Sealed type electric compressor

Abstract

 A sealed type electric compressor includes a sealed vessel (51,52); a compressor unit (11); a motor (12); and a motor driving module (13) having a power unit (131) and a control unit (132), for operating the motor (12), wherein the compressor unit (11), the motor (12) and the motor driving module (13) are accommodated in the sealed vessel. The sealed type electric compressor allows the size of an outdoor unit to be reduced by accommodating the motor driving unit in the sealed vessel and reliably performs a signal transmitting/receiving operation to/from an exterior.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealed type electric compressor employed in a cooling device or an air conditioner; and, more particularly, to a sealed type electric compressor including a motor driving module for controlling a motor in a sealed vessel.

[0002] Recently, compactness and energy efficiency has been required in an air conditioner for household. Accordingly, in an outdoor unit configuring an air conditioner, requirements that an efficiency of the outdoor unit should be improved by enlarging the heat transfer area of an outdoor heat exchanger therefore, the size of the outdoor unit should be compact is on the rise. Further, compactness and high efficiency of the compressor employed in the outdoor unit is required.

[0003] In an air conditioner having an inverter driving compressor with a commercial AC power source, a driving circuit unit of the compressor is provided at an outdoor unit as a separate unit. For the reason, the volume the driving circuit unit would occupy in the outdoor unit is increased, thereby reducing the heat transfer area of the outdoor heat exchanger and undermining the efficiency of the air conditioner.

[0004] A sealed type electric compressor by inverter control is mainly used in a household air conditioner. An outdoor unit configuring an air conditioner includes a compressor main body and a driving circuit unit for controlling the compressor main body. In the sealed type electric compressor accommodating a compressor unit and a motor in a sealed vessel, a motor driving circuit for controlling the motor is provided outside the sealed type electric compressor.

[0005] Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of an outdoor unit in a conventional separate type air conditioner and Fig. 11 offers a cross sectional view of the conventional separate type air conditioner. As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, outdoor unit 100 includes compressor 110, outdoor heat exchanger 120 for exchanging heat with exterior air and outdoor blower 130 for blowing exterior air to exchange heat. Compressor 110 is of a sealed type, and sealed vessel 151 accommodates therein compressor unit 111 and motor 121 for driving compressor unit 111. Driving circuit unit 140 for driving compressor 110 is separately provided on the upper space of outdoor unit 100.

[0006] Driving circuit unit 140 includes a compressor control unit for controlling compressor 110, a blower control unit for controlling outdoor blower 130, a cooling cycle control unit for controlling a cooling cycle (not shown) and a wiring portion connected to an indoor unit (not shown). The compressor control unit is a main component of driving circuit unit 140.

[0007] Fig. 12 provides a driving circuit diagram for driving a conventional compressor by inverter control. As shown in Fig. 12, the compressor driving circuit of driving circuit unit 140 includes power unit 240 having rectifier circuit unit 210 and inverter circuit unit 230; and controller 250 for controlling inverter circuit unit 230. Rectifier circuit unit 210 converts commercial AC power source 200 into a DC power and inverter circuit unit 230 converts thus DC power into a three phase AC power to drive motor 220 in sealed vessel 151 of compressor 110. Further, Rectifier circuit unit 210 includes reactance 260, capacitor 270 and diode 280. Furthermore, inverter circuit unit 230 is configured as switching element 290 composed of an IGBT or a power transistor capable of highly switching.

[0008] As shown in Fig. 10, conventional driving circuit unit 140 is provided as an independent unit from compressor 110, and driving circuit unit 140 is connected to compressor 110 in outdoor unit 100 by wiring.

[0009] Moreover, as for not the sealed type electric compressor of an air conditioner for household or business use, the operation time of the sealed type electric compressor being long, but a semi-sealed type electric compressor of an air conditioner for use in cars, the operation time of the semi-sealed type electric compressor being not so long, it is disclosed that a motor driving circuit is accommodated in a semi-sealed vessel (see, Japanese Patent Laid-open Application No. 2002-174178).

[0010] In case a sealed type compressor accommodates therein a motor driving circuit in order to decrease the size of components of the compressor, to facilitate the assembly thereof during fabrication and to secure effective space of a heat exchanger of an outdoor unit, there are problems in the motor driving circuit and a transmitting/receiving unit for transmitting/receiving control signals to/from exterior.

