Housing element, in particular a housing element for an electronic housing, preferably an electric compressor terminal

Abstract

A housing, preferably a housing element (1) for mounting on an electric compressor, preferably an electric compressor terminal, in particular a plate-like element, comprising at least one opening (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) for at least one conductor (3.1, 3.2, 3.3), the at least one conductor (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) being embedded in a glass or glass ceramic material (6.1, 6.2, 6.3) provided in each of the openings providing a glass-to-metal seal (GTMS), said housing element (1) being a housing a housing member (1) having a convex region (110) and / or a concave region (115) for centering the housing member (1) within the structure of the housing and / or increasing its resilience to bending, at least one opening (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) being provided in the convex region (110) and / or the concave region (115), the convex region and / or the concave region being located in the glass fusion region plane, and the housing member having at least two holes (11.1, 11.2) located in a base plane different from the glass fusion region plane.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing member, particularly a housing component, that is attached to a housing that houses an electronic compressor. The housing member can therefore be described as an electric compressor terminal. The housing member can be characterized as a feed-through assembly. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to an electric compressor that includes a housing member or housing component as an electric compressor terminal according to the present invention. The housing member that is the electric compressor terminal is attached to the housing of the electric compressor according to the present invention by a fastening device, such as a screw, that is fed through at least one hole in the housing member.

[0002] A housing for an electronic component preferably includes a plurality of feedthroughs for guiding wires from the exterior to the interior of the housing, and the housing accommodates components of, for example, an electronic compressor within the housing. Housing components with at least one conductor fed into the housing through an opening suffer from low bending stiffness. Furthermore, prior art housing components have low pressure resistance. Positioning the housing components, particularly the electric compressor terminals, is difficult. Furthermore, the prior art has deficiencies in uniformity and sealing, and the long-term reliability of the prior art uniformity and sealing is worth improving.

[0003] WO 2012 / 041472 discloses a compressor having a housing member for attachment to a housing having at least one opening. At least one conductor is embedded in a glass or glass-ceramic material and is provided in each of the openings to provide a glass-to-metal seal. The housing member known from WO 2012 / 041472 has at least two holes for fastening the housing member to the compressor. WO 2012 / 041472 does not mention how the bending resilience of the housing member can be increased.

[0004] EP 2218915 A1 discloses a sealed screw compressor having a rotor casing for a housing with a pair of screw rotors, but EP 2218915 A1 does not address the issue of bending.

[0005] A closely related prior art is Korean Patent Publication No. 2019-0094611, which shows a compressor housing member with three conductors that are fed through the housing to a glass-to-metal seal. Korean Patent Publication No. 2019-0094611 discloses a sealed feed-through of a motor-driven compressor for externally supplying current to an electric motor within the sealed housing. In contrast to air conditioning systems used with internal combustion engines, the air conditioning system of an electric vehicle has a significant impact on the battery, which ultimately becomes a major factor in the vehicle's range, depending on the efficiency of the air conditioning system. Air conditioning systems for internal combustion engines use waste heat from the engine to operate the compressor. Since electric vehicles do not have an internal combustion engine, a motor must be used to operate the compressor separately. The most important component of an electric vehicle air conditioning system is the electrically operated compressor, which allows the use of new, environmentally friendly refrigerants while maintaining compressor efficiency.

[0006] One of the key components of a compressor is the sealed feedthrough to the compressor housing. The feedthrough is placed in the compressor to ensure airtightness under high temperature conditions and to connect power and signals. Compressors for electric vehicles are smaller than existing compressors for combustion engines and are airtight, maintaining high airtightness depending on the internal pressure. The feedthrough is the only connection between the inside of the electric compressor and external components. A motor-driven electric terminal can be installed inside the compressor. The feedthrough from the outside of the compressor to the inside of the compressor is the most vulnerable part of the electric compressor.

[0007] In the case of the electric compressor according to Korean Patent Publication No. 2019-0094611, electrical energy needs to be guided from the inverter to the electric motor located in the refrigerant circulation system, and the through-connection needs to be installed in the housing of the motor-compressor in a vibration-resistant, pressure-resistant, and electrically stable manner.

[0008] Korean Patent Publication No. 2019-0094611 does not describe a method for tightly attaching a plate with a sealed feedthrough to a housing, particularly a compressor housing. A further drawback of Korean Patent Publication No. 2019-0094611 is that bending of the plate with a sealed feedthrough may cause breakage or cracks in the glass or glass ceramic material. Such breakage of the glass material may result in leakage of the electric compressor.

[0009] Prior art, particularly Korean Patent Publication No. 2019-0094611, has a housing member with at least one conductor fed through an opening into the housing, which suffers from low bending stiffness. Furthermore, the pressure resistance of the prior art housing member is low. Positioning the housing member, particularly the electric compressor terminal, is difficult. Furthermore, the uniformity and sealing performance of the prior art are deficient, and the long-term reliability of the uniformity and sealing performance of the prior art is worthy of improvement. In particular, when a housing housing an electric compressor uses a spigot to center the housing component or a so-called GTMS (glass-to-metal seal) plate, and the spigot is located in the center of the GTMS plate or housing member, the uniformity defect occurs. Another problem with Korean Patent Publication No. 2019-0094611 is that the plane on which the glass fusion portion is formed is also the plane on which the housing member or terminal plate is attached to the compressor housing. Therefore, any bending during installation can lead to glass breakage at the feedthrough.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0011] In particular, it is necessary to identify housing elements characterized by high rigidity and high pressure resistance. Furthermore, it is necessary to enable improved centering of the glass-metal plate with the feedthrough into the housing element, in particular into a housing with a high degree of flatness. In yet another object of the invention, it is necessary to provide a better connection between the plastic or rubber material and the metal. It is necessary to avoid any breakage of the glass material of the feedthrough.

[0012] The housing member according to the invention comprises at least one opening for at least one conductor, which is embedded in a glass or glass-ceramic material provided in each of the openings to provide a glass-to-metal seal (GTMS). The term GTMS also includes glass-ceramic materials, etc. As is known, these refer to a group of inorganic materials capable of electrically insulating the conductor from the housing member and sealing the opening.

