U.S. patent application number 15/852984 was filed with the patent office on 2018-06-28 for electric compressor.
This patent application is currently assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI. The applicant listed for this patent is KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI. Invention is credited to Shingo ENAMI, Atsuhiro ISHIDA, Yusuke KINOSHITA, Tatsuya KOIDE, Kenji MOMMA, Kazuhiro ONARA, Masato TSUKAHARA, Junya YANO.
Application Number | 20180180046 15/852984 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62510397 |
Filed Date | 2018-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180180046 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MOMMA; Kenji ; et
al. |
June 28, 2018 |
ELECTRIC COMPRESSOR
Abstract
An electric compressor includes a compression portion, an
electric motor, a drive circuit, a housing having a cylindrical
shape and accommodating the compression portion and the electric
motor, a cover attached to the housing and cooperating with the
housing to accommodate the drive circuit, and a protector. The
protector is configured to protect the cover from an external
force. The protector includes a fixing portion that is fixed to the
housing and a protection portion that is formed in a plate-like
shape. The protection portion is disposed to face and to be spaced
from the cover. The protector extends in a diametrical direction of
the housing. A plurality of recesses is formed in the protection
portion toward the cover such that the protection portion projects
toward the cover. The recesses extend in an extending direction of
the protector.
Inventors: |
MOMMA; Kenji; (Aichi-ken,
JP) ; KOIDE; Tatsuya; (Aichi-ken, JP) ; ENAMI;
Shingo; (Aichi-ken, JP) ; YANO; Junya;
(Aichi-ken, JP) ; KINOSHITA; Yusuke; (Aichi-ken,
JP) ; TSUKAHARA; Masato; (Aichi-ken, JP) ;
ONARA; Kazuhiro; (Aichi-ken, JP) ; ISHIDA;
Atsuhiro; (Aichi-ken, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI |
Kariya-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA
JIDOSHOKKI
Kariya-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
62510397 |
Appl. No.: |
15/852984 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04C 2270/70 20130101;
F04C 2240/30 20130101; F04C 18/0215 20130101; F01C 21/10 20130101;
B60H 1/3226 20130101; F04C 29/00 20130101; F04C 2210/26 20130101;
F04C 2240/40 20130101; F04C 2240/808 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F04C 29/00 20060101
F04C029/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 27, 2016 |
JP |
2016-254082 |
Claims
1. An electric compressor comprising: a compression portion
configured to compress refrigerant; an electric motor configured to
drive the compression portion; a drive circuit configured to drive
the electric motor; a housing having a cylindrical shape and
accommodating the compression portion and the electric motor; a
cover attached to the housing and cooperating with the housing to
accommodate the drive circuit; and a protector configured to
protect the cover from an external force caused by a collision, the
protector including a fixing portion that is fixed to the housing
and a protection portion that is formed in a plate-like shape, the
protection portion being disposed to face and to be spaced from the
cover, wherein the protector extends in a diametrical direction of
the housing, a plurality of recesses are formed in the protection
portion toward the cover such that the protection portion projects
toward the cover, and the recesses extend in an extending direction
of the protector.
2. The electric compressor according to claim 1, wherein the
housing has a receiving portion protruding from an outer peripheral
surface of the housing, and the protector includes an abutment
portion that is configured to abut on the receiving portion in the
event that the protection portion is subjected to an external force
caused by a collision.
3. The electric compressor according to claim 1, wherein the
housing or the cover has a tube-shaped connector protruding outward
from the housing or the cover, and the protection portion includes
a relief portion that is operable to prevent the interference
between the connector and the protection portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an electric compressor.
[0002] An electric compressor generally has a housing accommodating
a compression portion configured to compress refrigerant and an
electric motor configured to drive the compression portion. The
electric compressor further has a cover attached to the housing.
The cover cooperates with the housing to accommodate a drive
circuit configured to drive the electric motor.
[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
2016-166547 discloses an electric compressor having a protector
that is configured to protect the cover from an external force
caused by a collision. The protector includes a fixing portion
fixed to the housing and a protection portion formed in a
plate-like shape and disposed in a position that is spaced from the
cover. This configuration eliminates or minimizes a contact between
the protection portion and the cover which may occur in the event
that the protection portion is deformed toward the cover under an
external force possibly caused by a collision, so that the cover is
unlikely to be subjected to the action of the external force.
