Vehicle air compressor

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air compressor for a vehicle, the compressor having been improved to provide sufficient cooling to a front-thrust bearing. The air compressor for a vehicle comprises: a compression unit including a housing cover forming an inlet passage through which air flows in and a compression impeller for compressing the air that has flowed in through the inlet passage; and driving unit comprising a rotor that couples to the compression impeller, a thrust runner integrally formed with the rotor, thrust bearings disposed on both sides of the thrust runner, a stator disposed on the outer side of the rotor, and a motor housing attached to the housing cover and accommodating the rotor, thrust runner, and the stator therein, wherein the motor housing includes an air flow unit for guiding the air toward the thrust bearing, the air having been compressed by the compression impeller after flowing into the housing cover via the inlet passage.

Description

Automotive air compressor

[0001] The present invention relates to an air compressor for a vehicle.

[0002] An air compressor for a vehicle can perform the role of compressing air taken in from the outside using an impeller and then sending it to a fuel cell stack.

[0003] An air compressor for a vehicle may include a rotor, a stator, a housing that accommodates the rotor and the stator therein, a compression impeller arranged in the housing that compresses air, an inlet cover formed to allow external air to be introduced, an exhaust cover through which compressed air is exhausted, and a turbine impeller arranged inside the exhaust cover that is rotated by air exhausted from a fuel cell to reduce a load on the rotor.

[0004] In addition, the vehicle air compressor may include a thrust runner that is arranged in a ring shape on the outer surface of the rotor along the radial direction of the rotor and prevents the rotor from being separated while rotating together with the compression impeller, and a thrust bearing that is arranged on both sides of the thrust runner to absorb the shock received by the thrust runner.

[0005] Among them, the thrust bearing may include a front thrust bearing and a rear thrust bearing arranged on both sides of the thrust runner. The front thrust bearing is arranged in front of the rear thrust bearing in a direction opposite to the direction in which air moves inside the inlet cover.

[0006] These conventional vehicle air compressors are structured to cool internal components. First, when air passes through the front thrust bearing immediately after passing through the compression impeller, the air passes through the front thrust bearing before it has passed around the coolant, so there is a problem that the front thrust bearing is not sufficiently cooled.

[0007] In addition, when a flow path is formed inside the housing along the longitudinal direction of the housing, there is a problem that the overall size of the vehicle air compressor increases, and the difficulty of the manufacturing process for forming the flow path inside the housing increases, which increases manufacturing costs and reduces productivity.

[0008] Due to these problems, if sufficient cooling of the front thrust bearing is not achieved, the heat generated in the front thrust bearing causes wear or, in severe cases, damage to the surrounding parts of the front thrust bearing.

[0009] The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and an object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved vehicle air compressor capable of sufficiently cooling a front thrust bearing.

[0010] An air compressor for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a compression unit including a housing cover forming an inlet passage through which air is introduced and a compression impeller compressing the air introduced through the inlet passage; and a driving unit including a rotor coupled to the compression impeller, a thrust runner integrally formed with the rotor, thrust bearings disposed on both sides of the thrust runner, a stator disposed on the outside of the rotor, and a motor housing coupled to the housing cover and housing the rotor, the thrust runner, and the stator therein; wherein the motor housing includes an air flow unit that guides air compressed through the compression impeller toward the thrust bearing after being introduced into the interior of the housing cover through the inlet passage.

[0011] The above air flow portion may be formed concavely along the longitudinal direction of the motor housing and may be characterized by having a groove shape open toward the compression impeller.

[0012] The driving unit may include a diffuser disposed between the housing cover and the motor housing and guiding compressed air passing through the compression impeller; and the diffuser may include a diffuser body; a first guide hole formed in the diffuser body and guiding the compressed air passing through the compression impeller to the air flow unit; and a second guide hole formed in the diffuser body and guiding the air passing through the air flow unit to the thrust bearing.

[0013] The second guide hole of the above diffuser may be characterized in that it is connected to a space formed by the compression impeller, the rotor, and the thrust bearing.

[0014] The airflow section may include a first channel section connected to the first guide hole of the diffuser; a second channel section and the second guide hole of the diffuser; and a connecting section connecting the first channel section and the second channel section.

[0015] The air compressed through the compression impeller may sequentially pass through the first guide hole of the diffuser, the first channel portion of the air flow portion, the connecting portion of the air flow portion, the second channel portion of the air flow portion, and the second guide hole of the diffuser.