[0013] A housing member or housing component, particularly a housing for an electric compressor, can include a structure for centering the housing member on the housing structure to which it is attached. In a first alternative, such a centering structure can be represented by a raised and / or recessed region. In a second alternative, it can be a protrusion. According to the present invention, the housing member is attached to the structure by at least two holes, e.g., screws in threaded holes in the edge of the GTMS plate or the housing member or the electric compressor terminal. The housing member, particularly the electric compressor terminal, according to the present invention further includes a structure for enhancing the resilience of the housing member against bending, i.e., enhancing the rigidity of the housing member, particularly the electric compressor terminal. This structure or structures for enhancing the resilience of the housing member against bending can be represented by at least one raised edge. Furthermore, the raised and / or recessed region can significantly improve the rigidity and sealing capacity of the housing member, particularly its pressure resistance and / or long-term sealing reliability. In a further advantageous embodiment, the raised edge can surround the entire edge of the housing member, for example the GTMS plate, or it can surround only a part of the edge, for example the central part.

[0014] The increased stiffness, especially the increased bending stiffness, which leads to a higher compression of the glass or glass-ceramic material through which the conductors are fed into the housing member, - providing a housing member with raised and / or recessed areas; - providing a housing member with a lifting edge; - providing raised and / or recessed areas with glass fusion in a plane different from the plane in which the housing member is attached to the compressor housing, for example by screws fed through holes; - providing housing components from structural steel, in particular from structural steel in the form of non-heat treated steel; This can be achieved by:

[0015] Higher compression of the housing material can provide a tighter seal, especially in the area of the feed-through opening. At least one opening is provided in a convex and / or concave region to provide greater rigidity to the opening. Preferably, all openings in the housing member are located in a convex and / or concave region. Furthermore, by providing a glass fusing plane that differs from the plane of the plate that is attached to the compressor, breakage of the glass material due to bending can be avoided. To better avoid bending, for example, when a screw is threaded through a feed hole and screwed and / or tightly screwed to attach the electric compressor terminal to the electric compressor housing, a flat area can be provided by embossing, for example, around the hole.

[0016] Korean Patent Publication No. 2019-0094611 does not show an opening in the area that provides better bending rigidity and higher compression of the housing material to the glass material, and provides a conductor fed through the opening. Furthermore, in Korean Patent Publication No. 2019-0094611, the glass fusion plane of the opening in the housing member is equal to the plane where the housing member is attached to the compressor housing, in contrast to the present invention where the two planes are different. The tight seal in this application achieves a helium leak rate of 10 for a pressure difference of 1 bar. -7 mbar·l / sec, preferably less than 10 -8This means that the resistance is less than mbar·l / sec. The most commonly used structural steels contain Ni, Nb, Ti, Al, and V as alloying elements. The use of such materials for housing components increases rigidity by 10–30%. Structural steel is typically carbon steel. When rigidity can be increased by one or more of the above-mentioned features, for example, by using structural steel in the form of untempered steel and / or by providing recesses, the thickness of the housing component can be reduced without compressing the glass material of the feedthrough. The use of untempered steel as a material offers several advantages. In addition to high rigidity, the body of untempered steel has the added advantage of being lightweight compared to conventional structural steel. This is because the high rigidity and high yield strength of untempered steel allow for a thinner body. The yield strength, and therefore rigidity, of conventional steel decreases, for example, when the conductor is incorporated into a glass or glass-ceramic material or glass-fused due to the high temperatures of this process. The yield strength of untempered steel does not decrease significantly at high temperatures. Therefore, the yield strength and stiffness of untempered steel are significantly higher after the high-temperature glass fusion process than those of regular steel. Higher yield strength, and therefore higher stiffness, allows for greater compression of the metal into the glass or glass-ceramic material. Furthermore, higher yield strength and therefore higher stiffness are advantageous for the housing member, as they can better withstand pressure loads from the inside of the housing to which they are attached. Leakage between the housing member and the housing is prevented by the more rigid housing member.

[0017] The term structure in the sense of the present disclosure encompasses all means, in particular all geometrical means, attached to and / or formed on the housing member that is the subject of the present invention.

[0018] The above-mentioned advantages are particularly beneficial for preferred embodiments of the housing member, in which the housing member represents an elongated structure. This means that the housing member is longer than it is wide, advantageously several times longer than it is wide. This is particularly true for embodiments with multiple openings, where multiple openings means two or more openings. Such elongated structures are particularly prone to bending problems.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the raised and / or recessed regions can be formed using a stamping process and / or a reshaping process, such that the housing member, specifically the base of the housing member, and the raised and / or recessed regions are a single unit. In other words, the raised and / or recessed regions are formed from the base of the housing member and are raised above or below the plane of the base. This means that the raised and / or recessed regions are in a plane different from the plane of the base or the plane of the plate attached to the compressor housing.

[0020] This manufacturing process is inexpensive and easy to implement, especially for plate-shaped housing members. Remolding and / or stamping has the added advantage of eliminating bond lines between the base and recessed regions of the housing members, which could affect the long-term stability of the finished housing members. Particularly in electric compressor applications, it must be taken into account that housing members are subject to temperature changes over a wide temperature range, thermal shocks, and / or vibrations. The existing mechanical connection between separate members—in this case, between the base region or the region fixed to the compressor housing and the recessed region—can induce mechanical stresses, which can also cause deformation of the recessed region, which normally functions to seal the housing to which the housing member is attached. Any deformation can lead to loss of sealing function and, therefore, reduced long-term reliability of the interconnection between the housing and the attached housing member. This is again due to breakage of the glass material sealing the feedthrough.

[0021] The convex region represents a plane raised from the plane of the base of the housing member. The convex region thus has a sidewall extending from the base of the housing member. While Korean Patent Publication No. 2019-0094611 describes a glass fusion zone in the plane of the base plate, the glass fusion plane differs from the plane of the base plate in the concept of the present invention, which includes a convex region and / or a concave region. This has the advantage of preventing glass cracks due to bending of the base plate. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the transition between the base and the sidewall of the housing member is rounded, preferably with a radius R. This helps to enhance the long-term mechanical stability of the housing member. This is because housing members are typically made of metal, and a rounded transition, especially in conjunction with a one-piece design, reduces the risk of initial crack formation in the metal structure. Of course, the value of R may depend on the overall dimensions of the housing member. For typical applications in electric compressors, R is advantageously between 0.01 mm and 0.8 mm.

