US20230250828A1

US20230250828A1 - Compressor and outdoor unit of air-conditioning apparatus, which includes the same

Info

Publication number: US20230250828A1
Application number: US18/003,543
Authority: US
Inventors: Kaede Shimizu; Yuto TAKEUCHI
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Priority date: 2020-09-07
Filing date: 2020-09-07
Publication date: 2023-08-10
Also published as: JPWO2022049767A1; JP7309077B2; WO2022049767A1; DE112020007588T5

Abstract

A compressor includes: a container forming an outer shell of the compressor; a terminal portion projecting from an upper surface of the container, and configured to supply electric power to an inside of the container; a rod projecting from the upper surface of the container; a terminal cover covering the terminal portion to protect the terminal portion, and fixed to the container by the rod; and a thermal protector configured to detect a temperature of the compressor. The thermal protector is brought into contact with and fixed to a flat outer surface of the container that is formed between the terminal portion and the rod.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a compressor including a thermal protector and an outdoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus, which includes the compressor.

BACKGROUND ART

In the past, it has been known in configuration that compressors include a container that forms an outer shell of the compressor, an electric motor, and a compression mechanism unit that are both housed in the container. For example, in a compressor disclosed in Patent Literature 1, a terminal, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the compressor, a terminal protection cover that protects the terminal, and a fixation volt that fixes the terminal protection cover are provided on an upper portion of a container. To the terminal, a lead connected to the electric motor is connected via a connectional terminal. The temperature sensor is provided to protect the compressor against an operation at the time at which refrigerant gas leaks from a refrigerant cycle circuit and at the time at which an overload is applied. The temperature sensor is held by a sensor holding portion that extends from the terminal protection cover, and is formed integral with the terminal protection cover. The sensor holding portion is provided opposite to the terminal with reference to the fixation volt.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-188570

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In the configuration disclosed in Patent Literature 1, since the sensor holding portion extends from the terminal protection cover and is formed integral with the terminal protection cover, the terminal protection cover is shaped to have a large size. Thus, the temperature sensor can be provided on a flat outer surface of an upper portion of the compressor, only in the case where the container is large and the outer surface of the upper portion of the compressor is large. However, for example, a thermistor that detects the temperature of refrigerant discharged from a discharge pipe may be provided at the upper surface of the container. Thus, it may be impossible to secure a place where the temperature sensor is provided. In this case, the temperature sensor cannot be sufficiently brought into surface contact with the flat outer surface of the upper portion of the compressor, and the area of the contact between the temperature sensor and the outer surface is thus small. Consequently, the temperature following capability of the temperature sensor may be worsened, and the accuracy of the temperature detection thereof may vary.
The present disclosure is applied to solve the above problem, and relates to a compressor in which a thermal protector that detects the temperature of the compressor can be reliably brought into contact with a flat outer surface of an upper portion of a container and the accuracy of temperature detection by the thermal protector can be improved, and also to an outdoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus, which includes the compressor.

Solution to Problem

A compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a container forming an outer shell of the compressor; a terminal portion projecting from an upper surface of the container, and configured to supply electric power to an inside of the container; a rod projecting from the upper surface of the container; a terminal cover covering the terminal portion to protect the terminal portion, and fixed to the container by the rod; and a thermal protector configured to detect a temperature of the compressor. The thermal protector is brought into contact with and fixed to a flat outer surface of the container that is formed between the terminal portion and the rod.
An outdoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, includes the above compressor.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

In the compressor and the outdoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus, which includes the compressor, according to the present disclosure, a flat outer surface of the container that is formed between the terminal portion and the rod is used. To be more specific, the thermal protector is brought into contact with and fixed to the outer surface of the container. Therefore, regardless of whether another component is provided or not, it is possible to reliably bring the thermal protector into contact with the outer surface of the container, and thus improve the accuracy of temperature detection by the thermal protector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 1 is a perspective view illustrating an outdoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the outdoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the compressor according to the embodiment,

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of related components provided on an upper portion of a container of the compressor according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating the upper portion of the compressor according to the embodiment, with a terminal cover detached from the upper portion.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a thermal protector and a protector holder of the compressor according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the terminal cover of the compressor according to the embodiment, as viewed from below, and illustrating a relationship between the terminal cover and the thermal protector.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the terminal cover of the compressor according to the embodiment, with the thermal protector set in the terminal cover, as viewed from below.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view illustrating the thermal protector fixed to an accommodation portion of the protector holder in the compressor according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view illustrating a process of temporarily fixing the protector holder to the terminal cover in the compressor according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the upper portion of the container in the compressor according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a region A as indicated in FIG. 11 .

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a region B as indicated in FIG. 11 .

