EP2546457A2

EP2546457A2 - Motor-driven compressor

Info

Publication number: EP2546457A2
Application number: EP12173519A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Takayuki Ota; Ken Suitou
Original assignee: Toyota Industries Corp
Current assignee: Toyota Industries Corp
Priority date: 2011-07-11
Filing date: 2012-06-26
Publication date: 2013-01-16
Also published as: EP2546457A3; US20130017100A1; JP5403004B2; KR101426136B1; KR20130007978A; JP2013019300A; CN102878086A

Abstract

A motor-driven compressor (1) includes an inner housing member (10) that accommodates a compression mechanism (3) and a motor mechanism (5) in a sealed state and also includes an outer housing member (20) that accommodates the inner housing member (10) and has attachment portions (201A, 201 B, 202A, and 202B), which are fixed to a target (9) through bolts (89A, 89B). The inner housing member (10) has a suction port (15) for drawing refrigerant into the compression mechanism (3) and a discharge port (16) for discharging the refrigerant from the compression mechanism (3). A suction member (50) and a discharge member (60), which are connected to the suction port (15) and the discharge port (16), respectively, are fixed to the inner housing member (10). The outer housing member (20) is formed of vibration-absorbing and heat-insulating material and is combined with the inner housing member (10) such that the outer housing member (20) accommodates the inner housing member (10) and is held in a non-contact state with respect to the suction member (50) and the discharge member (60).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a motor-driven compressor.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 11-294365 discloses a conventional motor-driven compressor. The motor-driven compressor includes a compression mechanism for compressing refrigerant, a motor mechanism for driving the compression mechanism, an inner housing member, and an outer housing member for accommodating the inner housing member. The inner housing member accommodates the compression mechanism and the motor mechanism in a sealed state. The inner housing member has a suction port for drawing refrigerant into the compression mechanism and a discharge port for discharging the refrigerant from the compression mechanism. An external pipe connected to the suction port and another external pipe connected to the discharge port are fixed to the inner housing member. The external pipes are held in contact with the outer housing member and supported in this state.
The motor-driven compressor also includes springs for supporting the inner housing member in the outer housing member. Thixotropic fluid is retained in the space defined between the outer housing member and the inner housing member. The outer housing member has an attachment portion through which the outer housing member is attached to an external object (a target). In the motor-driven compressor, the spring and the thixotropic fluid prevent vibration and noise generated in the compression mechanism and the motor mechanism from being transmitted to the exterior.
However, in the motor-driven compressor described above, each of the external pipes is supported in a state contacting the outer housing member. This arrangement allows transmission of vibration and noise that have been produced in the compression mechanism and the motor mechanism, between the outer housing member and the external pipes, which are fixed to the inner housing member. Also, the heat produced by the refrigerant that has been compressed to a high-temperature and high-pressure state by the compression mechanism is released from the outer housing member via the inner housing member and the springs. The heat is also easily transferred to the thixotropic fluid through the inner housing member. As a result, the amount of heat of the refrigerant easily decreases, thus preventing the motor-driven compressor from exerting sufficient heating performance when the compressor is employed as a heat pump.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a motor-driven compressor that prevents transmission of vibration and noise to the exterior and exerts sufficient heating performance when employed as a heat pump.
To achieve the foregoing objective and in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a motor-driven compressor is provided that includes a compression mechanism for compressing refrigerant and a motor mechanism for driving the compression mechanism. The compressor further includes an inner housing and an outer housing. The inner housing member accommodates the compression mechanism and the motor mechanism in a sealed state. The outer housing member accommodates the inner housing member and has an attachment portion fixed, by a fastening means, to a target to which the motor-driven compressor is attached. The inner housing member has a suction port for drawing the refrigerant into the compression mechanism and a discharge port for discharging the refrigerant from the compression mechanism. External pipes respectively connected to the suction port and the discharge port are fixed to the inner housing member. The outer housing member is formed of a vibration-absorbing and heat-insulating material. The outer housing member is combined with such that the outer housing member accommodates the inner housing member and is held in a non-contact state with respect to each of the external pipes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an air conditioner employing a motor-driven compressor according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the motor-driven compressor;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an outer housing member;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an outer housing member for a motor-driven compressor according to a second embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing an outer housing member for a motor-driven compressor according to a third embodiment of the invention; and
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a motor-driven compressor according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

First, second, third, and fourth embodiments of a motor-driven compressor according to the present invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6.

