Electric compressor

Abstract

To provide an electric compressor that can improve cooling performance of a switching element.SOLUTION: A switching element 70 comprises a conductive member 71, and a resin member 72 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The resin member 72 comprises: a first end surface 72a that is an end surface in a longitudinal direction, and from which a portion of the conductive member 71 protrudes; a second end surface 72b that is an end surface on a side opposite to the first end surface 72a; and a first side surface 72c connecting the first end surface 72a and the second end surface 72b. The conductive member 71 comprises a heat generation part 73a exposed in the first side surface 72c. The switching element 70 is arranged in an inverter housing chamber S1 in such a manner that the longitudinal direction of the resin member 72 extends in an axial direction of a rotating shaft. A heat dissipation member 80 made of metal is arranged between the switching element 70 and a partition wall 22. The heat dissipation member 80 comprises a first heat dissipation part 81 arranged between the heat generation part 73a and the partition wall 22, and a second heat dissipation part 82 continuous with the first heat dissipation part 81, and arranged between the second end surface 72b and the partition wall 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The electric compressor includes a rotating shaft, an electric motor that rotates the rotating shaft, a compression unit that compresses fluid by rotation of the rotating shaft, an inverter that drives the electric motor, and a housing. The inverter has a switching element. The housing houses the electric motor and has a partition wall that separates a suction chamber into which fluid is drawn and an inverter chamber that houses the inverter.

[0003] In the electric compressor disclosed in Patent Document 1, the switching element is pressed against the partition wall by a pressing fixture, so that the switching element is cooled by the fluid drawn into the suction chamber through the partition wall. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-81539 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In such electric compressors, it is desirable to improve the cooling performance of the switching elements. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The electric compressor for solving the above problems includes a rotating shaft, an electric motor for rotating the rotating shaft, a compression section for compressing a fluid by the rotation of the rotating shaft, an inverter for driving the electric motor and having a switching element, and a metal housing for accommodating the electric motor and having a partition wall separating a suction chamber into which the fluid is drawn and an inverter accommodating chamber for accommodating the inverter, wherein the switching element has a conductive member having a main portion and a pin protruding from the main portion, and a rectangular parallelepiped resin member for accommodating the main portion, and the resin member has a longitudinal end face and a partition wall for separating the switching element from the conductive member having a pin protruding from the main portion. the main portion has a heat-generating portion exposed to the outside of the resin member at the side surface; the switching element is disposed in the inverter accommodating chamber so that the longitudinal direction of the resin member extends in the axial direction of the rotating shaft; and a metal heat-dissipating member is disposed between the switching element and the partition wall; and the heat-dissipating member has a first heat-dissipating portion disposed between the heat-generating portion and the partition wall, and a second heat-dissipating portion continuous with the first heat-dissipating portion and disposed between the second end surface and the partition wall.

[0007] The heat from the switching elements is dissipated to the partition walls not only through the first heat dissipation section but also through the second heat dissipation section that is continuous with the first heat dissipation section, thereby improving the cooling performance of the switching elements.

[0008] Furthermore, the switching elements are arranged in the inverter accommodating chamber so that the longitudinal direction of the resin member extends in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, which makes it possible to reduce the area of ​​the switching elements when viewed in the axial direction of the rotating shaft compared to when the switching elements are arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the resin member extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating shaft.

[0009] In the above electric compressor, the partition wall may have a first wall surface which is an end face of the partition wall in the axial direction of the rotating shaft and is exposed inside the inverter accommodating chamber, a second wall surface which is located opposite the first wall surface in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, and an accommodating recess which is recessed from the first wall surface and protrudes from the second wall surface, and the switching element may be arranged in the accommodating recess.

[0010] Since the area of ​​the partition wall exposed to the suction chamber is increased, the partition wall is more easily cooled by the fluid drawn into the suction chamber, thereby further improving the heat dissipation of the switching element.

[0011] In the above electric compressor, the side surface may have a first side surface to which the heat-generating portion is exposed, a second side surface opposite the first side surface, and a pair of third side surfaces connecting the first side surface and the second side surface, and the heat dissipation member may have a pair of third heat dissipation portions that are continuous with the first heat dissipation portion and are arranged between the third side surface and the partition wall.