[0011] For example, it can be considered that a friction type connector with a high degree of freedom of position determination or an electric connection type communicating unit in a contact manner of a flexible print board or a lead wires is used as a communicating unit of the transmitting/receiving unit. However, the communicating unit has a problem that electric insulation of the compressor is reduced and there is no durability on, vibration and temperature environment of the compressor, and on installing environment, e.g., dust. Since the number of signal line is increased in case a glass terminal type signal terminal is provided in the same manner as a sealed power source terminal, glass terminal needs to have a certain size, thereby having a terribly undesirable effect on a shape of a pressure vessel. Further, in case of accommodating the motor driving circuit in the sealed vessel, there is a problem that connectors or terminals corresponding to kind and capacity of a plurality of air conditioners or compressors should be provided.

[0012] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a sealed type electric compressor capable of accommodating a motor driving circuit in a sealed vessel as one body by preparing a control communicating unit for communicating the sealed type electric compressor with an electric device outside the sealed vessel; downsizing an outdoor unit of an air conditioner; performing a signal transmitting/receiving between the motor driving circuit and exterior interface board in a electrically non-contact manner.

[0013] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a sealed type electric compressor including: a sealed vessel; a compressor unit; a motor; and a motor driving module having a power unit and a control unit, for operating the motor, wherein the compressor unit, the motor and the motor driving module are accommodated in the sealed vessel.

[0014] The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a sealed type electric compressor in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 sets forth a detailed cross sectional view of a motor driving module of the sealed type electric compressor in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 3A and 3B present a detailed view of a communicating unit of the sealed type electric compressor in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 4A and 4B provide a detailed view of a sealed power supply terminal of the sealed type electric compressor in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 shows a detailed view of a communicating unit of a sealed type electric compressor in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 illustrates a detailed view of a communicating unit of a sealed type electric compressor in accordance with a first example of the third preferred embodiment;

Fig. 7 is a detailed view of a communicating unit of a sealed type electric compressor in accordance with a second example of the third preferred embodiment;

Fig. 8 provides a detailed view of a communicating unit of a sealed type electric compressor in accordance with a third example of the third preferred embodiment;

Fig. 9 sets forth a cross sectional view of a sealed type electric compressor in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 10 shows a configuration of an outdoor unit of a conventional separate type air conditioner;

Fig. 11 illustrates a cross sectional view of the conventional sealed type electric compressor; and

Fig. 12 provides a driving circuit diagram for driving the conventional compressor by inverter control.

[0015] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First preferred embodiment)

[0016] Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a sealed type electric compressor in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 sets forth a detailed cross sectional view of a motor driving module of the sealed type electric compressor in accordance with the first preferred embodiment; Fig. 3A presents a detailed cross sectional view of a communicating unit of the sealed type electric compressor in accordance with the first preferred embodiment; and Fig. 3B illustrates a detailed plane view of the communicating unit of the sealed type electric compressor in accordance with the first preferred embodiment.

[0017] Sealed type electric compressor 10, which is so-called a low-pressure type compressor, includes upper shell 51 configuring a sealed vessel and lower shell 52 accommodating therein compressor unit 11, motor 12 and motor driving module 13. Motor driving module 13 is provided at an upper portion of the sealed vessel and supplies power source to motor 12 while controlling an operation thereof. Upper shell 51 and lower shell 52 are connected by welding portion 53, thereby configuring the sealed vessel. Provided on a top surface of upper shell 51 are sealed power supply terminal 21 for supplying power to motor driving module 13 from exterior and communicating unit 22 for transmitting/receiving communication control signals or instruction signals to/from exterior of the sealed vessel.

[0018] By disposing communicating unit 22 on the top surface of the sealed vessel and disposing motor driving module 13 on the inside upper portion of the sealed vessel, a communication control distance between communicating unit 22 and motor driving module 13 can be short, thereby reducing any effect from noise.

