Composite device

Abstract

To provide a composite device that can contribute to downsizing of a vehicular air conditioner or the like and suppress performance in starting up a refrigerant compression function from deteriorating at the time of a low temperature.SOLUTION: A housing 2 of a composite device 1, which has a refrigerant compressing function and a heat medium heating function, includes: a first housing 2A in which a compression mechanism 3 that compresses a refrigerant and an electric motor 4 that drives the compression mechanism 3 are housed in series; a second housing 2B in which an electric heater 5 that heats a heat medium is housed; and a third housing 2C in which a motor driving circuit 20 and a heater control circuit 30 are housed. The first housing 2A, the second housing 2B and the third housing 2C are integrally joined to one another. The second housing 2B and the third housing 2C are joined to each other so that an electrolytic capacitor EC of the motor driving circuit 20 in the third housing 2C can be heated with the electric heater 5 in the second housing 2B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

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 the 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 An object of the present invention is to provide a combined device that contributes to the miniaturization of vehicle air conditioners and the like and that can suppress a decrease in the startup performance of the refrigerant compression function at low temperatures. [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, a compressor housing that houses the compression mechanism and the electric motor in series 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 to the outside, an electric heater that heats a heat medium, a heater housing that houses the electric heater and has a heat medium inlet through which the heat medium 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 to the outside, a motor drive circuit that controls the electric motor, a heater control circuit that controls the electric heater, and a circuit housing that houses the motor drive circuit and the heater control circuit, wherein the compressor housing, the heater housing, and the circuit housing are integrally connected. The motor drive circuit has an electrolytic capacitor that smooths the DC voltage and a power switching element that converts the smoothed DC voltage into a three-phase AC voltage, and the heater housing and the circuit housing are connected so that the electrolytic capacitor in the circuit housing can be heated by the electric heater in the heater housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a combined device that contributes to the miniaturization of vehicle air conditioners and the like and that can suppress a decrease in the startup performance of the refrigerant compression function at low temperatures. [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] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2. [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. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system of the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 4 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the composite device according to the embodiment, which corresponds to the cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3. 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 4 show a schematic configuration of a composite device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a front view of the composite device 1 according to the embodiment, Fig. 2 is a right side view of the composite device 1 according to the embodiment, Fig. 3 is a top view of the composite device 1 according to the embodiment, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 2.

[0011] The combined device 1 according to the embodiment has a refrigerant compression function for compressing a refrigerant and a heat medium heating function for heating a heat medium separate from the refrigerant. In other words, the combined device 1 has a configuration in which a refrigerant 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 conditioning system, the refrigerant compression function unit of the combined device 1 may be incorporated into the refrigerant circuit of the vehicle air conditioning system and configured to, for example, 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 supplied to the vehicle cabin. The heat medium heating function unit of the combined device 1 may be incorporated into a heat medium circuit in which a heat medium is circulated by a pump or the like, and configured to heat the heat medium and supply the heated heat medium to a heat medium-air heat exchanger that heats the air supplied to the vehicle cabin. The refrigerant and the heat medium may each be selected arbitrarily. For example, a gas refrigerant may be used as the refrigerant, and a liquid may be used as the heat medium. Although not particularly limited, water (including water mixed with antifreeze, etc.) is typically used as the heat medium. Therefore, the heat medium heating function can also be referred to as a water heating function.

[0013] 1 to 4, a compound device 1 has a housing 2. The housing 2 of the compound device 1 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 integrally joined (fastened) together by fastening members such as bolts (not shown).

[0014] The first housing 2A is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. A compression mechanism 3 that compresses a refrigerant and an electric motor 4 that drives the compression mechanism 3 are housed inside the first housing 2A 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. An output shaft 4a of the electric motor 4 is connected to the compression mechanism 3 (for example, the movable (orbiting) scroll).

[0015] One of the two open ends of the first housing 2A (the lower open end in FIGS. 1 and 2), 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, which houses the compression mechanism 3 and the electric motor 4 that drives it, can also be called a "compressor housing."

[0016] 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 for heating a heat medium is accommodated inside the second housing 2B.