[0012] The heat of the switching elements is also dissipated to the partition wall via a pair of third heat dissipation sections that are continuous with the first heat dissipation section, thereby further improving the cooling performance of the switching elements. In the above electric compressor, the switching element and the heat dissipation member may be integrated by rubber insulating members provided between the second end face and the second heat dissipation portion, and between the pair of third side faces and the pair of third heat dissipation portions.

[0013] The switching elements and the heat dissipation member are easier to handle than when the switching elements and the heat dissipation member are separate bodies. In the above electric compressor, the inverter may have a plurality of the switching elements, and the main portions of the plurality of switching elements may each have an exposed portion exposed to the outside of the resin member on the second side surface and the third side surface, and the insulating member may cover the second side surface.

[0014] Because the exposed portions are covered with an insulating member, it is easy to ensure an insulating distance between the exposed portions of the multiple switching elements. The inverter is less likely to become large compared to when the insulating distance between the exposed portions is ensured by widening the spacing between the multiple switching elements. Furthermore, the switching elements are pressed toward the first heat dissipation portion by the insulating member. Therefore, the heat-generating portion and the first heat dissipation portion can be closely attached to each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, the cooling performance of the switching elements can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the electric compressor. [Figure 2] (a) is a plan view of the inverter, and (b) is an enlarged view of a portion of (a). [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a switching module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] An embodiment of an electric compressor will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. The electric compressor of this embodiment is used in, for example, a vehicle air conditioner. As shown in FIG. 1 , the electric compressor 10 includes a housing 11, a shaft support member 12, a rotating shaft 13, an electric motor 14, a compression unit 15, and an inverter 16. The housing 11 is made of metal. In this embodiment, the housing 11 is made of aluminum. The housing 11 accommodates the shaft support member 12, the rotating shaft 13, the electric motor 14, the compression unit 15, and the inverter 16. The electric motor 14 rotates the rotating shaft 13. The compression unit 15 compresses a refrigerant as a fluid by the rotation of the rotating shaft 13. The inverter 16 drives the electric motor 14.

[0018] <Housing> The housing 11 has a first housing component 11a, a second housing component 11b, and a cover 11c.

[0019] The first housing component 11a has a cylindrical peripheral wall 21 and a partition wall 22. The peripheral wall 21 has a first end 21a and a second end 21b. The first end 21a and the second end 21b are axial end portions of the peripheral wall 21. The second end 21b is located opposite the first end 21a in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 21. The partition wall 22 axially divides the space within the peripheral wall 21. The partition wall 22 has a first wall surface 22a and a second wall surface 22b. The first wall surface 22a and the second wall surface 22b are surfaces that are approximately perpendicular to the axial direction of the peripheral wall 21. The second wall surface 22b is located opposite the first wall surface 22a in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 21.

[0020] The partition wall 22 has a boss 23. The boss 23 is a portion that protrudes from the second wall surface 22b of the partition wall 22. The boss 23 has a bearing accommodating portion 23a that is recessed from the tip surface of the boss 23. The bearing accommodating portion 23a accommodates the first bearing 17.

[0021] 2(a), the partition wall 22 has storage recesses 24. The partition wall 22 of this embodiment has three storage recesses 24. The three storage recesses 24 are arranged in a V-shape.

[0022] 3 and 4, the accommodating recess 24 is recessed from the first wall surface 22a and protrudes from the second wall surface 22b. The accommodating recess 24 has an inner bottom surface 24a and an inner side surface connecting the inner bottom surface 24a and the first wall surface 22a. The inner bottom surface 24a is located on the opposite side of the second wall surface 22b from the first wall surface 22a.

[0023] 2(a) and 2(b), the accommodating recess 24 has a rectangular shape when viewed in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 21. The inner surfaces of the accommodating recess 24 include a first inner surface 24b, a second inner surface 24c, a third inner surface 24d, and a fourth inner surface 24e. The first inner surface 24b and the second inner surface 24c are surfaces that extend in the longitudinal direction of the accommodating recess 24. The third inner surface 24d and the fourth inner surface 24e are surfaces that extend in the lateral direction of the accommodating recess 24.

[0024] 1, the second housing component 11b is connected to a first end 21a of the peripheral wall 21. The second housing component 11b closes an opening located at the first end 21a of the peripheral wall 21.

[0025] The cover 11c is connected to the second end 21b of the peripheral wall 21. The cover 11c closes an opening located at the second end 21b of the peripheral wall 21. An inverter accommodating chamber S1 is defined by the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 21, a first wall surface 22a of the partition wall 22, and the inner surface of the cover 11c. The inverter 16 is accommodated in the inverter accommodating chamber S1. The first wall surface 22a of the partition wall 22 is exposed to the inverter accommodating chamber S1.

