Electric compressor

Abstract

An electric compressor (10) comprises an intake port (12h) formed in a motor housing (12), a discharge port (41) formed in a discharge housing (14), and a connection member (50) provided outside a housing (11). The connection member (50) has a supply connection port (54) that opens to the outer surface of the connection member (50) and is connected to a supply port (71), an exhaust connection port (55) that opens to the outer surface of the connection member (50) and is connected to an exhaust port (72), an intake connection port (56) that is connected to the intake port (12h), a discharge connection port (57) that is connected to the discharge port (41), a supply connection passage (58) that connects the supply connection port (54) and the intake connection port (56), and an exhaust connection passage (59) that connects the exhaust connection port (55) and the discharge connection port (57).

Description

Electric compressor

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

[0002] The electric compressor includes a compression portion, a motor, and a housing. The compression portion compresses fluid. The motor drives the compression portion. The housing is cylindrical. The housing includes a motor housing and a discharge housing. The motor housing defines a motor chamber. The discharge housing defines a discharge chamber. The motor chamber accommodates the motor. The fluid compressed by the compression portion is discharged into the discharge chamber.

[0003] Further, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1, the electric compressor includes a suction port and a discharge port. The suction port opens to an outer surface of the housing. The suction port sucks fluid into the motor chamber from outside the housing. The motor is cooled by the fluid sucked into the motor chamber through the suction port. The discharge port opens to the outer surface of the housing. The discharge port discharges the fluid discharged into the discharge chamber to the outside of the housing.

[0004] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2023-106003

[0005] Incidentally, in such an electric compressor, a manifold may be attached to the housing in some cases. The manifold has a supply port that supplies fluid to the suction port, and a discharge port through which the fluid discharged from the discharge port is discharged. At this time, depending on the arrangement positions of the supply port and the discharge port in the manifold, there may be cases where constraints are imposed on the opening positions of the suction port and the discharge port relative to the outer surface of the housing.

[0006] Depending on the placement of the supply and discharge ports in the manifold, it may be necessary to open the intake and discharge ports, for example, on the outside of the motor housing. In this case, the discharge passage connecting the discharge chamber and the discharge port will pass through the inside of the motor housing, and the fluid flowing through the portion of the discharge passage that passes through the inside of the motor housing will heat the motor housing. As a result, there is a risk that the fluid drawn into the motor chamber from the intake port will be heated by the heat of the motor housing. Consequently, there is a risk that it will become difficult to efficiently cool the motor with the fluid drawn into the motor chamber from the intake port.

[0007] Furthermore, depending on the placement of the supply and discharge ports in the manifold, it may be necessary to open the intake and discharge ports, for example, on the outer surface of the discharge housing. In this case, the intake passage connecting the intake port and the motor chamber will pass through the inside of the discharge housing, and there is a risk that the fluid flowing through the portion of the intake passage that passes through the inside of the discharge housing will be heated by the heat of the discharge housing. As a result, there is a risk that it will become difficult to efficiently cool the motor with the fluid drawn into the motor chamber from the intake port.

[0008] An electric compressor in one embodiment comprises a compression unit configured to compress a fluid, a motor configured to drive the compression unit, and a cylindrical housing having a motor housing and a discharge housing, wherein the motor housing partitions a motor chamber housing the motor, and the discharge housing partitions a discharge chamber from which the fluid compressed by the compression unit is discharged; an intake port opening to the outer surface of the housing for drawing fluid into the motor chamber from outside the housing; and a discharge port opening to the outer surface of the housing for discharging the fluid discharged into the discharge chamber to the outside of the housing. A manifold is attached to the housing having a supply port for supplying fluid to the intake port and a discharge port from which the fluid discharged from the discharge port is discharged. The intake port is formed in the motor housing and opens to the outer surface of the motor housing, and the discharge port is formed in the discharge housing and opens to the outer surface of the discharge housing. The electric compressor includes a connecting member provided on the outside of the housing. The connecting member has a supply connection port that opens to the outer surface of the connecting member and is connected to the supply port, a discharge connection port that opens to the outer surface of the connecting member and is connected to the discharge port, a suction connection port that is connected to the suction port, a discharge connection port that is connected to the discharge port, a supply connection passage that connects the supply connection port and the suction connection port, and a discharge connection passage that connects the discharge connection port and the discharge connection port.

[0009] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electric compressor in an embodiment. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the electric compressor and manifold of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the electric compressor of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the connecting member.

[0010] The following describes one embodiment of the electric compressor with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The electric compressor of this embodiment is used, for example, in a vehicle air conditioning system. <Basic configuration of the electric compressor> As shown in Figure 1, the electric compressor 10 is equipped with a cylindrical housing 11. The housing 11 has a motor housing 12, a shaft support housing 13, and a discharge housing 14. The motor housing 12, the shaft support housing 13, and the discharge housing 14 are made of metal material. For example, the motor housing 12, the shaft support housing 13, and the discharge housing 14 are made of aluminum. The electric compressor 10 is also equipped with a rotating shaft 15. The rotating shaft 15 is housed inside the housing 11.

