FR3060064A1 - COMPRESSOR FOR AN AIR CONDITIONING INSTALLATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE HAVING AN IMPROVED SEALING COVER - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric compressor which extends along a longitudinal axis and which comprises at least one housing housing at least: a mechanism for compressing a refrigerant fluid, a motor arranged inside the housing and which drives the compression mechanism; - a control module for the motorization; - at least one electrical connector (16) for electrically connecting the control module to a source of energy outside the compressor; and - a cover (13) comprising a metal part (22) and a synthetic part (23) arranged one against the other along the longitudinal axis and traversed by the electrical connector (16), characterized in that at least one sealing device ( 28) is disposed between the metal part (22) and the synthetic part (23), the sealing device (28) extending around an electrical connector (16).

Description

® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY © Publication number:

(to be used only for reproduction orders)

©) National registration number

060 064

62162

COURBEVOIE © Int Cl ⁸ : F 04 C29 / 00 (2017.01), F 04 B 39/12, 35/04, F16M1 / 04, B 60 H 1/32

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

©) Date of filing: 08.12.16. © Applicant (s): VALEO JAPAN CO., LTD. - JP. (30) Priority: @ Inventor (s): BELLET AUGUSTIN and KHANCHOUL MOHAMED. (43) Date of public availability of the request: 15.06.18 Bulletin 18/24. ©) List of documents cited in the report preliminary research: Refer to end of present booklet (© References to other national documents ® Holder (s): VALEO JAPAN CO., LTD .. related: ©) Extension request (s): ® Agent (s): VALEO THERMAL SYSTEMS.

COMPRESSOR FOR AN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM OF A MOTOR VEHICLE PROVIDED WITH AN IMPROVED SEAL COVER.

FR 3 060 064 - A1 (3 /) The invention relates to an electric compressor which extends along a longitudinal axis and which comprises at least one housing housing at least:

- a compression mechanism for a refrigerant,

- a motorization arranged inside the housing and which drives the compression mechanism,

- a motor control module,

- at least one electrical connector (16) intended to electrically connect the control module to a source of energy external to the compressor, and

- a cover (13) comprising a metal part (22) and a synthetic part (23) arranged one against the other along the longitudinal axis and traversed by the electrical connector (16), characterized in that at least one sealing device (28) is arranged between the metal part (22) and the synthetic part (23), the sealing device (28) extending around an electrical connector (16).

ι

Compressor for an air conditioning installation of a motor vehicle provided with a cover with improved sealing

The field of the present invention is that of compressors equipping air conditioning installations for motor vehicles. The invention relates more specifically to the sealing conditions of an electric compressor, in particular with regard to the electrical connectors which supply it.

Air conditioning systems for motor vehicles include a closed air conditioning circuit inside which a coolant circulates. Successively depending on the direction of flow of the refrigerant through it, the air conditioning circuit essentially comprises a compressor, a condenser, a pressure reducer and an evaporator.

The compressor includes an axially extended housing of generally cylindrical conformation. The housing is provided with an inlet mouth through which the fluid is admitted at low pressures inside the housing. The fluid then flows through the housing from the inlet mouth to a compression mechanism for the refrigerant. An outlet mouth is in communication with the compression mechanism for the evacuation of the high pressure fluid out of the housing, following its compression.

The compression mechanism is rotated by a motor whose implementation is regulated by a control module. The motorization and the control module are embedded inside the housing. The compressor is electrically powered from a harness from the vehicle that receives the compressor. In this context, the control module is necessarily powered by at least one electrical connector connected to the electrical harness located outside the box. Furthermore, this control module is covered by a cover fixed to the housing.

To solve the problems of lightening the compressor while retaining a certain mechanical strength thereof, a compressor has been proposed comprising a cover formed by a part made of synthetic materials and another part made of metallic materials. This is particularly the case of the compressor cover illustrated in document EP2500516A2.

A first drawback of the technology exposed in the document referred to above lies in the methods of manufacturing the cover. Indeed, the synthetic part is poured into the metal part, including at the level of the electrical connector. Such lid manufacturing operations are complicated to implement because they require precise management and positioning of mold cavities.

Another disadvantage of this technology lies in the lack of tightness when closing the case using the cover. Indeed, the control module is very sensitive to corrosion. Poor sealing of the cover can lead to damage which can be fatal for the compressor itself. However, the cooling of the synthetic part leads to a shrinkage of material which significantly impairs the seal between the synthetic part and the metallic part.