[0022] It is envisioned and contemplated by the present invention that the side walls may be perpendicular to the plane of the base of the housing member, but may also be at another angle or inclination, so as to provide a press fit or better centering within the structure of the housing to which the housing member is attached.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the raised edge is a separate part and can be joined to the plate-like element of the housing member by welding. The advantage of making the raised part a separate part is that the production of both parts (plate-like element and raised part) can be organized separately. Since the raised edge is attached to the base member of the housing and thus is separated from the sealing area, it is assumed that the line between the raised edge and the base of the housing member does not interfere with the long-term sealing function of the recessed area as described above.

[0024] However, in an alternative embodiment, the housing member is reshaped to provide the raised edge. Such a reshaping process may be, for example, stamping a plate-like element to provide a recess. This reshaping and / or remolding again results in a one-piece member with all the advantages provided by the absence of mechanical lines, as described above.

[0025] In the most preferred embodiment, the recessed area, at least on the side connected to the housing, particularly on the side connected to the electric compressor, has a flatness according to DIN ISO 1101 of at least 0.1, preferably at least 0.07, and most preferably 0.01 to 0.07. As mentioned above, the raised and / or recessed areas help seal the housing from the environment. Therefore, good flatness can be achieved by the aforementioned structures, i.e., the raised and / or recessed areas and / or raised edges, which represent an integral part. This aforementioned flatness is achieved during operation and over the long term. Therefore, the raised and / or recessed areas and the raised edges cooperate to achieve these beneficial behaviors. This also allows for a reduction in the thickness of the housing member, thereby reducing the amount of material required. This helps reduce the overall weight and, therefore, helps increase the efficiency of, for example, a vehicle equipped with an electric compressor equipped with the housing of the present invention.

[0026] To provide a hermetic seal for the glass-to-metal seal, it is advantageous for at least one conductor and the glass or glass-ceramic material to form a compression seal. The compression seal can provide a hermetic seal. Specifically, it can provide a 1·10 pressure difference for a 1 bar pressure difference. -7 mbar·l / s, especially 1·10 -8Helium leak rates of better than mbar·l / s can be achieved with compression seals. The term compression seal is well known. It generally means that the thermal expansion of the glass or glass-ceramic material is smaller than that of the surrounding material, so that when the glass or glass-ceramic material melts in the opening and solidifies, the surrounding material "shrinks" onto the glass or glass-ceramic material, thus exerting a permanent compressive stress on the glass or glass-ceramic material, which improves its mechanical pressure resistance.

[0027] In the most preferred embodiment, the housing members comprise steel, particularly stainless steel, most preferably structural steel, preferably in the form of non-heat-treated steel. Non-heat-treated steel is a type of alloy steel containing small amounts (0.05-0.15%) of alloying elements such as niobium, vanadium, titanium, molybdenum, zirconium, boron, and rare earth metals. These elements are used to improve grain microstructure or promote precipitation hardening. The yield strength of non-heat-treated steel is 275-750 MPa without heat treatment. Weldability is good and can be improved by reducing the carbon content while maintaining strength. Fatigue life and wear resistance are superior to those of similar heat-treated steels. Cold-worked non-heat-treated steel achieves the same strength as other carbon steels without the need for further cold working. This also leads to greater ductility. The use of non-heat-treated steel as a material allows for high bending stiffness and high strength. The advantages of using non-heat-treated steel instead of regular steel or structural steel are discussed above in this application.

[0028] In an alternative embodiment, for example, when used in an electric compressor, the housing member may include at least a protrusion for positioning and / or attaching the housing member to the housing. To attach the housing member to the housing, the housing member includes at least one mounting hole, such as a screw hole. In a preferred embodiment, the GTMS plate includes two mounting holes and / or screw holes on the edge of the GTMS plate or the edge of the housing member. Such holes are not shown in prior art, such as Korean Patent Publication No. 2019-0094611.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the housing member has a structure in the area of the raised flats and / or the area of the recessed areas that advantageously increases the surface area. The structure is preferably a stamped and / or reshaped structure. Most preferably, the structure has an undercut. This can be achieved by stamping and then reshaping.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the housing member includes a plastic and / or rubber material in the area of the opening. The plastic and / or rubber material serves as an additional electrical insulator for the conductors secured in or fed through the opening. This plastic and / or rubber also contributes to reducing the risk of short circuits, especially in wet or humid environments where layers of water and / or dirt may accumulate on the surface of the glass or glass-ceramic material. Such short circuits can occur when a film of conductive material, such as water, wets the metal material of the housing and / or the conductors. Such water films wetting the metal material and the conductors can occur very easily in electric compressors with electric compressor terminals. This is because the temperature of the electric compressor is very low, for example, below 5°C or even below zero, while the ambient temperature, such as in summer, can be higher than 20°C. In this case, condensation can form a water film. Additional insulation of the conductors from the metal material of the electric compressor housing, especially from the metal material of the cover in the form of the electric compressor terminal, can prevent such short circuits caused by the conductive film.

[0031] When applying plastic, rubber, or elastic materials to metal materials such as iron, the high expansion coefficient of the plastic, rubber, or elastic materials can lead to separation from the metal material. As a result, gaps can form between the metal and the plastic, rubber, or elastic materials, potentially resulting in diffusion. To prevent this, the metal material can be embossed with an annular groove. The plastic, rubber, and / or elastic materials can enter these grooves. The grooves have an undercut shape that allows the plastic and / or rubber materials to enter. This prevents the plastic, rubber, and / or elastic materials from peeling and separating from the metal material, eliminating gaps between the plastic, rubber, and / or elastic materials and the metal. The annular grooves 2030 and 2031 provide a tight connection between the injection molding device and the metal material. The grooves 2030, 2031 can seal an injection molding device that injects plastic and / or rubber and / or elastic materials.