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of figures thereof, components that are the same as or equivalent to those in a previous figure or previous figures are denoted by the same reference signs, and their descriptions will thus be omitted or simplified as appropriate. In addition, each of configurations illustrated in the figures can be modified in shape, size, location, etc., as appropriate.

Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an outdoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the outdoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to the embodiment. According to the embodiment, an outdoor unit 100 and an indoor unit not illustrated that air-conditions an indoor space are included in the air-conditioning apparatus. The outdoor unit 100 of the air-conditioning apparatus according to the embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , includes a housing 101, a heat exchanger 102, a fan 103, and a compressor 104.
The housing 101 forms an outer shell of the air-conditioning apparatus. For example, the housing 101 includes a front panel 101 a, a right side panel 101 b, a bottom panel 101 c, and a top panel 101 d. The front panel 101 a is, for example, L-shaped and forms a front surface and a left side of the housing 101. In the front panel 101 a, an air outlet is formed, and a fan guard 101 e is attached to the front panel 101 a in order to cover the air outlet. To a lower surface of the bottom panel 101 c, leg portions 101 f are attached in order to fix the outdoor unit 100 of the air-conditioning apparatus in an installation place.
A illustrated in FIG. 2 , the inside of the housing 101 is partitioned into a fan chamber A and a machine chamber B by a partition plate 101 g that extends from a front side of the housing 101 toward a rear side thereof. In the fan chamber A, the heat exchanger 102 and the fan 103 are provided. The heat exchanger 102 operates as a condenser in a cooling operation and operates as an evaporator in a heating operation. The fan 103 guides outdoor air from the rear side of the housing 101 into the inside of the housing 101, and discharges the outdoor air guided into the housing 101 from the front side of the housing 101. The fan 103 is driven by a motor. In the outdoor unit 100, when the fan 103 is driven, air that has passed through the heat exchanger 102 flows forward and passes through the fan 103, and is discharged from the front side of the outdoor unit 100 to the outside thereof. Thus, in the outdoor unit 100, for example, in the cooling operation, refrigerant in the heat exchanger 102 is cooled by air, and air that has passed through the heat exchanger 102 exchanges heat with the refrigerant, and is therefore heated.
In the machine chamber B, the compressor 104, a refrigerant pipe 105, an electric component unit 106, and a power supply unit 107 are provided. The compressor 104 is provided on an upper surface of the bottom panel 101 c, and compresses refrigerant sent from the indoor unit. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 104 is sent to the heat exchanger 102 via the refrigerant pipe 105. The refrigerant pipe 105 extends through an opening portion 101 i formed at the right side panel 101 b and is connected to an external refrigerant pipe located outward of the right side panel 101 b. The electric component unit 106 includes a control board, etc., and is intended to, for example, supply electric power to components provided in the outdoor unit 100. The power supply unit 107 is configured such that a terminal block that connects the outdoor unit 100 and the indoor unit is connected to a power supply plate by, for example, screws. The power supply unit 107 is connected to an external device through an opening portion 101 h formed at the right side panel 101 b. The opening portions 101 h and 101 i formed at the right side panel 101 b are covered by a protection cover 108 attached to an outer surface of the right side panel 101 b such that dust or water does not pass through the opening portion 101 h or the opening portion 101 i.
Next, features of the compressor 104 according to the embodiment will be specifically described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the compressor according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of related components provided at an upper portion of a container of the compressor according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating the upper portion of the compressor according to the embodiment, with a terminal cover detached from the upper portion.
The compressor 104 according to the embodiment includes an electric motor (not illustrated), a crank shaft (not illustrated) that transmits a drive force from the electric motor, a compressor mechanism unit (not illustrated) that compresses the refrigerant by the drive force transmitted from the crank shaft, and a container 1 that houses the electric motor, the crank shaft, and the compressor mechanism unit.
The electric motor includes a circular stator that is, for example, fixed to an inner wall of the container 1 by, for example, shrink fitting and a rotor that is provided to face an inner surface of the stator such that the rotor is rotatable. In the rotor, the crank shaft is fit. The electric motor is driven upon reception of an electric power that is supplied from an external power supply via a terminal portion 2 provided at the upper surface of the container 1.
The compressor mechanism unit is driven by the crank shaft, which is driven and rotated by the electric motor, and compresses refrigerant sucked into a compression chamber. In the case where the compressor 104 is a rotary compressor, the compressor mechanism unit includes, for example, a cylinder provided with a compression chamber, a rolling piston, and a vane. It should be noted that the compressor mechanism unit is not limited to a compressor mechanism unit of the rotary compressor, and may be of another type.
