Electric compressor

Abstract

A protruding part (60) that protrudes toward a seal member (50) is provided in a portion located between adjacent bolts in a cover outer peripheral part (33). The protruding part (60) presses the seal member (50) toward an end wall (13a) of a motor housing (13). Thus, sealing between the portion located between the adjacent bolts in the cover outer peripheral part (33) and the end wall (13a) of the motor housing (13) is improved. As a result, accumulation of moisture and / or salt water is prevented between the portion located between the adjacent bolts in the cover outer peripheral part (33) and the end wall (13a) of the motor housing (13). Therefore, moisture- and / or salt water-caused corrosion of the end wall (13a) of the motor housing (13) and a cover (30) is prevented.

Description

Electric compressor

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

[0002] The electric compressor includes a compression unit, a motor, an inverter, and a housing. The compression unit compresses a fluid. The motor drives the compression unit. The inverter drives the motor. The housing has an inverter chamber. The inverter chamber houses the inverter. The housing has a partition wall that defines the inverter chamber, and a cover that, together with the partition wall, forms the inverter chamber.

[0003] For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the outer periphery of the cover is fastened to the partition wall by a plurality of fastening members arranged at intervals. An annular seal member extending along the outer periphery of the cover is interposed between the outer periphery of the cover and the partition wall. The outer periphery of the cover presses the seal member toward the partition wall in response to the fastening force of the plurality of fastening members, thereby sealing the gap between the outer periphery of the cover and the partition wall. In this way, for example, moisture or saltwater that attempts to infiltrate between the outer periphery of the cover and the partition wall from the outside is blocked by the seal member.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-17577

[0005] However, in the portion of the outer periphery of the cover located between adjacent fastening members, the pressing force of the fastening members pressing the seal member on the outer periphery of the cover toward the partition wall may be relatively small. This may result in a deterioration in the sealing performance between the portion of the outer periphery of the cover located between adjacent fastening members and the partition wall. As a result, moisture or saltwater may accumulate between the portion of the outer periphery of the cover located between adjacent fastening members and the partition wall. If moisture or saltwater accumulates between the outer periphery of the cover and the partition wall, the moisture or saltwater may corrode the cover or the partition wall. Therefore, there is a need to improve the corrosion resistance of electric compressors.

[0006] An electric compressor that solves the above problem includes a compression unit that compresses a fluid, a motor that drives the compression unit, an inverter that drives the motor, and a housing having an inverter chamber that accommodates the inverter, wherein the housing has a partition wall that partitions the inverter chamber and a cover that, together with the partition wall, forms the inverter chamber, and the outer periphery of the cover is fastened to the partition wall by a plurality of fastening members that are arranged at intervals, and an annular sealing member that extends along the outer periphery of the cover is interposed between the outer periphery of the cover and the partition wall, and the outer periphery of the cover presses the sealing member toward the partition wall in accordance with the fastening force of the plurality of fastening members, thereby sealing between the outer periphery of the cover and the partition wall, and the portion of the outer periphery of the cover between adjacent fastening members is provided with a protrusion that protrudes toward the sealing member, and the protrusion presses the sealing member toward the partition wall.

[0007] In some cases, the pressing force that presses the seal member on the cover's outer periphery against the partition wall, due to the fastening force of the fastening members, is relatively small in the portion of the cover's outer periphery between adjacent fastening members. Even in such cases, the portion of the cover's outer periphery between adjacent fastening members has a protrusion that protrudes toward the seal member, and the protrusion presses the seal member against the partition wall. This improves the sealing performance between the portion of the cover's outer periphery between adjacent fastening members and the partition wall. As a result, moisture or saltwater is prevented from accumulating between the portion of the cover's outer periphery between adjacent fastening members and the partition wall. This prevents the cover and the partition wall from corroding due to moisture or saltwater, thereby improving the corrosion resistance of the electric compressor.

[0008] In the above-described electric compressor, the sealing member may have an annular bead portion that protrudes toward the outer periphery of the cover, and the protrusion may be provided at a position opposite the bead portion and press the bead portion toward the partition wall.

[0009] This allows the protrusions to effectively press the bead portion of the sealing member against the partition wall, thereby further improving the seal between the partition wall and the portion of the outer periphery of the cover located between adjacent fastening members.

[0010] In the above electric compressor, the outer circumferential portion of the cover may have a gap filling portion that approaches the partition wall toward the outer edge so as to reduce the gap between the outer edge of the outer circumferential portion of the cover and the partition wall.

[0011] With this, the gap filling portion reduces the gap between the outer edge of the outer periphery of the cover and the partition wall, making it easier to prevent moisture or saltwater from accumulating between the outer periphery of the cover and the partition wall, which in turn makes it easier to prevent the cover and the partition wall from corroding due to moisture or saltwater, thereby further improving the corrosion resistance of the electric compressor.

