HEAT EXCHANGER

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001]The present invention relates to a heat exchanger in which a connection flange for connecting a refrigerant manifold may be provided to performance in easily assembling the heat exchanger and the refrigerant manifold.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002]In general, an air conditioning device for a vehicle refers to a device for cooling or heating a vehicle interior by introducing air existing outside a vehicle into the vehicle interior or heating or cooling air during a process in which the air circulates in the vehicle interior. In an air conditioning casing, an evaporator is used to perform a cooling operation, a heater core is used to perform a heating operation, and a blowing mode switching door is used to selectively blow air, which is cooled or heated by the evaporator or the heater core, to parts in the vehicle interior.

[0003]Korean Patent No. 10-1151758, which was previously filed, discloses a plate-type heat exchanger. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a water-cooled heat exchanger in the related art, and FIG. 2 is a view schematically illustrating a configuration of the water-cooled heat exchanger in the related art.

[0004]With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a water-cooled heat exchanger 9 in the related art is configured by stacking a plurality of plates 1. A refrigerant inlet port 2, through which a refrigerant is introduced, and a refrigerant outlet port 3, through which the refrigerant is discharged, are provided at one side of the water-cooled heat exchanger 9. Further, a coolant inlet port 4, through which a coolant is introduced, and a coolant outlet port 5, through which the coolant is discharged, is provided in the water-cooled heat exchanger 9. The plurality of plates 1 are stacked to define a refrigerant flow path and a coolant flow path therein.

[0005]The refrigerant introduced into the refrigerant inlet port 2 flows along the refrigerant flow path formed by the plates 1 and is discharged through the refrigerant outlet port 3, such that a refrigerant flow path 7 is formed, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Further, the coolant introduced into the coolant inlet port 4 flows along the coolant flow path formed by the plates 1 and is discharged through the coolant outlet port 5, such that a coolant flow path 8 is formed, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path 7 and the coolant in the coolant flow path 8 exchange heat with each other.

[0006]Meanwhile, the plate-type heat exchanger in the related art has a structure in which inlets and outlets for the refrigerant and the coolant are separately configured and separately assembled to counterpart components (e.g., AC pipes, coolant hoses, and the like). FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an assembled structure of the plate-type heat exchanger in the related art. As illustrated, an AC pipe P1, a coolant hose P2, and the like are assembled to the plate-type heat exchanger 9.

[0007]In this regard, recently, the refrigerant/coolant modularization has been performed, and thus there has been proposed an integrated structure several AC pipes are integrated into a single manifold and assembled to the plate-type heat exchanger. The integrated cooling module has a structure in which heat exchange components including the heat exchanger, e.g., a chiller, an accumulator, and the like are mounted and assembled onto a refrigerant manifold at a central portion to define a single integrated cooling module.

[0008]In this case, there is no great difficulty in assembling the AC pipes to the plate-type heat exchanger in the related art. However, in case that the recent manifold structure is applied, component processing tolerance, core manufacturing tolerance, and the like make it difficult to assemble the heat exchanger to the manifold.

[0009]As a related document, there is Korean Patent No. 10-1151758 (registered on May 24, 2012).

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

[0010]The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger in which a connection flange for connecting a refrigerant manifold is provided to ensure performance in easily assembling the heat exchanger and the refrigerant manifold.

Technical Solution

[0011]One aspect of the present invention provides a heat exchanger including: a core configured by stacking a plurality of plates and configured to allow heat exchange media to exchange heat; a top plate disposed at an upper side of the core; and a connection flange provided on the top plate and configured to be fastened to an external component, in which the connection flange includes: a body; an inlet pipe provided at one side of the body and configured to allow a refrigerant to be introduced therethrough; and an outlet pipe provided at the other side of the body and configured to allow the refrigerant to be discharged therethrough, and in which the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe of the connection flange are configured adjacent to each other and biased toward one side based on a longitudinal center of the top plate.

[0012]A plurality of refrigerant flow paths may be formed in the core and disposed between the plurality of adjacent stacked plates so that the refrigerant flows through the plurality of refrigerant flow paths, and when the refrigerant flow path, which is positioned at an uppermost portion among the plurality of refrigerant flow paths, is referred to as an uppermost refrigerant flow path and the remaining refrigerant flow paths are referred to as core part refrigerant flow paths, the inlet pipe of the connection flange may communicate with the core part refrigerant flow path, and the outlet pipe of the connection flange may communicate directly with the uppermost refrigerant flow path.