[0019] Stationary scroll 61 and movable scroll 71 are disposed at compressor unit 11 to face each other. Stationary scroll 61 includes a fixed wrap formed on one surface of bottom plate 62 and anchor portion 63 connected to bottom plate 62. Anchor portion 63 is fixed to lower shell 52 and supports movable scroll 71, and discharge hole 65 is provided in a center portion of bottom plate 62. Movable scroll 71 includes bottom plate 72, a movable wrap formed on one side of bottom plate 72 and cylindrical boss portion 73 formed on the other side of bottom plate 72. Oldham's ring for allowing a revolution of movable scroll 71 without allowing a rotation thereof is provided, and compressor unit 11 is configured by revolving movable scroll 71 with respect to stationary scroll 61. Sealed type electric compressor 10 in accordance with the first preferred embodiment is a low-pressure type compressor. Coolant introduced from suction pipe 79 provided at lower shell 52 is discharged toward inside of the sealed vessel, and thus coolant is introduced to compressor unit 11 from suction port 64 while cooling motor 12 or motor driving module 13. Suction port 64 is located on a side opposite to suction pipe 79 in the sealed vessel. Thus coolant is compressed by revolution of movable scroll 71 and discharged from discharge hole 65. Then, after the coolant passes through discharge chamber 66 and discharge line 91, the coolant is discharged from discharge pipe 80 provided at lower shell 52 toward exterior of compressor 10.

[0020] Motor 12 includes stator 14 fixed to an inner wall of lower shell 52 and rotor 15 fixing thereto main shaft 16 for revolving movable scroll 71 of compressor unit 11. Power source is supplied from motor driving module 13 to motor 12 via wires 89. Crank portion 17 of main shaft 16 is inserted into boss portion 73 of movable scroll 71, thereby revolving movable scroll 71. Further, thrust block 18 of main shaft 16 supports weight via anchor portion 63. Furthermore, oil 90 is stored in a bottom portion of the sealed vessel.

[0021] Fig. 2 sets forth a detailed cross sectional view of motor driving module 13. Motor driving module 13 includes power unit 131 for driving motor 12 and control unit 132 for operating motor 12, wherein surroundings thereof is molded with coolant-resistant material 133. Power unit 131 having rectifier circuit unit and inverter circuit unit includes power transistor 190 or driving IC 191 on print circuit board 136. Control unit 132 having large-capacity capacitor 170 or microcomputer 171 controls power unit 131, thereby controlling rotation of motor 12. Shield plate 135 is in charge of preventing or shielding heat radiation between control unit 132 and power unit 131, and heat radiation plate 134 for promoting heat radiation is provided at the outer periphery portion of motor driving module 13.

[0022] Motor driving module 13 is disposed on the upper portion of the sealed vessel and fixed on anchor portion 63 of stationary scroll 61 with screws. Power source is supplied from exterior to input terminal 81 provided on the upper side of motor driving module 13 while input terminal 81 is connected to sealed power supply terminal 21 installed on upper shell 51 via wires 82. Motor driving module 13 transmits/receives control signals or instruction signals to/from exterior via electrically insulated communicating unit 22 provided on upper shell 51. Further, output terminal 88 installed at the lower side of motor driving module 13 is connected to stator 14 of motor 12 via wires 89.

[0023] Fig. 3A presents a detailed cross sectional view of communicating unit 22 installed on upper shell 51 while Fig. 3B illustrates a detailed plane view thereof. In accordance with the first preferred embodiment, a signal transmitting/receiving type of communicating unit 22 is an optical signal type. As seen in Fig. 3A, communicating unit 22 includes inner transmitting/receiving terminal 83 serving as an input/output terminal of motor driving module 13, for transmitting/receiving control signals as optical signals; outer transmitting/receiving terminal 84 serving as an input/output terminal, for transmitting/receiving exterior control signals; and pressure-resistant lens 86. Inner and outer transmitting/receiving terminals 83, 84 are coupler for inputting/outputting optical signals. Outer transmitting/receiving terminal 84 is fixed at supporting frame 87 installed on upper shell 51. Pressure-resistant lens 86 is fixed in upper shell 51 functioning as the sealed vessel while surroundings thereof are covered with high strength insulating material 85, e.g., glass fiber. Further, optical signals are transferred between inner transmitting/receiving terminals 83 and outer transmitting/receiving terminals 84 via pressure-resistant lens 86.

[0024] Operation stopping signals or frequency instruction of compressor 10 and thermistor information, which serve as an input signal from outer transmitting/receiving terminal 84, are outputted to motor driving module 13 while inside temperature or operating current information of motor driving module 13, which serves as an output signal from inner transmitting/receiving terminal 83, is outputted to exterior.

