U.S. patent application number 14/703130 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-20 for electrically-driven compressor.
The applicant listed for this patent is KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI. Invention is credited to Shingo Enami, Akio Fujii, Masao Iguchi, Kazuya Kimura, Tatsuya Koide, Kenji Mochizuki, Ken Suitou, Akihiko Taketani.
Application Number | 20150233377 14/703130 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38309252 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150233377 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Koide; Tatsuya ; et
al. |
August 20, 2015 |
ELECTRICALLY-DRIVEN COMPRESSOR
Abstract
An electrically-driven compressor including a housing, an
electric motor, a compression mechanism, a cover member, a motor
drive circuit, and a sealing member is disclosed. The electric
motor is accommodated in the housing. The compression mechanism is
accommodated in the housing and operated by the electric motor. The
cover member is attached to the housing. The housing and the cover
member form an accommodation portion including an accommodation
space therein. The motor drive circuit is accommodated in the
accommodation space and drives the electric motor. The sealing
member is arranged between the housing and the cover member to seal
the accommodation space. The sealing member includes an elastic
seal portion that comes into close contact with the housing and the
cover member. A core sustains the shape of the seal portion in
conformance with the circumferential edge of the accommodation
space. The core is formed so that at least a circumferential edge
part of the core is in conformance with the circumferential edge of
the accommodation space. The seal portion is formed integrally with
the circumferential edge part of the shape sustaining member by
depositing rubber material thereon.
Inventors: |
Koide; Tatsuya; (Kariya-shi,
JP) ; Suitou; Ken; (Kariya-shi, JP) ; Kimura;
Kazuya; (Kariya-shi, JP) ; Fujii; Akio;
(Kariya-shi, JP) ; Taketani; Akihiko; (Kariya-shi,
JP) ; Iguchi; Masao; (Kariya-shi, JP) ;
Mochizuki; Kenji; (Kariya-shi, JP) ; Enami;
Shingo; (Kariya-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI |
Aichi-ken |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
38309252 |
Appl. No.: |
14/703130 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11885776 |
Aug 7, 2008 |
|
|
|
PCT/JP2007/051173 |
Jan 25, 2007 |
|
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14703130 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
417/410.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04C 27/003 20130101;
F04C 2240/808 20130101; F16J 15/121 20130101; F16J 15/061 20130101;
F16J 15/062 20130101; F16J 15/125 20130101; F01C 21/10 20130101;
F16J 15/122 20130101; H02K 5/225 20130101; F16J 15/022 20130101;
F16J 15/104 20130101; F04C 18/0215 20130101; F04C 27/008 20130101;
H02K 5/22 20130101; F04C 2240/30 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F04C 29/00 20060101
F04C029/00; F04C 27/00 20060101 F04C027/00; F04C 18/02 20060101
F04C018/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 25, 2006 |
JP |
2006-016503 |
Jan 25, 2007 |
JP |
2007-014411 |
Claims
1. An electrically-driven compressor comprising: a housing; an
electric motor accommodated in the housing; a compression mechanism
accommodated in the housing and operated by the electric motor; a
cover member attached to the housing, wherein the housing and the
cover member form an accommodation portion including an
accommodation space therein; a motor drive circuit, accommodated in
the accommodation space, for driving the electric motor; and a
sealing member, arranged between the housing and the cover member,
for sealing the accommodation space, wherein the sealing member
includes an elastic seal portion that closely contacts the housing
and the cover member and a shape sustaining member for sustaining
the shape of the seal portion in conformance with a circumferential
edge of the accommodation space, the shape sustaining member is
shaped so that at least a circumferential edge part of the shape
sustaining member is in conformance with the circumferential edge
of the accommodation space, and the seal portion is formed
integrally with the circumferential edge part of the shape
sustaining member by depositing rubber material thereon, wherein
the sealing member is formed on the circumferential edge part of
the shape sustaining member to cover an outer circumferential part
of the shape sustaining member, and a groove portion is formed on
surfaces of the seal portion facing an open end of the housing and
an open end of the cover member.
2. The electrically-driven compressor according to claim 1,
wherein: the sealing member is arranged between parallel opposing
surfaces of the housing and the cover member; the elastic seal
portion has an upper surface and a lower surface that are parallel
to and closely contact the parallel opposing surfaces of the
housing and the cover member; the shape sustaining member has an
upper surface and a lower surface that are parallel to the parallel
opposing surfaces of the housing and the cover member; the sealing
member covers the outer circumferential part of the shape
sustaining member to prevent the shape sustaining member from
facing the housing and the cover; the housing, cover, and sealing
member each have an outer surface exposed to the external
environment; the cover member is attached to the housing by a bolt,
which does not extend through the sealing member; the bolt extends
at a position located inside the sealing member, wherein the bolt
does not contact the sealing member; the seal portion covers the
outer circumferential edge part of the shape sustaining member, but
does not cover an inner circumferential edge part of the shape
sustaining member; the inner circumferential edge part is not
covered by the housing and the cover member; and the seal portion
prevents the shape sustaining member from contacting the housing
and the cover member, and the seal portion prevents the cover
member from contacting the housing.
3. The electrically-driven compressor according to claim 1,
wherein: the housing includes a side wall having the shape of a
polygon and extending from the housing, the side wall having the
open end; and the accommodation portion is formed by attaching the
cover member to the open end of the side wall so as to cover the
open end of the side wall.
4. The electrically-driven compressor according to claim 1, wherein
the shape sustaining member includes a core having the shape of a
frame and extending along the circumferential edge of the
accommodation space.
