Terminal block cover, compressor equipped therewith, and method for assembling the compressor

Abstract

To provide a terminal block cover that can airtightly cover terminals with a simple structure. [Solution] The terminal block cover 3 comprises a cover body 3b integrally constructed to hermetically cover a terminal block equipped with terminals for supplying power to the motor of a compressor, and a cable gland 23 that hermetically fixes an intermediate position of the cable 17 connected to the terminals and extending to the outside to the cover body 3b. The cover body 3b comprises a container portion 3b1 with a cavity formed inside, and a cylindrical portion 3b2 integrally fixed to the container portion 3b1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a terminal block cover, a compressor provided with the same, and a method for assembling the compressor.

Background Art

[0002] An electric compressor that compresses flammable refrigerant is provided with a terminal block cover so as to cover a terminal block provided with terminals for supplying electric power to the electric motor (Patent Document 1). By sealing the terminals with the terminal block cover, even if the refrigerant leaks, the refrigerant is prevented from reaching the terminals.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, the terminal block cover is divided into two parts, a first cover and a second cover. The lower first cover holds the wiring, and the second cover is configured to cover the top of the first cover.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Although the terminal block cover described in Patent Document 1 improves workability, the number of components increases as there are two covers. In addition, it is necessary to provide a gasket for airtightness between the first cover and the second cover, which further increases the number of components.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a terminal block cover capable of airtightly covering terminals with a simple structure, a compressor provided with the same, and a method for assembling the compressor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A terminal block cover according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a cover body integrally configured to hermetically cover a terminal block equipped with terminals for supplying power to the motor of a compressor, and a cable gland for hermetically fixing an intermediate position of a cable connected to the terminals and extending to the outside with respect to the cover body.

[0008] A compressor according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a cover body that airtightly covers a terminal block equipped with terminals for supplying power to the motor of the compressor, a mounting surface provided on the outer surface of the compressor casing and around the terminals, and a sealing portion provided between the opening end of the cover body, wherein the sealing portion consists of a first rubber gasket and a second gasket having a lower hardness than the first gasket, which are superimposed on each other.

[0009] A compressor assembly method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a compressor assembly method comprising a terminal block cover comprising a cover body integrally configured to hermetically cover a terminal block having a plurality of terminals for supplying power to the motor of the compressor, and a cable gland for hermetically fixing the intermediate position of each cable connected to each terminal and extending to the outside to the cover body, wherein after assembling the cover body, the cable gland and each of the cables, the cover body is fixed to the terminal block such that each of the ends of the cables corresponding to each of the terminals is bent at an angle of 90° or more with respect to the direction in which the cable extends at the cable outlet and connected to each of the terminals. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The terminals can be airtightly enclosed with a simple structure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the upper part of a compressor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a plan view of the compressor. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the compressor with the terminal block cover removed. [Figure 4]This is a perspective view showing the rubber gasket of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the foam gasket of FIG. 3. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the assembly of the terminal block cover and the cable of FIG. 3. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing the assembly in which the cable is attached to the terminal block cover. [Figure 8A] This is a plan view schematically showing the attachment state of the cable tip to each terminal. [Figure 8B] This is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 8A and showing the wound state of the cable tip. [Figure 8C] This is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 8A and showing the positional relationship between the fixing bolt and the cable outlet. [Figure 9A] This is a plan view showing the first modified example of FIG. 8A. [Figure 9B] This is a plan view showing the second modified example of FIG. 8A. [Figure 9C] This is a plan view showing the third modified example of FIG. 8A. [Figure 9D] This is a plan view showing the fourth modified example of FIG. 8A. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0012] Hereinafter, the embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the upper part of the compressor 1 provided with the terminal block cover 3 according to the present embodiment. The compressor 1 is used, for example, to compress refrigerant in an air conditioner. The compressor 1 is, for example, a scroll compressor or a rotary compressor, and its compression mechanism is driven by a motor (electric motor). The compressor 1 compresses flammable refrigerant such as R290, for example. An accumulator 5 is fixed to the side of the compressor 1. Reference numeral 7 denotes a discharge pipe for discharging refrigerant.

