Vent cover assembly for a caravan refrigerator vent

Abstract

2025100021 11 Nov 2025

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fan mounting plate for a caravan refrigerator vent. In particular, the invention relates, but is not limited, to a vent cover assembly for a caravan refrigerator vent. BACKGROUND

[0002] Many venting systems for caravan and recreational vehicle (RV) refrigerator systems include fans mounted to vent covers that assist in the extraction of heat and combustible gases that are present in the vent.

[0003] However, these venting assemblies can be prone to poor extraction which results in heat and combustible gases remaining within the vent, rather than being extracted to the atmosphere, and recirculating back into the vent.

[0004] It is also common for fans mounted to the vent cover to be misaligned or poorly mounted which exacerbates the problem of the sub-standard ventilation. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0005] Embodiments of the present invention provide a vent cover assembly for a caravan refrigerator, which may at least partially address one or more of the problems or deficiencies mentioned above or which may provide the public with a useful or commercial choice.

[0006] With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in a vent cover assembly for a caravan refrigerator vent comprising a cover plate adapted to be mounted to an exhaust vent, the cover plate comprising: an exhaust aperture formed therein for mounting a fan fast adjacent thereto for removing air from within the vent to an external environment; one or more fan fastening portions for mounting a fan fast with the exhaust aperture; and one or more vent fastening arrangements for mounting the cover plate fast with an exhaust vent cover.

[0007] Preferably, the assembly further comprises a fan fastened to the cover plate, wherein the fan is aligned with the aperture. Preferably, the fan is fastened to the cover plate by one or more fasteners. Preferably, the one or more fasteners comprise a zip-ties and / or bolts and / or screws. 2025100021   11 Nov 2025

[0008] Preferably, the cover plate comprises a plurality of exhaust apertures formed therein.

[0009] Preferably, the assembly further comprises a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) attachment portion releasably attachable to the cover plate. Preferably, the assembly further comprises a PCB attached to the PCB attachment portion. Preferably, the PCB is attached to the PCB attachment portion by screws.

[0010] Preferably, the cover plate comprises a substantially rectangular body. Preferably, the cover plate has a substantially L-shaped cross section. Preferably, the body of the cover plate is substantially solid or fluid impermeable.

[0011] Preferably, the substantially rectangular body comprises rounded corners. Alternatively, the substantially rectangular body comprises square corners (i.e. perpendicular edges meeting to form a corner).

[0012] Preferably, the assembly further comprises a second cover plate. Preferably, the second cover plate comprises: one or more exhaust apertures formed therein; one or more fan fastening portions for mounting a fan fast with each exhaust aperture; and one or more vent fastening portions for mounting the second cover plate fast with an exhaust vent cover.

[0013] Preferably, the PCB attachment portion is located on the second cover plate.

[0014] Preferably, the cover plate comprises plastic. Preferably, the cover plate comprises 3D printed ABS plastic. Preferably, the second cover plate comprises 3D printed ABS plastic.

[0015] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

[0016] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the 2025100021   11 Nov 2025 scope of the preceding Summary of Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0018] Figure 1 illustrates a view of the rear of a vent cover assembly for a caravan refrigerator vent according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0019] Figure 2 illustrates a view of the front of the vent cover assembly for a caravan refrigerator vent according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0020] Figure 3 illustrates a view of the front of the vent cover assembly having fans and a PCB mounted thereon;

[0021] Figure 4 illustrates a view of the rear of the vent cover assembly having fans and a PCB mounted thereon;

[0022] Figure 5 illustrates a view of the front of a vent cover assembly for a caravan refrigerator vent according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0023] Figure 6 illustrates a view of the front of a vent cover assembly for a caravan refrigerator vent according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0024] Figure 7 illustrates a view of the front of a vent cover assembly for a caravan refrigerator vent according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0025] Figure 8 illustrates a view of the front of the vent cover assembly having fans and a PCB mounted thereon; and

[0026] Figure 9 illustrates embodiments of vent covers suitable for use with embodiments of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The present disclosure relates to a caravan refrigerator vent cover assembly for mounting one or more fans thereto. The vent cover assembly is adapted to be attached to a vent cover for a refrigerator exhaust vent of a caravan or RV to improve venting of heat and combustible gases present in the vent.

