WO2024075654A1 - Electric compressor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of improving electric insulation performance between an insulation member and a cluster block. An electric compressor (10) is provided with a sealing terminal (130). The sealing terminal (130) is provided with a terminal plate (131) fixed to a housing (20), a terminal pin (132) that is inserted into a penetration hole (131a) of the terminal plate (131) and electrically connects a connection terminal (106) to the outside of the housing (20), and an insulation member (140) that seals and insulates between the terminal plate (131) and the terminal pin (132). The terminal pin (132) is liquid-tightly covered with an annular insulation tube (150) having elasticity and electric insulation performance. The insulation tube (150) has low rigidity parts (160, 160) having rigidity lower than that of a central part (470) at both ends thereof in an axial direction, and is held between the cluster block (110) and the insulation member (140).

Description

Electric Compressor

The present invention relates to an improved technology for an electric compressor that includes a compression mechanism that compresses a refrigerant and an electric motor that drives the compression mechanism.

Some electric compressors house the motor in a sealed housing, and the control unit (motor drive circuit such as an inverter) that controls the drive of the motor is located outside the housing. The compression mechanism compresses the refrigerant drawn into the housing and discharges it.

For example, an electric compressor has a motor stator fixed inside a housing, and a control circuit chamber sandwiched between the inside of the housing and a partition wall. A sealed terminal is arranged in the partition wall. The sealed terminal has an insulating material filled between the terminal plate and the terminal pin. A cluster block is arranged between the partition wall and the stator. A connection terminal electrically connected to the stator is housed in the cluster block. The terminal pin is fitted into the cluster block and electrically connected to the connection terminal.

The terminal pin between the insulating member and the cluster block is inevitably exposed to the refrigerant inside the housing. If the terminal pin comes into contact with liquid refrigerant (liquid refrigerant) or lubricating oil, there is a risk of a short circuit between the terminal pin and the terminal plate, and even between the terminal plate and the housing, so measures are necessary. As measures against this, for example, the technologies of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are known.

According to the technology known from Patent Document 1, a ring-shaped insulator is fitted onto a lead pin (corresponding to a terminal pin) that is attached to a hermetic plate (corresponding to a terminal plate), a ring-shaped sealing member is fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of this insulator, and the fitting opening of a connector housing (corresponding to a cluster block) is fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of this sealing member. In other words, the technology of Patent Document 1 provides a radial seal using the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the sealing member.

Furthermore, according to the technology known from Patent Document 2, a terminal pin (corresponding to a terminal pin) attached to a glass terminal plate (corresponding to a terminal plate) is fitted into the terminal of an internal power line housed in a terminal case (corresponding to a cluster block), and a cylindrical rubber ring is sandwiched between the glass terminal plate and the terminal case. In other words, the technology of Patent Document 2 creates an axial seal between the glass terminal plate and the terminal case with both end faces of the rubber ring.

JP 2013-148037 A JP 2014-114795 A

However, in the electric compressor known from Patent Document 1, first the inner peripheral surface of the annular sealing member is fitted into the outer peripheral surface of the insulator (first press-fit), and then the inner peripheral surface of the fitting opening of the connector housing is fitted into the outer peripheral surface of the sealing member (second press-fit). In other words, the annular sealing member needs to ensure sealing on both the inner and outer peripheral surfaces. To achieve this, it is necessary to set a good balance between the fitting state on the inner peripheral surface side and the fitting state on the outer peripheral surface side. Considering the maintenance of the quality of the sealing member (e.g. material and dimensional tolerances) and the balance between the tolerance on the inner peripheral surface side and the tolerance on the outer peripheral surface side, there remain issues in ensuring electrical insulation.

In addition, the electric compressor known from Patent Document 2 has a configuration in which a cylindrical rubber ring is sandwiched between the glass terminal plate and the terminal case (sealing in the axial direction), so the tolerance of the axial distance from the glass terminal plate to the terminal case affects the sealing performance. This tolerance of the axial distance is inevitably relatively large, as it is a combination of the tolerances of each component. Furthermore, since the technology in Patent Document 2 is structured to ensure the insulation distance by the contact area between the sealing surface of the glass terminal plate and the sealing surface of the terminal case, if the flatness or parallelism of the sealing surfaces is poor, the contact area becomes narrow, and there are still issues in ensuring electrical insulation.

The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a technology that can improve the electrical insulation between the insulating member and the cluster block.

In the following description, reference symbols in the attached drawings are given in parentheses to facilitate understanding of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated form.

According to the present invention, first,
A sealed housing (20);
a compression mechanism (50) that compresses and discharges a refrigerant drawn into the housing (20);
an electric motor (100) housed in the housing (20) so as to drive the compression mechanism (50);
a cluster block (110) that accommodates a connection terminal (106) electrically connected to the electric motor (100) and is housed in the housing (20);
a sealed terminal (130) provided in the housing (20) and electrically connected to the connection terminal (106);
The sealing terminal (130) is
a terminal plate (131) fixed to the housing (20);
a terminal pin (132) that is inserted through a through hole (131a) of the terminal plate (131) and electrically connects the connection terminal (106) to the outside of the housing (20);
An insulating member (140) that is filled between the terminal plate (131) and the terminal pin (132) to seal and insulate the terminal plate (131) and the terminal pin (132),
The terminal pin (132) is covered liquid-tightly by an annular insulating tube (150; 350; 450) having elasticity and electrical insulation properties.
The insulating tube (150; 350; 450) has low rigidity portions (160, 160; 360, 360) at both axial ends, the low rigidity portions being lower than an axial central portion (170; 470) of the insulating tube (150; 350; 450), and is sandwiched between the cluster block (110) and the insulating member (140).

Secondly, preferably, in the electric compressor described in the first, each of the low-rigidity portions (160, 160; 360, 360) has a contraction portion (161, 161) having a gap (Cr) between the outer peripheral surface (132a) of the terminal pin (132) and the inner peripheral surface (150a) of the insulating tube (150).

Thirdly, preferably, in the electric compressor described in 2, there is a support portion (170; 470) between each of the low rigidity portions (160, 160; 360, 360), and the hole diameter (d1) of the support portion (170; 470) is smaller than the diameter (d2) of the terminal pin (132).

