Composite device

Abstract

To provide a composite device that can contribute to downsizing of a vehicular air conditioning device, etc. and reduction of power consumption.SOLUTION: A composite device 1 comprises: a first housing 2A housing a compression mechanism 3 and an electric motor 4, and comprising a refrigerant inflow port 10 through which a refrigerant to be compressed by the compression mechanism 3 is made to flow into the inside, and a refrigerant outflow port 11 through which the refrigerant compressed by the compression mechanism 3 is made to flow out to the outside; a second housing 2B housing an electric heater 5, and comprising a heat medium inflow port 12 through which a heat medium to be heated by the electric heater 5 is made to flow into the inside, and a heat medium outflow port 13 through the heat medium heated by the electric heater 5 is made to flow out to the outside; and a third housing 2C housing a motor driving circuit 6 and a heater control circuit 7. A compression mechanism housing part 2G of the first housing 2A and an opposed portion 2H of the second housing 2B opposed to it are in indirect contact with each other via a heat exchange member 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a combined device having a refrigerant compressing function and a heat medium heating function. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle air conditioner applicable to vehicles such as hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles. The vehicle air conditioner described in Patent Document 1 has a refrigerant circuit including an electric compressor that compresses a refrigerant, a radiator that dissipates heat from the refrigerant discharged from the electric compressor to heat air supplied to the vehicle cabin, an expansion valve that reduces the pressure and expands the heat-dissipated refrigerant, and a heat exchanger equivalent to an evaporator that exchanges heat between the reduced-pressure and expanded refrigerant and outside air. The vehicle air conditioner described in Patent Document 1 also has a heat medium heating electric heater that heats a heat medium to assist the radiator in heating the vehicle cabin, and a heat medium-air heat exchanger that heats the air supplied to the vehicle cabin with the heated heat medium. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-213765 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The vehicle air conditioning system described in Patent Document 1 can compensate for the lack of heating capacity provided by the radiator. However, the vehicle air conditioning system described in Patent Document 1 has an electric compressor, a heat medium heater, and other components separately provided. This makes the system larger overall, leaving room for improvement in terms of installation space, etc.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a composite device that can contribute to the miniaturization and reduction of power consumption of vehicle air conditioning devices and the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hybrid device having a refrigerant compression function and a heat medium heating function, the hybrid device including a compression mechanism that compresses a refrigerant, an electric motor that drives the compression mechanism, an electric heater that heats a heat medium, a motor drive circuit that controls the electric motor, and a heater control circuit that controls the electric heater. The hybrid device includes: a compressor housing that accommodates the compression mechanism and the electric motor and has a refrigerant inlet through which the refrigerant compressed by the compression mechanism flows into an interior thereof and a refrigerant outlet through which the refrigerant compressed by the compression mechanism flows out to an exterior thereof; a heater housing that accommodates the electric heater and has a heat medium inlet through which the heat medium heated by the electric heater flows into an interior thereof and a heat medium outlet through which the heat medium heated by the electric heater flows out to an exterior thereof; and a circuit housing that accommodates the motor drive circuit and the heater control circuit, wherein a compression mechanism-accommodating portion of the compressor housing and an opposing portion of the heater housing are in thermal contact with each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a composite device that can contribute to the miniaturization and reduction of power consumption of vehicle air conditioning devices and the like. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a multifunction device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a top view of the multifunction device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along line AA. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a main part of a motor drive circuit of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a main part of a heater control circuit of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a schematic enlarged view of the cross section BB of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] 1 to 3 show a schematic configuration of a compound device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a front view of the compound device 1 according to the embodiment, Fig. 2 is a right side view of the compound device 1 according to the embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a top view of the compound device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0011] The combined device 1 has a refrigerant compression function for compressing a refrigerant and a heat medium heating function for heating a heat medium. In other words, the combined device 1 has a configuration in which a compressor and a heat medium heating device are integrated. The combined device 1 can be applied to, for example, the vehicle air conditioning system described above.

