FIGS. 4 to 7.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a compression part 40 of a rotary compressor 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the compression part 40 of the rotary compressor 1 of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the compression part 40 of the rotary compressor 1 of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the compression part 40 of the rotary compressor 1 of FIG. 4.

The compression part 40 may be disposed at the lower portion of the casing 10, and may be configured to suck, compress, and discharge refrigerant by operating by the drive shaft 30 that is rotated by the motor 20.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, the compression part 40 may be disposed between the upper flange 91 and the lower flange 92 that rotatably support the drive shaft 30.

The compression part 40 may include an upper compression part 41, a lower compression part 42, and an intermediate plate 70 provided between the upper compression part 41 and the lower compression part 42.

The upper compression part 41 may be configured to suck and compress the refrigerant according to the rotation of the drive shaft 30. The lower compression part 42 may be provided below the upper compression part 41 and may be configured to suck and compress the refrigerant according to the rotation of the drive shaft 30.

The upper compression part 41 may be disposed on the upper surface of the intermediate plate 70 and may include an upper cylinder 50 having a flat plate shape. The upper cylinder 50 may include a compression chamber. The compression chamber may be formed as a hollow 51 having a circular cross-section.

The upper roller 33 disposed in the upper eccentric portion 31 of the drive shaft 30 may be accommodated and rotated in the hollow 51 of the upper cylinder 50.

The upper compression part 41 may include a refrigerant inlet passage 52 connected to the refrigerant inlet 13 provided in the casing 10. The refrigerant inlet passage 52 may be formed in the upper cylinder 50.

The refrigerant inlet passage 52 may be formed as a through hole that connects the hollow 51 and the outer circumferential surface of the upper cylinder 50. Therefore, the refrigerant may be introduced into the hollow 51 of the upper cylinder 50 through the refrigerant inlet 13 and the refrigerant inlet passage 52.

The upper compression part 41 may include an upper discharge port 501 through which the compressed refrigerant is discharged. The upper discharge port 501 may be provided on the upper surface of the upper cylinder 50.

When the upper roller 33 rotates by the drive shaft 30, the refrigerant may be introduced into the hollow 51 of the upper cylinder 50 through the refrigerant inlet passage 52, compressed by the upper roller 33, and discharged through the upper discharge port 501.

The lower compression part 42 may be disposed on the lower surface of the intermediate plate 70 and may have a lower cylinder 60 having a flat plate shape. The lower cylinder 60 may include a compression chamber. The compression chamber may be formed as a hollow 61 having a circular cross-section.

The lower roller 34 disposed in the lower eccentric portion 32 of the drive shaft 30 may be accommodated and rotated in the hollow 61 of the lower cylinder 60.

The lower compression part 42 may include a refrigerant inlet passage 62 connected to the refrigerant inlet 13 provided in the casing 10. The refrigerant inlet passage 62 may be formed in the lower cylinder 60.

The refrigerant inlet passage 62 may be formed as a through hole that connects the hollow 61 and the outer circumferential surface of the lower cylinder 60. Therefore, the refrigerant may be introduced into the hollow 61 of the lower cylinder 60 through the refrigerant inlet 13 and the refrigerant inlet passage 62.

The lower compression part 42 may include a lower discharge port through which the compressed refrigerant is discharged. The lower discharge port may be provided on the lower surface of the lower cylinder 60. Therefore, the refrigerant compressed by the lower compression part 42 may be discharged below the lower compression part 42 through the lower discharge port.

When the lower roller 34 rotates by the drive shaft 30, the refrigerant may be introduced into the hollow 61 of the lower cylinder 60 through the refrigerant inlet passage 62, compressed by the lower roller 34, and discharged through the lower discharge port.

The low-pressure refrigerant may be supplied to the upper compression part 41 and the lower compression part 42 through the accumulator 3.