[0017] One of the two open ends of the second housing 2B (the lower open end in FIGS. 1 and 2) is closed by a second cover 2E. The second housing 2B that houses the electric heater 5 can also be called a "heater housing."

[0018] The third housing 2C is formed in a box shape with an open top. A motor drive circuit 20 that controls the electric motor 4 and a heater control circuit 30 that controls the electric heater 5 are housed inside the third housing 2C. Specifically, a circuit board 6 on which the motor drive circuit 20 and the heater control circuit 30 are mounted is housed inside the third housing 2C.

[0019] The bottom wall 7 of the third housing 2C closes the other open end of the first housing 2A (the upper open end in FIGS. 1 and 2), i.e., the open end of the first housing 2A on the electric motor 4 side, and the other open end of the second housing 2B (the upper open end in FIGS. 1 and 2). Specifically, in this embodiment, the bottom wall 7 of the third housing 2C has a first bottom wall portion 71 and a second bottom wall portion 72 that is recessed more than the first bottom wall portion 71 (a position further from the upper surface, a lower position in FIGS. 1 and 2). The first bottom wall portion 71 of the bottom wall 7 of the third housing 2C closes the other open end of the first housing 2A, and the second bottom wall portion 72 of the bottom wall 7 of the third housing 2C closes the other open end of the second housing 2B. This separates the interior of the first housing 2A from the interior of the third housing 2C, and separates the interior of the second housing 2B from the interior of the third housing 2C. In other words, the bottom wall 7 of the third housing 2C has a first bottom wall portion 71 serving as a partition separating the interior of the first housing 2A from the interior of the third housing 2C, and a second bottom wall portion 72 serving as a partition separating the interior of the second housing 2B from the interior of the third housing 2C.

[0020] The top surface (open end) of the third housing 2C is closed by a third cover 2F. The third housing 2C, which houses the motor drive circuit 20 and the heater control circuit 30, can also be called a "circuit housing."

[0021] In the combined device 1, the refrigerant compression function (refrigerant compressor) is realized mainly by the compression mechanism 3, the electric motor 4, and the motor drive circuit 20, and the heat medium heating function (heat medium heating device) is realized mainly by the electric heater 5 and the heater control circuit 30.

[0022] The first housing 2A is formed with a refrigerant inlet 8 for allowing the external refrigerant to flow into the interior. 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 8 is provided in a portion of the first housing 2A on the third housing 2C side, i.e., near the first bottom wall portion 71, which is a partition that separates the interior of the first housing 2A from the interior of the third housing 2C. Preferably, the refrigerant inlet 8 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 bottom wall portion 71.

[0023] The (low temperature, low pressure) refrigerant that flows into the first housing 2A from the outside through the refrigerant inlet 8 flows inside the first housing 2A and is drawn into the compression mechanism 3. The refrigerant drawn into the compression mechanism 3 is compressed by the compression mechanism 3 and becomes a high temperature, high pressure refrigerant that is then discharged from the compression mechanism 3. The discharged (high temperature, high pressure) refrigerant flows out to the outside through a refrigerant outlet 9 formed in the first housing 2A and is supplied to, for example, a radiator (refrigerant-air heat exchanger) that heats the air to be supplied into the vehicle cabin in the refrigerant circuit of the above-mentioned vehicle air conditioning system.

[0024] In this embodiment, the refrigerant outlet 9 is provided in a portion of the first housing 2A on the first cover 2D side, i.e., in a position spaced apart in the up-down direction in Figures 1 and 2 from the refrigerant inlet 8. Therefore, in this embodiment, the refrigerant that has flowed into the first housing 2A from the refrigerant inlet 8 flows through the first housing 2A from the top to the bottom in Figures 1 and 2, as shown by the arrows in Figure 1.

[0025] The first bottom wall portion 71 can be cooled by the refrigerant flowing into the first housing 2A, and the electric motor 4 can be cooled by the refrigerant flowing inside the first housing 2A.