[0026] The housing 11 has an inlet 111 and a discharge port 112. The inlet 111 is provided in the peripheral wall 21. The inlet 111 is located closer to the first end 21a than the partition wall 22 in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 21. The discharge port 112 is provided in the second housing component 11b. One end of an external refrigerant circuit (not shown) is connected to the inlet 111, and the other end of the external refrigerant circuit is connected to the discharge port 112.

[0027] <Support member> The shaft support member 12 is housed within the peripheral wall 21. The shaft support member 12 is located closer to the first end 21a than the partition wall 22 in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 21. The shaft support member 12 has a shaft insertion hole 12a and a communication hole 12b. A second bearing 18 is housed in the shaft insertion hole 12a.

[0028] A suction chamber S2 is defined by the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 21, the second wall surface 22b of the partition wall 22, and the pivot support member 12. The electric motor 14 is accommodated in the suction chamber S2. That is, the suction chamber S2 also serves as a motor accommodation chamber that accommodates the electric motor 14. The suction chamber S2 is aligned with the inverter accommodation chamber S1 in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 21. The partition wall 22 separates the inverter accommodation chamber S1 from the suction chamber S2. The second wall surface 22b of the partition wall 22 and the surfaces of the wall portion that defines the accommodation recess 24 that are located opposite to the inner bottom surface 24a and the inner side surfaces 24b, 24c, 24d, and 24e are exposed to the suction chamber S2.

[0029] <Rotation axis> The rotating shaft 13 is accommodated within the peripheral wall 21. The rotating shaft 13 extends along the axial direction of the peripheral wall 21. That is, the axial direction of the rotating shaft 13 coincides with the axial direction of the peripheral wall 21. A first end of the rotating shaft 13 is inserted into the bearing accommodating portion 23a. The first end of the rotating shaft 13 is rotatably supported by the boss 23 via a first bearing 17. A second end of the rotating shaft 13, which is the end opposite to the first end, is inserted into the shaft insertion hole 12a of the shaft support member 12. The second end of the rotating shaft 13 is rotatably supported by the shaft support member 12 via a second bearing 18.

[0030] <Electric motor> The electric motor 14 has a rotor 41 and a stator 42. The rotor 41 has a cylindrical rotor core 41a and a plurality of permanent magnets 41b. The rotor core 41a is fixed to the rotating shaft 13. The plurality of permanent magnets 41b are embedded in the rotor core 41a. The permanent magnets 41b are arranged at equal intervals around the rotor core 41a. The stator 42 surrounds the rotor 41. The stator 42 has a cylindrical stator core 42a and three-phase motor coils 42b. The stator core 42a is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 21. The motor coils 42b are wound around the stator core 42a. The rotor 41 rotates when a current flows through the motor coils 42b. The rotating shaft 13 rotates integrally with the rotor 41.

[0031] <Compression section> The compression section 15 is housed within the peripheral wall 21. The compression section 15 is located on the opposite side of the electric motor 14 across the shaft support member 12 in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 13. The compression section 15 in this embodiment is of a scroll type. The compression section 15 has a fixed scroll 51 and a movable scroll 52. The fixed scroll 51 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 21. The movable scroll 52 is arranged to face the fixed scroll 51.

[0032] A compression chamber S3, the volume of which can be changed, is defined between the fixed scroll 51 and the movable scroll 52. The compression chamber S3 communicates with the suction chamber S2 via the communication hole 12b of the journal member 12. A discharge chamber S4 is defined by the fixed scroll 51 and the inner surface of the second housing component 11b. The compression chamber S3 and the discharge chamber S4 communicate with each other.

[0033] Refrigerant is drawn into the suction chamber S2 through the suction port 111. The refrigerant drawn into the suction chamber S2 flows into the compression chamber S3 through the communication hole 12b. The refrigerant that flows into the compression chamber S3 is compressed by changing the volume of the compression chamber S3. The compressed refrigerant is discharged into the discharge chamber S4. The refrigerant discharged into the discharge chamber S4 flows out from the discharge port 112 into the external refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant that flows out into the external refrigerant circuit passes through a heat exchanger and an expansion valve of the external refrigerant circuit and then returns to the suction chamber S2 through the suction port 111. The electric compressor 10 and the external refrigerant circuit constitute a vehicle air conditioning system.

