ELECTRIC COMPRESSOR

Abstract

An electric compressor includes a partition member that divides an interior of a case into a first region in which an electric motor is disposed and a second region in which a compression mechanism is disposed. The first region is in communication with a suction passage of the case. The partition member has: a suction port; a discharge port; and an evaporation passage. The suction port opens into the first region at a position above an axis of a rotary shaft, and the refrigerant in the first region is drawn through the suction port. The discharge port is located below the axis, and the refrigerant is discharged into the compression mechanism through the discharge port. The evaporation passage is located inside the partition member, and the suction port is in communication with the discharge port through the evaporation passage so that a liquid refrigerant evaporates in the evaporation passage.

Claims

1. An electric compressor comprising: a case having: a suction passage through which a refrigerant is introduced into the case; and a discharge passage; an electric motor accommodated in the case; a compression mechanism accommodated in the case and aligned with the electric motor in a horizontal direction, the compression mechanism being configured to draw in the refrigerant introduced through the suction passage, compress the refrigerant, and discharge the refrigerant compressed through the discharge passage; and a partition member dividing an interior of the case into a first region which is in communication with the suction passage and in which the electric motor is disposed and a second region in which the compression mechanism is disposed, wherein the compression mechanism includes a rotary shaft that is driven by the electric motor, and the partition member has: a suction port which opens into the first region at a position above an axis of the rotary shaft and through which the refrigerant in the first region is drawn into the partition member; a discharge port which is located below the axis and through which the refrigerant drawn through the suction port is discharged from the partition member into the compression mechanism; and an evaporation passage which is located inside the partition member and through which the suction port is in communication with the discharge port so that a liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant drawn through the suction port evaporates in the evaporation passage.

2. The electric compressor according to claim 1, wherein the evaporation passage has a curved portion when viewed from a direction of the axis.

3. The electric compressor according to claim 1, wherein the evaporation passage has a storage portion which is located below the discharge port and in which the refrigerant is stored.

4. The electric compressor according to claim 1, wherein a fin is disposed in the evaporation passage, and the fin allows the liquid refrigerant to evaporate.

5. The electric compressor according to claim 4, wherein the fin is formed along the evaporation passage.

6. The electric compressor according to claim 1, wherein the compression mechanism includes: a piston configured to rotate with the rotation of the rotary shaft while being eccentric with respect to the axis of the rotary shaft; a vane disposed below the piston and in contact with the piston; a cylinder accommodating the piston and the vane and having a compression chamber formed between the piston and the vane so that the refrigerant is compressed in the compression chamber; and a suction hole which is located below the axis and through which the refrigerant is drawn into the compression chamber, the refrigerant introduced to the first region through the suction passage contains a lubricant oil, the lubricant oil separated from the refrigerant is stored in the second region, and the cylinder has a supply passage which opens on a lower portion of an outer peripheral surface of the cylinder and through which the lubricant oil stored in the second region is supplied to the vane.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The disclosure, together with objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electric compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a view of a compression mechanism according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating internal components of the compression mechanism;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a partition member according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the partition member, taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The following will describe an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the embodiment, identical or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations thereof may be omitted.

[0016] The drawings illustrate an X axis (i.e., X direction), a Y axis (i.e., Y direction), and a Z axis (i.e., Z direction). The X direction and the Z axis are horizontal direction s, and the Y direction is a vertical direction. The X direction is perpendicular to the Y direction and the Z direction. An electric motor and a compression mechanism are aligned in the Z direction. In the drawings, some of connections between components may not be illustrated.

[0017] The following will describe the whole configuration of an electric compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the electric compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] As illustrated in FIG. 1, an electric compressor 1 is mounted on, for example, a vehicle. The electric compressor 1 is used for, for example, air conditioning in the vehicle. The electric compressor 1 according to the present embodiment is a horizontally placed compressor with a larger width in the horizontal direction (Z direction) compared to its height in the vertical direction (Y direction).

[0019] The electric compressor 1 according to the present embodiment includes a case 10, an electric motor 20, a compression mechanism 30, and a partition member 40.

[0020] The case 10 forms the outer shape of the electric compressor 1. The material of the case 10 is, for example, aluminum or aluminum alloy.

[0021] The case 10 includes a first case 11 and a second case 12. The first case 11 and the second case 12 are aligned in the Z direction.

