Patent Description:
A known compressor includes a compression mechanism and an electric motor for driving the compression mechanism. The motor of such a conventional compressor is provided with a plurality of systems, for example, two systems of three-phase windings. Thus, the conventional compressor is provided with two systems of lead wires and two systems of sealed terminals. Each sealed terminal is electrically connected to the corresponding three-phase winding via its own lead wire.

These two systems of sealed terminals are connected to at least six power lines inside the compressor and are connected to at least six power lines outside the compressor. The wirings of these many power lines are complicated, and if excessive bending stress is applied to the power lines, the durability of the power lines may be reduced.

For this reason, the conventional compressor is provided with the first sealing terminal and the second sealing terminal. These sealed terminals are provided with three pins to be electrically connected to the motor, configured in the same shape, and arranged side by side in an airtight container. The three pins of the first sealed terminal and the three pins of the second sealed terminal are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the straight line that passes through the center of the discharge tube of the compressor and the midpoint between the first sealing terminal and the second sealing terminal.

Prior art is disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT>. Documents merely constituting technical background are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

When the displacement volume is enlarged for improving the performance of the compressor, the compression load increases. In order to meet the increase in this compression load, the motor requires more electric current. Such an increase in current raises the temperature of the terminals connecting the power lines to the sealed terminals at the time of energization. It is difficult for the Faston terminals adopted in the conventional compressor to cope with such a temperature rise at the time of energization.

When terminals to be fastened with screws by bringing large plate-shaped terminals into surface contact are adopted instead of the Faston terminals, the temperature rise of the terminals connecting the power lines to the sealed terminals can be suppressed.

In order to connect the above-described plate-shaped terminals and the sealed terminals, a terminal block for fastening screws is required. When a plurality of sealed terminals are provided as in the conventional compressor, a terminal block is provided for each sealed terminal. In other words, a plurality of terminal blocks are arranged side by side in the same manner as the sealed terminals.

However, in the arrangement relationship of the pair of sealed terminals of the conventional compressor, it is difficult to arrange the pair of terminal blocks side by side without interfering with each other. Further, it is considered that workability at the time of fastening screws to the respective terminals is extremely low or the work of fastening screws to the respective terminals is difficult.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a compressor and a refrigeration cycle apparatus, each of which can securely screw sealed terminals and power-line terminals with a terminal block being installed, connect power lines to the sealed terminals without applying excessive bending stress to the power lines, and also efficiently connect the power lines at the time of manufacture.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a compressor according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: an airtight container; a compression mechanism that is accommodated in the airtight container and compresses a refrigerant introduced into the airtight container; a motor including a cylindrical stator fixed to an inner surface of the airtight container and a rotor disposed inside the stator to generate rotational driving force of the compression mechanism; and a pair of sealed terminals arranged in the airtight container. Each of the sealed terminals has three plate-shaped terminals that are disposed outside the airtight container and are electrically connected to the motor. One surface of each of the three plate-shaped terminals is aligned with each side of a triangle and faces each of other two plate-shaped terminal on the one surface in such a manner that three virtual planes each containing the one surface form the triangle across the three plate-shaped terminals. One of corners of the triangle formed by the three plate-shaped terminals of one of the sealed terminals faces one of corners of the triangle formed by the three plate-shaped terminals of another of the sealed terminals.

Furthermore, the compressor according to one embodiment of the present invention preferably includes a pair of terminal blocks provided for respective sealed terminals. One of the terminal blocks preferably holds three power lines connected to respective plate-shaped terminals of a corresponding sealed terminal in such a manner that the three power lines are wired to be separated away from another of the terminal block.

Each of the sealed terminals of the compressor according to one embodiment of the present invention preferably has three second plate-shaped terminals that are disposed inside the airtight container and are electrically connected to the motor. Preferably, in each of the sealed terminals, front and back surfaces of one of the three second plate-shaped terminals are aligned with a first virtual line that is one of three virtual lines substantially trisecting a circle centered on a center of gravity of the triangle in a fan shape, while front and back surfaces of other two of the three second plate-shaped terminals are substantially orthogonal to second virtual lines being other two of the three virtual lines, and first virtual lines of respective sealed terminals intersect each other at a position farther than a centerline of the airtight container when viewed from the pair of sealed terminals.

A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention includes: the compressor, a radiator, an expansion device, a heat absorber, and refrigerant piping that connects the compressor, the radiator, the expansion device, and the heat absorber and circulates the refrigerant.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a compressor and a refrigeration cycle apparatus can be provided, in which sealed terminals and power-line terminals can be securely screwed to each other with a terminal block being installed, power lines can be connected to the sealed terminals without applying excessive bending stress to the power lines, and the power lines can be efficiently connected at the time of manufacture.