[0011] The motor housing 12 has a plate-shaped end wall 12a and a cylindrical circumferential wall 12b. The circumferential wall 12b extends cylindrically from the outer circumference of the end wall 12a. The axial direction of the circumferential wall 12b coincides with the axial direction of the rotation axis 15. The axial direction of the circumferential wall 12b is the axial direction of the housing 11. The circumferential direction of the rotation axis 15 is the circumferential direction of the housing 11.

[0012] As shown in Figure 2, the motor housing 12 has an intake cylinder 12c. The intake cylinder 12c protrudes from the portion of the outer surface of the peripheral wall 12b of the motor housing 12 that is located on the end wall 12a side. The tip surface of the intake cylinder 12c is flat. The tip surface of the intake cylinder 12c is the outer surface of the motor housing 12.

[0013] The electric compressor 10 is equipped with an intake port 12h. The intake port 12h is formed in the motor housing 12. The intake port 12h draws in a refrigerant as a fluid. The refrigerant is, for example, propane. The intake port 12h is formed in the portion of the peripheral wall 12b located on the end wall 12a side. The intake port 12h opens to the front surface of the intake cylinder 12c. Therefore, the intake port 12h opens to the outer surface of the motor housing 12. Consequently, the intake port 12h opens to the outer surface of the housing 11. The intake port 12h connects the inside and outside of the motor housing 12.

[0014] An annular sealing member 12s is attached to the inhalation cylinder 12c. The sealing member 12s is provided around the inhalation port 12h. When viewed from the axial direction of the inhalation cylinder 12c, the sealing member 12s is attached to the inhalation cylinder 12c so as to surround the opening of the inhalation port 12h. In addition, a female screw hole 12d is formed on the tip surface of the inhalation cylinder 12c.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the motor housing 12 has a cylindrical bearing holder 12f. The bearing holder 12f protrudes from the center of the inner surface of the end wall 12a. The first end, which is one axial end of the rotating shaft 15, is inserted into the bearing holder 12f.

[0016] The electric compressor 10 is equipped with a bearing 16. The bearing 16 is, for example, a rolling bearing. The bearing 16 is provided between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing holder 12f and the outer circumferential surface of the first end of the rotating shaft 15. The first end of the rotating shaft 15 is rotatably supported by the motor housing 12 via the bearing 16.

[0017] The pivot housing 13 has a plate-shaped end wall 17 and a cylindrical circumferential wall 18. The circumferential wall 18 extends cylindrically from the outer circumference of the end wall 17. The axial direction of the circumferential wall 18 coincides with the axial direction of the rotation axis 15. The pivot housing 13 also has an annular flange wall 19. The flange wall 19 extends radially outward from the end of the outer surface of the circumferential wall 18 opposite to the end wall 17.

[0018] The support housing 13 has a circular through-hole 17a. The through-hole 17a is formed in the center of the end wall 17. The through-hole 17a penetrates the end wall 17 in the thickness direction. The rotating shaft 15 is inserted through the through-hole 17a. The tip surface located on the second end side, which is the other axial end of the rotating shaft 15, is located inside the peripheral wall 18.

[0019] The electric compressor 10 is equipped with a bearing 21. The bearing 21 is, for example, a rolling bearing. The bearing 21 is provided between the inner surface of the peripheral wall 18 and the outer surface of the rotating shaft 15. The rotating shaft 15 is rotatably supported in the support housing 13 via the bearing 21. Therefore, the support housing 13 rotatably supports the rotating shaft 15. In this way, the rotating shaft 15 is rotatably supported in relation to the housing 11.

[0020] The electric compressor 10 includes a motor chamber 20. The motor chamber 20 is partitioned by a motor housing 12 and a shaft support housing 13. The motor housing 12 partitions the motor chamber 20 together with the shaft support housing 13. In this way, the motor chamber 20 is formed inside the housing 11. The motor chamber 20 is in communication with an intake port 12h. Refrigerant is drawn into the motor chamber 20 from the intake port 12h. Therefore, the intake port 12h draws refrigerant into the motor chamber 20 from outside the housing 11.

[0021] The electric compressor 10 is equipped with a motor 22. The motor 22 is housed in a motor chamber 20. Therefore, the motor chamber 20 houses the motor 22. The motor 22 comprises a cylindrical stator 23 and a cylindrical rotor 24. The rotor 24 is positioned inside the stator 23. The rotor 24 rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 15. The stator 23 surrounds the rotor 24. The rotor 24 has a rotor core 24a fixed to the rotating shaft 15 and a plurality of permanent magnets (not shown) provided on the rotor core 24a.

