Electric Compressor

The shielding wall and partition design in electric compressors block electrolyte splashing and enhance cooling, addressing short-circuit risks and heat dissipation, ensuring efficient operation and reduced leakage.

JP7619303B2Active Publication Date: 2025-01-22TOYOTA INDUSTRIES CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2022028336
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-02-25
Publication Date
2025-01-22
Estimated Expiration
2042-02-25

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To preferably achieve the cooling of a heating element and the avoidance of short circuit through an electrolyte between lead portions.SOLUTION: In an inverter chamber 19, a shield wall 44 located so as to shield between an explosion valve 33a and a plurality of lead portions 38 is provided. The shield wall 44 includes at least a resin portion 45 thermally connects an end wall 13a of a motor housing 13 and a shunt resistance 32. Therefore, heat generated from the shunt resistance 32 is transmitted to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 through the resin portion 45, and thus the heat is radiated to a housing 11. Even if the explosion valve 33a is opened to scatter an electrolyte 35 in a capacitor 33 to the outside of the capacitor 33, the electrolyte 35 toward the plurality of lead portions 38 is dammed by the shield wall 44 including at least the resin portion 45.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4
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Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the electric compressor includes a compression section, an electric motor, and an inverter. The compression section compresses a fluid. The electric motor drives the compression section. The inverter drives the electric motor. The inverter has a circuit board. The electric compressor includes a housing. The housing has a motor chamber and an inverter chamber. The motor chamber houses the electric motor. The inverter chamber houses the inverter. The housing also has a partition wall separating the motor chamber and the inverter chamber. A heating element, a capacitor, and a switching element are mounted on the circuit board. The heating element generates heat as the electric motor is driven. The switching element has a plurality of lead portions electrically connected to the circuit board. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-40538 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, a capacitor may have an explosion-proof valve. An electrolyte is sealed inside a capacitor having an explosion-proof valve. The explosion-proof valve serves as an outlet for the electrolyte inside the capacitor. In such a capacitor, when the electrolyte inside the capacitor evaporates, the pressure inside the capacitor increases. The explosion-proof valve is configured to open when the pressure inside the capacitor increases to or exceeds a specified value.

[0005] When the explosion-proof valve opens, the electrolyte inside the capacitor will splash out to the outside of the capacitor. If the electrolyte splashed from the capacitor adheres to the leads of the switching element, for example, there is a risk that the leads will short-circuit each other via the electrolyte.

[0006] It is also desirable to cool the heat generating element, and therefore it is desirable to suitably achieve both cooling of the heat generating element and prevention of short-circuiting between the lead portions via the electrolyte. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The electric compressor that solves the above problem includes a compression section that compresses a fluid, an electric motor that drives the compression section, an inverter that drives the electric motor and has a circuit board, and a housing having a motor chamber that houses the electric motor and an inverter chamber that houses the inverter, the housing has a partition wall that separates the motor chamber and the inverter chamber, and the circuit board is mounted with a heating element that generates heat as the electric motor is driven, a capacitor having an explosion-proof valve that serves as an outlet for the electrolyte inside, and a switching element having a plurality of lead portions that are electrically connected to the circuit board, the heating element is located on the circuit board between the capacitor and the switching element, and a shielding wall is provided within the inverter chamber so as to isolate the explosion-proof valve from the plurality of lead portions, and the shielding wall includes at least a resin portion that thermally connects the partition wall and the heating element.

[0008] According to this, the heat generated from the heating element is transferred to the partition wall through the resin portion and dissipated to the housing. As a result, the heating element can be cooled. In addition, even if the explosion-proof valve opens and the electrolyte inside the capacitor scatters to the outside of the capacitor, the electrolyte toward each lead portion is blocked by the shielding wall including at least the resin portion. Therefore, it is easy to prevent the electrolyte scattered from the capacitor from adhering to each lead portion. As a result, the lead portions are prevented from short-circuiting through the electrolyte. Therefore, the electrolyte toward each lead portion can be blocked by the resin portion that contributes to dissipating the heat generated from the heating element. As a result, both cooling of the heating element and avoidance of short-circuiting through the electrolyte between the lead portions can be preferably achieved.

