converter

Abstract

The converter includes a housing; a refrigerant tube connected to the housing and having an end protruding from an outer surface of the housing; and a bracket connected to the outer surface of the refrigerant tube, the bracket including a first body enclosing a portion of the outer surface of the refrigerant tube and a second body hingedly connected to the first body and enclosing another portion of the outer surface of the refrigerant tube, the first body or the second body including a protrusion protruding from the outer surface.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present embodiment relates to a converter. [Background technology]

[0002] The most common electrical systems in an automobile are the engine electrical systems (starting system, ignition system, charging system) and lighting systems, but in recent years, as vehicles have become more electronically controlled, there has been a trend toward most systems, including the chassis electrical systems, being electro-mechanical.

[0003] Various electrical equipment installed in an automobile, such as lamps, audio, heaters, and air conditioners, are powered by the battery when the vehicle is stopped, and by a generator when the vehicle is running; in this case, the generating capacity of the 14V power supply system is used as the normal power supply voltage.

[0004] In recent years, with the development of the information technology industry, various new technologies (motorized power steering, Internet, etc.) aimed at increasing the convenience of automobiles have been incorporated into vehicles, and it is expected that the development of new technologies that can make the most of current automobile systems will continue in the future.

[0005] Regardless of whether it is a soft or hard type, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are equipped with a low voltage DC-DC converter to supply 12V to electrical loads. Also, the DC-DC converter, which acts as a generator (alternator) in a regular gasoline vehicle, steps down the high voltage of the main battery (usually a high voltage battery of 144V or more) and supplies 12V to the electrical loads.

[0006] A DC-DC converter is an electronic circuit device that converts a DC power source of one voltage into a DC power source of another voltage, and is used in a variety of fields, including automotive electrical equipment and television receivers.

[0007] The converter has an outer shape formed by a housing. A number of electronic components are arranged inside the housing. The electronic components generate heat when they are operated. The heat can cause overload of the electronic components, impairing their setting functions and causing breakdowns. Therefore, the converter includes a refrigerant pipe for dissipating heat from the components. The refrigerant pipe includes a flow path through which the refrigerant flows, and has a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet at both ends.

[0008] Therefore, a refrigerant supply section that supplies refrigerant to the flow path and a refrigerant recovery section that recovers the refrigerant that has flowed through the flow path are connected to both ends of the refrigerant pipe. A structure is required to prevent any rotation in the connections between the refrigerant supply section and the refrigerant inlet section, and between the refrigerant discharge section and the refrigerant recovery section, i.e., the connections have different configurations. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present embodiment provides a converter that can prevent arbitrary rotation between a refrigerant pipe and a component connected to the refrigerant pipe, can be firmly connected to each other, and can smoothly inflow and outflow of refrigerant. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The converter according to this embodiment includes a housing; a refrigerant pipe connected to the housing and having an end protruding from an outer surface of the housing; and a bracket connected to an outer surface of the refrigerant pipe, the bracket including a first body enclosing a portion of the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe and a second body hingedly connected to the first body and enclosing another portion of the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe, the first body or the second body including a protrusion protruding from the outer surface.

[0011] The first body includes an arc-shaped first body portion coupled to an outer surface of the refrigerant pipe; and a first coupling portion arranged outside the first body portion and coupled to an outer surface of the housing, and the protrusion may be arranged on the outer surface of the first body portion.

[0012] The second body includes an arc-shaped second body portion coupled to an outer surface of the refrigerant pipe; and a second coupling portion arranged outside the second body portion and coupled to an outer surface of the housing, and the protrusion may be arranged on the outer surface of the second body portion.

[0013] The first body may include a first hinge portion disposed on an outer side of the first main body portion, and the second body may include a second hinge portion disposed on an outer side of the second main body portion, and may include a hinge pin having both ends coupled to the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion.

[0014] The protrusion may include a first protrusion arranged on an outer surface of the first main body portion and a second protrusion arranged on an outer surface of the second main body portion, and the first protrusion and the second protrusion may be arranged symmetrically with respect to each other around the refrigerant pipe.

