JP2007315222A - Electric compressor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce cost and enhance assemblability by reducing the number of parts of a terminal connection part for a motor, while securing excellent insulation and vibration resistance in an electric compressor. <P>SOLUTION: This electric compressor incorporates the electric motor for driving the mechanism of the compressor. The terminal connection part between an external terminal for power supply to the electric motor and the end of a wire from the stator of the electric motor is stored in a cylindrical casing. A resin coupler holding the terminal connection part is formed, and the cylindrical casing is formed of a resin. The resin cylindrical casing and the resin coupler are formed integrally with each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric compressor having a built-in electric motor for driving a compression mechanism, and more particularly to a structure of a motor terminal connecting portion in an electric compressor including a hybrid compressor suitable for a vehicle refrigeration system or the like.

  In an electric compressor having a built-in electric motor for driving a compression mechanism, particularly an electric compressor used in a refrigeration system for a vehicle or the like, a high voltage motor is usually used. The connection portion, the motor housing portion, and the compressor housing portion (that is, the body portion) are insulated from each other, and a structure without fear of electric leakage is required. Such an electric compressor is usually provided with a connecting portion between an external terminal for power feeding to a built-in electric motor and an end portion of a wire from the stator of the electric motor, and the connecting portion is provided in the compressor housing. In particular, a structure that is housed in a cylindrical casing extending outward is often employed.

  In addition, even in an electric compressor used in a vehicle refrigeration system using a high voltage motor, the connection portion is often designed in the same manner as a general home appliance compressor, and is connected to a terminal. The part is held only by the spring force attached to the terminal, and there is often no particular anti-vibration measure. For example, it is often the case that a terminal and a coupler for a general home appliance compressor are used, and the terminal connecting portion is only pressed by a spring force, and is not fixed by a fixing means such as a bolt. Therefore, when a large load exceeding the spring force is applied, the terminal connection portion may be disconnected or a momentary disconnection (a phenomenon in which the electrical connection is instantaneously disconnected and instantaneously disconnected) may occur. Such a problem is likely to occur particularly in an electric compressor mounted on a vehicle to which an external force due to vibration is easily applied. However, since such a structure is a simple structure, productivity and cost are good.

  On the other hand, as a structure for improving the vibration resistance of the motor terminal connection portion, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, around the connection portion between the terminals of the power supply external terminal 101 and the terminal of the wire end portion 102 from the stator. Also, a structure in which a resin 103 such as epoxy is injected and a connection portion is cast is also known. The resin 103 insulates the compressor housing 104 from the terminals. In this structure, the periphery of the terminal is cast with resin, so the possibility of cutting by vibration is reduced. However, the terminal (metal) and the resin have different linear expansion coefficients, so the direction of cutting the terminal depends on the ambient temperature. There is a possibility of deformation. In addition, the cost is low because the structure is simple, but the productivity is poor because it takes time to cure the resin on the production line.

  The problem with such a connection is that not only a simple electric compressor with a built-in electric motor for driving the compression mechanism, but also a built-in electric motor and another external drive source (for example, a vehicle travel engine). The same applies to a hybrid compressor used as a drive source for a compression mechanism.

For example, as a hybrid compressor used in a vehicle refrigeration system or the like, a scroll type first compression mechanism driven only by a vehicle prime mover and a scroll type second compression mechanism driven only by a built-in electric motor, A hybrid compressor in which fixed scrolls of both compression mechanisms are integrated back to back has been proposed (Patent Document 1). With such a hybrid compressor, it becomes possible to operate each compression mechanism independently or simultaneously, and it is possible to obtain optimum discharge performance according to the request at that time. Even in such a hybrid compressor, the above-described problems exist in the terminal connection portion for the built-in electric motor.
JP 2003-161257 A