[0025] Figs. 4A and 4B provide a detailed view of sealed power supply terminal 21, while Figs. 4A and 4B offer a cross sectional view and plane view thereof, respectively. Three power supply rods 30 are adhered to insulating vitreous body 31, respectively, and are insulated from upper shell 51 of the sealed vessel. Sealed power supply terminal 21 has a strength capable of enduring high pressure in the sealed vessel and is fixed on upper shell 51 by welding.

[0026] Next, assembly of compressor 10 will be described. After fixing compressor unit 11 on lower shell 52 by installing compressor unit 11 having main shaft 16 connected to rotor 15 at stator 14 of motor 12 fixed on lower shell 52, discharge chamber 66 is installed to compressor unit 11 and discharge line 91 is fixed at discharge pipe 80 by welding. Then, motor driving module 13 is fixed on compressor unit 11; output terminal 88 is connected to stator 14 of motor 12 by wiring; upper shell 51 is put on lower shell 52 while sealed power source terminal 21 is connected to input terminal 81 by wires 82; and, then, upper shell 51 is fixed on lower shell 52 by welding portion 53. At this time, outer transmitting/receiving terminal 84 and inner transmitting/receiving terminal 83 of motor driving module 13 have a position relation with respect to pressure-resistant lens 86 at an appropriate height and in a rotational direction.

[0027] The operation of the above described configuration will be described. Power source supplied from exterior is supplied to input terminal 81 of motor driving module 13 via sealed power source terminal 21 and wires 82. After thus power source is rectified and switched by power unit 131 of motor driving module 13, it is supplied from output terminal 88 to stator 14 of motor 12 via wires 89, thereby rotating rotor 15. On the one side, outer transmitting/receiving terminal 84 and inner transmitting/receiving terminal 83 of motor driving module 13 exchange communication control signals with each other, thereby controlling motor 12. After operation stopping signals or operation frequency instruction of compressor 10 and exterior thermistor information are converted into optical signals, they pass through outer transmitting/receiving terminal 84 and pressure-resistant lens 86, and are outputted to motor driving module 13 via inner transmitting/receiving terminal 83. On the contrary, after inside temperature or operation current information of compressor 10 from motor driving module 13 are converted into optical signals, they pass through inner transmitting/receiving terminal 83 via pressure-resistant lens 86, and are outputted to outer transmitting/receiving terminal 84. Accordingly, overheating or over-current of compressor 10 can be prevented.

[0028] By rotating rotor 15 of motor 12, movable scroll 71 connected to an end portion of main shaft 16 directly connected to rotor 15 revolves with respect to stationary scroll 61. After coolant introduced into compressor 10 via suction pipe 79 provided on lower shell 52 is pressurizes in compressor unit 11 having stationary scroll 61 and movable scroll 71, and discharged from discharge hole 65. Thus coolant gas is introduced into discharge chamber 66 and pulsation of the discharged gas is suppressed in discharge chamber 66 while passing through discharge line 91, thereby allowing the discharged gas to be re-discharged from discharge pipe 80 to exterior of the sealed type electric compressor 10.

[0029] Oil 90 stored in the bottom portion of lower shell 52 of the sealed vessel is supplied and lubricated on a sliding portion of compressor unit 11 by using rotating force of main shaft 16. That is, oil 90 is supplied and lubricated on a sliding portion of anchor portion 63 for receiving a thrust load toward a crank portion of main shaft 16, on which gas pressure of compressor unit 11 is loaded, or movable scroll 71 and receiving another thrust load of main shaft 16's weight, wherein a gas pressure is loaded on main shaft 16.

[0030] In accordance with the first preferred embodiment, motor driving module 13 of motor 12 is accommodated in the sealed vessel as one body and the communication type is an optical signal transmitting type. Accordingly, compressor 10 and motor driving module 13 are handled as one body, and at the same time, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner can be compact. Further, since the compressor control unit having the motor driving module is removed from the outdoor unit, an effective heat transfer area of the outdoor heat exchanger can be increased, thereby enhancing air conditioning capability.

[0031] Moreover, wiring operation is unnecessary in a communication control between exterior and motor driving module 13, and a high reliable communication method can be achieved without being affected by electric noise or environment, e.g. vibration or temperature.