[0004] For example, the rigidity of the protection portion may be
increased by the formation of a projection on the outer surface of
the protection portion. In this configuration, however, the
protection portion may be locally subjected to an external force
caused by a collision at the projection formed on the outer surface
of the protection portion, thereby being likely to cause a local
deformation of the protection portion.
[0005] The present invention, which has been made in light of the
above-described problem, is directed to providing an electric
compressor having a protection portion that is unlikely to be
deformed under an external force possibly caused by a
collision.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,
there is provided an electric compressor that includes a
compression portion, an electric motor, a drive circuit, a housing
having a cylindrical shape and accommodating the compression
portion and the electric motor, a cover attached to the housing and
cooperating with the housing to accommodate the drive circuit, and
a protector. The protector is configured to protect the cover from
an external force. The protector includes a fixing portion that is
fixed to the housing and a protection portion that is formed in a
plate-like shape. The protection portion is disposed to face and to
be spaced from the cover. The protector extends in a diametrical
direction of the housing. A plurality of recesses is formed in the
protection portion toward the cover such that the protection
portion projects toward the cover. The recesses extend in an
extending direction of the protector.
[0007] Other aspects and advantages of the 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
[0008] The invention together with objects and advantages thereof,
may best be understood by reference to the following description of
the embodiment together with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric compressor
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of the electric compressor of FIG.
1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a front view of the electric compressor of FIG.
1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a protector of the electric
compressor of FIG. 1, as viewed from the inner surface of the
protector;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the protector of the
electric compressor of FIG. 1, as viewed from the outer surface of
the protector; and
[0014] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the protector and
a cover of the electric compressor of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0015] An embodiment of the present invention will be described
with reference to the accompanying FIGS. 1 to 6. An electric
compressor is disposed in an engine compartment of a vehicle and
used for a vehicle air conditioner.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an electric compressor
designated by 10. The electric compressor 10 includes a housing 11
having a cylindrical shape. The housing 11 includes a discharge
housing 12 and a suction housing 13 connected to the discharge
housing 12. The discharge housing 12 and the suction housing 13
each have a bottomed-cylindrical shape and are made of a metal such
as aluminum.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the electric compressor 10 further
includes a rotary shaft 10a, a compression portion 14 configured to
compress refrigerant, an electric motor 15 configured to drive the
compression portion 14, and a drive circuit 16 configured to drive
the electric motor 15. The compression portion 14 and the electric
motor 15 are accommodated in the suction housing 13. The axial
direction of the suction housing 13 of the housing 11 corresponds
to the axial direction of the rotary shaft 10a. The compression
portion 14 is disposed between the electric motor 15 and the
discharge housing 12 in the axial direction of the suction housing
13. Although not illustrated, the compression portion 14 in this
embodiment includes a fixed scroll fixed to the suction housing 13,
a movable scroll facing the fixed scroll, and a compression chamber
defined by the fixed and the movable scrolls.
[0018] The suction housing 13 has a suction port (not shown) to
allow entry of refrigerant. Refrigerant flowing into the suction
housing 13 through the suction port is introduced into the
compression chamber with the orbital motion (suction motion) of the
movable scroll. Refrigerant is compressed in the compression
chamber and discharged to the discharge housing 12 with the orbital
motion (discharge motion) of the movable scroll. Refrigerant flows
out of the discharge housing 12 to a refrigerant circuit (not
shown) outside of the electric compressor through a discharge port
(not shown) in the discharge housing 12, and returns to the suction
housing 13 through the suction port.