The intermediate plate 70 may be disposed between the upper cylinder 50 and the lower cylinder 60. The intermediate plate 70 may be formed in a flat plate shape. Accordingly, the lower cylinder 60, the intermediate plate 70, and the upper cylinder 50 may be laminated to form the compression part 40. The lower cylinder 60, the intermediate plate 70, and the upper cylinder 50 may be integrated connected by a plurality of bolts 93.

The upper flange 91 may be disposed on the upper surface of the upper cylinder 50. The upper flange 91 may be fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the casing 10. Therefore, when the upper cylinder 50 is fixed to the upper flange 91, the upper cylinder 50 may be fixed to the casing 10.

The upper flange 91 may be configured to rotatably support the drive shaft 30 and block the upper end of the hollow 51 of the upper cylinder 50.

The upper flange 91 may be provided with an upper through-hole communicating with the upper discharge port 501 of the upper cylinder 50. Accordingly, the refrigerant discharged through the upper discharge port 501 of the upper cylinder 50 may be discharged to the upper side of the upper flange 91 through the upper through-hole of the upper flange 91.

The upper flange 91 may include an upper discharge valve 911 configured to open and close the upper through-hole. Therefore, the upper through-hole of the upper flange 91 may be opened and closed by the upper discharge valve 911. When the refrigerant introduced into the upper cylinder 50 is compressed, the upper discharge valve 911 may be opened so that the refrigerant may be discharged to the upper side of the upper flange 91.

An upper muffler 71 may be disposed on the upper side of the upper flange 91. The upper muffler 71 may be configured to reduce noise generated by the refrigerant discharged through the upper through-hole of the upper flange 91.

The upper flange 91 may include a plurality of bolt holes 912 provided along the circumferential direction of the upper flange 91.

The upper flange 91 may include a plurality of upper refrigerant holes 913 provided along the circumferential direction of the upper flange 91. The refrigerant discharged from the lower cylinder 60 may flow to the upper side of the upper flange 91 through the plurality of upper refrigerant holes 913.

The upper muffler 71 may include a plurality of refrigerant openings 711 through which the refrigerant may pass. The refrigerant passing through the upper flange 91 may be discharged into the space between the motor 20 and the compression part 40 through the plurality of refrigerant openings 711 of the upper muffler 71.

The upper muffler 71 may be provided with a plurality of bolt holes 712 corresponding to the plurality of bolt holes 912 of the upper flange 91 along the edge of the upper muffler 71.

A plurality of openings 95 may be provided at the edge of the upper flange 91. The plurality of openings 95 may be formed around the upper muffler 71 disposed on the upper flange 91. The plurality of openings 95 may be formed to penetrate the upper flange 91 upwardly and downwardly. Oil may move to the oil reservoir 16 at the lower portion of the casing 10 through the plurality of openings 95.

The upper flange 91 may include an upper flange part 915, an upper boss 916, and an upper bearing 917.

The upper flange part 915 may be formed in a disk shape. The upper flange part 915 may be formed to cover the hollow 51 of the upper cylinder 50. The upper flange part 915 may be formed to have a diameter corresponding to the inner circumferential surface of the casing 10. Therefore, the upper flange 91 may be fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the casing 10.

The upper flange part 915 may include the upper through-hole communicating with the upper discharge port 501 of the upper cylinder 50. Therefore, the refrigerant discharged through the upper discharge port 501 of the upper cylinder 50 may be discharged to the upper side of the upper flange part 915 through the upper through-hole of the upper flange part 915.

The upper discharge valve 911 may be provided in the upper through-hole of the upper flange part 915. Accordingly, the upper through-hole of the upper flange part 915 may be opened and closed by the upper discharge valve 911. When the refrigerant introduced into the upper cylinder 50 is compressed above a certain pressure, the upper discharge valve 911 may be opened so that the refrigerant may be discharged to the upper side of the upper flange part 915.

The upper boss 916 may be vertically extended from the center of the upper flange part 915. The upper boss 916 may be vertically extended upward from the upper flange part 915. A through hole may be formed in the center of the upper boss 916.