[0016] The thrust bearing may include a first thrust bearing spaced apart from the thrust runner of the driving unit; and a second thrust bearing; and the compressed air passing through the second guide hole of the diffuser may be characterized in that it passes through the first thrust bearing and then heads toward the second thrust bearing.

[0017] The driving unit may include a cartridge that accommodates the rotor therein and supports the second thrust bearing; and the cartridge may be characterized in that it forms a receiving space that accommodates compressed air that has passed through the first thrust bearing together with the diffuser and the motor housing.

[0018] The motor housing may include a connecting hole; and the cartridge may include a cartridge body; and a third guide hole formed through the cartridge body and connected to the connecting hole; and the connecting hole and the third guide hole may be characterized in that they are connected to the receiving space and the internal space of the motor housing.

[0019] The air that passes through the first thrust bearing and moves into the receiving space may be characterized in that it passes through the third guide hole of the cartridge and moves into the internal space of the motor housing.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, air passing through the first channel portion, the second channel portion, and the connecting portion of the air flow portion is cooled as it passes around the cooling water, and the cooled air passes through the second guide hole of the diffuser and is directed to the first thrust bearing. Therefore, since the first thrust bearing is cooled preferentially over the second thrust bearing, the first thrust bearing can be sufficiently cooled to maintain its performance, and the phenomenon of components arranged around the first thrust bearing being worn or damaged due to heat generated in the first thrust bearing can be prevented.

[0021] Figure 1 is a front view of the motor housing.

[0022] Figure 2 is a drawing showing the inside of the first guide hole of the diffuser.

[0023] Figure 3 is a drawing showing the second guide hole of the diffuser.

[0024] Figure 4 is a drawing showing the flow of compressed air passing through the second channel section of the air flow section.

[0025] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0026] However, the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited to some of the embodiments described, but can be implemented in various different forms, and within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, one or more of the components between the embodiments can be selectively combined or substituted for use.

[0027] In addition, terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention may be interpreted as having a meaning that can be generally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, unless explicitly and specifically defined and described, and terms that are commonly used, such as terms defined in a dictionary, may be interpreted in consideration of the contextual meaning of the relevant technology.

[0028] Additionally, the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are for the purpose of describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0029] In this specification, the singular may also include the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase, and when it is described as “A and / or at least one (or more) of B, C”, it may include one or more of all combinations that can be combined with A, B, C.

[0030] Additionally, in describing components of embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used.

[0031] These terms are intended only to distinguish one component from another, and are not intended to limit the nature, order, or sequence of the component.

[0032] And, when a component is described as being 'connected', 'coupled' or 'connected' to another component, it may include not only cases where the component is directly connected, coupled or connected to the other component, but also cases where the component is 'connected', 'coupled' or 'connected' by another component between the component and the other component.

[0033] Additionally, when described as being formed or arranged “above or below” each component, “above” or “below” includes not only cases where the two components are in direct contact with each other, but also cases where one or more other components are formed or arranged between the two components. Furthermore, when expressed as “above” or “below,” it can include the meaning of not only the upward direction but also the downward direction based on one component.

[0034] Hereinafter, an air compressor for a vehicle will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing symbols, identical or corresponding components will be given the same reference numbers and any duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

[0035] Fig. 1 is a front view of a motor housing, Fig. 2 is a drawing showing the inside of a first guide hole of a diffuser, Fig. 3 is a drawing showing a second guide hole of a diffuser, and Fig. 4 is a drawing showing the flow of compressed air passing through a second channel section of an air flow section.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a vehicle air compressor (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a compression unit (100) and a driving unit (200). First, the longitudinal direction described in this specification may mean a direction from the driving unit (200) toward the compression unit (100) or the opposite direction.

[0037] The compression unit (100) may be placed on one side of the motor housing (260) of the drive unit (200), which will be described later. The compression unit (100) may compress air flowing in from the outside. The compression unit (100) may include a housing cover (110) and a compression impeller (120).

[0038] The housing cover (110) may be arranged on one side of the motor housing (260) to be described later along the longitudinal direction to cover one side of the motor housing (260) and the compression impeller (120). The housing cover (110) may include an inlet hole (111). The inlet hole (111) may be formed by penetrating the housing cover (110). The inlet hole (111) may serve as a passage through which external air is introduced to the outside of the motor housing (260) to be described later. The inlet hole (111) may be communicated with the internal space of the motor housing (260).