[0022] The stator 23 has a cylindrical stator core 23a and a motor coil 23b. The stator core 23a is fixed to the inner surface of the peripheral wall 12b of the motor housing 12. The motor coil 23b is wound around the stator core 23a.

[0023] The electric compressor 10 includes a compression section 32. The compression section 32 has a fixed scroll 25 and an orbiting scroll 26. Therefore, the electric compressor 10 includes a fixed scroll 25 and an orbiting scroll 26. The compression section 32 is of the scroll type. The orbiting scroll 26 revolves around the fixed scroll 25 by the rotation of the rotating shaft 15. Therefore, the motor 22 drives the compression section 32 by rotating the rotating shaft 15.

[0024] A discharge port 25h is formed in the fixed scroll 25. The discharge port 25h is circular in shape. The electric compressor 10 is equipped with a valve mechanism 25v. The valve mechanism 25v is attached to the fixed scroll 25. The valve mechanism 25v is configured to open and close the discharge port 25h.

[0025] The electric compressor 10 is equipped with a compression chamber 27. The compression chamber 27 is partitioned by a fixed scroll 25 and an orbiting scroll 26. The compression chamber 27 takes in refrigerant from the outside and compresses it.

[0026] The electric compressor 10 is equipped with an eccentric shaft 28. The eccentric shaft 28 protrudes toward the orbiting scroll 26 from a position eccentric with respect to the axis L1 of the rotating shaft 15 at the tip surface 15e of the rotating shaft 15. The axial direction of the eccentric shaft 28 coincides with the axial direction of the rotating shaft 15.

[0027] The electric compressor 10 includes a balance weight 29 and a bush 30. The bush 30 is fitted onto the outer circumferential surface of the eccentric shaft 28. The balance weight 29 is integrally formed with the bush 30. The orbiting scroll 26 is supported on the eccentric shaft 28 via the bush 30 and a bearing 31 so as to be rotatable relative to the eccentric shaft 28.

[0028] The rotation of the rotating shaft 15 is transmitted to the orbiting scroll 26 via the eccentric shaft 28, bush 30, and bearing 31. This causes the orbiting scroll 26 to rotate on its own axis. Then, the rotation of the orbiting scroll 26 is prevented, and only the orbital motion of the orbiting scroll 26 is permitted. As the orbital motion of the orbiting scroll 26 occurs, the volume of the compression chamber 27 decreases, and the refrigerant is compressed in the compression chamber 27. In this way, the compression unit 32 compresses the refrigerant.

[0029] The discharge housing 14 has a plate-shaped end wall 14a and a cylindrical circumferential wall 14b. The circumferential wall 14b extends cylindrically from the outer circumference of the end wall 14a. The axial direction of the circumferential wall 14b coincides with the axial direction of the rotation axis 15. The circumferential wall 14b surrounds the fixed scroll 25. Therefore, the fixed scroll 25 is housed within the housing 11.

[0030] The support housing 13 is connected to the peripheral wall 12b of the motor housing 12, and the discharge housing 14 is connected to the flange wall 19 of the support housing 13. Therefore, the motor housing 12, the support housing 13, and the discharge housing 14 are arranged in this order in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 15. The fixed scroll 25 is sandwiched between the end wall 14a of the discharge housing 14 and the support housing 13. In this way, the fixed scroll 25 is fixed to the housing 11.

[0031] The housing 11 has an inverter housing 33. The inverter housing 33 is connected to the outer surface of the end wall 12a of the motor housing 12. The inverter housing 33 is box-shaped. An inverter 34 is housed inside the inverter housing 33. The inverter 34 drives the motor 22. The compression unit 32, the motor 22, and the inverter 34 are arranged in this order in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 15. The inverter 34 is thermally coupled to the end wall 12a of the motor housing 12.

[0032] The power controlled by the inverter 34 is supplied to the motor coil 23b. This causes the rotor 24 to rotate. The rotating shaft 15 rotates integrally with the rotor 24. Therefore, the motor 22 rotates the rotating shaft 15.

[0033] The electric compressor 10 is equipped with an intake passage 35. The intake passage 35 has a first groove 36, a first hole 37, a second groove 38, and a second hole 39. The first groove 36 is formed in a part of the inner surface of the peripheral wall 12b of the motor housing 12. The first groove 36 opens at the open end of the peripheral wall 12b. The first hole 37 is formed on the outer circumference of the flange wall 19 of the pivot housing 13. The first hole 37 penetrates the flange wall 19 in the thickness direction. The first hole 37 communicates with the first groove 36. The second groove 38 is formed in a part of the inner surface of the peripheral wall 14b of the discharge housing 14. The second groove 38 communicates with the first hole 37. The second hole 39 is formed in the fixed scroll 25. The second hole 39 penetrates the fixed scroll 25. The second hole 39 communicates with the second groove 38. The second hole 39 communicates with the outermost part of the compression chamber 27.