[0013]The refrigerant introduced into the inlet pipe of the connection flange may move to the core part refrigerant flow path and be introduced into the uppermost refrigerant flow path after flowing along the core part refrigerant flow path, and the refrigerant introduced into the uppermost refrigerant flow path may pass through the uppermost refrigerant flow path and be discharged through the outlet pipe of the connection flange.

[0014]A height of the uppermost refrigerant flow path may be larger than a height of the core part refrigerant flow path.

[0015]First and second through-holes may be formed through the plurality of plates of the core so that the refrigerant passes through the first and second through-holes, and when the plate, which is positioned at an uppermost portion among the plurality of plates, is referred to as an uppermost plate and the remaining plates are referred to as core part plates, the first and second through-holes of the core part plate may be respectively positioned at one longitudinal end and the other longitudinal end of the core part plate, the first through-hole of the uppermost plate may be positioned in parallel with the first through-hole of the core part plate in an upward/downward direction, and the second through-hole of the uppermost plate may be spaced apart from the second through-hole of the core part plate in a horizontal direction and positioned adjacent to the first through-hole of the uppermost plate.

[0016]Cup portions may be formed around the first and second through-holes of the core part plate and have shapes in which peripheral portions of the first through-holes and peripheral portions of the second through-holes protrude toward the plate disposed therebelow, and a cup portion may be formed around the first through-hole of the uppermost plate and have a shape in which a peripheral portion of the first through-hole protrudes toward the plate disposed therebelow.

[0017]When the cup portion formed around the first through-hole of the uppermost plate is referred to as a first cup portion and the cup portion formed around the first through-hole of the plate disposed below the uppermost plate and adjacent to the uppermost plate is referred to as a second cup portion, the first cup portion may be inserted into the second cup portion.

[0018]The first cup portion may include a cylindrical sidewall portion, and a horizontal portion extending from an end of the sidewall portion in the horizontal direction, the second cup portion may include a cylindrical sidewall portion, and a horizontal portion extending from an end of the sidewall portion in the horizontal direction, and a portion where the sidewall portion of the first cup portion and the sidewall portion of the second cup portion meet together may be brazed.

[0019]The first cup portion may include a cylindrical sidewall portion, and a horizontal portion extending from an end of the sidewall portion in the horizontal direction, the second cup portion may include a cylindrical sidewall portion, and a horizontal portion extending from an end of the sidewall portion in the horizontal direction, and a portion where the horizontal portion of the first cup portion and the horizontal portion of the second cup portion meet together may be brazed.

[0020]A height of the first cup portion may be larger than a height of the second cup portion.

[0021]A flat shape may be formed around the second through-hole of the uppermost plate.

[0022]The inlet pipe of the connection flange may be connected to the first through-hole of the uppermost plate, and the outlet pipe of the connection flange may be connected to the second through-hole of the uppermost plate.

[0023]A plurality of refrigerant flow paths may be formed in the core and disposed between the plurality of adjacent stacked plates so that the refrigerant flows through the plurality of refrigerant flow paths, and when the refrigerant flow path, which is positioned at an uppermost portion among the plurality of refrigerant flow paths, is referred to as an uppermost refrigerant flow path and the remaining refrigerant flow paths are referred to as core part refrigerant flow paths, the inlet pipe of the connection flange may communicate directly with the uppermost refrigerant flow path, and the outlet pipe of the connection flange may communicate with the core part refrigerant flow path.

[0024]A reinforcement plate may be interposed between the top plate and an uppermost plate positioned at an uppermost portion among the plurality of plates of the core.

[0025]The top plate may have a refrigerant inlet port connected to the inlet pipe of the connection flange and configured to allow the refrigerant to be introduced therethrough, and a refrigerant outlet port connected to the outlet pipe of the connection flange and configured to allow the refrigerant to be discharged therethrough, and the refrigerant inlet port and the refrigerant outlet port of the top plate may be disposed adjacent to each other and biased toward one side based on a longitudinal center of the top plate.