[0013] A terminal block cover 3 is fixed to the upper surface of an upper casing (compressor casing) 9 of the compressor 1. The terminal block cover 3 is fixed by screwing one fixing nut 11 onto one fixing bolt 12 erected from the upper casing 9 of the compressor 1. That is, the terminal block cover 3 is fixed at only one position.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal block cover 3 is fixed so as to cover a terminal block 13 formed on the upper casing 9. The terminal block 13 is a mounting base having a circular outer shape in plan view, and slightly protrudes upward relative to the outer upper casing 9 (see FIG. 3). At the center of the terminal block 13, three terminals 15 corresponding to the three phases of electric power supplied to the motor are provided. The three terminals are respectively arranged on the same circumference at equal angular intervals. A cable 17 is connected to each of the terminals 15.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, a rubber gasket (first gasket) 20 and a foam gasket (second gasket) 21 are sandwiched between the opening end 3a located below the terminal block cover 3 and the mounting surface of the upper casing 9. The rubber gasket 20 and the foam gasket 21 are stacked such that the rubber gasket 20 is on the upper side and the foam gasket 21 is on the lower side. Thereby, the opening end 3a of the terminal block cover 3 is in direct contact with the rubber gasket 20.

[0016] The rubber gasket 20 is made of rubber, for example, heat-resistant neoprene is used, and has a Shore hardness of 70. As shown in FIG. 4, the rubber gasket 20 is in the form of a thin plate, and when viewed in plan, includes a circular portion 20b in which terminal holes 20a surrounding each terminal 15 are formed, and a protruding portion 20d connected to the circular portion 20b, protruding therefrom, and surrounding a bolt hole 20c through which the fixing bolt 12 is inserted. Thereby, the shape of the rubber gasket 20 is a shape that comes into contact with the entire circumference of the opening end 3a of the terminal block cover 3.

[0017] The foamed gasket 21 is, for example, made of polyethylene foam and has lower hardness than the rubber gasket 20. Alternatively, another gasket with lower hardness than the rubber gasket 20 may be used instead of the foamed gasket 21.

[0018] As shown in Figure 5, the foamed gasket 21 is in the shape of a thin plate and, when viewed from above, is substantially the same shape as the rubber gasket 20. The foamed gasket 21 comprises a circular portion 21b in which terminal holes 21a surrounding each terminal 15 are formed, and a protruding portion 21d connected to the circular portion 21b and surrounding a bolt hole 21c through which a fixing bolt 12 is inserted.

[0019] Figure 6 shows an assembly AS with the cables 17 attached to the terminal block cover 3. With this assembly AS in place, access the terminal block 13 on the upper casing 9 of the compressor 1, insert the connection terminals 17a at the ends of each cable 17 into the terminals 15 to connect them, and then fix the terminal block cover 3 onto the upper casing 9 using the fixing nuts 11. The connection terminals 17a of the cables 17 are, for example, flag terminals.

[0020] The terminal block cover 3 comprises a cover body 3b and a cable gland 23 attached to the cover body 3b. The cover body 3b comprises a container portion 3b1 whose lower end is open at an open end 3a, and a cylindrical portion 3b2 connected to the side of the container portion 3b1. The container portion 3b1 and the cylindrical portion 3b2 are integrally formed by resin molding or the like.

[0021] The container portion 3b1 has a cup shape with a cavity formed inside, and only the opening end 3a is open. A female thread is formed on the inner circumference of the tip (right end in Figure 6) of the cylindrical portion 3b2, and the cable gland 23 is screwed into this female thread. The cable gland 23 airtightly fixes the cable 17 at an intermediate position when the cable 17 is inserted through the inside. Reference numeral 3c indicates a bolt hole through which the fixing bolt 12 (see Figure 3) is inserted. In the same figure, at the position of the cable gland 23, three cables 17 are covered with an outer sheath to form one cable. However, the three cables 17 may be passed through the cable gland 23 separately and fixed.

[0022] Figure 7 shows a bottom view of the terminal block cover 3 and cable gland 23 viewed from below. The container portion 3b1 and the cylindrical portion 3b2 of the terminal block cover 3 are connected via an opening called a cable outlet 3d. That is, the cable outlet 3d opens towards the cavity in the container portion 3b1 where each terminal 15 (see Figure 2) is housed. Each cable 17 (see Figure 6) is drawn into the container portion 3b1 from the cable outlet 3d. The length of the cable 17 extending from the cable outlet 3d to the connecting terminal 17a (see Figure 6) at the end is the slack length of the cable 17 when attaching the assembly AS shown in Figure 6 to the terminal block 13.

[0023] Figure 8A shows the state in which the ends (connection terminal 17a side) of the cables 17 are attached to each terminal 15 provided on the upper casing 9 of the compressor 1. Three cables 17 are shown in the figure, and from bottom to top, they are shown as the first cable 17-1, the second cable 17-2, and the third cable 17-3. The three terminals 15 are designated as the first terminal 15-1, the second terminal 15-2, and the third terminal 15-3, in a clockwise direction when viewed from the cable outlet 3d (see Figure 7).