[0034] The refrigerant in the motor chamber 20 passes through the first groove 36, the first hole 37, the second groove 38, and the second hole 39 and is drawn into the compression chamber 27. The refrigerant drawn into the compression chamber 27 is compressed within the compression chamber 27 by the orbital motion of the orbiting scroll 26.

[0035] The electric compressor 10 is equipped with a discharge chamber 40. The discharge chamber 40 is partitioned between the fixed scroll 25 and the end wall 14a of the discharge housing 14. Therefore, the discharge housing 14, together with the fixed scroll 25, partitions the discharge chamber 40. The discharge chamber 40 is in communication with the discharge port 25h. The refrigerant compressed in the compression chamber 27 is discharged into the discharge chamber 40. Therefore, the refrigerant compressed by the compression unit 32 is discharged into the discharge chamber 40.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the discharge housing 14 has a discharge cylinder 14c. The discharge cylinder 14c protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the end wall 14a of the discharge housing 14. The tip surface of the discharge cylinder 14c is flat. The tip surface of the discharge cylinder 14c is the outer surface of the discharge housing 14.

[0037] The electric compressor 10 is equipped with a discharge port 41. The discharge port 41 is formed in the discharge housing 14. The discharge port 41 opens to the front end surface of the discharge cylinder 14c. Therefore, the discharge port 41 opens to the outer surface of the discharge housing 14. Consequently, the discharge port 41 opens to the outer surface of the housing 11. The discharge port 41 communicates the inside and outside of the discharge housing 14. The discharge port 41 discharges the refrigerant discharged into the discharge chamber 40 to the outside of the housing 11.

[0038] As shown in Figure 2, an annular sealing member 14s is attached to the discharge cylinder 14c. The sealing member 14s is provided around the discharge port 41. When viewed from the axial direction of the discharge cylinder 14c, the sealing member 14s is attached to the discharge cylinder 14c so as to surround the opening of the discharge port 41. In addition, a female screw hole 14d is formed on the tip surface of the discharge cylinder 14c.

[0039] When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the housing 11, the discharge cylinder 14c and the suction cylinder 12c are not aligned in the axial direction of the housing 11, but are offset in the circumferential direction of the housing 11. Therefore, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the housing 11, the suction port 12h and the discharge port 41 are not aligned in the axial direction of the housing 11, but are offset in the circumferential direction of the housing 11.

[0040] <Connecting Member> As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the electric compressor 10 is equipped with a connecting member 50. The connecting member 50 is provided on the outside of the housing 11. The connecting member 50 has a first extended portion 51, a second extended portion 52, and a third extended portion 53.

[0041] The first extension portion 51 is shaped like an elongated rectangular block. The first extension portion 51 has a first surface 51a, a second surface 51b, a third surface 51c, a fourth surface 51d, a fifth surface 51e, and a sixth surface 51f. The first surface 51a, the second surface 51b, the third surface 51c, the fourth surface 51d, the fifth surface 51e, and the sixth surface 51f are part of the outer surface of the connecting member 50.

[0042] The first surface 51a is a surface located on one side of the first extending portion 51 in the longitudinal direction. The second surface 51b is a surface located on the other side of the first extending portion 51 in the longitudinal direction. The first surface 51a and the second surface 51b extend parallel to each other. The first surface 51a and the second surface 51b are flat surfaces.

[0043] The third surface 51c is a surface located on one side of the first extending portion 51 in the transverse direction. The fourth surface 51d is a surface located on the other side of the first extending portion 51 in the transverse direction. The third surface 51c and the fourth surface 51d extend parallel to each other. The third surface 51c and the fourth surface 51d are flat surfaces. The third surface 51c and the fourth surface 51d extend in a direction orthogonal to the first surface 51a and the second surface 51b.

[0044] The fifth surface 51e and the sixth surface 51f extend parallel to each other. The fifth surface 51e and the sixth surface 51f are flat surfaces. As described above, a part of the outer surface of the connecting member 50 is a flat surface. The fifth surface 51e and the sixth surface 51f extend in a direction orthogonal to the first surface 51a and the second surface 51b, and also orthogonal to the third surface 51c and the fourth surface 51d. The direction connecting the fifth surface 51e and the sixth surface 51f with a straight line is the thickness direction of the first extending portion 51. The fifth surface 51e is a surface located on one side of the first extending portion 51 in the thickness direction. The sixth surface 51f is a surface located on the other side of the first extending portion 51 in the thickness direction.

[0045] The second extending portion 52 is in the shape of an elongated square block. The longitudinal direction of the second extending portion 52 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the first extending portion 51. The second extending portion 52 has a first surface 52a, a second surface 52b, a third surface 52c, a fourth surface 52d, a fifth surface 52e, and a sixth surface 52f. The first surface 52a, the second surface 52b, the third surface 52c, the fourth surface 52d, the fifth surface 52e, and the sixth surface 52f are part of the outer surface of the connecting member 50.