[0009] In the electric compressor, the shielding wall may include a protruding wall that is a part of the partition wall and protrudes toward the heating element. This reduces the number of resin parts required, resulting in excellent productivity.

[0010] In the above electric compressor, the housing may have a partition wall that partitions an accommodation space that accommodates the capacitor within the inverter chamber, and the partition wall may form at least a part of the shielding wall.

[0011] According to this, even if the explosion-proof valve opens and the electrolyte inside the capacitor splashes out of the capacitor, the electrolyte can be stopped by the partition wall, and therefore the electrolyte can be prevented from leaking out of the storage space that houses the capacitor, and therefore the electrolyte can be prevented from adhering to electronic components present around the storage space that houses the capacitor.

[0012] In the above electric compressor, when fixed to an object to be mounted, the explosion-proof valve is preferably located vertically above the shielding wall, and the multiple lead portions are preferably located vertically below the shielding wall.

[0013] With this, even if the electrolyte scattered from the capacitor flows downward due to its own weight and flows toward each lead, the electrolyte flowing toward each lead is blocked by the shielding wall, making it easier to prevent the electrolyte scattered from the capacitor from adhering to each lead.

[0014] In the above electric compressor, a shunt resistor that detects a current flowing to the electric motor may be mounted on the circuit board, and the heating element may be the shunt resistor. According to this, heat generated from the shunt resistor is transferred to the partition wall via the resin portion and dissipated to the housing. As a result, the shunt resistor can be cooled. Here, the shunt resistor is an electronic component that is placed relatively close to the switching element in terms of layout. Therefore, the resin portion that contributes to dissipating the heat generated from the shunt resistor is also suitable for blocking the electrolyte flowing toward each lead portion. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to this invention, it is possible to effectively achieve both cooling of the heat generating element and prevention of short-circuiting between the lead portions via the electrolyte. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electric compressor according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the electric compressor. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the inside of an inverter chamber. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the explosion-proof valve is opened and the electrolyte is scattered. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] An embodiment of an electric compressor will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The electric compressor of the present embodiment is used, for example, in a vehicle air conditioner. <Electric compressor 10> As shown in Fig. 1, the electric compressor 10 includes a cylindrical housing 11. The housing 11 includes a discharge housing 12, a motor housing 13, and an inverter cover 14. The discharge housing 12, the motor housing 13, and the inverter cover 14 are made of a metal material, for example, aluminum. The discharge housing 12 has a discharge port 12h. The electric compressor 10 includes a rotating shaft 15, a compression unit 16, an electric motor 17, and an inverter 30.

[0018] The motor housing 13 has a plate-shaped end wall 13a, a cylindrical peripheral wall 13b, and a cylindrical extension wall 13c. The peripheral wall 13b extends cylindrically from the outer periphery of the end wall 13a. The extension wall 13c extends cylindrically from the outer periphery of the end wall 13a to the opposite side to the peripheral wall 13b. The motor housing 13 has an intake port 13h. The intake port 13h is formed in the peripheral wall 13b of the motor housing 13. The intake port 13h is formed in a portion of the peripheral wall 13b that is located near the end wall 13a.

[0019] The rotating shaft 15 is disposed inside the peripheral wall 13b of the motor housing 13. The rotating shaft 15 is rotatably supported by the housing 11. The rotating shaft 15 is accommodated in the housing 11 with the axial direction, which is the direction in which the rotation axis of the rotating shaft 15 extends, coinciding with the axial direction of the peripheral wall 13b of the motor housing 13. Therefore, the axial direction of the rotating shaft 15 coincides with the axial direction of the housing 11.

[0020] <Compression section 16> The compression section 16 compresses the refrigerant as a fluid. The compression section 16 is disposed inside the peripheral wall 13b of the motor housing 13. The compression section 16 is driven by the rotation of the rotating shaft 15. The compression section 16 is, for example, a scroll type configured with a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll (not shown). The fixed scroll is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 13b of the motor housing 13. The orbiting scroll revolves around the fixed scroll as the rotating shaft 15 rotates.