A description will now be given of embodiments of a compressor and a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present invention by referring to <FIG>. The same reference signs are given to identical or equivalent components in each figure.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a refrigerating cycle apparatus and a compressor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, the refrigeration cycle apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment is, for example, an air conditioner. The refrigeration cycle apparatus <NUM> includes a sealed rotary compressor <NUM> (hereinafter, simply referred to as the compressor <NUM>), a radiator <NUM>, an expansion device <NUM>, a heat absorber <NUM>, an accumulator <NUM>, and refrigerant piping <NUM>. The refrigerant piping <NUM> connects the compressor <NUM>, the radiator <NUM>, the expansion device <NUM>, the heat absorber <NUM>, and the accumulator <NUM> in sequence so as to circulate a refrigerant. The radiator <NUM> is also called a condenser. The heat absorber <NUM> is also called an evaporator.

The compressor <NUM> sucks up the refrigerant having passes through the heat absorber <NUM> via the refrigerant piping <NUM>, compresses the refrigerant, and discharges the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant to the radiator <NUM> through the refrigerant piping <NUM>.

The compressor <NUM> includes: a cylindrical airtight container <NUM> disposed vertically; an open-winding type electric motor <NUM> (hereinafter, simply referred to as the motor <NUM>) housed in the upper half of the airtight container <NUM>; a compression mechanism <NUM> housed in the lower half of the airtight container <NUM>; a rotating shaft <NUM> that transmits the rotational driving force of the motor <NUM> to the compression mechanism <NUM>; a main bearing <NUM> that rotatably supports the rotating shaft <NUM>; and an auxiliary bearing <NUM> that rotatably supports the rotating shaft <NUM> in cooperation with the main bearing <NUM>.

The centerline of the vertically disposed airtight container <NUM> extends in the vertical (i.e., up-and-down) direction. The airtight container <NUM> includes: a cylindrical body 11a extending in the vertical direction; an end plate 11b that blocks the upper end portion of the body 11a; and an end plate 11c that blocks the lower end portion of the body 11a.

The end plate 11b on the upper side of the airtight container <NUM> is connected to a discharge pipe 8a for discharging the refrigerant to the outside of the airtight container <NUM>. The discharge pipe 8a is connected to the refrigerant piping <NUM>. The upper end plate 11b of the airtight container <NUM> is provided with: a pair of sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> that lead the power supplied to the motor <NUM> from the outside to the inside of the airtight container <NUM>; and a pair of terminal blocks <NUM> and <NUM>. The respective terminal blocks <NUM> and <NUM> are provided on the sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM>. A plurality of power lines <NUM>, which are electrically connected to the respective sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> so as to supply power, are fixed to each of the terminal blocks <NUM> and <NUM>. The power lines <NUM> are so-called lead wires.

The motor <NUM> generates the driving force that rotates the compression mechanism <NUM>. The motor <NUM> is disposed above the compression mechanism <NUM>. The motor <NUM> includes: a cylindrical stator <NUM> fixed to the inner surface of the airtight container <NUM>; a rotor <NUM> that is disposed inside the stator <NUM> and generates the rotational driving force of the compression mechanism <NUM>; and a plurality of lead wires <NUM> that are drawn from the stator <NUM> and electrically connected to the pair of sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM>.

The rotor <NUM> includes: a rotor iron core <NUM> having a magnet accommodating hole (not shown); and a permanent magnet (not shown) accommodated in the magnet accommodating hole. The rotor <NUM> is fixed to the rotating shaft <NUM>. The rotation centerline C of the rotor <NUM> and the rotating shaft <NUM> substantially matches the centerline of the stator <NUM>. In addition, the rotation centerline C of the rotor <NUM> and the rotating shaft <NUM> substantially matches the centerline of airtight container <NUM>.

The plurality of lead wires <NUM> are power lines that supply power to the stator <NUM> through the sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM>. The plurality of lead wires <NUM> are wired depending on the type of the motor <NUM>. In the present embodiment, six lead wires <NUM> are wired.

The motor <NUM> may be a motor having a plurality of systems, for example, three-phase windings of two systems like a motor of the conventional compressor, in addition to the mode of the open winding motor.

The rotating shaft <NUM> connects the motor <NUM> and the compression mechanism <NUM>. The rotating shaft <NUM> transmits the rotational driving force generated by the motor <NUM> to the compression mechanism <NUM>.

The intermediate portion 15a of the rotating shaft <NUM> connects the motor <NUM> and the compression mechanism <NUM>, and is rotatably supported by the main bearing <NUM>. The lower end portion 15b of the rotating shaft <NUM> is rotatably supported by the auxiliary bearing <NUM>. The main bearing <NUM> and the auxiliary bearing <NUM> are also part of the compression mechanism <NUM>. In other words, the rotating shaft <NUM> penetrates the compression mechanism <NUM>.

Further, the rotating shaft <NUM> is provided with a plurality of, for example, three eccentric portions <NUM> between the intermediate portion 15a supported by the main bearing <NUM> and the lower end portion 15b supported by the auxiliary bearing <NUM>. Each eccentric portions <NUM> is a disk or cylinder, center of which does not match the rotation centerlines of the rotating shaft <NUM>.