[0026] The second housing 2B is formed with a heat medium inlet 10 for allowing the heat medium from the outside to flow into the interior. The heat medium from the outside is, for example, a heat medium that has passed through a heat medium-air heat exchanger for heating air supplied to the vehicle cabin in the heat medium circuit of the above-mentioned vehicle air conditioning system, i.e., a relatively low-temperature heat medium. In this embodiment, the heat medium inlet 10 is provided on the far side in FIG. 1 (the right side in FIG. 2).

[0027] The (low temperature) heat medium that flows into the second housing 2B from the outside through the heat medium inlet 10 flows inside the second housing 2B, and is heated by the electric heater 5 and increases in temperature (becomes high temperature). The heated heat medium flows out from the heat medium outlet 11 formed in the second housing 2B, and is supplied to a heat medium-air heat exchanger that heats the air supplied into the vehicle cabin in the above-mentioned vehicle air conditioning device, for example.

[0028] In this embodiment, the heat medium outlet 11 is provided on the front side in Fig. 1 (left side in Fig. 2). Therefore, in this embodiment, the heat medium that flows into the second housing 2B from the heat medium inlet 10 flows from the right side to the left side within the second housing 2B, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 4. In Fig. 1, the heat medium flows from the back side to the front side within the second housing 2B. In other words, the direction in which the heat medium flows within the second housing 2B is approximately perpendicular to the direction in which the refrigerant flows within the first housing 2A.

[0029] Although not shown in the figure, the power supply line from the motor drive circuit 20 to the electric motor 4 and the power supply line from the heater control circuit 30 to the electric heater 5 each extend through the bottom wall 7 of the third housing 2C in an airtight and liquidtight manner.

[0030] Next, the motor drive circuit 20 that controls (drives) the electric motor 4 and the heater control circuit 30 that controls the electric heater 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0031] 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the main parts of the motor drive circuit 20. In this embodiment, the motor drive circuit 20 is configured to control (drive) the electric motor 4 by converting a DC voltage from an external power supply into a three-phase AC voltage and supplying the AC voltage to the electric motor 4. The motor drive circuit 20 has a smoothing unit 21, a first power module 22, and a first driver circuit 23.

[0032] The smoothing unit 21 is connected between the power supply line and the ground line of the external power supply, and smoothes the DC voltage from the external power supply. The smoothing unit 21 includes a plurality of (for example, 12) electrolytic capacitors EC.

[0033] The first power module 22 includes six power switching elements (hereinafter referred to as "first power switching elements") Q1 to Q6 and six diodes D1 to D6. Although not particularly limited, the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 may be IGBTs (insulated gate bipolar transistors). By PWM-controlling the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6, the first power module 22 converts the DC voltage from an external power source, which has been smoothed by the smoothing unit 21 (i.e., multiple electrolytic capacitors EC), into a three-phase AC voltage and supplies it to the electric motor 4.

[0034] Specifically, the first power module 22 has a U-phase arm, a V-phase arm, and a W-phase arm that are provided in parallel with one another between the power supply line of the external power supply and the ground line.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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 power switching elements Q1 and Q2 of the U-phase arm are connected to the U-phase coil, the midpoints of power switching elements Q3 and Q4 of the V-phase arm are connected to the V-phase coil, and the midpoints of power switching elements Q5 and Q6 of the W-phase arm are connected to the W-phase coil.

[0039] Therefore, by controlling (PWM-controlled) the ratio between the ON period of the first power switching elements Q1, Q3, Q5 on the power line side of each phase arm and the ON period of the first power switching elements Q2, Q4, Q6 on the ground line side, the first power module 22 can convert the DC voltage from the external power source, which has been smoothed by the smoothing unit 21 (electrolytic capacitor EC), into a three-phase AC voltage and supply it to the electric motor 4, thereby driving the electric motor 4 and the compression mechanism 3.

[0040] The first driver circuit 23 drives (PWM control) the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 to turn them on and off based on a control signal (PWM signal) from a control unit 15 of the compound apparatus 1, which will be described later.

[0041] That is, in this embodiment, the operation of the motor drive circuit 20 (first power switching elements Q1 to Q6), and therefore the operation of the electric motor 4 and the compression mechanism 3, are controlled by the control unit 15.