[0034] <Inverter> As shown in Fig. 2, the inverter 16 has six switching modules 61, coils 62, capacitors 63, and a circuit board 64. The three-phase switching modules 61 will be described later. The capacitors 63 and coils 62 form an LC circuit. The LC circuit is a filter circuit for reducing noise contained in an external input current. The six switching modules 61, coils 62, and capacitors 63 are mounted on the circuit board 64.

[0035] The six switching modules 61, the coils 62, the capacitors 63, and the circuit board 64 are arranged on the partition wall 22. That is, the entire inverter 16 is arranged on the partition wall 22. The six switching modules 61, the coils 62, and the capacitors 63 are arranged between the partition wall 22 and the circuit board 64 in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 13.

[0036] An airtight terminal 65 is disposed on the partition wall 22. The airtight terminal 65 is inserted into a through-hole 22h that penetrates the partition wall 22. The airtight terminal 65 has three-phase connection terminals 65a and a terminal insulating portion 65b. One end of the connection terminal 65a is connected to the circuit board 64, and the other end of the connection terminal 65a is connected to the motor coil 42b of the same phase. The connection terminal 65a connects the inverter 16 and the electric motor 14. The terminal insulating portion 65b insulates each connection terminal 65a from the partition wall 22.

[0037] <Switching module> As shown in FIG. 5, the switching module 61 has switching elements 70, heat dissipation members 80, and insulating members 90. The switching elements 70 in this embodiment are IGBTs. The six switching elements 70 perform switching operations to drive the electric motor 14. The six switching elements 70 respectively constitute a U-phase upper arm, a U-phase lower arm, a V-phase upper arm, a V-phase lower arm, a W-phase upper arm, and a W-phase lower arm. The heat dissipation members 80 are made of metal. The heat dissipation members 80 in this embodiment are made of aluminum. The insulating members 90 are formed from an insulating material. The insulating members 90 in this embodiment are made of rubber.

[0038] The switching element 70 has a conductive member 71 and a rectangular parallelepiped resin member 72. The conductive member 71 has a plate-shaped main portion 73 and three pins 74 extending from the main portion 73. The resin member 72 houses the main portion 73.

[0039] The resin member 72 has a first end face 72a and a second end face 72b. The first end face 72a and the second end face 72b are end faces in the longitudinal direction of the resin member 72. The second end face 72b is an end face located opposite the first end face 72a in the longitudinal direction of the resin member 72. The three pins 74 of the conductive member 71 protrude from the first end face 72a of the resin member 72.

[0040] The resin member 72 has side surfaces that connect the first end face 72a and the second end face 72b in the longitudinal direction. The side surfaces include a first side surface 72c, a second side surface 72d, and a pair of third side surfaces 72e. The first side surface 72c and the second side surface 72d are connected to the long sides of the first end face 72a and the long sides of the second end face 72b. Each of the third side surfaces 72e is connected to the short sides of the first end face 72a and the short sides of the second end face 72b. The areas of the first side surfaces 72c and the second side surfaces 72d are each larger than the area of ​​the third side surface 72e.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the resin member 72 has a window portion 72g at a corner connecting the second side surface 72d and one of the third side surfaces 72e, and at a corner connecting the second side surface 72d and the other of the third side surfaces 72e.

[0042] 5, the main portion 73 has a heat generating portion 73a. The heat generating portion 73a is the part of the main portion 73 that is most likely to generate heat. The heat generating portion 73a is exposed to the outside of the resin member 72 at the first side surface 72c.

[0043] 3, the main portion 73 has an exposed portion 73b that is exposed to the outside of the resin member 72 through the window portion 72g. The exposed portion 73b is exposed to the outside of the resin member 72 at the second side surface 72d and the pair of third side surfaces 72e.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the heat dissipation member 80 has a first heat dissipation section 81, a second heat dissipation section 82, and a pair of third heat dissipation sections 83. The first heat dissipation section 81 is rectangular. The second heat dissipation section 82 stands upright from one of a pair of short sides of the first heat dissipation section 81 in the plate thickness direction of the first heat dissipation section 81. The second heat dissipation section 82 is continuous with the first heat dissipation section 81. The pair of third heat dissipation sections 83 stands upright from a pair of long sides of the first heat dissipation section 81 in the plate thickness direction of the first heat dissipation section 81. The pair of third heat dissipation sections 83 are continuous with the first heat dissipation section 81. The pair of third heat dissipation sections 83 are connected in the short side direction of the first heat dissipation section 81 by the second heat dissipation section 82. The pair of third heat dissipation sections 83 are continuous with the second heat dissipation section 82.