The compression mechanism <NUM> compresses the refrigerant introduced into the airtight container <NUM>. When the motor <NUM> rotationally drives the rotating shaft <NUM>, the compression mechanism <NUM> sucks in the gaseous refrigerant from the refrigerant piping <NUM> so as to compress the refrigerant, and discharges the compressed high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant into the airtight container <NUM>.

The compression mechanism <NUM> is a rotary type with a plurality of cylinders, for example, three cylinders. The compression mechanism <NUM> includes: a plurality of cylinders <NUM>, each of which has a circular cylinder chamber <NUM>; and a plurality of annular rollers <NUM> that are disposed in the respective cylinder chambers <NUM>. Note that the compression mechanism <NUM> may be a single-cylinder rotary type.

In the following, the cylinder <NUM> closest to the motor <NUM> is defined as the first cylinder 42A, the cylinder <NUM> farthest from the motor <NUM> is defined as the third cylinder 42C, and the cylinder <NUM> disposed between the first cylinder 42A and the third cylinder 42C is defined as the second cylinder 42B.

The compression mechanism <NUM> includes: the main bearing <NUM> that closes the top surface of the first cylinder 42A; a first partition plate 45A that closes the bottom surface of the first cylinder 42A and the top surface of the second cylinder 42B; a second partition plate 45B that closes the bottom surface of the second cylinder 42B and the top surface of the third cylinder 42C; and the auxiliary bearing <NUM> that closes the bottom surface of the third cylinder 42C.

In other words, the top surface of the first cylinder 42A is closed with the main bearing <NUM>. The bottom surface of the first cylinder 42A is closed with the first partition plate 45A. The top surface of the second cylinder 42B is closed with the first partition plate 45A. The bottom surface of the second cylinder 42B is closed with the second partition plate 45B. The top surface of the third cylinder 42C is closed with the second partition plate 45B. The bottom surface of the third cylinder 42C is closed with the auxiliary bearing <NUM>.

That is, the first cylinder 42A is sandwiched between the main bearing <NUM> and the first partition plate 45A. The second cylinder 42B is sandwiched between the first partition plate 45A and the second partition plate 45B. The third cylinder 42C is sandwiched between the second partition plate 45B and the auxiliary bearing <NUM>.

The main bearing <NUM> and the first partition plate 45A are fixed in a lump to the second cylinder 42B with a fastening member <NUM> such as a bolt. That is, the main bearing <NUM> and the first partition plate 45A are fastened together to the second cylinder 42B with the fastening member <NUM>. The main bearing <NUM> is provided with: a first discharge valve mechanism 51A that discharges the refrigerant compressed in the cylinder chamber <NUM> of the first cylinder 42A; and a first discharge muffler <NUM> that covers the first discharge valve mechanism 51A. When the pressure difference between the pressure in the cylinder chamber <NUM> of the first cylinder 42A and the pressure in the first discharge muffler <NUM> reaches a predetermined value due to the compression action of the compression mechanism <NUM>, the first discharge valve mechanism 51A opens a discharge port (not shown) so as to discharge the compressed refrigerant into the first discharge muffler <NUM>.

The second partition plate 45B is provided with: a second discharge valve mechanism 51B that discharges the refrigerant compressed in the cylinder chamber <NUM> of the second cylinder 42B; and a discharge chamber <NUM>. The main bearing <NUM>, the first cylinder 42A, the first partition plate 45A, and the second cylinder 42B forms a first hole (not shown) that spatially connects the discharge chamber <NUM> of the second partition plate 45B to the inside of the first discharge muffler <NUM>. When the pressure difference between the pressure in the cylinder chamber <NUM> of the second cylinder 42B and the pressure in the discharge chamber <NUM> reaches a predetermined value due to the compression action of the compression mechanism <NUM>, the second discharge valve mechanism 51B opens a discharge port (not shown) so as to discharge the compressed refrigerant into the discharge chamber <NUM>. The refrigerant discharged into the discharge chamber <NUM> is discharged into the first discharge muffler <NUM> through the first hole. The refrigerant discharged into the first discharge muffler <NUM> through the first hole joins the refrigerant compressed by the first cylinder 42A.