[0022] The first case 11 has a case inlet 13 through which a refrigerant is introduced. The case inlet 13 is formed through an inner peripheral surface 15. The second case 12 has a case outlet 14 through which the refrigerant is discharged. The case outlet 14 is located in an upper thick portion of the case 10.

[0023] The case 10 has a suction passage 2 and a discharge passage 3. The refrigerant is introduced into the case 10 through the suction passage 2. The case inlet 13 is a part of the suction passage 2. The refrigerant is discharged from the case 10 through the discharge passage 3. The case outlet 14 is a part of the discharge passage 3.

[0024] The electric motor 20 is accommodated in the case 10. In the present embodiment, the electric motor 20 is accommodated in the first case 11.

[0025] The electric motor 20 includes a stator 21 and a rotor 22. The stator 21 includes a plurality of electromagnetic steel plates (not illustrated) stacked in the Z direction. The stator 21 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface 15 of the first case 11. The stator 21 has a circular cylindrical shape, and is disposed in the case 10.

[0026] The rotor 22 includes a plurality of electromagnetic steel plates (not illustrated) stacked in the Z direction. The rotor 22 is disposed in the stator 21 with a clearance from an inner peripheral surface of the stator 21.

[0027] The compression mechanism 30 is accommodated in the case 10. In the present embodiment, the compression mechanism 30 is mainly located in the second case 12. The compression mechanism 30 and the electric motor 20 are aligned in the horizontal direction (Z direction). The compression mechanism 30 draws in the refrigerant introduced through the suction passage 2 and compresses it, and discharges the compressed refrigerant through the discharge passage 3. The materials of components of the compression mechanism 30 are, for example, aluminum alloy or iron alloy.

[0028] The compression mechanism 30 includes a rotary shaft 31, a piston, a vane, a cylinder, a suction hole, and a plate 35. The piston is configured to rotate with the rotation of the rotary shaft 31 while being eccentric with respect to an axis C of the rotary shaft 31. The vane is disposed below and comes in contact with the piston. The cylinder accommodates the piston and vane, and forms a compression chamber between the piston and the vane so that the refrigerant is compressed in the compression chamber. The suction hole is located below the axis C in the Z direction, and the refrigerant is drawn into the compression chamber through the suction hole. The plate 35 is in contact with the cylinder in the Z direction, so that the plate 35 defines the compression chamber.

[0029] The piston according to the present embodiment includes a first piston and a second piston arranged in the Z direction with a clearance between the first piston and the second piston. The vane according to the present embodiment includes a first vane and a second vane. The cylinder according to the present embodiment includes a first cylinder and a second cylinder. The compression chamber includes a first compression chamber and a second compression chamber.

[0030] The partition member 40 extends in a direction perpendicular to the Z direction. The partition member 40 is, for example, made of aluminum alloy.

[0031] The partition member 40 divides the interior of the case 10 into two regions. Specifically, the partition member 40 divides the interior of the case 10 into a first region 2A and a second region 3A.

[0032] The first region 2A is in communication with the suction passage 2. In the first region 2A, the electric motor 20 is disposed. The second region 3A is in communication with the discharge passage 3. In the second region 3A, the compression mechanism 30 is disposed. The second region 3A may not necessarily be in communication with the discharge passage 3.

[0033] The partition member 40 is connected to the compression mechanism 30. Specifically, the partition member 40 is adjacent to a front side plate 140, which will be described later, and is connected to the compression mechanism 30. The partition member 40 supports the compression mechanism 30. The partition member 40 is disposed apart from the electric motor 20. The configuration of the partition member 40 will be described in detail later.

[0034] Next, the following will describe the compression mechanism 30. FIG. 2 is a view of the compression mechanism 30 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating internal components of the compression mechanism 30.

[0035] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the compression mechanism 30 includes the rotary shaft 31, a first compression part 32, a second compression part 33, and the plate 35. The plate 35 according to the present embodiment includes the front side plate 140, a middle side plate 160, and a rear side plate 170.

[0036] The rotary shaft 31 is driven by the electric motor 20. The axis C of the rotary shaft 31 extends in the horizontal direction (Z direction). The axis C of the rotary shaft 31 does not necessarily extend in the Z direction.

[0037] The rotary shaft 31 has a fixed portion 110, a first shaft portion 111, a second shaft portion 112, a third shaft portion 113, a first eccentric shaft portion 114, and a second eccentric shaft portion 115.