[0012] When the combined device 1 is applied to a vehicle air conditioner, the refrigerant compression function unit of the combined device 1 can be incorporated into the refrigerant circuit of the vehicle air conditioner, and can be configured to compress refrigerant that has passed through an expansion valve and a heat exchanger equivalent to an evaporator, and supply the compressed refrigerant to a radiator (refrigerant-air heat exchanger) that heats the air to be supplied to the vehicle cabin. The heat medium heating function unit of the combined device 1 can be incorporated into a heat medium circuit in which a heat medium is circulated by a pump or the like, and can be configured to heat the heat medium and supply the heated heat medium to a heat medium-air heat exchanger that heats the air to be supplied to the vehicle cabin. While the refrigerant and heat medium can be selected arbitrarily, water (including water mixed with antifreeze, etc.) is typically used as the heat medium.

[0013] 1 to 3, in this embodiment, the combined device 1 includes a housing 2, a compression mechanism 3 that compresses a refrigerant, an electric motor 4 that drives the compression mechanism 3, an electric heater 5 that heats a heat medium, a motor drive circuit 6 that controls the supply of electricity to the electric motor 4, and a heater control circuit 7 that controls the supply of electricity to the electric heater 5.

[0014] The housing 2 includes a first housing 2A, a second housing 2B, a third housing 2C, a first cover 2D, a second cover 2E, and a third cover 2F, which are fastened together by fastening members such as bolts (not shown).

[0015] The first housing 2A is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The first housing 2A accommodates a compression mechanism 3 and an electric motor 4. The compression mechanism 3 and the electric motor 4 are arranged in series in the axial direction. Although not particularly limited, the compression mechanism 3 may be a scroll compression mechanism including a fixed scroll and a movable (orbiting) scroll. Furthermore, the output shaft 4a of the electric motor 4 is connected to the compression mechanism 3 (for example, the movable (orbiting) scroll).

[0016] One open end (the lower side in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the first housing 2A, i.e., the open end of the first housing 2A on the compression mechanism 3 side, is closed by a first cover 2D. The first housing 2A is also referred to as a compressor housing.

[0017] The second housing 2B is disposed to the side of the first housing 2A. The second housing 2B is formed in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape. An electric heater 5 is accommodated within the second housing 2B. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the electric heater 5 is composed of a pair of rod-shaped heaters 5A and 5B, each extending in the axial direction. The pair of rod-shaped heaters 5A and 5B (hereinafter simply referred to as the "pair of heaters 5A and 5B") are disposed side by side substantially parallel to the axis of the second housing 2B and are electrically connected in parallel.

[0018] One open end (the lower end in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the second housing 2B, i.e., the open end located on one end side in the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the pair of heaters 5A, 5B, is closed by a second cover 2E. The second housing 2B is also referred to as a heater housing.

[0019] The third housing 2C is formed in a box shape with an open top. The third housing 2C accommodates a motor drive circuit 6 and a heater control circuit 7. More specifically, the third housing 2C accommodates a circuit board 8 on which the motor drive circuit 6 and the heater control circuit 7 are mounted.

[0020] The bottom wall 9 of the third housing 2C closes the other open end (upper side in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the first housing 2A, i.e., the open end of the first housing 2A on the electric motor 4 side, and closes the other open end (upper side in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the second housing 2B, i.e., the open end located on the other end side in the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the pair of heaters 5A, 5B. In other words, the third housing 2C is disposed in the axial direction of the electric motor 4 with respect to the first housing 2A and the second housing 2B.

[0021] The other open end of the first housing 2A and the other open end of the second housing 2B are closed by the bottom wall 9 of the third housing 2C, thereby separating the internal space of the first housing 2A from the internal space of the third housing 2C, and separating the internal space of the second housing 2B from the internal space of the third housing 2C. In other words, (the bottom wall 9 of) the third housing 2C has a first partition 91 that separates the internal space of the first housing 2A from the internal space of the third housing 2C, and a second partition 92 that separates the internal space of the second housing 2B from the internal space of the third housing 2C.