  Although the application is still unpublished for the above-mentioned problems, the applicant can improve the vibration resistance of the terminal connection part for motors and prevent the terminal connection part from being disconnected or momentarily interrupted. A structure of a motor terminal connection portion of an electric compressor has been proposed (Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-373156). In this proposed structure, as shown in FIG. 4, the terminal connection portion 50 has a connection portion 53 between the power feeding external terminal 51 of the built-in electric motor and the end portion of the wire 52 from the stator of the electric motor. The connection portion 53 is disposed in a hollow cylindrical casing 54 formed on the stator housing and extending outward. The power supply external terminal 51 has a lid 55 that can substantially seal the cylindrical casing 54. Is attached. The connecting portion 53 is formed through a coupler structure including a tab housing 56 that holds the power supply external terminal 51 and a receptacle housing 57 that holds the end of the wire 52 of the stator and is fitted to the tab housing 56. ing. More specifically, a hollow portion 58 for accommodating the receptacle housing 57 is formed at the center portion in the tab housing 56, and a support portion 59 extending downward is provided. A hollow portion 60 of a receptacle housing 57 formed in a bottomed shape is fitted to the support portion 59. The following various structures are employed as the vibration proof means of the connection portion 53. First, an O-ring 61 is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 59 of the tab housing 56 and the inner peripheral surface of the hollow portion 60 of the receptacle housing 57. Further, a vibration isolating rubber 62 is provided between the outer end portion (tip portion) of the support portion 59 of the tab housing 56 and the inner end portion (bottom surface portion) of the hollow portion 60 of the receptacle housing 57. . Further, between the hollow portion 58 of the tab housing 56 and the outer peripheral portion of the receptacle housing 57, a lock mechanism 63 that locks both the housings is provided. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism 63 is configured such that a claw 64 provided on the tab housing 56 side and a claw 65 provided on the receptacle housing 57 side are engaged with each other. Further, a wave washer 66 is provided as an elastic member capable of pressing the tab housing 56 toward the compressor housing. The tab housing 56 abuts against a protrusion 67 formed in the hollow protrusion 54 and is held by the pressing force of the wave washer 66 against the lid 55. A flat washer 68 is interposed between the wave washer 66 and the tab housing 56. An O-ring 69 is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the tab housing 56 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical casing 54. Further, a holding member 70 that holds the wire 52 from the stator is attached to the lower part of the receptacle housing 57, and the holding member 70 is provided with wire holding means 71 that elastically holds the wire 52.

  However, in the structure according to the above proposal as described above, although the vibration resistance of the terminal connection portion is improved, the following problems remain. In other words, the resin coupler including the tab housing 56 and the receptacle housing 57 is fixed in a metal (for example, aluminum) cylindrical casing 54 (housing) using an O-ring, a wave washer, or the like. Yes. In other words, if a general aluminum housing is used as a compressor part, a plastic coupler must be used to ensure insulation between the terminal and the housing, and accordingly, an O-ring is used to ensure vibration resistance. And a wave washer must be used. Therefore, in this structure, many parts have to be used to ensure insulation and vibration resistance, and accordingly, problems regarding cost increase and assemblability remain.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to reduce the number of parts of the motor terminal connection portion while ensuring good insulation and vibration resistance in an electric compressor incorporating an electric motor, thereby reducing cost and improving assembly. It is in measuring.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electric compressor according to the present invention incorporates an electric motor for driving a compression mechanism, and is a terminal between an external terminal for power feeding to the electric motor and an end of a wire from a stator of the electric motor. In the electric compressor in which the connecting portion is accommodated in the cylindrical casing, a resin coupler for holding the terminal connecting portion is provided, the cylindrical casing is made of resin, and the resin cylindrical casing and the resin It consists of what was characterized by integrally forming the coupler made. In other words, the conventional cylindrical casing made of metal (aluminum) is changed to resin, and it and the resin coupler are integrally formed. The resin integrated structure eliminates the need for fixing the resin coupler while ensuring insulation, eliminating the need for O-rings and wave washers used for fixing, and reducing the number of parts. Therefore, the cost can be reduced and the assemblability can be improved. Further, by integrating, the inner surface cutting of the cylindrical casing can be abolished, and the cost can be further reduced.