[0026]The refrigerant inlet port and the refrigerant outlet port of the top plate may have structures burred upward, an end of the inlet pipe of the connection flange may be inserted into the refrigerant inlet port with the burred structure and brazed, and an end of the outlet pipe of the connection flange may be inserted into the refrigerant outlet port with the burred structure and brazed.

Advantageous Effects

[0027]According to the present invention, the connection flange for connecting the refrigerant manifold may be provided to ensure the performance in easily assembling the heat exchanger and the refrigerant manifold.

[0028]In addition, the inlet and outlet pipes of the connection flange may be configured to be adjacent to each other, thereby preventing bending deflection of the connection flange, reducing the size of the connection flange, and minimizing processing and manufacturing tolerance.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a water-cooled heat exchanger in the related art.

[0030]FIG. 2 is a view schematically illustrating a configuration of the water-cooled heat exchanger in the related art.

[0031]FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an assembled structure of a plate-type heat exchanger in the related art.

[0032]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to an example of the present invention.

[0033]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the heat exchanger in FIG. 4.

[0034]FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a cross-section of the heat exchanger.

[0035]FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a top plate.

[0036]FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the top plate.

[0037]FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a connection flange.

[0038]FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the connection flange.

[0039]FIG. 11 is a view illustrating FIG. 6 again.

[0040]FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connection flange in FIG. 11.

[0041]FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of a core part plate.

[0042]FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of an uppermost plate.

[0043]FIG. 15 is a view illustrating FIG. 12 again.

[0044]FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a first cup portion and a second cup portion in FIG. 15.

[0045]FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of a reinforcement plate.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

MODE FOR INVENTION

[0063]Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0064]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to an example of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the heat exchanger in

[0065]FIG. 4. The heat exchanger of the present invention broadly includes a core 100, a top plate 200, and a connection flange 300.

[0066]FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a cross-section of the heat exchanger. As illustrated, the core 100 is configured by stacking a plurality of plates 110 and configured to allow heat with heat exchange media to exchange heat with each other. The heat exchange medium may be a refrigerant or a coolant. The core 100 is configured such that the refrigerant and the coolant alternately flow between the stacked plates, such that the refrigerant and the coolant exchange heat with each other.

[0067]FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the top plate, and FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the top plate. The top plate 200 is a plate different from the plates 110 of the core 100 and corresponds to a kind of cover provided above the core 100.

[0068]The top plate 200 may have a refrigerant inlet port 210 through which the refrigerant is introduced into the core 100 from the outside, and a refrigerant outlet port 220 through which the refrigerant is discharged to the outside from the core 100. In addition, in addition to the refrigerant inlet port 210 and the refrigerant outlet port 220, the top plate 200 may have a coolant inlet port 230 through which the coolant is introduced, and a coolant outlet port 240 through which the coolant is discharged. A coolant inlet pipe 231 may be coupled to the coolant inlet port 230, and a coolant outlet pipe 241 may be coupled to the coolant outlet port 240. The arrangement structures of the refrigerant inlet port 210, the refrigerant outlet port 220, the coolant inlet port 230, and the coolant outlet port 240 of the top plate 200 may be freely modified and designed, and the positions of the inlet and the outlet may be opposite to each other.

[0069]FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the connection flange, and FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the connection flange. The connection flange 300 is provided on an upper portion of the top plate 200 and configured to be fastened to external components. The external component may be a refrigerant manifold through which the refrigerant flows, as described above. That is, the connection flange 300 refers to an assembling structure that serves as a medium when the heat exchanger is mounted on the refrigerant manifold. A bolt fastening groove 390 may be formed in the connection flange 300, and the connection flange 300 may be coupled to the refrigerant manifold by bolting by using the bolt fastening groove 390. As described above, the heat exchanger has the connection flange 300, which may ensure performance in easily assembling the heat exchanger and the refrigerant manifold.

[0070]The connection flange 300 includes a body 310, an inlet pipe 320 provided at one side of the body 310 and configured to allow the refrigerant to be introduced therethrough, and an outlet pipe 330 provided at the other side of the body 310 and configured to allow the refrigerant to be discharged therethrough. The inlet pipe 320 and the outlet pipe 330 may each have a tubular structure configured to penetrate the body 310, and a pipe structure protruding outward from the tubular structure.