[0019] The suction housing 13 includes a bottom wall 13a and a
peripheral wall 13b. The peripheral wall 13b has a cylindrical
shape and extends from the peripheral portion of the bottom wall
13a to the discharge housing 12 in the axial direction of the
suction housing 13. The bottom wall 13a and the compression portion
14 interpose therebetween the electric motor 15 in the axial
direction of the suction housing 13. The suction housing 13 further
includes an extended wall 13c having a cylindrical shape. The
extended wall 13c extends from the bottom wall 13a in the axial
direction of the suction housing 13 toward the side opposite to the
discharge housing 12.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the suction housing 13 has a cover 17
attached to the extended wall 13c. The cover 17 is made of resin
material and has a cylindrical shape with a bottom. In this
embodiment, the cover 17 is fitted in the inside of an opening
portion 13d of the extended wall 13c to be attached to the suction
housing 13.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom wall 13a and the extended
wall 13c of the suction housing 13 and the cover 17 cooperate to
define a space in which the drive circuit 16 is accommodated. In
this embodiment, the compression portion 14, the electric motor 15,
and the drive circuit 16 are arranged in this order in the axial
direction of the housing 11.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the electric compressor 10 has a
protector 20 configured to protect the cover 17 from an external
force possibly caused by a collision. The protector 20 is made of
iron and fixed to the suction housing 13. The protector 20 extends
in a diametrical direction of the housing 11.
[0023] The protector 20 includes a protection portion 21, a first
peripheral wall portion 22, a second peripheral wall portion 23, a
first fixing portion 24, and a second fixing portion 25. That is,
the protector 20 includes two fixing portions, i.e, the first and
the second fixing portions 24, 25.
[0024] The protection portion 21 is formed in a plate-like shape
and disposed to face an outer surface 17a of the cover 17. The
first and the second peripheral wall portions 22, 23 each extend
from a part of the outer edge of the protection portion 21 in the
axial direction of the housing 11 to be disposed around the
extended wall 13c of the suction housing 13. The first and the
second fixing portions 24, 25 are flat flanges. The first fixing
portion 24 extends in a radial direction of the housing 11 outward
from a side edge of the first peripheral wall portion 22 that is
remote from the protection portion 21. The second fixing portion 25
extends in a radial direction of the housing 11 outward from a side
edge of the second peripheral wall portion 23 that is remote from
the protection portion 21.
[0025] The protection portion 21 has opposite surfaces, which are
an inner surface 21a and an outer surface 21b, respectively. The
inner surface 21a faces the outer surface 17a of the cover 17.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the first and the second fixing portions
24, 25 are disposed so as to interpose therebetween the protection
portion 21 in the planar direction of the outer surface 21b, as
viewed from the outer surface 21b.
[0027] The outer edge of the protection portion 21 includes first
and second arched outer edges 211, 212 each having an
outwardly-arched shape and respectively located at positions
corresponding to the first and the second peripheral wall portions
22, 23. The first and the second peripheral wall portions 22, 23
have outer peripheral surfaces 22a, 23a that are curved along the
first and the second arched outer edges 211, 212, respectively. The
outer peripheral surfaces 22a, 23a are located on the imaginary
circle C1.
[0028] The first and the second fixing portions 24, 25 have
proximal edges 24a, 25a that are boundaries with the first and the
second peripheral wall portions 22, 23, respectively. The proximal
edges 24a, 25a are the same in length in the circumferential
direction of the imaginary circle C1.
[0029] The first and the second fixing portions 24, 25 have outer
edges 24b, 25b, respectively. The outer edges 24b, 25b are curved
along the outer peripheral surface 22a of the first peripheral wall
portion 22 and the outer peripheral surface 23a of the second
peripheral wall portion 23, respectively. The first and the second
fixing portions 24, 25 have tabs 24c, 25c that project outward from
a part of the outer edge 24b and a part of the outer edge 25b,
respectively. The tabs 24c, 25c are respectively disposed at
positions that are spaced approximately 180 degrees apart from each
other in the circumferential direction of the imaginary circle
C1.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first and the second fixing
portions 24, 25 have therethrough screw holes 24h, 25h,
respectively. The screw hole 24h passes through a part of the first
fixing portion 24, which includes the tab 24c and its adjacent
area, in the thickness direction of the first fixing portion 24.
The screw hole 25h passes through a part of the second fixing
portion 25, which includes the tab 25c and its adjacent area, in
the thickness direction of the second fixing portion 25.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the suction housing 13 includes
first and second bosses 13e, 13f protruding from the outer
peripheral surface of the extended wall 13c. The first and the
second bosses 13e, 13f are respectively disposed on the outer
peripheral surface of the extended wall 13c at positions that are
spaced approximately 180 degrees apart from each other in the
circumferential direction of the suction housing 13. The first and
the second bosses 13e, 13f have flat surfaces on the side opposite
to the discharge housing 12 in the axial direction of the suction
housing 13, respectively.