The container 1, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 , is a hermetic container that forms an outer shell of the compressor 104. Into the container 1, refrigerant gas is sucked through a suction pipe 10. The suction pipe 10 is a connection pipe that allows gas refrigerant flowing into the suction pipe 10 through a suction muffler 11 to flow into the compressor mechanism unit. The suction muffler 11 is provided to separate liquid refrigerant and the refrigerant gas from each other and to reduce noise caused by the compressor 104. At the upper portion of the container 1, a discharge pipe 12 is provided. The discharge pipe 12 is a pipe through which high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor mechanism unit is discharged.
Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 , at the upper surface of the container 1, the terminal portion 2, a rod 3, a terminal cover 4, a thermal protector 5, and a thermistor 6 are provided. The terminal portion 2 projects from the upper surface of the container 1. The rod 3 projects from the upper surface of the container 1. The 30 terminal cover 4 covers the terminal portion 2 to protect the terminal portion 2, and is fixed to the container 1 by the rod 3. The thermal protector 5 detects the temperature of the compressor 104. The thermistor 6 detects the temperature of refrigerant discharged from the discharge pipe 12.
The terminal portion 2 is, for example, a glass terminal. The terminal portion 2 is provided to supply electric power from an external power supply provided outside the container 1 to the stator of the electric motor. The terminal portion 2 is provided at a flat outer surface 13 formed at the upper surface of the container 1. The terminal portion 2 and the external power supply are connected by a power line 20. The external power supply is, for example, an inverter device. The terminal portion 2 and the stator of the electric motor are connected by a lead in the container 1.
The rod 3 is provided in order that the terminal cover 4 be attached to the upper portion of the container 1. The rod 3 is a rod-shaped component that projects upwards from the flat outer surface 13 formed on the upper surface of the container 1. To an upper end portion of the rod 3, a nut 30 is fastened.
The terminal cover 4 is hollow, and has a lower surface having an opening portion. The terminal cover 4 has an upper surface having a through hole 40 that allows a distal end portion of the rod 3 to pass through the through hole 40. The terminal cover 4 accommodates the terminal portion 2 and the rod 3 in such a manner as to cover the terminal portion 2 and the rod 3. In this state, a nut 30 is fastened to a distal end portion of the rod 3 that projects from a through hole 40, whereby the terminal cover 4 is fixed to the container 1.
The thermal protector 5 includes a protector main body 50 and leads 51. In the protector main body 50, for example, a bimetal thermostat is housed in a case. The leads 51 are connected to a controller (not illustrated). The thermal protector 5 is provided such that the protector main body 50 is in direct contact with the upper surface of the container 1. When the thermal protector 5 detects overheating of the compressor 104 and the bimetal thermostat reacts, the controller receives a detection signal indicating the reaction thereof and shuts off a circuit that supplies power to the compressor 104, thereby stopping the operation of the compressor 104. It should be noted that the thermal protector 5 may be provided in contact with, for example, an 5 upper surface of a thin metal plate that has a high thermal conductivity and that is provided at the upper surface of the container 1. Even in this case, it is possible to ensure a temperature following capability for a temperature change of the compressor 104, and accurately measure the temperature of the compressor 104.
It should be noted that detection of the temperature of the compressor 104 by the thermal protector 5 means detection of the temperature of the inside of the compressor 104. The thermal protector 5 detects the temperature of the inside of the compressor 104 based on the temperature of the outer surface 13 of the container 1.
The thermistor 6 is provided to detect the temperature of refrigerant discharged from the discharge pipe 12. The thermistor 6 is provided at the upper surface of the container 1, and is fixed thereto by a thermistor attachment member 7. The thermistor attachment member 7 is formed of, for example, a stainless plate, and is provided at the upper portion of the container 1 such that the thermistor attachment member 7 is pushed and expanded by its elasticity. The thermistor attachment member 7 has an annular engagement portion 70 through which the rod 3 passes and a fixation portion 71 that presses the thermistor 6, by its elastic force, against the flat outer surface 13 formed on the upper surface of the container 1, thereby fixing the thermistor 6 to the outer surface 13. The fixation portion 71 is shaped in such a manner as to cover the upper surface of the thermistor 6, and fixes the thermistor 6 such that the thermistor 6 is held between the fixation portion 71 and the upper surface of the container 1. The thermistor attachment member 7 is attached to the container 1, with the rod 3 located to pass through the engagement portion 70, and in this state, the thermistor attachment member 7 fixes the thermistor 6 such that the fixation portion 71 presses the thermistor 6. It should be noted that the configuration of the thermistor attachment member 7 is not limited to the above configuration, and the thermistor attachment member 7 may be configured in another manner as long as it can fix the thermistor 6 to the upper surface of the container 1.
It should be noted that it is possible to accurately detect the temperature of the compressor 104 by providing the thermal protector 5 such that the thermal protector 5 is in surface contact with the flat outer surface 13 formed on the upper portion of the container 1. However, for example, the thermistor 6 that detects the temperature of refrigerant discharged from the discharge pipe 12 may be provided at the upper surface of the container 1. Thus, it is possible that a sufficient space required to provide the thermal protector 5 cannot be ensured. In the compressor 104, unless the thermal protector 5 is sufficiently in surface contact with the flat outer surface 13, the contact area between the thermal protector 5 and the flat outer surface 13 is small, and the temperature following capability is worsened, and as a result, variations in temperature detection may occur.