[0071]In this case, in the present invention, the inlet pipe 320 and the outlet pipe 330 of the connection flange 300 are configured to be adjacent to each other. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the inlet pipe 320 and the outlet pipe 330 of the connection flange 300 are configured to be adjacent to each other and biased toward one side (right side based on the drawings) based on a longitudinal center of the top plate 200.

[0072]As described above, the heat exchanger is mounted on the refrigerant manifold and brazed by means of the connection flange 300. In case that the inlet pipe 320 and the outlet pipe 330 of the connection flange 300 are disposed to be spaced apart from each other and distant from each other, there is a problem in that the connection flange 300 may be bent and deflected by being pressed during the brazing process, the connection flange 300 increases in size, and it is difficult to adjust an assembling level difference. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce a distance between the inlet pipe 320 and the outlet pipe 330 of the connection flange 300. Based on these points, in the present invention, the inlet pipe 320 and the outlet pipe 330 of the connection flange 300 are configured to be adjacent to each other, which may solve the above-mentioned problem.

[0073]Meanwhile, in the general plate-type heat exchanger, the refrigerant inlet port and the refrigerant outlet port of the top plate are provided at two opposite longitudinal ends of the top plate. The refrigerant inlet port and the refrigerant outlet port of the top plate need to be configured to be adjacent to each other in consideration of the configuration in which the inlet pipe 320 of the connection flange 300 is connected to the refrigerant inlet port and the outlet pipe 330 of the connection flange 300 is coupled to the refrigerant outlet port. To this end, for example, a return flow path is required to guide the refrigerant outlet port, which is positioned adjacent to one longitudinal end of the top plate 200, to the refrigerant inlet port positioned at an end opposite to the refrigerant outlet port. The present invention copes with the requirement by using the refrigerant flow path, which is formed in advance in the core 100, as the return flow path. Hereinafter, the above-mentioned structure will be described in more detail.

[0074]FIG. 11 is a view illustrating FIG. 6 again, and FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connection flange in FIG. 11. First, a plurality of refrigerant flow paths RC, through which the refrigerant flows, are formed in the core 100 and formed between the plurality of adjacent plates 110 stacked, and coolant flow paths CC are formed alternately with the refrigerant flow path RC. However, because the connection flange 300 of the present invention is a component related to the refrigerant, only the refrigerant or refrigerant flow path will be described below concentratedly.

[0075]As described above, the plurality of refrigerant flow paths RC are formed in the core 100 of the present invention. In this case, when the refrigerant flow path RC, which is positioned at an uppermost portion among the plurality of refrigerant flow paths RC, is referred to as an uppermost refrigerant flow path RC-T and the remaining refrigerant flow paths are referred to as core part refrigerant flow paths RC-C, the inlet pipe 320 of the connection flange 300 is configured to communicate with the core part refrigerant flow paths RC-C, and the outlet pipe 330 of the connection flange 300 is configured to communicate directly with the uppermost refrigerant flow path RC-T. Further, therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the refrigerant introduced into the inlet pipe 320 moves to the core part refrigerant flow paths RC-C. After the refrigerant flows to the core part refrigerant flow paths RC-C, the refrigerant is introduced into the uppermost refrigerant flow path RC-T, and the refrigerant introduced into the uppermost refrigerant flow path RC-T passes through the uppermost refrigerant flow path RC-T and is discharged through the outlet pipe 330 of the connection flange 300.

[0076]That is, in the present invention, among the plurality of refrigerant flow paths formed in advance in the core 100, the uppermost refrigerant flow path RC-T is used as the return flow path and guide the refrigerant, which flows in an upward/downward direction from one longitudinal end (left end in FIG. 11) of the core 100 and is collected at one end (left end in FIG. 11) of the uppermost refrigerant flow path RC-T, in the opposite direction (rightward direction in FIG. 11). With this structure, the inlet pipe 320 and the outlet pipe 330 of the connection flange 300 may be disposed adjacent to each other.