The object of the present invention is therefore to solve the drawbacks described above by designing an electric compressor having a good level of tightness to the external environment, capable of preventing the introduction of foreign bodies into the housing and into a space arranged between the metal part and the plastic part.

The object of the present invention is a compressor for an air conditioning installation of a motor vehicle, the compressor extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising at least one housing which houses at least:

- a compression mechanism for a refrigerant,

a motorization, in particular an electric motor, placed inside the housing and which drives the compression mechanism,

- a motor control module,

- at least one electrical connector intended to electrically connect the control module to an external energy source to the compressor, and

- a cover comprising a metal part and a synthetic part arranged one against the other along the longitudinal axis and crossed by the electrical connector. According to the invention, at least one sealing device is arranged between the metal part and the synthetic part, the sealing device extending around an electrical connector.

Regardless of the embodiment chosen, the invention has at least one of the following characteristics, considered in isolation or in combination:

the metal part has at least one first groove in which the sealing device is arranged, the synthetic part has at least one second groove in which the sealing device is arranged,

- The first groove and / or the second groove thus form a receiving zone which holds the sealing device in place, the first groove and the second groove are facing one another, the metal part comprises at minus an orifice traversed by a portion of the electrical connector, the portion of the electrical connector forms with the synthetic part a single piece. In such a case, the electrical connector is in one piece with the synthetic part, the portion of the electrical connector is attached to the synthetic part. It is understood here that the connector and the synthetic part are independently produced, then secured one on the other,

0 - the compressor according to the invention can comprise at least two separate electrical connectors each surrounded by a dedicated sealing device. One of these electrical connectors is an electrical power connector, while the other connector is an electrical control connector, the sealing device is formed by a bead of glue, by an O-ring or

5 by a combination of these elements, the metal part is a stamped plate. The first groove, the folded edge or the orifice are the result of an operation carried out by a press, the synthetic part comprises a plate provided with reinforcement. This synthetic part is obtained by molding, in particular by injection,

0 - the metal part and the synthetic part are structurally separable parts without destroying one or the other of these parts.

The invention also covers a method of assembling a compressor cover as defined above. According to this method of assembling the cover, the metal part and the synthetic part are formed separately. Then, subsequently, at least one sealing device is put in place on the synthetic part and / or on the metal part around the electrical connector. Finally, the metal part is brought against the synthetic part.

In a complementary manner, before the synthetic part and the metallic part are brought together, the sealing device is arranged in the liquid state in a first groove previously formed in the metallic part or in a second groove previously formed in the synthetic part. .

By bringing the metal part and the synthetic part together, a portion of the electrical connector passes through at least one orifice previously made in the metal part.

The invention also relates to a compressor, in particular an electric compressor, comprising a cover as defined above or as obtained by the method presented above.

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly on reading the detailed description given below for information, in relation to the various embodiments of the invention illustrated in the figures.

0 following:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a compressor organized to equip an air conditioning installation of a motor vehicle,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a cover fitted to the compressor according to the invention,

FIG. 3 is a view from another perspective of a cover fitted to the compressor according to the invention,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a synthetic part constituting the cover illustrated in FIG. 3,

- Figure 5 is a perspective view of a metal part constituting the cover illustrated in Figure 3 and reported against the synthetic part shown in Figure

4.

The embodiments which are described below are in no way limiting; it is possible in particular to imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described hereinafter isolated from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

In FIG. 1 is illustrated a compressor 1 organized to equip an air conditioning installation equipping a motor vehicle. The compressor 1 comprises a housing 2 having a general cylindrical conformation, extending along a main axis X.

The housing 2 comprises an inlet mouth 3 and an outlet mouth 4 for a refrigerant, the latter circulating in the housing 2 from the inlet mouth 3 towards the outlet mouth 4 along and / or in components installed inside the housing 2.

This housing 2 defines at least one housing 11 in which extends a compression mechanism 5 which compresses the refrigerant. The compression mechanism 5 is operated, via a drive shaft 6, by a motorization 7 received in the housing 11, inside the housing 2. According to an exemplary embodiment, such a motorization 7 is a electric motor, in particular three-phase. The compression mechanism 5 is for example with spiral compression mechanisms, one of the spirals being fixed while the other spiral oscillates, or in other words orbit.