[0045] The switching element 70 is disposed in a space surrounded by a first heat dissipation portion 81, a second heat dissipation portion 82, and a pair of third heat dissipation portions 83. A second end surface 72b of the resin member 72 faces the second heat dissipation portion 82. A first side surface 72c and a heat generating portion 73a of the resin member 72 face the first heat dissipation portion 81. In this embodiment, a heat dissipation sheet 91 is disposed between the first side surface 72c and the heat generating portion 73a and the first heat dissipation portion 81. One surface of the heat dissipation sheet 91 abuts against the first side surface 72c and the heat generating portion 73a, and the other surface of the heat dissipation sheet 91 abuts against the first heat dissipation portion 81. A pair of third side surfaces 72e of the resin member 72 face the pair of third heat dissipation portions 83.

[0046] In this embodiment, the insulating member 90 is insert-molded with the switching element 70 disposed in the heat dissipation member 80. As a result, the switching element 70 and the heat dissipation member 80 are integrated by the insulating member 90.

[0047] The insulating member 90 is interposed between the second end face 72b of the resin member 72 and the second heat dissipation portion 82, and between the pair of third side faces 72e of the resin member 72 and the pair of third heat dissipation portions 83. The insulating member 90 also covers the first end face 72a and the second side faces 72d of the resin member 72. In other words, the insulating member 90 covers five faces of the resin member 72 excluding the first side face 72c. Therefore, the exposed portion 73b is covered by the insulating member 90.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2(a), the six switching modules 61 are accommodated in the inverter accommodating chamber S1 so that the longitudinal direction of the resin member 72 extends in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 13. Each pin 74 of the switching element 70 is connected to a circuit board 64. The six switching modules 61 are accommodated in the accommodating recesses 24. In this embodiment, the switching modules 61 of the same phase are accommodated in one accommodating recess 24. Hereinafter, one of the switching modules 61 of the same phase will be referred to as a first switching module 61a, and the other switching module 61 will be referred to as a second switching module 61b.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 2(b) and 4, the first switching module 61a and the second switching module 61b are arranged so that the second side surfaces 72d of the resin members 72 face each other with the insulating member 90 interposed therebetween.

[0050] The first heat dissipation portion 81 of the first switching module 61a faces the first inner side surface 24b of the accommodating recess 24 via the heat dissipation grease 92. The second heat dissipation portion 82 of the first switching module 61a faces the inner bottom surface 24a of the accommodating recess 24 via the heat dissipation grease 92. One of the pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 of the first switching module 61a faces the third inner side surface 24d of the accommodating recess 24 via the heat dissipation grease 92, and the other faces the fourth inner side surface 24e of the accommodating recess 24 via the heat dissipation grease 92.

[0051] The first heat dissipation portion 81 of the second switching module 61b faces the second inner side surface 24c of the accommodating recess 24 via the heat dissipation grease 92. The second heat dissipation portion 82 of the second switching module 61b faces the inner bottom surface 24a of the accommodating recess 24 via the heat dissipation grease 92. One of the pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 of the second switching module 61b faces the third inner side surface 24d of the accommodating recess 24 via the heat dissipation grease 92, and the other faces the fourth inner side surface 24e of the accommodating recess 24 via the heat dissipation grease 92.

[0052] That is, in each switching module 61, the first heat dissipation portion 81 is disposed between the heat generating portion 73a of the switching element 70 and the partition wall 22. The second heat dissipation portion 82 is disposed between the second end surface 72b of the switching element 70 and the partition wall 22. The pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 are disposed between the pair of third side surfaces 72e of the switching element 70 and the partition wall 22.

[0053] [Operation of this embodiment] The operation of this embodiment will be described. The conductive member 71 of the switching element 70 generates heat when the inverter 16 is operating. The heat from the switching element 70 is transferred to the first heat dissipation portion 81 via the heat dissipation sheet 91. The heat transferred to the first heat dissipation portion 81 is then transferred to the partition wall 22 via the heat dissipation grease 92. The partition wall 22 is exposed to the suction chamber S2. Therefore, the partition wall 22 is cooled by the refrigerant drawn into the suction chamber S2. Therefore, the switching element 70 is cooled by the refrigerant drawn into the suction chamber S2 via the first heat dissipation portion 81 and the partition wall 22.