[0032] The surface of the first fixing portion 24 including the tab
24c and its adjacent area, which is opposite to the protection
portion 21, contacts the surface of the first boss 13e. The surface
of the second fixing portion 25 including the tab 25c and its
adjacent area, which is opposite to the protection portion 21,
contacts the surface of the second boss 13f. The first fixing
portion 24 is fixed to the first boss 13e with a screw B1 to be
screwed into the first boss 13e through the screw hole 24h of the
first fixing portion 24. The second fixing portion 25 is fixed to
the second boss 13f with a screw B2 to be screwed into the second
boss 13f through the screw hole 25h of the second fixing portion
25. Accordingly, the protector 20 is fixed to the suction housing
13.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the outer edge of the protection portion
21 includes a connection outer edge 213 connecting one end of the
first arched outer edge 211 and one end of the second arched outer
edge 212 on the imaginary circle C1. As viewed from the outer
surface 21b, the connection outer edge 213 extends linearly in the
direction X1, which joins the facing first and the second fixing
portions 24, 25 and is approximately parallel to the diameter of
the imaginary circle C1.
[0034] The first arched outer edge 211 is longer than the proximal
edge 24a of the first fixing portion 24 in the circumferential
direction of the imaginary circle C1. The first arched outer edge
211 extends from the connection point with the connection outer
edge 213 in a clockwise direction on the imaginary circle C1
farther than the proximal edge 24a of the first fixing portion 24
as viewed from the outer surface 21b. The first peripheral wall
portion 22 includes an extended wall portion 22b extending in a
clockwise direction on the imaginary circle C1 beyond an end of the
proximal edge 24a that is remote from the connection outer edge 213
as viewed from the outer surface 21b.
[0035] The outer edge of the protection portion 21 further includes
a first extended outer edge 214, a second extended outer edge 215,
and a rounded outer edge 216. The first extended outer edge 214 is
parallel to the connection outer edge 213 and extends from the
other end of the second arched outer edge 212 that is remote from
the connection outer edge 213 and is on the imaginary circle C1.
The second extended outer edge 215 is perpendicular to the first
extended outer edge 214 and extends toward the connection outer
edge 213 from the other end of the first arched outer edge 211 that
is remote from the connection outer edge 213. The rounded outer
edge 216 connects one end of the first extended outer edge 214 that
is remote from the second arched outer edge 212 and one end of the
second extended outer edge 215 that is remote from the first arched
outer edge 211. Accordingly, the protector 20 has a cutout defined
by the first extended outer edge 214, the second extended outer
edge 215, and the rounded outer edge 216 between the extended wall
portion 22b of the first peripheral wall portion 22 and the second
peripheral wall portion 23 in the circumferential direction of the
imaginary circle C1.
[0036] The cover 17 has square tube-shaped first and second
connector couplers 171, 172 protruding outward from the outer
surface 17a of the cover 17. The first connector coupler 171 is
used for power supply to the drive circuit 16 from a battery (now
shown) in a vehicle. The second connector coupler 172 is used for
control signal transmission from an ECU (not shown) to the drive
circuit 16.
[0037] As viewed from the outer surface 17a, of the cover 17 in
FIG. 1, the first connector coupler 171 is arranged on the
peripheral region of the outer surface 17a at a position that is
spaced approximately 90 degrees apart from each of the first and
the second bosses 13e, 13f in the circumferential direction of the
suction housing 13. As viewed from the outer surface 17a, of the
cover 17, the second connector coupler 172 is arranged on the
peripheral region of the outer surface 17a at a position that is
spaced approximately 90 degrees apart from the first connector
coupler 171 in the circumferential direction of the suction housing
13 and near the first boss 13e.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, the first connector coupler 171 is
disposed outward of the connection outer edge 213 of the protection
portion 21. In other words, the protector 20 is shaped so that the
connection outer edge 213 of the protection portion 21 is
positioned between the second connector coupler 172 and the first
connector coupler 171 to prevent the interference between the
connection outer edge 213 and the first connector coupler 171 at
the attachment of the protector 20 to the suction housing 13.