[0021] <Motor Room 18> The electric motor 17 is disposed inside the peripheral wall 13b of the motor housing 13. The compression unit 16 and the electric motor 17 are disposed side by side in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 15. The electric motor 17 is disposed closer to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 than the compression unit 16. Therefore, the space between the compression unit 16 and the end wall 13a in the space inside the peripheral wall 13b of the motor housing 13 forms a motor chamber 18 that houses the electric motor 17. Thus, the housing 11 has the motor chamber 18. The motor chamber 18 is in communication with the suction port 13h.

[0022] <Inverter Room 19> The inverter cover 14 is plate-shaped. The inverter cover 14 is fixed to the extension wall 13c of the motor housing 13 in a state where the opening of the extension wall 13c is closed. An inverter chamber 19 is defined by the end wall 13a and the extension wall 13c of the motor housing 13, and the inverter cover 14. Thus, the housing 11 has the inverter chamber 19. The inverter chamber 19 accommodates an inverter 30. The end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 is a partition wall that separates the motor chamber 18 and the inverter chamber 19. The compression unit 16, the electric motor 17, and the inverter 30 are arranged in this order in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 15.

[0023] <Electric motor 17> The electric motor 17 drives the compression section 16 by rotating the rotating shaft 15. The electric motor 17 has a cylindrical stator 20 and a cylindrical rotor 21. The rotor 21 is disposed inside the stator 20. The rotor 21 rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 15. The rotor 21 has a rotor core 21a fixed to the rotating shaft 15 and a plurality of permanent magnets (not shown) provided on the rotor core 21a. The stator 20 surrounds the rotor 21. The stator 20 has a cylindrical stator core 20a and a motor coil 22 wound around the stator core 20a.

[0024] <External refrigerant circuit 23> A first end of the external refrigerant circuit 23 is connected to the suction port 13h. A second end of the external refrigerant circuit 23 is connected to the discharge port 12h. The refrigerant flowing through the external refrigerant circuit 23 is drawn into the motor chamber 18 through the suction port 13h. The refrigerant drawn into the motor chamber 18 is compressed in the compression section 16 by the drive of the compression section 16. The refrigerant compressed in the compression section 16 is discharged to the external refrigerant circuit 23 through the discharge port 12h. The refrigerant discharged from the discharge port 12h to the external refrigerant circuit 23 passes through a heat exchanger and an expansion valve of the external refrigerant circuit 23, and flows back into the motor chamber 18 through the suction port 13h. The electric compressor 10 and the external refrigerant circuit 23 constitute a vehicle air conditioning device 24.

[0025] <Inverter 30> As shown in FIG. 2, the inverter 30 has a circuit board 31. The inverter 30 drives the electric motor 17. A shunt resistor 32, a capacitor 33, and a switching element 34 are mounted on the circuit board 31. The circuit board 31 has a mounting surface 31a on which the shunt resistor 32, the capacitor 33, and the switching element 34 are mounted. On the mounting surface 31a of the circuit board 31, the shunt resistor 32 is located between the capacitor 33 and the switching element 34. The circuit board 31 is accommodated in the inverter chamber 19 with the mounting surface 31a facing the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. The thickness direction of the circuit board 31 coincides with the axial direction of the rotating shaft 15. Therefore, the thickness direction of the circuit board 31 coincides with the axial direction of the housing 11.

[0026] <Shunt resistor 32> The shunt resistor 32 is disposed between the mounting surface 31a of the circuit board 31 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. The shunt resistor 32 is used to detect an input current input to the inverter 30 from an external power source (not shown). Thus, the shunt resistor 32 detects a current flowing to the electric motor 17. The shunt resistor 32 is a heating element that generates heat when a current flows through it. Thus, the shunt resistor 32 generates heat as the electric motor 17 is driven. The heating element in this embodiment is the shunt resistor 32.

[0027] <Capacitor 33> The capacitor 33 is disposed between the mounting surface 31a of the circuit board 31 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. A protruding length H1 of the capacitor 33 from the mounting surface 31a is longer than a protruding length H2 of the shunt resistor 32 from the mounting surface 31a. Therefore, the capacitor 33 is an electronic component that is taller than the shunt resistor 32.

