Electric compressor, air conditioning system and vehicle

Abstract

An electric compressor (100), an air conditioning system (200), and a vehicle (300). The electric compressor (100) comprises: a housing assembly (1), wherein the housing assembly (1) comprises a first housing (11) and a support (13), a first receiving cavity (14) is defined between the first housing (11) and the support (13), and the bottom of the first receiving cavity (14) forms a liquid storage cavity (141); and a compression mechanism (2), wherein a pumping port (201) is provided on the compression mechanism (2). A gas suction and liquid return structure (5) is provided on the support (13), the gas suction and liquid return structure (5) comprises a gas suction channel (51) and an oil return hole (52), one end of the gas suction channel (51) is communicated with the first receiving cavity (14) and is located above the liquid storage cavity (141), the other end of the gas suction channel (51) is communicated with the pumping port (201), and the oil return hole (52) has an oil return inlet end (521) communicated with the liquid storage cavity (141), and an oil return outlet end (522) communicated with the gas suction channel (51).

Description

Electric compressors, air conditioning systems and vehicles

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application is based on the Chinese patent application with application number 202311041752.8 and application date 2023-08-16, and claims the priority of the above-mentioned Chinese patent application. The entire content of the above-mentioned Chinese patent application is hereby introduced into this application as a reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the technical field of compressors, and in particular to an electric compressor, an air-conditioning system and a vehicle. Background Art

[0004] Electric compressors are core components of vehicle refrigeration systems. They are high-efficiency, low-noise, and smooth-running positive displacement compressors. As third-generation onboard compressors, they are widely used in automotive air conditioning systems. In recent years, with the development of new energy vehicles, automotive requirements for air conditioning compressor noise, vibration, and durability have further increased. Electric compressors, such as scroll compressors and rolling rotor compressors, require lubricating oil to lubricate the friction pairs within the compressor during operation to reduce the noise generated by the friction pairs.

[0005] In electric compressors, the suction port of the compression mechanism is typically located at the bottom of the mechanism. Liquid refrigerant and refrigerant oil returning from the system can directly enter the compression mechanism, causing liquid hammer, a sharp increase in the compressor load, and wear and tear on the internal structure. Excessive liquid refrigerant entering the compression mechanism can also cause lubrication failure and wear. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the related art. To this end, the present application is to propose an electric compressor to improve the liquid hammer problem of the electric compressor.

[0007] The present application further proposes an air conditioning system having the above-mentioned electric compressor.

[0008] The present application also provides a vehicle having the above air conditioning system.

[0009] According to the first aspect of the present application, the electric compressor includes: a shell assembly, the shell assembly includes a first shell and a bracket, a first accommodating chamber is defined between the first shell and the bracket, the first shell is provided with a refrigerant inlet connected to the first accommodating chamber, and the bottom of the first accommodating chamber constitutes a liquid storage chamber; a compression mechanism, the compression mechanism is connected to the bracket, and the compression mechanism is provided with a pump suction port; wherein, the bracket is provided with an air suction and liquid return structure, the air suction and liquid return structure includes an air suction channel and an oil return hole, one end of the air suction channel is an air suction inlet, and the other end of the air suction channel is connected to the pump suction port, the air suction inlet is connected to the first accommodating chamber, and the air suction inlet is located above the liquid storage chamber in the direction of gravity, and the two ends of the oil return hole are an oil return inlet and an oil return outlet, the oil return inlet is connected to the liquid storage chamber and the oil return outlet is connected to the air suction channel.

[0010] According to the electric compressor of the present application, the setting of the bracket is to facilitate assembly on the one hand, and on the other hand, it can improve the overall structural rigidity of the shell assembly and increase its anti-seismic, anti-bending and anti-torsion performance. The suction channel is set in this way, cooperating with the gas-liquid separation function of the first accommodating chamber, so as to avoid the liquid refrigerant directly entering the interior of the compression mechanism as much as possible, reduce the probability of liquid hammer, reduce the operating load of the electric compressor, and avoid the internal wear caused by liquid hammer as much as possible. The return oil hole is set in this way to ensure the smoothness of the return lubricating oil, avoid the accumulation of lubricating oil, realize the lubrication of the internal parts of the compression mechanism, and further reduce wear. As a result, the operating noise and vibration of the electric compressor are reduced.

[0011] In some embodiments, there are at least two oil return holes including a first oil return hole and a second oil return hole, and the oil return inlet end of the first oil return hole is located below the oil return inlet end of the second oil return hole in the direction of gravity.

[0012] Specifically, in the air flow direction in the air intake passage, the oil return outlet end of the first oil return hole is located downstream of the oil return outlet end of the second oil return hole.