[0012] In the above-mentioned electric compressor, the outer periphery of the cover has a gap filling portion that approaches the partition wall as it moves toward the outer edge so as to reduce the gap between the outer edge of the outer periphery of the cover and the partition wall, and the gap filling portion is preferably located closer to the outer edge than a position on the outer periphery of the cover that faces the bead portion.

[0013] According to this, the gap filling portion is located closer to the outer edge of the cover outer periphery than the position facing the bead portion on the cover outer periphery. Therefore, the convex portion can suitably press the bead portion of the sealing member toward the partition wall, while the gap filling portion can reduce the gap between the outer edge of the cover outer periphery and the partition wall. As a result, it is possible to improve the seal between the partition wall and the portion of the cover outer periphery located between adjacent fastening members, and to easily prevent moisture or salt water from accumulating between the partition wall and the cover outer periphery.

[0014] In the above-mentioned electric compressor, the outer peripheral portion of the cover has a plurality of hole forming portions that form insertion holes through which each of the fastening members is inserted, and the amount of protrusion of the convex portion relative to the hole forming portions is preferably smaller than the amount of protrusion of the bead portion in its original shape.

[0015] This allows the convex portion to preferably press the bead portion of the sealing member toward the partition wall while maintaining the pressing force that presses the sealing member at the outer periphery of the cover toward the partition wall due to the fastening force of the fastening member.

[0016] In the above-mentioned electric compressor, the protruding end of the convex portion is a flat portion extending along a mating surface with the outer periphery of the cover in the partition wall, and the convex portion has an inclined portion that is continuous with the flat portion and gradually moves away from the mating surface as it moves away from the flat portion.

[0017] According to this, the protruding end of the convex portion is a flat portion extending along the mating surface of the partition wall with the outer periphery of the cover, so the sealing member is suitably pressed by the flat portion between the flat portion and the mating surface of the partition wall with the outer periphery of the cover. Therefore, it is easy to ensure the pressing force of the convex portion to press the sealing member toward the partition wall. Furthermore, the convex portion has an inclined portion that is continuous with the flat portion and gradually moves away from the mating surface of the partition wall with the outer periphery of the cover as it moves away from the flat portion. Therefore, the inclined portion can gradually press the sealing member toward the partition wall, making it difficult for the convex portion to locally press the sealing member toward the partition wall. As a result, the convex portion can suitably press the sealing member toward the partition wall.

[0018] In the electric compressor, the gap filling portion may be a sloped wall that gradually approaches the partition wall as it approaches the outer edge of the outer peripheral portion of the cover. A configuration in which the gap filling portion is a sloped wall that gradually approaches the partition wall as it approaches the outer edge of the outer peripheral portion of the cover is a suitable configuration for the gap filling portion that approaches the partition wall as it approaches the outer edge of the outer peripheral portion of the cover so as to reduce the gap between the outer edge of the outer peripheral portion of the cover and the partition wall.

[0019] In the above-mentioned electric compressor, the cover has a three-layer structure formed by stacking a first metal layer, a resin layer, and a second metal layer in this order in the thickness direction of the cover, and both the front and back surfaces of the first metal layer and the second metal layer are preferably coated with a plating layer.

[0020] This allows the cover to have four plating layers throughout the entire cover, improving the corrosion resistance of the cover itself. Furthermore, the three-layer cover, formed by stacking the first metal layer, resin layer, and second metal layer in this order in the thickness direction of the cover, has excellent vibration damping properties. Therefore, vibrations of the cover against the partition wall are damped, improving the seal between the outer periphery of the cover and the partition wall via the sealing member.

[0021] According to the present invention, the corrosion resistance of the electric compressor can be improved.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electric compressor according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a front view of the electric compressor as seen from the cover side. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in Fig. 2.

[0023] An embodiment of an electric compressor will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The electric compressor of this embodiment is used, for example, in a vehicle air conditioning system. <Overview of the Electric Compressor> As shown in FIG. 1, an electric compressor 10 includes a housing 11. The housing 11 has a discharge housing 12 and a motor housing 13. The discharge housing 12 and the motor housing 13 are cylindrical. The motor housing 13 is connected to the discharge housing 12. The discharge housing 12 and the motor housing 13 are made of a metal material. The discharge housing 12 and the motor housing 13 are made of, for example, aluminum. The motor housing 13 has a plate-shaped end wall 13a and a cylindrical peripheral wall 13b. The peripheral wall 13b extends from the outer periphery of the end wall 13a.

[0024] The electric compressor 10 includes a rotating shaft 14. The rotating shaft 14 is accommodated in a motor housing 13. Therefore, the rotating shaft 14 is accommodated in the housing 11. The rotating shaft 14 is rotatably supported by the motor housing 13.