[0038] The fixed portion 110 is fixed to an inner peripheral surface 23 of the rotor 22. Accordingly, when the electric motor 20 is driven, the rotary shaft 31 rotates about the axis C with the rotation of the rotor 22.

[0039] The first shaft portion 111 is inserted through the front side plate 140. The second shaft portion 112 is inserted through the rear side plate 170. The third shaft portion 113 is inserted through the middle side plate 160.

[0040] Each of the first eccentric shaft portion 114 and the second eccentric shaft portion 115 is eccentric with respect to the axis C of the rotary shaft 31 in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction (Z direction). The first eccentric shaft portion 114 is inserted into the first compression part 32. The second eccentric shaft portion 115 is inserted into the second compression part 33.

[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first compression part 32 includes a first piston 120, a first vane 122, and a first cylinder 125.

[0042] The first piston 120 is configured to rotate with the rotation of the rotary shaft 31 while being eccentric with respect to the axis C of the rotary shaft 31. The first piston 120 extends in the Z direction, and is fitted onto the first eccentric shaft portion 114 so that the first piston 120 is rotatable.

[0043] The first vane 122 is disposed below the first piston 120 and in contact with the first piston 120 from below in the Y direction. A distal end 123 of the first vane 122 is in contact with an outer peripheral surface 121 of the first piston 120 from below in the Y direction. The first vane 122 is urged against the first piston 120 by an elastic member 129. Accordingly, the first vane 122 is movable in conjunction with the rotation of the first piston 120 in the Y direction while being in contact with the first piston 120.

[0044] The first cylinder 125 accommodates the first piston 120 and the first vane 122. The first piston 120, which rotates eccentrically, slides on an inner peripheral surface 126 of the first cylinder 125. The inner peripheral surface 126 has a vane groove 127, which is continuous with the inner peripheral surface 126. The vane groove 127 extends in the Y direction. The first vane 122 is accommodated in the vane groove 127. A side surface 124 of the first vane 122 slides on the vane groove 127.

[0045] The first cylinder 125 has a first compression chamber 36 formed between the first piston 120 and the first vane 122 so that the refrigerant is compressed in the first compression chamber 36.

[0046] The refrigerant is drawn into the first compression chamber 36 through a first suction hole 142, which will be described later. The space in the first compression chamber 36 is gradually decreased with the eccentric rotation of the first piston 120 so that the refrigerant is compressed. The compressed refrigerant is discharged from a first discharge hole 161 formed in the middle side plate 160.

[0047] The first cylinder 125 has a supply passage through which a lubricant oil is supplied. The supply passage, in this embodiment, is a through hole 128 that opens on a lower portion of the outer peripheral surface the first cylinder 125.

[0048] The refrigerant, which is introduced to the first region 2A through the suction passage 2, contains the lubricant oil. After the refrigerant is drawn into the compression mechanism 30 from the first region 2A and compressed in the compression mechanism 30, the lubricant oil is separated from the refrigerant by an oil separator (not illustrated) that is disposed in the case 10. The lubricant oil separated from the refrigerant is stored in the second region 3A. Specifically, the lubricant oil is stored at the bottom of the second region 3A. The lubricant oil stored in the second region 3A is supplied to the first vane 122 through the through hole 128, which serves as the supply passage.

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the second compression part 33 includes a second piston 150, a second vane 151, and a second cylinder 152.

[0050] The second piston 150 is arranged so that the first piston 120 is located between the second piston 150 and the front side plate 140 in the Z direction, and the second piston 150 is located apart from the first piston 120. The second piston 150 is configured to rotate with the rotation of the rotary shaft 31 while being eccentric with respect to the axis C of the rotary shaft 31. The second piston 150 extends in the Z direction, and is fitted onto the second eccentric shaft portion 115 so that the second piston 150 is rotatable.

[0051] The second vane 151 is disposed below the second piston 150 and in contact with the second piston 150 from below in the Y direction. The second cylinder 152 accommodates the second piston 150 and the second vane 151 in a direction intersecting the Z direction. The second cylinder 152 has a supply passage through which the lubricant oil is supplied to the second vane 151, as in the first cylinder 125.

[0052] The second compression part 33 has a second compression chamber 37 formed between the second vane 151, the second cylinder 152, and the second piston 150 so that the refrigerant is compressed in the second compression chamber 37.