The upper bearing 917 may be disposed in the through hole of the upper boss 916 and may rotatably support the drive shaft 30. Any type of bearing may be used as the upper bearing 917 as long as it can rotatably support the drive shaft 30. In the case of this disclosure, a sliding bearing may be used as the upper bearing 917.

The plurality of bolt holes 912 and the plurality of refrigerant holes 913 may be provided in the upper flange part 915 around the upper boss 916. The plurality of openings 95 may be provided on the edge of the upper flange part 915 outside the plurality of bolt holes 912.

The upper cylinder 50 may be provided with a plurality of tap holes 502 corresponding to the plurality of bolt holes 912 of the upper flange part 915. In addition, the upper cylinder 50 may include a plurality of refrigerant holes 503 corresponding to the plurality of upper refrigerant holes 913 of the upper flange 91.

When the plurality of bolts 94 are fastened to the plurality of tap holes 502 of the upper cylinder 50, the upper muffler 71 and the upper flange 91 may be fixed to the upper cylinder 50 by the plurality of bolts 94.

The noise of the refrigerant discharged through the upper through hole of the upper flange 91 may be reduced as the refrigerant passes through the interior of the upper muffler 71, and the refrigerant may be discharged to the upper side of the upper muffler 71, that is, to the space between the motor 20 and the compression part 40 through the plurality of refrigerant openings 711 of the upper muffler 71.

The lower flange 92 may be disposed on the lower surface of the lower cylinder 60. The lower flange 92 may be configured to rotatably support the lower end portion of the drive shaft 30 and block the lower end of the hollow 61 of the lower cylinder 60.

The lower flange 92 may be provided with a lower through-hole 924 communicating with the lower discharge port of the lower cylinder 60. Accordingly, the refrigerant discharged through the lower discharge port of the lower cylinder 60 may be discharged to the lower side of the lower flange 92 through the lower through-hole 924 of the lower flange 92.

The lower flange 92 may include a lower discharge valve 921 configured to open and close the lower through hole 924. Therefore, the lower through-hole 924 of the lower flange 92 may be opened and closed by the lower discharge valve 921. When the refrigerant introduced into the lower cylinder 60 is compressed to a certain pressure or higher, the lower discharge valve 921 may be opened so that the refrigerant may be discharged to the lower side of the lower flange 92.

A flat muffler 72 may be disposed on the lower side of the lower flange 92. The flat muffler 72 may be configured to reduce noise generated by the refrigerant discharged through the lower through-hole 924 of the lower flange 92.

In addition, the lower flange 92 may be configured so that the refrigerant discharged through the lower through-hole 924 is not discharged below the flat muffler 72.

The lower flange 92 may include a plurality of first bolt holes 922 provided along the circumferential direction of the lower flange 92.

The lower flange 92 may include a plurality of lower refrigerant holes 923 provided along the circumferential direction of the lower flange 92. The refrigerant discharged from the lower through-hole 924 of the lower flange 92 may flow to the upper side of the lower flange 92 through the plurality of lower refrigerant holes 923.

In detail, the plurality of lower refrigerant holes 923 of the lower flange 92 may be formed to coincide with the plurality of refrigerant holes 603 of the lower cylinder 60, the plurality of refrigerant holes 703 of the intermediate plate 70, the plurality of refrigerant holes 503 of the upper cylinder 50, and the plurality of upper refrigerant holes 913 of the upper flange 91.

Accordingly, the refrigerant discharged from the lower through hole 924 of the lower flange 92 may move to the space formed by the upper flange 91 and the upper muffler 71 through the plurality of lower refrigerant holes 923 of the lower flange 92, the plurality of refrigerant holes 603 of the lower cylinder 60, the plurality of refrigerant holes 703 of the intermediate plate 70, the plurality of refrigerant holes 503 of the upper cylinder 50, and the plurality of upper refrigerant holes 913 of the upper flange 91.