[0042] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the main parts of the heater control circuit 30. In this embodiment, the heater control circuit 30 is configured to apply the voltage of the high-voltage power supply to the electric heater 5, and has a second power module 31 and a second driver circuit 32.

[0043] 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. The second power switching elements Q7, Q8 may be IGBTs, similar to the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 of the motor drive circuit 20. In this embodiment, of the two second power switching elements Q7, Q8, one 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.

[0044] The second power module 31 controls the second power switching elements Q7 and Q8 (PMW control) to turn on / off the power supply 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 driver circuit 32 drives (PWM control) the second power switching elements Q7 and Q8 to turn them on and off based on a control signal (PWM signal) from a control unit 15 of the compound apparatus 1, which will be described later.

[0046] That is, in this embodiment, the control unit 15 controls the operation of the heater control circuit 30 (second power switching elements Q7, Q8), and therefore the operation of the electric heater 5 (temperature of the heat medium).

[0047] Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system of the compound device 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7, in this embodiment, a control unit 15 of the compound device 1 receives an operation request (including a start request and a stop request) for the refrigerant compression function and an operation request (including a start request and a stop request) for the heat medium heating function from a higher-level control device (for example, the control device of the above-mentioned vehicle air conditioner).

[0048] In addition, the control unit 15 also receives the detection results of various detection sections, such as a first temperature detection section 51 that detects the temperature of the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 of the motor drive circuit 20, a second temperature detection section 52 that detects the temperature of the second power switching elements Q7 and Q8 of the heater control circuit 30, and a third temperature detection section 53 that detects the temperature of the electrolytic capacitor EC that constitutes the smoothing section 21 of the motor drive circuit 20.

[0049] The first temperature detector 51 may detect a value correlated with the temperatures of the first power switches Q1 to Q6. The second temperature detector 52 may detect a value correlated with the temperatures of the second power switches Q7 and Q8. The third temperature detector 53 may detect a value correlated with the temperature of the electrolytic capacitor.

[0050] The control unit 15 is configured to output a control signal (PWM signal) to the first driver circuit 23 in response to an operation request for the refrigerant compression function from the higher-level control device and / or the detection results of the various detection units, thereby driving the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 ON / OFF, thereby controlling the operation of the electric motor 4 (and compression mechanism 3), i.e., the operation of the refrigerant compression function (operation as a refrigerant compressor).

[0051] In addition, the control unit 15 is configured to output a control signal (PWM signal) to the second driver circuit 32 in response to an operation request for the heat medium heating function from the higher-level control device and / or the detection results of the various detection units, thereby driving the second power switching elements Q7 and Q8 on / off, thereby controlling the operation of the electric heater 5, i.e., the operation of the heat medium heating function (operation as a heat medium heating device).

[0052] 8 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the composite device 1 (corresponding to the cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3). As described above, the motor drive circuit 20 and the heater control circuit 30 are mounted on the circuit board 6 and housed inside the third housing 2C. In this embodiment, the circuit board 6 is attached to a plurality of board attachment portions 12 provided inside the third housing 2C. The plurality of board attachment portions 12 are formed in the shape of bosses that protrude from the first bottom wall portion 71 of the bottom wall 7 of the third housing 2C (in the direction away from the first housing 2A), and the circuit board 6 is attached to the upper surfaces of the plurality of board attachment portions 12 with screws 13.

[0053] The composite device 1 can be used in a vehicle air conditioning system and may be placed in a low-temperature environment. In the motor drive circuit 20, the electrolytic capacitor EC, which constitutes the smoothing unit 21 that smooths the DC voltage from an external power source, experiences poor ion mobility in the electrolytic solution when its temperature drops, increasing tan δ(ESR). In other words, the smoothing ability of the electrolytic capacitor EC decreases in a low-temperature environment. Therefore, when the electric motor 4, i.e., the refrigerant compression function, is activated at low temperatures, the ripple voltage increases, potentially applying a voltage exceeding the breakdown voltage of the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6.