Fourthly, in the electric compressor described in the second to third aspects, the tip (163, 163) of each of the low rigidity portions (160, 160; 360, 360) is formed with a curved inner corner (167, 167) between the tip surface (165, 165) and the inner circumferential surface (166, 166) and an outer corner (169, 169) between the tip surface (165, 165) and the outer circumferential surface (168, 168), and the curved surface (167a, 167a) of the inner corner (167, 167) has a larger radius of curvature (r1) than the curved surface (169a, 169a) of the outer corner (169, 169).

Fifthly, preferably, in the electric compressors described in the second to fourth aspects, each of the low rigidity sections (160, 160; 360, 360) is configured with an enlarged diameter section (164, 164) whose diameter increases from the base end (162, 162) to the tip end (163, 163).

Sixthly, in the electric compressor described in any one of paragraphs 2 to 5, the wall thickness (t1, t2) of the insulating tube (150) is preferably uniform over its entire length.

Seventhly, preferably, in the electric compressor described in any one of the second to sixth aspects, the cluster block (110) has a tube contact surface (212) that contacts the tip surface (165, 165) of either of the low-rigidity portions (160, 160; 360, 360) provided at both axial ends of the insulating tube (150), and the tube contact surface (212) is a spherical or conical surface.

Eighth, preferably, in the electric compressor described in any one of the second to seventh, the insulating member (140) has a tube contact surface (242c) that contacts the tip surface (165, 165) of either of the low-rigidity portions (160, 160; 360, 360) provided at both axial ends of the insulating tube (150), and the tube contact surface (242c) is a spherical or conical surface.

Ninthly, in the electric compressor described in any one of the second to eighth aspects, the insulating tube (350) is configured such that at least a part or the whole of one or both of the low-rigidity sections (360, 360) provided at both axial ends is configured in a bellows shape that can be contracted in the axial direction of the insulating tube (350).

Tenthly, preferably, in the electric compressor described in any one of the third to eighth aspects, at least a portion of the support portion (470) has a grip portion (471) that is thickened radially outwardly of the support portion (470).

The present invention can improve the electrical insulation between the insulating member and the cluster block.

1 is a cross-sectional view of an electric compressor according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the cluster block and its surroundings shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cluster block and sealing terminal shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sealed terminal shown in FIG. 2 . 5A is an enlarged view of the insulating tube and its surroundings of the sealed terminal shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of the relationship between the insulator and the insulating tube shown in FIG. 5A, and FIG. 5C is a conceptual diagram of the insulating tube shown in FIG. 5B elastically deforming radially inward. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the insulating tube shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the insulating tube shown in FIG. 6 . FIG. 8A is a first example of an insulating tube and its surroundings of a sealed terminal of an electric compressor according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a second example of an insulating tube and its surroundings of a sealed terminal of an electric compressor according to the second embodiment. 9A is a cross-sectional view of an insulating tube and its surroundings of a sealed terminal of an electric compressor according to a third embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the insulating tube alone shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view of an insulating tube of an electric compressor according to a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10B-10B in FIG. 10A.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the embodiment shown in the attached drawings is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

Example 1
First Embodiment An electric compressor 10 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electric compressor 10 is suitable for use in a refrigeration cycle that uses a refrigerant as the working fluid, and is used, for example, in the refrigeration cycle of an automotive air conditioner. However, the use of this electric compressor 10 is not limited.

The electric compressor 10 comprises a sealed housing 20 that can be installed, for example, horizontally, a compression mechanism 50 that compresses and discharges the refrigerant drawn into the housing 20, an electric motor 100 stored in the housing 20 to drive the compression mechanism 50, and a control unit 120 that controls the driving of the electric motor 100. The control unit 120 is composed of an inverter device that receives, for example, electric power supplied from an external source and a compressor operation signal that operates the electric compressor 10, and supplies driving power to the electric motor 100.

The housing 20 is a cylindrical member with a bottom, consisting of a bottom wall 21 and a peripheral wall 22, with one end closed by the bottom wall 21 and the other end completely open. In other words, the other end of the housing 20 has an opening 23. This opening 23 is closed by a head member 31 that can be opened and closed. The housing 20 is made by casting a metal material such as aluminum (including aluminum alloys).

The outer wall surface 21a and inner wall surface 21b of the bottom wall 21 of the housing 20 are flat surfaces. A cylindrical control housing 32 with a bottom is attached to the outer wall surface 21a. In other words, the bottom wall 32a of the control housing 32 overlaps the outer wall surface 21a of the bottom wall 21 of the housing 20 and is fastened to the bottom wall 21 by a fastening member (not shown). The control housing 32 houses the control unit 120. The opening 32b of the control housing 32 is closed by an openable and closable lid 33. Details of the control unit 120 will be described later.

The housing 20 has a first storage chamber 24 on the bottom wall 21 side and a second storage chamber 25 on the opening 23 side. These first and second storage chambers 24, 25 are continuous in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the housing 20.

At least a part (e.g., the entirety) of the compression mechanism 50 is housed in the opening 23 side of the housing 20, i.e., the second storage chamber 25. The electric motor 100 is housed in the bottom wall 21 side of the housing 20, i.e., the first storage chamber 24.

Furthermore, the housing 20 has a suction port 26 that draws refrigerant from the outside into the first storage chamber 24. The head member 31 has an oil separation chamber 31a that separates oil from the refrigerant compressed by the compression mechanism 50, and a discharge port (not shown) that discharges the gaseous refrigerant from which the oil has been separated by this oil separation chamber 31a to the outside.

The first storage chamber 24 and the second storage chamber 25 are separated by a disk-shaped partition member 34 (also called a drive shaft support member 34). This partition member 34 is restricted in both relative rotation and relative axial movement with respect to the housing 20. The drive shaft support member 34 is fixed to the housing 20 after the electric motor 100 is stored in the housing 20.

The first storage chamber 24 may be referred to as the "low pressure chamber 24." The partition member 34 has a plurality of suction holes 34a that connect the first storage chamber 24 and the second storage chamber 25. This partition member 34 can be considered as an element that constitutes the compression mechanism 50. It does not depart from the spirit of the present invention even if the partition wall 34 is considered to be part of the compression mechanism 50.

The first storage chamber 24 is provided with a drive shaft 41 located on the longitudinal center line CL1 of the housing 20. This drive shaft 41 also serves as the output shaft 101 (motor shaft 101) of the electric motor 100. The longitudinal center line CL1 of the housing 20 is sometimes referred to as the "center line CL1 of the drive shaft 41 (output shaft 101)."