[0046] The first surface 52a is a surface located on one side of the second extending portion 52 in the longitudinal direction. The second surface 52b is a surface located on the other side of the second extending portion 52 in the longitudinal direction. The first surface 52a and the second surface 52b extend parallel to each other. The first surface 52a and the second surface 52b are flat surfaces.

[0047] The third surface 52c is a surface located on one side of the second extension portion 52 in the widthwise direction. The fourth surface 52d is a surface located on the other side of the second extension portion 52 in the widthwise direction. The third surface 52c and the fourth surface 52d extend parallel to each other. Each of the third surface 52c and the fourth surface 52d is a flat surface. The third surface 52c and the fourth surface 52d extend in a direction orthogonal to the first surface 52a and the second surface 52b.

[0048] The fifth surface 52e is a flat surface. The fifth surface 52e extends in a direction orthogonal to the first surface 52a and the second surface 52b, and also orthogonal to the third surface 52c and the fourth surface 52d. The sixth surface 52f is a surface located on the opposite side to the fifth surface 52e. The sixth surface 52f is curved in an arc shape so as to be recessed toward the fifth surface 52e. The direction connecting the fifth surface 52e and the sixth surface 52f via a straight line is the thickness direction of the second extension portion 52. The fifth surface 52e is a surface located on one side of the second extension portion 52 in the thickness direction. The sixth surface 52f is a surface located on the other side of the second extension portion 52 in the thickness direction.

[0049] The third extension portion 53 connects a portion, close to the second surface 51b, of the third surface 51c of the first extension portion 51, and a portion, close to the second surface 52b, of the third surface 52c of the second extension portion 52. The third extension portion 53 extends so as to be curved in an arc shape. The third extension portion 53 has a first surface 53a, a second surface 53b, a third surface 53c, and a fourth surface 53d. The first surface 53a, the second surface 53b, the third surface 53c, and the fourth surface 53d are part of the outer surface of the connecting member 50.

[0050] The first surface 53a and the second surface 53b extend parallel to each other. Each of the first surface 53a and the second surface 53b is a flat surface. The first surface 53a connects the third surface 51c of the first extension portion 51 and the second surface 52b of the second extension portion 52. The first surface 53a is located on the same plane as the second surface 52b of the second extension portion 52. The second surface 53b connects the second surface 51b of the first extension portion 51 and the third surface 52c of the second extension portion 52. The second surface 53b is located on the same plane as the second surface 51b of the first extension portion 51.

[0051] The third surface 53c and the fourth surface 53d extend along the sixth surface 52f of the second extension 52. The third surface 53c and the fourth surface 52d are curved in an arc shape. The third surface 53c connects the fifth surface 51e of the first extension 51 and the fifth surface 52e of the second extension 52. The fourth surface 53d connects the sixth surface 51f of the first extension 51 and the sixth surface 52f of the second extension 52.

[0052] The connecting member 50 has a supply connection port 54, a discharge connection port 55, a suction connection port 56, a discharge connection port 57, a supply connection passage 58, and a discharge connection passage 59. The supply connection port 54 is formed in the first extending portion 51. The supply connection port 54 is circular. The supply connection port 54 opens at the end of the fifth surface 51e of the first extending portion 51, closer to the second surface 51b. Therefore, the supply connection port 54 opens to the outer surface of the connecting member 50.

[0053] The discharge connection port 55 is formed in the first extension portion 51. The discharge connection port 55 is circular in shape. The discharge connection port 55 opens at the end of the fifth surface 51e of the first extension portion 51, closer to the second surface 51b, and located closer to the first surface 51a than the supply connection port 54. Therefore, the discharge connection port 55 opens to the outer surface of the connecting member 50. The supply connection port 54 and the discharge connection port 55 open to the fifth surface 51e of the first extension portion 51. Therefore, the supply connection port 54 and the discharge connection port 55 open on the same plane. The supply connection port 54 and the discharge connection port 55 open to the fifth surface 51e of the first extension portion 51, respectively, while being aligned in the longitudinal direction of the first extension portion 51.

[0054] As shown in Figure 4, the suction connection port 56 is formed in the second extension portion 52. The suction connection port 56 is circular in shape. The suction connection port 56 opens at the end of the sixth surface 52f of the second extension portion 52, closer to the first surface 52a.

[0055] The discharge connection port 57 is formed in the first extension portion 51. The discharge connection port 57 is circular in shape. The discharge connection port 57 opens at the end of the sixth surface 51f of the first extension portion 51 that is closer to the first surface 51a.

[0056] The supply connection passage 58 has its first end connected to the supply connection port 54 and its second end connected to the suction connection port 56. The supply connection passage 58 penetrates from the supply connection port 54 through the interior of the third extension 53 and the interior of the second extension 52, and reaches the suction connection port 56. In this way, the supply connection passage 58 connects the supply connection port 54 and the suction connection port 56.

