U.S. patent application number 13/751595 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-08 for motor-driven compressor.
This patent application is currently assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI. The applicant listed for this patent is KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JODOSHAKKI. Invention is credited to Shingo ENAMI, Akio FUJII.
Application Number | 20130202461 13/751595 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47664161 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130202461 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ENAMI; Shingo ; et
al. |
August 8, 2013 |
MOTOR-DRIVEN COMPRESSOR
Abstract
A motor-driven compressor includes a connector-receiving portion
provided on the outer surface of a housing. A wiring connection
portion is provided in the connector-receiving portion and supplies
electricity from an external power source to a motor drive circuit.
The wiring connection portion includes a first terminal, a second
terminal, and a metal plate for connecting the first and the second
terminals to each other. The first and the second terminals have a
first end-connection portion and a second end-connection portion,
respectively. The second end-connection portion of the first
terminal is electrically connected to the external power source,
and the second end-connection portion of the second terminal is
electrically connected to the motor drive circuit. The metal plate
has opposite ends, which are connected to the first end-connection
portion of the first terminal and the first end-connection portion
of the second terminal, respectively.
Inventors: |
ENAMI; Shingo; (Kariya-shi,
JP) ; FUJII; Akio; (Kariya-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JODOSHAKKI; |
Kariya-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA
JIDOSHOKKI
Kariya-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
47664161 |
Appl. No.: |
13/751595 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/410.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 4/029 20130101;
F04C 18/0215 20130101; F04B 39/121 20130101; F04B 35/04 20130101;
H01R 13/6315 20130101; F04C 23/008 20130101; F04B 39/14 20130101;
F04C 2240/803 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/410.1 |
International
Class: |
F04B 35/04 20060101
F04B035/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 2, 2012 |
JP |
2012-021094 |
Claims
1. A motor-driven compressor, comprising: a housing; a compression
portion, an electric motor, and a motor drive circuit, which are
accommodated in the housing; a connector-receiving portion provided
on an outer surface of the housing; and a wiring connection portion
provided in the connector-receiving portion, the wiring connection
portion being adapted for supplying electricity from an external
power source to the motor drive circuit, wherein the wiring
connection portion includes a first terminal having a first
end-connection portion at an end thereof and a second
end-connection portion at another end thereof, the second
end-connection portion being electrically connected to the external
power source, a second terminal having a first end-connection
portion at an end thereof and a second end-connection portion at
another end thereof, the second end-connection portion being
electrically connected to the motor drive circuit, and a metal
plate having opposite ends, which are connected to the first
end-connection portion of the first terminal and the first
end-connection portion of the second terminal, respectively, to
connect the first terminal and the second terminal to each
other.
2. The motor-driven compressor according to claim 1, wherein an end
of the metal plate and the first end-connection portion of the
first terminal are welded to each other, and another end of the
metal plate and the first end-connection portion of the second
terminal are welded to each other.
3. The motor-driven compressor according to claim 1, wherein the
connector-receiving portion is made of metal, and an insulating
member is located between the wiring connection portion and the
connector-receiving portion.
4. The motor-driven compressor according to claim 1, wherein the
housing accommodates a rotary shaft having an axial direction, and
wherein the connector-receiving portion extends in the axial
direction of the rotary shaft and toward the electric motor.
5. The motor-driven compressor according to claim 4, wherein the
compression portion, the electric motor, and the motor drive
circuit are accommodated in the housing to be arranged in that
order in the axial direction of the rotary shaft.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a motor-driven compressor
including a compression portion, an electric motor, and a motor
drive circuit, which are accommodated in a housing.