(First Embodiment)

As shown in Fig. 1, a motor-driven compressor 1 is used in an air conditioner mounted in a vehicle to adjust the temperature in the passenger compartment. The air conditioner is configured by the motor-driven compressor 1, a direction switch valve 91, an atmospheric air heat exchanger 92, an expansion valve 93, and a passenger compartment heat exchanger 94. With reference to Fig. 2, the motor-driven compressor 1 includes a compression mechanism 3, a motor mechanism 5, an inner housing member 10, and an outer housing member 20, which accommodates the inner housing member 10. The inner housing member 10 accommodates the compression mechanism 3 and the motor mechanism 5 in a sealed state.
The compression mechanism 3 is configured by a fixed scroll 3A and a movable scroll 3B, which faces the fixed scroll 3A. The fixed scroll 3A is fixed to an inner peripheral surface 11B of a first inner housing section 11, which is a component of the inner housing member 10. The fixed scroll 3A and the movable scroll 3B are engaged with each other to form a compression chamber 3C, which is located between the fixed scroll 3A and the movable scroll 3B. The first inner housing section 11 accommodates a drive shaft 5A. The distal end (the right end as viewed in Fig. 2) of the drive shaft 5A is rotationally supported by a bearing 5B and the proximal end (the left end as viewed in Fig. 2) of the drive shaft 5A is rotationally supported by a bearing 5C.
The motor mechanism 5 is arranged between the compression mechanism 3 and an inner bottom surface 11D of the first inner housing section 11. A stator 5D is fixed to the inner peripheral surface 11B. The stator 5D receives a three-phase electric current from a non-illustrated drive circuit. A rotor 5E, which is fixed to the drive shaft 5A, is arranged at the inner side of the stator 5D. The rotor 5E is rotated in the stator 5D using the electric current fed to the stator 5D. The drive shaft 5A, the stator 5D, and the rotor 5E configure the motor mechanism 5.
With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, when the motor mechanism 5 rotates to drive the compression mechanism 3, the compression mechanism 3 draws refrigerant from the exterior of the inner housing member 10 and the outer housing member 20 through a suction pipe 95 and compresses the refrigerant. The compression mechanism 3 then discharges the compressed refrigerant to the exterior of the inner housing member 10 and the outer housing member 20 via a discharge pipe 96.
The direction switch valve 91 is connected to the motor-driven compressor 1 through the suction pipe 95 and the discharge pipe 96. The direction switch valve 91 is also connected to the atmospheric air heat exchanger 92 and the passenger compartment heat exchanger 94 through a pipe 97 and a pipe 99, respectively. The expansion valve 93 is connected to the atmospheric air heat exchanger 92 and the passenger compartment heat exchanger 94 through a pipe 98A and a pipe 98B, respectively.
A non-illustrated control section is mounted in the vehicle. The control section operates the direction switch valve 91 to permit communication between the discharge pipe 96 and the pipe 97 and communication between the suction pipe 95 and the pipe 99. In this state, the refrigerant discharged from the motor-driven compressor 1 through the discharge pipe 96 flows in direction D1, as indicated in Fig. 1. The control section also operates the direction switch valve 91 to permit communication between the discharge pipe 96 and the pipe 99 and communication between the suction pipe 95 and the pipe 97. As a result, the refrigerant discharged from the motor-driven compressor 1 via the discharge pipe 96 flows in direction D2, as indicated in Fig. 1. The atmospheric air heat exchanger 92, the passenger compartment heat exchanger 94, and the expansion valve 93 each have a known configuration. The atmospheric air heat exchanger 92 selectively releases and absorbs heat with respect to the atmospheric air. The passenger compartment heat exchanger 94 selectively releases and absorbs heat with respect to the air in the passenger compartment.
The inner housing member 10 and the outer housing member 20 will hereafter be described in detail.