[0054] To prevent such problems at low temperatures caused by a decrease in the smoothing ability of electrolytic capacitor EC, one possible approach is to raise the temperature of electrolytic capacitor EC by passing a limited current through electric motor 4 so that the ripple voltage does not exceed an allowable value before starting the refrigerant compression function at low temperatures. However, this method cannot start the refrigerant compression function until the temperature of electrolytic capacitor EC reaches a temperature at which electrolytic capacitor EC can exhibit appropriate smoothing ability. This means that it takes a long time to start the refrigerant compression function, which has the disadvantage of reducing the startup performance of the refrigerant compression function at low temperatures.

[0055] Furthermore, the power switching elements used in the motor drive circuit 20 and the heater control circuit 30 generate heat during use, and therefore it is necessary to suppress the temperature rise caused by heat generation in these power switching elements.

[0056] Therefore, in the composite device 1 of the embodiment, the following configuration is adopted to prevent malfunctions at low temperatures caused by a decrease in the smoothing ability of the electrolytic capacitor EC, suppress a decrease in the startup performance of the refrigerant compression function at low temperatures, and ensure the cooling (heat dissipation) performance of the power switching element.

[0057] (1) In the composite device 1, the second housing 2B and the third housing 2C are coupled together so that the multiple electrolytic capacitors EC in the third housing 2C can be heated by the electric heater 5 in the second housing 2B. In other words, the electric heater 5 is disposed so as to be able to heat the multiple electrolytic capacitors EC in the third housing 2C.

[0058] Specifically, within the second housing 2B, the electric heater 5 is positioned near the second bottom wall portion 72, which is a partition separating the second housing 2B from the third housing 2C, and preferably extends along the second bottom wall portion 72 (see Figure 2).

[0059] 8, within the third housing 2C, the multiple electrolytic capacitors EC of the motor drive circuit 20 are mounted on the circuit board 6 attached to the board mounting portion 12 at a location facing the second bottom wall portion 72 on the surface of the third housing 2C facing the bottom wall 7, with the tips of each being in thermal contact with the second bottom wall portion 72. That is, within the third housing 2C, the multiple electrolytic capacitors EC of the motor drive circuit 20 are arranged so as to be in thermal contact with the second bottom wall portion 72, which is a partition separating the interior of the second housing 2B from the interior of the third housing 2C. Here, "in thermal contact with the second bottom wall portion 72" means being in a state where heat exchange with the second bottom wall portion 72 is possible, and includes direct contact with the second bottom wall portion 72, proximity to the second bottom wall portion 72, and indirect contact with the second bottom wall portion 72 via a member with high thermal conductivity, for example. In this embodiment, the plurality of electrolytic capacitors EC of the motor drive circuit 20 are in indirect contact with the second bottom wall portion 72 via the heat dissipation sheet 60, which has high thermal conductivity.

[0060] (2) When the refrigerant compression function is activated at a low temperature where the temperature of the electrolytic capacitor EC is equal to or lower than a threshold temperature, the combined device 1 is configured to activate the heat medium heating function before activating the refrigerant compression function. In other words, when the refrigerant compression function is activated at a low temperature where the temperature of the electrolytic capacitor EC is equal to or lower than a threshold temperature, the combined device 1 is configured to activate the electric heater 5 before activating the electric motor 4, and then activate the electric motor 4 after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0061] Specifically, in the combined device 1, when a request to start the refrigerant compression function is input while the temperature detected by the third temperature detection unit 53 is equal to or lower than the threshold temperature, the control unit 15 is configured to operate the electric heater 5 before operating the electric motor 4, regardless of whether a request to start the heat medium heating function is received, and then operate the electric motor 4 after a predetermined time has elapsed. Although not particularly limited, the control unit 15 may be configured to output a control signal with a duty ratio of 100% or close to 100% to the second driver circuit 32 to operate the electric heater 5 before operating the electric motor 4.