  In the electric compressor according to the present invention, the cylindrical casing can be formed integrally with the stator housing or can be formed separately. In the case of integral formation, the entire stator housing including the cylindrical casing is made of resin. In the case of a separate body, the cylindrical casing is made of resin, but the stator housing is made of metal (for example, made of aluminum). ) Or resin.

  Further, the present invention can be applied to any type of electric compressor as long as it is an electric compressor having a built-in electric motor, and can also be applied to a so-called hybrid compressor. For example, a first compression mechanism in which the electric compressor is driven only by a first drive source different from the built-in electric motor, and a second compression mechanism that is driven only by the built-in electric motor as a second drive source The present invention can also be applied to the case where the compressors are composed of hybrid compressors that are arranged side by side and assembled together.

  In such a hybrid compressor, for example, a configuration in which the first compression mechanism and the second compression mechanism are scroll-type compression mechanisms and the fixed scrolls of both compression mechanisms are arranged back to back can be employed. The two fixed scrolls arranged back to back can also be formed of a fixed scroll member integrally formed. As the first drive source, a motor for a vehicle, for example, an engine for driving a vehicle, or an electric motor different from the built-in electric motor can be used.

  Furthermore, the electric compressor according to the present invention is suitable for use in, for example, a vehicle refrigeration system. Since an electric compressor mounted on a vehicle is subject to vibration, vibration resistance is particularly required, but the above-described structure in the present invention can be preferably applied.

  According to the electric compressor according to the present invention as described above, the terminal connection portion that ensures vibration resistance can be realized with a small number of parts that eliminates the O-ring and the wave washer, and the cost can be reduced. Further, the assembling property can be improved by reducing the number of parts, and the cost can be further reduced by reducing the number of assembling steps. Furthermore, the insulation can be improved by making the cylindrical casing made of resin.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an electric compressor to which the present invention is applied, and particularly shows a hybrid compressor to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 shows a structure in which the present invention is applied to the terminal connection portion of the built-in electric motor of the hybrid compressor shown in FIG. 1, but the structure shown in FIG. 2 is limited to the hybrid compressor. In addition, the structure can be applied to an electric compressor having only a built-in electric motor as a drive source.

  First, the hybrid compressor shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The hybrid compressor 1 is a scroll-type compressor, and includes a first compression mechanism 2 and a second compression mechanism 3. The first compression mechanism 2 includes a fixed scroll 10, a movable scroll 11 that meshes with the fixed scroll 10 to form a plurality of pairs of working spaces (fluid pockets) 12, and engages with the movable scroll 11 to make a swing motion of the movable scroll 11. And an electromagnetic clutch 15 that turns on / off driving force transmission between the driving shaft 13 and the pulley 14 to which driving force is transmitted from a vehicle driving prime mover (not shown) as a first driving source. And a ball coupling 16 that prevents the movable scroll 11 from rotating, and a suction port 18 formed in the casing 17. The fluid to be compressed (for example, refrigerant gas) sucked into the suction chamber 20 from the suction port 18 through the suction passage 19 is taken into the working space 12, and the working space 12 decreases in volume to the center of the fixed scroll 10. The refrigerant gas in the working space 12 is compressed by being moved toward. A discharge hole 21 is formed at the center of the fixed scroll 10, and the compressed refrigerant gas flows out to the high pressure side of the external refrigerant circuit through the discharge hole 21, the discharge passage 22 and the discharge port 23.