[0002] Conventionally, motor-driven compressors including a
compression portion, an electric motor, and a motor drive circuit,
which are accommodated in a housing, have been known. The
compression portion is driven through rotation of a rotary shaft,
which is rotated by the electric motor. The electric motor is
driven by the motor drive circuit. For example, refer to Japanese
Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-74517. The motor drive
circuit is driven by receiving electricity from an external power
source. A tubular connector-receiving portion, which protrudes
outward from the outer surface of the housing, is formed on the
housing. A wiring connection portion is accommodated in the
connector-receiving portion to supply electricity from the external
power source to the motor drive circuit. A substrate on which
electric parts such as a switching element are mounted is located
in the motor drive circuit. A conductive member extending into the
connector-receiving portion and connecting the substrate with the
wiring connection portion is mounted on the substrate.
[0003] As shown in FIG. 4, a conventional wiring connection portion
80 is located in a connector-receiving portion 92, which is formed
on an external surface of a housing (not shown). The wiring
connection portion 80 is configured by a wire 81, a first terminal
82, which is connected to a first end of the wire 81 and
electrically connected to an external power source 90, and a second
terminal 83, which is connected to a second end of the wire 81 and
electrically connected to the motor drive circuit (not shown). The
wire 81 is formed by covering a lead portion 81a, which is formed
by binding up a plurality of leads with an insulating coating
81b.
[0004] A swage portion 82a (first end-connection portion) is formed
at a first end of the first terminal 82, while a connection portion
82b (second end-connection portion), which is electrically
connected to the external power source 90, is formed at a second
end of the first terminal 82. A swage portion 83a (first
end-connection portion) is formed at a first end of the second
terminal 83, while a connection portion 83b (second end-connection
portion), which is electrically connected to a conductive member
91, is formed at a second end of the second terminal 83.
[0005] At the opposite ends of the wire 81, the lead portion 81a is
exposed from the insulating coating 81b. The first end of the wire
81 and the first terminal 82 are connected to each other by swaging
the lead portion 81a exposed from the insulating coating 81b at the
first end of the wire 81 by the swage portion 82a of the first
terminal 82. Also, the second end of the wire 81 and the second
terminal 83 are connected to each other by swaging the lead portion
81a exposed from the insulating coating 81b at the second end of
the wire 81 by the swage portion 83a of the second terminal 83.
[0006] There is a need for the length in the direction in which the
connector-receiving portion 92 extends to be shortened as required
in accordance with the position and size of a space in the vehicle
allotted for the motor-driven compressor. Therefore, it is also
necessary to shorten the length of the wire 81 of the wiring
connection portion 80 in accordance with the length of the
connector-receiving portion 92.
[0007] If the swaging of the lead portion 81a by the swage portion
82a of the first terminal 82 and the swaging of the lead portion
81a by the swage portion 83a of the second terminal 83 are
performed using, for example, a swage tool while a machine such as
a robot arm grasps the wire 81, the position of the swaging
(connecting position) is shifted due to the flexibility of the wire
81, resulting in poor connecting operability. Therefore, generally,
the swaging of the lead portion 81a by the swage portion 82a of the
first terminal 82 and the swaging of the lead portion 81a by the
swage portion 83a of the second terminal 83 are performed using the
swage tool while an operator holds the wire 81 by hand.
Accordingly, such manual operation by the operator allows the swage
position to be adjusted finely, and the operability of the swaging
is improved.
[0008] The shorter the length of the wire 81 becomes, however, the
shorter the distance between the operator's hand and the swage tool
becomes. Accordingly, such a connecting operation cannot be easily
performed, and thus it becomes difficult to shorten the length of
the entire wiring connection portion 80. As a result, the length in
the direction in which the connector-receiving portion 92 extends
cannot be shortened as necessary in accordance with the position
and size of an allotted space in the vehicle.