[0015] The first coupling portion may include a first hole penetrating from an inner surface to an outer surface, the housing may include a first screw hole facing the first hole, and a screw may be included that penetrates the first hole and is coupled to the first screw hole.

[0016] The first coupling portion may include a second hole penetrating from the inner surface to the outer surface, and the housing may include a rib protruding from the outer surface and coupled to the second hole.

[0017] The second coupling portion may include a third hole penetrating from an inner surface to an outer surface, the housing may include a second screw hole facing the third hole, and may include a screw penetrating the third hole and coupled to the second screw hole.

[0018] An outer surface of the first coupling part may include a stepped region that is recessed from other regions, the second coupling part may be coupled to the stepped region and may include a third hole facing the first hole, and the screw may be coupled to the first screw hole by passing through the third hole and the first hole.

[0019] The refrigerant pipe may include a guide having a larger cross-sectional area than other areas, and the bracket may be disposed between the guide and an outer surface of the housing. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to this embodiment, a rotation prevention structure for the refrigerant pipe is realized through the bracket, and there is an advantage that the connection between the refrigerant pipe and other components in the area where the refrigerant is provided or collected can be firmly maintained.

[0021] In addition, since the rotation prevention structure can be realized by the bracket alone regardless of the type of refrigerant pipe, there is an advantage in that the degree of freedom in design is increased. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an outer tube of a converter according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a side surface of a converter according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a converter according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bracket according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 5A to 5C are views illustrating a process of connecting a bracket and a refrigerant pipe according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a bracket according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 11A to 11C are views illustrating a process of connecting a bracket and a refrigerant pipe according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] However, the technical concept of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but can be implemented in various different forms, and one or more of the components of the embodiments can be selectively combined or substituted for each other within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0025] Furthermore, terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention may be interpreted in the sense that they are commonly understood by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined, and commonly used terms, such as terms defined in a dictionary, may be interpreted in the context of the relevant art.

[0026] In addition, the terms used in the examples of the present invention are intended to describe the examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular form can include the plural form unless otherwise specified in the text, and when it is described as "A and (and) at least one (or more) of B and C," it can include one or more of all combinations of A, B, and C.

[0027] Additionally, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used to describe components of embodiments of the present invention.

[0028] These terms are used only to distinguish a component from other components, and are not intended to limit the nature, order, or sequence of the components.

[0029] Furthermore, when a component is described as being "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, this includes not only when the component is directly connected, coupled, or connected to the other component, but also when the component is "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" by another component between the component and the other component.

[0030] In addition, when described as being formed or disposed "above (above) or below (below)" each component, "above (above)" or "below (below)" includes not only the case where two components are in direct contact with each other, but also the case where one or more other components are formed or disposed between the two components. Also, when expressed as "above (above) or below (below)," it can include not only the upward direction based on one component, but also the downward direction.

[0031] FIG. 1 is an oblique view showing an outer tube of a converter according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a side of a converter according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an exploded oblique view of a converter according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an oblique view of a bracket according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the process of joining a bracket and a refrigerant pipe according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] 1 to 5, the converter 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may have an outer shape formed by a housing 100. The housing 100 may be made of a metal or plastic material. A space may be formed inside the housing 100 in which at least one component for operating the converter 10 is disposed. The component may generate heat when operated.

[0033] The housing 100 may include a body 102 and a cover 104. The space may be formed between the body 102 and the cover 104. The cover 104 may be disposed to cover an upper surface of the body 102.

[0034] A connector 120 may be disposed on an outer surface of the housing 100. The connector 120 may be disposed on an upper surface of the housing 100. The cover 104 may include a groove in which the connector 120 is disposed. The connector 120 may include a plurality of pins 122 and a partition 124 that partitions the plurality of pins 122 from each other. An external terminal is coupled to the plurality of pins 122, whereby a high voltage power source may be provided to the converter 10, a low voltage power source converted within the converter 10 may be provided to the external terminal, and a grounding structure of a ground area between a configuration within the converter 10 and another configuration may be realized.

[0035] In addition, the connector 120 may further include a signal terminal for transmitting and receiving electrical signals between the converter 10 and other components.

