

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