[0057] The discharge connection passage 59 has its first end connected to the discharge connection port 57 and its second end connected to the discharge connection port 55. The discharge connection passage 59 penetrates the interior of the first extension 51 from the discharge connection port 57 and reaches the discharge connection port 55. In this way, the discharge connection passage 59 connects the discharge connection port 55 and the discharge connection port 57.

[0058] As shown in Figure 2, a bolt insertion hole 51h is formed in the first extended portion 51. The bolt insertion hole 51h penetrates the first extended portion 51 in the thickness direction. The bolt insertion hole 51h is positioned around the discharge connection port 57.

[0059] A bolt insertion hole 52h is formed in the second extended portion 52. The bolt insertion hole 52h penetrates the second extended portion 52 in the thickness direction. The bolt insertion hole 52h is located around the suction connection port 56.

[0060] As shown in Figure 3, the connecting member 50 is positioned outside the housing 11 such that the sixth surface 51f of the first extending portion 51, the sixth surface 52f of the second extending portion 52, and the fourth surface 53d of the third extending portion 53 face the housing 11. At this time, the connecting member 50 is positioned outside the housing 11 such that the suction connection port 56 is connected to the suction port 12h and the discharge connection port 57 is connected to the discharge port 41. Therefore, the suction connection port 56 is connected to the suction port 12h, and the discharge connection port 57 is connected to the discharge port 41.

[0061] As shown in Figure 2, the area around the suction connection port 56 on the sixth surface 52f of the second extension portion 52 is in contact with the tip surface of the suction cylinder 12c. The sealing member 12s seals the space between the sixth surface 52f of the second extension portion 52 and the suction cylinder 12c.

[0062] The area around the discharge connection port 57 on the sixth surface 51f of the first extension portion 51 is in contact with the tip surface of the discharge cylinder 14c. The sealing member 14s seals the space between the sixth surface 51f of the first extension portion 51 and the discharge cylinder 14c.

[0063] The bolt insertion hole 51h communicates with the female threaded hole 14d. The bolt insertion hole 52h communicates with the female threaded hole 12d. The connecting member 50 is attached to the housing 11 by screwing the bolt 60 inserted through the bolt insertion hole 51h into the female threaded hole 14d, and by screwing the bolt 61 inserted through the bolt insertion hole 52h into the female threaded hole 12d. Thus, there are two attachment points for the connecting member 50 to the housing 11.

[0064] The connecting member 50 is attached to the housing 11 such that all parts of it, except for the area around the suction connection port 56 on the sixth surface 52f of the second extending portion 52 and the area around the discharge connection port 57 on the sixth surface 51f of the first extending portion 51, are spaced apart from the outer surface of the housing 11. Therefore, the parts of the connecting member 50 that form the supply connection passage 58 and the parts that form the discharge connection passage 59 are spaced apart from the outer surface of the housing 11.

[0065] The thickness direction of the first extension 51 coincides with a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the housing 11. The longitudinal direction of the first extension 51 coincides with the axial direction of the housing 11. The supply connection port 54 and the discharge connection port 55 open to the outer surface of the connecting member 50, respectively, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the housing 11, and are aligned in the axial direction of the housing 11.

[0066] <Sensor> A mounting hole 62 is formed in the second extended portion 52. The mounting hole 62 opens on the fifth surface 52e of the second extended portion 52. The mounting hole 62 communicates with the supply connection passage 58. A sensor 63 is mounted in the mounting hole 62. The sensor 63 is a temperature sensor. The sensor 63 is fastened to the mounting hole 62, for example, with bolts. The sensor 63 is configured to detect the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the supply connection passage 58. Thus, the supply connection passage 58 is provided with a sensor 63.

[0067] <Manifold> As shown in Figure 1, a manifold 70 is attached to the housing 11 via a connecting member 50. The manifold 70 has a supply port 71 and a discharge port 72. The manifold 70 is positioned relative to the connecting member 50 such that the supply port 71 is connected to the supply connection port 54 and the discharge port 72 is connected to the discharge connection port 55. Therefore, the supply connection port 54 is connected to the supply port 71. The discharge connection port 55 is connected to the discharge port 72.

[0068] Refrigerant is supplied from the supply port 71. The refrigerant from the supply port 71 is drawn into the motor chamber 20 via the supply connection port 54, the supply connection passage 58, the suction connection port 56, and the suction port 12h. Therefore, the supply port 71 supplies refrigerant to the suction port 12h. The refrigerant discharged from the discharge port 41 is discharged to the discharge port 72 via the discharge connection port 57, the discharge connection passage 59, and the discharge connection port 55. Therefore, the refrigerant discharged from the discharge port 41 is discharged to the discharge port 72.