The drive shaft 41 passes through the partition member 34 toward the compression mechanism 50 and is rotatably supported by a first bearing 42 provided in the partition member 34 and a second bearing 43 provided in the bearing holder 21c of the bottom wall 21 of the housing 20. The drive shaft 41 also has an eccentric shaft 44 on one end surface passing through the partition member 34. The eccentric shaft 44 extends from one end surface of the drive shaft 41 toward the compression mechanism 50 and is parallel to the drive shaft 41. The center line CL2 of the eccentric shaft 44 is offset from the center line CL1 of the drive shaft 41. An annular bush 45 is rotatably fitted to the eccentric shaft 44. A counterweight 46 protruding radially is integrally provided to the bush 45. The inner peripheral surface of the third bearing 47 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the bush 45.

Next, the compression mechanism 50 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the compression mechanism 50 is configured by a so-called scroll compression mechanism that compresses the refrigerant by combining, for example, a fixed scroll 60 that is supported between a head member 31 and a partition member 34 so as not to rotate relative to the head member 31 and a partition member 34, and an oscillating scroll 70 that is oscillable in a circumferential direction relative to the fixed scroll 60.

The fixed scroll 60 has a disk-shaped fixed end plate 61, a cylindrical outer peripheral wall 62, and a spiral-shaped fixed spiral wall 63. The fixed end plate 61 is perpendicular to the center line CL2 of the eccentric shaft 44. The outer peripheral wall 62 extends from the outer peripheral edge of the fixed end plate 61 toward the electric motor 100. A refrigerant suction port 64 is formed in this outer peripheral wall 62 for drawing refrigerant from the radially outer side to the inner side. The fixed spiral wall 63 is located inside the outer peripheral wall 62 and stands upright from the bottom surface of the fixed end plate 61.

The oscillating scroll 70 can revolve around the fixed scroll 60. The oscillating scroll 70 has a disk-shaped oscillating mirror plate 71 positioned opposite the fixed spiral wall 63, and a spiral-shaped oscillating spiral wall 72.

The oscillating mirror plate 71 is located inside the outer peripheral wall 62 of the fixed scroll 60, and is rotatably supported by the eccentric shaft 44 via the third bearing 47 and the bush 45. The oscillating spiral wall 72 stands upright from the oscillating mirror plate 71 toward the fixed spiral wall 63, and the oscillating spiral wall 72 and the fixed spiral wall 63 are combined to form a plurality of compression chambers 73. As the drive shaft 41 rotates, the oscillating scroll 70 can revolve (rotate eccentrically) around the axis CL1 of the drive shaft 41.

Furthermore, the compression mechanism 50 has an anti-rotation mechanism 80. This anti-rotation mechanism 80 is composed of a number of recesses 81 in the oscillating mirror plate 71, a number of ring members 82 fitted into these recesses 81, and a number of anti-rotation pins 83 extending from the partition member 34 into the ring members 82. Each ring member 82 makes line contact with each anti-rotation pin 83, thereby preventing the oscillating scroll 70 from rotating on its own axis while allowing it to oscillate.

As described above, the rotation of the drive shaft 41 causes the swing scroll 70 to revolve. As a result, the refrigerant sucked in from the suction port 26 passes through the gap of the electric motor 100 in the low pressure chamber 24, passes through the suction hole 34a of the partition member 34, and passes through the refrigerant suction port 64 of the fixed scroll 60, and is taken into the compression chamber 73. As the swing scroll 70 revolves, the compression chamber 73 moves toward the center while gradually reducing its internal volume. This causes the refrigerant in the compression chamber 73 to be compressed. When the pressure in the compression chamber 73 increases to exceed the pressure at which the discharge valve 91 opens, the discharge valve 91 opens due to the pressure difference. The refrigerant in the compression chamber 73 flows into the discharge chamber 93 through the discharge hole 92. The refrigerant in the discharge chamber 93 is discharged to the outside from the discharge port (not shown) via the oil separation chamber 31a.

Next, the electric motor 100 will be described.
1, the electric motor 100 is, for example, a three-phase AC brushless motor. The electric motor 100 includes the output shaft 101 (drive shaft 41), a rotor 102 fixed to the output shaft 101, and a cylindrical stator 103 surrounding the rotor 102.

The rotor 102 can rotate around the center line CL1 of the output shaft 101, with the longitudinal direction of the housing 20 as its axial center (center of rotation). The stator 103 is disposed radially outside the rotor 102 and is fixed to the inner peripheral surface 20a of the housing 20 (the inner peripheral surface 24a of the first storage chamber 24).

Next, the electrical connection structure between the electric motor 100 and the control unit 120 will be described.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, multiple lead wires 105 (motor wiring 105) drawn from the coil 104 of the stator 103 extend toward the control unit 120 and are individually connected to multiple connection terminals 106 (receptacles 106). In other words, these connection terminals 106 are electrically connected to the coil 104 of the electric motor 100 and are arranged on the bottom wall 21 side of the electric motor 100. Each connection terminal 106 is incorporated (housed) in a cluster block 110. This cluster block 110 is also called an electrical connector 110.

The cluster block 110 is inserted into the space Sp between the bottom wall 21 of the housing 20 and the insulator 107 of the stator 103, i.e., the space Sp between the bottom wall 21 and the stator 103, and is positioned with a gap ga (air gap ga) from the bottom wall 21. Movement of this cluster block 110 in a direction parallel to the bottom wall 21 of the housing 20 (a planar direction perpendicular to the center line CL1 of the output shaft 101) is restricted, and movement in the longitudinal direction of the housing 20 is restricted by the insulator 107. In this way, the cluster block 110 is stored in the housing 20.

The cluster block 110 has terminal accommodating portions 111 that accommodate the connection terminals 106, and is formed, for example, from a molded product made of electrically insulating resin. More specifically, the cluster block 110 has a flat opposing surface 112 that faces the bottom wall 21 of the housing 20. This opposing surface 112 is a plane that is perpendicular to the center line CL1 of the output shaft 101. This opposing surface 112 (the surface 112 facing the terminal plate 131) is sometimes referred to as the "tube contact surface 112 of the cluster block 110."

This tube contact surface 112 has multiple pin insertion holes 113 formed through the terminal accommodating portion 111. The positions of the multiple pin insertion holes 113 correspond to the positions of the connection portions 106a of each connection terminal 106.