[0062] Preferably, when a request to start the refrigerant compression function is input while the temperature detected by third temperature detection unit 53 is equal to or lower than a threshold temperature, control unit 15 is configured to determine whether or not the heat medium heating function (electric heater 5) is operating. If the heat medium heating function (electric heater 5) is operating, control unit 15 immediately operates the refrigerant compression function (electric motor 4), and if the heat medium heating function (electric heater 5) is not operating, control unit 15 first operates the heat medium heating function (electric heater 5), and then operates the refrigerant compression function (electric motor 4) after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0063] The predetermined time may be set to a time determined in advance by experiment or the like as the time required for the temperature of the electrolytic capacitor EC to rise to a temperature at which the electrolytic capacitor EC can exhibit appropriate smoothing capability through the operation (heat generation) of the electric heater 5. Furthermore, if a request to activate the heat medium heating function is not input, the control unit 15 stops the heat medium heating function (electric heater 5) after the predetermined time has elapsed.

[0064] (3) In the compound device 1, the first housing 2A and the third housing 2C are connected so that the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 of the motor drive circuit 20 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 of the heater control circuit 30 in the third housing 2C can be cooled by the (low temperature, low pressure) refrigerant that flows into the first housing 2A.

[0065] Specifically, as described above, the refrigerant inlet 8 of the first housing 2A is provided near the first bottom wall portion 71, which is a partition that separates the interior of the first housing 2A from the interior of the third housing 2C. Preferably, the refrigerant inlet 8 of the first housing 2A is configured to allow the refrigerant from the outside to flow into the first housing 2A such that at least a portion of the refrigerant from the outside flows along the first bottom wall portion 71.

[0066] Additionally, within the third housing 2C, the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 of the motor drive circuit 20 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 of the heater control circuit 30 are mounted on the circuit board 6 attached to the board attachment portion 12 at a location facing the first bottom wall portion 71 on the surface of the third housing 2C facing the bottom wall 7, and are in thermal contact with the first bottom wall portion 71. In other words, the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 of the motor drive circuit 20 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 of the heater control circuit 30 are arranged within the third housing 2C so as to be in thermal contact with the first bottom wall portion 71, which is a partition that separates the interior of the first housing 2A from the interior of the third housing 2C. In addition, "thermal contact with the first bottom wall portion 71" means being in a state where heat exchange with the first bottom wall portion 71 is possible, and includes direct contact with the first bottom wall portion 71, being close to the first bottom wall portion 71, and indirect contact with the first bottom wall portion 71 via a heat exchange member with high thermal conductivity, etc.

[0067] The composite device 1 according to the embodiment provides the following advantages.

[0068] The combined device 1 includes a first housing (compressor housing) 2A that houses, in series, a compression mechanism 3 that compresses a refrigerant and an electric motor 4 that drives the compression mechanism 3, a second housing (heater housing) 2B that houses an electric heater 5 that heats a heat medium, and a third housing (circuit housing) 2C that houses a motor drive circuit 20 that controls the electric motor 4 and a heater control circuit 30 that controls the electric heater 5. The first housing 2A has a refrigerant inlet 8 through which the refrigerant compressed by the compression mechanism 3 flows into the inside and a refrigerant outlet 9 through which the refrigerant compressed by the compression mechanism 3 flows out to the outside, while the second housing 2B has a heat medium inlet 10 through which the heat medium to be heated by the electric heater 5 flows into the inside and a heat medium outlet 11 through which the heat medium heated by the electric heater 5 flows out to the outside. The first housing 2A, the second housing 2B, and the third housing 2C are integrally joined.

[0069] Such a combined device 1 can function as a refrigerant compressor (electric compressor) that compresses a refrigerant and a heat medium heating device that heats a heat medium, and can heat the heat medium while compressing the refrigerant. Therefore, the combined device 1 can be applied to the vehicle air conditioning system described above. By applying the combined device 1 to a vehicle air conditioning system, it is possible to reduce the size of the vehicle air conditioning system compared to a conventional configuration that has an electric compressor and a heat medium heating device separately.