[0069] [Operation of the Embodiment] Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described. The motor 22 is cooled by the refrigerant drawn into the motor chamber 20 from the intake port 12h. The refrigerant drawn into the motor chamber 20 from the intake port 12h also cools the end wall 12a of the motor housing 12. The heat generated from the inverter 34 is dissipated to the end wall 12a of the motor housing 12. This cools the inverter 34.

[0070] [Effects of the Embodiment] The following effects can be obtained in this embodiment. (1) Assume that the positions of the supply port 71 and discharge port 72 in the manifold 70 are uniquely determined. Even in such a case, the positions of the supply connection port 54 and the discharge connection port 55, which open on the outer surface of the connecting member 50, are appropriately set so that the supply connection port 54 is connected to the supply port 71 and the discharge connection port 55 is connected to the discharge port 72. Therefore, depending on the positions of the supply port 71 and discharge port 72 in the manifold 70, it is not necessary, for example, to open the intake port 12h and the discharge port 41 on the outer surface of the motor housing 12. Also, depending on the positions of the supply port 71 and discharge port 72 in the manifold 70, it is not necessary, for example, to open the intake port 12h and the discharge port 41 on the outer surface of the discharge housing 14. Therefore, the intake port 12h can be formed in the motor housing 12 and open on the outer surface of the motor housing 12. Furthermore, the discharge port 41 can be formed in the discharge housing 14 and open on the outer surface of the discharge housing 14.

[0071] As a result, for example, the discharge passage connecting the discharge chamber 40 and the discharge port 41 passes through the inside of the motor housing 12, and the refrigerant flowing through the portion of the discharge passage that passes through the inside of the motor housing 12 does not heat the motor housing 12. Also, for example, the intake passage connecting the intake port 12h and the motor chamber 20 passes through the inside of the discharge housing 14, and the refrigerant flowing through the portion of the intake passage that passes through the inside of the discharge housing 14 does not get heated by the heat of the discharge housing 14.

[0072] The refrigerant from the supply port 71 of the manifold 70 is drawn into the motor chamber 20 via the supply connection port 54, the supply connection passage 58, the suction connection port 56, and the suction port 12h. The refrigerant discharged into the discharge chamber 40 is discharged to the discharge port 72 of the manifold 70 via the discharge port 41, the discharge connection port 57, the discharge connection passage 59, and the discharge connection port 55. Therefore, the motor 22 can be efficiently cooled by the refrigerant drawn into the motor chamber 20 from the suction port 12h.

[0073] (2) The supply connection port 54 and the discharge connection port 55 are opened on the same plane. This makes it easier to position the manifold 70 relative to the connecting member 50 such that the supply connection port 54 is connected to the supply port 71 and the discharge connection port 55 is connected to the discharge port 72.

[0074] (3) The supply connection port 54 and the discharge connection port 55 are, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the housing 11, aligned in the axial direction of the housing 11 and opening to the outer surface of the connecting member 50. This makes it easier to position the manifold 70 relative to the connecting member 50 such that the supply connection port 54 is connected to the supply port 71 and the discharge connection port 55 is connected to the discharge port 72.

[0075] (4) With respect to the connecting member 50, the portion that forms the supply connection passage 58 and the portion that forms the discharge connection passage 59 are spaced apart from the outer surface of the housing 11. This makes it possible to suppress the refrigerant flowing through the supply connection passage 58 from being heated by the heat of the housing 11. Also, it makes it possible to suppress the housing 11 from being heated by the heat of the refrigerant flowing through the discharge connection passage 59.

[0076] (5) A sensor 63 is provided in the supply connection passage 58. This eliminates the need to provide the sensor 63 in the manifold 70, thus simplifying the design of the manifold 70. Furthermore, it eliminates the need to provide the sensor 63 in at least one of the intake port 12h and the discharge port 41, thus simplifying the design of the housing 11.

[0077] (6) The intake passage connecting the intake port 12h and the motor chamber 20 does not pass through the inside of the discharge housing 14. Therefore, the refrigerant flowing through the portion of the intake passage that passes through the inside of the discharge housing 14 is not heated by the heat of the discharge housing 14. As a result, the end wall 12a of the motor housing 12 is efficiently cooled by the refrigerant drawn into the motor chamber 20 from the intake port 12h. This allows the heat generated from the inverter 34 to be dissipated to the end wall 12a of the motor housing 12. As a result, the inverter 34 can be cooled efficiently.

[0078] (7) The motor 22 and inverter 34 can be cooled efficiently. Therefore, the heat resistance of the motor 22 and inverter 34 can be improved, and the operating range of the electric compressor 10 can be expanded.

[0079] (8) Even if the positions of the supply port 71 and discharge port 72 in the manifold 70 are uniquely determined, the positions of the intake port 12h and discharge port 41 on the outer surface of the housing 11 can be given some flexibility. Therefore, the design flexibility of the housing 11 can be improved.