Each connection terminal 106 housed in the cluster block 110 is electrically connected to the outside of the housing 20 by a sealed terminal 130. For example, the control unit 120 is disposed outside the housing 20 (e.g., inside the control housing 32). Each connection terminal 106 is electrically connected to the control unit 120 by a sealed terminal 130.

The control unit 120 includes a configuration in which it is provided directly or indirectly on the outer wall surface 21a of the bottom wall 21 of the housing 20. As one example, the control unit 120 is indirectly provided on the outer wall surface 21a of the bottom wall 21 of the housing 20 by being removably stored inside the control housing 32. As another example, the control unit 120 is provided directly on the outer wall surface 21a of the bottom wall 21 of the housing 20 without going through the bottom wall 32a of the control housing 32. The control unit 120 includes a board 122 on which control components 121 such as an inverter circuit are mounted, and a board-side connector 123 provided on the board 122. The board-side connector 123 can be connected to the tips of each terminal pin 132 of the sealed terminal 130.

By assembling the control unit 120 inside the control housing 32, the board side connector 123 is connected to each terminal pin 132. As a result, each lead wire 105 is electrically connected to the control unit 120. Driving power can be supplied from the control unit 120 to the electric motor 100.

Next, we will explain the sealed terminal 130.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the sealed terminal 130 (relay terminal 130) is provided in the housing 20 and is electrically connected to the connection terminal 106.

The sealed terminal 130 includes a terminal plate 131 that can be attached to the housing 20, and a number of terminal pins 132 that are assembled to the terminal plate 131. The sealed terminal 130 further includes a number of insulating members 140 that are filled between the terminal plate 131 and each terminal pin 132 to provide a seal (airtight, liquidtight) and electrical insulation.

The terminal plate 131 (base 131) is a flat member that can be attached to the bottom wall 21 from the outer wall surface 21a side by fastening members 133. The gap between the terminal plate 131 and the outer wall surface 21a of the bottom wall 21 is sealed by a sealing member 134.

The multiple terminal pins 132 are conductive rod-shaped members that extend from inside the control housing 32 into the housing 20 along the center line CL1 of the output shaft 101. The bottom wall 21 of the housing 20 has through holes 21d (see Figure 2) through which the multiple terminal pins 132 and the multiple insulating tubes 150 can be inserted.

The tip (one end face) of each terminal pin 132 is removably fitted into the connection terminal 123a of the board-side connector 123, thereby allowing electrical connection to the board-side connector 123. Furthermore, the terminal pin 132 is removably fitted into the connection portion 106a of the connection terminal 106, allowing the sealed terminal 130 to electrically connect the stator 103 and the control unit 120. In this way, each terminal pin 132 is capable of electrically connecting the connection terminal 106 to the outside of the housing 20. The connection portion 106a of the terminal pin 132 and the connection terminal 106 is covered by the cluster block 110.

As shown in FIG. 4, each terminal pin 132 passes through a through hole 131a in the terminal plate 131. The insulating member 140 provides a seal (airtight, liquidtight) and electrical insulation between each terminal pin 132 passing through the through hole 131a and the terminal plate 131, either individually or as a whole, and is composed of a single member or multiple members. For example, the insulating member 140 is composed of a filler 141 filled in the through hole 131a of the terminal plate 131, and a pair of sealing members 142, 143 that seal the filler 141 from both sides of the through hole 131a.

The filler 141 is made of a material that has sealing properties (airtightness and liquid tightness) and electrical insulation properties, and is capable of supporting the terminal pin 132. One example of this filler 141 is an inorganic material that has electrical insulation properties, such as glass.

The pair of sealing members 142, 143 are made of an electrically insulating material such as ceramic. These sealing members 142, 143 are annular members having insertion holes 142a, 143a through which the terminal pin 132 can be inserted, and have flanges 142b, 143b at one axial end. One of the pair of sealing members 142, 143 is called the first sealing member 142, and the other is called the second sealing member 143.

The first sealing member 142 is located on the low pressure chamber 24 (see FIG. 2) side relative to the terminal plate 131, and has an opposing surface 142c facing the opposing surface 112 (tube contact surface 112) of the cluster block 110. This opposing surface 142c is preferably a flat surface parallel to the tube contact surface 112 of the cluster block 110. The second sealing member 143 is located on the control unit 120 (see FIG. 2) side relative to the terminal plate 131.

The opposing surface 142c of the first sealing member 142 (the surface 142c facing the tube contact surface 112 of the cluster block 110 shown in FIG. 2) may be referred to as the "tube contact surface 142c of the first sealing member 142" or the "tube contact surface 142c of the insulating member 140."

The filler 141 integrates the terminal pin 132 and the sealing members 142, 143 with respect to the terminal plate 131, for example, as follows. Glass pellets are filled between the through hole 131a of the terminal plate 131 and the terminal pin 132, both sides of the through hole 131a are sealed with the sealing members 142, 143, and the entire sealed terminal 130 is fired. As a result, the glass pellets melt and adhere to the inner surface of the through hole 131a, the terminal pin 132, and the sealing members 142, 143. The molten glass pellets solidify to form the filler 141. As a result, the filler 141 seals between the inner surface of the through hole 131a, the terminal pin 132, and the sealing members 142, 143, and positions and fixes (integrates) the terminal pin 132 and the sealing members 142, 143 with respect to the terminal plate 131.

When the through hole 131a is filled with glass pellets, there is a small gap. This gap disappears when the filled glass pellets are melted. To deal with this, the glass pellets filled in the through hole 131a are compressed by the pair of sealing members 142, 143 while being melted. For this reason, a compression allowance is required to compress the glass pellets. To ensure sufficient compression allowance, there are small gaps C1, C2 between the plate surfaces 131b, 131c on both sides of the terminal plate 131 and the flange surfaces 142d, 143d of the flanges 142b, 143b of the pair of sealing members 142, 143. These gaps C1, C2 are not constant and are set with a tolerance.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the distance from the tube contact surface 112 of the cluster block 110 to the tube contact surface 142c of the insulating member 140 is L1. This distance L1 may be referred to as "the distance L1 between the cluster block 110 and the insulating member 140," "the distance L1 between the contact surfaces 112 and 142c," or simply "the distance L1."