Accordingly, the connection outer edge 213 serves as the relief
portion of the present invention that is operable to prevent the
interference between the first connector coupler 171 and the
protection portion 21 at the attachment of the protector 20 to the
suction housing 13.
[0039] The protection portion 21 has therethrough an elongate
through hole 21h through which the second connector coupler 172
passes. The through hole 21h is formed through the protection
portion 21 such that the longitudinal direction of the through hole
21h corresponds to the direction X1. The through hole 21h serves as
the relief portion of the present invention that is operable to
prevent the interference between the second connector coupler 172
and the protection portion 21 at the attachment of the protector 20
to the suction housing 13.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, the protection portion 21 includes first
to fourth projections 31 to 34 projecting from the inner surface
21a. The first projection 31 is located between the connection
outer edge 213 and the through hole 21h and extends linearly in the
direction X1. The second projection 32 is located between the first
extended outer edge 214 and the through hole 21h and extends
linearly in the direction X1. The first and the second projections
31, 32 are parallel to each other and are approximately the same in
length in the direction X1.
[0041] The third projection 33 is located between the through hole
21h and the second peripheral wall portion 23 in the direction X1
and extends linearly in the direction X1. The third projection 33
is shorter than the first and the second projections 31, 32 in the
direction X1. The fourth projection 34 is located between the
extended wall portion 22b and the second projection 32. The fourth
projection 34 is shorter than the third projection 33 in the
direction X1.
[0042] The first to the fourth projections 31 to 34 each project in
an arc from the inner surface 21a of the protection portion 21,
thus, the outer surfaces of the first to the fourth projections 31
to 34 are curved. The inner surface 21a of the protection portion
21 is formed as a whole to be flat except for the first to the
fourth projections 31 to 34. In this embodiment, the inner surface
21a of the protection portion 21 is as a whole in the same plane
except for the first to the fourth projections 31 to 34.
[0043] The first to the fourth projections 31 to 34 are projected
from the inner surface 21a by the formation of recesses in the
outer surface 21b of the protection portion 21. As shown in FIG. 5,
first to fourth recesses 41 to 44 are formed in the outer surface
21b of the protection portion 21.
[0044] The first to the fourth recesses 41 to 44 are formed in the
outer surface 21b of the protection portion 21 at positions
corresponding to the positions of the first to the fourth
projections 31 to 34 on the inner surface 21a in the thickness
direction of the protection portion 21, respectively.
[0045] The outer surface 21b of the protection portion 21 is formed
as a whole to be flat except for the first to the fourth recesses
41 to 44. In this embodiment, the outer surface 21b is as a whole
in the same plane except for the first to the fourth recesses 41 to
44.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, the suction housing 13 has a receiving
portion 26 protruding from the outer peripheral surface thereof.
Specifically, the receiving portion 26 protrudes from the outer
peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 13b of the suction
housing 13 and is located near the extended wall 13c. The receiving
portion 26 has a receiving surface 26a that is a flat surface and
extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the
suction housing 13. The receiving surface 26a partly faces the
extended wall portion 22b of the protector 20 in the axial
direction of the suction housing 13.
[0047] The extended wall portion 22b includes an abutment portion
22f having a plate-like shape and protruding in the axial direction
of the suction housing 13 toward the receiving surface 26a from a
part of the extended wall portion 22b that faces the receiving
surface 26a in the axial direction of the suction housing 13. The
abutment portion 22f is configured to abut on the receiving surface
26a of the receiving portion 26 in the event that the protection
portion 21 is subjected to an external force possibly caused by a
collision. That is, the protector 20 in this embodiment includes
the abutment portion 22f that is configured to abut on the
receiving portion 26 in the event that the protection portion 21 is
subjected to an external force possibly caused by a collision.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 6, the protection portion 21 is disposed in
a position that is spaced from the outer surface 17a of the cover
17. Although the fourth recess 44 is not shown in FIG. 6, the first
to the fourth recesses 41 to 44, which are formed in the protection
portion 21 toward the cover 17 such that the protection portion 21
projects toward the cover 17, extend in the extending direction of
the protector 20. The inner surface 21a of the protection portion
21 is spaced from the outer surface 17a of the cover 17 such that
clearances are formed between the first to the fourth projections
31 to 34 on the inner surface 21a and the outer surface 17a of the
cover 17.