[0024] Each cable 17 is led out from the cable outlet 3d toward each terminal 15. Each cable 17 is wound clockwise within the cavity inside the container 3b1 (i.e., to the left of the cable outlet 3d in Figure 8A), bent by more than 90°, and then connected to each terminal 15.

[0025] As shown in more detail in Figure 8B, the cable 17 at the cable outlet 3d is bent at an angle of 90° or more relative to its extending direction (straight line L1) and connected to each terminal 15. For example, the winding angle α, which is the angle between the straight line L1, which is the extending direction of the second cable 17-2 at the cable outlet 3d, and the straight line L2, which is the extending direction of the tip of the second cable 17-2 connected to the second terminal 15-2, is approximately 135°, which is 90° or more. The first cable 17-1 has a winding angle α of approximately 360°, and the third cable 17-3 has a winding angle of approximately 270°, with each winding angle α being 90° or more.

[0026] Figure 8C shows the positional relationship between the cable outlet 3d and the fixing bolt 12. Let L3 be the line connecting the center O1, which is equidistant from the three terminals 15, and the center position of the cable outlet 3d, and let L4 be the line connecting the center O1 and the fixing bolt 12. Position the cable outlet 3d close to the fixing bolt 12 such that the fixing angle β, which is the angle between lines L3 and L4, is 90° or less. This brings the fixing bolt 12 closer to the cable gland 23 (see Figure 6), and the cable gland 23 is firmly fixed.

[0027] The method for attaching the terminal block cover 3 in the above configuration is as follows. First, as shown in Figure 6, each cable 17 is attached to the terminal block cover 3 to form an assembly AS. At this time, the intermediate positions of each cable 17 are fixed to the terminal block cover 3 in an airtight manner by the cable gland 23.

[0028] Next, as shown in Figure 2, the connection terminals 17a of each cable 17 are connected to the respective terminals 15. Then, as shown in Figure 3, the terminal block cover 3 is placed over the terminal block 13 so that the ends of the cables 17 fit into the cavities of the container portion 3b1 (see Figure 6) of the cover body 3b. At this time, the fixing bolts 12 are positioned so that they pass through the bolt holes 3c of the terminal block cover 3. In addition, a rubber gasket 20 is placed so as to contact the open end 3a of the terminal block cover 3, and a foam gasket 21 is placed below it.

[0029] Then, the terminal block cover 3 is fixed to the upper casing 9 by screwing the fixing nut 11 onto the fixing bolt 12. This ensures an airtight seal as the rubber gasket 20 and foam gasket 21, which are sandwiched between the open end 3a and the upper casing 9, are pressed in and deformed.

[0030] The effects and advantages of this embodiment, as described above, are as follows. Since the cover body 3b is constructed as a single unit, the number of parts is reduced compared to a split design, and there is no need to provide a gasket to airtightly seal the split surface. Furthermore, since the cable gland 23 is used to airtightly fix the cable 17 at an intermediate position, the inside of the cover body 3b where the terminal 15 is located can be made airtight.

[0031] The mounting surface of the compressor casing, the upper casing 9, and the cover body 3b of the terminal block cover 3 are airtightly connected by a sealing portion (rubber gasket 20 and foamed gasket 21) provided between the mounting surface and the cover body 3b. The sealing portion consists of a rubber gasket 20 and a foamed gasket 21, which has a lower hardness than the rubber gasket 20, stacked on top of each other. Since the foamed gasket 21 has a lower hardness than the rubber gasket 20, it can deform more easily and enter the gap, thus providing better sealing performance. This improves the sealing performance compared to using only the rubber gasket 20.

[0032] The rubber gasket 20 is in contact with the open end 3a of the cover body 3b, and the foam gasket 21 receives the force from the open end 3a of the cover body 3b via the rubber gasket 20. This prevents the foam gasket 21 from deforming significantly and getting damaged if force is applied directly from the open end 3a, and also prevents a decrease in the load-bearing capacity of the seal even if the cover body 3b is repeatedly attached and detached.

[0033] Since the end of each cable 17 is bent at an angle of 90° or more relative to the direction of extension of the cable 17 at the cable outlet 3d (the direction of the straight line L1) and connected to each terminal 15, the distance from the cable outlet 3d to the end of the cable 17 can be increased. As a result, when connecting the end of the cable 17 to the terminal 15 while the cable 17 is fixed to the cable gland 23, there can be extra length in the cable 17, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0034] By fixing the cover body 3b to the fixing bolt 12 at only one location, the number of parts can be reduced. The single fixing location is located to the side of the cable gland 23. This allows for firm fixing near the cable gland 23, where force is transmitted from the outside via the cable 17, and ensures the airtightness of the terminal block cover 3.