Furthermore, when the nut 30 is fastened to the rod 3, the terminal cover 4 is fixed to the upper surface of the container 1. The thermal protector 5 is pressed by the terminal cover 4 and fixed to the flat outer surface 13 of the container 1. When the nut 30 is fastened to the rod 3, the axial force of the terminal cover 4 acts toward the rod 3.
Thus, part of the terminal cover 4 that is located far from the rod 3 may be floated from the outer surface 13 of the container 1. Therefore, for example, in the case where the thermal protector 5 is provided at a position far away from the rod 3, the terminal cover 4 is unable to sufficiently press the thermal protector 5. Accordingly, it is possible that the thermal protector 5 cannot sufficiently brought into surface contact with the outer surface 13 of the container 1.
In view of the above, the compressor 104 according to the embodiment is featured in that as illustrated in FIG. 5 , the thermal protector 5 is brought into contact with and fixed to the flat outer surface 13 formed between the terminal portion 2 and the rod 3. The thermal protector 5 is substantially cuboid, and brought into contact with and fixed to the flat outer surface 13 formed on the upper portion of the container 1, while being accommodated in a protector holder 8 having elasticity.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the thermal protector and the protector holder of the compressor according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the terminal cover of the compressor according to the embodiment, as viewed from below, and illustrating a relationship between the terminal cover and the thermal protector. FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the terminal cover of the compressor according to the embodiment, with the thermal protector set in the terminal cover, as viewed from below. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view illustrating the thermal protector fixed to an accommodation portion of the protector holder in the compressor according to the embodiment, FIG. 10 is an explanatory view illustrating a process of temporarily fixing the protector holder to the terminal cover in the compressor according to the embodiment.
The protector holder 8 is formed of metal material having elasticity. In such a manner, since the protector holder 8 is formed of the metal material, it can be formed to have small thickness. Thus, the protector holder 8 can be provided even in a narrow space between the terminal portion 2 and the rod 3. In addition, since the protector holder 8 is formed of the metal material, it has a good heat conductivity, and can also improve the accuracy of temperature detection by the thermal protector 5.
The protector holder 8, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 , has an accommodation 25 portion 80 that is formed in a recess to accommodate the thermal protector 5, a temporary fixation portion 81 that is temporarily fixed in the terminal cover 4, and a connection portion 82 that connects the accommodation portion 80 and the temporary fixation portion 81.
The accommodation portion 80, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 , has a substantially rectangular placement surface portion 80 a on which the thermal protector 5 is placed, and a plurality of wall surface portions 80 b that are raised from side edges of the placement surface portion 80 a and surround sides of the thermal protector 5. The placement surface portion 80 a is formed to have substantially the same size as the thermal protector 5, and the thermal protector 5 is placed on one of flat surfaces of the placement surface portion 80 a.
The wail surface portions 80 b are located in such a manner as to surround three of four side surfaces of the thermal protector 5 and spaced from each other. Since spaces are provided between adjacent ones of the wall surface portions 80 b, when the thermal protector 5 is accommodated, one of the wall surface portions 80 b that has a projection 80 d is warped outwardly and the thermal protector 5 can thus be easily set. Of the side edges of the placement surface portion 80 a, at a side edge at which no wall surface portion 80 b is provided, an opening portion 80 c is provided. The opening portion 80 c allows leads 51 connected to the thermal protector 5 to pass through the opening portion 80 c. It should be noted that the configuration of the wall surface portions 80 b is limited to that illustrated in related figures, and a single space or three or more spaces may be provided between the wall surface portions 80 b.
The wall surface portions 80 b are sized such that a contact surface of the thermal protector 5 which is brought into contact with the outer surface 13 of the container 1 can be projected from the accommodation portion 80 toward the outer surface 13 of the container 1. To be more specific, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the wall surface portions 80 b are also formed to have a smaller height than the height of the protector main body 50 which is accommodated at the accommodation portion 80. This is because if the wall surface portions 80 b were higher than the protector main body 50, end portions of the wall surface portions 80 b would come into contact with the outer surface 13 of the container 1 earlier than the contact surface of the thermal protector 5, and as a result, the thermal protector 5 could not sufficiently be in contact with the outer surface 13 of the container 1.