As illustrated in Fig. 2, the inner housing member 10 has a sealed space 10A, in which the compression mechanism 3 and the motor mechanism 5 are accommodated in a sealed state. The inner housing member 10 includes the first inner housing section 11, which has a rear opening (at the left side as viewed in Fig. 2), and a second inner housing section 12, which closes the opening of the first inner housing section 11. The inner housing member 10 has a substantially tubular shape and extends in the direction in which the compression mechanism 3 and the motor mechanism 5 are aligned. It is preferable to form the inner housing member 10 using metal such as iron or aluminum so as to ensure durability with respect to vibration and heat produced in the compression mechanism 3 and the motor mechanism 5 and to refrigerant under high-temperature and high-pressure. Specifically, the inner housing member 10 may be an integral member or a combination of a plurality of members.
The compression mechanism 3 and the motor mechanism 5 are fixed in the sealed space 10A using a known method such as shrink fitting, press fitting, or bolt fastening. Although the compression mechanism 3 and the motor mechanism 5 are fixed to the inner housing 10 with high rigidity using such methods of fixation, the fixation cannot decrease the vibration and the noise generated in the compression mechanism 3 and the motor mechanism 5. As a result, the vibration and the noise of the compression mechanism 3 and the motor mechanism 5 are easily transmitted to the inner housing member 10. Heat is also easily transmitted from the compression mechanism 3 and the motor mechanism 5 to the inner housing member 10.
A suction port 15 is formed in the inner bottom surface 11D of the first inner housing section 11. A suction member 50 serving as an external pipe is fixed to the suction port 15. A non-illustrated refrigerant supply passage is formed between the suction port 15 and the compression mechanism 3 in the sealed space 10A. A discharge chamber 3D is formed between the first inner housing section 11 and the second inner housing section 12. A discharge port 16 is formed in an inner bottom surface 12D of the second inner housing section 12. A discharge member 60 serving as an external pipe is fixed to the discharge port 16. The suction member 50 and the discharge member 60 are known pipe joints. The suction pipe 95 is connected to the suction member 50. The discharge pipe 96 is connected to the discharge member 60.
The outer housing member 20 has a tubular shape and extends in the alignment direction of the compression mechanism 3 and the motor mechanism 5. The outer housing member 20 accommodates the inner housing member 10. With reference to Fig. 3, the outer housing member 20 is configured by a first housing section 201 and a second housing section 202. The first housing section 201 and the second housing section 202 each have a semi-cylindrical shape. As illustrated in Fig. 2, an inner wall surface 20B of the first and second housing sections 201 and 202 is held in tight contact with an outer wall surface 10C of the inner housing member 10. Each of the first and second housing sections 201, 202 is formed of vibration-absorbing and heat-insulating material, such as plastic or fiber-reinforced plastic. In the first embodiment, the first and second housing sections 201, 202 are formed of plastic.
As illustrated in Fig. 3, a pair of first attachment portions 201A, 201B is formed at the lower longitudinal side of the first housing section 201. A joint portion 201C is formed at the upper longitudinal side of the first housing section 201. A pair of second attachment portions 202A, 202B is arranged at the lower longitudinal side of the second housing section 202. A joint portion 202C is formed at the upper longitudinal side of the second housing section 202.
The first attachment portions 201A, 201B, the second attachment portions 202A, 202B, and the joint portions 201C, 202C each include a metal reinforcement portion 29B, which is embedded therein through insert molding. A through hole 29A extends through each of the reinforcement portions 29B. When the first and second housing sections 201, 202 are combined together, the first attachment portion 201A and the second attachment portion 202A contact each other such that the associated through holes 29A are coaxially connected together. Also, the first attachment portion 201B and the second attachment portion 202B contact each other such that the associated through holes 29A are coaxially connected together. Further, the joint portion 201C and the joint portion 202C contact each other such that the associated through holes 29A are coaxially connected together. With reference to Fig. 2, a target 9 such as a vehicle frame or an engine has a rib-like engagement portion 8, which is arranged at the position where the motor-driven compressor 1 is mounted. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the engagement portion 8 has two threaded holes 8A, 8B.