The auxiliary bearing <NUM>, the third cylinder 42C, and the second partition plate 45B are integrally fixed to the second cylinder 42B with a fastening member <NUM> such as a bolt. That is, the auxiliary bearing <NUM>, the third cylinder 42C, and the second partition plate 45B are fastened together to the second cylinder 42B with the fastening member <NUM>. The auxiliary bearing <NUM> is provided with: a third discharge valve mechanism 51C that discharges the refrigerant compressed in the cylinder chamber <NUM> of the third cylinder 42C; and a second discharge muffler <NUM> that covers the third discharge valve mechanism 51C. The main bearing <NUM>, the first cylinder 42A, the first partition plate 45A, the second cylinder 42B, the second partition plate 45B, and the third cylinder 42C forms a second hole <NUM> that spatially connects the inside of the second discharge muffler <NUM> to the inside of the first discharge muffler <NUM>. When the pressure difference between the pressure in the cylinder chamber <NUM> of the third cylinder 42C and the pressure in the second discharge muffler <NUM> reaches a predetermined value due to the compression action of the compression mechanism <NUM>, third discharge valve mechanism 51C opens a discharge port (not shown) so as to discharge the compressed refrigerant into the second discharge muffler <NUM>. The refrigerant discharged into the second discharge muffler <NUM> is discharged through the second hole <NUM> into the first discharge muffler <NUM>. The refrigerant discharged into the first discharge muffler <NUM> joins the refrigerant compressed by the first cylinder 42A and the refrigerant compressed by the second cylinder 42B.

The first discharge muffler <NUM> has a discharge hole (not shown) that spatially connects the inside and outside of the first discharge muffler <NUM>. The compressed refrigerant discharged into the first discharge muffler <NUM> is discharged into the airtight container <NUM> through the discharge hole.

Note that the first hole may be part of the second hole <NUM>. Further, the discharge chamber <NUM> of the second partition plate 45B may be spatially connected to the second discharge muffler <NUM>. That is, the first hole may be spatially connected to the second discharge muffler <NUM>.

The first cylinder 42A is fixed to a frame <NUM> with a fastening member <NUM> such as a bolt, and this frame is fixed to the airtight container <NUM> by welding, for example, by spot welding at a plurality of points. In other words, the frame <NUM> supports the rotor <NUM>, the compression mechanism <NUM>, and the rotating shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM> to the airtight container <NUM> via the first cylinder 42A. It is preferred that the center of gravity of the rotor <NUM>, the compression mechanism <NUM>, and the rotating shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM> in the height direction of the airtight container <NUM> is located within the thickness of the frame <NUM> (i.e., dimension of the compressor <NUM> in the height direction).

A plurality of suction pipes <NUM> are connected to the cylinder chambers <NUM> of the respective cylinders <NUM> through the airtight container <NUM>. Each cylinder <NUM> has a suction hole that is spatially connected to each suction pipe <NUM> and reaches the cylinder chamber <NUM>. The first suction pipe 61A is connected to the cylinder chamber <NUM> of the first cylinder 42A. The second suction pipe 61B is connected to the cylinder chamber <NUM> of the second cylinder 42B. The third suction pipe 61C is connected to the cylinder chamber <NUM> of the third cylinder 42C. The number of the plurality of suction pipes <NUM> may be the same as the number of the plurality of cylinders <NUM> as in the present embodiment or may be smaller than the number of the plurality of cylinders <NUM> by being shared by the two cylinders <NUM>. For example, the second suction pipe 61B may be connected to the second partition plate 45B. The second partition plate 45B is provided with a refrigerant passage (not shown) that is connected to the second partition plate 45B and branches into the cylinder chamber <NUM> of the second cylinder 42B and the cylinder chamber <NUM> of the third cylinder 42C so as to be connected to both cylinder chambers <NUM>.

The bottom portion of the airtight container <NUM> is filled with lubricant <NUM>. Most of the compression mechanism <NUM> is in the lubricant <NUM> stored in the airtight container <NUM>.

The accumulator <NUM> prevents the liquid refrigerant, which has not been completely gasified by the heat absorber <NUM>, from being sucked into the compressor <NUM>.

Next, the sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> will be described.

<FIG> is a schematic view of the sealed terminals of the compressor according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above.

<FIG> is a schematic view of the sealed terminals of the compressor according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from below.

<FIG> is a schematic view of the sealed terminals and the terminal block of the compressor according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above.

<FIG> is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the sealed terminal and the terminal block of the compressor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, the pair of sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> of the compressor <NUM> according to the present embodiment are arranged side by side on the dome-shaped end plate 11b of the airtight container <NUM>.

First, the sealed terminal <NUM> will be described. The other sealed terminal <NUM> has substantially the same structure and shape as the sealed terminal <NUM>. Accordingly, the description of the other sealed terminal <NUM> is omitted. For the sake of simplicity, the sealed terminal <NUM> is hereinafter referred to as the first sealed terminal <NUM>, and the other sealed terminal <NUM> is hereinafter referred to as the second sealed terminal <NUM>.

The first sealed terminal <NUM> includes: a substantially disk-shaped main body <NUM>; three pins <NUM> that penetrate the front and back of the main body <NUM>; three first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> that are provided on the respective pins <NUM> and are located outside the airtight container <NUM>; and three second plate-shaped terminals <NUM> that are provided on the respective pins <NUM> and are disposed inside the airtight container <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams of the sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> when viewed from the extending direction of the pins <NUM> of the pair of sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> show the sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> from the direction tilted with respect to the planar view of the compressor <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> holds the three pins <NUM> and the three first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> such that they are isolated from each other. The three pins <NUM> and the three first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> are electrically connected to the motor <NUM>.