[0032] Furthermore, only by exchanging a constant velocity type compressor of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner with an inverter driving compressor accommodating therein motor driving module, the inverter control air conditioner can be obtained and versatility can be achieved.

(Second preferred embodiment)

[0033] A sealed type electric compressor in accordance with a second preferred embodiment will be described in Fig. 5. Parts or structures identical to those described in the first preferred embodiment will be assigned like reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Further, since operations except communicating unit 22A are almost same as the first preferred embodiment, detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0034] Fig. 5 shows a detailed view of communicating unit 22A installed on upper shell 51. In accordance with the second preferred embodiment, the communication type is an electromagnetic signal type. Communicating unit 22A includes inner transmitting/receiving terminal 93 serving as an input/output terminal of motor driving module 13 for transmitting/receiving control signals as electromagnetic signals; outer transmitting/receiving terminal 94 serving as an input/output terminal for transmitting/receiving exterior control signals; and electromagnetic lens 96. Inner transmitting/receiving terminal 93 and outer transmitting/receiving terminal 94 in accordance with the second preferred embodiment are configured by an electric coil, and transmit/receive electromagnetic signals from signal sources via electromagnetic lens 96, wherein the electric coil is wound by magnetic material, e.g., ferrite. Electromagnetic lens 96 is fixed in upper shell 51 serving as the sealed vessel while surroundings thereof are covered with high strength insulating material 95, e.g., glass fiber. Operation stopping signals or a frequency instruction of compressor 10 and thermistor information, which serve as an input signal from outer transmitting/receiving terminal 94, are outputted to motor driving module 13 while inside temperature or operating current information of motor driving module 13, which serves as an output signal from inner transmitting/receiving terminal 93, is outputted to exterior.

[0035] In case of assembling compressor 10, it is same as the first preferred embodiment that upper shell 51 is put on lower shell 52 while sealed power source terminal 21 is connected to input terminal 81 by wires 82 and, then, upper shell 51 is fixed on lower shell 52 by welding portion 53. At this time, outer transmitting/receiving terminal 94 and inner transmitting/receiving terminal 93 of motor driving module 13 have a position relation with respect to electromagnetic lens 96 disposed on upper shell 51 at an appropriate height and in a rotational direction.

[0036] It is same as the first preferred embodiment that power source supplied from exterior is supplied to input terminal 81 of motor driving module 13 via sealed power source terminal 21 and wires 82 and is supplied to stator 14 of motor 12 via wires 89, thereby rotating rotor 15. Outer transmitting/receiving terminal 94 and inner transmitting/receiving terminal 93 of motor driving module 13 exchange communication control signals with each other, thereby controlling motor 12. After operation stopping signals or operation frequency instruction of compressor 10 and exterior thermistor information are converted into electromagnetic signals, they pass through outer transmitting/receiving terminal 94 and electromagnetic lens 96, and are outputted to motor driving module 13 via inner transmitting/receiving terminal 93. On the contrary, after inside temperature or operation current information of compressor 10 from motor driving module 13 are converted into electromagnetic signals, they pass through inner transmitting/receiving terminal 93 via electromagnetic lens 96, and are outputted to outer transmitting/receiving terminal 94. Accordingly, overheating or over-current of compressor 10 can be prevented.

[0037] As described above, if the communication type is an electromagnetic signal transmitting type, since a wiring operation is unnecessary in a communication control between exterior and motor driving module 13, and accuracy of position alignment between an inside and an outside of the sealed vessel of the communicating unit is unnecessary, a high reliable communication method can be realized without being affected by coolant, oil or environments, e.g., high temperature and high pressure.

(Third preferred embodiment)

[0038] A sealed type electric compressor in accordance with a third preferred embodiment will be described in Figs. 6 to 8. A communication type of the communicating units 22B to 22D in accordance with a third preferred embodiment is an optical signal transmitting type Parts or structures identical to those described in the first preferred embodiment will be assigned like reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Further, since operations except communicating units 22B to 22D are almost same as the first preferred embodiment, detailed descriptions will be omitted

[0039] Fig. 6 illustrates a detailed cross sectional view of communicating unit 22B installed on upper shell 51 in accordance with a first example of a third preferred embodiment. Communicating unit 22 includes inner transmitting/receiving terminal 103 serving as an input/output terminal of motor driving module 13 for transmitting/receiving control signals as vibration signals; outer transmitting/receiving terminal 104 serving as an input/output terminal for transmitting/receiving exterior vibration control signals; and transferring rod 106. Inner transmitting/receiving terminal 103 and outer transmitting/receiving terminal 104 are configured by a piezoelectric element or a voice coil, and they transmit/receive vibration signals via transferring rod 106, wherein the voltage signals from signal source are converted into the vibration signals. Transferring rod 106 is fixed on upper shell 51 serving as the sealed vessel while surroundings thereof are covered with high strength insulating material 105, e.g., glass fiber.