[0022] The top surface (open end) of the third housing 2C is closed by a third cover 2F. The third housing 2C is also referred to as a circuit housing.

[0023] The first housing 2A is formed with a refrigerant inlet 10 that allows external refrigerant to flow into the first housing 2A. The external refrigerant is, for example, a refrigerant that has passed through an expansion valve and a heat exchanger corresponding to an evaporator in the refrigerant circuit of the vehicle air conditioning system described above, i.e., a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant. In this embodiment, the refrigerant inlet 10 is provided in a portion of the first housing 2A on the third housing 2C side, specifically, near a first partition 91 that separates the internal space of the first housing 2A from the internal space of the third housing 2C. Preferably, the refrigerant inlet 10 is configured to allow the external refrigerant to flow into the first housing 2A so that at least a portion of the external refrigerant flows along the first partition 91.

[0024] The refrigerant that flows into the first housing 2A from the refrigerant inlet 10 flows through the internal space of the first housing 2A and is then drawn into the compression mechanism 3. The first partition 91 is cooled by the refrigerant flowing into the internal space of the first housing 2A. Furthermore, the electric motor 4 is mainly cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the internal space of the first housing 2A.

[0025] The refrigerant drawn into the compression mechanism 3 is compressed by the compression mechanism 3 and becomes a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant, which is then discharged from the compression mechanism 3. The (high-temperature, high-pressure) refrigerant discharged from the compression mechanism 3 flows out from a refrigerant outlet 11 formed in the first housing 2A and is supplied to, for example, a radiator (refrigerant-air heat exchanger) in the refrigerant circuit of the above-mentioned vehicle air conditioning system, which heats the air supplied to the vehicle cabin. In this embodiment, the refrigerant outlet 11 is provided in a portion of the first housing 2A on the first cover 2D side.

[0026] On the other hand, the second housing 2B is formed with a heat medium inlet 12 for allowing the heat medium from the outside to flow into the second housing 2B. The heat medium from the outside is, for example, the heat medium that has passed through a heat medium-air heat exchanger for heating the air supplied to the vehicle cabin in the heat medium circuit of the above-mentioned vehicle air conditioning system, i.e., a low-temperature heat medium after dissipating heat in the heat medium-air heat exchanger. In other words, the heat medium from the outside is the heat medium that needs to be heated by the electric heater 5. In this embodiment, the heat medium inlet 12 is provided in a portion of the second housing 2B on the second cover 2E side, in other words, in the vicinity of one of the axial (longitudinal) ends of the pair of heaters 5A, 5B.

[0027] The heat medium that has flowed into the second housing 2B from the heat medium inlet 12 flows through the internal space of the second housing 2B, and is heated by the electric heater 5 (heater 5A, heater 5B) during this process.

[0028] The heat medium heated to a high temperature by the electric heater 5 (heater 5A, heater 5B) flows out from a heat medium outlet 13 formed in the second housing 2B and is supplied to, for example, a heat medium-air heat exchanger in the above-mentioned vehicle air conditioning system for heating air to be supplied into the vehicle cabin. In this embodiment, the heat medium outlet 13 is provided in a portion of the second housing 2B on the third housing 2C side, specifically, near the second partition part 92 that separates the internal space of the second housing 2B from the internal space of the third housing 2C, and near the other end in the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the pair of heaters 5A, 5B.

[0029] In this embodiment, the portion of the first housing 2A that houses the compression mechanism 3 (hereinafter referred to as the "compression mechanism housing portion") and the opposing portion of the second housing 2B are configured to be in thermal contact. Here, "X and Y are in thermal contact" means that heat exchange is possible between X and Y, and includes not only direct contact between X and Y, but also cases where X and Y are sufficiently close to each other or indirect contact between X and Y via a heat exchange member.

