Composite device

Abstract

To provide a composite device that can contribute to downsizing of a vehicular air conditioning device, etc., and can effectively cool heat generating components.SOLUTION: A composite device has a refrigerant compression function and a heat medium heating function. The inside of a housing 2 of the composite device is partitioned into: a first housing space S1 housing a compression mechanism 3 and an electric motor 4, and through which a refrigerant compressed by the compression mechanism flows; a second housing space S2 housing an electric heater 5, and through which a heat medium flows; and a third housing space S3 housing a motor driving circuit 20 for controlling the electric motor 4, and a heater control circuit 30 for controlling the electric heater 5. First power switching elements Q1-Q6 of the motor driving circuit 20 and second power switching elements Q7 and Q8 of the heater control circuit 30 are arranged at a position in the third housing space S3 corresponding to the second housing space S2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

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

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

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a composite device that can contribute to the miniaturization of vehicle air conditioning systems, etc. Another object of the present invention is to provide a composite device that can effectively cool (dissipate heat) electronic components (hereinafter referred to as "heat-generating components") that become relatively hot during use, such as power switching elements used to control and supply power. [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 includes, within a housing, a compression mechanism that compresses a refrigerant, an electric motor that drives the compression mechanism, a motor drive circuit that controls the electric motor, an electric heater that heats a heat medium, and a heater control circuit that controls the electric heater. The housing is partitioned into a first storage space that houses the compression mechanism and the electric motor and through which the refrigerant compressed by the compression mechanism flows, a second storage space that houses the electric heater and through which the heat medium flows, and a third storage space that houses the motor drive circuit and the heater control circuit. Heat-generating components of the motor drive circuit and the heater control circuit are disposed in positions within the third storage space corresponding to the second storage space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a composite device that can contribute to the miniaturization of vehicle air conditioning systems, etc. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a composite device that can effectively cool (dissipate heat from) heat-generating components. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a multifunction device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a top view of the multifunction device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a 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 5] 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 6] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the cross section AA of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

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

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

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

[0013] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, in this embodiment, the housing 2 of the composite 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 fastened together by fastening members such as bolts not shown.

[0014] The first housing 2A is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The first housing 2A accommodates a compression mechanism 3 that compresses a refrigerant and an electric motor 4 that drives the compression mechanism 3. These are arranged in series in the axial direction. Although not particularly limited, the compression mechanism 3 may be a scroll compression mechanism including a fixed scroll and a movable (orbiting) scroll. An output shaft 4a of the electric motor 4 is connected to the compression mechanism 3 (for example, the movable (orbiting) scroll).

[0015] One open end (the lower side in FIGS. 1 and 2) of first housing 2A, i.e., the open end of first housing 2A on the compression mechanism 3 side, is closed by a first cover 2D. Note that first housing 2A can also be referred to as a compressor housing.

[0016] The second housing 2B is disposed to the side of the first housing 2A and is formed in a generally rectangular cylindrical shape. An electric heater 5 that heats the heat medium is accommodated inside the second housing 2B. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the electric heater 5 is configured as a pair of heaters (heater 5A, heater 5B) that are disposed in parallel inside the second housing 2B and are electrically connected in parallel.

[0017] One open end (the lower end in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the second housing 2B is closed by a second cover 2E. The second housing 2B 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 (also referred to as a control 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 (upper side in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the first housing 2A, i.e., the open end of the first housing 2A on the electric motor 4 side, and the other open end (upper side in FIGS. 1 and 2) 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 forms an internal wall of the housing 2 and has a first partition 71 that separates the interior of the first housing 2A from the interior of the third housing 2C and a second partition 72 that separates 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 can also be called a circuit (board) housing.

[0021] In other words, in this embodiment, the housing 2 of the combined device 1 has a first storage space S1 formed in the internal space of the first housing 2A and accommodating the compression mechanism 3 and the electric motor 4, a second storage space S2 formed in the internal space of the second housing 2B and accommodating the electric heater 5 (heater 5A, heater 5B), and a third storage space S3 formed in the internal space of the third housing 2C and accommodating the motor drive circuit 20 and the heater control circuit 30 (specifically, the circuit board 6 on which these are mounted).