Furthermore, one of the wall surface portions 80 b, as illustrated in Figs, 6, 7, and 9, has the projection 80 d which contacts the thermal protector 5 accommodated at the accommodation portion 80. The projection 80 d is provided at the above one of the wall surface portions 80 b. To be more specific, the number of the wall surface portions 80 b is three, and of these three wall surface portions 80 b, two wall surface portions 80 b face each other. At one of these two wall surface portions 80 b, the projection 80 d is provided. The thermal protector 5, as illustrated in FIG. 9 , is pressed by the projection 80 d against the other of the above two wall surface portions 80 b, and is thus held and fixed between the two wall surface portions 80 b by elasticity and resilience of the wall surface portions 80 b. It should be noted that the above two wall surface portions 80 b, which face each other, may have respective projections 80 d. In addition, the number of projections 80 d provided at the same wall surface portion 80 b is not limited to one, and a plurality of projections 80 d may be provided at the same wall surface portion 80 b.
The temporary fixation portion 81, as illustrated in FIG. 6 , is U-shaped as viewed side-on, and has elasticity. The temporary fixation portion 81 is formed such that the distance between both sides of the temporary fixation portion 81 increases toward an opening portion thereof, and the temporary fixation portion 81 is elastically deformed such that the opening portion is narrowed. In the temporary fixation portion 81, one of end portions of the opening portion is connected to the connection portion 82. In addition, an outer surface of the temporary fixation portion 81 has a projection 81 a that projects outwardly.
The connection portion 82, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 , connects the wall surface portion 80 b of the accommodation portion 80 and the end portion of the opening portion of the temporary fixation portion 81. The connection portion 82 is arcuately formed along an opening edge of the terminal cover 4. The connection portion 82, as illustrated in FIG. 8 , is provided in contact with the opening edge of the terminal cover 4. It should be noted that the configuration of the connection portion 82 is not limited to the above configuration in which the connection portion 82 connects the wall surface portion 80 b of the accommodation portion 80 and the end portion of the opening portion of the temporary fixation portion 81. The connection portion 82 may be formed to connect other portions as long as it connects the accommodation portion 80 and the temporary fixation portion 81. Furthermore, the shape of the connection portion 82 is not limited to such an arcuate shape as illustrated in related figures, and the connection portion 82 may be formed, for example, linearly or rectangularly. The connection portion 82 is formed as appropriate depending on the shape of the terminal cover 4.
As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the inside of the terminal cover 4 is partitioned by a wall body 41 into a terminal protection portion 4 a that protects the terminal portion 2 and a rod insertion portion 4 b through which the rod 3 is inserted. The wall body 41 has a flat lower surface, and the placement surface portion 80 a of the protector holder 8, at which the thermal protector 5 is accommodated, is provided in contact with the lower surface of the wall body 41.
As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the terminal cover 4 has an engagement portion 42 which is formed in the shape of a recess and into which the temporary fixation portion 81 of the protector holder 8 is inserted. The engagement portion 42 is provided at an outer surface of the terminal protection portion 4 a. In the recess of the engagement portion 42, a groove portion 42 a is formed in the shape of a notch. In the groove portion 42 a, the projection 81 a of the temporary fixation portion 81 is fit. The temporary fixation portion 81 is inserted into the recess of the engagement portion 42 as indicated by an arrow b in FIG. 10 , while the end portions of the opening portion of the temporary fixation portion 81 are elastically deformed as indicated by an arrow a in FIG. 10 such that the space between the end portions is narrowed, whereby the projection 81 a is fitted in the groove portion 42 a. The temporary fixation portion 81 inserted in the engagement portion 42 is temporarily fixed by its elasticity to the inside of the engagement portion 42. It should be noted that although it is described above that the engagement portion 42 is provided at the terminal cover 4, it is not limiting, and the temporary fixation portion 81 may be provided at another component. That is, the configuration of the protector holder 8 is not limited to the configuration in which the protector holder 8 is temporarily fixed to the terminal cover 4.
Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 , an L-shaped holding portion 43 is provided at an outer surface of the terminal cover 4 to hold each of leads 51 of the thermal protector 5 at a given position. To be more specific, the holding portion 43 holds the leads 51 such that the leads 51 are hooked over an L-shaped portion of the holding portion 43, thereby fixing the leads 51 at the given position, and also preventing the leads 51 from being caught between the terminal cover 4 and the upper surface of the container 1. It should be noted that in an example illustrated in the figures, the holding portion 43 is provided close to the wall body 41; however, this illustration is not limiting, and the holding portion 43 is provided depending on the positions of the leads 51. In addition, the shape of the holding portion 43 is not limited to the L-shape, and the holding portion 43 can be formed to have any shape, for example, a U-shape, as long as the holding portion 43 can hold the leads 51 of the thermal protector 5 such that the leads 51 are hooked over the holding portion 43.
FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the upper portion of the container in the compressor according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a region A as indicated in FIG. 11 . FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a region B as indicated in FIG. 11 .
