Method for clamping and relative orientating two components, a clamp and an arrangement of the clamp and the two components

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for clamping and relative orientating a first component (100) to a second component (200). The method comprises at least the following steps: pre-fixing a first cylindrical section (101) of the first component, the first component comprising a supporting section (102) and the first cylindrical section, in a first clamping portion (3) of a first part (2) of a clamp (1) when the clamp is in an open state, wherein the first clamping portion holds the first component; relative arrangement of the clamp with the first component to the second component so that the second component abuts against the supporting section with a second cylindrical section (201); pivoting the first part and a second part of the clamp relative to each other about a pivoting axis (P) to transfer the clamp from the open state to a closed state such that the second component is caught between the first part and the second part; using a clamping unit (7) for bringing the clamp in a secured closed state; using the clamping unit for firmly clamping the clamp with the first component to the second component by tightening the first part and the second part together. Further, the present invention relates to the clamp and an arrangement of the clamp and the first component and the second component.

Description

[0001] Method for clamping and relative orientating two components, a clamp and an arrangement of the clamp and the two components

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for clamping a first component to a second component and for relative orientating the two components with respect to each other. The first component may for example be a heated sensor arrangement and the second component may for example be an evaporator tube of an evaporator of a refrigerant circuit. Further, the present invention relates to a clamp for clamping a heated sensor arrangement as a first component to an evaporator tube of an evaporator of a refrigerant circuit as a second component. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an arrangement of a heated sensor arrangement clamped to an evaporator tube.

[0003] In general, using evaporators as part of a temperature control system for example used to control the temperature in buildings is known. In this regard, a refrigerant is typically circulated inside a refrigerant circuit for example using a pump. While circulating refrigerant inside the refrigerant circuit of the temperature control system, a share of liquid in the refrigerant flow is naturally changed. In other words, a phase of the refrigerant typically changes at least between a state comprising a higher vapor quality and a state comprising a lower vapor quality and thus more liquid. Hence, a mass fraction of liquid and vapor, i.e. gas, is for example different at an evaporator inlet compared to an evaporator outlet. Consequently, it is known to use heated sensor arrangements to detect a share of liquid in the fluid flow in order to optimize operation of the refrigerant circuit.

[0004] However, users face several challenges when attaching, especially retrofitting, heated sensor arrangements to an evaporator tube. When retrofitting a heated sensor arrangement to an evaporator tube, space available to the user is typically limited. In other words, the user has to work in small installation spaces when retrofitting heated sensor arrangements to an evaporator tube. Furthermore, when the evaporator to which the heated sensor arrangement is retrofitted is already in use, the evaporator tubes of the evaporator in operation may be at low or high temperatures. Therefore, contact with the evaporator tubes may not only be painful but also harmful to health. As a result, it is sometimes necessary to use gloves, which further restrict the user in the already limited installation space. In addition, sometimes environmental temperatures, installation locations, need to hold a tool or personal circumstances may additionally render installation with several hands inconvenient or impossible.

[0005] Further, attachment means for attaching, especially retrofitting, a heated sensor arrangement to an evaporator tube must be able to withstand effects of low and high temperatures and at the same time allow the heated sensor arrangement to be replaced if it is defective. Hence, removal of the heated sensor arrangement, for example also for maintenance purposes, should be enabled. Finally, the attachment means should be cost effective and facilitate quick installation of the heated sensor arrangement.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide attachment means and a method for attaching, in particular, a heated sensor arrangement to an evaporator tube, which can be operated with one hand only. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide attachment means which are especially suitable for installation of a heated sensor arrangement to an evaporator tube.

[0007] The object of the present invention is solved by a method for clamping and orientating according to claim 1 and a clamp according to claim 9. Further, the object is solved by an arrangement of a heated sensor arrangement clamped to an evaporator tube by the clamp according to claim 17. The method for clamping and relative orientating a first component, which is at least partially cylindrical, to a second component, which is at least partially cylindrical, comprises at least the steps described in the following but may comprise additional steps such as preparatory or post-processing steps or sub steps as part of the steps described.

[0008] The first component, which may be clamped and relatively orientated with respect to a second component, may for example be a heated sensor arrangement. The second component, to which the first component may be clamped, may for example be an evaporator tube of an evaporator of a refrigerant circuit.