[0032] Most preferably, at least a portion of the raised planar structure of the recessed region has roughness, provided, for example, by a stamping or embossing process of a cast material that connects the metal to the adhesive. The roughness can also be provided by a rolled texture sheet material or by a rolled texture that involves a stamping step with a tool. Good adhesion ensures a good connection between the metal material and the plastic and / or rubber and / or elastic material. To improve the connection between the plastic and / or rubber material and the metal material, a bar and / or a pin and / or a spigot can be provided. Furthermore, an annular embossment and / or annular groove can be formed to improve the adhesion between the plastic and / or rubber material and the metal material. Such a bar can ultimately be formed from a sheet in the shape of a mushroom head. As mentioned above, a circular embossment can be formed around the glass material, and a conductor can be routed through the metal material. In any case, the structure of the metal material can improve the connection between the plastic and / or rubber and / or elastic material and the metal of the electric compressor housing.

[0033] The housing may comprise a bushing attached to the housing or housing member, for example by welding or brazing, opposite the opening or threaded hole for centering the housing member, in particular the GTMS plate.

[0034] The housing member or GTMS plate of the present invention, which includes recessed areas and / or threaded holes and / or protrusions, can be used for electric compressor terminals. The electric compressor terminals are used in electric compressors. Electric compressors are widely used in environmentally friendly vehicles to assist in the operation of air conditioning systems. Electric and hybrid vehicles are equipped with battery-powered electric compressors. The electric compressor must be hermetically sealed and function with its own internal motor. The electric compressor terminal or feedthrough is a critical component of the electric compressor and must be carefully designed and manufactured for optimal performance. The electric compressor terminal must be able to transfer a large amount of energy from the battery to the air conditioning compressor while also maintaining a reliable airtight seal to prevent any refrigerant leakage. While electric compressors require extremely high performance and durability, they are also exposed to harsh environmental conditions, including high pressure, high humidity, and vibration. The compressor terminal or feedthrough must be able to withstand these adverse conditions without any problems. Providing reliable long-term hermeticity requires a highly controlled and precise process. Additionally, compressor terminals must offer extremely high insulation resistance and high voltage capability to support the development of future fast charging technologies. High current capability is also essential to enable future 48V electrical systems. This can be achieved with the housing member of the present invention when used as an electric compressor terminal in an electric compressor.

[0035] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become more apparent and the present invention will be better understood by referring to the following description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1]Cross-sectional view of a housing member in the form of an electric compressor terminal according to the invention, comprising three conductors, two holes, and so-called screw holes for attaching the housing member to the housing. [Figure 2] More detailed view of the housing member according to FIG. 1 for centering the housing member and attaching it to the housing with screws. [Figure 3] Top view of an electric compressor terminal according to FIG. 1, comprising two holes, so-called screw holes, and two protrusions. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a housing member and two protrusions for centering the housing member with respect to the housing, the housing member having a lifting edge. [Figure 5] Top view of an electric compressor terminal according to FIG. 4, comprising two holes and two protrusions. [Figure 6a] Cross-sectional view of a housing member in the form of an electric compressor terminal according to the invention, in which concave and convex regions are formed by using a stamping process, the housing member having a lifting edge. The concave region and / or the convex region comprise all three openings through which the conductors are fed. [Figure 6a.1] Cross-sectional view according to FIG. 6a with a mushroom-shaped head portion. [Figure 6b] [[ID=第21]]Cross-sectional view of a housing member in the form of an electric compressor terminal according to the invention, in contrast to FIG. 6a, in which concave and convex regions are formed in each of the openings. [Figure 6b.1a] Side view of the housing member according to FIG. 6b. [Figure 6b.1b] Top view of the housing member according to FIG. 6b. [Figure 7] Side cross-sectional view of the housing member of FIG. 6a. [Figure 7.1] Side cross-sectional view of the housing member of FIG. 6a, having bars on the side walls for better connection of the plastic material and / or rubber material and / or elastic material with the material of the housing member. [Figure 8] It should be noted that in the translation of , there is a possible error in the original text where "第21" seems to be a mislabeling. It should probably be as in the rest of the text. This has been translated as is for the purpose of following the translation rules precisely.6b is a bottom view of the housing member of FIG. 6a. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 6b is a top view of the housing member of FIG. 6a. [Figure 10a] FIG. 6b is a 3D view of the housing member of FIG. 6a. [Figure 10b] FIG. 6b is a 3D view of the housing member of FIG. 6b. [Figure 10c] FIG. 6b is a 3D view of the housing member of FIG. 6b. [Figure 11] 1 is a side view of a housing member having a conductor fed through an opening and an annular embossment and / or annular groove.

[0037] The housing member of the present invention is preferably an electric compressor terminal. The electric compressor terminal is a key component of the electric compressor and must be designed and manufactured to be able to transfer a large amount of energy from the battery to the air conditioning compressor while at the same time maintaining a reliable airtight seal, particularly to prevent any refrigerant leakage. Furthermore, the electric compressor is subject to high pressure, high humidity, and vibration.

[0038] The compressor terminals must be able to withstand these adverse conditions. Additionally, the compressor terminals must have extremely high insulation resistance and high voltage capability for, for example, 48V electrical systems.

[0039] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a housing member 1, particularly of plate-like shape, that can be used as an electric compressor terminal, with three conductors 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 fed through three openings 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3. All three conductors 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 are fed through openings 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3 in a glass or glass-ceramic material 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3 to provide a glass-to-metal seal (GTMS). The glass or glass-ceramic material 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3 may, for example, comprise soda-barium glass.

[0040] The materials of the conductors 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 may be, for example, Cu, cored Fe-Cr, copper, or Fe-Cr. The materials of the housing members or housing components are preferably steel, particularly structural steel or stainless steel, and most preferably untempered steel. The use of untempered steel as a material has several advantages. One advantage is its high rigidity and high yield strength. Furthermore, the untempered steel body is lighter than regular steel due to its thin wall thickness. Furthermore, under temperatures such as those encountered during glass fusion processes, the yield strength and therefore the rigidity of untempered steel do not decrease significantly as they do with structural steel.