[0022] Here, the first storage space S1 and the second storage space S2 are separated from each other. The first storage space S1 and the third storage space S3 are separated by a first partition 71 on the bottom wall 7 of the third housing 2C, and the second storage space S2 and the third storage space S3 are separated by a second partition 72 on the bottom wall 7 of the third housing 2C. In other words, the interior of the housing 2 of the composite device 1 is partitioned into the first storage space S1 that accommodates the compression mechanism 3 and the electric motor 4, the second storage space S2 that accommodates the electric heater 5, and the third storage space S3 that accommodates the motor drive circuit 20 and the heater control circuit 30.

[0023] The first housing space S1 and the third housing space S3 are adjacent to each other with the first partition 71 sandwiched between them, and the second housing space S2 and the third housing space S3 are adjacent to each other with the second partition 72 sandwiched between them. The third housing space S3 is disposed in the axial direction of the electric motor 4 relative to the first housing space S1 and the second housing space S2. Specifically, the third housing space S3 is disposed on the opposite side of the bottom wall 7 (i.e., the first partition 71 and the second partition 72) of the third housing 2C from the first housing space S1 and the second housing space S2 in the axial direction of the electric motor 4.

[0024] The first housing 2A is formed with a refrigerant inlet 8 for allowing external refrigerant to flow into the first storage space S1. 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 partition 71 that separates the first storage space S1 and the third storage space S3. Preferably, the refrigerant inlet 8 is configured to allow the external refrigerant to flow into the first storage space S1 so that at least a portion of the external refrigerant flows along the first partition 71.

[0025] The refrigerant that flows into the first accommodating space S1 flows through the first accommodating space S1 and is then sucked into the compression mechanism 3. The first partition portion 71 is cooled by the refrigerant that flows into the first accommodating space S1, and the first accommodating space S1 is cooled by the refrigerant that flows through the first accommodating space S1.

[0026] The refrigerant drawn into the compression mechanism 3 is compressed by the compression mechanism 3. The refrigerant then becomes a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant and is discharged from the compression mechanism 3. The discharged (high-temperature, high-pressure) refrigerant flows out from a refrigerant outlet 9 formed in the first housing 2A and is supplied to, for example, a radiator (refrigerant-air heat exchanger) in the refrigerant circuit of the vehicle air conditioning system described above, which heats the air supplied to the vehicle cabin. In this embodiment, the refrigerant outlet 9 is provided in a portion of the first housing 2A on the first cover 2D side.

[0027] On the other hand, the second housing 2B is formed with a heat medium inlet 10 for allowing the heat medium from the outside to flow into the second accommodation space S2. 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 vehicle air conditioning system described above, i.e., a low-temperature heat medium that has dissipated heat in the heat medium-air heat exchanger. In other words, the heat medium from the outside is a heat medium that needs to be heated by the electric heater 5. In this embodiment, the heat medium inlet 10 is provided in a portion of the second housing 2B on the third housing 2C side, i.e., near the second partition 72 that separates the second accommodation space S2 and the third accommodation space S3. Preferably, the heat medium inlet 10 is configured to allow the heat medium from the outside to flow into the second accommodation space S2 so that at least a portion of the heat medium from the outside flows along the second partition 72.

[0028] The heat medium that has flowed into the second accommodation space S2 flows through the second accommodation space S2, and is heated by the electric heater 5 (heater 5A, heater 5B) during this process.

[0029] The heat medium heated to a high temperature by the electric heater 5 (heater 5A, heater 5B) flows out from a heat medium outlet 11 formed in the second housing 2B and is supplied to, for example, a heat medium-air heat exchanger for heating air to be supplied to the vehicle cabin in the above-mentioned vehicle air conditioning device. In this embodiment, the heat medium outlet 11 is provided in a portion of the second housing 2B on the second cover 2E side and on the opposite side of the electric heater 5 from the heat medium inlet 10.

[0030] 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.

[0031] Next, the motor drive circuit 20 that controls the electric motor 4 and the heater control circuit 30 that controls the electric heater 5 will be described.

[0032] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of essential parts of the motor drive circuit 20. In this embodiment, the motor drive circuit 20 is configured to convert DC voltage from an external power supply into a three-phase AC voltage and supply it to the electric motor 4. The motor drive circuit 20 has a capacitor 21, a first power module 22, and a first power module control circuit 23.

[0033] The capacitor 21 is connected between the power supply line of the external power supply and the ground line, and smoothes the DC voltage from the external power supply.