[0009] The refrigerant circuit may for example comprise in addition to the evaporator configured to evaporate the refrigerant flowing in the evaporator tubes further components such as for example a compressor configured to compress the refrigerant, a condenser configured to condense the compressed refrigerant, an expansion valve configured to control an amount of refrigerant supplied into the evaporator and an accumulator or receiver. Further, a control unit may be used to control the components of the refrigerant circuit.

[0010] The heated sensor arrangement may be used with an evaporator tube arranged inside the evaporator or conducting refrigerant to or from the evaporator. In other words, the evaporator tube may be arranged inside an evaporator housing or may be a part of an evaporator inlet tube or an evaporator outlet tube. In order to maximize benefits from the heated sensor arrangement, the evaporator tube should in principle be enabled to transfer both vapor and liquid, depending for example on an operating mode, for example depending on a circulating rate of a pump, which may for example be optimized by use of the heated sensor arrangement. However, instead of using the method for clamping a heated sensor arrangement to an evaporator tube of an evaporator of a refrigerant circuit, the method may also be used for clamping and orientating a heated sensor arrangement to a different, at least partially cylindrical, object, for example, to a tube that may transport gas and / or liquid between different process stages, for example as part of a chemical process. Similarly, instead of a heated sensor arrangement, another object could also be attached to a tube, for example an evaporator tube, or to another at least partially cylindrical component.

[0011] If the method is used for clamping a heated sensor arrangement to an evaporator tube of an evaporator, the evaporator may for example be a bottom-feed, top-feed or side-feed evaporator. However, the heated sensor arrangement may also be used with different evaporators or even with different devices used for conducting vapor and liquid as aforementioned. If the heated sensor arrangement is used with an evaporator, the refrigerant used in the refrigerant circuit, to which the evaporator belongs, may for example be ammonia. The temperature of the refrigerant may for example be between about -40 °C, i.e. 233.15 K, or up to +120 °C, i.e. 393.15 K.

[0012] The evaporator tube may for example be a stainless-steel pipe, a carbons-steel pipe, a copper pipe or an aluminum pipe configured to conduct vapor, liquid or a vapor / liquid mixture. However, when using ammonia as a refrigerant, the evaporator tube must not be made of copper. As the heated sensor arrangement may also be used with refrigerants other than ammonia, the use of copper material for the evaporator tubes may be an option for refrigerant circuits utilizing other refrigerants. The evaporator tube may preferably comprise a very thin wall thickness of for example about 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm.

[0013] In one aspect, the evaporator tube may have an outer diameter of less than 30 mm, for example an outer diameter between 10 mm and 27 mm. In one aspect, the refrigerant circuit may be a pump circulated system which may be a controlled circulating rate system (CCR-system) or a wet direct expansion system (WDX- system). The heated sensor arrangement may for example be used on a most loaded evaporator tube of a CCR-system or on a least loaded evaporator tube of a WDX-system.

[0014] When the method according to the disclosure is carried out, a first cylindrical section of the first component is pre-fixed in a first clamping portion of a first part of a clamp when the clamp is in an open state. The first cylindrical section may form part of a lateral first outer surface of the first component. In this regard, the first component comprises, in addition to the first cylindrical section used for pre-fixing, a supporting section. When the first component is pre-fixed to the first clamping portion, the first component is held in the first clamping portion. In this regard, either holding the first part of the clamp or the first component so that the cylindrical section of the first component is horizontally arranged, i.e. arranged so that the direction of gravity and a first longitudinal axis of the first component are perpendicularly arranged, may be sufficient so that the respective other part would not fall of. This may even apply in the event that an insertion direction, i.e. a direction in which the first component was inserted into the first clamping portion, points in a direction opposite to the direction of gravity.

[0015] In one aspect, in order to be pre-fixed to the first clamping portion so that the first component is held in the first clamping portion, the first cylindrical section of the first component may releasably engage or provisionally engage the first clamping portion. In this respect, a provisional engagement may refer to the fact that the first component is not yet clamped by the clamp. Further, "releasably" may mean that the pre-fixing may be loosened or released again, i.e. the first part and the first component may be separated again, without damaging either of the two components. In addition or alternatively thereto, the first cylindrical section of the first component may be snapped into the first clamping portion, may be caught in the first clamping portion or may be provisionally secured in the first clamping portion.