The refrigerant in the space between the upper flange 91 and the upper muffler 71 may move to the upper side of the upper muffler 71 through the plurality of openings 711 of the upper muffler 71.

The flat muffler 72 may not include an opening or hole through which the refrigerant may be discharged. Therefore, the refrigerant discharged through the lower through hole 924 of the lower flange 92 may not be discharged into the oil in the oil reservoir 16 in which the flat muffler 72 is submerged through the flat muffler 72.

The lower flange 92 may include a flange part 925, a boss 926, and a bearing 927.

The flange part 925 may be formed in a disk shape. The flange part 925 may be formed to cover the hollow 61 of the lower cylinder 60. The flange part 925 may be formed in a size corresponding to the lower cylinder 60.

The flange part 925 may include the lower through-hole 924 communicating with the lower discharge port of the lower cylinder 60. Therefore, the refrigerant discharged through the lower discharge port of the lower cylinder 60 may be discharged below the flange part 925 through the lower through-hole 924 of the flange part 925.

The lower discharge valve 921 may be provided in the lower through-hole 924 of the flange part 925. Therefore, the lower through-hole 924 of the flange part 925 may be opened and closed by the lower discharge valve 921. When the refrigerant introduced into the lower cylinder 60 is compressed above a certain pressure, the lower discharge valve 921 may be opened so that the refrigerant may be discharged below the flange part 925.

The boss 926 may extend vertically from the center of the flange part 925. The boss 926 may extend vertically upward from the flange part 925. A through hole may be formed in the center of the boss 926.

The bearing 927 may be disposed in the through hole of the boss 926 and may rotatably support the drive shaft 30. Accordingly, the drive shaft 30 may be rotatably supported by the bearing 927 and the upper bearing 917. Any type of bearing may be used as the bearing 927 as long as it can rotatably support the drive shaft 30. In the case of this disclosure, a sliding bearing may be used as the bearing 927.

The plurality of first bolt holes 922 and the plurality of lower refrigerant holes 923 may be provided in the flange part 925 around the boss 926.

The lower cylinder 60 may be provided with a plurality of bolt holes 602 corresponding to the plurality of first bolt holes 922 of the flange part 925. In addition, the lower cylinder 60 may include the plurality of refrigerant holes 603 corresponding to the plurality of lower refrigerant holes 923 of the lower flange 92.

The flat muffler 72 may be disposed on the lower surface of the flange part 925 of the lower flange 92. Hereinafter, the flat muffler 72 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a flat muffler 72 used in a rotary compressor 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the flat muffler 72 of FIG. 8 as seen from above.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the flat muffler 72 may be formed in an approximately dome shape and may include a plurality of concave portions 721 formed at regular intervals along the circumferential direction of the flat muffler 72 on the side surface of the flat muffler 72. In detail, the flat muffler 72 may have a disk shape and the central portion of the disk may be formed to protrude downward in an approximately dome shape.

In addition, the flat muffler 72 may include a plurality of second bolt holes 722 formed at positions corresponding to the plurality of concave portions 721 along the edge of the flat muffler 72. The plurality of second bolt holes 722 may be formed to correspond to the plurality of first bolt holes 922 of the lower flange 92.

For example, the flat muffler 72 may include a fixing plate 723, a caulking portion 724, and a muffler portion 725.

The fixing plate 723 may be formed in an approximately ring shape. The fixing plate 723 may include an outer circumferential surface formed in a circular shape and an inner circumferential surface concentric with the outer circumferential surface and having a diameter smaller than that of the outer circumferential surface. The inner circumferential surface of the fixing plate 723 may include a plurality of protrusions 7231. The plurality of protrusions 7231 of the inner circumferential surface may be formed to protrude toward the center of the fixing plate 723. The plurality of protrusions 7231 may be formed to correspond to the plurality of concave portions 721 of the muffler portion 725. The plurality of protrusions 7231 may be formed in a curve corresponding to the plurality of concave portions 721 of the muffler portion 725, respectively.