The three pins <NUM> are arranged at the respective vertexes of the equilateral triangle d, center of gravity of which is the center point O of the disk-shaped main body <NUM>. In other words, the three pins <NUM> are arranged around the center point O at every <NUM> degree of the center angle. Each virtual line passing through each pin <NUM> from the center point O are defined as a line segment L1. That is, the three line segments L1 substantially trisect the circle in a fan shape.

The respective first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> are connected to the power lines <NUM>. Each of the first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> has a front surface 75f as one surface and a back surface 75r as the other surface. The front surface 75f and the back surface 75r are in a front-to-back relationship of the first plate-shaped terminal <NUM>. The front surface 75f of each first plate-shaped terminal <NUM> is joined to the corresponding pin <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the front surface 75f of each first plate-shaped terminal <NUM> is aligned with each side of a triangle D and faces the respective front surfaces 75f of the other two first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> such that virtual planes containing the respective front surfaces 75f form the triangle D across the three first plate-shaped terminals <NUM>. In other words, the three first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> are arranged in the respective sides of the triangle D such that the front surfaces 75f of the respective three first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> face each other.

The front surface 75f and back surface 75r of each first plate-shaped terminal <NUM> are substantially orthogonal to the corresponding line segment L1. The "corresponding line segment L1" is the line segment L1 passing through the pin <NUM> to which each first plate-shaped terminal <NUM> is joined, and is the line segment L1 that penetrates the front and back of each first plate-shaped terminal <NUM>. That is, each first plate-shaped terminal <NUM> is arranged at the center of the corresponding side of the triangle D.

The triangle D contains the second triangle d formed by the three pins <NUM>. Each vertex of the second triangle d touches the midpoint of the corresponding side of the triangle D or is in closest contact with the midpoint of the corresponding side of the triangle D.

The three first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> are arranged so as to form a hexagon as a whole when the ends of the adjacent first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> are connected by a virtual straight line. In this hexagon, the opposite side of one first plate-shaped terminal <NUM> is the virtual straight line connecting the ends of the other two first plate-shaped terminals <NUM>.

The second plate-shaped terminals <NUM> are connected to the respective lead wires <NUM>. Each second plate-shaped terminal <NUM> has a front surface 76f as one surface and a back surface 76r as the other surface. The front surface 76f and the back surface 76r are in a front-and-back relationship of the second plate-shaped terminal <NUM>. The front surface 76f of each second plate-shaped terminals <NUM> is joined to the corresponding pin <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the front surface 76f and the back surface 76r of one second plate-shaped terminal 76a extend along the first virtual line L1a, which is one of the line segments L1. The front surface 76f and the back surface 76r of the second plate-shaped terminal 76b are substantially orthogonal to the second virtual line L1b as the corresponding line segment L1, and the front surface 76f and the back surface 76r of the second plate-shaped terminal 76c are substantially orthogonal to the second virtual line L1c as the corresponding line segment L1. In other words, the second plate-shaped terminal 76a extends along the virtual plane VP2a that bisects the acute angle formed by the virtual plane VP2b containing the second plate-shaped terminal 76b and the virtual plane VP2c containing the second plate-shaped terminals 76c.

Next, the relationship between the pair of sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> will be described.

The pair of sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> face each other so as to interpose a plane P that contains the midpoint of the pair of sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> and the centerline of the airtight container <NUM>.

One corner Co of the triangle (D1 or D2) formed by the three first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> of one of the sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> faces one corner Co of the triangle (D1 or D2) formed by the three first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> of the other of the sealed terminals <NUM> or <NUM>. That is, one corner Co of the triangle D1 formed by the three first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> of the first sealed terminal <NUM> faces one corner Co of the triangle D2 formed by the three first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> of the second sealed terminal <NUM>. Namely, one corner Co of the triangle D2 formed by the three first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> of the second sealed terminal <NUM> faces one corner Co of the triangle D1 formed by the three first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> of the first sealed terminal <NUM>.

The pair of corners Co facing each other in the pair of triangles D1 and D2 may be separated from each other without overlapping as shown in <FIG> or may be at the same position.

Thus, one side of the second triangle d formed by the three pins <NUM> of one of the sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> faces one side of the second triangle d formed by the three pins <NUM> of the other of the sealed terminals <NUM> or <NUM>. That is, one side of the second triangle d formed by the three pins <NUM> of the first sealed terminal <NUM> faces one side of the second triangle d formed by the three pins <NUM> of the second sealed terminal <NUM>. Namely, one side of the second triangle d formed by the three pins <NUM> of the second sealed terminal <NUM> faces one side of the second triangle d formed by the three pins <NUM> of the first sealed terminal <NUM>.