[0025] The electric compressor 10 includes a compression unit 15 and a motor 16. The compression unit 15 and the motor 16 are housed in a motor housing 13. Therefore, the housing 11 houses the compression unit 15 and the motor 16. The compression unit 15 and the motor 16 are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 14, which is the direction in which the rotation axis of the rotary shaft 14 extends. The motor 16 is arranged closer to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 than the compression unit 15.

[0026] The compression unit 15 is driven by the rotation of the rotary shaft 14. The compression unit 15 compresses a refrigerant fluid. The compression unit 15 is, for example, a scroll type compressor having a fixed scroll (not shown) fixed to the motor housing 13 inside the motor housing 13 and an orbiting scroll (not shown) disposed opposite the fixed scroll.

[0027] The motor 16 has a cylindrical stator 17 and a cylindrical rotor 18. The rotor 18 is disposed inside the stator 17. The rotor 18 is configured to rotate integrally with the rotating shaft 14. The rotor 18 has a rotor core 18a and a plurality of permanent magnets 18b. The rotor core 18a is fixed to the rotating shaft 14. The plurality of permanent magnets 18b are provided on the rotor core 18a. The stator 17 surrounds the rotor 18. The stator 17 has a cylindrical stator core 17a and a motor coil 19. The motor coil 19 is wound around the stator core 17a. When power is supplied to the motor coil 19, the rotor 18 rotates, and the rotating shaft 14 rotates integrally with the rotor 18. The compression unit 15 is driven in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating shaft 14. In this manner, the motor 16 drives the compression unit 15.

[0028] The housing 11 has a suction port 13h. The suction port 13h is formed in a portion of the peripheral wall 13b of the motor housing 13 near the end wall 13a. The suction port 13h draws refrigerant into the motor housing 13. A first end of the external refrigerant circuit 20 is connected to the suction port 13h. The housing 11 has a discharge port 12h. The discharge port 12h is formed in the discharge housing 12. A second end of the external refrigerant circuit 20 is connected to the discharge port 12h.

[0029] The refrigerant drawn into the motor housing 13 from the first end of the external refrigerant circuit 20 via the suction port 13h is compressed in the compression section 15 by the drive of the compression section 15. The refrigerant compressed in the compression section 15 flows out to the second end of the external refrigerant circuit 20 via the discharge port 12h. The refrigerant that has flowed out to the external refrigerant circuit 20 then passes through a heat exchanger and an expansion valve of the external refrigerant circuit 20 and returns to the motor housing 13 via the suction port 13h. The electric compressor 10 and the external refrigerant circuit 20 constitute a vehicle air conditioning system 21.

[0030] 1 and 2 , the electric compressor 10 includes a cover 30. The cover 30 is a part of the housing 11. Therefore, the housing 11 includes the cover 30.

[0031] The cover 30 has a cover end wall 31, a cover peripheral wall 32, and a cover outer periphery 33. The cover end wall 31 is plate-shaped. The cover peripheral wall 32 is cylindrical. The cover peripheral wall 32 extends from the outer periphery of the cover end wall 31. The cover outer periphery 33 is the outer periphery of the cover 30. The cover outer periphery 33 is plate-shaped. The cover outer periphery 33 extends outward from the end of the cover peripheral wall 32 opposite the cover end wall 31. The cover outer periphery 33 is annular and extends around the entire periphery of the cover peripheral wall 32.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cover outer peripheral portion 33 has an annular wall 34 and a sloped wall 35. The annular wall 34 is continuous with the cover peripheral wall 32. The annular wall 34 extends around the entire circumference of the cover peripheral wall 32. The annular wall 34 has a plurality of hole forming portions 36. Therefore, the cover outer peripheral portion 33 has a plurality of hole forming portions 36. The plurality of hole forming portions 36 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction in which the cover outer peripheral portion 33 extends. Each hole forming portion 36 forms an insertion hole 36a. Each insertion hole 36a penetrates each hole forming portion 36 in the thickness direction of the cover outer peripheral portion 33. Each insertion hole 36a is circular.

[0033] 1 and 2, the outer periphery of the cover 33 is fastened to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 by a plurality of bolts 37 serving as fastening members arranged at intervals. The bolts 37 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction in which the outer periphery of the cover 33 extends. In FIG. 2, each bolt 37 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the cover 30 has a three-layer structure formed by stacking a first metal layer 41, a resin layer 42, and a second metal layer 43 in this order in the thickness direction of the cover 30. The first metal layer 41 and the second metal layer 43 are, for example, steel plates. Both the front and back surfaces of the first metal layer 41 and the second metal layer 43 are coated with plating layers 44. Each plating layer 44 is formed, for example, by applying a highly corrosion-resistant plating such as zinc-nickel plating to both the front and back surfaces of the first metal layer 41 and the second metal layer 43. Therefore, the steel plate constituting the first metal layer 41 and the second metal layer 43 is, for example, a ZAM steel plate plated with zinc-nickel. The cover 30 is manufactured by press-forming a single plate material formed by stacking the first metal layer 41, the resin layer 42, and the second metal layer 43.