[0041] The housing member 1 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 further includes two holes, particularly screw holes 11.1 and 11.2, with screws 17 used to attach and / or position the housing member, particularly the electric compressor terminal, relative to the housing of the electric compressor. This is in contrast to the housing member of the electric compressor housing disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 2019-0094611, which does not include such holes. Centering of the housing member, particularly the electric compressor terminal, relative to the electric compressor housing is provided by two protrusions 9 that are part of the compressor housing. The housing also includes two holes, as do the housing members.

[0042] Attached to the housing member are two bushings 12.1, 12.2 with threads into which screws 17 are screwed. This arrangement allows the housing member, in particular the electric compressor terminal, to be attached to the housing, in particular the compressor housing, by means of screws or the like.

[0043] The bushes 12.1, 12.2 are welded gas-tightly to the housing of the electric compressor.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows in detail the housing and housing member 1 in the form of an electric compressor terminal, which on each side of the GTMS (glass-to-metal seal) plate 1 is provided with one of two holes, in particular threaded hole 11.1, through which a screw 17 is fed into a bushing 12.2. The bushing 12.2 is hermetically welded to the electric compressor housing. A screw 10.2 is fed through each of the threaded holes 11.1 in the housing member 1 and fastened to said bushing so that the housing member, in particular the electric compressor terminal 1, is tightly fixed to the housing, in particular the compressor housing 15, including the compressor. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 15 is centered relative to the housing member by the housing projection 9. The housing member is fastened to the housing by the screw 17 in the hole 11.1.

[0045] Figure 3 shows a top view of the housing of the electric compressor terminal. The three openings 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3 through which the conductors 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 of the compressor terminal are fed are clearly visible, as are the threaded holes 10.1 and 10.2. Screws can be fed through the threaded holes, for example, into the bushings and the housing of the electric compressor, so that the electric compressor terminal is firmly fixed to the housing, in particular to the housing of the electric compressor.

[0046] Also shown in FIG. 3 is a roughened area 50 where the adhesive or casting material provides a surface for adhering the plastic and / or rubber and / or elastic material to the metal of the electric compressor terminal. The roughness can be provided by a stamping or embossing process. Area 50 is adjacent to three openings 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3, which accommodate conductors 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3, and provides a better connection between the plastic and / or rubber and / or elastic material and the metal of the electric compressor terminal. The metal of the electric compressor terminal typically includes steel, stainless steel, preferably structural steel, and particularly preferably untempered steel. To further improve the connection between the plastic and / or rubber material and the metal of the electric compressor terminal, a terminal bar or a mushroom-shaped head can be provided.

[0047] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a housing element according to a second embodiment of the invention, which has two holes and two protrusions 202.1, 202.2 that fit into two holes in the housing of, for example, an electric compressor. The protrusions serve only to center the housing element on the electric compressor, but do not attach the housing element to the housing, for example, by screws. As shown in Figure 5, the screw holes are separate from the centering holes.

[0048] In FIG. 5, the screw holes are designated by the reference numerals 210.1 and 210.2, and the protrusions are designated by the reference numerals 211.1 and 211.2. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the housing element 200 includes three conductors 203.1, 203.2, and 203.3, which are fed through three openings 204.1, 204.2, and 204.3 in the housing element 200. As in FIG. 1, the housing element has a plate-like shape, but includes raised edges, or so-called raised edges 201. The raised edges 201 provide the housing element with increased rigidity and pressure resistance. In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, the raised edges 201 surround the entire plate-like element, in particular the entire electric compressor terminal, with the openings 204.1, 204.2, and 204.3 through which the conductors 203.1, 203.2, and 203.3 are fed. As can be seen from Figures 4 and 5, the plate-like portion of the housing member, in particular the electric compressor terminal, and the lifting edge 201 of the housing member are one-piece elements. This is possible if the lifting edge is formed, for example, by a stamping or forming process from the plate-like element.

[0049] Stamping or forming is a very inexpensive process for forming the raised edge 201. The height H of the raised edge 201 is preferably 4 mm to 8 mm, most preferably 6 mm. The thickness D of the plate-like element is 1 mm to 3 mm, preferably 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm, most preferably 2.5 mm. Each of the conductors 203.1, 203.2, 203.3 is fed through a respective opening fused in the glass material 206.1, 206.2, 206.3, thereby providing an airtight seal, also known as a pressure seal.

[0050] FIGS. 6a, 6a1, and 6b also show cross-sectional views of different embodiments of the present invention. The electric compressor terminal or housing member shown in FIGS. 6a, 6a1, and 6b includes a raised edge 100 and three raised regions, as well as raised region 110 or recessed regions 115, 115.1, 115.2, and 115.3 in FIG. 6b, formed in a plate-like element 120 by, for example, a stamping process. The stamping process provides both raised and recessed regions. Although the stamping process provides raised and recessed regions, the raised and recessed regions do not necessarily have complementary geometric shapes. In particular, the shape of the sidewalls of the recessed regions and / or the shape of the sidewalls of the raised regions may differ. Furthermore, with each configuration, the recessed and raised regions provide the housing member with increased rigidity and increased pressure resistance. All of Figures 6a, 6a1, and 6b show different planes: a glass-fusing plane 1000 and a plane 1010 that is attached to the electric compressor housing, for example, by screws. As is clear from Figures 6a, 6a1, and 6b, the glass-fusing plane or glass-fusing area plane 1000 is different from the plane 1010 that is attached to the electric compressor housing, the so-called base plane. This configuration prevents breakage of the glass material due to bending. In particular, it prevents mechanical stress and deformation in the recessed area where the feedthrough, which includes a conductor made of glass or glass ceramic material, is located. This therefore prevents loss of sealing ability and a decrease in long-term stability of the electric compressor terminal.