[0013] In some embodiments, the intake channel includes a first section and a second section, the first section is arranged to extend axially along the compression mechanism, one end of the first section is connected to the pump suction port, the second section is arranged vertically, the lower end of the second section is connected to the other end of the first section, and the upper end of the second section constitutes the intake end.

[0014] Specifically, the oil return hole is located on a side of the second section away from the first section and is connected to the second section.

[0015] Optionally, the oil return hole is arranged to extend along the axial direction of the compression mechanism and is adjacent to the lower end of the second section.

[0016] In some embodiments, the air suction and liquid return structure is integrally formed on the bracket; or, the air suction and liquid return structure also includes a bracket suction pipe, the air suction channel is formed on the bracket suction pipe, the bracket is provided with a mounting hole, and one end of the bracket suction pipe is assembled in the mounting hole.

[0017] In some specific embodiments, the air suction and liquid return structure includes the bracket air suction pipe, the oil return hole is formed on the pipe wall of the bracket air suction pipe, and the oil return hole is located on the pipe section of the bracket air suction pipe located outside the bracket.

[0018] In some embodiments, the diameter of the oil return hole is in the range of 0.5 mm to 2 mm, and the height difference between the oil return inlet and the bottom wall of the liquid storage chamber is in the range of 2 mm to 10 mm.

[0019] Furthermore, the ratio of the aperture of the air intake channel to the aperture of the single oil return hole is in the range of 3-10.

[0020] In some specific embodiments, the compression mechanism is a rotary compression mechanism or a scroll compression mechanism.

[0021] An air conditioning system according to the second aspect of the present application includes an electric compressor according to any embodiment of the first aspect of the present application.

[0022] According to the air conditioning system of the present application, by providing the electric compressor of the first aspect, the liquid hammer of the electric compressor can be reduced, thereby reducing the operating noise and vibration, and reducing the overall working noise and vibration of the air conditioning system.

[0023] A vehicle according to a third aspect of the present application includes: a vehicle body and an air-conditioning system mounted on the vehicle body, wherein the air-conditioning system is the air-conditioning system according to the second aspect of the present application.

[0024] According to the vehicle of the present application, by setting the air-conditioning system of the second aspect mentioned above, noise and vibration can be reduced by reducing liquid hammer, thereby reducing the resonance problem of various components in the vehicle thermal management system caused thereby, and improving the noise and vibration caused to the vehicle.

[0025] Additional aspects and advantages of the present application will be given in part in the description below, and in part will become obvious from the description below, or will be learned through practice of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram partially illustrating the internal structure of an electric compressor according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0027] FIG2 is a cross-sectional view of a bracket and a compression mechanism according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0028] FIG3 is a cross-sectional view of a bracket and a compression mechanism according to some other embodiments of the present application;

[0029] FIG4 is a side view of the bracket in the embodiment shown in FIG2 ;

[0030] FIG5 is a cross-sectional view of the bracket in the embodiment shown in FIG2 ;

[0031] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Reference numerals:

[0033] Electric compressor 100;

[0034] Shell assembly 1; inner cavity 10, refrigerant inlet 101; first shell 11; second shell 12; bracket 13, mounting hole 131; first accommodating chamber 14, liquid storage chamber 141; second accommodating chamber 15;

[0035] Compression mechanism 2, pump suction port 201;

[0036] Drive shaft 4,

[0037] Air suction and liquid return structure 5; air suction channel 51, air suction inlet end 511, first section 513, second section 514; oil return hole 52, oil return inlet end 521, oil return outlet end 522, first oil return hole 52A, second oil return hole 52B; bracket air suction pipe 53;

[0038] Air conditioning system 200; vehicle 300. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0039] The following describes in detail embodiments of the present application. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present application and are not to be construed as limiting the present application.

[0040] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "up", "vertical", "lateral", "horizontal", "inside", "outside", "axial", etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be understood as limitations on this application.

[0041] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of the technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. Throughout the description of this application, "plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0042] The following describes an electric compressor 100 , an air conditioning system 200 , and a vehicle 300 according to embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] As shown in FIG1-FIG3 , the electric compressor 100 according to an embodiment of the present application includes: a housing assembly 1 and a compression mechanism 2 , and the compression mechanism 2 is used to compress low-pressure refrigerant into high-pressure refrigerant.

[0044] The housing assembly 1 includes a first housing 11 and a bracket 13, with a first accommodating chamber 14 defined therebetween. Specifically, the housing assembly 1 also includes a second housing 12, with a second accommodating chamber 15 defined therebetween. More specifically, an inner chamber 10 is formed between the first housing 11 and the second housing 12, and includes the first accommodating chamber 14 and the second accommodating chamber 15.