The portion between two adjacent protrusions 7231 may be concave to form a recess 7232. In other words, the plurality of protrusions 7231 may form a plurality of recesses 7232. Because each of the plurality of protrusions 7231 forms a projecting portion, the plurality of recesses 7232 and the plurality of projecting portions may be alternately provided on the inner circumferential surface of the fixing plate 723. Accordingly, the inner circumferential surface of the fixing plate 723 may be formed concavely and convexly by the plurality of protrusions 7231.

The fixing plate 723 may be fixed to the flange part 925 of the lower flange 92. The fixing plate 723 may include the plurality of second bolt holes 722. The plurality of second bolt holes 722 may be formed in the plurality of protrusions 7231 of the fixing plate 723, respectively. The plurality of second bolt holes 722 may be formed to correspond to the plurality of first bolt holes 922 of the lower flange 92.

The muffler portion 725 may be formed by extending downward from the inner circumferential surface of the fixing plate 723. The muffler portion 725 may be formed to protrude in an approximately dome shape from the lower surface of the fixing plate 723. The plurality of concave portions 721 may be formed at regular intervals in the circumferential direction on the side surface of the muffler portion 725. The plurality of concave portions 721 may be formed as curved surfaces that protrude into the interior of the muffler portion 725.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the plurality of concave portions 721 may protrude into the interior space of the muffler portion 725. Therefore, the interior space of the muffler portion 725 may be formed concavely and convexly.

A through hole 726 may be provided at the lower end of the muffler portion 725. An oil pump disposed at the lower end of the drive shaft 30 may be immersed in the oil reservoir 16 through the through hole 726 of the muffler portion 725.

The caulking portion 724 may be provided at the lower end of the muffler portion 725. The caulking portion 724 may be provided at the edge of the through hole 726. The caulking portion 724 may be formed to be fixed to one end of the boss 926 of the lower flange 92. When the caulking portion 724 of the muffler portion 725 is joined to one end of the boss 926 of the lower flange 92, the refrigerant may be prevented from leaking between one end of the boss 926 of the lower flange 92 and the through hole 726 of the muffler portion 725.

The caulking portion 724 may be formed by performing a caulking operation along the entire circumference of the through hole 726 of the muffler portion 725.

The muffler portion 725 may be provided between the fixing plate 723 and the caulking portion 724.

The upper end of the flat muffler 72 may be formed not to protrude above the lower surface of the lower flange 92. In detail, the fixing plate 723 of the flat muffler 72 may not protrude above the lower surface of the flange part 925 of the lower flange 92, but may be positioned below the lower surface of the flange part 925. In other words, the upper surface of the fixing plate 723 of the flat muffler 72 may be in contact with the lower surface of the flange part 925 of the lower flange 92.

The upper surface of the fixing plate 723 of the flat muffler 72 may be formed not to be in contact with the side surface of the flange part 925 of the lower flange 92. When the fixing plate 723 of the flat muffler 72 does not contact the side surface of the flange part 925 of the lower flange 92, pressure may not be applied to the bearing 927 disposed in the lower flange 92 by the flat muffler 72.

The sealing plate 100 may be disposed between the lower flange 92 and the flat muffler 72. The sealing plate 100 may be formed to prevent or minimize the leakage of refrigerant between the lower flange 92 and the flat muffler 72.

The sealing plate 100 may be positioned between the lower surface of the flange part 925 of the lower flange 92 and the upper surface of the fixing plate 723 of the flat muffler 72.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a sealing plate 100 used in a rotary compressor 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10, the sealing plate 100 may be formed in a flat plate having an approximately ring shape. The sealing plate 100 may be formed to correspond to the fixing plate 723 of the flat muffler 72. The sealing plate 100 may be formed to seal the flat portion between the flat muffler 72 and the lower flange 92.