[0036] The converter 10 may include a refrigerant pipe 200. The refrigerant pipe 200 may be coupled to the housing 100. As an example, the housing 100 may include a heat dissipation area 130 to accommodate the refrigerant pipe 200, and the heat dissipation area 130 may have a shape that protrudes outward from an outer surface of the housing 100. A space 132 in which the refrigerant pipe 200 is accommodated may be formed within the heat dissipation area 130. Both ends of the heat dissipation area 130 may form side surfaces of the housing 100. Specifically, the heat dissipation area 130 may be formed in the main body 102 of the housing 100. An area protruding from an opposite surface to a surface facing the cover 104 is the heat dissipation area 130, and a space 132 in which the refrigerant pipe 200 is accommodated may be formed therein.

[0037] The refrigerant pipe 200 may have a pipe shape. The refrigerant pipe 200 may be made of a metal material. A flow path 202 may be formed in the refrigerant pipe 200 so that the refrigerant flows. The refrigerant pipe 200 may be disposed in a space 132 in the heat dissipation area 130. Both ends of the refrigerant pipe 200 may protrude to the outside of the heat dissipation area 130. Both ends of the refrigerant pipe 200 may protrude to the outside from a side surface of the housing 100. One end of the refrigerant pipe 200 may be formed with a refrigerant inlet 210 for supplying a refrigerant to the flow path 202, and the other end of the refrigerant pipe 200 may be formed with a refrigerant outlet 220 for discharging the refrigerant flowing along the flow path 202 to the outside. The refrigerant pipe 200 may be formed as a single line defined from the refrigerant inlet 210 to the refrigerant outlet 220. The refrigerant pipe 200 may have a region that is bent at least once.

[0038] The refrigerant inlet 210 may be coupled to a refrigerant supply unit that supplies a refrigerant to the flow passage 202. The refrigerant outlet 220 may be coupled to a refrigerant recovery unit that recovers the refrigerant discharged from the flow passage 202.

[0039] The refrigerant pipe 200 may include a guide 250. A plurality of guides 250 may be provided and disposed in an area adjacent to the refrigerant inlet 210 and an area adjacent to the refrigerant outlet 220. The guide 250 may have a shape protruding outward from the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe 200 so that the cross-sectional area is larger than other areas in the refrigerant pipe 200. The cross-sectional shape of the guide 250 may be circular. When the plurality of guides 250 are named a first guide and a second guide, respectively, the first guide and the refrigerant inlet 210, and the second guide and the refrigerant outlet 220 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. When the refrigerant pipe 200 is coupled in the heat dissipation area 130, the side surface of the housing 100 and the guide 250 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

[0040] A bracket 300, 400 may be coupled to an outer surface of the refrigerant pipe 200. The bracket 300, 400 may be coupled to an outer surface of the housing 100. The bracket 300, 400 may be coupled to a side surface of the housing 100. A plurality of the brackets 300, 400 may be provided and disposed at both ends of the heat dissipation area 130. The brackets 300, 400 may be disposed between the outer surface of the housing 100 and the guide 250. If a surface facing the outer surface of the housing 100 is defined as an inner surface of the bracket 300, 400 and a surface facing the guide 250 opposite the inner surface is defined as an outer surface of the bracket 300, 400, the inner surface of the bracket 300, 400 may contact the outer surface of the housing 100, and the outer surface of the bracket 300, 400 may contact the inner surface of the guide 250. Therefore, the brackets 300 and 400 can be primarily coupled to the outer surface of the housing 100 through the guide 250 .

[0041] The material of the brackets 300 and 400 may be plastic.

[0042] 1 to 3 show that the bracket 300 according to the first embodiment is disposed at one end of the refrigerant pipe 200 adjacent to the refrigerant inlet 210, and the bracket 400 according to the second embodiment is disposed at the other end of the refrigerant pipe 200 adjacent to the refrigerant outlet 220, but it should be understood that only one of the bracket 300 according to the first embodiment or the bracket 400 according to the second embodiment may be selectively disposed at both ends of the refrigerant pipe 200, and this is also included in the technical spirit of the present invention. Similarly, the bracket 400 according to the second embodiment may be disposed at one end of the refrigerant pipe 200 adjacent to the refrigerant inlet 210, and the bracket 300 according to the first embodiment may be disposed at the other end of the refrigerant pipe 200 adjacent to the refrigerant outlet 220.