[0051] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6b, each feedthrough of the housing member can be provided with a convex and / or concave region. Apart from the increased rigidity and / or pressure resistance, the tension in the glass material can be reduced. Reducing the tension in the glass material can reduce the risk of insulation problems. These insulation problems occur when the tension in the glass material makes glass cracks more pronounced. In such cases, cracks in the glass reduce insulation. In contrast to the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, the raised edges are only present in the central portions of the plate-like elements of FIGS. 6a and 6b, as shown in FIGS. 10a, 10b, and 10c.

[0052] As can be seen in Figures 6a and 6a.1, this embodiment also includes three openings 104.1, 104.2, and 104.3 through which conductors are fed. Furthermore, as in Figure 1, the plate-like element includes two holes 111.1 and 111.2 through which screws can be passed to position and secure the housing member, particularly the electric compressor terminal, to the housing, particularly the electric compressor housing. The screws are not shown in Figures 6a and 6b. The screw holes in the embodiment of Figures 6a and 6b are not required for centering the housing member to the housing, e.g., the compressor housing. In this embodiment, centering is achieved by the convex or plateau areas of the housing member or the GTMS plate. The screws are required to secure the housing member to the electric compressor housing. The conductors fed through openings 104.1, 104.2, and 103.3 are not shown in Figures 6a and 6a.1. All conductors not shown in Figures 6a and 6a.1 are embedded in the glass or glass-ceramic material of each opening. The conductors and the glass or glass-ceramic material are shown only in Figure 6b. In Figure 6b, the conductors are designated by reference numerals 203.1, 203.2, and 203.3, and the glass or glass-ceramic materials are designated by reference numerals 206.1, 206.2, and 206.3. The glass or glass-ceramic materials are also shown in Figure 1 and designated by reference numerals 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3. Depending on the expansion coefficients of the materials, particularly the metal surrounding the openings and the glass or glass-ceramic material of the openings surrounding the conductors, the conductor feedthroughs may be matched or compression seals. Compression seals, in particular, are hermetic, meaning that for a pressure difference of 1 bar, the helium leak rate is 1·10 -7 Less than mbar·l / s, especially 1·10 -8 The materials of the housings with the openings 104.1, 104.2, 104.3 and the glass or glass-ceramic materials in which the conductors are embedded are well known.

[0053] The direction of stamping the plate-like element is indicated by 113. Stamping the plate-like element facilitates the formation of raised and plateau areas 110. The raised areas 110 are used for centering housing members, in particular for centering the plate-like element or electric compressor terminals associated with the electric compressor housing.

[0054] The raised edges and raised areas can increase the rigidity of the plate-like element. As can be seen from Figure 7, which shows another cross section of a plate-like element or housing member, the complete housing member can be formed by a forming process that includes, among other things, stamping the raised areas and forming the raised edges 100.

[0055] The above-described convex areas and raised edges can provide the housing members, particularly of electric compressors, with higher rigidity and higher pressure resistance.

[0056] In the embodiment shown in Figure 6a, a concave region 115 is provided opposite the convex region 110. The convex region 110 and the concave region 115 provide increased stiffness and increased pressure resistance. Depending on the configuration, the convex region or the concave region contributes to increased stiffness or pressure resistance.

[0057] In the embodiment according to FIG. 6a, the concave and convex regions comprise all three openings 104.1, 104.2, 104.3, and the concave and convex regions extend along all three openings without separation.

[0058] In order to better connect the rubber and / or plastic material to the metal material of the electric compressor terminal or the metal material of the housing member in Fig. 6a.1, a mushroom-shaped head portion 1500 is provided. Also, as shown in Fig. 7.1, bars and / or pins and / or spigots 1510.1, 1510.2 can be provided in the side regions of the lifting edge 100 to improve the connection of the rubber and / or plastic and / or elastic material to the metal material.

[0059] In advanced embodiments, each of the openings 104.1, 104.2, and 104.3 can have its own raised and / or recessed regions. Such an embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6b, 6b.1a, and 6b.1b. FIG. 6b is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 6b.1b is a top view. The side view shown as FIG. 6b.1a illustrates a second embodiment of the raised edge 201 of the present invention, in which recessed regions 115.1, 115.2, and 115.3 are associated with each opening having glass or glass-ceramic material 206.1, 206.2, and 206.3. An advantage of such an embodiment with recessed and raised regions associated with each opening is that the glass material does not exhibit significant cracks, thereby providing improved insulation over the embodiment of FIGS. 6a and 6a1. In the cross-sectional view (Fig. 6b) and in the top and side views (Fig. 6b.1), identical components are designated by identical reference numerals.

[0060] In Figure 7, the same elements as in Figure 6a are numbered the same. Figure 7 shows a lifting edge 100 and one opening 104.2 through which the conductor is fed. Steel is used as the material for the housing members, particularly the electric compressor terminals. If untempered steel is used for the housing members, it provides approximately 15-30% more rigidity than conventional systems. Instead of untempered steel, regular steel or stainless steel can also be used. Figure 7.1 shows a lifting edge 100 with bars and / or pins and / or spigots 1510.1, 1510.2 to improve the connection between rubber and / or plastic materials and metal.

[0061] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the housing member of FIGS. 6a and 7, particularly the electric compressor terminal. Elements similar to those in FIGS. 6a and 7 are designated by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 8, three openings 104.1, 104.2, and 104.3 and holes 111.1 and 111.2 are clearly visible, along with screws for attaching the housing member to a housing, e.g., an electric compressor. In FIG. 8, the three openings 104.1, 104.2, and 104.3 are surrounded by a sealing region 180. The sealing region 180 provides a surface seal between the housing member, particularly the electric compressor terminal, and the housing, particularly the electric compressor housing. The sealing region allows the electric compressor terminal or housing member to be tightly connected to the electric compressor housing.

[0062] FIG. 9 is a top view of the housing member of the electric compressor according to FIG. 6a, with the housing member attached. All three openings 104.1, 104.2, and 104.3 for conductors are visible. In addition to the openings 104.1, 104.2, and 104.3, two holes 111.1 and 111.2 for screws are provided for attaching the housing member, in particular the electric compressor terminal, which preferably has a plate-like shape, to the electric compressor housing. The holes are designated by the reference numerals 111.1 and 111.2. Each hole has a surrounding area 120.1 and 120.2, which are flat areas for the head of the screw that will be inserted into the hole. The flat areas prevent the plate-like shape of the electric compressor terminal from bending when tightening and / or fastening the screws to attach the electric compressor or terminal to the electric compressor housing. The flat area is the flat surface that is primarily subjected to the embossing process, especially the additive embossing process.