[0053] The refrigerant is drawn into the second compression chamber 37 through a second suction hole 162 formed in the middle side plate 160. The space in the second compression chamber 37 is gradually decreased with the eccentric rotation of the second piston 150 so that the refrigerant is compressed. The compressed refrigerant is discharged from a second discharge hole (not illustrated).

[0054] The front side plate 140 is in contact with the first cylinder 125 in the Z direction on a side where the electric motor 20 is disposed. The front side plate 140 defines the first compression chamber 36 in the Z direction.

[0055] The front side plate 140 has a first bearing portion 141. The first bearing portion 141 is a through hole that is formed through the front side plate 140 in the Z direction. The first bearing portion 141 supports the first shaft portion 111. The first shaft portion 111 slides on the first bearing portion 141 by the rotation of the rotary shaft 31. The space between the front side plate 140 and the rotary shaft 31 is adjacent to the first compression chamber 36 and is under high pressure, so that the refrigerant is unlikely to enter the space between the front side plate 140 and the rotary shaft 31 from the first region 2A.

[0056] The front side plate 140 has the first suction hole 142. The first suction hole 142 is located below the axis C in the Y direction. The first suction hole 142 is in communication with the second suction hole 162 and a discharge port 44, which will be described later.

[0057] The middle side plate 160 is disposed between the first cylinder 125 and the second cylinder 152 in the Z direction, and separates the first compression chamber 36 from the second compression chamber 37.

[0058] The second cylinder 152 is disposed between the rear side plate 170 and the front side plate 140 in the Z direction, and the rear side plate 170 is in contact with the second cylinder 152 in the Z direction. The rear side plate 170 defines the second compression chamber 37 in the Z direction. The second shaft portion 112 of the rotary shaft 31 slides on a second bearing portion 171 of the rear side plate 170 by the rotation of the rotary shaft 31.

[0059] The electric compressor 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is an electric rolling piston compressor. It is desirable that the rolling piston compressor is designed so that the vane is disposed below the case 10 to facilitate the supply of the lubricant oil, which is stored in the bottom part of the case 10, to the vane, and so that the first suction hole 142 and the second suction hole 162 of the compression mechanism 30 are located below the case 10 so as to correspond to the vane.

[0060] The electric compressor 1 is not limited to a rolling piston compressor, and may also be an electric scroll compressor, an electric vane compressor, or the like. The configuration of the electric compressor 1 is not limited to a configuration in which two compression chambers are formed. The electric compressor 1 may have a single compression chamber.

[0061] The following will describe the configuration of the partition member 40. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the partition member 40 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the partition member 40, taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 illustrates the configuration around the partition member 40.

[0062] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the partition member 40 according to the present embodiment includes a main body 41 and a cover portion 42.

[0063] The main body 41 has a disk shape that extends in a plane (the XY plane) perpendicular to the axis C. The main body 41 is, for example, made of aluminum alloy.

[0064] The outer peripheral portion of the main body 41 is held by and between the first case 11 and the second case 12 in the Z direction. The outer peripheral portion of the main body 41 is connected to the first case 11 and the second case 12 by bolts or the like. The main body 41 has a through hole 41H that is formed through the main body 41 in the Z direction. The rotary shaft 31 and the front side plate 140 are inserted through the through hole 41H.

[0065] The cover portion 42 is located in the first region 2A of the main body 41. The cover portion 42 is, for example, made of aluminum alloy.

[0066] The cover portion 42 has a bottomed cylindrical shape. Specifically, the cover portion 42 has: a disk portion that extends in a plane (the XY plane) perpendicular to the axis C; and a cylindrical portion that protrudes from the outer peripheral edge of the disk portion toward the main body 41.

[0067] The cover portion 42 has a through hole 42H that is formed through the cover portion 42 in the Z direction. The rotary shaft 31 and the front side plate 140 are inserted through the through hole 42H.

[0068] The cover portion 42 is connected to the main body 41 by welding or the like. The cylindrical portion of the cover portion 42 is connected, at the end thereof, to the main body 41.

[0069] The partition member 40 according to the present embodiment includes a suction port 43, the discharge port 44, and an evaporation passage 45.

[0070] The suction port 43 is formed in the cover portion 42. The suction port 43 is formed of a cutout of the cover portion 42. The opening area of the suction port 43 is approximately half of the opening area of the through hole 42H.