[0043] The bracket 300 according to the first embodiment will now be described.

[0044] The bracket 300 may include a plurality of bodies. The bracket 300 may include a first body 310 and a second body 330. The first body 310 and the second body 330 may be hinged.

[0045] The first body 310 may include a first main body portion 312 coupled to an outer surface of the refrigerant pipe 200, a first coupling portion 320 disposed outside the first main body portion 312 and coupled to an outer surface of the housing 100, and a first hinge portion 326 disposed outside the first main body portion 312 and coupled to the second body 330.

[0046] The first body part 312 may have an arc-shaped cross section. The first body part 312 may have a semicircular cross section. The first body part 312 may have a shape that protrudes outward from an outer surface of the first coupling part 320. An inner surface of the first body part 312 may be disposed to surround a portion of an outer surface of the refrigerant pipe 200.

[0047] The first body part 312 may have a first protrusion 316 protruding outward from an outer surface thereof. As an example, when viewed from a side of the converter 10, the first protrusion 316 may be disposed in a 12 o'clock direction on the outer surface of the first body part 312. The first protrusion 316 protrudes outward from other regions, and may prevent the refrigerant supply part or the refrigerant collection part from arbitrarily rotating with respect to the refrigerant inlet part 210 or the refrigerant discharge part 220 when the refrigerant supply part is coupled to the refrigerant inlet part 210 or the refrigerant discharge part 220. As an example, the refrigerant supply part or the refrigerant collection part may include a groove to which the first protrusion 316 is coupled.

[0048] The first coupling part 320 may be coupled to a side of the housing 100. The first coupling part 320 may be disposed on the outside of the first body part 312. The first coupling part 320 may be formed in a plate shape. The first coupling part 320 may be screw-coupled to a side of the housing 100. A hole 138 (see FIG. 3) to which the first coupling part 320 is screw-coupled may be formed in the side of the housing 100. In addition, the first coupling part 320 may have a first hole 322 penetrating from the outer surface to the inner surface and facing the hole 138. Therefore, when the bracket 300 is coupled to the side of the housing 100, a screw may pass through the first hole 322 and be screw-coupled to the hole 138 of the housing 100.

[0049] Meanwhile, the first coupling part 320 may include a second hole 325 penetrating from one side to the other side. A rib 137 coupled to the second hole 325 may be formed on a side of the housing 100 facing the second hole 325. A cross-sectional area of ​​the second hole 325 may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of ​​the first hole 322.

[0050] The first hinge portion 326 may be disposed on the outer side of the first body portion 312. The first hinge portion 326 may include a groove on a lower surface thereof to accommodate a portion of a second hinge portion 346, which will be described later.

[0051] The second body 330 may include a second main body portion 332 connected to an outer surface of the refrigerant pipe 200, a second connecting portion 340 disposed outside the second main body portion 332 and connected to an outer surface of the housing 100, and a second hinge portion 346 disposed outside the second main body portion 332 and connected to the first body 310.

[0052] The second body portion 332 may have an arc-shaped cross section. The second body portion 332 may have a semicircular cross section. The second body portion 332 may have a shape that protrudes outward from an outer surface of the second coupling portion 340. An inner surface of the second body portion 332 may be disposed to surround a portion of an outer surface of the refrigerant pipe 200.

[0053] The second body portion 332 may be disposed under the first body portion 312. The second body portion 332 may be disposed facing the first body portion 312 in the up-down direction. The refrigerant pipe 200 may be coupled to an inner space 302 (see FIG. 4) formed by coupling the first body portion 312 and the second body portion 332.

[0054] The second body part 332 may have a second protrusion 336 protruding outward from an outer surface thereof. As an example, the second protrusion 336 may be disposed at a 6 o'clock direction on the outer surface of the second body part 332 when viewed from a side of the converter 10. The second protrusion 336 may be disposed symmetrically with the first protrusion 316 based on the refrigerant pipe 200. The second protrusion 336 protrudes outward from other regions, and may prevent the refrigerant supply part or the refrigerant collection part from arbitrarily rotating with respect to the refrigerant inlet part 210 or the refrigerant discharge part 220 when the refrigerant supply part is coupled to the refrigerant inlet part 210 or the refrigerant collection part is coupled to the refrigerant discharge part 220. As an example, the refrigerant supply part or the refrigerant collection part may include a groove to which the second protrusion 336 is coupled.