[0030] Specifically, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, which is a schematic view of a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. 1, a portion of the second housing 2B near the heat medium inlet 12 constitutes a facing portion 2H facing the compression mechanism-accommodating portion 2G of the first housing 2A. The compression mechanism-accommodating portion 2G of the first housing 2A and the facing portion 2H of the second housing 2B are in indirect contact with each other via a heat exchange member 14. That is, the heat exchange member 14 is interposed between the compression mechanism-accommodating portion 2G of the first housing 2A and the facing portion 2H of the second housing 2B. The heat exchange member 14 is made of a material having thermal conductivity equal to or greater than that of the material of the first housing 2A and the second housing 2B. Although not particularly limited, the heat exchange member 14 may be made of aluminum, for example.

[0031] Although not shown in the figure, the power supply line from the motor drive circuit 6 to the electric motor 4 and the power supply line from the heater control circuit 7 to the electric heater 5 each extend through the bottom wall 9 of the third housing 2C in an airtight and liquidtight manner.

[0032] Next, the motor drive circuit 6 that controls the electric motor 4 and the heater control circuit 7 that controls the electric heater 5 will be described.

[0033] 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the main parts of the motor drive circuit 6. In this embodiment, the motor drive circuit 6 is configured to convert DC voltage from an external power supply into a three-phase AC voltage and supply it to the electric motor 4. The motor drive circuit 6 has a capacitor 21, a first power module 22, and a first power module control circuit 23.

[0034] The capacitor 21 is connected between the power supply line of the external power supply and the ground line, and smoothes the DC voltage from the external power supply.

[0035] The first power module 22 includes six power switching elements (hereinafter referred to as "first power switching elements") Q1-Q6 that control the supply of current to the electric motor 4, and six diodes D1-D6. Although not particularly limited, the first power switching elements Q1-Q6 may be IGBTs (insulated gate bipolar transistors). By controlling the first power switching elements Q1-Q6 (PMW control), the first power module 22 converts the DC voltage from an external power supply that has been smoothed by the capacitor 21 into a three-phase AC voltage and supplies it to the electric motor 4.

[0036] Specifically, the first power module 22 has a U-phase arm, a V-phase arm, and a W-phase arm that are arranged in parallel with each other between the power supply line of the external power supply and the ground line.

[0037] Two first power switching elements Q1 and Q2 are connected in series to the U-phase arm, and diodes D1 and D2 are connected in antiparallel to the first power switching elements Q1 and Q2, respectively.

[0038] Two first power switching elements Q3 and Q4 are connected in series to the V-phase arm, and diodes D3 and D4 are connected in antiparallel to each of the first power switching elements Q3 and Q4, respectively.

[0039] Two first power switching elements Q5 and Q6 are connected in series to the W-phase arm, and diodes D5 and D6 are connected in antiparallel to each of the first power switching elements Q5 and Q6, respectively.

[0040] The midpoints of the U-, V-, and W-phase arms are connected at one end to the other end of the star-connected U-, V-, and W-phase coils of the electric motor 4. That is, the midpoints of the first power switching elements Q1 and Q2 of the U-phase arm are connected to the U-phase coil, the midpoints of the first power switching elements Q3 and Q4 of the V-phase arm are connected to the V-phase coil, and the midpoints of the first power switching elements Q5 and Q6 of the W-phase arm are connected to the W-phase coil.

[0041] Therefore, by controlling the ratio between the ON period of the first power switching element on the power line side of each phase arm and the ON period of the first power switching element on the ground line side, the first power module 22 can convert the DC voltage from the external power supply smoothed by the capacitor 21 into a three-phase AC voltage and supply it to the electric motor 4, thereby driving the electric motor 4.

[0042] The first power module control circuit 23 controls (PWM control) the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 to drive the electric motor 4 and ultimately the compression mechanism 3 based on a control signal from an external control device (for example, the control device of the above-mentioned vehicle air conditioner).

[0043] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the main parts of the heater control circuit 7. In this embodiment, the heater control circuit 7 is configured to apply the voltage of a high-voltage power supply to the electric heaters 5 (heater 5A, heater 5B). The heater control circuit 7 has a second power module 31 and a second power module control circuit 32.