[0070] Furthermore, in the composite device 1, the second housing 2B and the third housing 2C are coupled together so that the multiple electrolytic capacitors EC of the motor drive circuit 20 in the third housing 2C can be heated by the electric heater 5 in the second housing 2B. Specifically, in the second housing 2B, the electric heater 5 is disposed closer to the second bottom wall 72, which serves as a partition separating the second housing 2B from the third housing 2C, and in the third housing 2C, the multiple electrolytic capacitors EC of the motor drive circuit 20 are disposed so as to be in thermal contact with the second bottom wall 72.

[0071] With this configuration, the operation (heat generation) of the electric heater 5 can heat the second bottom wall portion 72 directly or indirectly via a heat medium, and can also heat the electrolytic capacitor EC, which is in thermal contact with the second bottom wall portion 72. Therefore, even when the temperature of the electrolytic capacitor EC is low, the operation of the electric heater 5 can raise the temperature of the electrolytic capacitor EC in a relatively short time to a temperature at which the electrolytic capacitor EC can exhibit appropriate smoothing ability. This can prevent malfunctions at low temperatures due to a decrease in the smoothing ability of the electrolytic capacitor EC, while suppressing delays in the start-up of the refrigerant compression function at low temperatures, i.e., a decrease in the start-up performance of the refrigerant compression function at low temperatures.

[0072] Furthermore, when the refrigerant compression function is activated at a low temperature where the temperature of the electrolytic capacitor EC is equal to or lower than a threshold temperature, the combined device 1 is configured to activate the heat medium heating function before activating the refrigerant compression function. In other words, when the refrigerant compression function is activated at a low temperature where the temperature of the electrolytic capacitor EC is equal to or lower than a threshold temperature, the combined device 1 is configured to operate the electric heater 5 before operating the electric motor 4, and then operate the electric motor 4 after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0073] This makes it possible to more reliably prevent problems at low temperatures caused by a decrease in the smoothing ability of the electrolytic capacitor EC.

[0074] Furthermore, in the compound device 1, the first housing 2A and the third housing 2C are coupled together so that the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 of the motor drive circuit 20 and the second power switching elements Q7 and Q8 of the heater control circuit 30 in the third housing 2C can be cooled by a (low-temperature, low-pressure) refrigerant that flows into the first housing 2A. Specifically, the refrigerant inlet 8 of the first housing 2A is provided near a first bottom wall portion 71 that serves as a partition separating the interior of the first housing 2A from the interior of the third housing 2C, and within the third housing 2C, the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 of the motor drive circuit 20 and the second power switching elements Q7 and Q8 of the heater control circuit 30 are arranged so as to be in thermal contact with the first bottom wall portion 71.

[0075] With this configuration, the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 can be effectively cooled by heat exchange between each of them and the first bottom wall portion 71, which can be cooled by the refrigerant flowing into the first housing 2A, and the cooling (heat dissipation) performance of the power switching elements can be ensured.

[0076] In the above-described embodiment, when the refrigerant compression function is activated at a low temperature where the temperature of the electrolytic capacitor EC is equal to or lower than a threshold temperature, the combined device 1 is configured to activate the heat medium heating function (electric heater 5) before activating the refrigerant compression function (electric motor 4). However, this is not limiting. When the refrigerant compression function is activated at a low temperature where the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, the combined device 1 may be configured to activate the heat medium heating function (electric heater 5) before activating the refrigerant compression function (electric motor 4). This is because there is a correlation between the temperature of the electrolytic capacitor EC and the outside air temperature when the refrigerant compression function is stopped. In this case, the third temperature detector 53 may be configured to detect the outside air temperature instead of the temperature of the electrolytic capacitor EC, or the control unit 15 may be configured to input the detection result of the fourth temperature detector 54, which detects the outside air temperature, as indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 7.

[0077] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when the refrigerant compression function is activated at a low temperature where the temperature of the electrolytic capacitor EC is equal to or lower than a threshold temperature, the combined device 1 is configured to operate the electric heater 5 before operating the electric motor 4, and then operate the electric motor 4 after a predetermined time has elapsed. However, this is not limited to this. When the refrigerant compression function is activated at a low temperature where the temperature of the electrolytic capacitor EC is equal to or lower than a threshold temperature, the combined device 1 may be configured to operate the electric heater 5 before operating the electric motor 4, and then operate the electric motor 4 after the temperature of the electrolytic capacitor EC exceeds the threshold temperature or the outside air temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature.