As shown in Figures 2 and 5A, this clearance dimension L1 has a large tolerance. The reason for this is, for example, the accumulation of the following dimensional tolerances. The first tolerance is the tolerance of the position of the contact surface of the seal member 134 relative to the bottom wall 21 of the housing 20. The second tolerance is the tolerance of the thickness th of the seal member 134. The third tolerance is the assembly tolerance from the first plate surface 131b of the terminal plate 131 to the tube contact surface 142c of the insulating member 140. The fourth tolerance is the axial tolerance of the assembly position of the stator 103 relative to the housing 20. The fifth tolerance is the axial tolerance of the assembly position of the cluster block 110 relative to the stator 103.

As shown in FIG. 5A, each terminal pin 132 is liquid-tightly covered by an annular insulating tube 150 that is elastic and electrically insulating.

Next, we will explain in detail one of the multiple insulating tubes 150.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the insulating tube 150 is a hollow body with a circular cross section that matches the cross-sectional shape of the terminal pin 132. An example of a material for the insulating tube 150 is rubber that has electrical insulating properties. The total length L2 of the insulating tube 150 (see FIG. 6), i.e., the natural length L2, is greater than the distance L1 between the contact surfaces 112 and 142c. The dimensional difference ΔL = L2 - L1 (the dimensional difference ΔL is not shown).

This insulating tube 150 has low- rigidity sections 160, 160 at both ends in the axial direction, and a central section 170 (support section 170) between these low- rigidity sections 160, 160. The low- rigidity sections 160, 160 at both ends in the axial direction are formed symmetrically and are the same size. The rigidity of each low- rigidity section 160, 160 is lower than the rigidity of the central section 170 (support section 170) in the axial direction of the insulating tube 150. Here, the low- rigidity sections 160, 160 with low rigidity refer to areas that are more easily deformed (contracted) in the axial direction than the central section 170 when the insulating tube 150 is compressed in the axial direction of the terminal pin 132.

The support portion 170 is a straight tube with a circular cross section. The hole diameter d1 (see FIG. 6) of the hollow support portion 170, i.e., the inner diameter d1, is smaller than the diameter d2 of the terminal pin 132.

The insulating tube 150 configured in this manner is sandwiched between the cluster block 110 and the insulating member 140, that is, between the tube contact surface 112 of the cluster block 110 and the tube contact surface 142c of the insulating member 140. A compressive force in the axial direction of the terminal pin 132 acts on the insulating tube 150 due to the above-mentioned dimensional difference ΔL. In this way, by sandwiching the insulating tube 150 between the cluster block 110 and the insulating member 140, the low- rigidity portions 160, 160 contract and come into close contact with the respective contact surfaces 112, 142c, thereby improving the liquid-tightness.

To explain in more detail, as shown in Figures 5A to 5C, each low- rigidity portion 160, 160 is composed of a contraction portion 161, 161. Each low- rigidity portion 160, 160 has a contraction portion 161, 161 having gaps Cr, Cr (spaces Cr, Cr) between the outer peripheral surface 132a of the terminal pin 132 and the inner peripheral surface 150a of the insulating tube 150.

Therefore, when the axial compressive force of the terminal pin 132 acts on the insulating tube 150, the contraction portions 161, 161 can easily expand and contract radially outwardly of the insulating tube 150 (see imaginary lines in FIG. 5B) and radially inwardly of the insulating tube 150 (see imaginary lines in FIG. 5C). The tip surfaces 165, 165 of the contraction portions 161, 161 (low rigidity portions 160, 160) can form a stable sealing surface.

As shown in FIG. 6, the contraction sections 161, 161 can be configured, for example, by enlarged diameter sections 164, 164. That is, each low rigidity section 160, 160 is configured by an enlarged diameter section 164, 164 whose diameter increases from the base end 162, 162 (the base 162, 162 of the low rigidity section 160, 160 relative to the support section 170) to the tip 163, 163. Examples of the shape of the enlarged diameter section 164, 164 include a tapered shape, a trumpet shape, and a bell shape.

The tips 163, 163 of the low rigidity portions 160, 160 have tip surfaces 165, 165 (sealing surfaces 165, 165) that can come into close contact with the respective contact surfaces 112, 142c (see FIG. 5A).

Each tip 163, 163 has an inner corner 167, 167 formed by the tip surface 165, 165 and the inner peripheral surface 166, 166, and an outer corner 169, 169 formed by the tip surface 165, 165 and the outer peripheral surface 168, 168. The inner corner 167, 167 and the outer corner 169, 169 are formed in a curved shape. The curved surface 167a, 167a (inner curved surface 167a, 167a) of the inner corner 167, 167 has a radius of curvature r1. The curved surface 169a, 169a (outer curved surface 169a, 169a) of the outer corner 169, 169 has a radius of curvature r2, which is smaller than the radius of curvature r1 of the inner curved surface 167a, 167a. In other words, the curved surfaces 167a, 167a of the inner corners 167, 167 have a larger radius of curvature than the curved surfaces 169a, 169a of the outer corners 169, 169 (r1>r2).

As shown in FIG. 6, the insulating tube 150 has the wall thickness t1 of the low- rigidity portions 160, 160 and the wall thickness t2 of the support portion 170 set to the same size. In this way, the wall thicknesses t1, t2 of the insulating tube 150 are uniform over the entire length L2.

The thickness of the insulating tube 150 can also be set as shown in FIG. 7. In other words, when the low- rigidity sections 160, 160 are viewed in all cross sections (cross sections cut into rings) perpendicular to the center line ch of the insulating tube 150, the thicknesses t11, t12 of each cross section are set to the same size as the thickness t2 of the support section 170 (t11 = r12 = t2).

The explanation of Example 1 can be summarized as follows:

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the electric compressor 10 comprises a sealed housing 20, a compression mechanism 50 that compresses and discharges refrigerant drawn into the housing 20, an electric motor 100 stored in the housing 20 to drive the compression mechanism 50, a cluster block 110 housed in the housing 20 and containing a connection terminal 106 electrically connected to the electric motor 100, and a sealed terminal 130 provided in the housing 20 and electrically connected to the connection terminal 106.

The sealed terminal 130 includes a terminal plate 131 that is fixed to the housing 20, a terminal pin 132 that is inserted through a through hole 131a (see FIG. 4) in the terminal plate 131 and electrically connects the connection terminal 106 to the outside of the housing 20, and an insulating member 140 that is filled between the terminal plate 131 and the terminal pin 132 to seal and insulate.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the terminal pin 132 is liquid-tightly covered by an annular insulating tube 150 that is elastic and electrically insulating. The insulating tube 150 has low- rigidity sections 160, 160 at both axial ends that are less rigid than the axial central section 170 (support section 170) of the insulating tube 150, and is sandwiched between the cluster block 110 and the insulating member 140.