The motor-driven compressor 1 is attached to the target 9 in the manner described below. First, the first and second housing sections 201, 202 are combined together such that the inner housing member 10 is arranged between the first and second housing sections 201, 202. In this state, a bolt 89A is passed through the through holes 29A of the first and second attachment portions 201A, 202A and the distal end of the bolt 89A is threaded into the threaded hole 8A of the engagement portion 8. Also, a bolt 89B is inserted through the through holes 29A of the first and second attachment portions 201B, 202B and the distal end of the bolt 89B is threaded into the threaded hole 8B of the engagement portion 8. Further, a bolt 89C is passed through the through holes 29A of the joint portions 201C, 202C and the distal end of the bolt 89C is threaded into a non-illustrated nut. This joins the first and second housing sections 201, 202 to each other, thus attaching the motor-driven compressor 1 to the target 9.
As illustrated in Fig. 2, the outer housing member 20 is capable of accommodating the inner housing member 10. Specifically, the inner wall surface 20B formed by the first and second housing sections 201; 202 is in tight contact with the outer wall surface 10C of the inner housing member 10. The inner housing member 10 is thus supported by the outer housing member 20. The bolts 89A, 89B, 89C are examples of fastening means according to the present invention. With the inner housing member 10 accommodated in the outer housing member 20, the suction member 50 and the discharge member 60 project from the corresponding opposite ends of the outer housing member 20 to the exterior. The suction member 50 and the discharge member 60 are in a non-contact state with respect to the outer housing member 20.
The air conditioner employing the above-described motor-driven compressor 1 adjusts the temperature in the passenger compartment in the manner described below.
With reference to Fig. 1, to lower the temperature in the passenger compartment, the direction switch valve 91 permits communication between the discharge pipe 96 and the pipe 97 and communication between the suction pipe 95 and the pipe 99. This causes the refrigerant that has been compressed to a high-temperature and high-pressure state by the compression mechanism 3, which is shown in Fig. 2, to flow in direction D1. The refrigerant thus releases heat to the atmospheric air in the atmospheric air heat exchanger 92 and liquefies. The expansion valve 93 then reduces the pressure of the refrigerant. Subsequently, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the air in the passenger compartment in the passenger compartment heat exchanger 94 and evaporates. This cools the air in the passenger compartment. The refrigerant then returns to the motor-driven compressor 1 via the pipe 99, the direction switch valve 91, and the suction pipe 95.
In contrast, to increase the temperature in the passenger compartment, the direction switch valve 91 permits communication between the discharge pipe 96 and the pipe 99 and communication between the suction pipe 95 and the pipe 97. This causes the refrigerant that has been compressed to a high-temperature and high-pressure state by the compression mechanism 3 to flow in direction D2. The refrigerant thus releases heat to the air in the passenger compartment in the passenger compartment heat exchanger 94 and liquefies. This heats the air in the passenger compartment. The expansion valve 93 then reduces the pressure of the refrigerant. Subsequently, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the atmospheric air in the atmospheric air heat exchanger 92 and evaporates. The refrigerant then returns to the motor-driven compressor 1 via the pipe 97, the direction switch valve 91, and the suction pipe 95.
In the motor-driven compressor 1 of the first embodiment, the compression mechanism 3 and the motor mechanism 5 are fixed to the inner housing 10 with high rigidity. Accordingly, if vibration or noise cannot be prevented from transmitting between the inner housing member 10 and the target 9, the vibration and the noise produced in the compression mechanism 3 and the motor mechanism 5 are transmitted to the target 9 through the inner housing member 10 and the outer housing member 20 substantially without being attenuated. This decreases comfort in the passenger compartment. Further, when heat transmission between the inner housing member 10 and the target 9 is allowed to happen, heat of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compression mechanism 3 transfers to the target 9.