[0009] An objective of the present invention is to provide a
motor-driven compressor that readily shortens the length of the
entire wiring connection portion compared with a wiring connection
portion in which a wire is used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] To achieve the foregoing objective and in accordance with
one aspect of the present invention, a motor-driven compressor is
provided that includes a housing, a compression portion, an
electric motor, a motor drive circuit, a connector-receiving
portion, a wiring connection portion, and an electrical wire. The
compression portion, the electric motor, and the motor drive
circuit are accommodated in the housing. The connector-receiving
portion is provided on an outer surface of the housing. The wiring
connection portion is provided in the connector-receiving portion
and is adapted for supplying electricity from an external power
source to the motor drive circuit. The wiring connection portion
includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a metal plate for
connecting the first terminal and the second terminal to each
other. The first terminal has a first end-connection portion at an
end thereof and a second end-connection portion at the other end
thereof. The second end-connection portion is electrically
connected to the external power source. The second terminal has a
first end-connection portion at an end thereof and a second
end-connection portion at the other end thereof. The second
end-connection portion is electrically connected to the motor drive
circuit. The metal plate has opposite ends, which are connected to
the first end-connection portion of the first terminal and the
first end-connection portion of the second terminal,
respectively.
[0011] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of
example the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The invention, together with objects and advantages thereof,
may best be understood by reference to the following description of
the presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating
a motor-driven compressor according to one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 1B is a partially enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional
view illustrating the connector-receiving portion and its
surrounding in the motor-driven compressor shown in FIG. 1A;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of
FIG. 1B;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional
view illustrating a connector-receiving portion and its surrounding
according to another embodiment of the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged lateral cross-sectional view
illustrating the connector-receiving portion of a conventional
motor-driven compressor and its surroundings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] A motor-driven compressor according to one embodiment of the
present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1
and 2. The motor-driven compressor of the present embodiment is
mounted on vehicle, which is a hybrid automobile, and employed for
a vehicle air conditioner.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 1A, a motor-driven compressor 10 includes a
housing 11, which is made of metal (aluminum in the present
embodiment). The housing 11 is formed by an intermediate housing
member 12, a discharge housing member 13, and an inverter housing
member 14. The intermediate housing member 12 constitutes an
intermediate part of the housing 11 and is formed to be cylindrical
with a closed end. The discharge housing member 13 is joined to the
open end of the intermediate housing member 12. The inverter
housing member 14 is joined to the closed end of the intermediate
housing member 12. The intermediate housing member 12 and the
discharge housing member 13 are fastened to each other by blots B1
with a gasket G in between. Also, the intermediate housing member
12 and the inverter housing member 14 are fastened to each other by
bolts B2. An accommodation space 17 is defined between the
intermediate housing member 12 and the inverter housing member
14.
[0020] A discharge chamber 15 is defined between the intermediate
housing member 12 and the discharge housing member 13. A discharge
port 16 is formed in an end face of the discharge housing member
13. The discharge chamber 15 is connected to an external
refrigerant circuit (not shown) via the discharge port 16. A
suction port (not shown) is formed at a position near the inverter
housing 14 in the intermediate housing member 12. The space in the
intermediate housing member 12 is connected to the external
refrigerant circuit (not shown) via the suction port.
[0021] A rotary shaft 23 is rotationally supported in the
intermediate housing member 12. The intermediate housing member 12
accommodates a compression portion 18 for compressing refrigerant
and an electric motor 19 for driving the compression portion 18.
The accommodation space 17 accommodates a motor drive circuit 30,
which controls operation of the electric motor 19. Therefore, the
compression portion 18, the electric motor 19, and the motor drive
circuit 30 are accommodated in the housing 11 to be arranged in
that order in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 23.
[0022] The compression portion 18 will now be described.
[0023] The compression portion 18 includes a fixed scroll 20, which
is fixed to the intermediate housing member 12, and an orbiting
scroll 21, which is arranged to face the fixed scroll 20.
Compression chambers 22, the volume of which is variable, are
defined between the fixed scroll 20 and the orbiting scroll 21. A
discharge passage 28, which connects the compression chambers 22
and the discharge chamber 15 to each other, is formed in the fixed
scroll 20. A discharge valve 29 is located at an end face of the
fixed scroll 20.
[0024] Next, the electric motor 19 will be described.