The distance L1 from the insulating member 140 to the cluster block 110 is shorter than the natural length L2 of the insulating tube 150 (see Figure 6).

In contrast, in the first embodiment, the insulating tube 150 has low- rigidity sections 160, 160 that are flexible in the axial direction at both ends of the terminal pin 132 in the axial direction, and is sandwiched between the insulating member 140 and the cluster block 110. The tip surfaces 165, 165 (sealing surfaces 165, 165) of one low-rigidity section 160 (first low-rigidity section 160) contact the end surface 142c (tube contact surface 142c) of the insulating member 140 in the axial direction of the terminal pin 132. The tip surfaces 165, 165 (sealing surfaces 165, 165) of the other low-rigidity section 160 (second low-rigidity section 160) contact the end surface 112 (tube contact surface 112) of the cluster block 110 in the axial direction of the terminal pin 132 by fitting the terminal pin 132 into the connection terminal 106.

Each low- rigidity portion 160, 160 can easily expand and contract in the radial direction in response to the axial compressive force acting on the insulating tube 150. The length of the insulating tube 150 changes as each low- rigidity portion 160, 160 expands and contracts in the radial direction. Therefore, the length of the insulating tube 150 changes in accordance with the separation distance L1 from the tube contact surface 142c of the insulating member 140 to the tube contact surface 112 of the cluster block 110, allowing it to be clamped.

Furthermore, in Example 1, the distance L1 between the insulating member 140 and the cluster block 110 has a large dimensional tolerance. However, the length L2 (see FIG. 6) of the insulating tube 150 can be changed to absorb the dimensional tolerance. In this way, the insulating tube 150 can be sufficiently elastically deformed and contracted in response to a large amount of change in the axial direction, and can hermetically cover the terminal pin 132. As a result, the liquid-tightness against liquid refrigerant and lubricating oil can be improved, and the electrical insulation between the insulating member 140 and the cluster block 110 can be further improved.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, when the insulating tube 150 is clamped between the insulating member 140 and the cluster block 110, the sealing surfaces 165, 165 of each of the elastic low- rigidity portions 160, 160 are configured to contact the tube contact surface 142c of the insulating member 140 and the tube contact surface 112 of the cluster block 110 in the axial direction of the terminal pin 132.

For this reason, even if the flatness and parallelism of the tube contact surface 142c of the insulating member 140 and the tube contact surface 112 of the cluster block 110 are not in an optimal state, the seal surfaces 165, 165 of each low rigidity portion 160, 160 can elastically deform along each tube contact surface 112, 142c, thereby sufficiently ensuring airtightness and liquid tightness between each tube contact surface 112, 142c (including the terminal pin 132). As a result, the electrical insulation between the insulating member 140 and the cluster block 110 can be further improved.

In this way, in Example 1, it is possible to improve the electrical insulation between the insulating member 140 and the cluster block 110.

Furthermore, in Example 1, as shown in Figures 5A to 5C, each low- rigidity portion 160, 160 has a contraction portion 161, 161 having gaps Cr, Cr (spaces Cr, Cr) between the outer peripheral surface 132a of the terminal pin 132 and the inner peripheral surface 150a of the insulating tube 150.

In this way, each low rigidity portion 160, 160 has a contraction portion 161, 161 having a gap Cr, Cr between the outer peripheral surface 132a of the terminal pin 132 and the inner peripheral surface 150a of the insulating tube 150, so that it can easily expand and contract not only radially outward but also radially inward in accordance with the axial compressive force of the terminal pin 132 acting on the insulating tube 150, forming a stable sealing surface, improving liquid tightness against liquid refrigerant and lubricating oil, and improving electrical insulation between the insulating member 140 and the cluster block 110.

Furthermore, in Example 1, as shown in Figs. 5A and 6, there is a support portion 170 between each of the low rigidity portions 160, 160. The hole diameter d1 (inner diameter d1) of this support portion 170 is smaller than the diameter d2 of the terminal pin 132.

In this way, the support portion 170 has a hole diameter d1 (inner diameter d1) smaller than the diameter d2 of the terminal pin 132, so that the support portion 170 can maintain its state of being fitted into the terminal pin 132 by its own elasticity, and the contraction portions 161, 161 can be assembled with a certain gap Cr, Cr around the terminal pin 132. Therefore, stable sealing surfaces 165, 165 are formed between the sealing surfaces 165, 165 of the contraction portions 161, 161 and each tube contact surface 112, 142c, which can improve the liquid tightness against liquid refrigerant and lubricating oil, and improve the electrical insulation between the insulating member 140 and the cluster block 110. Furthermore, since the insulating tube 150 does not fall off the terminal pin 132, the terminal pin 132 can be easily assembled to the connection terminal 106.

Furthermore, in Example 1, as shown in FIG. 6, the tips 163, 163 of each low rigidity portion 160, 160 are curved at the inner corners 167, 167 formed by the tip faces 165, 165 and the inner circumferential faces 166, 166, and at the outer corners 169, 169 formed by the tip faces 165, 165 and the outer circumferential faces 168, 168. The curved surfaces 167a, 167a of the inner corners 167, 167 have a larger radius of curvature r1 than the curved surfaces 169a, 169a of the outer corners 169, 169.

Therefore, when the insulating tube 150 is compressed in the axial direction of the terminal pin 132, even if the contact position of the sealing surfaces 165, 165 of the contracting portions 161, 161 is displaced radially inward with respect to the tube contact surface 142c of the insulating member 140 and the tube contact surface 112 of the cluster block 110, the sealing surfaces 165, 165 can be stably formed in a circular shape surrounding the terminal pin 132. The terminal pin 132 can be liquid-tightly covered by the insulating tube 150. This can improve the liquid-tightness against the liquid refrigerant and lubricating oil sucked into the housing 20, and improve the electrical insulation between the insulating member 140 and the cluster block 110.