[0063] Advantageously, the flat areas 120.1 and 120.2 are parallel to the sealing area 180. The parallelism value is less than 0.1 mm and can be achieved by a stamping process.

[0064] By means of screws, a plate-like shaped housing member having openings through which the conductors are fed is attached to the housing of the electric compressor.

[0065] FIG. 10a shows a 3D image of the electric compressor terminal according to FIG. 6a. The raised edges, which provide the element with increased rigidity, are clearly visible. Furthermore, as is evident from FIG. 10a, the raised edges 100 in the embodiments of FIGS. 6a-10a do not surround the entire plate-like element, as in FIGS. 4 and 5, but only the central portion. Even if the raised edges are concentrated in the central portion, as in the embodiments of FIGS. 6a-10d, the rigidity of the plate-like element can still be sufficiently increased. The electric compressor terminal of FIG. 10a can be tightly connected to the housing of the electric compressor. Furthermore, according to FIG. 6a, the recessed area 115 and the raised area 110 extend across all openings 104.1, 104.2, and 104.3.

[0066] Figures 10b and 10c are 3D photographs of the electric compressor terminals according to Figures 6b, 6b.1a, and 6b.1b. In contrast to the embodiment shown in Figure 10a, concave regions 115.1, 115.2, and 115.3 and convex regions 110.1, 110.2, and 110.3 are associated with the openings 104.1, 104.2, and 104.3, respectively. This configuration significantly improves rigidity and prevents cracks from forming in the glass material. Figure 10b shows conductors 116.1, 116.2, and 116.3, which are fed through openings 104.1, 104.2, and 104.3 to glass or glass-ceramic materials 117.1, 117.2, and 117.3, respectively. Components identical to those previously identified are numbered identically. In Figures 10b and 10c it can be clearly seen that each opening has associated thereto a recessed area 115.1, 115.2, 115.3 which provides greater stiffness.

[0067] The glass fusing plane or glass fusing area of the conductor within the opening is shown in Figure 6b at 1000. This glass fusing plane is clearly distinct from the plane, in particular the base plane 1010, at which the electric compressor terminal is attached to the electric compressor housing, for example by means of screws routed through holes in the electric compressor terminal plate.

[0068] FIG. 11 illustrates a conductor 2000 in an opening 2010 of, for example, an electric compressor terminal, as described above, with an annular embossment 2020 in the metal material 2025 and / or an annular groove 2030 in the metal material 2025 to connect the plastic material and / or rubber material and / or elastic material 2050 to the metal of the conductor and / or the metal of the housing 2100. The glass material through which the conductor 2000 passes through the opening 2010 is indicated by 2060. The plastic material and / or rubber material and / or elastic material 2050 is necessary to prevent a short circuit between the conductor 2000 and the metal material 2025, even though the glass material is an insulator. Such a short circuit may occur, for example, if a film of conductive material, such as water, wets the metal material 2025 of the housing and / or the conductor. Such a water film wetting the metal material and the conductor can easily occur in an electric compressor equipped with an electric compressor terminal. This is because the temperature of the electric compressor may be very low, for example below 5°C or even below zero, whereas the ambient temperature, for example in summer, may be above 20°C. In this case, a water film forms due to condensation. Such short circuits due to the conductive film can be prevented by additionally insulating the conductor 2000 from the metal material 2025 of the housing of the electric compressor, in particular from the metal material 2025 of the cover in the form of the electric compressor terminals.

[0069] When applying plastic and / or rubber and / or elastic materials to metal materials such as iron, the high expansion coefficients of the plastic and / or rubber and / or elastic materials can cause the materials to peel off or fall off from the metal material. As a result, gaps can form between the metal material and the plastic and / or rubber and / or elastic materials, potentially causing diffusion. To prevent this, the metal material can be provided with at least one groove 2021 having an undercut in the metal material. The plastic and / or rubber and / or elastic material can then penetrate into the undercut of the groove 2021. This can prevent peeling of the plastic and / or rubber and / or elastic materials from the metal material, and eliminate gaps between the plastic and / or rubber and / or elastic materials and the metal material.

[0070] As previously mentioned, the undercuts in the grooves 2021 allow the plastic material to enter the grooves, thus providing a mechanical means to prevent the plastic material from being pulled out in a direction parallel to the conductors. Additionally, the plastic material shrinks onto the metal, providing a tight connection between the grooves or undercuts and the plastic material itself.

[0071] Optional grooves 2030, 2031 provide a tight connection between the injection molding device and the metal material. The injection molding device injects plastic and / or rubber and / or elastic materials.

[0072] The housing member of the present invention provides improved rigidity and pressure resistance, as well as a housing member that can be easily centered relative to the housing to which it is to be attached. Furthermore, the present invention provides a tight seal between the housing member and the housing to which it is attached due to its high flatness. Furthermore, a tight feedthrough connection of the conductors in the glass or glass-ceramic material is provided. Furthermore, the housing member has a high yield strength. The pressure resistance of the housing member in the form of a cover is extremely high, and thus the housing member is tightly connected to the housing of the electric compressor. Further cracking of the glass material surrounding the conductors can be avoided.

[0073] The present invention includes embodiments disclosed in the following sentences, which are part of the present specification, but are not claimed by Board of Appeal J15 / 88:

[0074] Sentence 1. A housing element (1), in particular a plate-like element, preferably an electric compressor terminal, for mounting on a housing, the device comprises at least one opening (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) for at least one conductor (3.1, 3.2, 3.3), the at least one conductor (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) being embedded in a glass or glass-ceramic material (6.1, 6.2, 6.3) provided in each of the openings to provide a glass-to-metal seal (GTMS); The housing member (1) comprises means for centering the housing member (1) within the structure of the housing means to enhance its resilience to bending, the means for centering the housing member (1) being represented by a recessed area (110) and / or at least two holes (11.1, 11.2); Housing components.