  On the other hand, the second compression mechanism 3 includes a fixed scroll 30, a movable scroll 31 that meshes with the fixed scroll 30 to form a plurality of working spaces (fluid pockets) 32, and engages with the movable scroll 31 to move the movable scroll 31. A drive shaft 33 that rotates is provided, and a ball coupling 34 that prevents the movable scroll 31 from rotating. An electric motor 35 is built in to drive the drive shaft 33 of the second compression mechanism 3. The built-in electric motor 35 includes a rotor 36 fixed to the drive shaft 33 and a stator 37. The stator 37 is formed on the stator housing 38 or as a part of the compressor housing. The entire electric motor 35 is housed in the stator housing 38. In the second compression mechanism 3, the fluid to be compressed (for example, refrigerant gas) sucked from the suction port 18 into the suction chamber 20 of the first compression mechanism 2 passes through the communication passage 39 and is in the suction chamber of the second compression mechanism 3. The refrigerant gas in the working space 32 is compressed by being sucked into 40 and taken into the working space 32 and moving toward the center of the fixed scroll 30 while reducing the volume. A discharge hole 41 is formed in the central portion of the fixed scroll 30, and the compressed refrigerant gas flows out to the high pressure side of the external refrigerant circuit via the discharge hole 41 and the discharge passage 42.

  In this embodiment, the fixed scroll 10 of the first compression mechanism 2 and the fixed scroll 30 of the second compression mechanism 3 are disposed back to back, and the fixed scroll members 10 and 30 are integrated with each other. 43 is formed.

  When only the first compression mechanism 2 of the hybrid compressor 1 is operated, no electric power is supplied to the electric motor 35 that drives the second compression mechanism 3, and the electric motor 35 does not rotate. Accordingly, the second compression mechanism 3 does not operate. When the hybrid compressor 1 is driven only by the electric motor 35, the electric motor 35 is turned on and rotates, and the rotation of the electric motor 35 is transmitted to the drive shaft 33 of the second compression mechanism 3. The movable scroll 31 is driven to turn. At this time, the electromagnetic clutch 15 of the first compression mechanism 2 is not energized, and the rotation of the vehicle prime mover as the first drive source is not transmitted to the first compression mechanism 2. Accordingly, the first compression mechanism 2 does not operate. When both the compression mechanisms 2 and 3 are driven simultaneously, the driving force from the vehicle prime mover is transmitted to the movable scroll 11 of the first compression mechanism 2 and the electric motor 35 is turned on so that the driving force is the first. 2 is transmitted to the movable scroll 31 of the compression mechanism 3.

  In the hybrid compressor 1 configured as described above, the terminal portion 50 of the electric motor 35 is disposed on the upper portion of the hybrid compressor 1 in the mounting form. The structure of the terminal connection portion in the present invention is applied to the terminal portion 50 portion. As shown in detail in FIG. 2, this part has a terminal connection portion 53 between the power supply external terminal 51 of the electric motor 35 and the end of the wire 52 from the stator 37 of the electric motor 35. The terminal connection portion 53 is disposed in a cylindrical casing 81 that extends outward from the stator housing 38, and the power supply external terminal 51 is attached to a lid 55 that can substantially seal the cylindrical casing 81. ing. The cylindrical casing 81 is made of resin.

  The terminal connection portion 53 is held by a coupler 84 including a female-side coupler portion 82 that holds the power supply external terminal 51 side and a male-side coupler portion 83 that holds the end of the wire 52 from the stator 37. The coupler 84 is also made of resin. The female-side coupler portion 82 of the resin coupler 84 and the resin cylindrical casing 81 are configured as an integral member 85 that is integrally molded.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the same structure as that shown in FIG. 4 is adopted for the following parts. That is, an O-ring 61 is interposed between the female-side coupler portion 82 and the male-side coupler portion 83, and a vibration-proof rubber 62 is interposed between the coupler portions 82 and 83. A lock mechanism 63 is provided between the coupler portions 82 and 83 so that the claws 64 and 65 are engaged with each other. Further, a holding member 70 that holds the wire 52 from the stator is attached to the lower part of the male-side coupler portion 83, and the holding member 70 is provided with wire holding means 71 that elastically holds the wire 52. ing.