[0016] When the first component is held in the first clamping portion, the first clamping portion holds the first component. In one aspect, the first clamping portion may hold the first component rotatably, relative to the clamp. In other words, the first component may be rotated with respect to the clamp, i.e. without rotating the clamp or any part thereof. In one aspect, the first clamping portion holds the first component rotatably, relative to the clamp, so that the first component may be rotatably about a first longitudinal axis of the first component.

[0017] In a further aspect, the first clamping portion may hold the first component, wherein the first component is not rotatable relative to the clamp. In other words, first fixation means may be provided on the first component, i.e. on the first cylindrical section of the first component, and / or second fixation means may be provided on the first part, i.e. on the first clamping portion of the first part, of the clamp that safeguard that the first component cannot be rotated with respect to the first clamping portion after being pre-fixed. In yet other words, when the first component is held in the first clamping portion, i.e. when the first component is pre-fixed to the first clamping portion, the first component may be rotationally constrained to the first part of the clamp. According to an aspect, the first fixation means may be provided by recesses or protrusions which may engage with corresponding protrusions or recesses of the second fixation means. In one aspect, the first cylindrical section of the first component may comprise at least one protrusion extending along the first longitudinal axis of the first component. In one aspect, the protrusion may be a flange extending along the lateral first outer surface of the first component. In one aspect, a number of protrusions arranged on the first cylindrical section may correspond to a number of receiving sections of the supporting section. The protrusions may thus define predefined rotational positions in which the first component may be pre-fixed in the first clamping portion. The first clamping portion of the first part of the clamp may comprise a recess configured to engage with a protrusion provided on the first cylindrical section. The engagement between a protrusion of the first component and a recess of the first clamping portion may thus prevent rotation of the first component about the first longitudinal axis relative to the first clamping portion when being pre-fixed.

[0018] Further, in one step of the method the clamp with the first component is relatively arranged to the second component. Due to the relative arrangement, the second component abuts against the supporting section of the first component with a second cylindrical section. Considering an evaporator tube as a second component, the second cylindrical section may be a lateral outer surface of the evaporator tube. Considering a heated sensor arrangement as a first component, the supporting section may be a section of the heated sensor arrangement being in contact with the second component, for example the evaporator tube, and applying heat to the evaporator tube. However, the first cylindrical section being used for pre-fixing may be arranged offset along the first longitudinal axis with respect to the supporting section. Hence, in one aspect, the clamp may not be used to clamp the first component to the second component in an area of the supporting section but offset thereto.

[0019] When the first component and the second component are arranged respectively, the first part of the clamp and a second part of the clamp are pivoted relative to each other about a pivoting axis in order to transfer the clamp from the open state to a closed state. In this regard, the pivoting axis may be arranged in parallel with the first longitudinal axis of the first component and / or with a second longitudinal axis of the second component. The open state may be a state in which the clamp does not form a fully encircled through opening. In other words, in the open state, there is no through opening formed by parts, elements and components of the clamp that completely surround the through opening, and wherein the first component and the second component may be caught. In the closed state, however, such a through opening is formed. Therefore, the first part and the second part of the clamp are transferred into the closed state such that the second component is caught between the first part and the second part of the clamp. The second cylindrical section of the second component may thus be fully encircled by the parts, elements, and components of the clamp. In addition, the first cylindrical section of the first component which is pre-fixed to the first part may as well be fully encircled, embraced or surrounded by the parts, elements, and components of the clamp. Both, the first cylindrical section of the first component and the second cylindrical section of the second component may thus be arranged in the through opening of the clamp. Consequently, transfer of the clamp from the open state into the closed state may at least lead to encompassing or enclosing the first cylindrical section of the first component and the second cylindrical section of the second component by the first clamping portion and a second clamping portion of the second part of the clamp.

[0020] Further, a clamping unit is used for securing the first component and the second component for bringing the clamp in a secured closed state. In other words, the clamping unit may be used for transferring or bringing the clamp from a closed into a secured closed state. In the secured closed state, the clamp with the first component is secured to the second component. However, the first component is rotatable to the second component, i.e. rotatable relative to the second component, about the second longitudinal axis of the second component.