[0045] Specifically, as shown in Figure 1 , the first housing 11 is provided with a refrigerant inlet 101 communicating with the first accommodating chamber 14. The bottom of the first accommodating chamber 14 forms a liquid storage chamber 141. The compression mechanism 2 is disposed between the bracket 13 and the second housing 12, that is, the compression mechanism 2 is disposed within the second accommodating chamber 15. The compression mechanism 2 is provided with a pump suction port 201.

[0046] The structural form of the housing assembly 1 is not limited herein. In some examples, as shown in FIG1 , the first housing 11, the second housing 12, and the bracket 13 are all independently machined parts, with the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 connected to opposite sides of the bracket 13. In other examples, the bracket 13 is an independently machined part and integrally positioned within the inner cavity 10, with the bracket 13 connected to either the first housing 11 or the second housing 12. In still other examples, the bracket 13 is integrally formed with the first housing 11, in which case a first accommodating cavity 14 is also defined between the first housing 11 and the bracket 13.

[0047] The purpose of the bracket 13 is to facilitate assembly on the one hand, and to improve the overall structural rigidity of the shell assembly 1 on the other hand, and to increase its anti-seismic, anti-bending and anti-torsion properties. In addition, in some schemes, the setting of the bracket 13 can also separate the first accommodating chamber 14 and the second accommodating chamber 15, so that the first accommodating chamber 14 and the second accommodating chamber 15 can complete their respective functions. For example, the first accommodating chamber 14 serves as a gas-liquid separation chamber, and the first accommodating chamber 14 is connected to the refrigerant inlet 101, so the pressure is relatively low. The second accommodating chamber 15 is connected to the refrigerant discharge port, and the second accommodating chamber 15 serves as a buffer chamber for discharging high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. The pressure of the second accommodating chamber 15 is higher than that of the first accommodating chamber 15, so the bracket 13 is required to separate the first accommodating chamber 14 and the second accommodating chamber 15. In other schemes of the present application, the first accommodating chamber 14 and the second accommodating chamber 15 can also be connected to each other, so that the entire inner cavity 10 can be used as a gas-liquid separation chamber.

[0048] It is understood that when the system is operating, the refrigerant will carry lubricating oil from the refrigerant inlet 101 into the first accommodating chamber 14. The first accommodating chamber 14 can also serve as a liquid reservoir, achieving gas-liquid separation within the first accommodating chamber 14. The liquid refrigerant can be deposited in the liquid reservoir 141, while the gaseous refrigerant will float above the liquid reservoir 141 after separation. When the compression mechanism 2 is operating, the gaseous refrigerant in the first accommodating chamber 14 is sucked in through the pump suction port 201, compressed by work, and then discharged. The pump outlet of the compression mechanism 2 can be connected to the refrigerant discharge outlet of the shell assembly 1 directly or through a conduit, so that the high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged by the compression mechanism 2 is guided directly or through a conduit to the refrigerant discharge outlet and then discharged from the refrigerant discharge outlet. Alternatively, when the first accommodating chamber 14 is not connected to the second accommodating chamber 15, and the refrigerant discharge outlet of the shell assembly 1 is connected to the second accommodating chamber 15, the high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged by the compression mechanism 2 can be discharged into the second accommodating chamber 15 and then discharged from the refrigerant discharge outlet.

[0049] The electric compressor 100 forms the liquid storage chamber 141 in the first accommodating chamber 14 . When the liquid storage chamber 141 also serves as a liquid reservoir, the electric compressor 100 does not need to be equipped with a separate liquid reservoir outside the housing assembly 1 .

[0050] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, an air suction and liquid return structure 5 is provided on the bracket 13, and the air suction and liquid return structure 5 includes an air suction channel 51. One end of the air suction channel 51 is an air suction inlet 511, and the other end of the air suction channel 51 is connected to the pump suction port 201. The air suction inlet 511 is connected to the first accommodating chamber 14, and the air suction inlet 511 is located above the liquid storage chamber 141 in the direction of gravity.

[0051] Specifically, in the present application, the electric compressor 100 can be a horizontal compressor, that is, the drive shaft 4 of the compression mechanism 2 is arranged in the horizontal direction. The electric compressor 100 can also be arranged at an angle, that is, the drive shaft 4 of the compression mechanism 2 is arranged at an angle relative to the horizontal plane. Even the electric compressor 100 can be a vertical compressor, that is, the drive shaft 4 of the compression mechanism 2 is arranged vertically. In each embodiment, the air inlet end 511 of the air intake channel 51 is located above the liquid storage chamber 141 in the direction of gravity.

[0052] The air intake passage 51 is configured in this way to cooperate with the gas-liquid separation function of the first accommodating chamber 14, thereby preventing the liquid refrigerant from directly entering the compression mechanism 2, reducing the probability of liquid hammer, reducing the operating load of the electric compressor 100, and avoiding internal wear caused by liquid hammer.

