"EVAPORATOR SCROLL SECUREMENT FOR AN AIR CONDITIONER"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A disclosed embodiment includes a panel having an alignment and securement feature for holding an evaporator scroll in a desired position. More particularly a top cover includes a positioning flange for holding an evaporator scroll in a desired position.

DESCRIPTION OF THERELATEDART An air conditioner assembly includes a rotating blower for moving air through an evaporator. An evaporator scroll is disposed within a compartment with the blower in order to improve and direct air flow. The evaporator scroll is in some instances fabricated from a flexible material that is held against a partition that divides an interior portion of the air conditioner assembly from an exterior portion. A scroll top also fits within the compartment above the blower to further define the air flow path through the interior side of the air conditioner.

Disadvantageously, because the evaporator scroll is fabricated from a flexible material, it must be held or secured in place to prevent contact with the blower. Undesired contact between the blower and the evaporator scroll can decrease overall performance, cause premature wear and generate undesirable noise.

Accordingly, it is desirable to design and develop a method and device for securing the evaporator scroll relative to the blower.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A disclosed example evaporator scroll is secured in a desired position within an air conditioner assembly by an integrally formed flange on a top cover.

A fan and blower are disposed in separate compartments to isolate air that is passed through an outside portion and an inside portion. A top cover is attached to cover one compartment and a second cover is attached to cover a compartment including the blower. An evaporator scroll is disposed within the compartment including the blower and defines an air flow path that directs air. A top scroll fits into the compartment and over the blower to further provide the desired air flow path.

The example top cover includes a support a flange that extends downward into the compartment to hold the evaporator scroll and scroll top in place. Openings are provided for fasteners that are attached to a partition to secure the top cover.

Accordingly, the example top cover secures the evaporator scroll and the scroll top in place to maintain a desired position relative to the blower without additional parts or securement devices.

The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the. following detailed description of the currently

preferred embodiments. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an exploded view of an example air conditioner assembly.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a bottom side of an example cover.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of several example parts of an example air conditioner assembly.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the example cover, partition and evaporator scroll prior to assembly.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the example cover assembled to the partition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figure 1, an example air conditioner assembly 10 includes a front cover 12 through which air passes and a housing 14 that encloses internal components mounted on a base 42. A compressor 38 compresses a refrigerant and is subsequently directed to a condenser 30. From the condenser 30, refrigerant passes through an expansion valve device (not shown) and into an evaporator 28.

A motor 32 drives a blower 34 and a fan 36 for circulating air through the air conditioner assembly 10 as is desired.

The fan 36 and blower 34 are disposed in separate compartments to isolate air that is passed through an outside portion from air passed through an inside portion. A condenser cover 24 is attached to cover one compartment and an evaporator cover 24 is attached to cover the compartment 18. The blower 34 is disposed in the compartment 18 that is defined by a partition 16 mounted to the base 42. An evaporator scroll 20 is disposed within the compartment 18 and defines an air flow path that directs air through the evaporator 28. A top scroll 22 fits into the compartment 18 and over the blower 34 to further provide the desired air flow.

Referring to Figures 2, the condenser cover 24 includes a cover portion 46 and arms 48 that extend from the cover portion 46. The arms 48 support a flange

44 that extends downward into the compartment 18 to hold the evaporator scroll 20 and the top scroll 22 in place. Openings 50 are provided for fasteners that are attached to the partition 16 to secure the condenser cover 24 in place.

Referring to Figure 3, the evaporator scroll 20 and top scroll 22 is shaped to provide the desired air flow such that it cooperates with the blower 34 (Figure 1). The flange 44 fits over an indentation 52 that is included in the evaporator scroll 20 and the top scroll 22. The flange 44 holds the evaporator scroll 20 and top scroll 22 in position to prevent contact with the blower 34. The example evaporator scroll 20 and top scroll 22 are fabricated from a flexible material that provides the desired air flow path without adding an undesired amount of additional weight.

The flange 44 of the exemplary embodiment extends only a partial portion of the width of the partition 16. The width of the example flange 44 is such that it secures the evaporator scroll 20 and top scroll 22 in place without excessive force that could deform the relatively flexible material of the evaporator scroll 20 and the top scroll 22. The specific width of the example flange 44 can be larger or smaller depending on application specific requirements.

In the example condenser cover 24 the flange 44 extends only partially across the width of the arms 48. The flange 44 may extend further across and be of different widths to secure and hold other configurations of evaporator scroll 20 and the scroll top 22.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the partition 16 is mounted to the base 42. The evaporator scroll 20 and the top scroll 22 are then moved into abutting contact with the partition 16. The evaporator scroll 20 and top scroll 22 are not attached to the base 42 but are held against the partition 16 by the flange 44. Because the flange 44 of the cover 24 holds the evaporator scroll 20 and top scroll against the partition 16, other securement assemblies or brackets are not required. The flange 44 extends transversely downward to trap the evaporator scroll 20 and the top scroll 22 against the partition 16.

The example flange 44 is integrally fabricated as part of the condenser cover 24. The flange 44 is disposed on an end of the arms 48 distal from the cover portion 46 (Figure 3). A groove 54 is formed in the condenser cover 24 for receiving a lip 58 of the evaporator cover 24.

In the assembled condition as illustrated in Figure 5, the evaporator cover 24 fits over the condenser cover 24 with the lip 58 resting within the groove 54. This provides a desired rigid structure and support for the example air conditioner 10. Fastener 56, such as a screw, bolt or other known fastener is then installed through the evaporator cover 24 and into the condenser cover 24. The example fastener 56 threads into the material comprising the top cover 48. In the example, two fasteners 56 are utilized, however more or less fasteners can be used as is required.

Accordingly, the example evaporator cover 26 encloses the compartment 18 and the condenser cover 24 secures the evaporator scroll 20 and top scroll 22 in place to maintain a desired position relative to the blower 34 without additional parts or securement devices.

The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature.

Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this invention. The scope of legal protection given to this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.