[0054] Furthermore, the heat of the switching element 70 that is transferred to the first heat dissipation portion 81 is also transferred to the second heat dissipation portion 82 that is continuous with the first heat dissipation portion 81. The heat that is transferred to the second heat dissipation portion 82 is transferred to the partition wall 22 via the thermal grease 92. In other words, the switching element 70 is cooled by the refrigerant that is drawn into the suction chamber S2 via the second heat dissipation portion 82 and the partition wall 22. This improves the cooling performance of the switching element 70.

[0055] Furthermore, the heat of the switching element 70 transferred to the first heat dissipation portion 81 is also transferred to a pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 that are continuous with the first heat dissipation portion 81. The heat transferred to the pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 is transferred to the partition wall 22 via the thermal grease 92. In other words, the switching element 70 is cooled by the refrigerant drawn into the suction chamber S2 via the pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 and the partition wall 22. This further improves the cooling performance of the switching element 70.

[0056] [Effects of this embodiment] The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) A metal heat dissipation member 80 is disposed between the switching element 70 and the partition wall 22. The heat dissipation member 80 has a first heat dissipation portion 81 disposed between the heat-generating portion 73a and the partition wall 22, and a second heat dissipation portion 82 continuous with the first heat dissipation portion 81 and disposed between the second end surface 72b of the resin member 72 and the partition wall 22. Heat from the switching element 70 is dissipated to the partition wall 22 not only via the first heat dissipation portion 81 but also via the second heat dissipation portion 82 continuous with the first heat dissipation portion 81. This improves the cooling performance of the switching element 70.

[0057] (2) The switching element 70 is disposed in the inverter accommodating chamber S1 such that the longitudinal direction of the resin member 72 extends in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 13. Therefore, the area of ​​the switching element 70 when viewed in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 13 is reduced compared to when the longitudinal direction of the resin member 72 extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating shaft 13 so that the heat-generating portion 73a abuts against the first wall surface 22a of the partition wall 22. This prevents the inverter 16 from becoming larger when viewed in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 13. As a result, it prevents the housing 11 from becoming larger when viewed in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 13. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the entire inverter 16 can be disposed on the partition wall 22, so that not only the switching element 70 but also other heat-generating components such as the coil 62 and the capacitor 63 can be cooled.

[0058] (3) The partition wall 22 has an accommodating recess 24 that is recessed from the first wall surface 22a and protrudes from the second wall surface 22b. The switching element 70 is disposed in the accommodating recess 24. Since the area of ​​the partition wall 22 exposed to the suction chamber S2 is increased, the partition wall 22 is more easily cooled by the refrigerant drawn into the suction chamber S2. This further improves the cooling performance of the switching element 70.

[0059] (4) The heat dissipation member 80 has a pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 that are continuous with the first heat dissipation portion 81 and are disposed between the pair of third side surfaces 72e and the partition wall 22. Therefore, heat from the switching element 70 is dissipated to the partition wall 22 not only through the first heat dissipation portion 81 and the second heat dissipation portion 82, but also through the pair of third heat dissipation portions 83. This further improves the cooling performance of the switching element 70.

[0060] (5) The switching element 70 and the heat dissipation member 80 are integrated by the rubber insulating member 90 provided between the second end face 72b and the second heat dissipation portion 82 and between the pair of third side faces 72e and the pair of third heat dissipation portions 83. Therefore, the switching element 70 and the heat dissipation member 80 are easier to handle than when the switching element 70 and the heat dissipation member 80 are separate bodies.

[0061] (6) The main portion 73 of each switching element 70 has an exposed portion 73b that is exposed at the second side surface 72d and the third side surface 72e. Therefore, when accommodating multiple switching elements 70 in the inverter accommodating chamber S1, it is necessary to ensure an insulation distance between the exposed portions 73b. Since the switching elements 70 of this embodiment are IGBTs that are used under high voltage, ensuring an insulation distance is particularly important.

[0062] In this embodiment, the insulating member 90 covers the second end surface 72b and the pair of third side surfaces 72e of the resin member 72, as well as the second side surface 72d. Therefore, the exposed portions 73b are covered by the insulating member 90. This makes it easier to ensure an insulation distance between the exposed portions 73b. In this case, the inverter 16 is less likely to become large compared to when the insulation distance between the exposed portions 73b is ensured by widening the spacing between the multiple switching elements 70.