However, in the motor-driven compressor 1 of the first embodiment, the compression mechanism 3 and the motor mechanism 5 are accommodated in the inner housing member 10 in a sealed state. The outer housing member 20, which is formed of the vibration-absorbing and heat-insulating plastic, is combined. Specifically, the first and second housing sections 201, 202 are combined together. The outer housing member 20 thus accommodates and supports the inner housing member 10. Accordingly, since the inner housing member 10 is supported by the outer housing member 20, which absorbs vibration, vibration transmitted from the inner housing member 10 to the outer housing member 20 decreases. Also, the suction member 50 and the discharge member 60 are fixed to the inner housing member 10 in a non-contact state with respect to the outer housing member 20. This prevents transmission of the vibration and the noise produced in the compression mechanism 3 and the motor mechanism 5 between the outer housing member 20 and the suction and discharge members 50, 60. As a result, the vibration and the noise caused in the compression mechanism 3 and the motor mechanism 5 are prevented from being transmitted from the inner housing member 10 to the target 9.
Further, since the outer housing member 20 insulates heat, the outer housing member 20 prevents the heat of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, which has been compressed by the compression mechanism 3, from being transferred from the inner housing member 10 to the outer housing member 20 and the target 9. As a result, the amount of heat is maintained without decreasing in refrigerant when the refrigerant is drawn or discharged. Accordingly, even when the motor-driven compressor 1 is used as a heat pump to warm the passenger compartment by sending refrigerant in direction D2, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the temperature of the refrigerant flowing in the passenger compartment heat exchanger 94 is maintained at a high level. This allows the passenger compartment heat exchanger 94 to release heat to the air in the passenger compartment with increased effectiveness, thus exerting sufficient heating performance. As a result, the motor-driven compressor 1 of the first embodiment prevents transmission of vibration and noise to the exterior and is capable of exerting sufficient heating performance when employed as a heat pump.
As has been described, the bolt 89A is passed through the first attachment portion 201A, the second attachment portion 202A, and the threaded hole 8A (the target 9). The bolt 89B is inserted through the first attachment portion 201B, the second attachment portion 202B, and the threaded hole 8B (the target 9). The bolt 89C is threaded into the joint portions 201C, 202C. The outer housing member 20 is thus allowed to accommodate the inner housing member 10 and fixed to the target 9. In other words, arrangement of the inner housing member 10 in the outer housing member 20 and fixation of the outer housing member 20 to the target 9 are carried out simultaneously. This simplifies assembly of the motor-driven compressor 1.
The outer housing member 20 is configured by the first housing section 201 having the first attachment portions 201A, 201B and the second housing section 202 having the second attachment portions 202A, 202B. This configuration simplifies the outer housing member 20.
Since the outer housing member 20 is tubular and simple in shape, the cost for manufacturing the motor-driven compressor 1 is decreased. Also, the inner housing member 10 is easily arranged in the outer housing member 20. This simplifies assembly of the motor-driven compressor 1.
Since the first and second housing sections 201, 202 are formed of plastic, the outer housing member 20 easily absorbs vibration and insulates heat. This ensures the effects of the invention with enhanced reliability.
The attachment portions 29 are each reinforced by the metal reinforcement portion 29B. As a result, even when force is applied to the outer housing member 20 attached to the target 9, the attachment portions 29 are prevented from being damaged.

