Electric compressor

Abstract

An electric compressor includes a compression portion, an electric motor, a drive circuit, a housing having a cylindrical shape and accommodating the compression portion and the electric motor, a cover attached to the housing and cooperating with the housing to accommodate the drive circuit, and a protector. The protector is configured to protect the cover from an external force. The protector includes a fixing portion that is fixed to the housing and a protection portion that is formed in a plate-like shape. The protection portion is disposed to face and to be spaced from the cover. The protector extends in a diametrical direction of the housing. A plurality of recesses is formed in the protection portion toward the cover such that the protection portion projects toward the cover. The recesses extend in an extending direction of the protector.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electric compressor comprising:
 a compression portion configured to compress refrigerant;   an electric motor configured to drive the compression portion;   a drive circuit configured to drive the electric motor;   a housing having a cylindrical shape and accommodating the compression portion and the electric motor;   a cover attached to the housing and cooperating with the housing to accommodate the drive circuit; and   a protector configured to protect the cover from an external force caused by a collision, the protector including a fixing portion that is fixed to the housing and a protection portion that is formed in a plate-like shape, the protection portion being disposed to face and to be spaced from the cover, wherein   the protector extends in a diametrical direction of the housing,   a plurality of recesses are formed in the protection portion toward the cover such that the protection portion projects toward the cover, and   the recesses extend in an extending direction of the protector.   
     
     
         2 . The electric compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the housing has a receiving portion protruding from an outer peripheral surface of the housing, and   the protector includes an abutment portion that is configured to abut on the receiving portion in the event that the protection portion is subjected to an external force caused by a collision.   
     
     
         3 . The electric compressor according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the housing or the cover has a tube-shaped connector protruding outward from the housing or the cover, and   the protection portion includes a relief portion that is operable to prevent the interference between the connector and the protection portion.