MOUNTING PLATE

Abstract

A mounting plate (1, 21) for an expansion valve in a refrigerant circuit is provided. The mounting plate includes has a flat body with a substantially rectangular design, comprising two short sides (8) and two long sides, wherein the body has edges, wherein two basically U-shaped cutouts are formed in the body, through which connecting tubes pass, e.g. vaporizer connecting tubes, wherein at least part of the edges of the body are raised in order to reinforce the body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from German Patent Application No. DE 10 2023 130 959.5, filed Nov. 8, 2023, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a mounting plate, in particular for a vaporizer or a vaporizer module, in particular for attaching an expansion valve, in particular for a refrigerant circuit in a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND

There are refrigerant circuits in motor vehicles used for air conditioners that have a compressor for pressurizing the refrigerant, a condenser for condensing and supercooling the refrigerant, an expansion valve in which the refrigerant is depressurized, and a vaporizer for vaporizing the refrigerant, with connecting lines between them, e.g. in the form of tubes and/or hoses through which the refrigerant is conducted through the circuit.

The expansion valve can be connected to two tubes connected to the vaporizer. This connection is obtained with a mounting plate, which holds the expansion valve on the vaporizer tubes, and keeps the seals in place.

These mounting plates must be very durable and corrosion-resistant, and are therefore normally quite thick, in order to withstand fluctuating temperatures and environmental conditions to which a motor vehicle is subjected.

At the same time, the mounting plate has at least one threaded hole, which must withstand a certain torque in order to obtain the necessary seal. This also places demands on the thickness of the mounting plate.

The thickness also affects the weight, which can have a negative impact with respect to CO₂ levels and production costs.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION, THE OBJECT THEREOF, ACHIEVING THIS OBJECT, AND ADVANTAGES

The object of the invention is to create a mounting plate for an expansion valve on a vaporizer assembly, in particular for a refrigerant circuit, that is lighter and less expensive to produce than that used in the prior art, which still has the necessary durability, and can withstand a necessary torque.

This is achieved with the features of claim 1.

One exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a mounting plate for an expansion valve in a refrigerant circuit that is flat and substantially rectangular, with two short sides and two long sides, with two basically U-shaped cutouts for connecting tubes, e.g. for a vaporizer, in which at least part of the edge is raised, in order to reinforce the plate. Raising the edge of the plate reinforces it, such that it does not have to be as thick, thus reducing the weight and production costs.

It is particularly beneficial when the edges are raised substantially 90°, in particular 80° to 100°, in relation to the plane of the plate. This results in a relatively strong reinforcement, as it obtains the maximum effect thereof.

It is also beneficial when the edge of at least one of the U-shaped cutouts is raised. This also reinforces the middle of the mounting plate, where it is thinner.

It is also advantageous to drill at least one hole in the plate, the edge of which is raised. This reinforces the plate and increases the length available for threading, resulting in threaded holes that can withstand more torque.

The at least one hole can be threaded. The mounting plate can then be fastened with threaded fasteners to an expansion valve.

The U-shaped cutouts are ideally spaced apart, and the at least one hole is formed in the middle of the plate between these cutouts. This results in an even distribution of the reinforcement of the plate.

The raised edge of the U-shaped cutout is ideally connected to the raised edge of one of the longer sides. This further reinforces the plate over its length.

It is also advantageous to connect the raised edges of the short sides to the raised edges of the long sides. This further reinforces the plate at the corners.

The edges are preferably all raised in the same direction. This results in a relatively flat plate, in that the surface that the edges are raised away from remains entirely flat.

The plate is preferably made of metal, and the raised edges are obtained in a shaping process, e.g. deep drawing, or molding. This is an effective production means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention shall be explained in greater detail based on exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings.

Therein:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a vaporizer with connecting tubes and an expansion valve attached thereto,

FIG. 2 shows a mounting plate from the prior art for attaching the vaporizer connecting tubes to the expansion valve,

FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the mounting plate obtained with the invention, with which the vaporizer connecting tubes are attached to the expansion valve, and

FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of the mounting plate in FIG. 3, for attaching the vaporizer connecting tubes to an expansion valve.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a mounting plate 1 for an expansion valve 2 in a refrigerant circuit, in particular for an air conditioner, in particular in a motor vehicle.

FIG. 1 shows a vaporizer 3 in a refrigerant circuit for an air conditioner in a motor vehicle. There is a first connecting tube 4 for supplying refrigerant, and a second connecting tube 5 through which the refrigerant exits the vaporizer. Both tubes 4, 5 are connected at one end to the vaporizer 3. The other ends are connected to the expansion valve with a mounting plate 1 and seals.