[0044] The second power module 31 includes two power switching elements (hereinafter referred to as "second power switching elements") Q7, Q8 that control the supply of electricity to the electric heater 5. Like the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 of the motor drive circuit 6, the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 may be, but are not limited to, IGBTs. In this embodiment, of the two second power switching elements Q7, Q8, the second power switching element Q7 is provided on the output side (voltage side) of the high-voltage power supply relative to the electric heater 5, and the other second power switching element Q8 is provided on the ground side of the high-voltage power supply relative to the electric heater 5. By controlling the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 (PMW control), the second power module 31 turns on / off the supply of electricity to the electric heater 5, thereby controlling the temperature of the electric heater 5 and further the temperature of the heat medium heated by the electric heater 5.

[0045] The second power module control circuit 32 controls (PWM control) the second power switching elements Q7 and Q8 based on a control signal from an external control device (for example, the control device of the above-mentioned vehicle air conditioner).

[0046] 6, for purposes such as overheat protection, the heater control circuit 7 is provided with a first temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the second power switching elements Q7, Q8, a second temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the electric heater 5 (including the temperature of the heat medium heated by the electric heater 5), a voltage detection unit that detects the voltage applied to the electric heater 5, and a current detection unit that detects the current flowing through the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 and the electric heater 5. The detection results of these detection units can be input to, for example, an external control device and used to determine a control signal to the second power module control circuit 32.

[0047] For example, the external control device outputs a control signal to the second power module control circuit 32 to forcibly turn off the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 when the temperature of the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 exceeds a predetermined value, when the temperature of the electric heater 5 exceeds a predetermined value, when the voltage applied to the electric heater 5 exceeds a predetermined value, or when the current flowing through the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 and the electric heater 5 exceeds a predetermined value.

[0048] Next, the arrangement of the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 of the motor drive circuit 6 and the second power switching elements Q7 and Q8 of the heater control circuit 7 in the compound device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a schematic enlarged view of the cross section BB in Fig. 3.

[0049] As described above, the third housing 2C accommodates the circuit board 8 on which the motor drive circuit 6 and the heater control circuit 7 are mounted. In this embodiment, the circuit board 8 is attached to a plurality of board attachment portions 15 provided in the third housing 2C, as shown in Fig. 7. Each of the plurality of board attachment portions 15 is formed in the shape of a boss that protrudes upward (in a direction away from the first housing 2A and the second housing 2B) from the bottom wall 9 of the third housing 2C, and the circuit board 8 is attached (fixed) to the upper surfaces of the plurality of board attachment portions 15 with screws 16.

[0050] The first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 of the motor drive circuit 6 and the second power switching elements Q7 and Q8 of the heater control circuit 7 are mounted on the underside of the circuit board 8 housed in the third housing 2C (the surface on the bottom wall 9 side of the third housing 2C), in a position facing the first partition 91 that separates the internal space of the first housing 2A from the internal space of the third housing 2C.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 are arranged so as to be in thermal contact with the first partition portion 91, for example, by appropriately adjusting the length of each lead and / or by forming the bottom wall 9 of the third housing 2C so as to partially protrude toward the circuit board 8. Here, "in thermal contact with the first partition portion 91" refers to a state in which heat exchange with the first partition portion 91 is possible, and includes not only direct contact with the first partition portion 91, but also being sufficiently close to the first partition portion 91 and indirect contact with the first partition portion 91 via a heat exchange member with high thermal conductivity, etc.

[0052] The composite device 1 according to the embodiment provides the following advantages.

[0053] The combined device 1 includes a compression mechanism 3 that compresses the refrigerant, an electric motor 4 that drives the compression mechanism 3, an electric heater 5 that heats the heat medium, a motor drive circuit 6 that controls the electric motor 4, and a heater control circuit 7 that controls the electric heater 5, and has a refrigerant compression function and a heat medium heating function.

[0054] Such a combined device 1 can heat the heat medium while compressing the refrigerant. Therefore, it can be applied to the above-mentioned vehicle air conditioning system. By applying the combined device 1 to a vehicle air conditioning system, the vehicle air conditioning system can be made smaller than a conventional configuration having an electric compressor and a heat medium heating device separately.