The respective first virtual lines L1a of the pair of sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> intersect each other at the point farther than the centerline of the airtight container <NUM> when viewed from the pair of sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM>. In other words, the second plate-shaped terminal 76a that has the front surface 76f and the back surface 76r extending along the first virtual line L1a is provided on the pin 72a that is closest to the centerline of the airtight container <NUM> among the pins <NUM> of each of the sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM>.

It is preferred that the pair of sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> are plane-symmetric with respect to the plane P as the plane of symmetry. The pair of sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> may be asymmetric as long as one corner Co of the triangle D1 and one corner Co of the triangle D2 are disposed so as to face each other. In this case, the pair of sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> are desirably disposed in such a manner that the opposite sides of the respective corners Co of the sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> are parallel to each other.

Next, the pair of terminal blocks <NUM> and <NUM> provided in the respective sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> will be described.

<FIG> is a plan view of the terminal block of the compressor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

First, the terminal block <NUM> will be described. The other terminal block <NUM> has substantially the same structure and shape as the terminal block <NUM>. Thus, the description of the other terminal block <NUM> is omitted. For the sake of simplicity, the terminal block <NUM> is hereinafter referred to as the first terminal block <NUM>, and the other terminal block <NUM> is hereinafter referred to as the second terminal block <NUM>. The first terminal block <NUM> is provided in the first sealed terminal <NUM>, and the second terminal block <NUM> is provided in the second sealed terminal <NUM>.

The first terminal block <NUM> has a T-shape when viewed from the extending direction of the three pins <NUM> of the first sealed terminal <NUM>, and has thickness in the extending direction of the three pins <NUM>. The first terminal block <NUM> includes: three terminal disposition holes <NUM>; three plate-shaped terminal receivers <NUM>; and three wiring holders <NUM>.

Two terminal disposition holes <NUM>, two plate-shaped terminal receivers <NUM>, and two wiring holders <NUM> are disposed on the horizontal bar <NUM> of the T-shaped first terminal block <NUM>. The remaining one terminal disposition hole <NUM>, the remaining one plate-shaped terminal receiver <NUM>, and the remaining one wiring holder <NUM> are disposed on the vertical bar <NUM> of the T-shaped first terminal block <NUM>.

Each terminal disposition hole <NUM> has a shape through which each first plate-shaped terminal <NUM> and each pin <NUM> of the first sealed terminal <NUM> can be inserted. The respective terminal disposition holes <NUM> are a series of holes through which the pin <NUM> and the first plate-shaped terminal <NUM> can be integrally inserted.

The two terminal disposition holes <NUM> on the horizontal bar <NUM> of the first terminal block <NUM> are disposed at the respective ends of the horizontal bar <NUM>, and the one terminal disposition hole <NUM> on the vertical bar <NUM> of the first terminal block <NUM> is disposed at the boundary portion between the horizontal bar <NUM> and the vertical bar <NUM>. The boundary portion between the horizontal bar <NUM> and the vertical bar <NUM> is the connection portion between the horizontal bar <NUM> and the vertical bar <NUM>, and is the root of the vertical bar <NUM>. These three terminal disposition holes <NUM> are arranged so as to form the shape of the triangle D corresponding to the three pins <NUM> and the three first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> of the first sealed terminal <NUM>. In addition, these three terminal disposition holes <NUM> are arranged so as to form a hexagon as a whole when the ends of adjacent terminal disposition holes <NUM> are connected by virtual straight lines.

The respective plate-shaped terminal receivers <NUM> are disposed side by side to the terminal disposition holes <NUM>. The respective plate-shaped terminal receivers <NUM> are disposed outside the virtual triangle D, where the three terminal disposition holes <NUM> are disposed, or are disposed outside the virtual hexagon formed by the three terminal disposition holes <NUM>.

Each plate-shaped terminal receivers <NUM> is a concave recess having a shape by which the first plate-shaped terminal <NUM> inserted into the terminal disposition hole <NUM> can be bent toward the outside of the triangle D. Each plate-shaped terminal receivers <NUM> has a seating surface that is inserted into the terminal disposition hole <NUM> and seats the first plate-shaped terminal <NUM> bent towards the outside of the triangle D. Nuts <NUM> are embedded in the plate-shaped terminal receivers <NUM>. A fastening member <NUM>, for example a screw, is fastened to each nut <NUM>. This fastening member <NUM> electrically connects a plate-shaped terminal <NUM> provided at the end of the power line <NUM> to the first plate-shaped terminal <NUM>, and fastens the first plate-shaped terminal <NUM> bent by the plate-shaped terminal receiver <NUM> and the terminal <NUM> of the power line <NUM> together so as to fix them to the first terminal block <NUM>.