5. The electrically-driven compressor according to claim 1,
wherein: the motor drive circuit includes a circuit board; the
shape sustaining member is formed by the circuit board; the circuit
board has a circumferential edge part that is formed in conformance
with the circumferential edge of the accommodation space; and the
seal portion is arranged on the circumferential edge part of the
circuit board.
6. The electrically-driven compressor according to claim 4,
wherein: the sealing member has the shape of a frame extending
along the circumferential edge of the accommodation space; and a
positioning portion for positioning the sealing member between the
housing and the cover member by contacting or engaging the sealing
member is arranged in at least either between the sealing member
and the accommodation portion or between the sealing member and the
motor drive circuit.
7. The electrically-driven compressor according to claim 6,
wherein: the core includes an inner circumferential part extending
inward into the sealing member from an inner circumference of the
seal portion; and the sealing member is positioned by contact of
the inner circumferential part of the core with a contact portion
arranged on an outer circumferential part of the motor drive
circuit.
8. The electrically-driven compressor according to claim 6, wherein
the positioning portion includes a recess and a projection arranged
between an inner circumferential part of the sealing member and an
outer circumferential part of the motor drive circuit.
9. The electrically-driven compressor according to claim 6, wherein
the positioning portion includes the groove portion arranged on the
seal portion and an engagement projection arranged on at least one
of the housing and the cover member and engageable with the groove
portion.
10. The electrically-driven compressor according to claim 6,
wherein: the sealing member has the shape of a polygonal frame and
includes a plurality of corners; and the positioning portion is
arranged between each of two opposing corners of the sealing member
and a region of the accommodation portion or the motor drive
circuit corresponding to the corner.
11. The electrically-driven compressor according to claim 10,
wherein the positioning portion is arranged to extend along two
sides forming the corner of the sealing member.
12. The electrically-driven compressor according to claim 1,
wherein the accommodation space is formed by an accommodation
cavity formed in at least one of the housing and the cover member.
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/885,776 filed Aug. 7, 2008.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an electrically-driven
compressor including a compression mechanism driven by an electric
motor, and more particularly, to an electrically-driven compressor
in which a drive circuit for driving an electric motor is
accommodated in an accommodation portion of a housing.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] This type of electrically-driven compressor is disclosed in,
for example, patent document 1. In the electrically-driven
compressor disclosed in patent document 1, a scroll type
compression mechanism and a motor (electric motor) for driving the
compression mechanism are accommodated in a casing (housing) that
forms the outer shell of the electrically-driven compressor. The
motor, which is operated by the control of an inverter controller,
drives the compression mechanism. A tubular wall having a tubular
shape projects from the upper part of the casing, and a cover
member is fastened by bolts to an open end of the tubular wall with
a circuit board of the inverter controller (motor drive circuit)
located therebetween.
[0004] The cover member is attached so as to cover the inverter
controller and protect the inverter controller from dust and
moisture. A seal member (sealing member) is arranged at the open
end of the tubular wall. The pressure condition in the casing is
ensured by arranging the seal member (sealing member) between the
tubular wall and the circuit board. A seal member is further
arranged at an open end of the cover member. Dust and moisture are
prevented from entering the cover member by arranging the seal
member between the cover member and the circuit board.
[0005] In patent document 1, a rubber 0-ring is used as the seal
member. The seal member must be arranged along the entire
circumference of the open end, of the tubular wall and be in close
contact with the open end of the tubular wall and the circuit board
in order to ensure the pressure condition in the casing. The
additional seal member must be arranged along the entire
circumference of the open end of the cover member and be in close
contact with the open end of the cover member and the circuit board
to prevent dust and moisture from entering the cover member. In
order to arrange each seal member along the entire circumference of
the corresponding open end, the shape of the seal member must be
sustained to conform to the shape of the corresponding open end.
Thus, a groove for sustaining the shape of the seal member must be
formed at each open end in patent document 1.
[0006] A gasket may be used as the seal member. Since a gasket
formed from a metal plate, a means for sustaining the shape of the
seal member is not required. When the gasket is employed in the
electrically-driven patent document 1, a gasket is held in close
contact with the open end of the tubular wall and the circuit board
to ensure the pressure conditions in the casing. An additional
gasket is held in close contact with the open end of the cover
member and the circuit board to prevent dust and moisture from
entering the cover member.
[0007] The inverter controller employs a structure in which
electrical components connected to the circuit board come into
contact with the cover member so as to radiate heat from the
electrical components through the cover member. This improves the
heat radiation of the heat generated by the electrical components.
However, when the electrical, components contact the cover member,
a gap is formed between the open end of the cover member and the
circuit board. A gasket has the shape of a thin plate. Thus, when a
gasket is used, the cover member must be accurately manufactured to
equalize the gap between the open end of the cover member and the
circuit board with the thickness of the gasket in order to close
the gap so that the cover member comes into close contact with the
gasket. If the cover member is manufactured with low accuracy, the
adhesion of the open end of the cover member to the gasket
decreases, and dust and moisture enters the cover member from the
space between the cover member and the circuit board.
[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication
No. 2002-364536
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
electrically-driven compressor that does not require a means for
sustaining the shape of a seal in the housing and the cover member
while easily ensuring adhesion between the housing and the cover
member.