This motorization 7 is electrically supplied and regulated by a control module 8 via an electrical connection 9. The control module 8 is disposed in a cavity 10 in the housing 2 or in a body attached to the housing 2. In any event, the cavity 10 is separated from the housing 11 by at least one wall 12 traversed by the electrical connection 9. The cavity 10 is here for example formed in the extension of the compression mechanism 5 and of the motorization 7 along of the longitudinal axis X of the housing 2, the motorization 7 being arranged longitudinally between the compression mechanism 5 and the control module 8. The control module 8 is an electronic device configured at least to transform a direct current coming from the vehicle in an alternating current suitable for actuating the motorization 7.

The cavity 10 comprising the control module 8 must necessarily contain a controlled atmosphere, devoid of any body or element liable to damage the control module 8, in particular the control electronics and / or the power electronics constituting it. The control module 8 thus comprises first electronic components dedicated to the management of the power supplied to the motorization 7 and second electronic components dedicated to the management of the control, signal and / or diagnostic information 14 relating to the compressor 1.

The housing 2, in particular the cavity 10, is closed by a cover 13. The latter is a means of closing the cavity 10. According to longitudinal tax X of the housing 2, the control module 8 is installed in the cavity 10 and its electrical connection with the external environment to compressor 1 occurs by passing through the cover

13. This arrangement facilitates the electrical connection of the control module 8 outside the housing 2, that is to say to a bundle 15 of electrical supply belonging to the vehicle. Such an electrical connection is made by means of at least one electrical connector 16 whose function is to transport electrical energy from the bundle 15 to the control module 8.

This electrical connector 16 comprises at least one portion 17 extending between a first end located inside the cavity 10 and a second end located outside the compressor 1. This portion 17 for example forms a peripheral skirt of the connector electric.

This electrical connector 16 also comprises at least one electrically conductive pin 18, in particular two pins 18. The pin 18 comprises a first end which extends inside the compressor 1 and a second end situated outside the compressor 1. The first end of the spindle 18 is arranged so that it can be welded to the control module 8, or fitted into it. The second end of the pin 18 is intended to be fitted into a socket 19 generally connecting the control module 8 to the harness 15 for the electrical supply of the vehicle. FIG. 1 illustrates a situation where the electrical connector 16 forms a male end piece, while the socket 19 forms a female end piece, but the invention naturally covers a reverse arrangement of the electrical connector 16 and the socket 19.

According to one of the embodiments of the cover, the electrical connector 16 may optionally also include a base configured to attach the electrical connector 16 to the cover 13. According to an alternative embodiment to the latter, the electrical connector 16 is integrated to the cover 13, in particular by being co-molded therewith.

The electric compressor 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises two electrical connectors organized and installed as described above. The electrical connector referenced 16 is here an electrical power connector, while an electrical control connector 20 also passes through the cover 13.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the cover 13 is fixed to the housing 2 of the compressor 1, preferably directly to the housing 2 using fixing means such as screws, for example. To do this, the cover 13 comprises a series of holes 21 distributed at the outer periphery of the cover 13. It will be noted that the cover 18 covers the whole of the longitudinal end of the case 2, completely closing the cavity 10.

Figures 2 and 3 show two embodiments of the cover 13, that of Figure 2 comprising a single electrical connector 16 while the cover of Figure 3 comprises two separate electrical connectors referenced 16 and 20, in particular the power electrical connector 16 and the electrical control connector 20, as presented above.

The cover 13 illustrated in these two figures comprises at least one metal part 22 and a synthetic part 23, arranged one against the other along the longitudinal axis X of the compressor 1. These two parts overlap, the synthetic part 23 being covered by the metal part 22. The metal part 22 forms a barrier against the electromagnetic waves that the control module 8 generates so as to confine them in the cavity 10. For its part, the synthetic part 23 reinforces the mechanical structure of the cover 13. It also carries at least one of the electrical connectors 16, 20 described above.

Advantageously, the metal part 22 and the synthetic part 23 are formed independently of one another, then and attached to each other as will be detailed below. The synthetic part 23 is for example produced according to a molding process, for example by injection. The metal part 22 is for example from a stamped metal sheet.

The metal part 22 is formed by a plate 24 surrounded by a folded edge 25, thus delimiting a hollow which receives the synthetic part 23. At least one orifice 26 passes through the plate 24, an edge of the orifice 26 forming a closed perimeter which surrounds the electrical connector 16, 20, more particularly the portion 17. It will be noted that the latter extends along an axis perpendicular to a plane in which the plate 24 extends, this axis being advantageously parallel to the longitudinal axis X of housing 2.