Each first plate-shaped terminal <NUM> before being bent protrudes from the tip of the corresponding pin <NUM> in the extending direction of the pin <NUM>. Each first plate-shaped terminal <NUM> has an elongated hole <NUM> in this protruding portion. The seating position of each first plate-shaped terminal <NUM> to be bent by the plate-shaped terminal receiver <NUM> and seated on the seat surface is not always constant. Thus, the elongated hole <NUM> of each first plate-shaped terminal <NUM> absorbs the variation in seating position of the first plate-shaped terminal <NUM> such that the fastening member <NUM> is smoothly fastened to the nut <NUM>.

Each wiring holder <NUM> is a groove extending in the extending direction of the vertical bar <NUM> of the T-shaped first terminal block <NUM>. That is, each wiring holder <NUM> is a groove extending downward in the T-shape formed by the first terminal block <NUM>. The respective wiring holders <NUM> is connected in series to the plate-shaped terminal receivers <NUM>. Each wiring holder <NUM> holds the power line <NUM>, which is connected to the first plate-shaped terminal <NUM> by each plate-shaped terminal receiver <NUM>, such that the power line <NUM> is wired in the extending direction of the vertical bar <NUM> of the T-shaped first terminal block <NUM>. That is, the wiring holder <NUM> of the vertical bar <NUM> of the first terminal block <NUM> extends in the bending direction of the first plate-shaped terminal <NUM> bent on the corresponding plate-shaped terminal receiver <NUM>. The wiring holders <NUM> of the horizontal bar <NUM> of the first terminal block <NUM> intersect with the bending direction of the first plate-shaped terminal <NUM> bent on the corresponding plate-shaped terminal receivers <NUM>, and extend in parallel to the extending direction of the wiring holder <NUM> of the vertical bar <NUM> of the first terminal block <NUM>.

Next, the relationship between the pair of terminal blocks <NUM> and <NUM> will be described.

The pair of terminal blocks <NUM> and <NUM> face each other so as to interpose the plane P that contains the midpoint of the pair of sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> and the centerline of the airtight container <NUM>.

One of the terminal blocks <NUM> and <NUM> holds the three power lines <NUM> connected to the respective first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> of the corresponding sealed terminals (<NUM> or <NUM>) such that these three power lines <NUM> are wired to be separated away from the other of the terminal blocks <NUM> and <NUM>. That is, the first terminal block <NUM> holds the three power lines <NUM> connected to the respective first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> of the first sealed terminal <NUM> such that these three power lines <NUM> are wired to be separated away from the second terminal block <NUM>. Similarly, the second terminal block <NUM> holds the three power lines <NUM> connected to the respective first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> of the second sealed terminal <NUM> such that these three power lines <NUM> are wired to be separated away from the first terminal block <NUM>.

In other words, the pair of T-shaped terminal blocks <NUM> and <NUM> are provided on the pair of sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> such that the respective horizontal bars <NUM> of the terminal blocks <NUM> and <NUM> face each other. That is, the respective vertical bars <NUM> of the pair of terminal blocks <NUM> and <NUM> extend in the direction away from each other. Since the wiring holders <NUM> of each of the terminal blocks <NUM> and <NUM> extend in parallel to the extending direction of the vertical bar <NUM> of the corresponding terminal block, one of the terminal blocks <NUM> and <NUM> holds the three power lines <NUM> connected to the respective first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> of the corresponding sealed terminals (<NUM> or <NUM>) in the direction away from the other of the terminal blocks <NUM> or <NUM>.

As described above, the compressor <NUM> and the refrigeration cycle apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment is configured such that one of the corners of the triangle D formed by the three first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> of one of the sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> faces one of the corners of the triangles D formed by the three first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> of the other of the sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM>.

Thus, the compressor <NUM> and the refrigeration cycle apparatus <NUM> enable the three first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> to be bent toward the outside of the triangle D in one of the sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> without interference. In other words, the compressor <NUM> and the refrigeration cycle apparatus <NUM> enable the three first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> to be bent toward the outside of the triangle D without interference and to readily connect the power lines <NUM> having the plate-shaped terminals <NUM>.

In the compressor <NUM> and the refrigeration cycle apparatus <NUM>, the three bent first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> of one of the sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> and the three bent first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> of the other of the sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> can be arranged as close to each other as possible without interfering with each other. These three first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> are radially arranged at every <NUM> degrees in a bent state. Under this state, in view of the pair of sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> adjacent to each other, the arrangement relationship of the pair of sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> according to the present embodiment is an excellent mounting form in which the pair of sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> are closest to each other and the power lines <NUM> can be readily wired.

Thus, the compressor <NUM> and the refrigeration cycle apparatus <NUM> can readily connect the power lines <NUM> having the larger plate-shaped terminals <NUM> to the pair of sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM>. In other words, the compressor <NUM> and refrigeration cycle apparatus <NUM> can readily adopt a larger terminal having a large contact area for each terminal <NUM> that connects the power line <NUM> to the pair of sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM>, and can readily supply a large current to the motor <NUM> while avoiding temperature rise of each terminal <NUM>.