[0021] The closed state and the secured closed state may differ in that in the closed state not holding the clamp closed may simply transfer the clamp back into the open state, wherein in the secured closed state additional action is required to transfer the clamp back into the open state. Such additional action may for example require movement, for example pivoting, of the clamping unit to allow pivoting the first part of the clamp with respect to the second part of the clamp in order to open the clamp. In a next step, the clamping unit is used for firmly clamping the clamp with the first component to the second component by tightening the first part and the second part together. In other words, the clamping unit may be used for example to apply pressure onto the first part and the second part of the clamp, thereby firmly clamping the first component to the second component. Firmly clamping may also mean that relative rotation between the first component and the second component may no longer be possible. For example, rotation of the first component as mentioned with respect to the pre-fixing of the first component in the first clamping portion may no longer be possible, when the first component is firmly clamped to the second component. Further, tightening the first part and the second part may be done gradually, i.e. incrementally, or suddenly, e.g. all at once. For example, the clamping unit may require the user to tighten the first part and the second part together by one movement or by several movements. In one aspect, tightening the first part and the second part may be used by using a tool.

[0022] In short, the method therefore comprises the following steps: pre-fixing of the first component in the first clamping portion of the first part of the clamp, relative orientation of the pre-fixed first component to the second component, closing the clamp thereby catching the first component and the second component, securing the closed clamp and tightening the securely closed clamp.

[0023] Each of these steps can be preferably carried out with just one hand. At the very least, however, all the steps that follow pre-fixing, which could be carried out in advance and does not have to be done at the installation site, can be carried out with one hand. In this regard, a user never has to hold more than one loose component during installation of a first component to a second component, for example during installation of a heated sensor arrangement to an evaporator tube. For example, at the beginning the user may only hold the clamp with the pre-fixed first component. The user may then align the clamp and first component relative to the second component. Then, for example, the user may pivot the second part of the clamp with respect to the first part of the clamp using the index finger so that the clamp is closed. By moving the clamping unit, for example with the thumb, the clamp may then be transferred to the secured closed state. In this state, the user may release, i.e. no longer hold, the clamp without the clamp with the first component falling off a second component, especially a horizontally positioned second component. The user may therefore take a break or pick up tools in order to tighten the first part and the second part, for example. The user may also change grip and tighten the clamp further by hand, for example.

[0024] The method may thus allow for an easy attachment of a first component at least partially cylindrical to a second component at least partially cylindrical. As several tests have shown, only one hand is required for clamping the first component to the second component. In addition, a connection provided between the first component and the second component is secure and reliable and can be easily released in the event of defects or maintenance. In addition, an incremental tightening of the clamp may be helpful to not apply to much pressure onto for example the heated sensor arrangement. Further, the method for clamping may allow the first component to be released, replaced or serviced without having to dismantle, disassemble or damage the second component. The first component is also not damaged by removing the first component from the second component.

[0025] In one embodiment, for pre-fixing the first component in the first clamping portion of the clamp, the first component may be engaged in, for example snapped in, the first clamping portion. In addition, the first component may be held in the first clamping portion by positive locking. In other words, the first clamping portion of the clamp may provide a form fit for a corresponding first component to be prefixed in the first clamping portion. In one aspect, the first clamping portion may for example comprise a C-shape so that pressure is applied onto the first component in order to overcome a narrow point in the area of the C-shaped clamping portion. The described form fit, i.e. the positive locking, may be seen as in contrast to a force fit or material bonding, also known as firmly bonding or adhesive bonding. In other words, the form fit between the first clamping portion and the first component may be achieved by the form of the first component and the first clamping portion alone and not by an additional force or a connection of materials. This offers the advantage that the pre-fixing can be carried out easily and can be released again without damaging the first component or the clamp, for example. Further, no additional steps are required. For example, no additional screwing or the like as required for example for a force fit is needed. In summary, the form fit optimizes the method for one-handed use.

[0026] According to a further embodiment, for relative arrangement of the clamp with the first component to the second component, the second longitudinal axis of the second component may be aligned in parallel with the first longitudinal axis of the first component. Alternatively, the second longitudinal axis of the second component may be aligned orthogonally with respect to the first longitudinal axis of the first component. In this regard, the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis may be first and second central longitudinal axes. When the first component is a heated sensor arrangement and the second component is an evaporator tube, for evaporator tubes comprising a larger diameter, the orthogonal alignment may be advantageous. However, with evaporator tubes comprising smaller diameters, alignment in parallel may be more space-saving. This can be particularly advantageous with a heated sensor arrangement that comprises a greater length than width and with evaporators providing for small installation spaces.