  In the structure shown in FIG. 2, the terminal connection portion 53 is held by a resin coupler 84 including a female-side coupler portion 82 and a male-side coupler portion 83, and in particular, the male-side coupler portion 83 has an O-ring 61, It is attached to the female coupler portion 82 via the vibration rubber 62, and the wire 52 from the stator is held via the holding member 70 and the wire holding means 71 that elastically holds the wire 52, thereby providing excellent vibration resistance. Sex is secured. And the insulation which was excellent with respect to the terminal connection part 53 is ensured because the cylindrical casing 81 is made from resin. In addition, since the female-side coupler portion 82 of the resin coupler 84 and the resin cylindrical casing 81 are formed as an integrated member 85, the O-ring 69 and the wave washer 66 shown in FIG. It becomes unnecessary and the number of parts is reduced. By reducing the number of parts, the cost can be reduced and the assemblability can be improved. Further, by using the integrated member 85, the inner surface cutting of the cylindrical casing 54 in the case shown in FIG. 4 becomes unnecessary, and further cost reduction can be achieved in this aspect.

  In the structure shown in FIG. 2, the resin cylindrical casing 81, that is, the integrated member 85 can be formed integrally with the stator housing 38 or can be formed separately. In the case of integral formation, the entire stator housing 38 including the cylindrical casing 81 may be made of resin. In the case of a separate structure, the cylindrical casing 81 is made of resin. You may comprise either metal (for example, aluminum) or resin.

  The present invention can be applied to any electric compressor having a built-in electric motor for driving a compression mechanism, and includes an electric motor comprising a built-in electric motor and a hybrid compressor that can drive each compression mechanism by a drive source different from the built-in electric motor. It can also be applied to a compressor. In addition, the present invention is particularly suitable for an on-vehicle electric compressor, especially an electric compressor used for a vehicle refrigeration system.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the hybrid compressor as an electric compressor used as the application symmetry of this invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view around a terminal connecting portion when the present invention is applied to the hybrid compressor of FIG. 1. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the terminal connection part at the time of casting with the conventional resin. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the terminal connection part which the present applicant previously proposed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hybrid compressor 2 as electric compressor 1st compression mechanism 3 2nd compression mechanism 10, 30 Fixed scroll 11, 31 Movable scroll 12, 32 Working space 13, 33 Drive shaft 15 Electromagnetic clutch 18 Suction port 20, 40 Suction chamber 21, 41 Discharge holes 22, 42 Discharge passage 35 Electric motor 36 Rotor 37 Stator 38 Stator housing 39 Communication passage 43 Fixed scroll member 50 Terminal portion 51 Power supply external terminal 52 Stator wire 53 Terminal connection portion 55 Lid 61 O-ring 62 Anti-vibration rubber 63 Lock mechanism 64, 65 Claw 70 Holding member 71 Wire holding means 81 Resin cylindrical casing 82 Female-side coupler part 83 Male-side coupler part 84 Resin coupler 85 Integrated member

Claims (8)

  In the electric compressor incorporating the electric motor for driving the compression mechanism and housing the terminal connection portion between the external terminal for power feeding to the electric motor and the end of the wire from the stator of the electric motor in a cylindrical casing, An electric compressor characterized in that a resin coupler for holding a terminal connecting portion is provided, the cylindrical casing is made of resin, and the resin cylindrical casing and the resin coupler are integrally formed.   The electric compressor according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical casing and the stator housing are integrally formed.   The electric compressor according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical casing and the stator housing are formed separately.   A first compression mechanism in which the electric compressor is driven only by a first drive source different from the built-in electric motor, and a second compression mechanism that is driven only by the built-in electric motor as a second drive source. The electric compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a hybrid compressor arranged side by side and assembled integrally.   5. The electric compressor according to claim 4, wherein the first compression mechanism and the second compression mechanism are scroll-type compression mechanisms, and fixed scrolls of both compression mechanisms are arranged back to back.   The electric compressor according to claim 5, comprising a fixed scroll member integrally formed with both fixed scrolls arranged back to back.   The electric compressor according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the first drive source comprises a vehicle prime mover.   The electric compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the electric compressor is used for a refrigeration system for vehicles.

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