[0039] The compression impeller (120) may be placed inside the inlet hole (111) of the housing cover (110). The compression impeller (120) may compress air passing through the inlet hole (111). The compression impeller (120) may be coupled to a rotor (210) to be described later and may rotate together with the rotor (210). The compression impeller (120) may be configured as a combination of a plurality of vanes that compress air and a support body that supports the vanes.

[0040] The driving unit (200) may include a rotor (210), a thrust runner (220), a thrust bearing (230), a journal bearing (240), a stator (250), a motor housing (260), a diffuser (270), and a cartridge (280).

[0041] The rotor (210) may be placed inside the motor housing (260). The rotor (210) may have a shape that extends along the length direction. The rotor (210) may be coupled with the compression impeller (120). When external power is supplied, the rotor (210) may be rotated by electromagnetic interaction with the stator (250). The compression impeller (120) coupled with the rotor (210) may be rotated by the rotation of the rotor (210).

[0042] The thrust runner (220) may be formed integrally with the rotor (210). The thrust runner (220) may be provided in a shape that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the rotor (210) along the radial direction of the rotor (210). At this time, the thrust runner (220) may have a ring shape. The thrust runner (220) may be arranged between the diffuser (270) and the cartridge (280). The thrust runner (220) may rotate together with the rotor (210) to prevent the rotor (210) from being deviated in the axial and radial directions.

[0043] Thrust bearings (230) may be arranged on both sides of the thrust runner (220) along the longitudinal direction. The thrust bearings (230) may be spaced apart from each other with the thrust runner (220) interposed therebetween. The thrust bearings (230) may include a first thrust bearing (231) and a second thrust bearing (232).

[0044] The first thrust bearing (231) may be arranged between the thrust runner (220) and the diffuser (270). The second thrust bearing (232) may be arranged between the thrust runner (220) and the cartridge (280). The first thrust bearing (231) and the second thrust bearing (232) may protect the thrust runner (220) from colliding with the diffuser (270) or the cartridge (280) due to an axial load concentrated on the thrust runner (220). The first thrust bearing (231) is arranged forward of the thrust runner (220) along the longitudinal direction, and thus may be called a front thrust bearing (230), and the second thrust bearing (232) is arranged backward of the thrust runner (220) along the longitudinal direction, and thus may be called a rear thrust bearing (230).

[0045] A journal bearing (240) may be placed between the rotor (210) and the cartridge (280). The journal bearing (240) may have a shape that surrounds a portion of the rotor (210). The journal bearing (240) may absorb shock transmitted to the rotor (210) in the radial direction of the rotor (210) to prevent damage to the rotor (210).

[0046] The stator (250) may be placed inside the motor housing (260). The stator (250) may be placed outside the rotor (210). The stator (250) may be placed between the motor housing (260) and the rotor (210). More specifically, the stator (250) may be placed in a space formed by the motor housing (260) and the rotor (210). The stator (250) may be composed of a plate and a coil.

[0047] The motor housing (260) can accommodate a rotor (210), a thrust runner (220), and a stator (250) therein. The motor housing (260) can include a housing body (261), an air flow portion (262), a cooling water hole (263), and a connecting hole (264).

[0048] The housing body (261) may have a hollow interior so as to accommodate a rotor (210), a thrust runner (220), and a stator (250) therein. The housing body (261) may be coupled to a diffuser (270) to support the diffuser (270).

[0049] The air flow unit (262) can guide compressed air through the compression impeller (120) toward the thrust bearing (230) after it is introduced into the interior of the housing cover (110) through the inlet hole (111) formed in the housing cover (110). A detailed description of the air flow unit (262) will be provided below.

[0050] The cooling water hole (263) may be formed near the outer surface of the motor housing (260). The cooling water hole (263) may be arranged along the length direction. The cooling water hole (263) may be covered by a diffuser (270) or a cartridge (280). The cooling water hole (263) may accommodate cooling water therein. The cooling water hole (263) may be arranged at a position close to the air flow portion (262). Therefore, the compressed air passing through the air flow portion (262) may be cooled by heat exchange with the cooling water accommodated in the cooling water hole (263).

[0051] A connecting hole (264) may be formed in the housing body (261). The connecting hole (264) may be connected to a third guide hole (282) of the cartridge (280), which will be described later. Accordingly, compressed air passing through the third guide hole (282) may pass through the connecting hole (264) and move toward the stator (250).

[0052] The diffuser (270) is placed between the housing cover (110) and the motor housing (260) and can guide compressed air passing through the compression impeller. The diffuser (270) can include a diffuser body (271), a first guide hole (272), and a second guide hole (273).