[0028] The capacitor 33 is a filter element that reduces noise contained in the input current from the outside. An electrolyte 35 is sealed inside the capacitor 33. Therefore, the capacitor 33 is an electrolytic capacitor. In FIG. 2, the electrolyte 35 is virtually illustrated by a two-dot chain line. The capacitor 33 has an explosion-proof valve 33a. The explosion-proof valve 33a is configured to open when the pressure inside the capacitor 33 rises to a specified value or higher. The explosion-proof valve 33a serves as an outlet for the electrolyte 35 inside the capacitor 33. The explosion-proof valve 33a is disposed at an end of the capacitor 33 that is located on the opposite side to the mounting surface 31a.

[0029] <Switching element 34> A plurality of switching elements 34 are mounted on the circuit board 31. Specifically, a power module 36 in which the plurality of switching elements 34 are modularized is mounted on the circuit board 31. The power module 36 is disposed between a mounting surface 31a of the circuit board 31 and an end wall 13a of the motor housing 13.

[0030] The power module 36 has a module body 37 and a plurality of lead portions 38. The plurality of switching elements 34 are embedded inside the module body 37. The module body 37 is fixed to an end wall 13a of the motor housing 13.

[0031] Each lead portion 38 is, for example, a plate-shaped bus bar. Each lead portion 38 extends from the module body 37 toward the circuit board 31. Each lead portion 38 is electrically connected to the circuit board 31. The switching element 34 is electrically connected to the circuit board 31 via the multiple lead portions 38.

[0032] Each switching element 34 performs a switching operation to convert a DC voltage from an external power supply into an AC voltage. The AC voltage converted by the switching operation of each switching element 34 is then supplied to the electric motor 17 as a drive voltage.

[0033] <Mounting position of electric compressor 10> As shown in FIG. 1, the electric compressor 10 is fixed to the engine E1 on which it is to be mounted. FIG. 3 shows the inverter chamber 19 in a plan view from the opening side of the extension wall 13c. In FIG. 3, the shunt resistor 32, the capacitor 33, and the power module 36 are virtually shown by two-dot chain lines. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the electric compressor 10 is mounted on a vehicle so that the capacitor 33 is located vertically above the shunt resistor 32 and the power module 36 is located vertically below the shunt resistor 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the radial direction of the rotating shaft 15 coincides with the vertical direction. The extension direction of the circuit board 31 coincides with the vertical direction. The explosion-proof valve 33a is located vertically above each lead portion 38.

[0034] <Protruding wall 40> 2 and 3, the motor housing 13 has a protruding wall 40 as a part of the end wall 13a, which is a partition wall. The protruding wall 40 protrudes from the surface of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 on the inverter chamber 19 side toward the shunt resistor 32. The protruding wall 40 is integrally formed with the motor housing 13. Therefore, the protruding wall 40 is made of a metal material, for example, aluminum.

[0035] The protruding wall 40 is located vertically between the capacitor 33 and the power module 36. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the protruding wall 40 is located vertically between the explosion-proof valve 33a and each lead portion 38.

[0036] The protruding wall 40 has a first opposing surface 40a and a second opposing surface 40b. The first opposing surface 40a faces the capacitor 33 in the vertical direction. Specifically, the first opposing surface 40a faces the explosion-proof valve 33a in the vertical direction. The first opposing surface 40a is the upper surface of the protruding wall 40. Therefore, in a state in which the electric compressor 10 is fixed to the engine E1, the explosion-proof valve 33a is located vertically above the protruding wall 40. The second opposing surface 40b faces the power module 36 in the vertical direction. Specifically, the second opposing surface 40b faces each lead portion 38 in the vertical direction. The second opposing surface 40b is the lower surface of the protruding wall 40. Therefore, in a state in which the electric compressor 10 is fixed to the engine E1, each lead portion 38 is located vertically below the protruding wall 40. The tip surface 40c of the protruding wall 40 overlaps the entire shunt resistor 32 in the thickness direction of the circuit board 31. The tip surface 40c is flat.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 3, the motor housing 13 has a standing wall 41. The standing wall 41 protrudes from a surface of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 facing the inverter chamber 19 toward the inverter cover 14. The standing wall 41 is formed integrally with the motor housing 13. The standing wall 41 is connected to the protruding wall 40. The standing wall 41, together with the protruding wall 40, defines an accommodation space 42 that accommodates the capacitor 33. The standing wall 41 and the protruding wall 40 form a partition wall 43 that partitions the accommodation space 42 within the inverter chamber 19. Thus, the housing 11 has the partition wall 43.