[0035] 1 and 2, an annular seal member 50 is interposed between the cover outer periphery 33 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. The seal member 50 extends along the cover outer periphery 33. The seal member 50 is a plate-shaped gasket.

[0036] 3 and 4 , a first surface 51 located on one side of the seal member 50 in the thickness direction faces the cover outer peripheral portion 33. A second surface 52 located on the other side of the seal member 50 in the thickness direction faces the end wall 13 a of the motor housing 13.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of holes 53 are formed in the seal member 50. The seal member 50 is interposed between the outer circumferential cover portion 33 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13, with each hole 53 communicating with a corresponding insertion hole 36a. A plurality of female threaded holes 13c are formed in the outer surface of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. Each female threaded hole 13c communicates with a corresponding insertion hole 36a via each hole 53.

[0038] 3 and 4, the outer surface of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 is a mating surface 13d that mates with the outer circumferential cover portion 33 of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. The mating surface 13d is flat.

[0039] 2 and 3 , the seal member 50 has an annular bead portion 54. The bead portion 54 protrudes from the first surface 51 of the seal member 50. The bead portion 54 is convex toward the cover outer periphery 33.

[0040] 1 , the cover 30 is attached to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 by fastening the cover outer periphery 33 to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 with a plurality of bolts 37. Specifically, the bolts 37 are threaded into the female threaded holes 13c through the insertion holes 36a and the holes 53, thereby attaching the cover 30 to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. Thus, each bolt 37 is inserted into each insertion hole 36a. The fastening force of the bolts 37 presses the seal member 50 toward the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13, thereby sealing the gap between the cover outer periphery 33 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13.

[0041] <Inverter Chamber> The housing 11 has an inverter chamber 22. The inverter chamber 22 is defined by the cover 30 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. Therefore, the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 is a partition wall that defines the inverter chamber 22. The cover 30, together with the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13, forms the inverter chamber 22.

[0042] <Inverter> The electric compressor 10 includes an inverter 23. The inverter 23 is housed in the inverter chamber 22. Therefore, the inverter chamber 22 houses the inverter 23. The inverter 23 drives the motor 16. The compression unit 15, the motor 16, and the inverter 23 are arranged in this order in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 14.

[0043] <Convex Portion> As shown in Fig. 4 , the annular wall 34 has a connection portion 38 and a convex portion 60. The convex portion 60 is a portion of the annular wall 34 located between adjacent hole forming portions 36 and is a portion that convex toward the seal member 50. Therefore, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4 , the convex portion 60 that convex toward the seal member 50 is provided in a portion of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 located between adjacent bolts 37. In this embodiment, the convex portion 60 is provided in all portions of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 located between adjacent bolts 37. The connection portion 38 is a portion of the annular wall 34 that connects the convex portion 60 and the hole forming portion 36. The hole forming portion 36 and the connection portion 38 are located on the same plane.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4 , the protruding end of the convex portion 60 is a flat portion 61. The flat portion 61 extends parallel to the connecting portion 38. Therefore, the flat portion 61 extends parallel to the hole forming portion 36. The flat portion 61 extends along the mating surface 13d with the cover outer peripheral portion 33 of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. The convex portion 60 has an inclined portion 62. The inclined portion 62 is continuous with the flat portion 61. The inclined portion 62 gradually moves away from the mating surface 13d as it moves away from the flat portion 61. The inclined portion 62 is on both sides of the flat portion 61 of the convex portion 60. Each inclined portion 62 connects the flat portion 61 and the connecting portion 38. Each inclined portion 62 is inclined so as to approach the mating surface 13d as it moves away from the connecting portion 38.

[0045] The protrusions 60 extend along the bead portions 54. The protrusions 60 overlap the bead portions 54. The protrusions 60 are provided at positions on the annular wall 34 facing the bead portions 54. The protrusions 60 press the bead portions 54 toward the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. Therefore, the protrusions 60 press the seal member 50 toward the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. The flat portions 61 and the inclined portions 62 press the seal member 50 toward the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13.

[0046] 3 and 4, the amount of protrusion of the convex portion 60 relative to the connecting portion 38 is smaller than the amount of protrusion T2 of the bead portion 54 in its original shape. The amount of protrusion of the convex portion 60 relative to the connecting portion 38 is also the amount of protrusion T1 of the convex portion 60 relative to the hole forming portion 36. Therefore, the amount of protrusion T1 of the convex portion 60 relative to the hole forming portion 36 is smaller than the amount of protrusion T2 of the bead portion 54 in its original shape. In FIG. 3, the original shape of the bead portion 54 before the bead portion 54 is pressed by the convex portion 60 is shown by a two-dot chain line.