[0080] (9) Since the positions of the supply connection port 54 and discharge connection port 55 that open on the outer surface of the connecting member 50 can be set as appropriate, the positions of the supply port 71 and discharge port 72 in the manifold 70 can be given more flexibility. Therefore, the design flexibility of the manifold 70 can be improved.

[0081] (10) Since there are no constraints on the placement of the intake port 12h and discharge port 41 on the outer surface of the housing 11, there is no need to make any corresponding design changes to the support housing 13. Therefore, the design freedom of the support housing 13 can be improved.

[0082] [Examples of Modifications] The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiment and the following examples of modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0083] ○ In this embodiment, the supply connection port 54 and the discharge connection port 55 do not have to open on the same plane. ○ In this embodiment, the supply connection port 54 and the discharge connection port 55 may open on the outer surface of the connecting member 50, respectively, while being aligned in the circumferential direction of the housing 11.

[0084] ○ In the embodiment, the portion of the connecting member 50 that forms the supply connection passage 58 does not need to be spaced apart from the outer surface of the housing 11. ○ In the embodiment, the portion of the connecting member 50 that forms the discharge connection passage 59 does not need to be spaced apart from the outer surface of the housing 11.

[0085] ○ In this embodiment, the sensor 63 is not limited to a temperature sensor. The sensor 63 may be, for example, a pressure sensor. ○ In this embodiment, the sensor 63 may not be provided in the supply connection passage 58. The sensor 63 may be provided in the discharge connection passage 59.

[0086] ○ In this embodiment, a sensor 63 may also be provided in the discharge connection passage 59 in addition to the supply connection passage 58. In short, it is sufficient that a sensor 63 is provided in at least one of the supply connection passage 58 and the discharge connection passage 59.

[0087] ○ In the embodiment, the number of attachment points on the connecting member 50 to the housing 11 may be three or more. ○ In the embodiment, if the electric compressor 10 is configured to have an injection port, the connecting member 50 may be configured to have an additional connection port for the injection port.

[0088] ○ In this embodiment, the shape of the connecting member 50 is not particularly limited. In short, the connecting member 50 only needs to have a configuration that includes a supply connection port 54, a discharge connection port 55, a suction connection port 56, a discharge connection port 57, a supply connection passage 58, and a discharge connection passage 59.

[0089] ○ In this embodiment, the refrigerant may be Freon. In short, the type of refrigerant is not particularly limited. ○ In this embodiment, the electric compressor 10 may be configured such that, for example, the inverter 34 is located radially outward from the housing 11 relative to the rotating shaft 15. In short, the compression unit 32, the motor 22, and the inverter 34 do not necessarily have to be arranged in this order in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 15.

[0090] ○ In this embodiment, the compression unit 32 is not limited to a scroll type, but may be any type such as a piston type, vane type, or rotary type. ○ In this embodiment, the electric compressor 10 constitutes a vehicle air conditioning system, but it is not limited to this, for example, the electric compressor 10 may be mounted on a fuel cell vehicle and compress the air supplied to the fuel cell as a fluid using the compression unit 32.

Claims

1. An electric compressor comprising: a compression section configured to compress a fluid; a motor configured to drive the compression section; a cylindrical housing having a motor housing and a discharge housing, wherein the motor housing partitions a motor chamber housing the motor, and the discharge housing partitions a discharge chamber from which the fluid compressed by the compression section is discharged; an intake port opening to the outer surface of the housing and configured to draw fluid into the motor chamber from outside the housing; a discharge port opening to the outer surface of the housing and configured to discharge the fluid discharged into the discharge chamber to the outside of the housing; a manifold attached to the housing having a supply port for supplying fluid to the intake port and a discharge port configured to discharge the fluid discharged from the discharge port; the intake port is formed in the motor housing and opens to the outer surface of the motor housing; the discharge port is formed in the discharge housing and opens to the outer surface of the discharge housing; the electric compressor further comprises a connecting member provided on the outside of the housing; the connecting member is An electric compressor having: a supply connection port that opens to the outer surface of the connecting member and is connected to the supply port; a discharge connection port that opens to the outer surface of the connecting member and is connected to the discharge port; a suction connection port that is connected to the suction port; a discharge connection port that is connected to the discharge port; a supply connection passage that connects the supply connection port and the suction connection port; and a discharge connection passage that connects the discharge connection port and the discharge connection port.

2. The electric compressor according to claim 1, wherein a part of the outer surface of the connecting member is a flat surface, and the supply connection port and the discharge connection port open on the same plane.

3. The electric compressor according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the supply connection port and the discharge connection port are opened to the outer surface of the connecting member, respectively, in an axial or circumferential direction of the housing.

4. The electric compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the portion of the connecting member that forms the supply connection passage and the portion that forms the discharge connection passage are spaced apart from the outer surface of the housing.

5. The electric compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a sensor provided in at least one of the supply connection passage and the discharge connection passage.

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