[0025] The electric motor 19 includes a rotor 24, which rotates
integrally with the rotary shaft 23, and a stator 25, which is
fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the intermediate
housing member 12 to surround the rotor 24. The rotor 24 includes a
rotor core 24a, which is fixed to and rotates integrally with the
rotary shaft 23, and permanent magnets 24b, which are provided on
the circumferential surface of the rotor core 24a. The stator 25 is
substantially annular. A stator core 25a is fixed to the inner
circumferential surface of the intermediate housing member 12. A
coil 25b is wound about each of teeth (not shown) of the stator
core 25a.
[0026] The motor drive circuit 30 will now be described.
[0027] The motor drive circuit 30 includes a flat plate-like
circuit board 31 and electrical components 32a to 32d mounted on
the circuit board 31. The circuit board 31 is located in the
accommodation space 17 and fixed to the inner surface of the
inverter housing member 14. The circuit board 31 is arranged in the
inverter housing member 14 to extend in a radial direction of the
rotary shaft 23. The motor drive circuit 30 supplies electricity to
the stator 25 of the electric motor 19 based on commands from an
electronic control unit (ECU) for controlling the air conditioner
(not shown). The circuit board 31 has a conductive member 33, which
protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the inverter
housing member 14 and extends toward a connector-receiving portion
42.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 1B, the connector-receiving portion 42 is
made of metal (aluminum in the present embodiment). The
connector-receiving portion 42 includes a tubular first extended
portion 42a and a tubular second extended portion 42b. The first
extended portion 42a extends outward from the outer circumferential
surface of the inverter housing member 14 in a radial direction of
the rotary shaft 23. The second extended portion 42b is continuous
with the first extended portion 42a and extends in the axial
direction of the rotary shaft 23 and toward the electric motor 19.
The first extended portion 42a has a connection portion 421a, which
is connected to a connection hole 141 formed in the inverter
housing member 14. The connector-receiving portion 42 is connected
to the inverter housing member 14 by joining the connection hole
141 and connection portion 421a to each other.
[0029] The length of the second extended portion 42b in a
longitudinal direction is adjusted in accordance with the position
and size of a space in a hybrid car allotted for the motor-driven
compressor 10 according to the present embodiment. A connector
housing 44, which is made of plastic, is attached to an opening
421b of the second extended portion 42b. The connector housing 44
is tubular and includes a fitting portion 44a, a contact portion
44b, and a main body 44c. The fitting portion 44a is fitted in the
opening 421b. The contact portion 44b is continuous with the
fitting portion 44a and contacts an open end 422b of the second
extended portion 42b. The main body 44c is continuous with the
contact portion 44b and is connected to an external power source
40.
[0030] Wiring connection portions 50 are accommodated in the second
extended portion 42b and the connector housing 44 to supply
electricity from the external power source 40 to the motor drive
circuit 30. Each of the wiring connection portions 50 includes a
first terminal 51 electrically connected to the external power
source 40, a second terminal 52 electrically connected to the motor
drive circuit 30 and a metal plate 53 connecting the first terminal
51 with the second terminal 52.
[0031] A first end-connection portion 51a is formed at a first end
of the first terminal 51, while a second end-connection portion
51b, which is electrically connected to the external power source
40, is formed at a second end of the first terminal 51. Also, a
first end-connection portion 52a is formed at a first end of the
second terminal 52, while a second end-connection portion 52b,
which is electrically connected to the conductive member 33, is
formed at a second end of the second terminal 52. The metal plate
53 is an elongated board. The length of the metal plate 53 in the
longitudinal direction is less than the length of the second
extended portion 42b in the direction in which the second extended
portion 42b extends. The first end of the metal plate 53 and the
first end-connection portion 51a of the first terminal 51 are
joined to each other; that is, connected to each other by welding
(in the present embodiment, resistance welding). The second end of
the metal plate 53 and the first end-connection portion 52a of the
second terminal 52 are joined to each other; that is, connected to
each other by welding (in the present embodiment, resistance
welding).