[0034] The first power module 22 includes six power switching elements (hereinafter referred to as "first power switching elements") Q1-Q6 that control the supply of current to the electric motor 4, and six diodes D1-D6. Although not particularly limited, the first power switching elements Q1-Q6 may be IGBTs (insulated gate bipolar transistors). By controlling the first power switching elements Q1-Q6 (PMW control), the first power module 22 converts the DC voltage from an external power supply that has been smoothed by the capacitor 21 into a three-phase AC voltage and supplies it to the electric motor 4.

[0035] Specifically, the first power module 22 has a U-phase arm, a V-phase arm, and a W-phase arm that are arranged in parallel with each other between the power supply line of the external power supply and the ground line.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] The midpoints of the U-, V-, and W-phase arms are connected at one end to the other end of the star-connected U-, V-, and W-phase coils of the electric motor 4. That is, the midpoints of the first power switching elements Q1 and Q2 of the U-phase arm are connected to the U-phase coil, the midpoints of the first power switching elements Q3 and Q4 of the V-phase arm are connected to the V-phase coil, and the midpoints of the first power switching elements Q5 and Q6 of the W-phase arm are connected to the W-phase coil.

[0040] Therefore, by controlling the ratio between the ON period of the first power switching element on the power line side of each phase arm and the ON period of the first power switching element on the ground line side, the first power module 22 can convert the DC voltage from the external power supply smoothed by the capacitor 21 into a three-phase AC voltage and supply it to the electric motor 4, thereby driving the electric motor 4.

[0041] The first power module control circuit 23 controls (PWM control) the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 to drive the electric motor 4 and ultimately the compression mechanism 3 based on a control signal from an external control device (for example, the control device of the above-mentioned vehicle air conditioner).

[0042] 5 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 a high-voltage power supply to the electric heaters 5 (heater 5A, heater 5B). The heater control circuit 30 has a second power module 31 and a second power module control 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. Like the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 of the motor drive circuit 20, the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 may be, but are not limited to, IGBTs. In this embodiment, of the two second power switching elements Q7, Q8, the second power switching element Q7 is provided on the output side (voltage side) of the high-voltage power supply relative to the electric heater 5, and the other second power switching element Q8 is provided on the ground side of the high-voltage power supply relative to the electric heater 5. By controlling the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 (PMW control), the second power module 31 turns on / off the supply of electricity to the electric heater 5, thereby controlling the temperature of the electric heater 5 and further the temperature of the heat medium heated by the electric heater 5.

[0044] The second power module control circuit 32 controls (PWM control) the second power switching elements Q7 and Q8 based on a control signal from an external control device (for example, the control device of the above-mentioned vehicle air conditioner).

[0045] 5, for purposes such as overheat protection, the heater control circuit 30 is provided with a first temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the second power switching elements Q7, Q8, a second temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the electric heater 5 (including the temperature of the heat medium heated by the electric heater 5), a voltage detection unit that detects the voltage applied to the electric heater 5, and a current detection unit that detects the current flowing through the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 and the electric heater 5. The detection results of these detection units can be input to, for example, an external control device and used to determine a control signal to the second power module control circuit 32.

[0046] For example, the external control device outputs a control signal to the second power module control circuit 32 to forcibly turn off the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 when the temperature of the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 exceeds a predetermined value, when the temperature of the electric heater 5 exceeds a predetermined value, when the voltage applied to the electric heater 5 exceeds a predetermined value, or when the current flowing through the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 and the electric heater 5 exceeds a predetermined value.

[0047] Next, the arrangement of 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 compound device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 3.

[0048] As described above, the motor drive circuit 20 and the heater control circuit 30 are mounted on the circuit board 6 and housed in the third housing space S3. As shown in Fig. 6, the circuit board 6 is attached to, for example, a plurality of board attachment portions 12 provided in the third housing space S3. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of board attachment portions 12 is formed in the shape of a boss protruding upward (in a direction away from the first housing 2A and the second housing 2B) from the bottom wall 7 of the third housing 2C, and the circuit board 6 is attached to the upper surfaces of the plurality of board attachment portions 12 with screws 13.

[0049] 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 disposed in positions within the third accommodation space S3 corresponding to the second accommodation space S2. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 are mounted on the lower surface (the surface on the bottom wall 7 side of the third housing 3C) of the circuit board 6 accommodated in the third accommodation space S3, in a region facing the second partition portion 72 that separates the second accommodation space S2 from the third accommodation space S3.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 are arranged so as to be in thermal contact with the second partition portion 72, for example, by appropriately adjusting the length of each lead and / or by forming the bottom wall 7 of the third housing 2C so as to partially protrude toward the circuit board 6. Here, "in thermal contact with the second partition portion 72" refers to a state in which heat exchange with the second partition portion 72 is possible, and includes not only direct contact with the second partition portion 72, but also being sufficiently close to the second partition portion 72 or indirect contact with the second partition portion 72 via a heat exchange member with high thermal conductivity.