[0071] The suction port 43 opens into the first region 2A at a position above the axis C of the rotary shaft 31. The suction port 43 is located above the axis C of the rotary shaft 31. The lower end of the suction port 43 is located above an inner edge of a coil 24 provided on the stator 21 of the electric motor 20. This configuration allows the suction port 43 to be located close to the coil 24 so that the heat generated by the coil 24 is easily transferred to the suction port 43 and the evaporation passage 45.

[0072] The refrigerant in the first region 2A is drawn through the suction port 43. The first region 2A is in communication with the evaporation passage 45 through the suction port 43.

[0073] The discharge port 44 is formed in the main body 41. The discharge port 44 is located below the axis C.

[0074] The discharge port 44 is a through hole that is formed through the main body 41 in the Z direction. The discharge port 44 has a hole diameter that is approximately the same as a hole diameter of the first suction hole 142 of the compression mechanism 30.

[0075] The refrigerant drawn through the suction port 43 is discharged into the compression mechanism 30 through the discharge port 44. The compression mechanism 30 is in communication with the evaporation passage 45 through the discharge port 44.

[0076] The evaporation passage 45 is located inside the partition member 40. The evaporation passage 45 is an internal space defined by the main body 41 and the cover portion 42.

[0077] The suction port 43 is in communication with the discharge port 44 through the evaporation passage 45. The liquid refrigerant drawn through the suction port 43 evaporates in the evaporation passage 45.

[0078] In the Y direction, the dimension of the evaporation passage 45 is, for example, 80% to 95% of the dimension of the internal space of the case 10.

[0079] The evaporation passage 45 has a curved portion, which, in this embodiment, is a passage P1 and a passage P2, when viewed from the direction of the axis C (Z direction). In the present embodiment, the evaporation passage 45 has a circular shape surrounding the through hole 42H.

[0080] Next, the following will describe the flow of the refrigerant around the partition member 40. First, the refrigerant is drawn into the first region 2A through the case inlet 13 of the case 10. Depending on the operating environment of the electric compressor 1, a gaseous refrigerant GR or a liquid refrigerant LR is present in the first region 2A. A part of the electric motor 20 and a part of the cover portion 42 are immersed in the liquid refrigerant LR in the first region 2A.

[0081] In FIG. 4, the liquid surface of the liquid refrigerant LR is below the suction port 43. This inhibits the liquid refrigerant LR from flowing into the suction port 43. Accordingly, the gaseous refrigerant GR is mainly drawn into the suction port 43.

[0082] The gaseous refrigerant GR flows through the suction port 43, the evaporation passage 45, and the discharge port 44 in this order, and is drawn into the compression mechanism 30 through the first suction hole 142. This configuration inhibits the liquid refrigerant LR from flowing into the compression mechanism 30.

[0083] The liquid refrigerant LR may be drawn into the suction port 43. For example, the liquid surface of the liquid refrigerant LR may be disturbed under the influence of the rotation of rotor 22, so that the liquid refrigerant LR may be drawn into the suction port 43.

[0084] If the liquid refrigerant LR is drawn into the suction port 43, the liquid refrigerant LR flows through the passage P1 and the passage P2 of the evaporation passage 45, for example.

[0085] The passage P1 and the passage P2 curve from the suction port 43. The passage P1 and the passage P2 each have a longer length, compared to a configuration in which the passage P1 and the passage P2 are straight passages. In FIG. 3, the passage P1 curves counterclockwise, and the passage P2 curves clockwise.

[0086] In the evaporation passage 45, the liquid refrigerant LR is heated by the heat generated by the electric motor 20 or the compression mechanism 30. The liquid refrigerant LR is heated and evaporates in the evaporation passage 45, becoming the gaseous refrigerant GR.

[0087] Specifically, the electric motor 20 generates heat mainly when the coil 24 of the stator 21 is energized. In the evaporation passage 45, the liquid refrigerant LR is indirectly heated by the heat from the electric motor 20 via the liquid refrigerant LR or the gaseous refrigerant GR in the first region 2A. The liquid refrigerant LR therefore evaporates and becomes the gaseous refrigerant GR.

[0088] The temperature of the refrigerant increases upon compression, so that the compression mechanism 30 generates heat due to the increase in the temperature of the refrigerant. According to the present embodiment, the partition member 40 is connected to the compression mechanism 30. Accordingly, the heat of the compression mechanism 30 directly transfers to and heats the liquid refrigerant LR in the evaporation passage 45. The liquid refrigerant LR therefore evaporates and becomes the gaseous refrigerant GR.