[0077]As described above, in the present invention, because the uppermost refrigerant flow path RC-T formed in advance in the core 100 is used as the return flow path, an additional structure for a separate return flow path is not required, such that a structure thereof may be simple, and an overall size of the heat exchanger may be prevented from being increased.

[0078]With reference to FIG. 12, in the core 100 of the present invention, a height RC-T-h of the uppermost refrigerant flow path RC-T may be larger than a height RC-C_h of the core part refrigerant flow path RC-C. For example, the remaining refrigerant flow paths RC-C, which correspond to the core part refrigerant flow path RC-C and exclude the uppermost refrigerant flow path RC-T, may have the same height RC-C_h. A height

[0079]RC-T_h of the uppermost refrigerant flow path RC-T may be larger than the height RC-C

[0080]h of each of the remaining refrigerant flow paths RC-C. This configuration reduces the flow resistance of the refrigerant in the uppermost refrigerant flow path RC-T and assists in improving the function of the return flow path.

[0081]Next, the structures of the plates of the core 100 will be described more specifically. Like the general plate-type heat exchanger, first and second through-holes 111 and 112, through which the refrigerant passes, are formed through the plurality of plates 110 of the core 100. Further, coolant through-holes 113 and 114, through which the coolant passes, may be formed in the plates 110. However, a description of the coolant through-hole will be omitted.

[0082]In this case, in the present invention, when among the plurality of plates 110, the plate positioned at an uppermost portion is referred to as an uppermost plate 110T and the remaining plates are referred to as core part plates 110C (see FIG. 12), a position at which the through-hole is formed in the uppermost plate 110T is different from a position at which the through-hole is formed in the core part plate 110C.

[0083]FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the core part plate, and FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the uppermost plate. As illustrated, the first through-hole 111C and the second through-hole 112C of the core part plate 110C are respectively positioned at one longitudinal end and the other longitudinal end of the core part plate 110C. In contrast, the first through-hole 111T of the uppermost plate 110T is positioned in parallel with the first through-hole 111C of the core part plate 110C in the upward/downward direction, and the second through-hole 112T of the uppermost plate 110T is spaced apart from the second through-hole 112C of the core part plate 110C in a horizontal direction and positioned adjacent to the first through-hole 111T of the uppermost plate 110T.

[0084]With the above-mentioned configuration, as described above, the uppermost refrigerant flow path RC-T, which is formed between the uppermost plate 110T and the adjacent plate (e.g., 110-2) disposed below the uppermost plate 110T, may serve as the return flow path.

[0085]With reference to FIGS. 12 to 14, cup portions 111C-C and 112C-C are formed around the first through-hole 111C and the second through-hole 112C of the core part plate 110C and defined as peripheral portions of the first through-holes 111C and peripheral portions of the second through-holes 112C protrude toward the plates disposed therebelow. The cup portions 111C-C and 112C-C are configured to overlap one another in the upward/downward direction and serve as partition walls that separate the refrigerant flow paths RC and the coolant flow paths CC. Further, a cup portion 111T-C is formed around the first through-hole 111T of the uppermost plate 110T and has a shape in which a peripheral portion of the first through-hole 111T protrudes toward the plate disposed therebelow.

[0086]FIG. 15 is a view illustrating FIG. 12 again. When the cup portion formed around the first through-hole 111T of the uppermost plate 110T is referred to as a first cup portion C1 and the cup portion formed around the first through-hole of a plate 110-2 adjacent to the uppermost plate 110T is referred to as a second cup portion C2, the first cup portion C1 is inserted and coupled into the second cup portion C2. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant pipe 320 of the connection flange 300 immediately passes through the uppermost refrigerant flow path RC-T and is discharged to the outside through the refrigerant pipe 330 of the connection flange 300, such that it is possible to prevent a deterioration in cooling efficiency.

[0087]FIG. 16 is an enlarged view illustrating the first cup portion and the second cup portion in FIG. 15. The first and second cup portions C1 and C2 may be configured in shapes including cylindrical sidewall portions C1-S and C2-S, and horizontal portions C1-L and C2-L extending from ends of the sidewall portions C1-S and C2-S in the horizontal direction. In this case, a portion where the sidewall portion C1-S of the first cup portion and the sidewall portion C2-S of the second cup portion meet together may be brazed. Simultaneously or separately, a portion where the horizontal portion C1-L of the first cup portion and the horizontal portion C2-L of the second cup portion meet together may be brazed. This configuration assists in improving adhesion, firmness, and sealability of the coupling structure between the plates.