[0051] The composite device 1 according to the embodiment provides the following advantages.

[0052] The combined device 1 has, within a housing 2, a compression mechanism 3 that compresses a refrigerant, an electric motor 4 that drives the compression mechanism 3, a motor drive circuit 20 that controls the electric motor 4, an electric heater 5 that heats a heat medium, and a heater control circuit 30 that controls the electric heater 5. The housing 2 of the combined device 1 is also partitioned into a first storage space S1 that accommodates the compression mechanism 3 and the electric motor 4 and through which the (low-temperature, low-pressure) refrigerant compressed by the compression mechanism 3 flows, a second storage space S2 that accommodates the electric heater 5 and through which the heat medium flows, and a third storage space S3 that accommodates the motor drive circuit 20 and the heater control circuit 30.

[0053] Such a combined device 1 functions as both an electric compressor and a heat medium heating device, and can heat the heat medium while compressing the refrigerant. Therefore, the combined device 1 can be applied to the above-mentioned vehicle air conditioning system. 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.

[0054] Here, the third housing space S3 is disposed in the axial direction of the electric motor 4 relative to the first housing space S1 and the second housing space S2. This prevents an increase in the dimension of the housing 2 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the electric motor 4, i.e., prevents an increase in the body of the housing 2. This also prevents a decrease in the ease of installation of the combined device 1.

[0055] Furthermore, the motor drive circuit 20 includes first power switching elements Q1-Q6 that control the supply of current to the electric motor 4, and the heater control circuit 30 includes second power switching elements Q7, Q8 that control the supply of current to the electric heater 5. The first power switching elements Q1-Q6 of the motor drive circuit 20 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 of the heater control circuit 30 are disposed in positions within the third housing space S3 that correspond to the second housing space S2. Specifically, the first power switching elements Q1-Q6 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 are mounted on a circuit board 6 accommodated in the third housing space S3 at a location facing a second partition 72 that separates the second housing space S2 from the third housing space S3. The heat medium flowing through the second housing space S2 allows the temperature of the second partition 72 to be maintained at a temperature sufficiently lower than that of the heated first power switching elements Q1-Q6 and second power switching elements Q7, Q8. Therefore, the second partition portion 72 can be used relatively easily for cooling (heat dissipation) the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 and the second power switching elements Q7 and Q8.

[0056] In particular, in this embodiment, the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 are arranged so as to be in thermal contact with the second partition 72 that separates the first accommodation space S1 and the second accommodation space S2. Therefore, heat exchange between the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 and the second partition 72 allows the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 to be cooled (heat dissipated), improving the cooling (heat dissipation) performance of the power switching elements.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a heat medium inlet 10 for allowing the heat medium from the outside to flow into the second accommodation space S2 is provided near the second partition 72. The heat medium from the outside is a low-temperature heat medium that flows through the second accommodation space S2 because it has been heated by the electric heater 5. Therefore, the second partition 72 is stably maintained at a low temperature by the heat medium flowing into the second accommodation space S2 from the outside. Therefore, the second partition 72 can be used to more effectively cool (dissipate heat from) the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 and the second power switching elements Q7 and Q8, further improving the cooling (heat dissipation) performance of the power switching elements.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, the motor drive circuit 20 and the heater control circuit 30 are mounted on a single circuit board 6. However, this is not a limitation. As long as the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 are disposed in a position corresponding to the second housing space S2 within the third housing space S3, mounted in a position on the circuit board facing the second partition 72, and / or disposed so as to be in thermal contact with the second partition 72, the motor drive circuit 20 and the heater control circuit 30 may be mounted on separate circuit boards. Alternatively, the motor drive circuit 20 and / or the heater control circuit 30 may be mounted separately on multiple circuit boards, and the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 may be mounted on one of the circuit boards.

[0059] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, all of the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 are arranged in positions corresponding to the second housing space S2. However, this is not limited to this. It is sufficient that most of the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 are arranged in positions corresponding to the second housing space S2, and some of the power switching elements may be arranged in positions corresponding to the first housing space S1. In other words, it is not necessary for all of the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 to be arranged in positions that strictly correspond to the first housing space S1; it is sufficient that the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6 and the second power switching elements Q7, Q8 are arranged in positions that generally correspond to the second housing space S2.