[0028] Figures 1-4 illustrate a vent cover assembly 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention from a number of views.

[0029] The vent cover assembly 10, in a fully assembled form as shown in Figure 1, includes a substantially rectangular cover plate (first plate 100) having two exhaust apertures 102, 104 2025100021   11 Nov 2025 for receiving and mounting fans fast adjacent thereto to allow the fans to exhaust air from within the vent to the external environment.

[0030] As can be seen, the vent cover assembly 10 is divided into two plates: the first plate 100 mentioned above and a second plate 140 which is also substantially rectangular and includes an exhaust aperture 142 formed therein. Both plates 100, 140 have a substantially L-shaped cross-section having first leg 101a, 141a and second leg 101b, 141b, respectively. In use, the second leg 101, 141b of each plate 100, 140 rests along the top of the vent fins of the vent when installed and includes slots 109, 149, respectively, which are complementary to protrusions formed in the vents.

[0031] The first plate 100 and the second plate 140 are substantially similar in features as will become apparent from the following description. However, as will be clear from the figures, the length L1 of the first plate 100 is greater than the length L2 of the second plate 140 to accommodate the two apertures 102, 104 formed in the first plate 100.

[0032] In addition, second plate 140 also includes a PCB attachment portion 106 for fastening a thermostat PCB 120 (see Figures 2 and 3) thereto. Formed in the PCB attachment portion 106 is an aperture 108 that aligns with an indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED) located on the thermostat PCB 120 when the PCB 120 is connected to the cover 10. This allows light from the LED to pass through the aperture and be viewed through the vent cover fins thereby allowing the condition of the thermostat to be assessed without removing the vent cover.

[0033] The PCB 120 in the illustrated embodiment is mounted to the attachment portion 106 using screws. Advantageously, the attachment portion 106 allows the PCB 120 to be located directly on the cover plate 140 rather than being attached to the vent fins or otherwise, as is often the case with existing systems.

[0034] In some embodiments, a thermostat PCB may include a blue LED which is on when the thermoswitch is operating. Thus, if the LED is off, the thermoswitch is off or has failed. The PCB may also include diode protection, a test switch and a quick connect plug.

[0035] In another embodiment, a thermostat PCB may include diode protection, a test switch, a quick connect plug and a Red-Green-Blue (RGB) LED. In such an embodiment, a green light indicates power is being supplied to the PCB, a blue light indicates that the thermoswitch has been activated and that the fans are also active, and a red light indicates that the test switch has been turned on and the automatic system is being bypassed.

[0036] In some further embodiments, a PCB may be substantially the same as the PCB 2025100021   11 Nov 2025 described above but also include an additional temperature sensor that emits an alarm and adjusts the RGB LED to red if the temperature is detected to go beyond an acceptance limit (e.g. 70 degrees Celsius). This embodiment advantageously provides both visual and audible cues for cooling faults, such as fan failure, for example.

[0037] Both the first plate 100 and the second plate 140 include four vent fastening arrangements so that the plates 100, 140 can be fastened to a refrigerator exhaust vent of a caravan or Recreational Vehicle (RV).

[0038] Each vent fastening arrangement includes two spaced apart apertures 111, 112, 151, 152 formed in the cover plate having a spacer block 113, 153 located therebetween.

[0039] In use, using first plate 100 as an example, the vent fastening arrangement allows a zip tie, or other suitable tying device, to pass through one of the two spaced apart apertures 111, 112, over the spacer block 113 and then pass through the other of the two spaced apart apertures 111, 112 so that the zip tie may be zipped together around an exhaust vent such that the first plate 100 will be secured to the exhaust vent. The second plate 140 can be secured in the same way as the first plate 100.

[0040] The first plate 100 also includes a plurality of fan fastening arrangements in the form of four pairs of spaced apart apertures 114, 115 located about the exhaust apertures 102, 104 formed in the first plate 100. The pairs of spaced apart apertures 114, 115 are formed within truncated conical projections 116 formed in the first cover plate 100.