The terminal cover 4, as illustrated in FIG. 11 , is attached to the upper surface of the container 1 with the thermal protector 5, which is accommodated in the protector holder 8, temporarily fixed. At this time, the terminal portion 2 is accommodated in the terminal protection portion 4 a of the terminal cover 4, and the rod 3 is accommodated in the rod insertion portion 4 b. The nut 30 is fastened to a distal end of the rod 3 that is projected from a through hole 40 of the terminal cover 4, As illustrated in FIG. 12 , the thermal protector 5 is pressed against the wall body 41 of the terminal cover 4 by an axial force that is applied when the nut 30 is fastened to the distal end of the rod 3. As a result, the thermal protector 5 is fixed to the outer surface 13 of the container 1. It should be noted that in the compressor 104 according to the embodiment, since the contact surface of the thermal protector 5 that is to be brought into contact with the outer surface of the container 1 is projected from the accommodation portion 80 toward the outer surface 13, it is possible to reduce the probability with which the end portions of the wall surface portions 80 b will be brought into contact with the outer surface 13 earlier than the contact surface of the thermal protector 5.
A lower surface of the wall body 41 of the terminal cover 4 has a recess portion 41 a in order to avoid contact with the thermistor attachment member 7. In the case where the thermistor attachment member 7 is provided close to the thermal protector 5, there is a possibility that the lower surface of the wall body 41 will be brought into contact with the thermistor attachment member 7 before contacting the thermal protector 5, and cannot sufficiently be pressed by the terminal cover 4, In view of this point, the recess portion 41 a is formed at the lower surface of the wall body 41 in order to prevent contact between the wall body 41 and the thermistor attachment member 7.
As illustrated in FIG. 13 , a space S is provided between the rod 3 and a top of the inside of the rod insertion portion 4 b. This is intended to prevent the top of the rod insertion portion 4 b from being brought into contact with the rod 3 by a fastening power of the nut 3 fastened to the distal end of the rod 3. If the top of the rod insertion portion 4 b contacts the rod 3 before the thermal protector 5 is pressed by the wall body 41, the axial force that is applied when the nut 30 is fastened to the distal end of the rod 3 does not act on the terminal cover 4, and as a result the thermal protector 5 cannot be pressed by the wall body 41 of the terminal cover 4.
As described above, the compressor 104 according to the embodiment includes: the container 1 that forms the outer shell of the compressor 104; the terminal portion 2 that projects from the upper surface of the container 1 and supplies electric power to the inside of the container 1; the rod 3 that projects from the upper surface of the container 1; the terminal cover 4 that covers the terminal portion 2 to protect the terminal portion 2, and is fixed to the container 1 by the rod 3; and the thermal protector 5 that detects the temperature of the compressor 104. The thermal protector 5 is brought into contact with the flat outer surface 13 located between the terminal portion 2 and the rod 3 and is fixed to the outer surface 13.
That is, in the compressor 104 according to the embodiment, the flat outer surface 13 located between the terminal portion 2 and the rod 3 is used. To be more specific, the thermal protector 5 is brought into contact with the outer surface 13 and fixed to the outer surface 13. It is therefore possible to reliably bring the thermal protector 5 into contact with the outer surface 13 of the container 1 regardless of whether another component is present or not. Therefore, it is possible to increase the accuracy of the temperature detection by the thermal protector 5 and reduce variations in temperature detection.
The thermal protector 5 is pressed by the terminal cover 4 fixed to the container 1 by the rod 3 and brought into contact with and fixed to the outer surface 13 of the container 1. Thus, in the compressor 104 according to the embodiment, the thermal protector 5 is not carelessly displaced from its fixed position by, for example, vibration or impact. Therefore, it is possible improve the accuracy of the temperature detection by the thermal protector 5.
The compressor 104 according to the embodiment further includes the protector holder 8 that accommodates the thermal protector 5 and is temporarily fixed to the terminal cover 4. The thermal protector 5 is accommodated and held by the protector holder 8. In this state, the thermal protector 5 is brought into contact with and fixed to the outer surface 13 of the container 1, while being accommodated and held by the protector holder 8. Therefore, in the compressor 104 according to the embodiment, 30 the thermal protector 5 is temporarily fixed to the terminal cover 4 via the protector holder 8, whereby it is possible to reduce displacement of the thermal protector 5 from the container 1 that would occur when the thermal protector 5 is fixed to the container 1. The thermal protector 5 is not unexpectedly displaced from its fixed position by, for example, vibration or impact, and it is possible to improve the accuracy of the temperature detection by the thermal protector 5.
The protector holder 8 has: the accommodation portion 80 that is formed in the shape of a recess to accommodate the thermal protector 5; the temporary fixation portion 81 that is temporarily fixed to the terminal cover 4; and the connection portion 82 that connects the accommodation portion 80 and the temporary fixation portion 81.
The accommodation portion 80 has: the placement surface portion 80 a on which the thermal protector 5 is placed; and the wall surface portions 80 b that raise from the placement surface portion 80 a and covers at least part of the periphery of the thermal protector 5. That is, the protector holder 8 has a simple configuration, and can thus be easily set in a narrow space between the terminal portion 2 and the rod 3.