(Second Embodiment)

As illustrated in Fig. 4, a motor-driven compressor of a second embodiment of the invention employs an outer housing member 21 instead of the outer housing member 20 of the first embodiment. Detailed description is omitted herein for components of the second embodiment that are the same as or like corresponding components of the first embodiment.
As illustrated in Fig. 4, the outer housing member 21 is configured by a first housing section 211 and a second housing section 212. The first and second housing sections 211, 212 are each formed by adding a substantially semi-circular wall portion 213 to each of the opposite ends of the corresponding first and second housing sections 201, 202 of the first embodiment. A cutout 214 is formed in each of the wall portions 213 to avoid interference with the suction member 50 or the discharge member 60. By combining the first and second housing sections 211, 212 with each other, the outer housing member 21 is formed in a container-like shape.
Since the motor-driven compressor of the second embodiment allows the outer housing member 21, which is shaped like a container, to accommodate the inner housing member 10 as a whole, vibration absorbing performance and heat insulating performance are reliably brought about.

(Third Embodiment)

As illustrated in Fig. 5, a motor-driven compressor of a third embodiment of the invention employs an outer housing member 22 instead of the outer housing member 20 of the first embodiment. Detailed description is omitted herein for components of the third embodiment that are the same as or like corresponding components of the first embodiment.
With reference to Fig. 5, the outer housing member 22 includes housing sections 221, 222 and a hinge portion 223 for joining the housing sections 221, 222 to each other. The hinge portion 223 is formed integrally with the housing sections 221, 222.
The housing section 221 is shaped similarly to the first housing section 201 of the first embodiment but does not have the joint portion 201C. Likewise, the housing section 222 is shaped similarly to the second housing section 202 but does not include the joint portion 202C. The hinge portion 223 connects an upper side of the housing section 221 to an upper side of the housing section 222. The upper side of the housing section 221 extends in a longitudinal direction of the housing section 221 at the opposite side to the attachment portions 201A, 202B. The upper side of the housing section 222 extends in a longitudinal direction of the housing section 222 at the opposite side to the attachment portions 202A, 202B. The hinge portion 223 deforms such that the housing section 221 and the housing section 222 contact each other. As a result, the tubular outer housing member 22 is formed.
The motor-driven compressor of the third embodiment has the same operation and advantages as those of the motor-driven compressor 1 of the first embodiment. Further, since the joint portions 201C, 202C and the bolt 89C are omitted, necessary components decrease in number and simple assembly of the motor-driven compressor is allowed.

(Fourth Embodiment)