The sealing plate 100 may include an outer circumferential surface formed in a circular shape and an inner circumferential surface concentric with the outer circumferential surface and having a diameter smaller than that of the outer circumferential surface.

The inner circumferential surface of the sealing plate 100 may include a plurality of bolt seats 101 and a plurality of refrigerant grooves 103.

The plurality of bolt seats 101 may be formed to protrude from the inner circumferential surface of the sealing plate 100 toward the center of the sealing plate 100. The plurality of bolt seats 101 may be formed to correspond to the plurality of protrusions 7231 of the fixing plate 723. Accordingly, the plurality of bolt seats 101 may correspond to the plurality of concave portions 721 of the muffler portion 725. The plurality of bolt seats 101 may be formed in a curve corresponding to the plurality of concave portions 721 of the flat muffler 72, respectively.

A plurality of third bolt holes 102 corresponding to the plurality of second bolt holes 722 of the flat muffler 72 may be formed in the plurality of bolt seats 101, respectively. In addition, the plurality of third bolt holes 102 of the sealing plate 100 may be formed to correspond to the plurality of first bolt holes 922 of the lower flange 92.

The plurality of refrigerant grooves 103 may be formed so that the sealing plate 100 does not cover the plurality of lower refrigerant holes 923 of the lower flange 92. Therefore, when the sealing plate 100 is disposed on the lower surface of the lower flange 92, the sealing plate 100 may not cover the plurality of lower refrigerant holes 923.

The plurality of refrigerant grooves 103 may be formed between the plurality of bolt seats 101. In other words, the plurality of refrigerant grooves 103 and the plurality of bolt seats 101 may be formed alternately in the circumferential direction of the sealing plate 100.

Each of the plurality of bolt seats 101 may form a convex portion, and each of the plurality of refrigerant grooves 103 may form a concave portion. Accordingly, the inner circumferential surface of the sealing plate 100 may include a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions. In other words, the inner circumferential surface of the sealing plate 100 may be formed concavely and convexly. Accordingly, the inner circumferential surface of the sealing plate 100 may be formed concavely and convexly corresponding to the flat muffler 72.

The sealing plate 100 may be formed of a material capable of preventing refrigerant from leaking between the flat muffler 72 and the lower flange 92. For example, the sealing plate 100 may be formed of a heat-resistant resin, steel, copper, or the like. In addition, the sealing plate 100 may be formed of a material in which at least two of the heat-resistant resin, steel, and copper are laminated in a plate shape.

The flat muffler 72, the sealing plate 100, and the lower flange 92 may be fixed to the upper cylinder 50 by the plurality of bolts 93. In detail, the plurality of bolts 93 may be fastened to the plurality of tap holes 502 of the upper cylinder 50 through the plurality of second bolt holes 722 of the flat muffler 72, the plurality of third bolt holes 102 of the sealing plate 100, the plurality of first bolt holes 922 of the lower flange 92, the plurality of bolt holes 602 of the lower cylinder 60, and the plurality of bolt holes 702 of the intermediate plate 70. Then, the flat muffler 72, the sealing plate 100, the lower flange 92, the lower cylinder 60, and the intermediate plate 70 may be integrally fixed to the upper cylinder 50.

The refrigerant discharged downward through the lower through hole 924 of the lower flange 92 may reduce in noise while passing through the inside of the flat muffler 72, and then flow into the plurality of lower refrigerant holes 923 of the lower flange 92.

The refrigerant introduced into the plurality of lower refrigerant holes 923 of the lower flange 92 may be discharged to the upper side of the upper flange 91 through the plurality of refrigerant holes 603 of the lower cylinder 60, the plurality of refrigerant holes 703 of the intermediate plate 70, the plurality of refrigerant holes 503 of the upper cylinder 50, and the plurality of upper refrigerant holes 913 of the upper flange 91.