[0047] <Gap Filling Portion> As shown in FIG. 3 , the sloped wall 35 is continuous with the outer edge of the annular wall 34. The sloped wall 35 is annular and extends around the entire circumference of the annular wall 34. The outer edge of the sloped wall 35 is the outer edge 33e of the cover outer peripheral portion 33. The sloped wall 35 extends at an angle so as to gradually approach the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 as it moves away from the outer edge of the annular wall 34. The sloped wall 35 is located closer to the outer edge 33e of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 than the position facing the bead portion 54 on the cover outer peripheral portion 33. The sloped wall 35 functions as a gap filling portion 65 that approaches the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 as it moves toward the outer edge 33e of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 to reduce the gap between the outer edge 33e of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. Therefore, the gap filling portion 65 is the sloped wall 35 that gradually approaches the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 as it moves toward the outer edge 33e of the cover outer peripheral portion 33. As described above, the cover outer peripheral portion 33 has a gap filling portion 65. The gap filling portion 65 is annular and extends around the entire circumference of the annular wall 34. The gap filling portion 65 is a portion that is closer to the outer edge 33e of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 than a position that faces the bead portion 54 on the cover outer peripheral portion 33. Therefore, the gap filling portion 65 is located closer to the outer edge 33e of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 than a position that faces the bead portion 54 on the cover outer peripheral portion 33. The gap filling portion 65 extends around the entire circumference of the cover outer peripheral portion 33.

[0048] The gap filling portion 65 has a tapered shape that gradually approaches the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 as it moves toward the outer edge 33e of the cover outer peripheral portion 33. In this way, the gap filling portion 65 approaches the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 as it moves toward the outer edge 33e of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 so as to reduce the gap between the outer edge 33e of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13.

[0049] The gap filling portion 65 extends from a portion of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 closer to the outer edge 33e of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 than the position facing the bead portion 54, to the outer edge 33e of the cover outer peripheral portion 33. The outer edge 33e of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 is located outward from the outer edge 50e of the seal member 50. Therefore, the gap filling portion 65 protrudes outward from the seal member 50.

[0050] Operation of the Embodiment Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. An annular seal member 50 extending along the cover outer periphery 33 is interposed between the cover outer periphery 33 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. The cover outer periphery 33 presses the seal member 50 toward the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 in conjunction with the fastening force of the multiple bolts 37, thereby sealing the gap between the cover outer periphery 33 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. Therefore, for example, moisture or saltwater that attempts to infiltrate between the cover outer periphery 33 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 from the outside is blocked by the seal member 50.

[0051] However, in the portion of the cover outer periphery 33 between adjacent bolts 37, the pressing force that presses the seal member 50 on the cover outer periphery 33 toward the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 due to the fastening force of the bolts 37 may be relatively small. Even in such a case, the portion of the cover outer periphery 33 between adjacent bolts 37 has a protrusion 60 that protrudes toward the seal member 50, and the protrusion 60 presses the seal member 50 toward the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. This improves the seal between the portion of the cover outer periphery 33 between adjacent bolts 37 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. As a result, moisture or saltwater is prevented from accumulating between the portion of the cover outer periphery 33 between adjacent bolts 37 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. This prevents the cover 30 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 from corroding due to moisture or saltwater.

[0052] In addition, the gap filling portion 65 reduces the gap between the outer edge 33e of the cover outer periphery 33 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13, making it easier to prevent moisture or salt water from accumulating between the cover outer periphery 33 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13.

[0053] Effects of the Embodiment The above embodiment can achieve the following effects. (1) In the portion of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 located between adjacent bolts 37, the pressing force that presses the seal member 50 on the cover outer peripheral portion 33 toward the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 due to the fastening force of the bolts 37 may be relatively small. Even in such a case, the portion of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 located between adjacent bolts 37 is provided with a protrusion 60 that protrudes toward the seal member 50, and the protrusion 60 presses the seal member 50 toward the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. Therefore, the sealing performance between the portion of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 located between adjacent bolts 37 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 can be improved. As a result, accumulation of moisture or saltwater between the portion of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 located between adjacent bolts 37 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 can be suppressed. Therefore, corrosion of the cover 30 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 due to moisture or salt water can be suppressed, and the corrosion resistance of the electric compressor 10 can be improved.

[0054] (2) The protrusions 60 press the bead portions 54 toward the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. This allows the protrusions 60 to suitably press the bead portions 54 of the seal member 50 toward the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. This further improves the sealing performance between the portions of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 located between adjacent bolts 37 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13.