[0063] (7) The insulating member 90 covers five surfaces of the resin member 72 excluding the first side surface 72c. Therefore, the switching element 70 is pressed toward the first heat dissipation portion 81 by the insulating member 90. This allows the heat generating portion 73a and the heat dissipation sheet 91 to be in close contact with each other, and also allows the heat dissipation sheet 91 and the first heat dissipation portion 81 to be in close contact with each other.

[0064] (8) For example, the heat dissipation member 80 may have a fourth heat dissipation portion facing the second side surface 72d of the resin member 72, in addition to the first to third heat dissipation portions 81 to 83. However, if the fourth heat dissipation portion is provided, the heat dissipation member 80 will have a bottomed rectangular tubular shape with the second heat dissipation portion 82 as the bottom wall, making it difficult to form the heat dissipation member 80. Furthermore, the fourth heat dissipation portion is not continuous with the first heat dissipation portion 81, and therefore contributes less to the cooling effect of the switching element 70 than the second heat dissipation portion 82 and the third heat dissipation portion 83. Therefore, it is preferable that the heat dissipation member 80 has the first heat dissipation portion 81, the second heat dissipation portion 82, and a pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 as heat dissipation portions.

[0065] [Example of change] The above-described embodiments can be modified as follows: The above-described embodiments and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0066] The partition wall 22 may have a protrusion protruding from the first wall surface 22a instead of the accommodating recess 24. The protrusion may be, for example, a rectangular tube extending in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 13. The switching module 61 is disposed inside the protrusion. Specifically, the first heat dissipation portion 81 is disposed between the heat generating portion 73a and the inner surface of the protrusion. The second heat dissipation portion 82 is disposed between the second end surface 72b of the resin member 72 and the first wall surface 22a of the partition wall 22. Each third heat dissipation portion 83 is disposed between the third side surface 72e of the resin member 72 and the inner surface of the protrusion.

[0067] In this case, heat from the switching element 70 is transferred to the first heat dissipation portion 81, as well as to the second heat dissipation portion 82 and the pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 that are continuous with the first heat dissipation portion 81. The heat transferred to the second heat dissipation portion 82 is transferred to the partition wall 22. The heat transferred to the first heat dissipation portion 81 and each of the third heat dissipation portions 83 is transferred to the protrusions. The protrusions are part of the partition wall 22. Therefore, the protrusions are cooled by the refrigerant drawn into the suction chamber S2. As a result, the switching element 70 is cooled by the refrigerant drawn into the suction chamber S2 through the partition wall 22.

[0068] The configuration of the housing 11 may be changed as appropriate. For example, instead of the first housing component 11a, the housing 11 may have a cylindrical motor housing with a bottom and a cylindrical inverter housing connected to the bottom wall of the motor housing. In this case, the suction chamber S2 is defined by the inner surface of the motor housing and the support member 12. The inverter accommodating chamber S1 is defined by the inner surface of the inverter housing and the inner surface of the cover 11c. The bottom wall of the motor housing is a partition wall that separates the suction chamber S2 from the inverter accommodating chamber S1.

[0069] The number of the storage recesses 24 formed in the partition wall 22 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the three accommodating recesses 24 in the above embodiment may be connected to each other to form one accommodating recess 24.

[0070] For example, the partition wall 22 may have six accommodating recesses 24. In this case, one accommodating recess 24 accommodates one switching module 61. The arrangement of the switching modules 61 in the partition wall 22 may be changed as appropriate depending on the arrangement of other components of the inverter 16. For example, the U-phase switching module 61, the V-phase switching module 61, and the W-phase switching module 61 may be arranged in a row.

[0071] The switching element 70 may be a switching element other than an IGBT. The switching module 61 does not have to have the insulating member 90. In this case, the switching element 70 and the heat dissipation member 80 may be separate members, or may be integrated by being fixed to each other with an adhesive or the like.

[0072] The heat dissipation member 80 does not have to be made of aluminum as long as it is made of a metal with high thermal conductivity. The heat dissipation member 80 does not necessarily have to include either or both of the pair of third heat dissipation portions 83 as long as it includes the first heat dissipation portion 81 and the second heat dissipation portion 82 .