[0027] In a further embodiment, the supporting section may comprise at least one receiving section. In one aspect, the supporting section may for example comprise at least three receiving sections, wherein each receiving section is configured to contact second cylindrical sections of at least more than one, preferably three, different diameters. In one aspect, the supporting section may for example comprise three different receiving section for three different evaporator tube diameters. In a further aspect, the receiving sections may be arranged evenly, i.e. regularly, around a circumferential direction about the first longitudinal axis. In other words, respective center positions of the receiving sections along the circumferential direction may be arranged equidistantly along the circumferential direction. Furthermore, considering a supporting section with three receiving sections, a first axis running through a first center position of a first receiving section and the first longitudinal axis and a second axis running through a second center position of an adjacent receiving section and the first longitudinal axis may form an angle of 120°.

[0028] Further, the receiving section may be formed such that an outer surface of the evaporator tube may be received in the receiving section in such a way that the receiving section partially contacts the outer surface in the circumferential direction of the evaporator tube. The receiving section may therefore have a semicircular shape when viewed in cross-section, which is adapted to a specific evaporator tube diameter. The receiving section may therefore enable surface contact between the supporting section and the evaporator tube.

[0029] Before relative arrangement of the clamp with the first component to the second component, the pre-fixed first component may be brought into an orientation in which the receiving section of the supporting section may be configured to receive the second cylindrical section of the second component. In other words, the first component and more precisely the receiving section of the supporting section of the first component may be brought into contact with the second component. In this regard, for example the lateral second outer surface of the second component, for example the lateral outer surface of the evaporator tube is brought into contact with the receiving section, for example the receiving section of the heated sensor arrangement. The receiving section may thus be a part or portion of the first component which is in contact with the second component when being clamped. Still, and as aforementioned, the receiving section may be offset along the first longitudinal axis with respect to the first cylindrical section of the first component.

[0030] The receiving section may further provide a preferred point or area of contact between the first component and the second component, for example, as the receiving section may be formed according to a shape of the second component. In one aspect, the first component may also comprise more than one receiving section. Further, the pre-fixed first component may be brought into an orientation in which the receiving section is configured to receive the second cylindrical section by rotating the first component, i.e. the pre-fixed first component, about the first longitudinal axis relative to the first clamping portion. Hence, the first component, although being pre-fixed, may still be allowed to rotate. In one aspect, the first component may for example be rotated so that the receiving section which is to come into contact with the second cylindrical section of the second component may at least partially point in the same direction as a point of the first clamping portion that is located furthest from the second clamping portion in the closed state of the clamp. In one aspect, the first component and the clamp may be rotated so that the center position of the receiving section which is brought into orientation and a center position of the first clamping portion may be arranged along an axis which is perpendicularly arranged to a horizontal plane. Orientation of the first component in the pre-fixed state may allow the user to readjust the orientation of the first component before the first component comes into contact with the second component. In particular, if the supporting section has several receiving sections, the most suitable receiving section may be rotated into the corresponding position without having to take this aspect into account during prefixing. In one aspect, the second fixation means provided to prevent relative rotation of a pre-fixed first component may be arranged at the center position of the first clamping portion. In one aspect, a recess or a groove may be arranged at the center position. In this regard, the first component and the clamp may be brought in relative orientation with respect each other to before the first component is prefixed in the first clamping portion.

[0031] According to a further embodiment, for bringing the clamp in the secured closed state a threaded rod of the clamping unit which may be coupled to the first part may be pivoted about a rotational axis from a first position, in which clamping of the first part and the second part may not be possible, into a second position, in which clamping of the first part and the second part may be possible. The rotational axis may be arranged in parallel to the pivoting axis. Further, the rotational axis may be arranged in parallel to the first longitudinal axis of the first component, when the first component is pre-fixed to the first part of the clamp. Hence, mere pivoting of the clamping unit and more precisely of the threaded rod may be sufficient to bring the clamp in the secured closed state. Furthermore, a clamping element attached to the threaded rod may be rotated with respect to the threaded rod or together with the threaded rod. In other words, the clamping element may either be configured to rotated relatively to the threaded rod or may force the threaded rod to rotate when the clamping element is rotated. In the second case, also rotating the treaded rod may therefore rotate the clamping element. Depending on how much the clamping element is rotated, the clamp may either be partially or firmly clamped. Further rotation of the clamping element may firmly clamp the clamp with the first component to the second component. "Further rotation" may thus mean that not rotation of the clamping element does not tighten the first part and the second part together and only slight rotation of the clamping element may tighten the first part just a little to the second part. However, additional rotation, i.e. further rotation, of the clamping element may tighten the first part and the second part together, i.e. forces the first part and the second part together with greater force, thereby for example firmly clamping the clamp with the first component to the second component. The clamping element may therefore be used to determine the force of the clamp with which the first component and the second component are pressed against each other. If the first component is firmly clamped, further movement of the first component, the second component and the clamp relative to each other should no longer be possible.