[0035] This embodiment can be modified as follows.

[0036] As shown in Figure 8B, in order to ensure that the winding angle α between straight lines L1 and L2 is 90° or more for all cables 17, the following configuration can also be used.

[0037] <First variation> As shown in Figure 9A, all cables may be wound clockwise so that the winding angle α (see Figure 8B) is approximately 180°.

[0038] <Second variation> As shown in Figure 9B, the first cable 17-1 and the third cable 17-3 may be wound clockwise so that the winding angle α (see Figure 8B) is approximately 180°, while the second cable 17-2 may be wound counterclockwise so that the winding angle α is approximately 270°.

[0039] <Third variation> As shown in Figure 9C, the second cable 17-2 may be wound clockwise so that the winding angle α (see Figure 8B) is approximately 180°, while the first cable 17-1 and the third cable 17-3 may be wound clockwise so that the winding angle α is approximately 270°.

[0040] <Fourth variation> As shown in Figure 9D, the first cable 17-1 may be wound clockwise so that the winding angle α (see Figure 8B) is approximately 180°, the second cable 17-2 may be wound counterclockwise so that the winding angle α is approximately 225°, and the third cable 17-3 may be wound clockwise so that the winding angle α is approximately 135°.

[0041] The terminal block cover, the compressor equipped therewith, and the method for assembling the compressor described in each embodiment above can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0042] A terminal block cover (3) according to a first aspect of the present disclosure comprises a cover body (3b) integrally configured to hermetically cover a terminal block (13) equipped with terminals (15) for supplying power to the motor of a compressor (1), and a cable gland (23) for hermetically fixing an intermediate position of a cable (17) whose tip is connected to the terminals with respect to the cover body.

[0043] Since the cover body is constructed as a single unit, the number of parts is reduced compared to a split design, and there is no need to provide a gasket to airtightly seal the split surfaces. Furthermore, because the cable gland is used to airtightly fix the cable at an intermediate position, the inside of the cover body where the terminals are located can be made airtight.

[0044] A compressor according to a first aspect of the present disclosure comprises the above-mentioned terminal block cover, a mounting surface provided on the outer surface of the compressor casing and around the terminals, and a sealing portion (20, 21) provided between the opening end (3a) of the cover body, wherein the sealing portion consists of a first rubber gasket (20) and a second gasket (21) having a lower hardness than the first gasket, which are superimposed on each other.

[0045] The mounting surface of the compressor casing and the cover body are airtightly connected by a sealing section provided between the mounting surface and the open end of the cover body of the terminal block cover. The sealing section consists of a first rubber gasket and a second gasket with lower hardness than the first gasket, stacked on top of each other. Because the second gasket has lower hardness than the first gasket, it deforms more easily and fits into the gap, providing better sealing performance. This improves sealing performance compared to using only the first rubber gasket. As the second gasket, for example, a foamed gasket made of polyethylene foam can be used.

[0046] In the compressor of a second aspect of the present disclosure, the first gasket is in contact with the open end of the cover body, as in the first aspect described above.

[0047] The first gasket is in contact with the open end of the cover body, and the second gasket receives the force from the open end of the cover body via the first gasket. This prevents the second gasket from deforming significantly and getting damaged when force is applied directly from the open end, and also prevents a decrease in the load-bearing capacity of the seal even when the cover body is repeatedly attached and detached.

[0048] A compressor according to a third aspect of the present disclosure comprises the above-described terminal block cover, wherein there are multiple terminals, and a cable outlet (3d) opening into a cavity inside the cover body is connected to it, and each of the ends of the cable corresponding to each of the terminals is bent at an angle of 90° or more with respect to the direction in which the cable extends at the cable outlet and connected to each of the terminals.

[0049] By bending the end of each cable at an angle of 90° or more relative to the direction of cable extension at the cable outlet before connecting it to each terminal, the distance from the cable outlet to the cable end can be increased. This allows for more slack in the cable when connecting the cable end to the terminal while the cable is fixed to the cable gland, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0050] In the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the compressor, as in the third aspect described above, has one fixing position (12) for fixing the cover body to the terminal block, and the fixing position is provided to the side of the cable gland.

[0051] By fixing the cover body in only one place, the number of parts can be reduced. The single fixing point was moved to the side of the cable gland. This allows for firm fixing near the cable gland, where external forces are transmitted via the cable, and ensures the terminal block cover is airtight.