[0040] It is same as the first preferred embodiment that operation stopping signals or a frequency instruction of compressor 10 and thermistor information, which serve as an input signal from outer transmitting/receiving terminal 104, are outputted to motor driving module 13 while inside temperature or operating current information of motor driving module 13, which serves as an output signal from inner transmitting/receiving terminal 103, is outputted to exterior.

[0041] In case of operating compressor 10, while using an operation frequency (commonly, about from 30 to 120 Hz) as a basic frequency, since a plurality of analogue vibration frequency including a multiple frequency of the basic frequency are overlapped and vibrates in a thickness direction of upper shell 51, thus vibration is applied to inner transmitting/receiving terminal 103, outer transmitting/receiving terminal 104 and transferring rod 106. Accordingly, by matching a returning frequency for use in a communicating transfer with a natural frequency of transferring rod 106, an effective communication can be accomplished.

[0042] It is same as the first preferred embodiment that upper shell 51 is put on lower shell 52 while sealed power source terminal 21 is connected to input terminal 81 by wires 82 and, then, upper shell 51 is fixed on lower shell 52 by welding portion 53. Compressor 10 is assembled in such a manner that connection terminal 108 of motor driving module 13 is mechanically fixed to inner transmitting/receiving terminal 103 disposed at one end side of transferring rod 106 fixed on upper shell 51.

[0043] It is same as the first preferred embodiment that power source supplied from exterior is supplied to input terminal 81 of motor driving module 13 via sealed power source terminal 21 and wires 82 and, then, is supplied to stator 14 of motor 12 via wires 89, thereby rotating rotor 15. Outer transmitting/receiving terminal 104 as an outer input/output terminal and inner transmitting/receiving terminal 103 as an input/output terminal of motor driving module 13 exchange communication control signals with each other, thereby controlling motor 12.

[0044] Specifically, after operation stopping signals or operation frequency instruction of compressor 10 and exterior thermistor information are converted into vibration signals, they pass through outer transmitting/receiving terminal 104 and transferring rod 106, and are outputted to motor driving module 13 via inner transmitting/receiving terminal 103. On the contrary, after inside temperature or operation current information of compressor 10 from motor driving module 13 are converted into vibration signals, they pass through inner transmitting/receiving terminal 103 via transferring rod 106, and are outputted to outer transmitting/receiving terminal 104. Accordingly, overheating or over-current of compressor 10 can be prevented.

[0045] Fig. 7 provides a detailed cross sectional view of communicating unit 22 installed on upper shell 51 in accordance with a second example of the third preferred embodiment. Communicating unit 22C includes inner transmitting/receiving terminal 113 serving as an input/output terminal of motor driving module 13 for transmitting/receiving control signals as vibration signals; outer transmitting/receiving terminal 114 serving as an input/output terminal for transmitting/receiving exterior vibration control signals; and transferring medium 116. As described in the first preferred embodiment, inner transmitting/receiving terminal 113 or outer transmitting/receiving terminal 114 is configured by a piezoelectric element or a voice coil, and they transmit/receive vibration signals via transferring rod 116, wherein the voltage signals from signal source are converted into the vibration signals. In accordance with the second example of the third preferred embodiment, transferring medium 116 is inserted and sealed into pressure-resistant vessel 117, and inner transmitting/receiving terminal 113 and outer transmitting/receiving terminal 114 are provided at both ends of transferring medium 116. Further, transferring medium 116 is fixed in upper shell 51 while surroundings thereof are covered with high strength insulating material 115, e.g., glass fiber.

