Frame fitting arrangement for vehicle air conditioner

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11560036-B2
Application number	US-202117342723-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 9, 2021
Priority date	Feb 22, 2016
Publication date	Jan 24, 2023
Grant date	Jan 24, 2023

Abstract

A frame is provided and is adapted to be installed in an opening and between the external unit and the roof or wall and having locating elements on each of a first side and an opposite second side of the frame, the locating elements or projections being configured together to locate the frame in the opening and to locate the frame in the external unit. The locating elements in the frame are positioned so that if the opening is the first type, the frame is adapted to be installed with the first side facing the roof or wall, and if the opening is the second type, the frame is adapted to be installed with the first side facing the external unit.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A frame adapted to be installed in an opening in a roof or wall of a vehicle between an external unit of an air-conditioner and the roof or wall, the opening being either a first opening of a first size or a second opening of a second size, different size from the first size, the frame comprising:
projections on each of a first side and an opposite second side of the frame, the projections being configured together to locate the frame relative to the first opening of the first size and the second opening of the second size and configured to locate the frame relative to the external unit; and
the projections on the frame are positioned so that when the opening is the first opening of the first size, the frame is adapted to be installed with the first side facing the roof or wall, and when the opening is the second opening of the second size, the frame is capable of being rotated and installed with the first side facing the external unit.

2. The frame of claim 1 wherein the projections on the first side of the frame comprise a projection adapted to engage with a side of the first opening of the first size, and one of the projections on the second side is adapted to engage with a projection in the external unit, when the first side is facing the roof or wall.

3. The frame of claim 1 wherein the projections on the first side of the frame comprise a first side projection adapted to engage with a side of the first opening of the first size when the first side is facing the roof or wall, and the projections on the second side of the frame comprise a second side projection adapted to engage with a first external unit projection in the external unit, when the first side is facing the roof or wall; and
the second side projection is adapted to engage with the side of the second opening of the second size when the first side is facing the external unit, and the first side projection is adapted to engage with a second external unit projection in the external unit when the first side is facing the external unit.

4. The frame of claim 3 , wherein one or more of the first side projection, the second side projection, the first external unit projection and the second external unit projection comprise ridges engaging the sides of the first opening or the second opening.

5. The frame of claim 4 , wherein the ridges are tapered to facilitate location with the side of the first opening, the second opening, or the external unit.

6. The frame of claim 1 wherein one or more of the projections in the frame is a recess or hole adapted to engage with a projection in the external unit.

7. The frame of claim 1 adapted to receive a duct insert to be installed in the frame in either of two orientations appropriate to installation in the first size or the second size of the opening respectively, the duct insert providing a duct for directing supply air into indoor componentry of the air-conditioner.

Assignees

• Dometic Sweden Ab

Inventors

• Williamson Jarrod
• Liu Louis

Classifications

• B60H1/00535 Primary

  Mounting or fastening of the housing to the vehicle · CPC title

• B60H1/00542

  Modular assemblies · CPC title

• E04D13/0305

  Supports or connecting means for sky-lights of flat or domed shape · CPC title

• B60H2001/00235

  Devices in the roof area of the passenger compartment · CPC title

• F24F1/027

  mounted in wall openings, e.g. in windows · CPC title