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the motor-driven compressor 10 according
to the present embodiment is provided with two wiring connection
portions 50, which are arranged side by side. The second terminal
52 and a part of the metal plate 53 of each of the wiring
connection portions 50 are located in a plastic cluster block 45
having a shape of a rectangular box accommodated in the second
extended portion 42b. The inside of the cluster block 45 is
sectioned into a first accommodation section 45a and a second
accommodation section 45b. The first accommodation section 45a
accommodates the second terminal 52 and a part of the metal plate
53 of one of the wiring connection portions 50. The second
accommodation section 45b accommodates the second terminal 52 and a
part of the metal plate 53 of the other one of the wiring
connection portions 50. The cluster block 45 ensures insulation
between i) the second terminal 52 and the part of the metal plate
53 of one of the wiring connection portions 50 and ii) the second
terminal 52 and the part of the metal plate 53 of the other wiring
connection portion 50. Further, the cluster block 45 ensures
insulation between each of the wiring connection portions 50 and
the connector-receiving portion 42. Therefore, in the present
embodiment, the cluster block 45 functions as an insulating
member.
[0033] The connector housing 44 accommodates the first terminal 51
and a part of the metal plate 53 of each wiring connection portion
50. The inside of the connector housing 44 is sectioned into a
first accommodation section 441 and a second accommodation section
442. The first accommodation section 441 accommodates the first
terminal 51 and a part of the metal plate 53 of one of the wiring
connection portions 50. The second accommodation section 442
accommodates the first terminal 51 and a part of the metal plate 53
of the other wiring connection portion 50. The connector housing 44
ensures insulation between i) the first terminal 51 and the part of
the metal plate 53 of one of the wiring connection portions 50 and
ii) the first terminal 51 and the part of the metal plate 53 of the
other one of the wiring connection portions 50. Further, the
connector housing 44 ensures insulation between each wiring
connection portion 50 and the connector-receiving portion 42.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the connector housing 44
functions as an insulating member.
[0034] The second end-connection portions 52b of the second
terminals 52 and the conductive members 33 are electrically
connected to each other, and the second end-connection portions 51b
of the first terminals 51 and the external power source 40 are
electrically connected to each other, so that the external power
source 40 and the motor drive circuit 30 are electrically connected
to each other via the wiring connection portions 50 and the
conductive members 33.
[0035] According to the above described motor-driven compressor 10,
electricity from the external power source 40 is supplied to the
motor drive circuit 30 via the wiring connection portions 50 and
the conductive members 33. When the electricity is supplied to the
electric motor 19 from the motor drive circuit 30, the rotor 24 is
rotated. Accordingly, the rotary shaft 23 rotates. As the rotary
shaft 23 rotates, the volume of each compression chamber 22 between
the orbiting scroll 21 and the fixed scroll 20 is reduced in the
compression portion 18. Then, refrigerant is drawn into the
intermediate housing member 12 from the external refrigerant
circuit via the suction port. The refrigerant taken into the
intermediate housing member 12 is drawn into the compression
chambers 22 in the intermediate housing member 12 via a suction
passage 27 provided in the intermediate housing member 12 to be
compressed. The refrigerant that has been compressed in the
compression chambers 22 is discharged to the discharge chamber 15
via the discharge passage 28, while flexing the discharge valve 29.
The refrigerant discharged to the discharge chamber 15 is conducted
to the external refrigerant circuit via the discharge port 16 and
then returned to the intermediate housing member 12.
[0036] Operation of the present embodiment will now be
described.
[0037] For example, a case is considered where the first end of the
metal plate 53 is connected to the first end-connection portion 51a
of the first terminal 51 or the second end of the metal plate 53 is
connected to the first end-connection portion 52a of the second
terminal 52, while a machine such as a robot arm grasps the metal
plate 53. In this case, since the metal plate 53 is more rigid than
a wire used in a conventional motor-driven compressor, the
likelihood of shifting of the connecting position of the metal
plate 53 with respect to the first end-connection portion 51a of
the first terminal 51 or to the first end-connection portion 52a of
the second terminal 52 is reduced. As a result, it is not necessary
for an operator to perform connecting operation while holding the
metal plate 53 by hand. Even if the length of the entire metal
plate 53 is shortened, the operation of connecting the first end of
the metal plate 53 with the first end-connection portion 51a of the
first terminal 51 or the second end of the metal plate 53 with the
first end-connection portion 52a of the second terminal 52 is
facilitated.