As illustrated in Fig. 6, a motor-driven compressor 2 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention employs an outer housing member 23 instead of the outer housing member 20 of the first embodiment and includes intermediate members 31, 32, which are arranged between the inner housing member 10 and the outer housing member 23. Detailed description is omitted herein for components of the fourth embodiment that are the same as or like corresponding components of the first embodiment.
With reference to Fig. 6, the outer housing member 23 has a pair of tight contact portions 231 and a spaced portion 232. The tight contact portions 231 are arranged at the corresponding opposite ends of the outer housing member 23 and held in tight contact with the outer wall surface 10C of the inner housing member 10. The spaced portion 232 is located between the tight contact portions 231 and spaced from the outer wall surface 10C of the inner housing member 10. This arrangement forms a clearance between the spaced portion 232 and the outer wall surface 10C of the inner housing member 10.
The intermediate members 31, 32 are arranged in the clearance. The intermediate members 31 are formed of material different from the material of the intermediate member 32. Specifically, the intermediate members 31 are formed of vibration-absorbing material, such as rubber, elastomer, plastic, fiber-reinforced plastic, or silicone gel. Specifically, each of the intermediate members 31 is formed by an annular rubber body, which is an O ring. The intermediate members 31 are each arranged at the corresponding one of the opposite ends of the spaced portion 232. The intermediate member 31 is mounted in the clearance between the spaced portion 232 and the outer wall surface 10C of the inner housing member 10 in a compressed and deformed state. In contrast, the intermediate member 32 is formed of heat-insulating material such as fiber assembly including glass wool, foamed material, cellulose fiber, or vacuum heat insulating material. Specifically, in the fourth embodiment, the intermediate member 32 is formed by a thick sheet body of glass wool. The intermediate member 32 is wound around the outer wall surface 10C of the inner housing member 10 to fill the clearance between the spaced portion 232 and the outer wall surface 10C of the inner housing member 10.
In the motor-driven compressor 2 of the fourth embodiment, each intermediate member 31 absorbs vibration. This further effectively prevents transmission of the vibration and the noise produced in the compression mechanism 3 and the motor mechanism 5 from the inner housing member 10 to the target 9. Further, since the intermediate member 32 insulates heat, the heat of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant that has been compressed by the compression mechanism 3 is further effectively prevented from being released from the inner housing member 10 to the target 9.
The first to fourth embodiments may be modified to the forms described below.
In the fourth embodiment, the tight contact portions 231 may be omitted from the outer housing member 23. In this case, the outer housing member 23 is configured to accommodate the inner housing member 10 through the intermediate members 31, 32. Alternatively, in the fourth embodiment, the intermediate members 31, 32 may be replaced by an integral intermediate member that absorbs vibration and insulates heat. Also, the intermediate member may only absorb vibration or insulate heat.
The compression mechanism 3 may employ any suitable compression method other than the scroll type method, such as a reciprocation type compression method or a vane type compression method.
A motor-driven compressor 1 includes an inner housing member 10 that accommodates a compression mechanism 3 and a motor mechanism 5 in a sealed state. The motor-driven compressor 1 also includes an outer housing member 20 that accommodates the inner housing member 10 and has attachment portions 201A, 201B, 202A, and 202B, which are fixed to a target 9 through bolts 89A, 89B. The inner housing member 10 has a suction port 15 for drawing refrigerant into the compression mechanism 3 and a discharge port 16 for discharging the refrigerant from the compression mechanism 3. A suction member 50 and a discharge member 60, which are connected to the suction port 15 and the discharge port 16, respectively, are fixed to the inner housing member 10. The outer housing member 20 is formed of vibration-absorbing and heat-insulating material. The outer housing member 20 is combined with the inner housing member 10 such that the outer housing member 20 accommodates the inner housing member 10 and is held in a non-contact state with respect to the suction member 50 and the discharge member 60.

Claims

A motor-driven compressor comprising a compression mechanism for compressing refrigerant and a motor mechanism for driving the compression mechanism, the motor-driven compressor being characterized by:
an inner housing member for accommodating the compression mechanism and the motor mechanism in a sealed state; and

an outer housing member for accommodating the inner housing member, the outer housing member having an attachment portion fixed, by a fastening means, to a target to which the motor-driven compressor is attached,

the inner housing member has a suction port for drawing the refrigerant into the compression mechanism and a discharge port for discharging the refrigerant from the compression mechanism,

external pipes respectively connected to the suction port and the discharge port are fixed to the inner housing member,

the outer housing member is formed of a vibration-absorbing and heat-insulating material, and

the outer housing member is combined with such that the outer housing member accommodates the inner housing member and is held in a non-contact state with respect to each of the external pipes.
The motor-driven compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that
the attachment portion is configured by a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, and
by passing the fastening means through the first attachment portion, the second attachment portion, and the target, the outer housing member accommodates the inner housing member and is fixed to the target.
The motor-driven compressor according to claim 2, characterized in that the outer housing member is configured by a first housing section having the first attachment portion and a second housing section having the second attachment portion.
The motor-driven compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an intermediate member having a vibration absorbing property and/or a heat insulating property is arranged between the inner housing member and the outer housing member.
The motor-driven compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the outer housing member has a tubular shape.
The motor-driven compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the outer housing member has a container-like shape.
The motor-driven compressor according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that the outer housing member is formed of plastic or fiber-reinforced plastic.
The motor-driven compressor according to claim 7, characterized in that the attachment portion has a metal reinforcement portion.