[0010] To achieve the above objective, one aspect of the present
invention is an electrically-driven compressor including a housing,
an electric motor accommodated in the housing, a compression
mechanism accommodated in the housing and operated by the electric
motor, and a cover member attached to the housing. The housing and
the cover member form an accommodation portion including an
accommodation space therein. A motor drive circuit is accommodated
in the accommodation space for driving the electric motor. A
sealing member arranged between the housing and the cover member
seals the accommodation space. The sealing member includes an
elastic seal portion that closely contacts the housing and the
cover member and a shape sustaining member for sustaining the shape
of the seal portion in conformance with a circumferential edge of
the accommodation space. The shape sustaining member is shaped so
that at least a circumferential edge part of the shape sustaining
member is in conformance with the circumferential edge of the
accommodation space. The seal portion is formed integrally with the
circumferential edge part of the shape sustaining member by
depositing rubber material thereon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an
electrically-driven compressor according to a first embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the electrically-driven
compressor of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of
FIG. 2 showing a state in which an electric motor is removed;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an accommodation
portion of a second embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an
accommodation portion of a third embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the interior of an
accommodation space;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing another
example of the third embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a sealing
member of another example of the third embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view showing another
example of the third embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a sealing
member of another example;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a sealing
member of another example;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a sealing
member of another example;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a sealing
member of another example;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a sealing
member of another example; and
[0025] FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a sealing
member of another example.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0026] A first embodiment of the present invention will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. In the following
description, the "front" and "rear" of the compressor correspond to
the directions of the arrow Y1 shown in FIG. 1, and the "left" and
"right" correspond to the directions of the arrow Y2 shown in FIG.
3.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, a housing 11 forming the outer shell of
an electrically-driven compressor 10 includes a first housing
element 21 and a second housing 22.
[0028] The second housing element 22 is joined and fixed to the
rear end of the first housing element 21. The first housing element
21, which is formed by die casting aluminum alloy, has a bottom
located at the front end of a substantially cylindrical
circumferential wall 23. The second housing element 22, which is
formed by die casting aluminum alloy, is cylindrical and has a lid
located at the rear end. A sealed space 24 is formed between the
first housing element 21 and the second housing element 22.
[0029] The first housing element 21 rotatably supports a rotation
shaft 27. An electric motor 25 and a compression mechanism 26 are
accommodated in the sealed space 24. The electric motor 25 includes
a stator 25a fixed to an inner surface 23a of the circumferential
wall 23 and a rotor 25b arranged on the rotation shaft 27 at the
radially inward side of the stator 25a. The electric motor 25
rotates the rotation shaft 27 when power is supplied to the stator
25a.
[0030] The compression mechanism 26 is of a scroll type including a
fixed scroll 26a and a movable scroll 26b. The compression
mechanism 26 compresses refrigerant gas when the movable scroll 26b
orbits relative to the fixed scroll 26a as the rotation shaft 27
rotates. When the electric motor 25 is driven to operate the
compression mechanism 26, refrigerant gas is drawn from an external
refrigerant circuit (not shown) into the compression mechanism 26
through an intake port 28 (see FIG. 2) formed in the first housing
element 21 through the electric motor 25. The refrigerant gas drawn
into the compression mechanism 26 becomes high temperature and high
pressure refrigerant gas due to the compression action of the
compression mechanism 26. Then, the refrigerant gas is discharged
out of a discharge port 29 formed in the second housing element 22
into the external refrigerant circuit.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an accommodation portion 36
including an accommodation space 35 therein is formed in part of an
outer surface 23b of the circumferential wall 23. The accommodation
portion 36 includes a side wall 37, which has the shape of a
four-sided frame and extends integrally from the outer surface 23b
of the circumferential wall 23, and a cover member 38, which is
attached to an open end 37a of the side wall 37. An accommodation
cavity 23c having a bottom defined by the outer surface 23b of the
circumferential wall 23 is formed at the inner side of the side
wall 37. The cover member 38 is formed from aluminum alloy or the
like and has the shape of a square box with a lid at the right end.
That is, the cover member 38 includes a top plate portion 39 having
the shape of a four-sided plate and a circumferential wall portion
40 projecting along the circumferential part of the top plate
portion 39. An accommodation cavity 38a is formed at the inner side
of the top plate portion 39 and the circumferential wall portion
40.
[0032] The cover member 38 is attached and fixed to the first
housing element 21 with an open end 40a of the circumferential wall
portion 40 facing an open end 37a of the side wall 37. The cover
member 38 is attached to the first housing element 21 by fastening
bolts 50, which are inserted through the cover member 38, with the
first housing element 21. In this attached state, the accommodation
space 35 is defined in the accommodation portion 36 by the
accommodation cavity 23c and the accommodation cavity 38a. That is,
the accommodation space 35 is formed by the outer surface 23b of
the circumferential wall 23, the inner surface of the side wall 37,
the inner surface of the circumferential wall portion 40, and the
top surface of the top plate portion 39, as shown in FIG. 3. A
sealing member 30 for sealing the accommodation space 35 is
arranged between the open end 37a of the side wall 37 and the open
end 40a of the circumferential wall portion 40, or along the
circumferential edge of the accommodation space 35.
[0033] A motor drive circuit 41 for driving the electric motor 25
is accommodated in the accommodation space 35. The motor drive
circuit 41, which includes an inverter, supplies power to the
stator 25a of the electric motor 25 based on an external command
from an air conditioner ECU (not shown). The motor drive circuit 41
includes a planar circuit board 43 and plural types of electrical
components 44. The electrical components 44 are respectively
connected to the circuit board 43 on a surface 43a facing the first
housing element 21 and a surface 43b facing the cover member
38.