[0055] (3) The gap filling portion 65 reduces the gap between the outer edge 33e of the cover outer periphery 33 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13, making it easier to prevent moisture or saltwater from accumulating between the cover outer periphery 33 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. As a result, it is easier to prevent the cover 30 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 from corroding due to moisture or saltwater, thereby further improving the corrosion resistance of the electric compressor 10.

[0056] (4) The gap filling portion 65 is located closer to the outer edge 33e of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 than the position facing the bead portion 54 on the cover outer peripheral portion 33. Therefore, the convex portion 60 effectively presses the bead portion 54 of the seal member 50 toward the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13, while the gap filling portion 65 reduces the gap between the outer edge 33e of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. As a result, good sealing is achieved between the portions of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 located between adjacent bolts 37 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13, and accumulation of moisture or saltwater between the cover outer peripheral portion 33 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 can be easily prevented.

[0057] (5) The amount of protrusion T1 of the convex portion 60 relative to the hole forming portion 36 is smaller than the amount of protrusion T2 of the bead portion 54 in its original shape. This allows the convex portion 60 to suitably press the bead portion 54 of the seal member 50 toward the end wall 13 a of the motor housing 13 while maintaining the pressing force that presses the seal member 50 at the cover outer peripheral portion 33 toward the end wall 13 a of the motor housing 13, which is generated by the fastening force of the bolt 37.

[0058] (6) The protruding end of the convex portion 60 is a flat portion 61 that extends along the mating surface 13d of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 with the outer periphery 33 of the cover. Therefore, the flat portion 61 effectively presses the seal member 50 between the flat portion 61 and the mating surface 13d of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 with the outer periphery 33 of the cover. This makes it easier to ensure the pressing force of the convex portion 60 that presses the seal member 50 toward the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. Furthermore, the convex portion 60 has an inclined portion 62 that is continuous with the flat portion 61 and gradually moves away from the mating surface 13d of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 with the outer periphery 33 of the cover as it moves away from the flat portion 61. Therefore, the inclined portion 62 can gradually press the seal member 50 toward the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13, making it less likely that the convex portion 60 will locally press the seal member 50 toward the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. As a result, the protrusion 60 can suitably press the seal member 50 toward the end wall 13 a of the motor housing 13 .

[0059] (7) The gap filling portion 65 gradually approaches the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 as it moves toward the outer edge 33e of the cover outer peripheral portion 33. This configuration is suitable for the gap filling portion 65, which approaches the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 as it moves toward the outer edge 33e of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 so as to reduce the gap between the outer edge 33e of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13.

[0060] (8) The cover 30 has a three-layer structure formed by stacking the first metal layer 41, the resin layer 42, and the second metal layer 43 in this order in the thickness direction of the cover 30. The front and back surfaces of the first metal layer 41 and the second metal layer 43 are coated with the plating layer 44. This provides four plating layers 44 throughout the cover 30, thereby improving the corrosion resistance of the cover 30 itself. Furthermore, the three-layer structure of the cover 30 formed by stacking the first metal layer 41, the resin layer 42, and the second metal layer 43 in this order in the thickness direction of the cover 30 provides excellent vibration damping. Therefore, vibrations of the cover 30 relative to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 are damped, improving the sealing performance between the cover outer periphery 33 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 via the seal member 50.

[0061] (9) Because the cover 30 is manufactured by pressing a single plate material, the thickness of the cover 30 can be made thinner than when the cover 30 is manufactured by, for example, aluminum die-casting. As a result, the size of the electric compressor 10 can be reduced.

[0062] [Modifications] The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the protrusion 60 may press a portion of the seal member 50 other than the bead portion 54 toward the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. In short, it is sufficient that the protrusion 60 presses the seal member 50 toward the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13.

[0064] In the embodiment, among all the portions of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 located between adjacent bolts 37, there may be portions that do not have the protrusions 60. In short, it is sufficient that the protrusions 60 are provided in portions of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 located between adjacent bolts 37 where the pressing force that presses the seal member 50 on the cover outer peripheral portion 33 toward the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 due to the fastening force of the bolts 37 is relatively small. The portions of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 located between adjacent bolts 37 where the pressing force that presses the seal member 50 on the cover outer peripheral portion 33 toward the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 due to the fastening force of the bolts 37 is relatively small are identified in advance through experiments, etc.

[0065] In the embodiment, the protruding portion 60 does not have to have the inclined portion 62. For example, the protruding portion 60 may have a stepped portion that extends in a stepped shape from the connecting portion 38 toward the flat portion 61.

[0066] In the embodiment, the protruding end of the protruding portion 60 may be a pointed end. In other words, the protruding end of the protruding portion 60 does not have to be the flat portion 61 extending along the mating surface 13d with the cover outer periphery 33 of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13.