[0053] The air suction and liquid return structure 5 further includes an oil return hole 52 having an oil return inlet 521 and an oil return outlet 522 at both ends. The oil return inlet 521 is connected to the liquid storage chamber 141, and the oil return outlet 522 is connected to the air suction passage 51. Thus, lubricating oil can flow into the compression mechanism 2 through the oil return hole 52, thereby lubricating the internal parts of the compression mechanism 2 and further reducing wear.

[0054] It is understandable that, in the liquid storage chamber 141, due to the different densities of the liquid refrigerant and the lubricating oil, the distribution heights of the liquid refrigerant and the lubricating oil in the liquid storage chamber 141 are usually different. By setting the oil return hole 52, the oil return inlet 521 can be set in advance at the layer where the lubricating oil is located, so as to minimize the liquid refrigerant from entering the oil return hole 52 and reduce the risk of liquid hammer. By setting the oil return outlet 522 of the oil return hole 52 to be connected to the intake channel 51, the compression mechanism 2 forms a negative pressure in the intake channel 51 and when inhaling air, it can use the negative pressure to suck in the lubricating oil, thereby ensuring the smoothness of the return lubricating oil and avoiding the accumulation of lubricating oil.

[0055] By reducing the liquid hammer problem of the electric compressor 100, vibration and noise generated during operation can be reduced.

[0056] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, there are at least two oil return holes 52 and include a first oil return hole 52A and a second oil return hole 52B, and the return oil inlet end 521 of the first oil return hole 52A is located below the return oil inlet end 521 of the second oil return hole 52B in the direction of gravity.

[0057] It is understood that the total amount of lubricating oil in the system is generally constant. When the lubricating oil reserve in the liquid storage chamber 141 is low, most of the lubricating oil may flow to the compression mechanism 2 and other locations, resulting in a low lubricating oil level in the liquid storage chamber 141. The oil return inlet 521 of the first oil return hole 52A is set relatively low to ensure the basic oil return capacity of the air intake and liquid return structure 5. Even if the lubricating oil reserve in the liquid storage chamber 141 is low, oil can still be returned to the compression mechanism 2. When the lubricating oil reserve in the liquid storage chamber 141 is high, the lubricating oil flowing to the compression mechanism 2 and other locations may be insufficient. In this case, the lubricating oil level in the liquid storage chamber 141 is high, allowing both the first oil return hole 52A and the second oil return hole 52B to return oil, thereby increasing the return oil volume. Therefore, by setting the oil return inlet 521 of at least two oil return holes 52 at different heights along the direction of gravity, they can be adapted to the lubricating oil required by the compression mechanism 2, achieving self-regulation of the return oil volume.

[0058] Furthermore, the deeper the oil return inlet 521 is located relative to the liquid level within the liquid storage chamber 141, the greater the pressure and the stronger the return flow capacity. Therefore, by positioning the oil return inlet 521 of the first oil return hole 52A below the oil return inlet 521 of the second oil return hole 52B in the direction of gravity, the return flow capacity of the first oil return hole 52A, which serves as the primary oil return mechanism, is enhanced, thereby ensuring continuous return flow and reducing the risk of excessive wear caused by insufficient lubricating oil within the compression mechanism 2.

[0059] In order to meet the differentiated requirements of the return capacity of the oil return holes 52 at different positions, the flow areas of at least two oil return holes 52 can be set to be different, for example, the flow area of ​​the first oil return hole 52A is set to be larger than the flow area of ​​the second oil return hole 52B.

[0060] Optionally, there may be at least one first oil return hole 52A. When there are at least two first oil return holes 52A, they are located at the same height.

[0061] Optionally, there may be at least one second oil return hole 52B. When there are at least two second oil return holes 52B, they are located at the same height.

[0062] Of course, in order to further improve its return flow self-regulating ability, the oil return hole 52 can be set to have a greater height difference. And at each height, the number of the oil return hole 52 can be one or more. Even in this application, only one oil return hole 52 can be set.

[0063] Specifically, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, in the direction of airflow within the intake passage 51, the oil return outlet 522 of the first oil return hole 52A is located downstream of the oil return outlet 522 of the second oil return hole 52B. It is understood that within the intake passage 51, the closer to the pump suction port 201 of the compression mechanism 2, the stronger the negative pressure, and the stronger the suction force used to draw away the gaseous refrigerant and lubricating oil. Therefore, the oil return outlet 522 of the first oil return hole 52A is closer to the pump suction port 201 than the oil return outlet 522 of the second oil return hole 52B, which can make the first oil return hole 52A have a stronger oil return capacity than the second oil return hole 52B, further ensuring the basic oil return capacity of the oil return hole 52.