[0038] According to the above described motor-driven compressor 10,
the length of the metal plate 53 in the longitudinal direction is
less than the length of the second extended portion 42b in the
direction in which the second extended portion 42b extends. As a
result, the length of the second extended portion 42b is shortened
in accordance with the position and size of a space in a hybrid car
allotted for the motor-driven compressor 10 according to the
present embodiment. This facilitates mounting of the motor-driven
compressor 10 on a hybrid car.
[0039] The above described embodiment has the following
advantages.
[0040] (1) Each of the wiring connection portions 50 is formed by
the first terminal 51, the second terminal 52, and the metal plate
53. More specifically, the wiring connection portion 50 is
configured by connecting the first end of the metal plate 53 to the
first end-connection portion 51a formed at the first end of the
first terminal 51 and by connecting the second end of the metal
plate 53 to the first end-connection portion 52a formed at the
first end of the second terminal 52. Accordingly, since the metal
plate 53 is more rigid than the wire used in the conventional
motor-driven compressor, the likelihood of shifting of the
connecting position of the metal plate 53 with respect to the first
end-connection portion 51a of the first terminal 51 or to the first
end-connection portion 52a of the second terminal 52 is reduced.
Accordingly, even if the length of the entire metal plate 53 is
shortened, the first end-connection portion 51a of the first
terminal 51 or the first end-connection portion 52a of the second
terminal 52 can be easily connected to the metal plate 53. As a
result, the length of the entire metal plate 53 can be shortened;
that is, the length of the entire wiring connection portion 50 can
be easily shortened in comparison to a wiring connection portion in
which a wire is used.
[0041] (2) The first end of the metal plate 53 and the first
end-connection portion 51a of the first terminal 51 are welded to
each other, and the second end of the metal plate 53 and the first
end-connection portion 52a of the second terminal 52 are welded to
each other. Accordingly, the metal plate 53 can be connected to the
first terminal 51 or the second terminal 52 more firmly in
comparison to a case where, for example, the first end of the metal
plate 53 and the first end-connection portion 51a of the first
terminal 51 are connected to each other by swaging or the second
end of the metal plate 53 and the first end-connection portion 52a
of the second terminal 52 are connected by swaging.
[0042] (3) The connector-receiving portion 42 is made of metal, and
the cluster block 45 and the connector housing 44 are located
between the wiring connection portions 50 and the
connector-receiving portion 42. In order to ensure the strength of
the connector-receiving portion 42, it is preferred to form the
connector-receiving portion 42 with metal. Further, the cluster
block 45 and the connector housing 44 can ensure insulation between
the wiring connection portions 50 and the connector-receiving
portion 42. Since the positions of the wiring connection portions
50 are determined by the cluster block 45 and the connector housing
44 in the connector-receiving portion 42, movement of the wiring
connection portions 50 in the connector-receiving portion 42 due to
vibration of the running hybrid car is restricted.
[0043] (4) The cluster block 45 and the connector housing 44 ensure
insulation between one of the wiring connection portions 50 and the
other one of the wiring connection portions 50. Accordingly, for
example, the wiring connection portions 50 are prevented from
contacting each other to be conductive with each other due to
vibration of the running hybrid car.
[0044] (5) The first end of the metal plate 53 and the first
end-connection portion 51a of the first terminal 51 are
resistance-welded to each other, and the second end of the metal
plate 53 and the first end-connection portion 52a of the second
terminal 52 are resistance-welded to each other. In the
conventional motor-driven compressor, when the respective swage
portions and the lead portions are resistance-welded to each other,
it is relatively hard for current generated by the resistance
welding to flow through the lead portions, while it is relatively
easy for current to flow through the swage portions, since the lead
portions are formed by a plurality of bundled wires. For this
reason, there is a problem that it is hard to connect the
respective swage portions and the lead portions to each other.