[0032] In a further embodiment, when the clamp with the first component may be firmly clamped to the second component and the first longitudinal axis of the first component may be arranged perpendicular to the direction of gravity, the first component may be oriented relative to the second component so that an axis which intersects the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis perpendicularly, forms an angle of between 25° and 35° with the direction of gravity. This state may be called oriented state. In other words, the first component may for example not be arranged below the second component in the direction of gravity when being in the oriented state. In yet other words, the clamp may first be brought in the oriented state and then may be firmly clamped. Preferably the angle between the axis which intersects the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis perpendicularly and the direction of gravity is 30°. The arrangement of the first component relative to the second component in the aforementioned angular range or angular positions is particularly suitable if the first component is a heated sensor arrangement which is configured to perform a temperature measurement, for example a temperature measurement on an evaporator tube. In other words, measurement of a temperature in the aforementioned angular range may provide best possible information about a share of liquid in a fluid flow, for example in an evaporator tube.

[0033] In one embodiment, the clamp may comprise an alignment indicator. An alignment indicator may for example be an arrow provided on the first part and / or the second part of the clamp. Instructions for the clamp may instruct the user to align the arrow parallel to the direction of gravity or in such a way that the arrow points vertically upwards. However, the alignment indicator may also be a bubble level, as for example used in a tubular spirit level, or another type of alignment indicator, such as an LED, which detects the orientation based on sensors, for example. For relative orientation of the first component relative to the second component with respect to the direction of gravity, the alignment indicator of the clamp may be brought into a desired orientation. As aforementioned, the alignment indicator may for example be brought in parallel to the direction of gravity. In this regard, the alignment indicator may be oriented by rotating the partially clamped clamp, i.e. not the firmly clamped clamp, about the second longitudinal axis of the second component. As soon as the desired orientation is reached, further rotation of the clamping element may firmly clamp the clamp so that no further rotation is allowed. The alignment indicator may thus support to reach a preferred orientation of the first component with respect to the second component without requiring for example additional tools or the like. In addition, and as aforementioned, the preferred orientation may be reached while being in the secured closed state.

[0034] According to one aspect, the method can include fixing an insert to the second part for adapting an effective accommodation size and / or shape for the second component. The insert may form part of the second clamping portion when it is fixed to the second part. By this, the second part (and especially the second clamping portion) can be adapted to the size and / or shape of the second component.

[0035] According to a further aspect of the invention, the object may be solved by a clamp for clamping a heated sensor arrangement as a first component to an evaporator tube of an evaporator of a refrigerant circuit as a second component. The aspects of the clamp described above in relation to the object being solved by a method, in particular the device features described above, may also be features of the clamp which may be considered when the object is solved by the clamp. In other words, all aforementioned features and aspects should not be neglected in the following.

[0036] The clamp may comprise a first part with a first clamping portion and a second part with a second clamping portion. The clamping portions may, for example, be recesses or cutouts in the respective first part or second part of the clamp, which may be configured to accommodate or receive the corresponding first component and second component. Further, the first part and the second part may be pivotable about a pivoting axis relative to each other in order to transfer the clamp from an open state to a closed state.

[0037] Furthermore, in the closed state the first clamping portion of the first part and the second clamping portion of the second part together provide a through opening for receiving a first component and a second component to be clamped. In addition, the clamp may comprise a clamping unit configured to bring the clamp from the closed state in a secured closed state preventing unintentional transition to the open state. At least in the secured closed state the clamp may at least partially surround, enclose or embrace the first component and the second component.