[0052] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a compressor comprising a cover body that airtightly covers a terminal block equipped with terminals for supplying power to the motor of the compressor, a mounting surface provided on the outer surface of the compressor casing and around the terminals, and a sealing portion provided between the opening end of the cover body, wherein the sealing portion consists of a first rubber gasket and a second gasket having less hardness than the first gasket, which are superimposed on each other.

[0053] The mounting surface of the compressor casing and the cover body are airtightly connected by a sealing section provided between the mounting surface and the open end of the cover body. The sealing section consists of a first rubber gasket and a second gasket with lower hardness than the first gasket, stacked on top of each other. Because the second gasket has lower hardness than the first gasket, it deforms more easily and fits into the gap, providing better sealing performance. This improves sealing performance compared to using only the first rubber gasket. As the second gasket, for example, a foamed gasket made of polyethylene foam can be used.

[0054] A compressor assembly method according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a compressor assembly method comprising a terminal block cover comprising: a cover body integrally configured to hermetically cover a terminal block having a plurality of terminals for supplying power to the motor of the compressor; and a cable gland for hermetically fixing the intermediate position of each cable connected to each terminal and extending to the outside to the cover body, wherein after assembling the cover body, the cable gland and each of the cables, the cover body is fixed to the terminal block such that each of the ends of the cables corresponding to each of the terminals is bent at an angle of 90° or more with respect to the direction of extension of the cable at the cable outlet and connected to each of the terminals.

[0055] By bending the end of each cable at an angle of 90° or more relative to the direction of cable extension at the cable outlet before connecting it to each terminal, the distance from the cable outlet to the cable end can be increased. This allows for more slack in the cable when connecting the cable end to the terminal after assembling the cover body, cable gland, and cable, thereby improving work efficiency. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 1. Compressor 3 Terminal block cover 3a Open end 3b Cover body 3b1 Container part 3b2 Cylinder part 3c bolt hole 3D cable outlet 5. Accumulator 7 Discharge pipe 9. Upper casing (compressor casing) 11 Fixing nut 13 Terminal block 15 terminals 17 Cables 17a Connection terminal 20 Rubber gasket (first gasket) 20a terminal hole 20b Circular section 20c bolt holes 20d convex part 21 Foamed gasket (second gasket) 21a Terminal hole 21b Circular section 21c bolt holes 21d convex part 23 Cable Gland AS assembly

Claims

1. A cover body integrally constructed to hermetically enclose a terminal block equipped with terminals for supplying power to the compressor's motor, A cable gland that hermetically secures an intermediate position of a cable whose tip is connected to the terminal to the cover body, A terminal block cover equipped with this feature.

2. The terminal block cover according to claim 1, A mounting surface provided on the outer surface of the compressor casing and around the terminals, and a sealing portion provided between the opening end of the cover body, Equipped with, The sealing portion of the compressor consists of a first rubber gasket and a second gasket having a lower hardness than the first gasket, which are stacked on top of each other.

3. The compressor according to claim 2, wherein the first gasket is in contact with the open end of the cover body.

4. The terminal block cover is provided as described in claim 1, The aforementioned terminals are multiple, A cable outlet opening into the cavity inside the cover body is connected. A compressor in which each of the ends of the cable corresponding to each of the terminals is bent at an angle of 90° or more with respect to the direction of extension of the cable at the cable outlet and connected to each of the terminals.

5. The cover body is fixed to the terminal block at one location. The compressor according to claim 4, wherein the fixed position is provided on the side of the cable gland.

6. The terminal block, which has terminals for supplying power to the compressor's motor, is enclosed in an airtight manner by the cover body and A mounting surface provided on the outer surface of the compressor casing and around the terminals, and a sealing portion provided between the opening end of the cover body, Equipped with, The sealing portion of the compressor consists of a first rubber gasket and a second gasket having a lower hardness than the first gasket, which are stacked on top of each other.

7. A cover body integrally constructed to hermetically enclose a terminal block equipped with multiple terminals for supplying power to the compressor's motor, A cable gland that hermetically secures the intermediate position of each cable connected to each terminal and extending to the outside to the cover body, A method for assembling a compressor equipped with a terminal block cover, The cover body is provided with a cable outlet that opens into the internal cavity, After assembling the cover body, the cable gland, and each of the cables, A method for assembling a compressor, comprising fixing the cover body to the terminal block such that each of the ends of the cables corresponding to each of the terminals is bent at an angle of 90° or more with respect to the direction in which the cable extends at the cable outlet and connected to each of the terminals.

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