[0067] In an embodiment, the protrusion amount of the convex portion 60 relative to the hole forming portion 36 may be equal to or greater than the protrusion amount of the bead portion 54 in its original shape. In an embodiment, the sloped wall 35 may extend outward from a portion of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 closer to the cover peripheral wall 32 than a position facing the bead portion 54. In other words, a portion of the gap filling portion 65 may be located closer to the cover peripheral wall 32 than a position facing the bead portion 54 on the cover outer peripheral portion 33. The gap filling portion 65 may press the bead portion 54 toward the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13.

[0068] In the embodiment, the cover outer peripheral portion 33 does not have the sloped wall 35, and instead may have a stepped wall that protrudes in a stepped shape from the annular wall 34 toward the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. The stepped wall may function as a gap filling portion 65 that approaches the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 as it approaches the outer edge 33e of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 so as to reduce the gap between the outer edge 33e of the cover outer peripheral portion 33 and the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. In short, the gap filling portion 65 does not have to be a sloped wall 35 that gradually approaches the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13 as it approaches the outer edge 33e of the cover outer peripheral portion 33.

[0069] In the embodiment, the sloped wall 35 does not have to extend around the entire circumference of the annular wall 34. In other words, the gap filling portion 65 does not have to extend around the entire circumference of the annular wall 34. In the embodiment, the cover outer peripheral portion 33 does not have to have the gap filling portion 65.

[0070] In an embodiment, only one of the front and rear surfaces of the first metal layer 41 may be covered with the plating layer 44. In an embodiment, only one of the front and rear surfaces of the second metal layer 43 may be covered with the plating layer 44.

[0071] In the embodiment, both the front and back surfaces of the first metal layer 41 and the second metal layer 43 do not have to be covered with the plating layer 44. In the embodiment, the cover 30 does not have to have a three-layer structure of the first metal layer 41, the resin layer 42, and the second metal layer 43. For example, the cover 30 may be manufactured by aluminum die-casting.

[0072] In the above embodiment, for example, a press-fit pin may be used as the fastening member. In this case, a press-fit hole into which the press-fit pin is press-fitted is formed in the outer surface of the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13. The press-fit pin may be press-fitted into the press-fit hole through the insertion holes 36a and the holes 53, thereby attaching the cover 30 to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13.

[0073] In the embodiment, for example, the inverter chamber 22 may be defined by a case body that is a separate member from the motor housing 13 and is attached to the end wall 13a of the motor housing 13, and the cover 30. In this case, the case body is a partition wall that defines the inverter chamber 22, and the cover 30 forms the inverter chamber 22 together with the case body.

[0074] In the embodiment, the electric compressor 10 may be configured such that, for example, the inverter 23 is disposed radially outward of the rotary shaft 14 relative to the housing 11. In other words, the compression unit 15, the motor 16, and the inverter 23 do not have to be disposed side by side in this order in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 14.

[0075] In the embodiment, the compression unit 15 is not limited to a scroll type, and may be, for example, a piston type, a vane type, etc. In the embodiment, the electric compressor 10 constitutes the vehicle air conditioning device 21, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the electric compressor 10 may be mounted on a fuel cell vehicle, and the compression unit 15 may compress air as a fluid to be supplied to the fuel cell.

[0076] [Notes] The technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiments and modified examples are described below. <Note 1> An electric compressor comprising: a compression unit that compresses a fluid, a motor that drives the compression unit, an inverter that drives the motor, and a housing having an inverter chamber that accommodates the inverter, wherein the housing has: a partition wall that partitions the inverter chamber; and a cover that, together with the partition wall, forms the inverter chamber, wherein an outer periphery of the cover is fastened to the partition wall by a plurality of fastening members that are arranged at intervals, and an annular seal member extending along the outer periphery of the cover is interposed between the outer periphery of the cover and the partition wall, and the outer periphery of the cover presses the seal member toward the partition wall in accordance with the fastening forces of the plurality of fastening members, thereby sealing between the outer periphery of the cover and the partition wall, wherein portions of the outer periphery of the cover that are located between adjacent fastening members are provided with protrusions that protrude toward the seal member, and the protrusions press the seal member toward the partition wall.

[0077] <Appendix 2> The electric compressor according to <Appendix 1>, characterized in that the sealing member has an annular bead portion that is convex toward the outer periphery of the cover, and the convex portion is provided at a position facing the bead portion and presses the bead portion toward the partition wall.

[0078] <Appendix 3> The electric compressor according to <Appendix 1> or <Appendix 2>, wherein the outer periphery of the cover has a gap filling portion that approaches the partition wall toward the outer edge so as to reduce the gap between the outer edge of the outer periphery of the cover and the partition wall.