According to the present embodiment, however, since the metal plate
53 is resistance-welded to each of the first end-connection
portions 51a and 52a, it is easier to perform welding and connect
the metal plate 53 with the first terminal 51 or the second
terminal 52 compared with a case where the swage portions and the
lead portions are resistance-welded to each other.
[0045] The above described embodiment may be modified as
follows.
[0046] The second extended portion 42b of the connector-receiving
portion 42 is arranged to extend in the axial direction of the
rotary shaft 23. The invention is not limited to this, and as shown
in FIG. 3, for example, the second extended portion 42b of the
connector-receiving portion 42 may be arranged to extend in the
radial direction of the rotary shaft 23. That is, the direction in
which the connector-receiving portion extends may be changed as
necessary in accordance with the configurations such as the
position and size of a space in the vehicle allotted for the
motor-driven compressor.
[0047] The connector-receiving portion 42 may be simultaneously
formed when the inverter housing member 14 is formed.
[0048] The connector-receiving portion 42 may be made of plastic,
for example. In this case, the insulating member for ensuring the
insulation between the wiring connection portions 50 and the
connector-receiving portion may be omitted.
[0049] The first end of the metal plate 53 and the first
end-connection portion 51a of the first terminal 51 may be
connected to each other by swaging, and the second end of the metal
plate 53 and the first end-connection portion 52a of the second
terminal 52 may be connected to each other by swaging. Even in this
case, when the first end of the metal plate 53 is swaged by the
first end-connection portion 51a of the first terminal 51 and the
second end of the metal plate 53 is swaged by the first
end-connection portion 52a of the second terminal 52, the swaging
position is not shifted as is in the case where a wire is used.
Accordingly, it is possible to perform a swaging operation by the
swage tool while a machine such as a robot arm grasps the metal
plate 53, for example. As a result, even if the length of the metal
plate 53 is shortened as much as possible, the swaging operation is
not difficult. Accordingly, the length of the entire wiring
connection portion 50 can be easily shortened in comparison to a
wiring connection portion in which a wire is used.
[0050] The wiring connection portions 50 may be entirely
accommodated in the cluster block 45 to ensure insulation between
the wiring connection portions 50 and the connector-receiving
portion 42. Alternatively, the connector housing 44 may accommodate
the wiring connection portions 50 entirely to ensure insulation
between the wiring connection portions 50 and the
connector-receiving portion 42.
[0051] The two wiring connection portions 50 are provided side by
side. However, for example, three wiring connection portions 50 may
be arranged side by side. That is, the number of the wiring
connection portions 50, which are arranged side by side, is not
particularly limited.
[0052] The compression portion 18, the electric motor 19, and the
motor drive circuit 30 are accommodated in the housing 11 to be
arranged in that order in the axial direction of the rotary shaft
23. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the
electric motor 19, the compression portion 18, and the motor drive
circuit 30 may be accommodated in the housing 11 to be arranged in
that order in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 23.
[0053] The compression portion 18 is not limited to a type that is
configured by the fixed scroll 20 and the orbiting scroll 21, but
may be a piston type or a vane type.
[0054] Instead of a vehicle air conditioner, the present invention
may be applied to other types of air conditioners.
[0055] The present invention is applied to the motor-driven
compressor 10, which is mounted on a hybrid automobile and used in
a vehicle air conditioner. However, instead of a hybrid automobile,
the present invention may be applied to a motor-driven compressor
that is used in a vehicle air conditioner mounted on an automobile
driven only by gasoline or on an electric car.
[0056] Therefore, the present examples and embodiments are to be
considered as illustrative and not restrictive and the invention is
not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified
within the scope and equivalence of the appended claims.
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