The refrigerant discharged to the upper side of the upper flange 91 may be discharged to the upper side of the upper muffler 71, that is, the space between the motor 20 and the compression part 40, through the plurality of openings 711 of the upper muffler 71.

The refrigerant that has moved to the space between the motor 20 and the compression part 40 may move to the upper side of the motor 20 through the motor 20. For example, the refrigerant in the space between the motor 20 and the compression part 40 may move to the upper side of the motor 20 through the gap between the rotor 22 and the stator 21 and the plurality of refrigerant holes 27 provided in the rotor 22.

The refrigerant that has moved to the upper side of the motor 20 may be discharged to the outside of the casing 10 through the refrigerant discharge pipe 14 disposed in the upper casing 11.

Hereinafter, the positional relationship of the lower flange 92, the flat muffler 72, and the sealing plate 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a state in which a sealing plate 100 and a flat muffler 72 are disposed in a lower flange 92. FIG. 12 is a bottom view of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a bottom view illustrating a state in which the flat muffler 72 is removed from FIG. 11.

Referring to FIGS. 11 to 13, the flat muffler 72 may be disposed on the lower surface of the lower flange 92. The sealing plate 100 may be disposed between the lower flange 92 and the flat muffler 72.

The sealing plate 100 may be disposed on the lower surface of the lower flange 92 so that the plurality of third bolt holes 102 thereof are aligned with the plurality of first bolt holes 922 of the lower flange 92.

When the plurality of third bolt holes 102 of the sealing plate 100 are aligned with plurality of first bolt holes 922 of the lower flange 92, the plurality of refrigerant grooves 103 of the sealing plate 100 may be positioned at the edges of the plurality of lower refrigerant holes 923 of the lower flange 92.

At this time, the minimum distance between the inner circumferential surface of the sealing plate 100 and the plurality of lower refrigerant holes 923 of the lower flange 92 may be zero (0). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, when the inner surface of the lower refrigerant hole 923 is in contact with the bottom surface of the refrigerant groove 103 of the sealing plate 100, the distance between the lower refrigerant hole 923 and the inner circumferential surface of the sealing plate 100 may be zero (0).

Alternatively, the inner circumferential surface of the sealing plate 100 may be formed so that the bottom surfaces of the refrigerant grooves 103 of the sealing plate 100 are spaced apart from the inner surfaces of the lower refrigerant holes 923. In this case, the distance between the lower refrigerant hole 923 and the inner circumferential surface of the sealing plate 100 may be greater than zero (0). At this time, the distance between the lower refrigerant hole 923 and the inner circumferential surface of the sealing plate 100 may be defined to be smaller than the minimum distance between the outer circumferential surface of the lower flange 92 and the lower refrigerant hole 923. When the distance between the lower refrigerant hole 923 and the inner circumferential surface of the sealing plate 100 is greater than the minimum distance between the outer circumferential surface of the lower flange 92 and the lower refrigerant hole 923, the refrigerant may leak.

In addition, in order to prevent refrigerant leakage, the distance between the bottom surface of the refrigerant groove 103 of the sealing plate 100 and the outer circumferential surface of the sealing plate 100 may be at least 1 mm. In other words, the distance between the concave portion of the inner circumferential surface of the sealing plate 100 and the outer circumferential surface of the sealing plate 100 may be at least 1 mm.

When the sealing plate 100 is formed with the structure as described above, the plurality of lower refrigerant holes 923 of the lower flange 92 may be exposed through the plurality of refrigerant grooves 103 of the sealing plate 100. In other words, the plurality of lower refrigerant holes 923 of the lower flange 92 may not be covered by the sealing plate 100.

Therefore, the refrigerant in the space between the lower flange 92 and the flat muffler 72 may flow into the lower refrigerant holes 923 of the lower flange 92 without interference of the sealing plate 100.

In the case where the flat muffler 72 is disposed on the lower surface of the lower flange 92, when the space between the lower flange 92 and the flat muffler 72 is filled with compressed refrigerant, as illustrated in