[0053] The diffuser body (271) can form the exterior of the diffuser (270). The diffuser body (271) can be coupled to the housing body (261) of the motor housing (260). In addition, the diffuser body (271) can be placed between the housing cover (110) of the compression unit (100) and the housing body (261) of the motor housing (260). A protrusion can be formed on the diffuser body (271) to form a labyrinth structure together with the compression impeller (120) to offset the phenomenon of a load being applied to the thrust bearing (230).

[0054] A first guide hole (272) may be formed in the diffuser body (271). The first guide hole (272) may guide compressed air that has passed through the compression impeller (120) to the air flow section (262). The number of first guide holes (272) corresponding to the number of air flow sections (262) may be arranged in the diffuser body (271).

[0055] A second guide hole (273) may be formed in the diffuser body (271). The second guide hole (273) may be spaced apart from the first guide hole (272). The second guide hole (273) may guide air passing through the air flow portion (262) to the thrust bearing (230). The number of second guide holes (273) corresponding to the number of air flow portions (262) may be arranged in the diffuser body (271).

[0056] The second guide hole (273) of the diffuser (270) can be connected to the space formed by the compression impeller (120), the rotor (210), and the thrust runner (220). This is to guide the compressed air path so that the compressed air that has passed through the air flow portion (262) formed in the motor housing (260) can pass through the thrust bearing (230), thereby allowing the compressed air that has passed around the cooling water and has been cooled by heat exchange with the cooling water contained in the cooling water hole to be directed toward the thrust bearing (230) so that smooth cooling of the thrust bearing (230) can be achieved.

[0057] The cartridge (280) may be placed inside the housing body (261) of the motor housing (260). The cartridge (280) accommodates the rotor (210) inside and may support the second thrust bearing (232). The cartridge (280) may include a cartridge body (281) and a third guide hole (282).

[0058] The cartridge body (281) can form the exterior of the cartridge (280). The cartridge body (281) can be coupled to the housing body (261) of the motor housing (260) through a connecting member such as a bolt. The cartridge body (281) can have a hollow interior so as to accommodate the rotor (210).

[0059] The cartridge (280) can form a receiving space (S) for receiving compressed air that has passed through the first thrust bearing (231) together with the diffuser (270) and the motor housing (260). More specifically, the cartridge body (281) can form a receiving space (S) similar to the letter 'ㄷ' together with the motor housing (260) and the diffuser (270). The cartridge body (281), the motor housing (260), and the diffuser (270) for forming this receiving space (S) form a wall in which the compressed air can temporarily stay, so that the compressed air that has passed through the first thrust bearing (231) can move toward the second thrust bearing (232) or the third guide hole (282).

[0060] The third guide hole (282) may be formed in the cartridge body (281). The third guide hole (282) may be formed by penetrating the cartridge body (281). The third guide hole (282) may be connected to the connecting hole (264) of the motor housing (260). The connecting hole (264) and the third guide hole (282) may be connected to the receiving space (S) formed by the diffuser (270), the cartridge (280), and the motor housing (260) and the internal space of the motor housing (260). Therefore, the phenomenon in which the air passing through the first thrust bearing (231) is directed only to the second thrust bearing (232) and the movement of the compressed air is delayed may be prevented.

[0061] Below, the air flow section (262) is described in detail.

[0062] The airflow portion (262) may include a first channel portion (262a), a second channel portion (262b), and a connection portion (262c). Such an airflow portion (262) may be formed on a surface of the motor housing (260) facing the diffuser (270).

[0063] The first channel portion (262a) can be connected to the first guide hole (272) of the diffuser (270). The first channel portion (262a) can have an arc shape along the circumference of the rotor (210), but is not limited thereto.

[0064] The second channel portion (262b) can be connected to the second guide hole (273). The second channel portion (262b) can be spaced apart from the first channel portion (262a).

[0065] The connecting portion (262c) can connect the first channel portion (262a) and the second channel portion (262b). The connecting portion (262c) is spaced apart from the first channel portion (262a) and the second channel portion (262b) along the radial direction of the rotor (210), and can be configured by a combination of a main guide portion (262c1) that guides air passing through the first channel portion (262a), and a sub guide portion (262c2) that connects the first channel portion (262a) and the main guide portion (262c1) and connects the second channel portion (262b) and the main guide portion (262c1). At this time, the main guide portion (262c1) can be arranged on the outside of the first channel portion (262a) and the second channel portion (262b) along the radial direction of the rotor (210).