[0089] According to the present embodiment, the partition member 40 is directly adjacent to the compression mechanism 30 without any components in between. This configuration facilitates the transfer of the heat from the compression mechanism 30 to the refrigerant in the evaporation passage 45, compared to a configuration in which any components are disposed between the partition member 40 and the compression mechanism 30.

[0090] In general, when a liquid refrigerant is drawn into a compression mechanism, the liquid refrigerant cannot be compressed, and the efficiency of the electric compressor decreases. This decreases the reliability of the electric compressor.

[0091] In the electric compressor 1 according to the present embodiment, the liquid refrigerant LR is heated and evaporates in the evaporation passage 45, becoming the gaseous refrigerant GR. Accordingly, the liquid refrigerant LR is inhibited from flowing into the compression mechanism 30. This suppresses the decrease in efficiency of the electric compressor 1, thereby increasing the reliability of the electric compressor 1.

[0092] A fin 46 is disposed in the evaporation passage 45. The fin 46 allows the liquid refrigerant LR to evaporate.

[0093] The fin 46 is connected to the cover portion 42. This configuration facilitates the transfer of the heat from the electric motor 20 to the evaporation passage 45, compared to a configuration in which the fin 46 is connected to the main body 41.

[0094] The fin 46 protrudes from the cover portion 42 toward the main body 41. The fin 46 is located apart from the main body 41. This configuration prevents the fin 46 from blocking the evaporation passage 45. The fin 46 may protrude toward the electric motor 20.

[0095] The fin 46 is formed along the evaporation passage 45. The fin 46 has an arc shape along a part of the evaporation passage 45. This allows the refrigerant to flow easily along the shape of the fin 46, thereby allowing the refrigerant to flow over a long distance in the evaporation passage 45.

[0096] In the present embodiment, specifically, the fin 46 includes two fins 46 that are arranged in parallel along the evaporation passage 45. However, the number of fins 46 is not limited to two.

[0097] Some of the fins 46 are located below the discharge port 44 in the Y direction. This easily guides the liquid refrigerant LR to a storage portion 47 of the evaporation passage 45, which will be described later, and inhibits the liquid refrigerant LR from easily flowing into the discharge port 44.

[0098] The fin 46 is integrally formed with the cover portion 42. This configuration allows a reduction in the number of parts of the partition member 40.

[0099] The evaporation passage 45 has the storage portion 47. The storage portion 47 is located below the discharge port 44.

[0100] The storage portion 47 stores the refrigerant below the discharge port 44. When the liquid refrigerant LR is drawn into the evaporation passage 45, the liquid refrigerant LR is stored in the storage portion 47. The passage P1 and the passage P2 extend upward from the storage portion 47, and are connected to the discharge port 44. Since the liquid refrigerant LR is stored in the storage portion 47, the liquid refrigerant LR is further inhibited from flowing into the discharge port 44.

[0101] Either the fins 46 or the storage portion 47 may be omitted from the evaporation passage 45.

[0102] In the electric compressor 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the suction port 43 is located in the upper portion of the partition member 40. This inhibits the liquid refrigerant LR stored in the lower portion of the first region 2A from being drawn into the compression mechanism 30 through the suction port 43. Furthermore, even if the liquid refrigerant LR is drawn into the suction port 43, the presence of the evaporation passage 45 inside the partition member 40 allows the liquid refrigerant LR to be heated and evaporate by the heat of the electric motor 20 or the compression mechanism 30. Accordingly, the liquid refrigerant LR is inhibited from flowing into the compression mechanism 30. This suppresses the decrease in efficiency of the electric compressor 1, thereby increasing the reliability of the electric compressor 1.

[0103] In the electric compressor 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the evaporation passage 45 has a curved portion. The presence of the curved portion allows the evaporation passage 45 to be longer, compared to a configuration the evaporation passage 45 has a straight shape. This configuration increases the distance through which the heat is transferred to the liquid refrigerant LR in evaporation passage 45, thereby facilitating the evaporation of the liquid refrigerant LR.

[0104] In the electric compressor 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage portion 47 is located below the discharge port 44 of the evaporation passage 45. This configuration allows the liquid refrigerant LR to be stored in the storage portion 47 even if the liquid refrigerant LR is drawn into the inside of the partition member 40, thereby inhibiting the liquid refrigerant LR from flowing into the discharge port 44. This configuration therefore inhibits the liquid refrigerant LR from being drawn into the compression mechanism 30 through the discharge port 44.