[0049] The following describes operation of the embodiment of the
present invention.
[0050] For example, in the event that a vehicle equipped with the
electric compressor 10 is hit in a vehicle collision at a vehicle
component E1 (FIG. 6) such as a vehicle frame for an engine
compartment, the vehicle component E1 may be deformed and bump into
the outer surface 21b of the protection portion 21. In this case,
if the protection portion 21 is provided with a projection on the
outer surface 21b, the protection portion 21 is more likely to be
locally subjected to an external force caused by the hit of the
deformed vehicle component E1 at the projections on the outer
surface 21b, thus being likely to become deformed locally. In the
embodiment of the present invention, the protection portion 21 is
formed as a whole to be flat except for the first to the fourth
recesses 41 to 44, so that the protection portion 21 receives an
external force caused by the hit of the deformed vehicle component
E1 at the flat outer surface 21b. This configuration is not locally
subjected to an external force at projections on the outer surface
21b of the protection portion 21, thereby eliminating or minimizing
a possible local deformation of the protection portion 21 under an
external force caused by a collision.
[0051] In this embodiment of the present invention, the protection
portion 21 has the first to the fourth recesses 41 to 44 that are
formed in the outer surface 21b toward the cover 17 such that the
protection portion 21 projects toward the cover 17. This
configuration increases the rigidity of the protection portion 21,
therefore, the protection portion 21 is unlikely to be deformed
under an external force possibly caused by a collision in
comparison with the case that the protection portion 21 is provided
without the first to the fourth recesses 41 to 44 in the outer
surface 21b.
[0052] In this embodiment, the first to the fourth projections 31
to 34 extend in the direction X1. This configuration eliminates or
minimizes warping of the protection portion 21 in the direction X1
that may occur in the event that the protection portion 21 is
subjected to an external force caused by a collision.
[0053] In this embodiment, the abutment portion 22f of the
protector 20 is configured to abut on the receiving surface 26a of
the receiving portion 26 in the event that the protection portion
21 is subjected to an external force caused by a collision. This
configuration enables the external force acting on the protection
portion 21 to be transferred to the receiving portion 26 through
the abutment portion 22f, thereby eliminating or minimizing a
possible deformation of the protection portion 21 under an external
force caused by a collision.
[0054] The inner surface 21a of the protection portion 21 is spaced
from the outer surface 17a of the cover 17 such that a clearance is
formed between the first to the fourth projections 31 to 34 on the
inner surface 21a and the outer surface 17a of the cover 17. This
configuration eliminates or minimizes a contact between the cover
17 and the protection portion 21 even if the protection portion 21
becomes slightly deformed under an external force caused by a
collision, thereby preventing an external force from acting on the
cover 17 so as to protect the drive circuit 16.
[0055] The embodiment of the present invention offers the following
effects.
[0056] (1) The protection portion 21 has the first to the fourth
recesses 41 to 44 that are formed in the outer surface 21b toward
the cover 17 such that the protection portion 21 projects toward
the cover 17. This configuration increases the rigidity of the
protection portion 21 in comparison with the case that the
protection portion 21 is provided without the first to the fourth
recesses 41 to 44 in the outer surface 21b. Also, the protection
portion 21 provided without a projection on the outer surface 21b
will not be locally subjected to an external force by a collision
at the projection on the outer surface 21b, therefore, the
protection portion 21 of this configuration is unlikely to be
deformed under an external force possibly caused by a collision in
comparison with the case that the protection portion 21 is provided
with a projection on the outer surface 21b.
[0057] (2) The suction housing 13 has the receiving portion 26
protruding from the outer peripheral surface thereof. The protector
20 includes the abutment portion 22f that is configured to abut on
the receiving portion 26 in the event that the protection portion
21 is subjected to an external force possibly caused by a
collision. This configuration enables the external force acting on
the protection portion 21 to be transferred to the receiving
portion 26 through the abutment portion 22f, thereby further
eliminating or minimizing a possible deformation of the protection
portion 21 under an external force caused by a collision.