[0066] Such an air flow portion (262) is formed concavely along the longitudinal direction of the motor housing (260) and may have a groove shape that is open toward the compression impeller (120). At this time, one open side of the air flow portion (262) may be covered by the diffuser (270). Accordingly, the phenomenon of air guided from the diffuser (270) to the air flow portion (262) leaking out of the motor housing (260) can be prevented.

[0067] Below, a method for cooling a thrust bearing (230) inside a vehicle air compressor (1) is described.

[0068] Referring again to FIGS. 1 to 4, air that has moved into the interior of the housing cover (110) through the inlet hole (111) is compressed as it passes through the compression impeller (120) that rotates together with the rotor (210).

[0069] In this way, the compressed air (hereinafter referred to as “compressed air”) compressed through the compression impeller (120) sequentially passes through the first guide hole (272) of the diffuser (270), the first channel part (262a) of the air flow part (262), the connection part (262c) of the air flow part (262), the second channel part (262b) of the air flow part, and the second guide hole (273) of the diffuser (270).

[0070] More specifically, the compressed air that passes through the first guide hole (272) of the diffuser (270) and moves to the first channel part (262a) of the air flow part (262) connected to the first guide hole (272) passes through the first channel part (262a), the sub guide part (262c2) and the main guide part (262c1) of the connection part (262c), and finally enters the second channel part (262b). In this process, the compressed air that passes through the air flow part (262) passes around the cooling water contained in the cooling water hole (263) arranged close to the air flow part (262). Therefore, the compressed air is cooled while exchanging heat with the cooling water. The compressed air that has been cooled in this way moves to the second guide hole (273) of the diffuser (270) connected to the second channel part (262b).

[0071] Compressed air (cooled by cooling water) moved to the second guide hole (273) of the diffuser (270) passes through the first thrust bearing (231) arranged between the diffuser (270) and the cartridge (280). As a result, the first thrust bearing (231) can be cooled.

[0072] In this way, the compressed air passing through the second guide hole (273) of the diffuser (270) passes through the first thrust bearing (231) and then heads toward the second thrust bearing (232). More specifically, the compressed air passing through the first thrust bearing (231) enters the receiving space (S) formed by the motor housing (260), the diffuser (270), and the cartridge (280). The compressed air entering the receiving space (S) passes through the second thrust bearing (232) arranged between the thrust runner (220) and the cartridge (280).

[0073] More specifically, when the compression impeller (120) rotates, a pressure difference is generated between the area where the vane rotates and the rear area of ​​the vane (the area where air first enters the inlet hole (111)) along the direction in which air moves through the inlet hole (111). Since the pressure in the area where the vane rotates is greater than the pressure generated in the rear area of ​​the vane, the rotor (210) rotating together with the compression impeller (120) has a tendency to move toward the housing cover (110) along the compression impeller (120). Accordingly, the thrust runner (220) rotating together with the rotor (210) also has a tendency to move toward the housing cover (110).

[0074] At this time, a first thrust bearing (231) and a second thrust bearing (232) are arranged on both sides of the thrust runner (220). Since more force is concentrated on the first thrust bearing (231) than on the second thrust bearing (232) along the direction in which the thrust runner (220) is to move, more heat is generated in the first thrust bearing (231) than in the second thrust bearing (232). Therefore, the first thrust bearing (231) must be cooled preferentially over the second thrust bearing (232).

[0075] Accordingly, the present invention forms a path for the compressed air to pass around the coolant through the air flow portion (262) and the diffuser (270), thereby cooling the first thrust bearing (231) preferentially over the second thrust bearing (232), thereby preventing damage to the diffuser (270) and the thrust runner (220), and maintaining the performance of the rotor (210). At this time, the air that has passed through the second thrust bearing (232) passes through the journal bearing (240), enters the internal space of the motor housing (260), and is ultimately discharged to the outside of the motor housing (260).

[0076] In addition, the air that has passed through the first thrust bearing (231) and moved to the receiving space (S) passes through the third guide hole (282) of the cartridge (280) and the connecting hole (264) of the motor housing (260) and moves to the internal space of the motor housing (260). Therefore, the compressed air cools not only the thrust bearing (230) and the journal bearing (240), but also the inside of the motor housing (260) and the stator (250) and the rotor (210), thereby preventing a decrease in efficiency due to heat generation of the vehicle air compressor (1). At this time, the compressed air that has entered the internal space of the motor housing (260) is ultimately discharged to the outside of the motor housing (260).