[0034] The circuit board 43 is fixed to the circumferential wall of
the first housing element 21 by the bolts 50. The electrical
components 44 include known components forming the inverter (i.e.,
switching element, electrolytic capacitor, transformer, driver,
fixed resistor, etc.). The electrical components 44 arranged on the
surface 43a of the circuit board contact the first housing element
21 by way of an insulating plate 45, and the electrical components
44 arranged on the surface 43b of the circuit board 43 contact the
top plate portion 39 of the cover member 38 by way of an insulating
plate 46. The insulating plates 45 and 46 are preferably formed
from materials having superior heat conductivity.
[0035] The sealing member 30 will now be described in detail. As
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sealing member 30 has the shape of a
generally four-sided frame and includes a core 31 and a seal
portion 32. The core 31 serves as a shape sustaining member having
the shape of a generally four-sided frame. The core 31 is made of,
for example, stainless steel, and has the required rigidity.
Therefore, the core 31 sustains its shape with its rigidity and is
not easily deformed by external force or the like. The seal portion
32 is made of a rubber material (e.g., hydrogenated nitrile rubber
(HNBR), oil bearing rubber, etc.) integrated with the core 31.
Materials having superior elasticity are suitable for use as the
rubber material. The sealing member 30 has an outline formed by the
seal portion 32, and the core 31 is embedded in the inner side of
the seal portion 32. That is, the seal portion 32 is integrated
with the core 31 so as to include the outer circumferential part of
the core 31.
[0036] The sealing member 30 has a shape that conforms to the
circumferential edge of the accommodation space 35, that is, the
shape of a generally four-sided frame conforming to the open end
37a of the side wall 37 and the open end 40a of the circumferential
wall portion 40. The core 31 and the seal portion 32 also have the
shape of a generally four-sided frame so as to conform to the shape
of the two open ends 37a and 40a. The width of each side of the
four-sided frame forming the seal portion 32 is the same as the
width of the corresponding side of the side wall 37 and the width
of the side of the circumferential wall portion 40. Thus, in a
state in which the sealing member 30 is arranged between the open
ends 37a and 40a, the inner circumferential edge of the seal
portion 32, the inner circumferential edge of the side wall 37, and
the inner circumferential edge of the circumferential wall portion
40 lie along the same plane, and the outer circumferential edge of
the seal portion 32, the outer circumferential edge of the side
wall 37, and the outer circumferential edge of the circumferential
wall portion 40 lie along the same plane.
[0037] The sealing member 30 is manufactured in the following
manner. To manufacture the sealing member 30, the core 31 is first
shaped into a generally four-sided frame that conforms to the open
end 37a of the side wall 37 and the open end 40a of the
circumferential wall portion 40. Rubber material is then
vapor-deposited on the core 31, which has been shaped as a
generally four-sided frame. This integrates the seal portion 32
with the core 31 and manufactures the sealing member 30.
[0038] To form the accommodation portion 36 with the sealing member
30, the cover member 38 is first arranged so that the open end 40a
faces the open end 37a. Then, the sealing member 30 is arranged
between the two open ends 37a and 40a. That is, the seal portion 32
of the sealing member 30 is arranged on the circumferential edge of
the accommodation space 35. The cover member 38 is then secured to
the first housing element 21 with the bolts 50, the sealing member
30 is held between the open ends 37a and 40a, and the seal portion
32 comes into close contact with the open ends 37a and 40a. During
the attachment of the cover member 38, the sealing member 30 is
shaped into a generally four-sided frame that conforms to the two
open ends 37a and 40a, and the shape of the seal portion 32 is
sustained to the generally four-sided frame shape by the core 31.
Thus, a positioning means for shaping the sealing member 30, in
particular, the seal portion 32, in conformance with the two open
ends 37a and 40a is not necessary.
[0039] When attaching the cover member 38, the seal portion 32 is
elastically deformed by the axial fastening force of the bolts 50.
The top plate portion 39 of the cover member 38 contacts the
electrical components 44 by way of the insulating plate 46 when the
cover member 38 is attached to the first housing element 21. In
this state, the open end 40a is spaced from the open end 37a, and a
gap is formed between the two open ends 37a and 40a. However, this
gap is closed by the seal portion 32 arranged between the two open
ends 37a and 40a, and the surfaces of the seal portion 32
respectively facing the open ends 37a and 40a come into close
contact with the open ends 37a and 40a. The seal portion 32 ensures
the adhesion between the open end 37a and the open end 40a.
Furthermore, the seal portion 32 elastically deforms in its
thicknesswise direction due to the axial fastening force of the
bolts 50. The elastic deformation absorbs the dimensional tolerance
of the two open ends 37a and 40a. This improves the adhesion of the
side wall 37 and the cover member 38.
[0040] The above embodiment has the advantages described below.
[0041] (1) The sealing member 30 is arranged between the open end
37a and the open end 40a at the circumferential edge of the
accommodation space 35. The seal portion 32 seals the accommodation
space 35 in close contact with the open ends 37a and 40a. The
sealing member 30 includes the core 31, which has the shape of a
generally four-sided frame and which is arranged along the
circumferential direction of the open ends 37a and 40a, and the
seal portion 32, which is formed by vapor-depositing rubber
material on the core 31. Thus, the seal portion 32 of the sealing
member 30 is sustained in a generally four-sided frame shape
conforming to the open ends 37a and 40a by the core 31. A means for
sustaining the shape of the seal portion 32 as a four-sided frame
shape (e.g., groove and adhesive for holding the seal portion 32)
thus does not need to be arranged on the open ends 37a and 40a.