[0055] The combined device 1 also includes a first housing 2A that houses the compression mechanism 3 and the electric motor 4 and has a refrigerant inlet 10 through which the refrigerant compressed by the compression mechanism 3 flows into the first housing 2A and a refrigerant outlet through which the refrigerant compressed by the compression mechanism 3 flows out to the outside; a second housing 2B that houses the electric heater 5 and has a heat medium inlet through which the heat medium heated by the electric heater 5 flows into the first housing 2A and a heat medium outlet through which the heat medium heated by the electric heater 5 flows out to the outside; and a third housing 2C that houses the motor drive circuit 6 and the heater control circuit 7. As described above, the first housing 2A, the second housing 2B, and the third housing 2C are also referred to as the compressor housing, the heater housing, and the circuit housing. The compression mechanism-accommodating portion 2G of the first housing 2A (compressor housing) is in thermal contact with the opposing portion 2H of the second housing 2B (heater housing) that faces it.

[0056] The compression mechanism-accommodating portion 2G of the first housing 2A is heated by the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compression mechanism 3. Therefore, because the opposing portion 2H of the second housing 2B is in thermal contact with the compression mechanism-accommodating portion 2G of the first housing 2A, the second housing 2B, and therefore the heat medium flowing through the internal space of the second housing 2B, is also heated. In other words, the heating of the heat medium by the electric heater 5 is assisted. Therefore, the heating time of the heat medium can be shortened and the power consumption of the electric heater 5 can be reduced.

[0057] In particular, in this embodiment, the compression mechanism-accommodating portion 2G of the first housing 2A and the opposing portion 2H of the second housing 2B are in indirect contact with each other via the heat exchange member 14. That is, the heat exchange member 14 is interposed between the compression mechanism-accommodating portion 2G of the first housing 2A and the opposing portion 2H of the second housing 2B. This ensures a relatively large heat exchange area without complicating the shapes of the first housing 2A and the second housing 2B, and the heat medium flowing through the internal space of the second housing 2B can be effectively heated by using the compression mechanism-accommodating portion 2G of the heated first housing 2A.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the third housing 2C is disposed relative to the first housing 2A and the second housing 2B in the axial direction of the electric motor 4. This prevents an increase in the dimension of the housing 2 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the electric motor 4, i.e., prevents an increase in the body of the housing 2. This also prevents a decrease in the ease of installation of the combined device 1.

[0059] In this embodiment, a portion of the second housing 2B near the heat medium inlet 12 serves as an opposing portion 2H that faces the compression mechanism-accommodating portion 2G of the first housing 2A. Therefore, the heated compression mechanism-accommodating portion 2G of the first housing 2A heats the heat medium flowing into the second housing 2B and / or the heat medium immediately after flowing into the second housing 2B. Therefore, the electric heater 5 heats the heat medium that has been heated in advance, and the power consumption of the electric heater 5 can be effectively reduced.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the refrigerant inlet 10 in the first housing 2A is located near a first partition 91 that separates the internal space of the first housing 2A from the internal space of the third housing 2C, and the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 of the motor drive circuit 6 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 of the heater control circuit 7 are arranged so as to be in thermal contact with the first partition 91.

[0061] The first partition 91 is cooled by the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant that flows in from the refrigerant inlet 10. Therefore, the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 of the motor drive circuit 6 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 of the heater control circuit 7 are in thermal contact with the first partition 91, so that the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 of the motor drive circuit 6 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 of the heater control circuit 7 are cooled effectively, improving the cooling (heat dissipation) performance of the power switching elements.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the motor drive circuit 6 and the heater control circuit 7 are mounted on a single circuit board 8. However, this is not limited to this. As long as the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 of the motor drive circuit 6 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 of the heater control circuit 7 are arranged so as to be in thermal contact with the first partition portion 91, the motor drive circuit 6 and the heater control circuit 7 may be mounted on separate circuit boards. Alternatively, the motor drive circuit 6 and / or the heater control circuit 7 may be divided and mounted on multiple circuit boards, and the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 may be mounted on one of these circuit boards.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 of the motor drive circuit 6 and the second power switching elements Q7 and Q8 of the heater control circuit 7 are arranged so as to be in thermal contact with the first partition 91. However, this is not limited to this. In addition to or instead of the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6, other heat-generating components of the motor drive circuit 6 may be arranged so as to be in thermal contact with the first partition 91. Similarly, in addition to or instead of the second power switching elements Q7 and Q8, other heat-generating components of the heater control circuit 7 may be arranged so as to be in thermal contact with the first partition 91. Note that the heat-generating components refer to electronic components that become relatively hot during use, similar to the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 and the second power switching elements Q7 and Q8, and include not only power switching elements but also resistors and the like.

