Vehicle a/c compressor assembly

Abstract

A vehicle a/c compressor assembly for a hybrid or electric vehicle includes an electric motor housing, an AC electric motor in the electric motor housing, a compressor housing and a compressor in the compressor housing. The AC electric motor is drivingly coupled to the compressor exterior to the motor housing and the compressor housing.

1 . A vehicle a/c compressor assembly for a hybrid or electric vehicle, comprising:
 an electric motor housing;   an AC electric motor in the electric motor housing;   a compressor housing;   a compressor in the compressor housing; and   the AC motor drivingly coupled to the compressor exterior to the electric motor housing and the compressor housing.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle a/c compressor assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a motor shaft drivingly engaged by the AC motor and a compressor shaft drivingly engaging the compressor, the motor shaft drivingly engaging the compressor shaft outside the electric motor housing and the compressor housing. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle a/c compressor assembly of  claim 2  wherein the compressor shaft is disposed in alignment with the motor shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle a/c compressor assembly of  claim 3  further comprising a shaft coupler coupling the motor shaft and the compressor shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle a/c compressor assembly of  claim 1  wherein the AC electric motor is a fixed speed motor. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle a/c compressor assembly of  claim 1  wherein the AC electric motor is a variable speed AC motor. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle a/c compressor assembly of  claim 1  wherein the compressor is a fixed displacement compressor. 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle a/c compressor assembly of  claim 1  wherein the compressor is a variable displacement compressor. 
     
     
         9 . A vehicle a/c compressor assembly for a hybrid or electric vehicle, comprising:
 an electric motor housing;   an AC electric motor in the electric motor housing;   a compressor housing;   a compressor in the compressor housing; and   a drive belt drivingly coupling the compressor to the AC electric motor exterior to the compressor housing and the electric motor housing.   
     
     
         10 . The vehicle a/c compressor assembly of  claim 9  further comprising a drive belt tensioner engaging the drive belt. 
     
     
         11 . The vehicle a/c compressor assembly of  claim 9  further comprising a motor shaft drivingly engaged by the AC electric motor, a motor pulley carried by the motor shaft, a compressor shaft drivingly engaging the compressor and a compressor pulley carried by the compressor shaft, and wherein the drive belt drivingly engages the motor pulley and the compressor pulley outside the motor housing and the compressor housing. 
     
     
         12 . The vehicle a/c compressor assembly of  claim 11  wherein the compressor shaft is disposed in generally parallel relationship to the motor shaft. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle a/c compressor assembly of  claim 9  wherein the AC electric motor is a fixed speed motor. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle a/c compressor assembly of  claim 9  wherein the AC electric motor is a variable speed AC motor. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle a/c compressor assembly of  claim 9  wherein the compressor is a fixed displacement compressor. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle AC compressor assembly of  claim 9  wherein the compressor is a variable displacement compressor. 
     
     
         17 . A vehicle a/c compressor assembly for a hybrid or electric vehicle, comprising:
 an electric motor housing;   an AC electric motor in the electric motor housing;   an electric motor shaft drivingly engaged by the AC motor and extending from the electric motor housing;   an electric motor pulley carried by the electric motor shaft;   a compressor housing;   a compressor in the compressor housing;   a compressor shaft drivingly engaging the compressor and extending from the compressor housing;   a compressor pulley carried by the compressor shaft;   a connecting conduit establishing fluid communication between the electric motor housing and the compressor housing; and   a drive belt drivingly coupling the compressor pulley to the motor pulley exterior to the compressor housing and the motor housing.   
     
     
         18 . The vehicle a/c compressor assembly of  claim 17  wherein the compressor is a variable displacement compressor. 
     
     
         19 . The vehicle a/c compressor assembly of  claim 17  wherein the AC electric motor is a variable speed AC motor. 
     
     
         20 . The vehicle a/c compressor assembly of  claim 17  wherein the compressor is a fixed displacement compressor.