[0041] The first plate 100 is also shown to include three cable fastening arrangements in the form of pairs of spaced apart apertures 117, 118 located adjacent the exhaust aperture 102.

[0042] Second plate 140 includes three cable fastening arrangements in the form of pairs of apart apertures 147, 148 which are the same as those in first plate 100. These cable fastening arrangements can be used to receive zip-ties (or other flexible fasteners) to keep fan cables tidy and bundled together so that they do not move about and get tangled in the fans. An example of this can be seen in Figures 3 and 4 where zip-ties 170 keep the cables 181 of the fans 180 tightly bound together and secured against the cover plates 100, 140.

[0043] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the fan fastening arrangements allow zip ties 170 (or bolts or screws) to pass through one of the two apertures 114, 115, around a portion of the fan 180 and then through the other of the two spaced apart apertures 114, 115 to then be zipped together to secure the fan against the first plate 100 such that the fan blades are aligned with the venting apertures to allow the fan to extract heat and combustible gases from within the vent. 2025100021   11 Nov 2025 Aside from the apertures formed in the plates as described above, the plates are substantially solid or impermeable (i.e. non-porous / non-perforated and not allowing fluid to pass through) to block substantial portions of the vent cover.

[0044] Thus, when fitted to the exhaust vent, the cover plates block a significant portion of the normally open vent cover which would usually be completely open for fluid flow. Advantageously, this controls and directs the flow of fluid out through the primary exhaust aperture and prevents the formation of vortexes which trap heat and combustible gases within the vent. The second plate 140 includes four fan fastening arrangements in the form of pairs of spaced apertures 154, 155 which are the same as the pairs of spaced apart apertures 114, 115 and are used in the same way. These apertures 154, 155 are formed in a truncated conical projections 146 formed in the second cover plate 140.

[0045] The plates 100, 140 are formed from Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic using a 3D printer.

[0046] While the cover plate is formed from two separate plates, it will be readily understood that the cover plate could be formed as one piece or integrally formed.

[0047] The embodiment shown Figures 1-4 is substantially rectangular with square corners which allows the plates 100, 140 to align with and fit within a Dometic "large" vent. However, other embodiments, including those shown in Figures 5-7 may be provided for other types of vents.

[0048] Figure 5 shows a vent cover assembly 20 having substantially rectangular plates with rounded corners which align with and fit within a Dometic "rounded corner" vent.

[0049] The vent cover assembly 20 includes a first cover plate 200 and a second cover plate 240. First cover plate 200 has a first exhaust aperture 202 and second cover plate 240 has a second exhaust aperture 242. The exhaust apertures 202, 242 are for receiving and mounting fans fast adjacent thereto to allow the fans to exhaust air from within the vent to the external environment.

[0050] Both cover plates 200, 240 are substantially L-shaped in cross-section.

[0051] The second plate 240 also includes a PCB attachment portion 206 for fastening a thermostat PCB (see Figure 3 for example) thereto. Formed in the PCB attachment portion 206 is an aperture 208 that aligns with an indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED) located on the thermostat PCB when the PCB is connected to the plate 240. This allows light from the LED to pass through the aperture and be viewed through the vent cover fins thereby allowing the 2025100021   11 Nov 2025 condition of the thermostat to be assessed without removing the vent cover.

[0052] Similar to cover assembly 10, both the first plate 200 and the second plate 240 include four fastening arrangements so that the plates 200, 240 can be fastened to a refrigerator exhaust vent of a caravan or Recreational Vehicle (RV).

[0053] Each fastening arrangement includes two spaced apart apertures 211, 212, 251, 252 formed in the cover plate having a spacer block located therebetween.

[0054] The first plate 200 also includes a plurality of fan fastening arrangements in the form of four pairs of spaced apart apertures 214, 215 located about the exhaust aperture 202 formed in the first plate 200.

[0055] The first plate 200 is also shown to include three cable fastening arrangements in the form of pairs of spaced apart apertures 217, 218 located adjacent the exhaust aperture 202. Second plate 240 includes three cable fastening arrangements in the form of pairs of apart apertures 247, 248 which are the same as those in first plate 200. These cable fastening arrangements can be used to receive zip-ties (or other flexible fasteners) to keep fan cables tidy and bundled together so that they do not move about and get tangled in the fans.