It should be noted that it is conceivable that a structure for fixation of the thermal protector 5 is formed at the terminal cover 4; instead of at the protector holder 8 as illustrated in figures. If the structure that holds the thermal protector 5 is formed at the terminal cover 4, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. However, in the compressor 104, in the case where the terminal portion 2 and the rod 3 are provided at the upper portion of the container 1, it is designed that the terminal portion 2 and the rod 3 are provided close to each other. This is because the terminal cover 4 that protects the terminal portion 2 is attached by the rod 3. In order to provide a configuration in which the thermal protector 5 is fixed by the terminal cover 4, which is formed of resin material, it is necessary to design dimensions of components in consideration of an increase in the thickness that is caused by use of the resin material. That is, it is hard that a structure for fixation of the thermal protector 5 is formed in a narrow space between the terminal portion 2 and the rod 3, while the structure has dimensions that increase because of use of the resin material. Furthermore, the resin material has a bad heat conductivity, and may reduce the accuracy of the temperature detection by the thermal protector 5.
The wall surface portions 80 b are sized such that the contact surface of the thermal protector 5 that is to be in contact with the outer surface 13 of the container 1 can be projected from the accommodation portion 80 toward the outer surface 13 of the container 1. Thus, in the compressor 104 according to the embodiment, it is possible to reduce the probability with which the end portions of the wall surface portions 80 b will be brought into contact with the outer surface 13 of the container 1 earlier than the contact surface of the thermal protector 5. It is therefore possible to reliably bring the thermal protector 5 into contact with the outer surface 13 of the container 1,
Furthermore, one of the wall surface portions 80 b has the projection 80 d that is brought into contact with the thermal protector 5 accommodated at the accommodation portion 80, thereby fixing the thermal protector 5 at the given position. Therefore, in the compressor 104 according to the embodiment, it is possible to reduce the probability with which the thermal protector 5 will be removed from the accommodation portion 80 or will be displaced from the given position, when the thermal protector 5 is fixed to the container 1. Furthermore, the thermal protector 5 is not carelessly displaced from the given position by, for example, vibration or impact. It is therefore also possible to improve the accuracy of the temperature detection by the thermal protector 5.
The temporary fixation portion 81 has elasticity. The terminal cover 4 has the engagement portion 42 which is formed in the shape of a recess and into which the temporary fixation portion 81 is inserted. The temporary fixation portion 81 inserted in the engagement portion 42 is temporarily fixed in the engagement portion 42 by its elasticity. That is, in the compressor 104 according to the embodiment, since the structure that temporarily fixes the protector holder 8 to the terminal cover 4 is simple, it is possible to improve the workability of assembly of the compressor 104, and reduce the manufacturing cost.
The groove portion 42 a is provided at one of the engagement portion 42 and the temporary fixation portion 81, and the projection 81 a is provided at the other of the engagement portion 42 and the temporary fixation portion 81 The projection 81 a is fit in the groove portion 42 a. Therefore, in the compressor 104 according to the embodiment, it is possible to improve the temporarily fixed state of the protector holder 8 temporarily fixed to the terminal cover 4.
The thermal protector 5 includes the leads 51. The terminal cover 4 includes the holding portion 43 which holds the leads 51 at the given positions, with the thermal protector 5 accommodated in the protector holder 8. Therefore, in the compressor 104 according to the embodiment, it is possible to fix the leads 51 at the given positions, and prevent the leads 51 from being caught between the terminal cover 4 and the upper surface of the container 1.
Although the compressor 104 and the outdoor unit 100 of the air-conditioning apparatus which includes the outdoor unit 100 are descried above, those descriptions are not limiting. For example, components included in the compressor 104 and the outdoor unit 100 of the air-conditioning apparatus are not limited to the components described above, and the compressor 104 and the outdoor unit 100 of the air-conditioning apparatus may include other components. Furthermore, the above descriptions concerning the configurations of the terminal cover 4 and the protector holder 8 are not limiting, and the terminal cover 4 and the protector holder 8 may be modified as appropriate, depending on, for example, the shapes or sizes of the container 1 and the thermal protector 5. That is, a design change and various applications that are ordinarily made by a person with ordinary skill in the art may be made for the compressor 104 and the outdoor unit 100 of the air-conditioning apparatus which includes the compressor 104, without departing from the technical concept of the compressor 104 and the outdoor unit 100.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1: container, 2: terminal portion, 3: rod, 4: terminal cover, 4 a: terminal protection portion, 4 b: rod insertion portion, 5: thermal protector, 6: thermistor, 7: thermistor attachment member, 8: protector holder, 10: suction pipe, 11: suction muffler, 12: discharge pipe, 13: outer surface, 20: power line, 30: nut, 40: through hole, 41: wall body, 42: engagement portion, 42 a: groove portion, 43: holding portion, 50: protector main body, 51: lead, 70: engagement portion, 71: fixation portion, 80: accommodation portion, 80 a: placement surface portion, 80 b: wall surface portion, 80 c: opening portion, 80 d: projection, 81: temporary fixation portion, 81 a: projection, 82: connection portion, 100: outdoor unit, 101: housing, 101 a: front panel, 101 b: right side panel, 101 c: bottom panel, 101 d: top panel, 101 e: fan guard, 101 f: leg portion, 101 g: partition plate, 101 h, 101 i: opening portion, 102: heat exchanger, 103: fan. 104: compressor, 105: refrigerant pipe, 106: electric component unit, 107: power supply unit, 108: protection cover, A: fan chamber, B: machine chamber, S: space