FIG. 3 shows more precisely the synthetic part 23 which extends into the hollow of the metal part 22. The synthetic part 23 is formed by a plate 27 on which reinforcements 28 are formed, according to a honeycomb diagram. . The plate 27 is crossed by the pins 18 of the two electrical connectors 16, 20 shown in this exemplary embodiment. The plate 27 also includes an additional thickness around the pins 18 of the electrical connectors.

According to a first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the electrical connector 16 is in one piece with the synthetic part 23. By "monoblock" is meant the fact that these two parts form a single assembly which cannot be separated without causing deterioration of at least one of the two parts. These two parts are therefore molded simultaneously, inside the same mold. The portion 17 of the electrical connector 16, 20 is thus an extension of the material of the plate 27.

According to another embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the electrical connector 16, 20 may include a base which is attached and secured to the plate 27 of the synthetic part 23. In such a case, the plate 27 has an opening of complementary shape in the portion 17, the base of the electrical connector 16, 20 bearing against the plate 27.

According to the invention, a sealing device 28 is provided which extends between the synthetic plate 23 and the metal plate 22, and which surrounds the opening of the electrical power connector 16, or the opening of the electrical connector of control 20. Such a sealing device 28 can be a flexible component capable of deforming to be applied against the metal part 22 and the synthetic part 23. By way of example, this sealing device is a seal, in particular a flat seal or an O-ring. The sealing device 28 can also take the form of a bead of adhesive deposited on the metal part 22 and / or on the synthetic part 23 around the portion 17 of the electrical connector 16, 20.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a member suitable for receiving the sealing device 28. According to this example, the metal part 22 is provided with a first groove 29 which delimits an area for receiving the sealing device, which it is previously manufactured or deposited in the liquid state in the first groove 29. The latter is produced by deformation of the plate 24 of the metal part 22, in particular by a press. The first groove 29 surrounds the electrical connector, and when the sealing device 28 is housed therein, foreign bodies and impurities which migrate into the space which separates the metal part 22 from the synthetic part 23 through the orifice 26 are blocked. by the sealing device 28.

FIG. 4 shows a first face of the synthetic part 23 which faces the metal part 22, when these two parts are brought together. The base of each of the electrical connectors 16, 20 is secured to the plate 27 by four fixing devices, for example screws. The base of each electrical connector 16, 20 bears against a second face of the synthetic part, this second face being opposite the control module 8. The synthetic part 23 also includes openings 31 formed at its peripheral. These openings 31 form cutouts which allow the fastening systems of the cover 13 to pass over the housing 2.

According to the illustration in Figure 4, the plate 27 has a sector without reinforcement against which the sealing device 28 is supported. The synthetic part 23 can comprise a second groove 32 formed during the molding of the synthetic part 23. This second groove 32 thus delimits a channel of parallelepiped profile in which the sealing device 28 can be received, poured or deposited in a semi-liquid manner . Figure 4 finally shows two sealing devices 28 each surrounding a dedicated electrical connector.

In FIG. 5, the metal part 22 has been illustrated, seen from the side of the hollow which receives the synthetic part illustrated in FIG. 4. The first groove 29 here also forms a channel which follows a square profile and which surrounds the orifice 26 produced through the plate 24 of the metal part 22. A third groove 33 is produced in the plate 24 to receive a sealing device 28 dedicated to the electrical control connector 20.

According to the invention, only one or more first grooves 29 can be produced to receive the sealing device (s) 28, a support zone 34 of the sealing device on the synthetic part 23 then being flat. Similarly, the cover 13 may be provided with only one or more second grooves 32 formed in the synthetic part 23 to receive the sealing device (s), a bearing zone of the sealing device 28 on the metal part 22 then being flat. According to a combination of these solutions, the invention provides that the metal part 22 and the synthetic part 23 each comprise at least one groove 29, 32 for receiving a sealing device 28. In such a case, it will be advantageous for reduce the size of the cover 13 along the longitudinal axis X to have opposite the other the first groove 29 with the second groove 32. The sealing device 28 is thus interposed between the first groove 29 and the second groove 32.