[0064] Of course, the solution of the present application is not limited thereto, and the oil return outlets 522 of the first oil return hole 52A and the second oil return hole 52B may be set to be at the same distance from the pump suction port 201 .

[0065] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the air intake passage 51 includes a first section 513 extending axially along the compression mechanism 2, with one end of the first section 513 communicating with the pump inlet 201. The axial arrangement of the first section 513 allows for axial butt joint when connected to the pump inlet 201 of the compression mechanism 2, facilitating connection and preventing air leakage. Furthermore, the pump inlet 201 of the compression mechanism 2 is typically located on an end surface of the compression mechanism 2, further enhancing airflow.

[0066] Specifically, the intake passage 51 further includes a second section 514. The first section 513 extends axially along the compression mechanism 2. The second section 514 is vertically disposed. The lower end of the second section 514 communicates with the other end of the first section 513, and the upper end of the second section 514 forms the intake port 511. The placement of the second section 514 allows the first section 513 to be positioned relatively low while maintaining a sufficiently high position for intake. This allows the oil return hole 52 to be positioned relatively low, shortening the oil return path, reducing oil return resistance, and simplifying the placement of the oil return hole 52.

[0067] The upper end of the air intake channel 51 and the upper end of the second section 514 mentioned herein refer to the end thereof located above them in the direction of gravity. The upper end of the air intake channel 51 and the upper end of the second section 514 mentioned herein refer to the end thereof located below them in the direction of gravity.

[0068] Specifically, the oil return hole 52 is configured so that the oil return outlet 522 communicates with the second section 514. This facilitates processing while also providing a distance between the oil return hole 52 and the pump suction port 201. This allows the gaseous refrigerant time and space to mix with the returning lubricating oil during its flow. This sufficient mixing facilitates the distribution of the lubricating oil along with the airflow to all locations accessible by the airflow, thus promoting uniform distribution of the lubricating oil within the compression mechanism 2.

[0069] More specifically, the oil return outlet 522 is located at or near the lower end of the second section 514 so that it can be sucked into the compression mechanism 2 by a larger negative pressure suction force.

[0070] In some specific embodiments, the oil return hole 52 is located on the side of the second section 514 away from the first section 513 and is connected to the second section 514. This arrangement eliminates the need for excessively long oil return holes 52, further shortening the oil return path and reducing oil return resistance, thereby ensuring oil return capacity. Furthermore, this arrangement reduces the chance of downward airflow within the intake passage 51 blocking the oil return hole 52, thereby improving oil return fluidity.

[0071] Optionally, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the oil return hole 52 is provided along the axial direction of the compression mechanism 2 and adjacent to the lower end of the second section 514. Thus, the oil return hole 52 can guide the lubricating oil along the axial direction of the compression mechanism 2 into the intake passage 51, substantially in the same direction as the flow of the air after entering the first section 513. This helps reduce flow losses and airflow disturbances within the intake passage 51.

[0072] Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the oil return hole 52 may be provided at the bottom of the first section 513 and communicate with the first section 513 . Alternatively, there may be multiple oil return holes 52 distributed around the first section 513 .

[0073] In the present application, the structural setting of the air suction and liquid return structure 5 is relatively flexible.

[0074] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 2, 4, and 6, the air intake and liquid return structure 5 is integrally formed on the bracket 13. That is, the air intake channel 51 and the oil return hole 52 can be formed directly on the bracket 13, which reduces the number of parts and facilitates control of the axial dimension of the electric compressor 100. Furthermore, since the air intake channel 51 and the oil return hole 52 can be directly formed on the bracket 13, since the position and angle of the bracket 13 are fixed, the air intake channel 51 and the oil return hole 52 cannot swing relative to the bracket 13. Therefore, the air intake and oil return positions can be maintained, and operational reliability is increased.

[0075] In other embodiments, as shown in FIG3 , the air intake and liquid return structure 5 further includes a bracket air intake pipe 53, an air intake channel 51 is formed on the bracket air intake pipe 53, a mounting hole 131 is provided on the bracket 13, and one end of the bracket air intake pipe 53 is assembled in the mounting hole 131. By providing the bracket air intake pipe 53, the shape of the air intake channel 51 is less restricted by the shape and assembly relationship of the bracket 13 itself, and the air intake end 511 of the air intake channel 51 can be set to be high enough to further avoid the probability of liquid refrigerant flowing in. Moreover, the use of the bracket air intake pipe 53 can facilitate the processing of the required shape of the air intake channel 51, and the bracket 13 itself does not need to be too thick, which is conducive to controlling its weight.

[0076] Specifically, when the air suction and liquid return structure 5 includes the bracket air suction pipe 53 , the oil return hole 52 is formed on the tube wall of the bracket air suction pipe 53 , and may also be directly provided on the bracket 13 .