[0055] The second coupling part 340 may be coupled to a side of the housing 100. The second coupling part 340 may be disposed on the outside of the second body part 332. The second coupling part 340 may be formed in a plate shape. The second coupling part 340 may be screw-coupled to a side of the housing 100. A hole 138 (see FIG. 3) to which the second coupling part 340 is screw-coupled may be formed in a side of the housing 100. In addition, the second coupling part 340 may have a third hole 342 penetrating from the outer surface to the inner surface and facing the hole 138. Therefore, when the bracket 300 is coupled to a side of the housing 100, a screw may pass through the third hole 342 and be screw-coupled to the hole 138 of the housing 100.

[0056] The second hinge portion 346 may be disposed on the outer side of the second main body portion 332. The second hinge portion 346 may be coupled to the first hinge portion 326. The bracket 300 may include a hinge pin (not shown) having one end coupled to the first hinge portion 326 and the other end coupled to the second hinge portion 346. Therefore, the first body 310 or the second body 330 may rotate relatively around the hinge pin.

[0057] 5(a), the first body 310 is primarily coupled to the side of the housing 100 by the engagement of the rib 137 and the second hole 325, and the second body 330 can rotate counterclockwise around the hinge pin. At this time, as shown in FIG 5(b), when the third hole 342 of the second coupling part 340 is disposed at a position facing the hole 138 formed in the side of the housing 100, the bracket 300 can be screw-coupled to the side of the housing 100 using the screw (S).

[0058] According to the above-mentioned structure, a rotation prevention structure for the refrigerant pipe 200 can be realized through the bracket 300, and the connection between the refrigerant pipe and other components can be firmly maintained in the area where the refrigerant is provided or collected.

[0059] Also, since the rotation prevention structure can be realized only by the bracket 300 regardless of the type of the refrigerant pipe 300, there is an advantage that the degree of freedom of design can be increased. For example, in the present embodiment, the refrigerant pipe 300 having a single line pipe shape is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the rotation prevention between different configurations can be realized through the bracket 300 even in a form having a joint such as a spigot that is separably connected to both ends of the pipe through which the refrigerant flows, or a form further having a bent pipe that is bent from both ends of the pipe through which the refrigerant flows. In this case, the bracket 300 can be connected to the outer surface of the spigot or the outer surface of the bent pipe.

[0060] A bracket 400 according to a second embodiment will be described below.

[0061] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bracket according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a process of coupling a bracket and a refrigerant pipe according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] In this embodiment, other parts are the same as in the first embodiment, but there are some differences in the connection between the first body and the second body. Therefore, only the characteristic parts of this embodiment will be described below, and the explanation of the first embodiment will be used for the remaining parts.

[0063] 6 and 7, the bracket 400 may include a plurality of bodies. The bracket 400 may include a first body 410 and a second body 430. The first body 410 and the second body 430 may be hinged.

[0064] The first body 410 may include a first main body portion 412 connected to an outer surface of a refrigerant pipe, a first connecting portion 420 arranged outside the first main body portion 412 and connected to an outer surface of the housing 100, and a first hinge portion 426 arranged outside the first main body portion 412 and connected to the second body 430.

[0065] The first body part 412 may have an arc-shaped cross section. The first body part 412 may have a shape that protrudes outward from an outer surface of the first coupling part 420. An inner surface of the first body part 412 may be disposed to surround a portion of an outer surface of the refrigerant pipe.

[0066] The first body part 412 may have a first protrusion 416 protruding outward on an outer surface thereof. As an example, the first protrusion 416 may be disposed at a 12 o'clock direction on the outer surface of the first body part 412 when viewed from a side of the converter. The first protrusion 416 protrudes outward from other regions and may prevent the refrigerant supply part or the refrigerant collection part from arbitrarily rotating with respect to the refrigerant inlet part or the refrigerant discharge part when the refrigerant supply part is coupled to the refrigerant inlet part or the refrigerant discharge part is coupled to the refrigerant discharge part. As an example, the refrigerant supply part or the refrigerant collection part may include a groove to which the first protrusion 416 is coupled.