Consequently, the manufacturing of the electrically-driven
compressor 10 is facilitated.
[0042] (2) The shape of the seal portion 32 is sustained by the
core 31. Therefore, the sealing member 30 is attached to the
accommodation portion 36 just by arranging the sealing member 30 on
the circumferential edge of the accommodation space 35 and holding
it between the open end 37a and the open end 40a. The formation of
the accommodation portion 36, and furthermore, the assembly of the
electrically-driven compressor 10 is facilitated compared to, for
example, when an 0-ring is fitted to the groove. Furthermore, the
seal portion 32 does not need to be joined to the open ends 37a and
40a with an adhesive or the like. Therefore, the cover member 38
and the sealing member 30 are easily disassembled when
disassembling the accommodation portion 36.
[0043] (3) When the cover member 38 is attached to the housing 11,
the electrical components 44 contact the cover member 38, and a gap
is formed between the open end 37a of the housing 11 and the open
end 40a of the cover member 38. If a gasket having the form of a
thin plate is used as the sealing member, the gap between the
housing 11 and the cover member 38 must correspond to the thickness
of the gasket in the state of contact. However, in the present
embodiment, the gap is closed as the seal portion 32 elastically
deforms. Thus, the housing (side wall 37) and the cover member 38
do not need to be accurately manufactured. Accordingly, the gap is
closed without increasing costs as would be the result when
accurately manufacturing the housing 11 and the cover member
38.
[0044] (4) The dimensional tolerance is absorbed by the 10 elastic
deformation of the seal portion 32 even if the size of the gap
slightly differs due to the dimensional tolerance allowed for the
housing 11 (side wall 37) and the cover member 38. Therefore, the
accommodation space 35 is sealed with the closing of the gap
ensured by the seal portion 32.
[0045] (5) Since the open end 37a and the open end 40a have the
shape of a generally four-sided frame, the seal portion 32 also
needs to be sustained in the generally four-sided frame shape. In
this regard, a means (e.g., groove) for sustaining the seal portion
32 in a generally four-sided frame shape does not need to be
arranged in the open ends 37a and 40a since the shape of the seal
portion 32 is sustained by the core 31 in the present embodiment.
When using an 0-ring as the sealing member, it is difficult to
sustain the 0-ring, which has a circular shape, in a generally
four-sided frame shape. Further, a shape sustaining means such as
groove must always be formed on the open ends 37a and 40a.
Accordingly, the structure for sustaining the seal portion 32 in a
generally four-sided frame shape with the core 31 is particularly
effective when the sealing regions have a polygonal (four-sided)
frame shape.
[0046] (6) Rubber material is vapor-deposited on the core 31, which
is shaped as a generally four-sided frame in advance to integrate
the core 31 with the seal portion 32 and manufacture the sealing
member 30. Therefore, unnecessary material is not produced, whereas
unnecessary material would be produced when manufacturing a gasket
by depositing rubber material on a metal plate to form a rubber
thin film and then punching the metal plate to a desired shape
(generally four-sided frame shape in the present embodiment).
[0047] (7) The sealing member 30 has rubber material deposited
after the core 31 is shaped into a generally four-sided frame.
Therefore, the shaping of the core 31 into a generally four-sided
frame is easily performed, and the manufacturing of the sealing
member 30 is facilitated.
[0048] A second embodiment of the present invention will now be
described with reference to FIG. 4. In the second embodiment
described below, the same reference numerals are used for
components that are the same as the first embodiment, and the
redundant description of such components will either be omitted or
simplified.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 4, a sealing member 60 of the second
embodiment is formed with the seal portion 32 integrated with a
circumferential edge part of a circuit board 43, which has the
shape of a four-side plate, in the motor drive circuit 41. That is,
the circumferential edge part of the circuit board 43 is also used
as the shape sustaining member for sustaining the seal portion 32
in the shape conforming to the open ends 37a and 40a.
[0050] Accordingly, the present embodiment has the following
advantage in addition to the advantages similar to advantages (1)
to (5) of the first embodiment.
[0051] (8) The sealing member 60 is formed by integrating the seal
portion 32 with the circuit board 43 of the motor drive circuit 41.
Thus, the seal portion 32 may be arranged at the circumferential
edge of the accommodation space 35 at the same time when arranging
the motor drive circuit 41 in the accommodation space 35. Thus, in
the present embodiment, the task for forming the accommodation
portion 36 can be eliminated as compared to when the task for
arranging the motor drive circuit 41 in the accommodation space 35
and the task for arranging the sealing member 30 are separately
performed during the formation of the accommodation portion 36.
This facilitates the manufacturing of the electrically-driven
compressor 10.
[0052] A third embodiment of the present invention will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. In the third embodiment
described below, the same reference numerals are used for
components that are the same as the first embodiment, and the
redundant description of such components will either be omitted or
simplified.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 5, the accommodation portion 36 is arranged
on the upper part of the circumferential wall 23 of the first
housing element 21 in the third embodiment. That is, the
accommodation portion 36 includes the side wall 37 of four-sided
frame shape integrally extended from the outer surface 23b (upper
surface in FIG. 5) of the circumferential wall 23, and a cover
member 38 attached and fixed to the side wall 37. The sealing
member 30 is arranged between the open end 37a of the side wall 37
in the housing 11 and the open end 40a of the circumferential wall
portion 40.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 6, the sealing member 30 is formed to have
a four-sided frame shape and arranged along the circumferential
edge of the accommodation space 35. The sealing member 30 includes
the core 31, which serves as a shape sustaining member having the
shape of a generally four-sided frame, and a seal portion 32, which
is made of a rubber material integrated with the core 31. The
sealing member 30 has an outline formed by the seal portion 32, and
the core 31 is embedded in the inner side of the seal portion 32.