[0077] In some specific embodiments, as shown in FIG3 , the air intake and liquid return structure 5 includes a bracket air intake pipe 53 , with an oil return hole 52 formed in the wall of the bracket air intake pipe 53 . The oil return hole 52 is located in the section of the bracket air intake pipe 53 that is located outside the bracket 13 . This makes drilling the hole in the pipe easier. In particular, the shape of the bracket air intake pipe 53 allows the oil return hole 52 to have a wider range of heights.

[0078] Optionally, the lower end of the second section 514 of the bracket suction pipe 53 forms a curved section and connects to the first section 513. The oil return hole 52 is located on the curved section at the lower end of the second section 514. This allows the airflow to be more easily mixed with the lubricating oil when it flows and turns.

[0079] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 2 and 3 , the diameter d1 of the oil return hole 52 ranges from 0.5 mm to 2 mm. This allows the return flow of lubricating oil from a single oil return hole 52 to be controlled within a reasonable range. On the one hand, the diameter of the oil return hole 52 is kept small to prevent it from being clogged by impurities, ensuring the continuity of lubricating oil supply. On the other hand, the diameter of the oil return hole 52 is kept small to prevent the lubricating oil from flowing too quickly within the reservoir 141. In particular, when there are at least two oil return holes 52, not only is it necessary to control the aperture d1 of the oil return hole 52 within the range of 0.5mm-2mm, but also there is a height difference of at least 2mm between the oil return inlet ends 521 of each two oil return holes 52. In this way, when the amount of oil stored in the liquid storage chamber 141 is small, only a few oil return holes 52 return oil, while when the amount of oil stored in the liquid storage chamber 141 is large, multiple oil return holes 52 can return oil. Moreover, due to the aperture limitation of each oil return hole 52, even if multiple oil return holes 52 supply oil at the same time, there is still sufficient buffer time for the lubricating oil to flow back to the liquid storage chamber 141 from the compression mechanism 2 or the external system. This also ensures the continuity of the lubricating oil supply flow from another aspect.

[0080] Furthermore, because the lubricating oil flowing through a single oil return hole 52 is limited by the aperture, the flow rate is reduced. Once the lubricating oil enters the intake passage 51, it is quickly dispersed and evenly mixed by the airflow, quickly dispersing the oil into an oil mist. This increases the distribution area of ​​the oil mist as it enters the compression mechanism 2 and adheres to the surfaces of the moving parts. Therefore, limiting the aperture d1 of the oil return hole 52 to a range of 0.5 mm to 2 mm effectively reduces the possibility of lubricating oil stagnation and accumulation within the intake passage 51.

[0081] Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, along the direction of gravity, the height difference H1 between the lowest oil return inlet 521 and the bottom wall of the liquid storage chamber 141 ranges from 2mm to 10mm. By setting the oil return inlet 521 at least 2mm higher than the bottom wall of the liquid storage chamber 141, the probability of impurities that sink to the bottom of the liquid storage chamber 141 clogging the oil return hole 52 can be reduced. By setting the oil return inlet 521 so that the height difference H1 with the bottom wall of the liquid storage chamber 141 does not exceed 10mm, the probability of liquid refrigerant entering the oil return hole 52 can be reduced, which helps to ensure an adequate supply of lubricating oil in the liquid storage chamber 141.

[0082] Furthermore, when the oil return inlet 521 of the lowest oil return hole 52 is within this height range, the lubricating oil hydraulic pressure is higher than the refrigerant gas pressure in the first accommodating chamber 14. When suction forms a negative pressure at the pump suction port 201, a sufficiently large pressure differential is formed between the oil return inlet 521 and the pump suction port 201. This is particularly advantageous when the aperture d1 of the single oil return hole 52 is limited to a range of 0.5 mm to 2 mm. This facilitates the lubricating oil to be ejected into the suction passage 51 in a jet-like manner at the oil return outlet 522. The jet-like lubricating oil mist has a large surface distribution and is more easily and evenly mixed with the flowing gaseous refrigerant.

[0083] Furthermore, while meeting the aforementioned parameters, as shown in Figure 2 , when there are at least two oil return holes 52 , the distance H2 between the oil return outlets 522 of two adjacent oil return holes 52 is at least 2 mm. This allows the lubricating oil in each oil return hole 52 to enter the intake passage 51 under the influence of a pressure differential and form a mist, and the mist initially formed by the two oil return holes 52 does not intersect. This allows the misted lubricating oil to be fully mixed and dispersed when the gaseous refrigerant flows through it, further reducing the probability of lubricating oil accumulating and stagnating in the intake passage 51.