[0067] The first coupling part 420 may be coupled to a side of the housing. The first coupling part 420 may be disposed on the outside of the first body part 412. The first coupling part 420 may be formed in a plate shape. The first coupling part 420 may be screwed to a side of the housing. A hole 138 to which the first coupling part 420 is screwed may be formed in the side of the housing. The first coupling part 420 may have a first hole 428 penetrating from the outer surface to the inner surface and facing the hole 138. Therefore, when the bracket 400 is coupled to the side of the housing, a screw may pass through the first hole 428 and be screwed to the hole 138 of the housing.

[0068] Meanwhile, the first coupling part 420 may include a second hole 422 penetrating from one side to the other side. A rib 137 coupled to the second hole 422 may be formed on a side of the housing facing the second hole 422. A cross-sectional area of ​​the second hole 422 may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of ​​the first hole 428.

[0069] The first coupling part 420 may include two or more regions having different thicknesses. The two or more regions may be arranged to have a step with respect to each other on the outer surface of the first coupling part 420. For example, the outer surface of the first coupling part 420 may be formed with a step region 427 (FIG. 7) that is recessed inward from other regions. The thickness of the step region 427 may be smaller than the thickness of other regions of the first coupling part 420. The first hole 428 may be formed in the step region 427. The step region 427 may be arranged at one end of the first coupling part 420 based on the circumferential direction.

[0070] The first hinge portion 426 may be disposed on the outer side of the first body portion 412. The first hinge portion 426 may include a groove on a lower surface thereof to accommodate a portion of a second hinge portion 446, which will be described later.

[0071] The second body 430 may include a second main body portion 432 connected to an outer surface of the refrigerant pipe, a second connecting portion 440 arranged outside the second main body portion 432 and connected to an outer surface of the step region 427, and a second hinge portion 446 arranged outside the second main body portion 432 and connected to the first body 410.

[0072] The second body part 432 may have an arc-shaped cross section. A circumferential length of the second body part 432 may be longer than a circumferential length of the first body part 412. An inner surface of the second body part 432 may be disposed to surround a portion of an outer surface of the refrigerant pipe.

[0073] The second body part 432 may be disposed under the first body part 412. The second body part 432 may be disposed in a vertical direction with the first body part 412. Both ends of the second body part 432 may contact both ends of the first body part 412. The refrigerant pipe may be coupled to an inner space formed by coupling the first body part 412 and the second body part 432.

[0074] The second body part 432 may have a second protrusion 436 protruding outward from an outer surface thereof. As an example, the second protrusion 436 may be disposed at a 6 o'clock position on the outer surface of the second body part 432 when viewed from a side of the converter. The second protrusion 436 may be disposed symmetrically with the first protrusion 416 based on the refrigerant pipe. The second protrusion 436 protrudes outward from other regions, and may prevent the refrigerant supply part or the refrigerant collection part from rotating arbitrarily with respect to the refrigerant inlet part or the refrigerant discharge part when the refrigerant supply part is coupled to the refrigerant inlet part or the refrigerant collection part is coupled to the refrigerant discharge part. As an example, the refrigerant supply part or the refrigerant collection part may include a groove to which the second protrusion 436 is coupled.

[0075] The second coupling part 440 may be coupled to an outer surface of the first coupling part 420. The second coupling part 440 may be disposed to overlap the first coupling part 420. The second coupling part 440 may be coupled to an outer surface of the stepped region 427. When the second coupling part 440 and the first coupling part 420 are coupled to each other, the outer surface of the second coupling part 440 may be flush with other regions of the outer surface of the first coupling part 420 except for the stepped region 427.

[0076] The second coupling part 440 may be disposed on the outside of the second body part 432. The second coupling part 440 may be screwed to a side surface of the housing. A hole 138 to which the second coupling part 440 is screwed may be formed on the side surface of the housing. The second coupling part 440 may have a third hole 442 that penetrates from the outer surface to the inner surface and faces the hole 138 and the first hole 428 of the first coupling part 420. Therefore, when the bracket 400 is coupled to the side surface of the housing, a screw may penetrate the third hole 442 and the first hole 428 and be screwed to the hole 138 of the housing.