[0064] In the above-described embodiment, the third housing 2C is located above the first housing 2A and the second housing 2B. However, the orientation of the multifunction device 1 when installed can be set arbitrarily, and for example, the multifunction device 1 can be installed with the third housing 2C located to the side of the first housing 2A and the second housing 2B.

[0065] In the above description, the combined device 1 is mainly applied to a vehicle air conditioning system. However, the combined device 1 is not limited to this. The combined device 1 can be applied to various devices and systems that use an electric compressor for compressing a refrigerant and a heat medium heater for heating a heat medium.

[0066] The above describes the embodiments and some modified examples of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modified examples, and it goes without saying that further modifications and changes are possible based on the technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1...combined device, 2...housing, 2A...first housing (compressor housing), 2B...second housing (heater housing), 2C...third housing (circuit housing), 2D...first cover, 2E...second cover, 2F...third cover, 3...compression mechanism, 4...electric motor, 5...electric heater, 6...motor drive circuit, 7...heater control circuit, 8...circuit board, 10...refrigerant inlet, 11...refrigerant outlet, 12...heat medium inlet, 13...heat medium outlet, 14...heat exchange member, 91...first partition, 92...second partition, Q1 to Q6...first power switching element (heat generating component), Q7, Q8...second power switching element (heat generating component)

Claims

1. A composite device having a refrigerant compression function and a heat medium heating function, the composite device including a compression mechanism that compresses a refrigerant, an electric motor that drives the compression mechanism, an electric heater that heats a heat medium, a motor drive circuit that controls the electric motor, and a heater control circuit that controls the electric heater, a compressor housing that accommodates the compression mechanism and the electric motor and has a refrigerant inlet through which the refrigerant compressed by the compression mechanism flows into the compressor housing and a refrigerant outlet through which the refrigerant compressed by the compression mechanism flows out of the compressor housing; a heater housing that accommodates the electric heater and has a heat medium inlet through which a heat medium to be heated by the electric heater flows into the heater housing and a heat medium outlet through which the heat medium heated by the electric heater flows out of the heater housing; a circuit housing that accommodates the motor drive circuit and the heater control circuit; and A composite device configured such that a compression mechanism accommodating portion of the compressor housing and a facing portion of the heater housing are in thermal contact with each other.

2. 2. The composite device according to claim 1, wherein the compression mechanism accommodating portion of the compressor housing and the opposing portion of the heater housing are in indirect contact with each other via a heat transfer member.

3. 3. The composite device according to claim 1, wherein the facing portion of the heater housing is a portion in the vicinity of the heat medium inlet.

4. an interior of the circuit housing is separated from an interior of the compressor housing by a first partition and is separated from an interior of the heater housing by a second partition; The refrigerant inlet is provided in the compressor housing near the first partition portion, In the circuit housing, heat-generating components of the motor drive circuit and heat-generating components of the heater control circuit are arranged so as to be in thermal contact with the first partition portion. The composite device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the heat-generating component of the motor drive circuit includes a first power switching element that controls power supply to the electric motor, the heat generating component of the heater control circuit includes a second power switching element that controls power supply to the electric heater; The composite device according to claim 4 .

6. 6. The composite device according to claim 4, wherein the heat medium outlet of the heater housing is provided in the vicinity of the second partition portion.

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