[0038] <Resin part 45> As shown in FIG. 2, the electric compressor 10 includes a resin portion 45. The resin portion 45 is interposed between the protruding wall 40 and the shunt resistor 32. Specifically, the resin portion 45 is interposed between the tip surface 40c of the protruding wall 40 and the shunt resistor 32. Therefore, the circuit board 31 is supported by the protruding wall 40 via the resin portion 45. The resin portion 45 fills a gap between the tip surface 40c of the protruding wall 40 and the shunt resistor 32. The resin portion 45 also covers an upper portion of the shunt resistor 32 and a lower portion of the shunt resistor 32. The resin portion 45 covers the entire shunt resistor 32. The resin portion 45 thermally connects the end wall 13a and the shunt resistor 32.

[0039] The resin portion 45 is a thermosetting resin. For example, a silicone compound material is used for the resin portion 45. The silicone compound material is a material that is softer than an adhesive seal made of, for example, a silicone rubber material. The protruding wall 40 and the resin portion 45 provide a shielding wall 44 in the inverter chamber 19, which is positioned to block the gap between the explosion-proof valve 33a and each lead portion 38. The shielding wall 44 includes at least the resin portion 45. The erected wall 41 forms a part of the shielding wall 44. The partition wall 43 forms at least a part of the shielding wall 44.

[0040] When the electric compressor 10 is fixed to the engine E1, the explosion-proof valve 33a is located vertically above the shielding wall 44. When the electric compressor 10 is fixed to the engine E1, the lead portions 38 are located vertically below the shielding wall 44.

[0041] <Conductive pin 46> As shown in Fig. 3, the electric compressor 10 has a plurality of conductive pins 46 that penetrate the end wall 13a and electrically connect the electric motor 17 and the circuit board 31. The end wall 13a has through holes 47 through which the conductive pins 46 penetrate. The shielding wall 44 is positioned so as to block the gap between the capacitor 33 and the plurality of conductive pins 46. Therefore, the shielding wall 44 is positioned so as to block the gap between the explosion-proof valve 33a and the plurality of conductive pins 46.

[0042] [Operation of the embodiment] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The heat generated from the shunt resistor 32 is transferred to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 via the resin portion 45, and is dissipated to the motor housing 13. As a result, the shunt resistor 32 is cooled.

[0043] In the capacitor 33, when the electrolyte 35 inside the capacitor 33 vaporizes, the pressure inside the capacitor 33 increases. Then, the explosion-proof valve 33a opens when the pressure inside the capacitor 33 increases to or exceeds a specified value.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, when the explosion-proof valve 33a is opened, the electrolyte 35 inside the capacitor 33 is scattered to the outside of the capacitor 33. At this time, the electrolyte 35 toward each lead portion 38 is blocked by the protruding wall 40 and the resin portion 45 forming the shielding wall 44. Specifically, even if the electrolyte 35 scattered from the capacitor 33 flows downward due to its own weight and flows toward each lead portion 38, the electrolyte 35 toward each lead portion 38 is blocked by the protruding wall 40 and the resin portion 45. Therefore, the electrolyte 35 scattered from the capacitor 33 is prevented from adhering to each lead portion 38.