[0056] The fan fastening arrangements allow zip ties (or bolts or screws) to pass through one of the two apertures 214, 215, around a portion of the fan and then through the other of the two spaced apart apertures 214, 215 to then be zipped together to secure the fan against the first plate 200 such that the fan blades are aligned with the venting apertures to allow the fan to extract heat and combustible gases from within the vent. Aside from the apertures formed in the plates as described above, the plates are substantially solid or impermeable (i.e. non-porous / non-perforated and not allowing fluid to pass through) to block substantial portions of the vent cover.

[0057] Figure 6 shows a vent cover assembly 30 having substantially rectangular plates with rounded corners which align with and fit within a Dometic "square corner" vent.

[0058] The vent cover assembly 30 includes a first cover plate 300 and a second cover plate 340. First cover plate 300 has a first exhaust aperture 202 and second cover plate 340 has a second exhaust aperture 342. The exhaust apertures 302, 342 are for receiving and mounting fans fast adjacent thereto to allow the fans to exhaust air from within the vent to the external environment.

[0059] Both cover plates 300, 340 are substantially L-shaped in cross-section. 2025100021   11 Nov 2025

[0060] The second plate 340 also includes a PCB attachment portion 306 for fastening a thermostat PCB (see Figure 3 for example) thereto. Formed in the PCB attachment portion 306 is an aperture 308 that aligns with an indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED) located on the thermostat PCB when the PCB is connected to the plate 340. This allows light from the LED to pass through the aperture and be viewed through the vent cover fins thereby allowing the condition of the thermostat to be assessed without removing the vent cover.

[0061] Similar to cover assembly 10, both the first plate 300 and the second plate 340 include four fastening arrangements so that the plates 300, 340 can be fastened to a refrigerator exhaust vent of a caravan or Recreational Vehicle (RV).

[0062] Each fastening arrangement includes two spaced apart apertures 311, 312, 351, 352 formed in the cover plate having a spacer block located therebetween.

[0063] The first plate 300 also includes a plurality of fan fastening arrangements in the form of four pairs of spaced apart apertures 314, 315 located about the exhaust aperture 302 formed in the first plate 300.

[0064] The first plate 300 is also shown to include three cable fastening arrangements in the form of pairs of spaced apart apertures 317, 318 located adjacent the exhaust aperture 302. Second plate 340 includes three cable fastening arrangements in the form of pairs of apart apertures 347, 348 which are the same as those in first plate 300. These cable fastening arrangements can be used to receive zip-ties (or other flexible fasteners) to keep fan cables tidy and bundled together so that they do not move about and get tangled in the fans.

[0065] The fan fastening arrangements allow zip ties (or bolts or screws) to pass through one of the two apertures 314, 315, around a portion of the fan and then through the other of the two spaced apart apertures 314, 315 to then be zipped together to secure the fan against the first plate 300 such that the fan blades are aligned with the venting apertures to allow the fan to extract heat and combustible gases from within the vent. Aside from the apertures formed in the plates as described above, the plates are substantially solid or impermeable (i.e. non-porous / non-perforated and not allowing fluid to pass through) to block substantial portions of the vent cover.

[0066] Figures 7 and 8 show a vent cover assembly 40 having a substantially rectangular plate which aligns with and fits within a Thetford vent. In this embodiment, the PCB attachment portion is located on a second plate having no apertures.

[0067] The vent cover assembly 40 includes a first cover plate 400 and a second cover 2025100021   11 Nov 2025 plate 440 which are both substantially rectangular and are L-shaped in cross-section to allow them to mate with the vent of the vehicle. First cover plate 400 has a first exhaust aperture 402 and a second exhaust aperture 404 formed therein.

[0068] The second plate 440 includes a PCB attachment portion 406 for fastening a thermostat PCB (see Figure 3 for an example) thereto. Formed in the PCB attachment portion 406 is an aperture 408 that aligns with an indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED) located on the thermostat PCB when the PCB is connected to the plate 440. This allows light from the LED to pass through the aperture and be viewed through the vent cover fins thereby allowing the condition of the thermostat to be assessed without removing the vent cover.