[0077] The second hinge portion 446 may be disposed on the outer side of the second main body portion 432. The second hinge portion 446 may be coupled to the first hinge portion 426. The bracket 400 may include a hinge pin (not shown) having one end coupled to the first hinge portion 426 and the other end coupled to the second hinge portion 446. Therefore, the first body 410 or the second body 430 may rotate relatively around the hinge pin.

[0078] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7(a), the second body 430 can rotate counterclockwise around the hinge pin with the first body 410 being primarily coupled to the side of the housing by coupling the rib 137 (see Fig. 3) with the second hole 422. At this time, as shown in Fig. 7(b), when the third hole 442 of the second coupling part 440 is positioned to face the first hole 428 of the first coupling part 420, the bracket 400 can be screwed to the side of the housing using a screw (S).

[0079] Although all components constituting the embodiments of the present invention have been described as being combined or operated in combination, the present invention is not necessarily limited to such an embodiment. That is, all components may be selectively combined and operated in one or more combinations within the scope of the present invention. In addition, the terms "comprise", "comprise", "have" and the like described above mean that the component may be present, unless otherwise specified, and should be interpreted as including other components without excluding other components. All terms, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs, unless otherwise defined. Commonly used terms, such as dictionary-defined terms, should be interpreted as being consistent with the contextual meaning of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted as being idealized or overly formal unless clearly defined in the present invention.

[0080] The above description is merely an illustrative example of the technical concept of the present invention, and a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs may make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted according to the following claims, and all technical concepts within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. housing; a refrigerant tube coupled to the housing and having an end protruding from an outer surface of the housing; and a bracket coupled to an outer surface of the refrigerant pipe; The bracket includes a first body that encloses a portion of an outer surface of the refrigerant pipe, and a second body that is hinged to the first body and encloses another portion of the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe. The converter, wherein the first body or the second body includes a protrusion protruding from an outer surface.

2. The first body includes: an arcuate first body portion coupled to an outer surface of the refrigerant pipe; and a first coupling portion disposed outside the first body portion and coupled to an outer surface of the housing; The converter of claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is disposed on an outer surface of the first body portion.

3. The second body is an arcuate second body portion coupled to an outer surface of the refrigerant pipe; and a second coupling portion disposed outside the second body portion and coupled to an outer surface of the housing; The converter of claim 2 , wherein the protrusion is disposed on an outer surface of the second body portion.

4. the first body includes a first hinge portion disposed on an outer side of the first main body portion, the second body includes a second hinge portion disposed on an outer side of the second main body portion, The converter of claim 3 , further comprising a hinge pin having opposite ends coupled to the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion.

5. the protrusion includes a first protrusion disposed on an outer surface of the first body portion and a second protrusion disposed on an outer surface of the second body portion, The converter according to claim 3 , wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are disposed symmetrically with respect to each other about the refrigerant pipe.

6. the first coupling portion includes a first hole penetrating from an inner surface to an outer surface, the housing includes a first screw hole facing the first hole; The converter of claim 3 , further comprising a screw passing through said first hole and coupled to said first threaded hole.

7. the first coupling portion includes a second hole penetrating from an inner surface to an outer surface; The converter of claim 6 , wherein the housing includes a rib protruding from an outer surface and coupled to the second hole.

8. the second coupling portion includes a third hole passing through from an inner surface to an outer surface, the housing includes a second threaded hole facing the third hole; The converter of claim 6 including a screw passing through said third hole and coupled to said second threaded hole.

9. the first coupling portion has an outer surface including a stepped region that is recessed from other regions; the second coupling portion is coupled to the step region and includes a third hole facing the first hole; The converter of claim 6 , wherein the screw passes through the third hole and the first hole and is coupled to the first screw hole.

10. The refrigerant pipe includes a guide having a cross-sectional area larger than that of other regions, The converter of claim 1 , wherein the bracket is disposed between the guide and an outer surface of the housing.

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