[0075] 2. A housing member according to sentence 1, wherein the housing member is particularly provided with a lifting edge (100).

[0076] 3. The housing member (1) according to sentence 1, comprising a plurality of openings (4.1, 4.2, 4.3), the housing member (1) forming an elongated structure.

[0077] 4. A housing member according to any one of sentences 1 to 3, wherein the housing member comprises as a material steel, in particular stainless steel, most preferably structural steel, preferably non-heat treated steel, most preferably structural steel in the form of non-heat treated steel.

[0078] 5. A housing member described in any one of sentences 2 to 4, wherein the recessed area (110) and / or raised edge (100) are formed using a stamping process or a reforming process, and the recessed area (110) and / or raised edge and the housing member (1) are an integral member.

[0079] 6. A housing member according to any one of sentences 1 to 5, wherein the recessed region (110) represents a plane raised from the plane of the base of the housing member (1), while the recessed region (110) has a sidewall extending from the base of the housing member (1), and the transition of the base of the sidewall of the housing member (1) is preferably rounded with a radius R, and most preferably R is between 0.01 mm and 0.8 mm.

[0080] 7. A housing member according to any one of sentences 2 to 6, wherein the raised edge (100) is a separate part and is joined to the housing member by welding.

[0081] 8. The housing member of any one of sentences 1 to 6, wherein the housing member is reshaped to provide a lift-up edge (100).

[0082] 9. A housing member according to any one of sentences 1 to 8, wherein the recessed area (110), at least on the side connected to the housing, has a flatness according to ISO 1101 of at least 0.1, preferably at least 0.07, most preferably 0.01 to 0.07.

[0083] 10. A housing member according to any one of sentences 1 to 9, wherein the at least one conductor (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) and the glass or glass-ceramic material (6.1, 6.2, 6.3) form a compression seal.

[0084] 11. A housing member according to any one of sentences 1 to 11, wherein the housing member preferably comprises at least one mounting hole (11.1, 11.2) for positioning and / or mounting the housing member.

[0085] 12. A housing member according to any one of sentences 1 to 11, wherein at least the area of the raised plane of the recessed area (110) has a structure, preferably a stamped structure and / or a reshaped structure, and most preferably the structure has an undercut.

[0086] 13. A housing member according to any one of sentences 1 to 12, wherein the opening regions (120.1, 120.2) comprise a plastic material, preferably the plastic material covers at least a portion of the raised planar structure of the recessed region (110), and most preferably the plastic material extends into the undercut.

[0087] 14. An electric compressor having an electric compressor terminal according to any one of sentences 1 to 13.

Claims

1. A housing member attached to a housing, at least one opening (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) for at least one conductor (3.1, 3.2, 3.3), said at least one conductor (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) being embedded in a glass or glass-ceramic material (6.1, 6.2, 6.3) provided in each of said openings respectively to provide a glass-to-metal seal (GTMS); the housing member includes convex and concave regions (110 and 115) for centering the housing member within the structure of the housing and / or for enhancing resilience to bending; the at least one opening (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) is provided in the convex region (110) and the concave region (115); the convex area (110) and the concave area (115) are located in a glass fusion area plane (1000), and the housing member has at least two holes (111.1, 111.2) located in a base plane (1010) different from the glass fusion area plane (1000), through which screws can be inserted to attach the housing member to the housing; the raised area (110) and the recessed area (115) are formed by a stamping or remolding process, and the raised area (110) and the recessed area (115) and the housing member are integral members; Housing components.

2. A housing member as described in claim 1, wherein the housing member forms an elongated structure.

3. A housing member as described in claim 2, wherein the housing member has a plurality of openings (4.1, 4.2, 4.3).

4. A housing member as described in claim 3, wherein the multiple openings (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) are arranged between the at least two holes (111.1, 111.2) and are arranged one behind the other in the extension direction of the housing member.

5. 5. The housing element according to claim 1, wherein the housing element comprises as material steel, or stainless steel, or structural steel, or non-heat treated steel, or structural steel in the form of non-heat treated steel.

6. 6. A housing member according to claim 1, wherein the convex region (110) represents a plane raised from the base plane (1010) of the housing member, while the convex region (110) has a side wall extending from the base plane (1010) of the housing member, and the transition of the side wall of the housing member to the base plane (1010) is rounded.

7. The housing member according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the housing member comprises a raised edge (100).

8. The housing member of claim 7, wherein the raised edge (100) is a separate member and is joined to the housing member by fusion bonding.

9. The housing member of claim 7, wherein the housing member is reshaped to provide the raised edge (100).

10. 10. The housing element according to claim 1, wherein the convex area (110) or the concave area (115) has a flatness according to ISO 1101 of at least 0.1, at least on the side connected to the housing.

11. 11. The housing element according to claim 1, wherein the at least one conductor (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) and the glass or glass-ceramic material (6.1, 6.2, 6.3) form a compression seal.

12. A housing member as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the convex region (110) has a raised plane, and at least the area of the raised plane of the convex region (110) has a stamped structure and / or a reformed structure, and / or a structure with an undercut.

13. 13. The housing member according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the housing member has an area (50) with roughness for casting material and / or adhesive and / or an area (180) for providing a seal between the housing member and the housing.

14. 14. The housing element according to claim 1, further comprising a bar and / or pin (1010.1, 1010.2) and / or a mushroom-shaped head portion (1000) and / or an annular embossment and / or an annular groove for connecting the plastic material and / or the rubber material to the material.

15. 15. The housing element according to claim 1, wherein the flat area (120.1, 120.2) surrounds the hole.

16. The housing member according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing member comprises at least a groove (2021).

17. 17. A housing element according to claim 16, wherein the groove (2021) is located around at least one of the openings with the conductor (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) embedded in a glass or glass-ceramic material.

18. 18. A housing member according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the groove (2021) is filled with a plastic material, a rubber material or an elastic material.

19. An electric compressor having a housing member described in any one of claims 1 to 18.

Images