Furthermore, in Example 1, as shown in FIG. 6, each low- rigidity portion 160, 160 is configured with an enlarged diameter portion 164, 164 whose diameter increases from the base end 162, 162 to the tip end 163, 163. In this way, by configuring each low- rigidity portion 160, 160 with an enlarged diameter portion 164, 164, it is easier to deform than a straight configuration by deforming in the enlarged diameter direction when compressed in the axial direction, and can follow changes in axial length. In this way, the low- rigidity portions 160, 160 expand in diameter and contract in the axial direction, and can absorb displacement of the insulating tube 150 due to the dimensional tolerance of the separation distance L1 (see FIG. 5A) from the insulating member 140 to the cluster block 110.

Furthermore, in Example 1, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the wall thicknesses t1, t2, t11, and t12 of the insulating tube 150 are uniform over the entire length L2. If the wall thickness varies greatly depending on the part of the insulating tube 150, elasticity will vary depending on the part, preventing the formation of stable sealing surfaces 165, 165 through uniform shrinkage. However, in Example 1, the wall thicknesses t1, t2, t11, and t12 are uniform over the entire length L2 of the insulating tube 150, so that the shrinkage can be roughly uniform overall. As a result, the entire insulating tube 150 can withstand axial compression, further saving material.

Example 2
Second embodiment An electric compressor 200 will be described with reference to Figures 8A and 8B. Figures 8A and 8B correspond to Figure 5A.

The electric compressor 200 of the second embodiment is characterized in that the tube contact surfaces 112, 142c of the electric compressor 10 of the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 7 above are changed to the tube contact surfaces 212, 242c shown in Figs. 8A and 8B. The rest of the basic configuration is the same as that of the electric compressor 10 of the first embodiment. The same reference numerals are used for the parts that are the same as those of the electric compressor 10 of the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

The cluster block 110 of the second embodiment has a tube contact surface 212 that comes into contact with the tip surface 165 of one of the low- rigidity sections 160, 160 provided at both axial ends of the insulating tube 150. This tube contact surface 212 corresponds to the tube contact surface 112 shown in FIG. 5A, and has a spherical surface configuration shown in FIG. 8A or a conical surface configuration shown in FIG. 8B.

When the insulating tube 150 is compressed in the axial direction of the terminal pin 132, the low rigidity portion 160 contacts the tube contact surface 212, which is a spherical surface (see FIG. 8A) or a conical surface (see FIG. 8B), and expands radially outward. Therefore, even if the contact position of the seal surface 165 (tip surface 165) of the low rigidity portion 160 is displaced radially inward relative to the cluster block 110, the seal surface 165 can be stably formed in a circular shape surrounding the terminal pin 132. The terminal pin 132 can be covered liquid-tightly by the insulating tube 150. This improves the liquid-tightness against liquid refrigerant and lubricating oil drawn into the housing 20.

Furthermore, when the tube contact surface 212 of the cluster block 110 is a spherical or conical surface, even if the center line ch of the sealing surface 165 (tip surface 165) of the low rigidity section 160 is inclined relative to the center line FA of the tube contact surface 212, the tip surface 165 of the contraction section 161 can follow (be centered) by elastically deforming along the spherical or conical surface.

Furthermore, the insulating member 140 (first sealing member 142) has a tube contact surface 242c that contacts the tip surface 165 of one of the low- rigidity sections 160, 160 provided at both axial ends of the insulating tube 150. This tube contact surface 242c corresponds to the tube contact surface 142c shown in Figure 5A, and has a spherical surface configuration shown in Figure 8A or a conical surface configuration shown in Figure 8B.

When the insulating tube 150 is compressed in the axial direction of the terminal pin 132, the low rigidity portion 160 contacts the tube contact surface 242c, which is a spherical surface (see FIG. 8A) or a conical surface (see FIG. 8B), and expands radially outward. Therefore, even if the contact position of the sealing surface 165 of the low rigidity portion 160 is displaced radially inward with respect to the insulating member 140, the sealing surface 165 can be stably formed into a circular shape surrounding the terminal pin 132. The terminal pin 132 can be covered liquid-tightly by the insulating tube 150. This improves the liquid-tightness against the liquid refrigerant and lubricating oil drawn into the housing 20.

Furthermore, when the tube contact surface 242c of the insulating member 140 is a spherical or conical surface, even if the center line ch of the tip surface 165 of the low rigidity portion 160 is inclined relative to the center line FB of the tube contact surface 142c, the tip surface 165 of the low rigidity portion 160 can follow (be centered) by elastically deforming along the spherical or conical surface.

The electric compressor 200 according to the second embodiment can achieve the same effects as the electric compressor 10 according to the first embodiment, in addition to the effects of the second embodiment.

Example 3
Third embodiment An electric compressor 300 will be described with reference to Figures 9A and 9B. Figures 9A and 9B correspond to Figure 5A.

The electric compressor 300 of the third embodiment is characterized in that the low rigidity portions 160, 160 of the insulating tube 150 of the electric compressor 10 of the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 7 above are replaced with low rigidity portions 360, 360 of the insulating tube 350 shown in Figs. 9A and 9B. The rest of the basic configuration is the same as that of the electric compressor 10 of the first embodiment. The same reference numerals are used for the parts common to the electric compressor 10 of the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

The insulating tube 350 is characterized in that at least a part or all of one or both of the low- rigidity sections 360, 360 provided at both axial ends are configured in a bellows shape that can be contracted in the axial direction of the insulating tube 350.

By configuring all or part of the low- rigidity sections 360, 360 in a bellows shape, it is possible to increase the axial contractibility when compressed in the axial direction. This makes it easier to absorb the displacement of the insulating tube 350 caused by the dimensional tolerance of the separation distance L1 from the insulating member 140 to the cluster block 110.

The electric compressor 300 according to the third embodiment can achieve the same effects as the electric compressor 10 according to the first embodiment, in addition to the effects of the third embodiment.

Example 4
Fourth embodiment An electric compressor 400 according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B. Fig. 10A corresponds to Fig. 5A.

The electric compressor 400 of the fourth embodiment is characterized in that the support portion 170 of the insulating tube 150 of the electric compressor 10 of the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 7 above is replaced with a support portion 470 (central portion 470) of the insulating tube 450 shown in Figs. 10A and 10B. The rest of the basic configuration is the same as that of the electric compressor 10 of the first embodiment. The same reference numerals are used for the parts that are the same as those of the electric compressor 10 of the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

At least a portion of the support portion 470 has a gripping portion 471 that thickens radially outward from the support portion 470. For example, the gripping portion 471 is formed integrally with the outer circumferential surface of the hollow support portion 470, or is formed by fastening a separate member to the outer circumferential surface. Furthermore, the gripping portion 471 is set to a shape and size that allows it to be gripped when assembling the insulating tube 150 to the terminal pin 132. Examples of grippable shapes of the gripping portion 471 include a cross-sectional shape, a circular cross-sectional shape, and a thick shape as shown in FIG. 10B.