[0084] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 2 and 3 , the ratio of the aperture d2 of the intake passage 51 to the aperture d1 of the single oil return hole 52 is in the range of 3-10. This allows the mixing ratio of the gaseous refrigerant and the lubricating oil to be controlled within a reasonable range. In particular, when the gaseous refrigerant flows through the oil return hole 52, it can easily carry away the lubricating oil, further reducing the probability of lubricating oil being retained or accumulated in the intake passage 51.

[0085] In the present application, the type of the compression mechanism 2 is not limited, and it can be, for example, a rotary compression mechanism or a scroll compression mechanism.

[0086] Thus, different types of compression mechanisms 2 can be used on different electric compressors 100. For example, when the electric compressor 100 is a rotary compressor, the compression mechanism 2 is a rotary compression mechanism, and the compression mechanism 2 may include a cylinder, a piston, a vane, etc., and the drive shaft 4 of the compression mechanism 2 drives the piston to roll in the cylinder. When the electric compressor 100 is a scroll compressor, the compression mechanism 2 is a scroll compression mechanism, and the compression mechanism 2 may include a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll, and the drive shaft 4 drives the orbiting scroll to rotate, etc.

[0087] It should be noted that the specific type of the electric compressor 100 is not limited. When the compression mechanism 2 is a rotary compression mechanism, it can be a single-cylinder compression mechanism or a multi-cylinder compression mechanism.

[0088] The air conditioning system 200 according to an embodiment of the present application includes the electric compressor 100 according to any of the above-described embodiments. Thus, by employing the above-described electric compressor 100, the problem of liquid hammer in the electric compressor 100 is reduced, and the use of a liquid accumulator is reduced, which is conducive to reducing the size of the air conditioning system 200. Furthermore, the operating noise and vibration of the electric compressor 100 can be reduced, thereby reducing the overall operating noise and vibration of the air conditioning system 200.

[0089] It should be noted that the specific application scenarios of the air-conditioning system 200 according to the embodiment of the present application are not limited, such as indoor air conditioning, indoor refrigerators, vehicle air conditioning, etc. Once the application scenario is determined, those skilled in the art will be able to know the other components of the air-conditioning system 200. For example, when used for indoor air conditioning or indoor refrigerators, it may also include an evaporator, a condenser, a throttling element, etc. For example, when used for vehicle air conditioning, it may also include at least one of an in-vehicle condenser, an in-vehicle evaporator, an outdoor condenser, an outdoor evaporator, and a throttling component, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0090] As shown in FIG6 , a vehicle 300 according to an embodiment of the present application includes a vehicle body and an air conditioning system 200 mounted on the vehicle body. The air conditioning system 200 is any of the air conditioning system 200 described above. Because the hydraulic slugging of the electric compressor 100 included in any of the above-described air conditioning system 200 can be reduced, when the air conditioning system 200 is used in the vehicle 300 , the operating noise and vibration of the electric compressor 100 can be reduced. This can also improve resonance issues among various components in the thermal management system of the vehicle 300 , thereby reducing the noise and vibration caused by the compressor 100 .

[0091] Furthermore, since the use of the electric compressor 100 can reduce the volume of the air conditioning system 200 , the installation location of the air conditioning system 200 in the vehicle 300 can be more flexible.

[0092] It should be noted that the specific type of vehicle 300 according to the embodiments of the present application is not limited. For example, it can be a new energy vehicle, which can include pure electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, etc., which are not described in detail here. In addition, once the type of vehicle 300 is specifically determined, those skilled in the art will be able to understand other components of vehicle 300, which are not described in detail here.

[0093] The electric compressor 100 according to some specific embodiments of the present application is described below.

[0094] First embodiment

[0095] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the exemplary electric compressor 100 is a rotary electric compressor, comprising a housing assembly 1 and a compression mechanism 2. The compression mechanism 2 is used to compress low-pressure refrigerant into high-pressure refrigerant.

[0096] The housing assembly 1 includes a first housing 11, a second housing 12, and a bracket 13. The first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are connected to opposite sides of the bracket 13. A first accommodating chamber 14 is formed between the first housing 11 and the bracket 13, and a second accommodating chamber 15 is formed between the bracket 13 and the second housing 12. The compression mechanism 2 is disposed in the second accommodating chamber 15 and is fixedly connected to the bracket 13.

[0097] Compression mechanism 2 is a dual-cylinder compression mechanism, comprising: a first bearing, a second bearing, a first cylinder, a second cylinder, a first piston, a second piston, and a partition. The first cylinder and the second cylinder are axially spaced apart, with the first cylinder located on the side of the second cylinder closer to the bracket. The partition is sandwiched between the first and second cylinders. The first bearing is located on the side of the first cylinder away from the partition, and the second bearing is located on the side of the second cylinder away from the partition.