[0058] (3) The protection portion 21 has the connection outer edge
213 and the through hole 21h serving as the relief portions of the
present invention that are configured to prevent the interference
between the first connector coupler 171 and the protection portion
21 and the interference between the second connector coupler 172
and the protection portion 21, respectively. This configuration
facilitates the attachment of the protector 20 to the cover 17 such
that the inner surface 21a of the protection portion 21 faces the
outer surface 17a of the cover 17 from which the first and the
second connector couplers 171, 172 protrude.
[0059] (4) The first to the fourth projections 31 to 34 of the
protection portion 21 extend in the direction X1. This
configuration eliminates or minimizes possible warping of the
protection portion 21 in the direction X1.
[0060] (5) The protector 20 has a cutout between the extended wall
portion 22b of the first peripheral wall portion 22 and the second
peripheral wall portion 23 in the circumferential direction of the
imaginary circle C1. This configuration enables the protector 20 to
be reduced in size, volume, and weight in comparison with the case
that the extended wall portion 22b of the first peripheral wall
portion 22 and the second peripheral wall portion 23 are directly
connected and the protector 20 is formed without a cutout.
[0061] (6) The protection portion 21 includes the fourth projection
34 that is located between the extended wall portion 22b and the
second projection 32. This configuration increases the rigidity of
the vicinity of the extended wall portion 22b where the rigidity is
likely to decrease because of the presence of the cutout between
the extended wall portion 22b of the first peripheral wall portion
22 and the second peripheral wall portion 23 in the circumferential
direction of the imaginary circle C1, thereby further eliminating
or minimizing a possible deformation of the protection portion 21
under an external force caused by a collision.
[0062] The present invention may be modified in various manners, as
exemplified below.
[0063] The protection portion 21 may have a recess in the outer
surface 21b at any other position than positions corresponding to
the positions of the first to the fourth projections 31 to 34 on
the inner surface 21a in the thickness direction of the protection
portion 21.
[0064] The first to the fourth projections 31 to 34 of the
protection portion 21 may extend in a direction that is different
from the direction X1.
[0065] The positions of the first and the second fixing portions
24, 25 are not limited to the positions described in the embodiment
of the present invention. The protector 20 may be provided with a
single fixing portion, or three or more fixing portions that are
fixed to the housing 11.
[0066] The outer peripheral surface of the suction housing 13 may
be provided without the receiving portion 26. The protector 20 may
be provided without the abutment portion 22f.
[0067] The first and the second connector couplers 171, 172 need
not necessarily protrude from the cover 17, for example, the first
and the second connector couplers 171, 172 may protrude outward
from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 13b of the
suction housing 13. In this case, the protection portion 21 of the
protector 20 need not prevent the interference between the
connection outer edge 213 and the first connector coupler 171 at
the attachment of the protector 20 to the suction housing 13, so
that the protection portion 21 of the protector 20 need not
necessarily be shaped such that the connection outer edge 213 is
positioned between the second connector coupler 172 and the first
connector coupler 171. The protection portion 21 may be provided
without the through hole 21h serving as the relief portion of the
present invention that is operable to prevent the interference
between the second connector coupler 172 and the protection portion
21 at the attachment of the protector 20 to the suction housing
13.
[0068] The shape of the protection portion 21 may be modified as
necessary.
[0069] The protection portion 21 may be provided with two or three,
or five or more recesses that are formed in the protection portion
21 toward the cover 17 such that the protection portion 21 projects
toward the cover 17.
[0070] The compression portion 14, the electric motor 15, and the
drive circuit 16 need not necessarily be arranged in this order in
the axial direction of the housing 11. For example, the cover 17
may be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral
wall 13b of the suction housing 13, and the drive circuit 16 may be
accommodated in a space defined by the outer peripheral surface of
the peripheral wall 13b and the cover 17.
[0071] In this embodiment, the compression portion 14 includes the
fixed and the movable scrolls. However, the compression portion 14
may be of the piston type or the vane type instead of the scroll
type.
[0072] The electric compressor 10 may be used for any air
conditioners other than vehicle air conditioners.
* * * * *