[0045] [Effects of the embodiment] The above embodiment can provide the following effects. (1) A shielding wall 44 is provided in the inverter chamber 19 so as to block the gap between the explosion-proof valve 33a and each lead portion 38. The shielding wall 44 includes at least a resin portion 45 that thermally connects the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 and the shunt resistor 32. According to this, heat generated from the shunt resistor 32 is transferred to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 through the resin portion 45, and is dissipated to the housing 11. As a result, the shunt resistor 32 can be cooled. In addition, even if the explosion-proof valve 33a is opened and the electrolyte 35 inside the capacitor 33 is scattered to the outside of the capacitor 33, the electrolyte 35 heading toward each lead portion 38 is blocked by the shielding wall 44 including at least the resin portion 45. Therefore, it is easy to prevent the electrolyte 35 scattered from the capacitor 33 from adhering to each lead portion 38. As a result, it is possible to prevent the lead portions 38 from being short-circuited via the electrolyte 35. Therefore, the resin portion 45, which contributes to dissipating heat generated from the shunt resistor 32, can also block the electrolyte 35 flowing toward each lead portion 38. As a result, it is possible to preferably achieve both cooling of the shunt resistor 32 and prevention of short circuits between the lead portions 38 via the electrolyte 35. In addition, the protruding wall 40 is made of metal, and therefore has excellent heat dissipation properties.

[0046] (2) The shielding wall 44 includes a protruding wall 40 that is part of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 and protrudes toward the shunt resistor 32. This requires a smaller amount of resin portion 45, resulting in excellent productivity.

[0047] (3) The motor housing 13 has a partition wall 43. With this, even if the explosion-proof valve 33a opens and the electrolyte 35 inside the capacitor 33 splashes out of the capacitor 33, the electrolyte 35 can be blocked by the partition wall 43. This can further prevent the electrolyte 35 from leaking out of the accommodation space 42 that accommodates the capacitor 33, thereby further preventing the electrolyte 35 from adhering to electronic components present around the accommodation space 42 that accommodates the capacitor 33.

[0048] (4) The explosion-proof valve 33a is located vertically above the shielding wall 44. Each lead portion 38 is located vertically below the shielding wall 44. With this, even if the electrolyte 35 scattered from the capacitor 33 flows downward due to its own weight and flows toward each lead portion 38, the electrolyte 35 flowing toward each lead portion 38 is blocked by the shielding wall 44. This makes it easier to prevent the electrolyte 35 scattered from the capacitor 33 from adhering to each lead portion 38.

[0049] (5) The shunt resistor 32 is mounted on the circuit board 31. With this, heat generated from the shunt resistor 32 is transferred to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 via the resin portion 45, and is dissipated to the housing 11. As a result, the shunt resistor 32 can be cooled. Here, the shunt resistor 32 is an electronic component that is disposed in a position relatively close to the switching element 34 in terms of layout. Therefore, the resin portion 45, which contributes to dissipating the heat generated from the shunt resistor 32, is also suitable for blocking the electrolyte 35 flowing toward each lead portion 38.

[0050] (6) The resin part 45 is a thermosetting resin, and for example, a silicone compound material is used. The silicone compound material is, for example, a material softer than an adhesive seal made of silicone rubber. For example, when the resin part 45 is an adhesive seal made of silicone rubber, the load required to crush the resin part 45 when filling the gap between the protruding wall 40 and the shunt resistor 32 with the resin part 45 is larger than that when the resin part 45 is made of silicone compound material. Therefore, the load is easily applied to the shunt resistor 32. Therefore, by using a silicone compound material, which is a material softer than an adhesive seal made of silicone rubber, for the resin part 45, the load required to crush the resin part 45 when filling the gap between the protruding wall 40 and the shunt resistor 32 with the resin part 45 becomes relatively small. Therefore, the load applied to the shunt resistor 32 can be alleviated.

[0051] (7) The circuit board 31 is supported on the protruding wall 40 via the resin portion 45. The resin portion 45 is made of, for example, a silicone compound material. The silicone compound material is a material that is softer than, for example, an adhesive seal made of a silicone rubber material. With this, vibrations that attempt to be transmitted from the motor housing 13 to the circuit board 31 are more easily absorbed by the resin portion 45 than when, for example, the resin portion 45 is an adhesive seal made of a silicone rubber material. Therefore, it is possible to easily suppress vibrations of the circuit board 31.