[0098] A first compression chamber is formed between the first cylinder, the partition, and the first bearing, and a first piston is rotatably disposed within the first compression chamber. A second compression chamber is formed between the second cylinder, the partition, and the second bearing, and a second piston is rotatably disposed within the second compression chamber. Compression mechanism 2 is provided with a pump suction port 201, which communicates with at least one of the first and second compression chambers.

[0099] The bracket 13 is provided with an air suction and liquid return structure 5, which is integrally formed on the bracket 13. That is, the bracket 13 is formed with an air suction channel 51 and an oil return hole 52. The air suction channel 51 is L-shaped, and one end is connected to the pump suction port 201. The oil return hole 52 is connected to the air suction channel 51.

[0100] The bottom of the first accommodating chamber 14 forms a liquid storage chamber 141. The upper end of the air intake passage 51 is an air intake port 511, which communicates with the first accommodating chamber 14 and is located above the liquid storage chamber 141. There are at least two oil return holes 52, including a first oil return hole 52A and a second oil return hole 52B, which are located at different heights and both communicate with the liquid storage chamber 141.

[0101] Second embodiment

[0102] As shown in Figure 3, this second embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment, except that the air suction and liquid return structure 5 also includes a bracket suction pipe 53, the suction channel 51 is formed on the bracket suction pipe 53, and the bracket 13 is provided with a mounting hole 131, and one end of the bracket suction pipe 53 is assembled in the mounting hole 131.

[0103] Throughout this specification, references to terms such as "embodiment" and "example" indicate that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with that embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0104] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and intent of the present application, and that the scope of the present application is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An electric compressor, wherein: include: A shell assembly, the shell assembly comprising a first shell and a bracket, a first accommodating chamber is defined between the first shell and the bracket, a refrigerant inlet communicating with the first accommodating chamber is provided on the first shell, and the bottom of the first accommodating chamber constitutes a liquid storage chamber; A compression mechanism, the compression mechanism is connected to the bracket and is provided with a pump suction port; Among them, the bracket is provided with an air suction and liquid return structure, which includes an air suction channel and an oil return hole, one end of the air suction channel is an air suction inlet, and the other end of the air suction channel is connected to the pump suction port, the air suction inlet is connected to the first accommodating cavity, and the air suction inlet is located above the liquid storage cavity in the gravity direction, the two ends of the oil return hole are an oil return inlet and an oil return outlet, the oil return inlet is connected to the liquid storage cavity, and the oil return outlet is connected to the air suction channel.

2. The electric compressor according to claim 1, wherein: There are at least two oil return holes including a first oil return hole and a second oil return hole. The oil return inlet end of the first oil return hole is located below the oil return inlet end of the second oil return hole in the gravity direction.

3. The electric compressor according to claim 2, wherein: In the air flow direction in the air intake passage, the oil return outlet end of the first oil return hole is located downstream of the oil return outlet end of the second oil return hole.

4. The electric compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The air intake passage includes a first section and a second section, the first section is extended along the axial direction of the compression mechanism, one end of the first section is connected to the pump suction port, the second section is vertically arranged, the lower end of the second section is connected to the other end of the first section, and the upper end of the second section constitutes the air intake end.

5. The electric compressor according to claim 4, wherein: The oil return hole is located at a side of the second section away from the first section and is connected to the second section.

6. The electric compressor according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The oil return hole is extended along the axial direction of the compression mechanism and is adjacent to the lower end of the second section.

7. The electric compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The air suction and liquid return structure is integrally formed on the bracket; Alternatively, the air suction and liquid return structure further comprises a bracket air suction pipe, the air suction channel is formed on the bracket air suction pipe, the bracket is provided with a mounting hole, and one end of the bracket air suction pipe is assembled in the mounting hole.

8. The electric compressor according to claim 7, wherein: The air suction and liquid return structure comprises the support air suction pipe, the oil return hole is formed on the pipe wall of the support air suction pipe, and the oil return hole is located on the pipe section of the support air suction pipe located outside the support.

9. The electric compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The diameter of the oil return hole is in the range of 0.5 mm to 2 mm, and the height difference between the oil return inlet end and the bottom wall of the liquid storage cavity is in the range of 2 mm to 10 mm.

10. The electric compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The ratio of the aperture of the air intake passage to the aperture of the single oil return hole is in the range of 3-10.

11. The electric compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The compression mechanism is a rotary compression mechanism or a scroll compression mechanism.

12. An air conditioning system, wherein: The invention comprises the electric compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A vehicle, wherein: include: A vehicle body and an air conditioning system mounted on the vehicle body, wherein the air conditioning system is the air conditioning system according to claim 12.

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