[0105] In the electric compressor 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the fins 46 are disposed in the evaporation passage 45. This increases the surface area of the evaporation passage 45 on which the refrigerant flows, thereby further facilitating the evaporation of the liquid refrigerant LR in the evaporation passage 45.

[0106] In the electric compressor 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the fins 46 is formed along the evaporation passage 45. This configuration facilitates the evaporation of the liquid refrigerant LR in the evaporation passage 45.

[0107] In the electric compressor 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the electric compressor 1 is an electric rolling piston compressor in which the vane is provided below in the vertical direction (Y direction) so as to be immersed in the lubricant oil, and the first suction hole 142 of the compression mechanism 30 is located below in the vertical direction (Y direction). Accordingly, the liquid refrigerant LR easily flows into the first suction hole 142 of the compression mechanism 30. However, the presence of the suction port 43, which is formed in the upper portion of the partition member 40, and the evaporation passage 45 of the partition member 40 inhibits the liquid refrigerant LR from being drawn into the compression mechanism 30.

[0108] In the electric compressor 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first suction hole 142 and the second suction hole 162 each serving as the suction hole of the present disclosure are located below the axis C in the Z direction so as to correspond to the vane. This configuration allows the suction hole to be located adjacent to the discharge port 44, which is located below the axis C, so that the suction hole is easily communicated with the discharge port 44.

Supplementary note

[0109] The present embodiment includes the following disclosures.

Configuration 1

[0110] An electric compressor comprising:

[0111] a case having: a suction passage through which a refrigerant is introduced into the case; and a discharge passage;

[0112] an electric motor accommodated in the case;

[0113] a compression mechanism accommodated in the case and aligned with the electric motor in a horizontal direction, the compression mechanism being configured to draw in the refrigerant introduced through the suction passage, compress the refrigerant, and discharge the refrigerant compressed through the discharge passage; and

[0114] a partition member dividing an interior of the case into a first region which is in communication with the suction passage and in which the electric motor is disposed and a second region in which the compression mechanism is disposed, wherein

[0115] the compression mechanism includes a rotary shaft that is driven by the electric motor, and

[0116] the partition member has:

[0117] a suction port which opens into the first region at a position above an axis of the rotary shaft and through which the refrigerant in the first region is drawn into the partition member;

[0118] a discharge port which is located below the axis and through which the refrigerant drawn through the suction port is discharged from the partition member into the compression mechanism; and

[0119] an evaporation passage which is located inside the partition member and through which the suction port is in communication with the discharge port so that a liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant drawn through the suction port evaporates in the evaporation passage.

Configuration 2

[0120] The electric compressor according to configuration 1, wherein

[0121] the evaporation passage has a curved portion when viewed from a direction of the axis.

Configuration 3

[0122] The electric compressor according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein

[0123] the evaporation passage has a storage portion which is located below the discharge port and in which the refrigerant is stored.

Configuration 4

[0124] The electric compressor according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein

[0125] a fin is disposed in the evaporation passage, and the fin allows the liquid refrigerant to evaporate.

Configuration 5

[0126] The electric compressor according to configuration 4, wherein

[0127] the fin is formed along the evaporation passage.

Configuration 6

[0128] The electric compressor according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein

[0129] the compression mechanism includes:

[0130] a piston configured to rotate with the rotation of the rotary shaft while being eccentric with respect to the axis of the rotary shaft;

[0131] a vane disposed below the piston and in contact with the piston;

[0132] a cylinder accommodating the piston and the vane and having a compression chamber formed between the piston and the vane so that the refrigerant is compressed in the compression chamber; and

[0133] a suction hole which is located below the axis and through which the refrigerant is drawn into the compression chamber,

[0134] the refrigerant introduced to the first region through the suction passage contains a lubricant oil,

[0135] the lubricant oil separated from the refrigerant is stored in the second region, and

[0136] the cylinder has a supply passage which opens on a lower portion of an outer peripheral surface of the cylinder and through which the lubricant oil stored in the second region is supplied to the vane.

[0137] The present embodiment is merely illustrative in all respects and does not serve as a basis for a limited interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not to be interpreted solely by the preset embodiment. It includes all changes within the meaning and scope of the patent claims and their equivalents. The present embodiment and the modified configurations may be combined with each other.