[0052] (8) For example, consider a case where the motor housing 13 does not have the protruding wall 40, and the gap between the shunt resistor 32 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 is filled with the resin part 45. In this case, the resin part 45 is thicker than when the gap between the protruding wall 40 and the shunt resistor 32 is filled with the resin part 45, so that the heat generated from the shunt resistor 32 is less likely to be transmitted to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 through the resin part 45. Therefore, the motor housing 13 is configured to have the protruding wall 40. According to this, the thickness of the resin part 45 present in the gap between the protruding wall 40 and the shunt resistor 32 is thinner than when the motor housing 13 is configured not to have the protruding wall 40. Therefore, the heat generated from the shunt resistor 32 is more likely to be transmitted to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 through the resin part 45. Therefore, the heat generated from the shunt resistor 32 can be efficiently dissipated to the housing 11, and the shunt resistor 32 can be efficiently cooled.

[0053] (9) The shielding wall 44 is positioned to separate the explosion-proof valve 33a from the conductive pins 46. This prevents the electrolyte 35 from adhering to the conductive pins 46 and causing a short circuit between the conductive pins 46 via the electrolyte 35.

[0054] [Example of change] The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0055] In the embodiment, the electric compressor 10 does not have to be mounted on the vehicle such that the capacitor 33 is located above the shunt resistor 32 and the power module 36 is located below the shunt resistor 32. In other words, the mounting position of the electric compressor 10 on the vehicle is not particularly limited. Therefore, the explosion-proof valve 33a does not have to be located above the protruding wall 40, and the lead portions 38 do not have to be located below the protruding wall 40.

[0056] In one embodiment, three shunt resistors 32 corresponding to the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase currents may be arranged in a row. The wall-like shape of the protruding wall 40 is suitable for cooling the shunt resistors 32.

[0057] In the above-mentioned embodiments, the heat generating element is not limited to the shunt resistor 32 and may be other electronic components. In the above embodiment, the motor housing 13 does not have to have the standing wall 41 .

[0058] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the compression section 16 is not limited to a scroll type, and may be, for example, a piston type or a vane type. In the above embodiment, the electric compressor 10 is fixed to the engine E1 on which it is to be mounted, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may be fixed to, for example, the body of a vehicle. In other words, the object on which the electric compressor 10 is to be mounted is not particularly limited.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the electric compressor 10 is used in the vehicle air conditioner 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the electric compressor 10 may be mounted on a fuel cell vehicle and compress air as a fluid to be supplied to the fuel cell. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 10...electric compressor, 11...housing, 13a...end wall which is a partition, 16...compression section, 17...electric motor, 18...motor chamber, 19...inverter chamber, 30...inverter, 31...circuit board, 32...shunt resistor which is a heat generating element, 33...capacitor, 33a...explosion-proof valve, 34...switching element, 35...electrolyte, 38...lead section, 40...protruding wall, 42...accommodation space, 43...compartment wall, 44...shielding wall, 45...resin section, E1...engine which is to be mounted.

Claims

1. A compression section that compresses the fluid; an electric motor that drives the compression unit; an inverter that drives the electric motor and has a circuit board; a housing having a motor chamber that houses the electric motor and an inverter chamber that houses the inverter, The housing has a partition wall that separates the motor chamber and the inverter chamber, The circuit board includes: a heating element that generates heat as the electric motor is driven; A capacitor having an explosion-proof valve that serves as an outlet for the electrolyte inside; a switching element having a plurality of lead portions electrically connected to the circuit board, the heating element is located on the circuit board between the capacitor and the switching element; a shielding wall is provided in the inverter chamber so as to separate the explosion-proof valve from the plurality of lead portions; The electric compressor, wherein the shielding wall includes at least a resin portion that thermally connects the partition wall and the heating element.

2. The electric compressor according to claim 1 , wherein the shielding wall includes a protruding wall that is a part of the partition wall and protrudes toward the heat generating element.

3. the housing has a partition wall that partitions an accommodation space that accommodates the capacitor within the inverter chamber, 3. The electric compressor according to claim 1, wherein the partition wall forms at least a part of the shielding wall.

4. When fixed to the mounting target, The explosion-proof valve is located vertically above the shielding wall, 4. The electric compressor according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of lead portions are positioned vertically below the shielding wall.

5. a shunt resistor for detecting a current flowing to the electric motor is mounted on the circuit board; 5. The electric compressor according to claim 1, wherein the heat generating element is the shunt resistor.

Citation Information

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