An inner circumferential part 31a of the core 31 extends from the
inner circumference of the seal portion 32 towards the inner side
of the sealing member 30. In FIG. 5, a groove portion 32a is
arranged on both upper and lower surfaces (outer surfaces) of the
seal portion 32, and the groove portions 32a are arranged at
positions located at the inner sides of the inner circumferential
edge and the outer circumferential edge of the seal portion 32. The
groove portions 32a extend across the entire seal portions 3 in the
circumferential direction.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 5, the motor drive circuit 41 accommodated
in the accommodation space 35 includes a base 42, which is made of
aluminum, and the circuit board 43, which is fixed to the base 42.
The circuit board 43 is arranged on the upper side of the base 42.
The base 42 is formed to have the shape of four-sided plate. A
support portion 42a is arranged on the upper surface of the base
42. The circuit board 43 is fixed to the base 42 by inserting a
screw (not shown) through the circuit board 43 and fastening the
screw to a screw attachment hole (not shown) of the support portion
42a. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the interior of the
accommodation portion 36. In FIG. 6, the cover member 38 and the
circuit board 43 are not shown, and only the base 42 is shown. As
shown in FIG. 6, among the four corners of the base 42, a contact
portion 42b forming a positioning portion is defined by two sides
forming each of two opposing diagonal corners. That is, the contact
portion 42b is arranged on the outer circumferential part 42c of
the base 42 and is extended to the upper side and the lower side of
the base 42. The outer surface of each contact portion 10 42b has a
planar shape.
[0056] When forming the accommodation portion 36 with the sealing
member 30, the motor drive circuit 41 is first accommodated on the
inner side of the cover member 38. Then, the cover member and the
motor drive circuit 41 are integrated with each other by bolts (not
shown). The outer surface of the contact portion 42b contacts the
inner circumferential surface of the circumferential wall portion
40 in a state in which the motor drive circuit 41 is integrated
with the cover member 38. Furthermore, the sealing member 30 is
arranged on the open end 37a, and the cover member 38 is arranged
on the sealing member 30. The cover member 38 is attached to the
first housing element 21 with the bolts 50 inserted through the
cover member 38 and the motor drive circuit 41 (circuit board 43
and base 42). The sealing member 30 is held between the open ends
37a and 40a so that the seal portion 32 of the sealing member 30
closely contacts each of the open ends 37a and 40a.
[0057] In the accommodation portion 36, the motor drive circuit 41
is prevented from moving in the lateral direction or the rotation
direction in the accommodation space 35 since the motor drive
circuit 41 is fastened to the cover member 38 with bolts. The outer
surfaces of the two contact portions 42b of the base 42 contact the
inner circumferential part 31a of the core 31 facing the contact
portions 42b. That is, the two sides forming each of two opposing
diagonal corners and the contact portions 42b of the base 42 facing
such two sides at the inner circumferential part 31a of the core 31
are in contact at the inner circumferential part 31a of the core
31. Since the motor drive circuit 41 is positioned by fastening the
cover member 38 with the bolts, the sealing member 30 contacting
the contact portion 42b of the base 42 is also prevented from
moving in the lateral direction or the rotation direction. The
groove portion 32a of the seal portion 32 is arranged at a position
facing the open end 37a of the side wall 37 and the open end 40a of
the circumferential wall portion 40 by positioning the sealing
member 30.
[0058] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the inner
circumferential part 31a of the core 31 in the sealing member 30
and the contact portion 42b of the base 42 in the motor drive
circuit 41 form the positioning portion for positioning the sealing
member 30 between the side wall 37 (housing) and the cover member
38.
[0059] The present embodiment has the following advantages in
addition to the advantages similar to advantages (1) to (7) of the
first embodiment.
[0060] (9) The inner circumferential part 31a of the core 31 is
projected from the inner circumferential surface of the seal
portion 32, and the contact portion 42b of the motor drive circuit
41 (outer circumferential part 42c of the base 42) positioned in
the accommodation space 35 comes into contact with the inner
circumferential part 31a. This positions the sealing member 30
between the open ends 37a and 40a, and the sealing member 30 is
prevented from being displaced by vibrations or the like during the
operation of the electrically-driven compressor 10. The groove
portions 32a are thus maintained in a state facing the open ends
37a and 40a. Consequently, foreign material, moisture, and the like
are collected in the groove portions 32a even when entering the
space between each open end 37a and 40a and the seal portion 32.
Accordingly, the period required for foreign material, moisture,
and the like to reach the accommodation space 35 is extended
compared to when there are no groove portions 32a.
[0061] (10) The inner circumferential part 31a of the core 31,
which is made of metal, comes into contact with the contact portion
42b, which is made of metal. Thus, deficiencies such as the sealing
member 30 being displaced due to the 20 elastic deformation of the
seal portion 32 does not occur like when, for example, the seal
portion 32 of the sealing member 30 comes into contact with the
contact portion 42b. This ensures prevention of displacement of the
sealing member 30.
[0062] (11) The positioning of the sealing member 30 is performed
using the contact portion 42b formed on the motor drive circuit 41.