[0060] In the above embodiment, 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 disposed in positions within the third housing space S3 corresponding to the second housing space S2, are mounted on the circuit board in a position facing the second partition 72, and / or are disposed in thermal contact with the second partition 72. However, this is not limiting. In addition to or instead of the first power switching elements Q1 to Q6, other heat-generating components (e.g., resistors) of the motor drive circuit 20 may be disposed in positions within the third housing space S3 corresponding to the second housing space S2, are mounted on the circuit board in a position facing the second partition 72, and / or are disposed in thermal contact with the second partition 72. Similarly, in addition to or instead of the second power switching elements Q7 and Q8, other heat-generating components (e.g., resistors) of the heater control circuit 30 may be arranged at a position corresponding to the second accommodating space S2 within the third accommodating space S3, mounted at a position opposite the second partition portion 72 on the circuit board, and / or arranged so as to be in thermal contact with the second partition portion 72.

[0061] In the above-described embodiment, the third housing 2C (third housing space S3) is located above the first housing 2A (first housing space S1) and the second housing 2B (second housing space S2). However, the orientation of the multifunction device 1 when installed can be set arbitrarily, and for example, the multifunction device 1 can be installed with the third housing 2C (third housing space S3) located to the side of the first housing 2A (first housing space S1) and the second housing 2B (second housing space S2).

[0062] The above description has been given mainly of 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.

[0063] The above describes the embodiments and some modified examples of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modified examples, and it goes without saying that further modifications and changes are possible based on the technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1...complex device, 2...housing, 2A...first housing, 2B...second housing, 2C...third housing, 2D...first cover, 2E...second cover, 2F...third cover, 3...compression mechanism, 4...electric motor, 5...electric heater, 6...circuit board, 7...bottom wall (inner wall) of third housing, 8...refrigerant inlet, 9...refrigerant outlet, 10...heat medium inlet, 11...heat medium outlet, 20...motor drive circuit, 30...heater control circuit, 71...first partition, 72...second partition, Q1 to Q6...first power switching element (heat generating component), Q7, Q8...second power switching element (heat generating component), S1...first storage space, S2...second storage space, S3...third storage space

Claims

1. A composite device having a refrigerant compression function and a heat medium heating function, The compressor includes, within a housing, a compression mechanism that compresses a refrigerant, an electric motor that drives the compression mechanism, a motor drive circuit that controls the electric motor, an electric heater that heats a heat medium, and a heater control circuit that controls the electric heater. the housing is divided into a first storage space that accommodates the compression mechanism and the electric motor and through which a refrigerant compressed by the compression mechanism flows, a second storage space that accommodates the electric heater and through which a heat medium flows, and a third storage space that accommodates the motor drive circuit and the heater control circuit, a heat-generating component of the motor drive circuit and a heat-generating component of the heater control circuit are disposed in a position in the third accommodation space corresponding to the second accommodation space; Composite device.

2. the heat-generating component of the motor drive circuit includes a first power switching element that controls power supply to the electric motor, the heat generating component of the heater control circuit includes a second power switching element that controls power supply to the electric heater; The composite device according to claim 1 .

3. 3. The composite device according to claim 1, wherein the heat-generating components of the motor drive circuit and the heat-generating components of the heater control circuit are mounted on a circuit board accommodated in the third accommodation space at a location facing a partition that separates the second accommodation space from the third accommodation space.

4. The composite device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat-generating components of the motor drive circuit and the heat-generating components of the heater control circuit are arranged so as to be in thermal contact with a partition that separates the second storage space and the third storage space.

5. 5. The composite device according to claim 3, wherein the housing has a heat medium inlet near the partition portion for allowing the heat medium heated by the electric heater to flow into the second accommodating space.

6. The housing includes: an inner wall having a first partition portion separating the first storage space and the third storage space and a second partition portion separating the second storage space and the third storage space; a refrigerant inlet provided near the first partition portion and allowing the refrigerant compressed by the compression mechanism to flow into the first accommodating space; a heat medium inlet provided near the second partition portion and allowing the heat medium heated by the electric heater to flow into the second accommodating space, 2. The composite device according to claim 1, wherein heat-generating components of the motor drive circuit and the heater control circuit are arranged so as to be in thermal contact with the second partition portion.

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