[0073] The heat dissipation member 80 may have a fourth heat dissipation portion facing the second side surface 72d of the resin member 72, in addition to the first heat dissipation portion 81, the second heat dissipation portion 82, and the pair of third heat dissipation portions 83. In this case, the heat dissipation member 80 has a bottomed rectangular tubular shape with the second heat dissipation portion 82 as the bottom wall.

[0074] The insulating member 90 does not have to be made of rubber as long as it is made of a material having insulating properties. The heat dissipation sheet 91 may be omitted. In this case, the first side surface 72c of the resin member 72 and the heat generating portion 73a contact the first heat dissipation portion 81.

[0075] The thermal grease 92 may be replaced with potting (resin). The thermal grease 92 may also be omitted. In this case, the heat dissipating portions 81 to 83 abut against the partition wall 22. The compression unit 15 is not limited to a scroll type as long as it compresses the refrigerant by the rotation of the rotary shaft 13 .

[0076] Although the electric compressor 10 in the above embodiment is used in a vehicle air conditioner, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the electric compressor 10 may be mounted on a fuel cell vehicle and may use the compression unit 15 to compress air as a fluid to be supplied to the fuel cell. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 10...electric compressor, 11...housing, 13...rotating shaft, 14...electric motor, 15...compression section, 16...inverter, 22...partition wall, 22a...first wall surface, 22b...second wall surface, 24...accommodation recess, 70...switching element, 71...conductive member, 72...resin member, 72a...first end face, 72b...second end face, 72c...first side face as side, 72d...second side face as side, 72e...third side face as side, 73...main part, 73a...heat generating part, 73b...exposed part, 74...pin, 80...heat dissipation member, 81...first heat dissipation section, 82...second heat dissipation section, 83...third heat dissipation section, 90...insulating member, S1...inverter accommodation chamber, S2...suction chamber.

Claims

1. A rotation axis; an electric motor that rotates the rotary shaft; a compression unit that compresses a fluid by rotation of the rotary shaft; an inverter that drives the electric motor and has a circuit board and a switching element; an electric compressor including a metal housing that houses the electric motor and has a partition wall that separates a suction chamber into which the fluid is drawn and an inverter accommodating chamber that houses the inverter, the inverter includes a switching module having the switching element and a metal heat dissipation member, the switching element includes a conductive member having a main portion and a pin protruding from the main portion, and a rectangular parallelepiped resin member that houses the main portion; the resin member has a first end face that is an end face in a longitudinal direction and from which the pin protrudes, a second end face that is an end face opposite to the first end face in the longitudinal direction, and a side face that connects the first end face and the second end face, the main portion has a heat generating portion exposed to the outside of the resin member at the side surface, the side surface includes a first side surface to which the heat generating portion is exposed, a second side surface opposite to the first side surface, and a pair of third side surfaces connecting the first side surface and the second side surface, the heat dissipation member has a first heat dissipation portion disposed between the heat generating portion and the partition wall, a second heat dissipation portion continuous with the first heat dissipation portion and disposed between the second end surface and the partition wall, and a pair of third heat dissipation portions continuous with the first heat dissipation portion and disposed between the third side surface and the partition wall, the partition wall has an accommodating recess recessed in the axial direction of the rotating shaft on a first wall surface of the partition wall that is exposed inside the inverter accommodating chamber and that is one of the end surfaces of the partition wall in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, the switching module is disposed in the accommodating recess so that the longitudinal direction of the resin member extends in the axial direction of the rotation shaft, a part of the switching module, wherein a part of the first heat dissipation section, a part of the second heat dissipation section, and a part of the third heat dissipation section accommodated in the accommodating recess face the accommodating recess via thermal grease, and the other parts of the switching module protrude from the accommodating recess toward the circuit board;

2. 2. The electric compressor according to claim 1, wherein the partition wall has a second wall surface located opposite the first wall surface in the axial direction of the rotary shaft, and the accommodating recess is recessed from the first wall surface and protrudes from the second wall surface.

3. 3. The electric compressor according to claim 1, wherein the switching element and the heat dissipation member are integrated by rubber insulating members provided between the second end surface and the second heat dissipation portion and between the pair of third side surfaces and the pair of third heat dissipation portions.

4. the inverter includes a plurality of the switching elements, the main portions of the plurality of switching elements each have an exposed portion exposed to the outside of the resin member on the second side surface and the third side surface, The electric compressor according to claim 3 , wherein the insulating member covers the second side surface.

5. An electric compressor as described in Claim 1, wherein the heat generating portion is arranged in another portion of the switching module.

Images