The sealing member 30 is positioned with a simple structure of
extending the contact portion 42b to 30 the base 42 of the motor
drive circuit 41. Therefore, the number of components is reduced
compared to when extending a pin hole formation portion, which
includes a pin hole, on the inner circumferential side of the
sealing member 30, forming a pin hole in the first housing element
21, and positioning the sealing member 30 by press-fitting the pin
into the pin hole. In addition, the cost for forming the pin hole
formation portion and the pin hole, the cost of the pins, and the
cost required for press-fitting the pins are reduced. The cost
required for forming the accommodation portion 36, and furthermore,
the cost required for manufacturing the electrically-driven
compressor 10 is thus reduced.
[0063] (12) The contact portion 42b is formed along the two sides
forming each of two corners in the outer circumferential part 42c
of the base 42. The two opposing corners at the inner
circumferential part 31a of the core 31 contact the contact
portions 42b at the sealing member 30. Thus, rotation and movement
of the sealing member 30 is prevented without arranging the contact
portion 42b across the entire circumference of the base 42.
[0064] (13) The outer surface of the contact portion 42b is formed
to have a planar shape. The sealing member 30 is positioned by
contact between the contact portion 42b, which has a planar shape,
and the inner circumferential part 31a of the core 31. This
facilitates the positioning task of the sealing member 30.
[0065] The present embodiment may be modified as described
below.
[0066] In the third embodiment, the contact portion 42b may project
from the entire circumference of the outer circumferential part 42c
of the base 42. In this case, the entire circumference of the inner
circumferential part 31a of the core 31 contacts the contact
portion 42b. This positions the sealing member 30.
[0067] The third embodiment may be modified as described below. As
shown in FIG. 7, the core 31 is entirely covered by the seal
portion 32. In a state in which the sealing member 30 is arranged
between the open ends 37a and 40a, the inner circumferential part
32c of the seal portion 32 is formed so as to project towards the
accommodation space 35 from the inner circumferential edges of the
side wall 37 and the circumferential wall portion 40. The motor
drive circuit 41 is positioned in the accommodation space 35 at the
same time as when the cover member 38 is fixed to the first housing
element 21 with the bolts 50. This prevents movement in the
accommodation space 35. The sealing member 30 is positioned by
contact of the inner circumferential part 32c of the seal portion
32 with the outer circumferential part 43d of the circuit board 43
positioned in the accommodation space 35. In this case, the entire
circumference of the inner circumferential part 32c of the seal
portion 32 contacts the entire circumference of the outer
circumferential part 43d of the circuit board 43. However, among
the four corners of the inner circumferential part 32c, the two
opposing corners may contact the outer circumferential part 43d of
the circuit board 43 at positions facing the two corners. The
positioning portion is formed by the inner circumferential part 32c
of the seal portion 32 and the outer circumferential part 43d
(contact portion) of the circuit board 43.
[0068] In the third embodiment, in a state in which the sealing
member 30 is arranged between the open ends 37a and 40a, the inner
circumferential part 31a of the core 31 is formed so as to project
towards the accommodation space 35 from the inner circumferential
edge of the side wall 37 and the circumferential wall portion 40.
The motor drive circuit 41 is positioned in the accommodation space
35 at the same time as when the cover member 38 is fixed to the
first housing element 21 with the bolt 50. This prevents movement
in the accommodation space 35. The sealing member 30 is positioned
by contact of the inner circumferential part 31a of the core 31
with the outer circumferential part 43d of the circuit board 43
positioned in the accommodation space 35. In this case, the entire
circumference of the inner circumferential part 31a of the core 31
contacts the entire circumference of the outer circumferential part
43d of the circuit board 43. However, among the four corners of the
inner circumferential part 31a, the two opposing corners may
contact the outer circumferential part 43d of the circuit board 43
at positions facing the two corners. The positioning portion is
formed by the inner circumferential part 31a of the core 31 and the
outer circumferential part 43d (contact portion) of the circuit
board 43.
[0069] The third embodiment may be modified as described below. As
shown in FIG. 8, the sealing member 30 may be formed such that the
core 31 is entirely covered by the seal portion 32. In a state in
which the sealing member 30 is arranged between the open ends 37a
and 40a, the inner circumferential part 32c of the seal portion 32
is formed so as to project towards the accommodation space 35 from
the inner circumferential edges of the side wall 37 and the
circumferential wall portion 40. The motor drive circuit 41 is
positioned in the accommodation space 35 at the same time as when
the cover member 38 is fastened to the first housing element 21
with the bolts 50. This prevents the motor drive circuit 41 from
moving in the accommodation space 35.
[0070] Furthermore, among the four corners of the inner
circumferential part 32c, a projection 32d is formed on each of two
opposing corners. Each projection 32d extends across the upper
surface of the two sides forming the corresponding corner. Recesses
43c engageable with the projections 32d are formed on the lower
surface of the outer circumferential part 43d of the circuit board
43. The sealing member 30 is positioned by the engagement of the
projections 32d with the recesses 43c. In this case, the
positioning portion is formed by the projections 32d and the
recesses 43c. A projection 32d may be formed to extend along the
entire circumference of the upper surface of the seal portion 32,
and a recess 43c may be formed to extend along the entire
circumference of the lower surface of the circuit board 43. Such a
structure prevents movement of the sealing member 30 by the contact
between the outer surface of the projection 32d and the inner
surface of the recess 43c.
[0071] Instead of forming the projection 32d on the seal portion
32, the inner circumferential part 31a of the core 31 may be
projected towards the inner side of the sealing member 30 from the
inner circumference of the seal portion 32, and a projection may be
formed on the upper surface of the inner circumferential part 31a
of the core 31. In this case, the recess engageable with the
projection of the core 31 is formed on the lower surface of the
outer circumferential part 43d of the circuit board 43. The
projection of the core 31 and the recess of the circuit board 43
form the positioning portion.