[0038] Further, and as already mentioned when describing the method for clamping and orientating, in the open state, the first clamping portion of the first part of the clamp may be configured to pre-fix the first component to be clamped with the second component to the first part of the clamp by positive locking, i.e. by a form fit. Consequently, when the clamp with the pre-fixed first component is aligned with the second component to be caught by the clamp, only the clamp needs to be held by the user, but not the pre-fixed first component. Pre-fixing of the first component therefore supports the user and simplifies operation of the clamp, for example. Considering that the second component may be an evaporator tube, which is typically stationary, at least when the evaporator is installed and the heated sensor arrangement is retrofitted, the user only has to move one component, i.e. the clamp with the pre-fixed first component, relative to the second component without having to worry about the first component falling out of the clamp.

[0039] In one embodiment, the first clamping portion of the first part of the clamp may comprise C-shaped cross section. The cross section may be represented by a plane that is perpendicular to the pivoting axis and which may intersect the clamp. A C-shape may mean that an insertion opening between both ends of the C is narrower than an adjacent wider receiving area. For example, protrusions may be provided in order to form said insertion opening. Consequently, greater force may be required to overcome this narrower insertion opening and enter into the first clamping portion. For example, the first component and in particular the first cylindrical section of the first component can be snapped into the C-shape cross section. Consequently, the form fit or the positive locking may be provided by said C-shape cross section. The use of a C-shape is comparatively easy to manufacture and is particularly suitable for cylindrical components.

[0040] In a further embodiment, the first clamping portion may be configured to pre-fix a first cylindrical section comprising an outer diameter of between 4 mm and 20 mm. In other words, the outer diameter of the first cylindrical section of the first component may be between 4 mm and 20 mm, for example 14.5 mm. The narrower insertion opening may thus be smaller than the outer diameter of the first cylindrical section. For a first cylindrical section of for example 14.5 mm, the insertion opening may for example comprise a maximum width of between 13.8 mm and 14 mm, preferably of 13.9 mm.

[0041] According to a further aspect of the invention, the clamping unit may comprise a threaded rod being coupled to the first part and pivotable thereto about a rotational axis. As aforementioned the rotational axis may be arranged parallel to the pivoting axis and / or the first longitudinal axis, when the first component is prefixed to the first part. Further, the clamping unit may comprise a clamping element which may be attached to the threaded rod and rotatable with respect to the threaded rod. For example, rotation of the clamping element may axially move the clamping element along the threaded rod. However, alternatively, the clamping element may also be rotatable together with the threaded rod. In other words, when the clamping element may be rotated, the threaded rod may also rotate. In this regard, the clamping element may be rotationally constrained to the threaded rod. In this case, the threaded rod which may be coupled to the first part by a dowel nut may for example be arranged in a through hole of the dowel nut comprising a thread. Consequently, rotation of the threaded rod together with the clamping element may axially move the threaded rod in the dowel nut. In one aspect, the clamping element may be received in a slot when pivoted in the secured closed position. Further, the clamping unit may be configured to pull the first part and the second part of the clamp together, i.e. either by rotating the clamping element with respect to the threaded rod or together with the threaded rod, and therefore by rotating the clamping element when the clamp is in the secured closed state. A pivoting path of the threaded rod and a path of the threaded rod and / or the clamping element may be predefined paths. In other words, movements the threaded rod and / or the clamping element are allowed to perform may be predefined and constrained. As a result, when the user pushes the threaded rod to pivot it, the threaded rod moves in a predefined and constrained path. Further, when the user rotates the clamping element, movement of the clamping element relative to the threaded rod or together with the threaded rod is predefined. Hence, the user is not forced to perform complicated movement patterns when moving the threaded rod and / or the clamping element, making handling of the clamp easier.

[0042] In a further aspect, the first part of the clamp may comprise a dowel nut rotatable about the rotational axis. The rotational axis may be arranged in parallel to the pivoting axis. The threaded rod may be coupled to the dowel nut. In other words, the threaded rod may be coupled to the first part of the clamp by the dowel nut. A third longitudinal axis of the threaded rod and the rotational axis together may form a right angle. In other words, the third longitudinal axis of the threaded rod may be perpendicularly arranged with respect to the rotational axis. Further, even when the threaded rod is pivoted about the rotational axis, the third longitudinal axis may remain perpendicularly with respect to the rotational axis. In other words, the threaded rod may therefore be pivoted about the rotational axis. When the clamping element is rotated, for example about the third longitudinal axis of the threaded rod, the clamping element may move along the third longitudinal axis and thus along the threaded rod. The clamping unit may thus be used to tighten the first part and the second part together.