[0078] In the above-described embodiment, the motor drive circuit 20 and the heater control circuit 30 are mounted on one circuit board 6. However, this is not limited to this. The motor drive circuit 20 and the heater control circuit 30 may be mounted on separate circuit boards, or the motor drive circuit 20 and / or the heater control circuit 30 may be divided and mounted on multiple circuit boards.

[0079] The above description mainly focuses on the case where the combined device 1 is 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.

[0080] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that modifications and changes can be made based on the technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1...combined device, 2...housing, 2A...first housing (compressor housing), 2B...second housing (heater housing), 2C...third housing (circuit housing), 3...compression mechanism, 4...electric motor, 5...electric heater, 6...circuit board, 7...bottom wall, 8...refrigerant inlet, 9...refrigerant outlet, 10...heat medium inlet, 11...heat medium outlet, 15...control unit, 20...motor drive circuit, 30...heater control circuit, 51...first temperature detection unit, 52...second temperature detection unit, 53...third temperature detection unit, 71...first bottom wall portion (second partition portion), 72...second bottom wall portion (first partition portion), EC...electrolytic capacitor, Q1 to Q6...first power switching element (switching element of motor drive circuit), Q7, Q8...second power switching element (switching element of heater control circuit)

Claims

1. A composite device having a refrigerant compression function and a heat medium heating function, a compression mechanism that compresses a refrigerant; an electric motor that drives the compression mechanism; a compressor housing that houses the compression mechanism and the electric motor in series therein 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; an electric heater for heating the heat medium; a heater housing that accommodates the electric heater therein 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 motor drive circuit for controlling the electric motor; a heater control circuit that controls the electric heater; a circuit housing that accommodates the motor drive circuit and the heater control circuit therein; Including, the compressor housing, the heater housing, and the circuit housing are integrally joined together; the motor drive circuit includes an electrolytic capacitor that smoothes a DC voltage, and a switching element that converts the smoothed DC voltage into a three-phase AC voltage; the heater housing and the circuit housing are coupled together so that the electrolytic capacitor in the circuit housing can be heated by the electric heater in the heater housing. Composite device.

2. the interior of the heater housing and the interior of the circuit housing are separated by a first partition, The electric heater is disposed in the heater housing near the first partition, Within the circuit housing, the electrolytic capacitor of the motor drive circuit is arranged to be in thermal contact with the first partition portion. The composite device according to claim 1 .

3. a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the electrolytic capacitor or the outside air temperature, When the refrigerant compression function is activated at a low temperature where the temperature of the electrolytic capacitor is equal to or lower than a threshold temperature or the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, the heat medium heating function is activated prior to the activation of the refrigerant compression function. The composite device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the electrolytic capacitor or the outside air temperature, 3. The composite device according to claim 1, wherein when the refrigerant compression function is activated at a low temperature where the temperature of the electrolytic capacitor is equal to or lower than a threshold temperature or the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, the electric heater is operated before operating the electric motor, and the electric motor is then operated after a predetermined time has elapsed or after the temperature of the electrolytic capacitor exceeds the threshold temperature or after the outside air temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature.

5. the heater control circuit has a switching element that controls the supply of electricity to the electric heater, 2. The composite device according to claim 1, wherein the compressor housing and the circuit housing are coupled together so that the switching elements of the motor drive circuit and the switching elements of the heater control circuit within the circuit housing can be cooled by refrigerant flowing into the compressor housing.

6. the interior of the compressor housing and the interior of the circuit housing are separated by a second partition, the refrigerant inlet of the compressor housing is provided near the second partition portion, Within the circuit housing, the switching element of the motor drive circuit and the switching element of the heater control circuit are arranged to be in thermal contact with the second partition portion. The composite device according to claim 5 .

7. 7. The composite device according to claim 6, wherein a direction in which the refrigerant flows in the compressor housing and a direction in which the heat medium flows in the heater housing are substantially perpendicular to each other.

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