The mounting plate 1 attaches and secures the ends of the connecting tubes 4, 5 to the expansion valve 2.

FIG. 2 shows a mounting plate 1 from the prior art. This mounting plate 1 is formed by a flat body 6 with a substantially rectangular shape 7, comprising two short sides 8 and two long sides 9. The mounting plate 1 is relatively thick, in that the thickness D is basically a quarter to a sixth of its width B, which is shorter than the length L. This results in a relatively thick mounting plate 1, which is both heavy and expensive, because the mounting plate 1 is made of metal. This thickness is necessary to obtain the required rigidity.

There are two basically U-shaped cutouts 10, 11 in the body 6, through which connecting tubes 4, 5 pass.

There are also two holes 12 in the body 6, with internal threadings, with which the plate can be attached with threaded fasteners to the expansion valve 2.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a mounting plate 21 obtained with the invention. This mounting plate 21 is formed by a flat body 6 with a substantially rectangular shape 7 comprising two short sides 8 and two long sides 9. Edges 13 are formed on the mounting plate 1.

This mounting plate 21 is relatively thin, in that the thickness D is only one eighth to one twelfth, or less, of the width B, which is shorter than the length L. This results in a relatively thin mounting plate 21, which is therefore relatively light and less expensive to produce, even if the mounting plate 21 is made of metal.

There are two basically U-shaped cutouts 10, 11 in the body 6, through which connecting tubes 4, 5 pass.

There are also two holes 12 in the body 6, which can be threaded in order to fasten it to the expansion valve 2.

Unlike in the prior art shown in FIG. 2, a least part of the edges 13 of the body 6 forming the mounting plate 21 in FIG. 3 are raised, in order to reinforce it. These rises 14 in FIG. 3 are formed by bending or some other means of shaping, to obtain a thickness D.

The edges 13 formed by raised parts 14 of the body 6 are bent basically 90° upward from the body 6, in particular 80° to 100°. These bent parts 14 therefore extend at basically a right angle from the body 6, thus reinforcing and strengthening it.

FIG. 3 shows that the edge 13 of at least one U-shaped cutout 10, 11 is raised. Ideally, the edges 13 of both U-shaped cutouts 10, 13 are raised, reinforcing the middle of the body 6 between the long and short sides 9, 8. It is also possible to raise just one edge 13 a U-shaped cutout 10, 11.

There can also be at least one hole 12 drilled in the body 6, the edge 13 of which is raised. There are two holes 12 in the body 6 forming this exemplary embodiment, the edges 13 of which are raised. This results in an axial length of the hole 12 that is significantly greater than the thickness D of the body 6. Consequently, a longer threading can be formed therein, thus increasing the torque that can be accommodated.

The at least one hole 12 is preferably threaded. This allows for threaded fasteners to be used to attach the mounting plate 21 to the expansion valve 2.

The U-shaped cutouts 10, 11 in the mounting plate 21 in FIG. 3 are spaced apart, with one U-shaped cutout 11 formed on a long side 9, and the other U-shaped cutout 10 formed on a short side 8. The U-shaped cutouts 10, 11 therefore approach one another at their arches 15.

The at least one hole 12 is also formed in the middle of the flat part of the body 6, between the two U-shaped cutouts 10, 11. This further reinforces the mounting plate 21.

One advantage obtained by reinforcing the mounting plate 21 is that the raised edge 13 of one of the U-shaped cutouts 11 is connected to a raised edge 13 of one of the long sides 9. Furthermore, the raised edge 13 of one of the short sides 8 is connected to the raised edge 13 of one of the long sides 9. This further reinforces the component.

FIG. 3 also shows that the raised edges 13 of the mounting plate 21 are all on the same side of the body 6. Consequently, the other side is flat, which is beneficial in obtaining a bearing surface.

It is advantageous to produce the mounting plate 21 from a metal body 6, and forming the raised edges 13 in a shaping process, e.g. deep drawing, or molding. This results in a mounting plate 21 that can be produced efficiently and inexpensively.

The mounting plate 21 for attaching the vaporizer connecting tubes 4, 5 to an expansion valve 2 is shown in FIG. 4. The side of the mounting plate 21 with the raised edges 13 faces away from the expansion valve 2, and the flat side of the mounting plate 21 bears on the expansion valve 2, or faces it.