[0046] Fig. 8 offers a detailed cross sectional view of communicating unit 22D installed on upper shell 51 in accordance with a third example of the third preferred embodiment. Directly installed on upper shell 51 are inner transmitting/receiving terminal 123 serving as an input/output terminal of motor driving module 13 for transmitting/receiving control signals as vibration signals; outer transmitting/receiving terminal 124 serving as an input/output terminal for transmitting/receiving exterior vibration control signals. As described in the first and second preferred embodiments, inner transmitting/receiving terminal 123 and outer transmitting/receiving terminal 124 are configured by a piezoelectric element or a voice coil, and they transmit/receive vibration signals via upper shell 51, wherein the voltage signals from signal source are converted into the vibration signals. Here, inner transmitting/receiving terminal 123 or outer transmitting/receiving terminal 124 may be fixed at upper shell 51 by adhesive (not shown) or alloy layer (not shown) with a metal.

[0047] As described above, by a vibration signal transmitting type as the communication type, a degree of freedom of the communicating unit is increased while a high efficient transfer capacity can be obtained by removing exterior disturbances via filters. That is, since a place restriction for installing the communicating unit is reduced, selection of the install place is unnecessary and the conventional pressure vessel is available. Further, since there is little influence from exterior system, electric insulation is easily secured. Because characteristic vibration components of the compressor or the blower can be removed via filters, noise is small; resistances against the exterior disturbances are strong; and a stable transfer capacity can be obtained. Further, in case of matching natural frequency of the vibration transfer system with the frequency of the communicating unit, a high efficiency in a receiving unit can be guaranteed by resonance, thereby readily amplifying signals.

(Fourth preferred embodiment)

[0048] Fig. 9 sets forth a cross sectional view of a sealed type electric compressor in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment.

[0049] Sealed type electric compressor 10, which is so-called a low-pressure type compressor, includes upper shell 51 configuring a sealed vessel and lower shell 52 accommodating therein compressor unit 11, motor 12 and motor driving module 13. Motor driving module 13 is provided at a bottom portion of the sealed vessel and is submerged in oil 90. Further, provided at compressor 10 are sealed power source terminal 21 for supplying power source to motor driving module 13 from exterior and communicating unit 22 for transmitting/receiving communication control signals or instruction signals between the sealed vessel and compressor 10.

[0050] As described above, in case of disposing motor driving module 13 in oil 90 stored in the bottom portion of the sealed vessel, oil 90 stored in the bottom portion of the sealed vessel cools motor driving module 13 in the low-pressure type compressor, thereby steadily operating motor driving module 13.

[0051] Further, by molding surroundings of motor driving module 13 with PET or PEN as coolant-resistant material, motor driving module 13 made of epoxy resins can be prevented from being submerged in coolant, thereby obtaining durability thereof. Furthermore, in case of filling inside of the sealed vessel with natural coolant, e.g., a CO₂ gas or a methane gas, motor driving module 13 can secure durability thereof and enhance the effect of the present invention.

[0052] In accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention, since the motor driving module of the electric motor can be accommodated in the sealed vessel as one body, the compressor and the motor driving module can be handled as one unit. Further, the size of the outdoor unit can be compact and the effective heat transfer area of the outdoor heat exchanger can be increased, thereby enhancing air conditioning capability.

[0053] While the invention has been shown and described with respect to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A sealed type electric compressor comprising:

a sealed vessel;

a compressor unit;

a motor; and

a motor driving module having a power unit and a control unit, for operating the motor,

wherein the compressor unit, the motor and the motor driving module are accommodated in the sealed vessel.

2. The sealed type electric compressor of claim 1, wherein an electrically non-contact type communicating unit for transmitting/receiving communication control signals or instruction signals between the motor driving module and the exterior of the sealed vessel is disposed at the sealed vessel.

3. The sealed type electric compressor of claim 2, wherein a communication type of the communicating unit is an optical signal transmitting type.

4. The sealed type electric compressor of claim 2, wherein a communication type of the communicating unit is an electromagnetic signal transmitting type.

5. The sealed type electric compressor of claim 2, wherein a communication type of the communicating unit is a vibration signal transmitting type.

6. The sealed type electric compressor of claim 2 or 5, wherein the communicating unit is installed at an upper portion of the sealed vessel and the motor driving module is provided at the top portion of the sealed vessel.

7. The sealed type electric compressor of claim 1, wherein the motor driving module is provided at a bottom portion of the sealed vessel.

Drawing