[0072] The third embodiment may be modified as described below. As
shown in FIG. 9, engagement projections 37b that engage the groove
portions 32a of the seal portion 32 are formed on the open end 37a
of the side wall 37, and engagement projections 40b that engage the
groove portions 32a of the seal portion 32 are formed on the open
end 40a of the circumferential wall portion 40. The sealing member
30 is positioned by the engagement of the groove portions 32a and
the engagement projections 37b and 40b. With such a structure, the
movement of the sealing member 30 is prevented by contact of the
outer surfaces of the engagement projections 37b and 40b with the
inner surface of the groove portion 32a. Thus, the groove portions
32a slow the infiltration of moisture or the like into the
accommodation space 35. The sealing member 30 may thus be
positioned using a structure provided in advance on the sealing
member 30, Among the four corners of the open end 37a (40a), the
engagement projection 37b (40b) may be arranged only on two
diagonal opposing corners. In the third embodiment, the core 31 may
be entirely covered by the seal portion 32, and the inner
circumferential part 32c of the seal portion 32 may come into
contact with the contact portion 42b of the base 42. In this case,
the positioning portion is formed by the inner circumferential part
32c and the contact portion 42b that contact each other.
[0073] In the third embodiment, the core 31 is entirely covered by
the seal portion 32, and the inner circumferential part 32c of the
seal portion 32 may come into contact with the contact portion 42b
of the base 42. Furthermore, the engagement projections 37b that
engage the groove portions 32a of the seal portion 32 are formed on
the open end 37a of the side wall 37, and the engagement
projections 40b that engage the groove portions 32a of the seal
portion 32 are formed on the open end 40a of the circumferential
wall portion 40. The sealing member 30 may be positioned by the
engagement of the groove portions 32a with the engagement
projections 37b and 40b. That is, the sealing member 30 may be
positioned by the contact portion 42b arranged on the motor drive
circuit 41 and the engagement projections 37b and 40b arranged in
the accommodation portion 36.
[0074] As shown in FIG. 10, for example, in the first embodiment,
groove portions 32a extending across the entire circumferential
direction of the sealing member 30 may be formed on the surface of
the seal portion 32 facing the corresponding open ends 37a and 40a.
In such a structure, foreign material, moisture, and the like can
be collected in the groove portions 32a even when entered the space
between each open end 37a and 40a and the seal portion 32. This
prevents foreign material, moisture, and the like from reaching the
accommodation space 35. Further, the groove portions 32a may not
extend across the entire circumferential direction of the sealing
member 30. The groove portions 32a may be formed on only one part
of the sealing member 30 in the circumferential direction.
Alternatively, a plurality of groove portions 32a may be arranged
on the sealing member 30 at equal or random intervals in the
circumferential direction.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 11, the core 31 may be entirely covered by
the seal portion 32 in the sealing member 30 of the first
embodiment.
[0076] As shown in FIG. 12, rubber plates 63 made of a rubber
material may be joined to the surfaces of the core 31 facing the
corresponding open ends 37a and 40a in the sealing member 30 of the
first embodiment so that each rubber plate 63 forms the seal
portion.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 13, the shape sustaining member may be
formed by a pair of metal wires 70 forming a four-sided frame shape
in the sealing member 30 of the first embodiment. Rubber plates 71
made of a rubber material may be joined to the sides of the wires
70 facing the corresponding open ends 37a and 40a.
[0078] As shown in FIG. 14, the seal portion may be formed by a
rubber plate 73 having a four-sided frame shape, and an
accommodation cavity 73a may be formed in the surfaces of the
rubber plate 73 facing the corresponding open ends 37a and 40a in
the sealing member 30 of the first embodiment. A core 74 serving as
the shape sustaining member may be accommodated in each
accommodation cavity 73a.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 15, the shape sustaining member may be
formed by a pair of metal wires 70 forming a four-sided frame
shape, and the wires 70 may be entirely coated with a rubber
material and the seal portion 32 may be formed on the entire
circumference of the wire 70 in the sealing member 30 of the first
embodiment.
[0080] In the third embodiment, a contact strip may be extending
upward from the inner circumferential surface of the side wall 37,
and the inner circumferential part 31a of the core 31 of the
sealing member 30 may come into contact with the contact strip in
order to position the sealing member 30. Alternatively, the contact
strip may be extended downward from the inner circumferential
surface of the circumferential wall portion 40 of the cover member
38, and the inner circumferential part 31a of the core 31 of the
sealing member 30 may come into contact with the contact strip in
order to position the sealing member 30.
[0081] The compression mechanism 26 is not limited to the scroll
type, and may be, for example, a piston type, a vane 10 type, a
helical type, or the like.
[0082] The open end 37a of the side wall 37 and the open end 40a of
the cover member 38 are not limited to the four-sided frame shape
and may have any shape such as round frame shape, a three-sided
frame shape, and the like. In this case, the shapes of the core 31
and the seal portion 32 are changed in accordance with the shapes
of the open ends 37a and 40a.
[0083] The accommodation space 35 may be formed by only the
accommodation cavity 38a of the cover member 38. In this case, the
side wall 37 (accommodation cavity 23c) is omitted. Alternatively,
the accommodation space 35 may be formed by only the accommodation
cavity 23c of the side wall 37. In this case, the circumferential
wall portion 40 (accommodation cavity 38a) of the cover member 38
is omitted.
* * * * *