[0079] <Appendix 4> The electric compressor described in <Appendix 2>, characterized in that the outer periphery of the cover has a gap filling portion that approaches the partition wall toward the outer edge so as to reduce a gap between the outer edge of the outer periphery of the cover and the partition wall, and the gap filling portion is located closer to the outer edge than a position on the outer periphery of the cover that faces the bead portion.

[0080] <Appendix 5> The electric compressor according to <Appendix 2> or <Appendix 4>, wherein the outer circumferential portion of the cover has a plurality of hole forming portions that form insertion holes through which the fastening members are respectively inserted, and the amount of protrusion of the convex portions relative to the hole forming portions is smaller than the amount of protrusion of the bead portions in their original shapes.

[0081] <Appendix 6> The electric compressor according to any one of <Appendix 1> to <Appendix 5>, wherein a protruding end of the convex portion is a flat portion extending along a mating surface of the partition wall with the outer circumferential portion of the cover, and the convex portion has an inclined portion that is continuous with the flat portion and gradually moves away from the mating surface as it moves away from the flat portion.

[0082] <Supplementary Note 7> The electric compressor according to <Supplementary Note 3> or <Supplementary Note 4>, wherein the gap filling portion is a sloped wall that gradually approaches the partition wall as it approaches the outer edge of the outer periphery of the cover.

[0083] <Appendix 8> The electric compressor according to any one of <Appendix 1> to <Appendix 7>, wherein the cover has a three-layer structure formed by stacking a first metal layer, a resin layer, and a second metal layer in this order in a thickness direction of the cover, and both front and back surfaces of the first metal layer and both front and back surfaces of the second metal layer are covered with plating layers.

[0084] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Electric compressor 11 Housing 13a End wall serving as a partition wall 13d Mating surface 15 Compression portion 16 Motor 22 Inverter chamber 23 Inverter 30 Cover 33 Outer periphery of cover 33e Outer edge 35 Sloped wall 36 Hole forming portion 36a Insertion hole 37 Bolt serving as fastening member 41 First metal layer 42 Resin layer 43 Second metal layer 44 Plated layer 50 Sealing member 54 Bead portion 60 Convex portion 61 Flat portion 62 Sloped portion 65 Gap filling portion

Claims

1. A compressor that compresses a fluid, a motor that drives the compressor, an inverter that drives the motor, and a housing that has an inverter chamber for housing the inverter, wherein the housing has a partition wall that partitions the inverter chamber and a cover that forms the inverter chamber together with the partition wall, an outer peripheral portion of the cover, i.e., a cover outer peripheral portion, is fastened to the partition wall by a plurality of fastening members arranged at intervals, an annular seal member extending along the cover outer peripheral portion is interposed between the cover outer peripheral portion and the partition wall, and the cover outer peripheral portion presses the seal member toward the partition wall with the fastening force of the plurality of fastening members, thereby sealing the space between the cover outer peripheral portion and the partition wall. An electric compressor, wherein a convex portion that protrudes toward the seal member is provided at a portion located between adjacent fastening members on the cover outer peripheral portion, and the convex portion presses the seal member toward the partition wall.

2. The electric compressor according to claim 1, wherein the seal member has an annular bead portion that protrudes toward the cover outer peripheral portion, and the convex portion is provided at a position facing the bead portion and presses the bead portion toward the partition wall.

3. The electric compressor according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cover outer peripheral portion has a gap filling portion that approaches the partition wall as it goes toward the outer edge so as to reduce the gap between the outer edge of the cover outer peripheral portion and the partition wall.

4. The electric compressor according to claim 2, wherein the cover outer peripheral portion has a gap filling portion that approaches the partition wall as it goes toward the outer edge so as to reduce the gap between the outer edge of the cover outer peripheral portion and the partition wall, and the gap filling portion is located closer to the outer edge than the position facing the bead portion on the cover outer peripheral portion.

5. The electric compressor according to claim 2 or claim 4, wherein the cover outer peripheral portion has a plurality of hole forming portions through which the respective fastening members are inserted, and the protruding amount of the convex portion with respect to the hole forming portion is smaller than the protruding amount of the bead portion in its original shape.

6. The protruding end portion of the convex portion is a flat portion extending along the mating surface with the outer peripheral portion of the cover in the partition wall, and the convex portion has an inclined portion that is continuous with the flat portion and gradually separates from the mating surface as it moves away from the flat portion. The electric compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that.

7. The gap filling portion is a gradient wall that gradually approaches the partition wall as it approaches the outer edge of the outer peripheral portion of the cover. The electric compressor according to claim 3, characterized in that.

8. The cover has a three-layer structure formed by laminating a first metal layer, a resin layer, and a second metal layer in this order in the thickness direction of the cover, and both the front and back surfaces of the first metal layer and both the front and back surfaces of the second metal layer are coated with a plating layer. The electric compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that.

Images