In addition, the compressor <NUM> and the refrigeration cycle apparatus <NUM> enable bending of the first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> of the sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM>, and can provide the terminal blocks <NUM> and <NUM> so as to securely screw the sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> and the terminals <NUM> of the power lines <NUM>.

Further, the compressor <NUM> and the refrigeration cycle apparatus <NUM> enable bending of the first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> of the sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM>, and can provide the terminal blocks <NUM> and <NUM> so as to readily fasten the screws, which fasten the sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> and the terminals <NUM> of the power lines <NUM> together, from the same direction. This increases the degree of freedom of the wiring paths of the power lines <NUM> and enables connection of the power lines <NUM> to the sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> without applying excessive bending stress to the power line <NUM>.

Moreover, the compressor <NUM> and the refrigeration cycle apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment include the pair of terminal blocks <NUM> and <NUM> provided in the respective sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM>. One of the terminal blocks <NUM> and <NUM> holds the three power lines <NUM> connected to the respective first plate-shaped terminals <NUM> of the corresponding sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> such that these three power lines <NUM> are wired to be separated away from the other of the terminal blocks <NUM> and <NUM>. Hence, the compressor <NUM> and the refrigeration cycle apparatus <NUM> enables connection of the power lines <NUM> to the sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> without applying excessive bending stress to the power lines <NUM>, and can wire the power lines <NUM> without exerting excessive stress on the power lines <NUM> and avoid mutual interference between the power lines <NUM>.

Furthermore, the compressor <NUM> and the refrigeration cycle apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes the second plate-shaped terminals <NUM> arranged in such a manner that the first virtual lines L1a intersect each other at a position farther than the centerline of the airtight container <NUM> when viewed from the pair of sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM>. Thus, the compressor <NUM> and the refrigeration cycle apparatus <NUM> can wire the lead wires <NUM> of the motor <NUM> in the space inside the airtight container <NUM> under the state where excessive stress does not act on the lead wires <NUM>. Additionally, the compressor <NUM> and the refrigeration cycle apparatus <NUM> can connect the lead wires <NUM> of the motor <NUM> to the second plate-shaped terminals <NUM> without making the lead wires <NUM> touch the inner wall surface of the airtight container <NUM>. This protects the lead wires <NUM> from the thermal effects at the time of welding the end plate 11b of the airtight container <NUM> to the body 11a and reduces the risk of disconnection.

The terminals provided at the ends of the lead wires <NUM> are exposed to the refrigerant flowing in the compressor <NUM>. Hence, the temperature of the terminals depends on the temperature of the refrigerant in the compressor <NUM>. That is, the temperature of the terminals provided at the ends of the lead wires <NUM> does not rise abnormally at the time of energization even when a larger current is supplied to the motor as the compression load increases. Thus, the terminals provided at the ends of the lead wires <NUM> of the motor <NUM> may be plate-shaped terminals similar to the terminals <NUM> provided at the ends of the power lines <NUM> or may be the Faston terminals used in the conventional compressor.

According to the refrigeration cycle apparatus <NUM> and the compressor <NUM> of the present embodiment, the sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> and the terminals <NUM> of the power lines <NUM> can be securely screwed to each other by installing the terminal blocks <NUM> and <NUM>, the power lines <NUM> can be connected to the sealed terminals <NUM> and <NUM> without applying excessive bending stress to the power lines <NUM>, and the power lines <NUM> can be efficiently connected at the time of manufacture.

Claim 1:
A compressor (<NUM>) comprising:
an airtight container (<NUM>);
a compression mechanism (<NUM>) that is accommodated in the airtight container (<NUM>) and compresses a refrigerant introduced into the airtight container (<NUM>);
a motor (<NUM>) including a cylindrical stator (<NUM>) and a rotor (<NUM>) that is disposed inside the stator (<NUM>) and generates rotational driving force of the compression mechanism (<NUM>), the stator (<NUM>) being fixed to an inner surface of the airtight container (<NUM>); and
a pair of sealed terminals (<NUM>, <NUM>) arranged in the airtight container (<NUM>), wherein
each of the sealed terminals (<NUM>, <NUM>) has three plate-shaped terminals (<NUM>) that are disposed outside the airtight container (<NUM>) and are electrically connected to the motor (<NUM>); characterized in that
one surface of each of the three plate-shaped terminals (<NUM>) is aligned with each side of a triangle and faces each of other two plate-shaped terminal on the one surface in such a manner that three virtual planes each containing the one surface form the triangle across the three plate-shaped terminals (<NUM>); and
one of corners of the triangle formed by the three plate-shaped terminals (<NUM>) of one of the sealed terminals (<NUM>, <NUM>) faces one of corners of the triangle formed by the three plate-shaped terminals (<NUM>) of another of the sealed terminals (<NUM>, <NUM>).