[0069] Similar to cover assembly 10, both the first plate 400 and the second plate 440 include four fastening arrangements so that the plates 400, 440 can be fastened to a refrigerator exhaust vent of a caravan or Recreational Vehicle (RV).

[0070] Each fastening arrangement includes two spaced apart apertures 411, 412, 451, 452 formed in the cover plate having a spacer block located therebetween.

[0071] The first plate 400 also includes a plurality of fan fastening arrangements in the form of four apertures 414 located about each of the exhaust apertures 402, 404 formed in the first plate 400.

[0072] The first plate 400 is also shown to include a cable fastening arrangement in the form of cable guide 430 positioned along fan 180.

[0073] Turning to Figure 8, it can be seen that the fan fastening arrangements allow bolts or screws to pass through the apertures 414 and the fan 180 to secure the fan against the first plate 400 such that the fan blades are aligned with the venting apertures 402, 404 to allow the fan to extract heat and combustible gases from within the vent. Aside from the apertures formed in the plates as described above, the plates are substantially solid or impermeable (i.e. non-porous / non-perforated and not allowing fluid to pass through) to block substantial portions of the vent cover.

[0074] Turning to Figure 9, there is shown two vent covers for use with embodiments of the invention as described herein.

[0075] The first vent cover is a Dometic rounded corner vent cover 500 suitable for use with vent cover assembly 200 shown in Figure 5. As can be seen, the Dometic rounded corner vent cover 500 has rounded corners that conform to the shape of the body of the cover plates 210, 240. 2025100021   11 Nov 2025

[0076] The second vent cover is a Dometic square corner vent cover 501 suitable for use with vent cover assembly 300 shown in Figure 6. As shown, the Dometic square corner vent cover 501 has square corners that conform to the shape of the body of the cover plates 310, 340. Having the cover plates conform to the shape of the vent allows for the assembly 30 to be substantially self-aligning with the vent to thus reduce the complexity of installation for a user.

[0077] The types of fans that can be used with the cover assemblies described herein including standard fans (brushless electric fans - 120mm x 25mm), smart fans (brushless electric fans with integrated temperature sending Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) speed control) and thin fans (brushless electric fans - 120mm x 16mm).

[0078] Using zip-ties to secure the vent cover assembly to the vent reduces the complexity and time for installing the assembly and makes the cover assembly easier to fit to the vent.

[0079] Fastening the fans (by either bolt or zip-tie or other suitable fastener) to the cover plates also reduces assembly times and installation costs.

[0080] The shape of the cover plate conforming to the shape of the vent allows for simplified installation of the cover plates without detailed or complex instructions.

[0081] Furthermore, the addition of cable fastening arrangements provides for a neater finish that is less prone to problems associated with loose cables (e.g. interfering with fans).

[0082] In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not to be interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer, component, or step, etc.

[0083] The above detailed description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention. 2025100021   11 Nov 2025

[0084] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0085] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0086] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A vent cover assembly for a caravan refrigerator vent comprising a cover plate adaptedto be mounted to an exhaust vent, the cover plate comprising:an exhaust aperture formed therein for securely mounting a fan adjacent thereto for removing air from within the vent to an external environment;one or more fan fastening portions for securely mounting a fan to each exhaust aperture; andone or more vent fastening arrangements for securely mounting the cover plate to the exhaust vent, each arrangement including two spaced apart apertures formed in the cover plate and a spacer block located between the two spaced apart apertures, the apertures being configured to receive a tying device therethrough and over the spacer block for fastening the cover plate to the exhaust vent.

2. The vent cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly further comprises one or morefans fastened to the cover plate, wherein the one or more fans are aligned with the plurality of apertures.

3. The vent cover assembly of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the one or more fan fasteningportions include pairs of spaced apart apertures formed within truncated conical projections formed in the cover plate.

4. The vent cover assembly of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a Printed CircuitBoard (PCB) attachment portion releasably attachable to the cover plate.

5. The vent cover assembly of claim 4, further comprising a PCB attached to the PCBattachment portion.

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