Since the insulating tube 450 is a small part, by providing a gripping portion 471 that is thicker radially outward of the support portion 470, it is possible to make it easier to grip, and to avoid uneven compression of the contracted portions 161, 161 (expanded portions 164, 164) due to uneven thickness, thereby improving liquid tightness by forming stable sealing surfaces 165, 165. This makes it possible to improve both the electrical insulation between the insulating member 140 and the cluster block 110 and the ease of assembling the insulating tube 150 to the terminal pin 132.

The electric compressor 400 according to the fourth embodiment can achieve the same effects as the electric compressor 10 according to the first embodiment, in addition to the effects of the fourth embodiment.

The electric compressors 10, 200, 300, 400 according to the present invention are not limited to the embodiments as long as they provide the functions and effects of the present invention.
For example, any two or more of the electric compressors 10, 200, 300, and 400 may be combined.
The housing 20 may be configured to house only the electric motor 100 without accommodating the compression mechanism 50 .
The compression mechanism 50 is not limited to a scroll compression mechanism, but may be any mechanism that is driven by the electric motor 100 and compresses the refrigerant.

The electric compressors 10; 200; 300; 400 of the present invention are suitable for use in the refrigeration cycle of vehicle air conditioners.

10; 200; 300; 400 Electric compressor 20 Housing 50 Compression mechanism 100 Electric motor 106 Connection terminal 110 Cluster block 112 Tube contact surface of cluster block 130 Sealed terminal 131 Terminal plate 131a Through hole 132 Terminal pin 140 Insulating member 150; 350; 450 Insulating tube 150a Inner peripheral surface of insulating tube 160; 360 Low rigidity portion 161 Contracted portion 162 Base end 163 Tip 164 Enlarged diameter portion 165 Tip surface (seal surface)
166 Inner peripheral surface 167 Inner corner portion 167a Curved surface of inner corner portion 168 Outer peripheral surface 169 Outer corner portion 169a Curved surface of outer corner portion 170; 470 Axial center portion (support portion)
212 Tube contact surface of cluster block 242c Tube contact surface of insulating member 471 Gripping portion Cr Gap d1 Hole diameter of insulating tube (hole diameter of support portion)
d2 Outer diameter of terminal pin r1 Radius of curvature of inner corner r2 Radius of curvature of outer corner t1, t2, t11, t12 Thickness of insulating tube

Claims (10)

1. A sealed housing (20);
   a compression mechanism (50) that compresses and discharges a refrigerant drawn into the housing (20);
   an electric motor (100) housed in the housing (20) so as to drive the compression mechanism (50);
   a cluster block (110) that accommodates a connection terminal (106) electrically connected to the electric motor (100) and is housed in the housing (20);
   a sealed terminal (130) provided in the housing (20) and electrically connected to the connection terminal (106);
   The sealing terminal (130) is
   a terminal plate (131) fixed to the housing (20);
   a terminal pin (132) that is inserted through a through hole (131a) of the terminal plate (131) and electrically connects the connection terminal (106) to the outside of the housing (20);
   An insulating member (140) that is filled between the terminal plate (131) and the terminal pin (132) to seal and insulate the terminal plate (131) and the terminal pin (132),
   The terminal pin (132) is covered liquid-tightly by an annular insulating tube (150; 350; 450) having elasticity and electrical insulation properties.
   the insulating tube (150; 350; 450) has low rigidity portions (160, 160; 360, 360) at both axial ends, the low rigidity portions having lower rigidity than an axial central portion (170; 470) of the insulating tube (150; 350; 450), and is sandwiched between the cluster block (110) and the insulating member (140).
2. The electric compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the low-rigidity portions (160, 160; 360, 360) has a contraction portion (161, 161) having a gap (Cr) between the outer peripheral surface (132a) of the terminal pin (132) and the inner peripheral surface (150a) of the insulating tube (150).
3. A support portion (170; 470) is provided between each of the low rigidity portions (160, 160; 360, 360),
   3. The electric compressor according to claim 2, wherein the support portion (170; 470) has a hole diameter (d1) smaller than a diameter (d2) of the terminal pin (132).
4. a tip end (163, 163) of each of the low rigidity portions (160, 160; 360, 360) is formed such that an inner corner (167, 167) formed by a tip end surface (165, 165) and an inner circumferential surface (166, 166) and an outer corner (169, 169) formed by the tip end surface (165, 165) and an outer circumferential surface (168, 168) are curved,
   3. The electric compressor according to claim 2, wherein the curved surface (167a, 167a) of the inner corner portion (167, 167) has a larger radius of curvature (r1) than the curved surface (169a, 169a) of the outer corner portion (169, 169).
5. The electric compressor according to claim 2, characterized in that each of the low-rigidity sections (160, 160; 360, 360) is composed of an enlarged diameter section (164, 164) whose diameter increases from the base end (162, 162) to the tip end (163, 163).
6. The electric compressor according to claim 2, characterized in that the wall thickness (t1, t2) of the insulating tube (150) is uniform throughout its entire length.
7. The cluster block (110) has a tube contact surface (212) that comes into contact with either of the tip surfaces (165) of the low rigidity portions (160, 160) provided at both axial ends of the insulating tube (150),
   3. The electric compressor of claim 2, wherein the tube contact surface (212) is a spherical or conical surface.
8. The insulating member (140) has a tube contact surface (242c) that comes into contact with either of the tip surfaces (165) of low-rigidity portions (160, 160) provided at both axial ends of the insulating tube (150),
   3. The electric compressor according to claim 2, wherein the tube contact surface (242c) is a spherical or conical surface.
9. The electric compressor according to claim 2, characterized in that the insulating tube (350) is configured such that at least a part or all of one or both of the low-rigidity sections (360, 360) provided at both axial ends thereof is configured in a bellows shape that can be contracted in the axial direction of the insulating tube (350).
10. The electric compressor according to claim 3, characterized in that at least a portion of the support portion (470) has a gripping portion (471) that is thicker radially outward of the support portion (470).

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