The specification can be readily understood with reference to the following Numbered Paragraphs:

• • Numbered Paragraph 1. A mounting plate (1, 21) for an expansion valve (2) in a refrigerant circuit that has a flat body (6) with a substantially rectangular design (7), comprising two short sides (8) and two long sides (9), wherein the body (6) has edges (13), wherein two basically U-shaped cutouts (10, 11) are formed in the body (6), through which connecting tubes pass, e.g. vaporizer connecting tubes (4, 5), characterized in that at least part of the edges (13) of the body (6) are raised in order to reinforce the body (6).
  • Numbered Paragraph 2. The mounting plate (1, 21) according to Numbered Paragraph 1, characterized in that the raised edges (13) of the body (6) are at substantially 90° to the plane of the flat body (6), in particular between 80° and 100°.
  • Numbered Paragraph 3. The mounting plate (1, 21) according to Numbered Paragraph 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one edge (13) of a U-shaped cutout is raised, or the edges (13) of both U-shaped cutouts are raised.
  • Numbered Paragraph 4. The mounting plate (1, 21) according to Numbered Paragraph 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that at least one hole (12) is drilled in the body (6), the edge (13) of which is raised, or two holes (12) are drilled in the body (6), the edges (13) of which are raised.
  • Numbered Paragraph 5. The mounting plate (1, 21) according to Numbered Paragraph 4, characterized in that the at least one hole (12), or both holes (12), are threaded.
  • Numbered Paragraph 6. The mounting plate (1, 21) according to any of the preceding Numbered Paragraphs, characterized in that the U-shaped cutouts are spaced apart, and the at least one hole (12), or both holes (12), are formed in the middle of the flat part of the body (6), between the two U-shaped cutouts.
  • Numbered Paragraph 7. The mounting plate (1, 21) according to any of the Numbered Paragraphs 1 to 6, characterized in that a raised edge (13) of a U-shaped cutout is connected to a raised edge (13) of one of the long sides (9).
  • Numbered Paragraph 8. The mounting plate (1, 21) according to any of the Numbered Paragraphs 1 to 7, characterized in that a raised edge (13) of a short side (7) is connected to a raised edge (13) of a long side (9).
  • Numbered Paragraph 9. The mounting plate (1, 21) according to any of the preceding Numbered Paragraphs, characterized in that the raised edges (13) are on the same side of the body (6).
  • Numbered Paragraph 10. The mounting plate (1, 21) according to any of the preceding Numbered Paragraphs, characterized in that the body (6) is made of metal, and the raised edges (13) are formed in a shaping process, e.g. deep drawing or molding.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A mounting plate for an expansion valve in a refrigerant circuit, comprising a body with a flat portion, the body has a substantially rectangular design, and two short sides and two long sides, wherein the body has edges, wherein two basically U-shaped cutouts are formed in the body, through which connecting tubes pass, wherein the connecting tubes are vaporizer connecting tubes, wherein at least part of the edges of the body are raised in order to reinforce the body.

12. The mounting plate according to claim 11, wherein the raised edges of the body are oriented at an angle between 80 degrees and 100 degrees with respect to a plane through the flat portion of the body.

13. The mounting plate according to claim 11, wherein at least one edge of one or both of the two U-shaped cutouts is raised.

14. The mounting plate according to claim 11, further comprising at least one hole in the body, wherein an edge of the at least one hole which is raised.

15. The mounting plate according to claim 14, wherein the at least one hole is threaded.

16. The mounting plate according to claim 14, wherein the two U-shaped cutouts are spaced apart, and the at least one hole is disposed in the middle of the flat portion of the body, between the two U-shaped cutouts.

17. The mounting plate according to claim 13, wherein a raised edge of a U-shaped cutout is connected to a raised edge of one of the long sides.

18. The mounting plate according to claim 17, wherein a raised edge of one of the short sides is connected to the raised edge of the long side.

19. The mounting plate according to claim 18, wherein the raised edges of the short side and the long side are on the same side of the body.

20. The mounting plate according to claim 10, wherein the body is f metal, and the raised edges are formed in a shaping process, that includes one of deep drawing or molding.

21. The mounting plate of claim 12, wherein the raised edges of the body are oriented at substantially 90 degrees to the plane through the flat body.

22. The mounting plate of claim 14, wherein the at least one hole in the body is two holes in the body, wherein an edge of both of the two holes are raised.

23. The mounting plate of claim 22, wherein both of the two holes in the body are threaded.