[0088]In addition, as described above, the height RC-T_h of the uppermost refrigerant flow path RC-T may be larger than the height RC-C_h of the core part refrigerant flow path RC-C. Correspondingly, a height C1_h of the first cup portion may be larger than a height C2_h of the second cup portion.

[0089]In addition, as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, a flat shape may be formed around the second through-hole 112T of the uppermost plate 110T, and no cup portion is formed around the second through-hole 112T of the uppermost plate 110T, unlike the cup portion formed around the second through-hole 112C of the core part plate 110C. Because the second through-hole 112T of the uppermost plate 110T is not parallel to the second through-hole 112C of the core part plate 110C in the upward/downward direction, a cup portion does not need to be formed around the second through-hole 112T of the uppermost plate 110T.

[0090]Further, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the inlet pipe 320 of the connection flange 300 may be connected to the first through-hole 111T of the uppermost plate 110T, and the outlet pipe 330 of the connection flange 300 may be connected to the second through-hole 112T of the uppermost plate 110T. Therefore, as described above, the inlet pipe 320 of the connection flange 300 may communicate with the core part refrigerant flow path RC-C, and the outlet pipe 330 of the connection flange 300 may communicate directly with the uppermost refrigerant flow path RC-T. Based on this structure, the refrigerant may flow in the heat exchanger of the present invention in the state in which the uppermost refrigerant flow path RC-T is used as the return flow path.

[0091]Meanwhile, the present invention has been described above with reference to the structure in which the refrigerant is discharged through the return flow path. On the contrary, the heat exchanger may, of course, be designed to have a structure in which the refrigerant is introduced through the return flow path. For example, the inlet pipe 320 of the connection flange 300 may be configured to communicate directly with the uppermost refrigerant flow path RC-T, and the outlet pipe 330 of the connection flange 300 may be configured to communicate with the core part refrigerant flow path RC-C. The remaining detailed configurations based on the above-mentioned configuration may be designed and modified in the opposite way to the above-mentioned configuration.

[0092]With reference to FIG. 15, a reinforcement plate 400 may be interposed between the top plate 200 and the uppermost plate 110T. FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the reinforcement plate. The reinforcement plate may have a structure having through-holes 410, 420, 430, and 440 formed at the same positions as the through-holes 210, 220, 230, and 240 formed in the top plate 200. The reinforcement plate 400 may prevent the plates 110 of the core 100 from being exposed, thereby improving corrosion resistance and durability of the core 100. The reinforcement plate 400 may be integrated with the top plate 200 and the uppermost plate 110T by brazing.

[0093]With reference back to FIGS. 6 to 8, as described above, the top plate 200 has the refrigerant inlet port 210 connected to the inlet pipe 320 of the connection flange 300 and configured to allow the refrigerant to be introduced therethrough, and the refrigerant outlet port 220 connected to the outlet pipe 330 of the connection flange 300 and configured to allow the refrigerant to be discharged therethrough. In this case, the refrigerant inlet port 210 and the refrigerant outlet port 220 of the top plate 200 are disposed adjacent to each other and biased toward one side on the basis of a longitudinal center of the top plate 200. This is the same reason why the inlet pipe 320 and the outlet pipe 330 of the above-mentioned connection flange 300 are configured to be adjacent to each other.

[0094]Further, as illustrated, the refrigerant inlet port 210 and the refrigerant outlet port 220 of the top plate 200 may have structures burred upward, an end of the inlet pipe 320 of the connection flange 300 may be inserted into the refrigerant inlet port 210 with the burred structure and then brazed, and an end of the outlet pipe 330 of the connection flange 300 may be inserted into the refrigerant outlet port 220 with the burred structure and then brazed. The connection flange 300 may be securely fixed to the top plate 200 by means of the fastening structure, such that the top plate 200 and the connection flange 300 may be integrated.

[0095]While the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be carried out in any other specific form without changing the technical spirit or an essential feature thereof. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and do not limit the present invention.