[0077] In this way, the vehicle air compressor (1) according to the embodiment of the present invention can prevent wear of components arranged around the first thrust bearing (231) by preferentially cooling the first thrust bearing (231) where force is concentrated according to the dragging phenomenon of the rotor (210) due to the pressure difference in the area around the compression impeller (120).

[0078] In this embodiment, the air flow part (262) of the motor housing (260) is exemplified as being formed integrally with the housing body (261), but is not limited thereto, and the air flow part (262) may be coupled to the housing body (261) while being arranged in a separate block. In this case, the air flow part (262) arranged in the separate block may perform the same role as the air flow part (262) of the drawings.

[0079] While the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims below. Furthermore, any differences resulting from such modifications and variations should be construed as being within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0080] [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1: Vehicle air compressor 100: Compression unit

[0082] 110: Housing cover 111: Inlet hole

[0083] 120: Compression impeller 200: Drive unit

[0084] 210: Rotor 220: Thrust runner

[0085] 230: Thrust bearing 231: First thrust bearing

[0086] 232: Second thrust bearing 240: Journal bearing

[0087] 250: Stator 260: Motor housing

[0088] 261: Housing body 262: Air flow part

[0089] 262a: First channel section 262b: Second channel section

[0090] 262c: Connection part 262c1: Main guide part

[0091] 262c2: Sub-guide section 263: Coolant hole

[0092] 264: Connecting hole 270: Diffuser

[0093] 271: Diffuser body 272: First guide hole

[0094] 273: Second guide hole 280: Cartridge

[0095] 281: Cartridge body 282: Third guide hole

[0096] S: Reception space

Claims

1. A compression unit including a housing cover forming an inlet passage through which air is introduced and a compression impeller that compresses the air introduced through the inlet passage; and A driving unit including a rotor coupled with the compression impeller, a thrust runner integrally formed with the rotor, thrust bearings arranged on both sides of the thrust runner, a stator arranged on the outside of the rotor, and a motor housing coupled with the housing cover and housing the rotor, the thrust runner, and the stator therein; The above motor housing, An air compressor for a vehicle, comprising an air flow unit that guides compressed air through the compression impeller toward the thrust bearing after it is introduced into the interior of the housing cover through the inlet passage.

2. In paragraph 1, An air compressor for a vehicle, characterized in that the air flow portion is formed concavely along the longitudinal direction of the motor housing and has a groove shape open toward the compression impeller.

3. In paragraph 1, The above driving part, A diffuser is disposed between the housing cover and the motor housing and guides compressed air passing through the compression impeller; The above diffuser, diffuser body; A first guide hole formed in the diffuser body and guiding the compressed air passing through the compression impeller to the air flow section; and An air compressor for a vehicle, comprising: a second guide hole formed in the diffuser body and guiding air passing through the air flow section to the thrust bearing; 4. In paragraph 3, An air compressor for a vehicle, characterized in that the second guide hole of the diffuser is connected to a space formed by the compression impeller, the rotor, and the thrust bearing.

5. In paragraph 3, The above air flow part, A first channel portion connected to the first guide hole of the above diffuser; The second guide hole and the second channel portion of the above diffuser; and An air compressor for a vehicle, comprising: a connecting portion connecting the first channel portion and the second channel portion; 6. In paragraph 5, An air compressor for a vehicle, characterized in that air compressed through the compression impeller sequentially passes through the first guide hole of the diffuser, the first channel portion of the air flow portion, the connecting portion of the air flow portion, the second channel portion of the air flow portion, and the second guide hole of the diffuser.

7. In paragraph 6, The above thrust bearing, A first thrust bearing spaced apart from the thrust runner of the driving unit; and a second thrust bearing; are included. An air compressor for a vehicle, characterized in that the compressed air passing through the second guide hole of the diffuser passes through the first thrust bearing and then heads toward the second thrust bearing.

8. In paragraph 7, The above driving part, A cartridge that houses the rotor therein and supports the second thrust bearing; The above cartridge, An air compressor for a vehicle, characterized in that it forms a receiving space for receiving compressed air passing through the first thrust bearing together with the diffuser and the motor housing.

9. In paragraph 8, The above motor housing includes a connecting hole; The above cartridge, cartridge body; and A third guide hole formed by penetrating the cartridge body and connected to the connecting hole; An air compressor for a vehicle, characterized in that the above connecting hole and the third guide hole are connected to the receiving space and the internal space of the motor housing.

10. In paragraph 9, An air compressor for a vehicle, characterized in that the air that has passed through the first thrust bearing and moved into the receiving space passes through the third guide hole of the cartridge and moves into the internal space of the motor housing.

Images