The cover 13 which has just been described is assembled according to a particular process. It will be noted that this method can be implemented to produce the cover 13 independently of the compressor 1, or be implemented during the mounting of the compressor 1.

This process includes a first step which consists in separately manufacturing the metal part 22 and the synthetic part 23. There are thus two parts ready to be assembled. According to a second step, at least one sealing device 28 is put in place on the synthetic part 23 and / or on the metal part 23 around the electrical connector 16, 20. When the sealing device 28 is a joint, it is positioned against the synthetic part 23 or against the metal part 22, for example by being received in the first or second groove 29, 32. When the sealing device 28 is a bead of adhesive or of an elastomeric liquid product, it can be deposited either on the metal part 22, or on the synthetic part 23, or on these two parts. More specifically, this bead of adhesive can be deposited in the first groove 29 and / or in the second groove 32 produced during the step of manufacturing the metal part 22 and the synthetic part.

23. According to a third step, the metal part 22 is brought against the synthetic part 23, the latter coming to be housed in the hollow of the metal part 22 delimited by the plate 24 and the folded edge 25. When the synthetic part is brought together 23 against the metal part 22, the portion 17 of the electrical connector 16 passes through the metal part passing through the orifice 26.

During the assembly of the compressor 1, the cover 13 thus preassembled can be secured to the housing 2 of the compressor 1, thus generating a pressure which crushes the sealing device 28 between the metal part 22 and the synthetic part 23. Alternatively, it it is possible to first position the synthetic part 23 against the housing 2 of the compressor 1, then install the sealing device, then attach the metal part 22 against the housing 2, sandwiching the synthetic part and the sealing device.

The tightness of an electric compressor is improved by the cover thus produced.

Claims (16)

1. Compressor (1) for an air conditioning installation of a motor vehicle, the compressor (1) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and comprising at least one housing (2) which houses at least: - a compression mechanism (5) for a coolant, - a motorization (7) arranged inside the housing (2) and which drives the compression mechanism (5), - a control module (8) for the motorization (7), - at least one electrical connector (16, 20) intended to electrically connect the control module (8) to an external energy source to the compressor (1), and - a cover (13) comprising a metal part (22) and a synthetic part (23) arranged one against the other along the longitudinal axis (X) and traversed by the electrical connector (16, 20), characterized in that at least one sealing device (28) is disposed between the metal part (22) and the synthetic part (23), the sealing device (28) extending around an electrical connector (16, 20). 2. Compressor (1) according to claim 1, in which the metal part (22) has at least one first groove (29) in which the sealing device (28) is arranged. 3. Compressor (1) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the synthetic part (23) has at least one second groove (32) in which the sealing device (28) is arranged. 4. Compressor (1) according to claims 2 and 3, wherein the first groove (29) and the second groove (32) are opposite one face to the other. 5. Compressor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal part (22) comprises at least one orifice (26) through which a portion (17) of the electrical connector (16, 20) passes. 6. Compressor (1) according to claim 5, wherein the portion (17) of the electrical connector (16, 20) forms with the synthetic part (23) a single piece. 7. Compressor (1) according to claim 5, wherein the portion (17) of the electrical connector (16, 20) is attached to the synthetic part (23). 8. Compressor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least two separate electrical connectors (16, 20) each surrounded by a dedicated sealing device (28). 9. Compressor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the sealing device (28) is formed by a bead of adhesive. 10. Compressor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the sealing device (28) comprises at least one O-ring. 11. Compressor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal part (22) is a stamped plate. 12. Compressor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the synthetic part (23) comprises a plate (27) provided with reinforcement (28). 13. A method of assembling a cover (13) of a compressor (1) for an air conditioning installation of a motor vehicle, the cover (13) comprising at least one metal part (22) and one synthetic part (23) carrying at least one electrical connector (16, 20), during which: the metal part (22) and the synthetic part (23) are formed separately, subsequently, at least one sealing device (28) is placed on the synthetic part (23) and / or on the metal part (22) around the electrical connector (16, 20), the metal part (22) is attached against the synthetic part (23). 14. The assembly method according to the preceding claim, during which the sealing device (28) is disposed in the liquid state in a first groove (29) previously formed in the metal part (22) or in a second groove. (32) previously formed in the synthetic part (23). 15. The assembly method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the electrical connector (16, 20) comprises a portion (17) which passes through at least one orifice (26) previously made in the metal part (22). 16. Vehicle comprising a compressor (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 12. KFR0078