Claims

1. A compressor comprising:

a container forming an outer shell of the compressor;

a terminal portion projecting from an upper surface of the container, and configured to supply electric power to an inside of the container;

a rod projecting from the upper surface of the container;

a terminal cover covering the terminal portion to protect the terminal portion, and fixed to the container by the rod; and

a thermal protector configured to detect a temperature of the compressor,

wherein the thermal protector is brought into contact with and fixed to a flat outer surface of the container that is formed between the terminal portion and the rod.

2. The compressor of claim 1, wherein

the terminal cover has a wall body that partitions the terminal cover into a terminal protection portion configured to protect the terminal portion and a rod insertion portion configured to allow the rod to be inserted into the rod insertion portion, and

the thermal protector is pressed by the terminal cover a lower surface of the wall body when the terminal cover is fixed to the container by the rod, and brought into contact with and fixed to the outer surface of the container.

3. The compressor of claim 2, further comprising a protector holder configured to accommodate the thermal protector and to be temporarily fixed to the terminal cover,

wherein the thermal protector is accommodated and held by the protector holder, pressed by the wall body, and brought into contact with and fixed to the outer surface of the container.

4. The compressor of claim 3, wherein the protector holder includes,

an accommodation portion formed in the shape of a recess, and configured to accommodate the thermal protector;

a temporary fixation portion configured to be temporarily fixed to the terminal cover; and

a connection portion connecting the accommodation portion and the temporary fixation portion.

5. The compressor of claim 4, wherein the accommodation portion includes,

a displacement surface portion on which the thermal protector is placed; and

a wall surface portion raising from the displacement surface portion to surround part of a periphery of the thermal protector.

6. The compressor of claim 5, wherein the wall surface portion is sized to enable a contact surface of the thermal protector to be projected from the accommodation portion toward the outer surface of the container, the contact surface of the thermal protector being to be brought into contact with the outer surface of the container.

7. The compressor of claim 5, wherein the wall surface portion has a projection configured to contact the thermal protector when the thermal protector is accommodated by the accommodation portion, thereby fixing the thermal protector at a given position.

8. The compressor of claim 4, wherein

the temporary fixation portion has elasticity,

the terminal cover has an engagement portion formed in the shape of a recess to allow the temporary fixation portion to be inserted into the engagement portion, and

the temporary fixation portion inserted in the engagement portion is temporarily fixed in the engagement portion by the elasticity of the temporary fixation portion.

9. The compressor of claim 8, wherein one of the engagement portion and the temporary fixation portion has a groove portion, and the other of the engagement portion and the temporary fixation portion has a projection to be fit in the groove portion.

10. The compressor of claim 3, wherein

the thermal protector includes a lead, and

the terminal cover has a holding portion configured to hold the lead at a given position, with the thermal protector accommodated by the protector holder.

11. An outdoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus, comprising the compressor of claim 1.