[0043] Furthermore, according to another embodiment, the clamp may comprise an alignment indicator indicating a desired orientation of the clamp and thus a relative orientation of the first clamping portion of the first part and the second clamping portion of the second part relative to the desired orientation. As aforementioned, the desired orientation may allow that when a first component and a second component are to be clamped, an axis which intersects the first longitudinal axis of the first component and the second longitudinal axis of the second component perpendicularly, may form an angle of between 25° and 35°, preferably and angle of 30°, with the direction of gravity.

[0044] In addition or alternatively, in one embodiment the first part and the second part of the clamp may be made of a polymer material which comprises a heat conductivity of less than 1 W / (m*K). If a heated sensor arrangement is used as the first component, which may be heated up to 90 °C, for example, and an evaporator tube is used as the second component, the materials of the clamp used, which are in contact with the first component and the second component, may result in only a low heat flow between the first part and the second part and the first and second components. The use of the clamp to attach the heated sensor arrangement to the evaporator tube therefore only has a minor, negligible and insignificant effect on the measurement provided by the heated sensor arrangement.

[0045] Further, the material of the first part and the second part of the clamp may be thermally stable between temperatures of -50 °C, i.e. 223.15 K, and +120 °C, i.e. 393.15 K. Consequently, the clamp may be perfectly configured for use with an evaporator. According to one aspect, the material of the first part and the second part may for example be Polyamide 12 or Nylon PA12. According to one aspect, the first part and the second part may be manufactured by 3D printing. In this regard, in one aspect, the material used for 3D printing may be Nylon 12 powder. The fact that the first part and the second part may be printed using a 3D printing process allows the components to be produced comparatively cost-efficiently.

[0046] In one embodiment, the clamp includes an insert for reducing an effective accommodation size (e.g. an effective accommodation radius) and / or shape of the second clamping portion. The insert may be fixable to the clamp, for example to the second part. Especially, the insert may be detachably fixable to the clamp. The insert may form part of the second clamping portion when it is fixed to the clamp.

[0047] Further, the clamp may include different inserts for reducing the effective accommodation size of the second clamping portion to different sizes and / or shapes, e.g. to different effective accommodation radii. This increases the versality of the clamp to be used with second components of different sizes.

[0048] Further, according to another aspect of the invention, the object may be solved by an arrangement of a heated sensor arrangement, as a first component, clamped to an evaporator tube, as a second component, of an evaporator of a refrigerant circuit by a clamp according to any of the aforementioned aspects. In this regard, the heated sensor arrangement may be connected to a control unit. The control unit may then be configured to control operation of the refrigerant based on sensor signals of the heated sensor arrangement and for example an additional temperature sensor. Hence, all aforementioned aspects described with respect to the first component, the second component and the clamp may likewise apply for the arrangement.

[0049] Additional features, advantages and possible applications of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments and the drawings. All the features described and / or illustrated graphically here form the subject matter of the invention, either alone or in any desired combination, regardless of how they are combined in the claims or in their references back to preceding claims.

[0050] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0051] Fig. 1 A shows a front view of a first exemplary clamp in an open state;

[0052] Fig. 1 B shows a front view of the clamp shown in Fig. 1 A in a secured closed state;

[0053] Fig. 2A shows a front view of the clamp shown in Fig. 1 A, wherein a heated sensor component as a first component is pre-fixed to a first part of the clamp and relatively arranged with respect to an evaporator tube;

[0054] Fig. 2B shows a front view of the clamp shown in Fig. 2A in a secured closed state;

[0055] Fig. 2C shows a perspective rear view of the clamp shown in Fig. 2B;

[0056] Fig. 2D shows a perspective front view of the clamp shown in Fig. 2B; Fig. 2E shows a side view of the clamp shown in Fig. 2B;

[0057] Fig. 2F shows a sectional side view of Fig. 2B along line A-A;

[0058] Fig. 3A shows a rear view of a clamp firmly clamping a first component to a second component in an oriented state;

[0059] Fig. 3B shows a front view of the example shown in Fig. 3A;

[0060] Fig. 4A shows a perspective front view of a second exemplary clamp in a secured closed state;

[0061] Fig. 4B shows a side view of the clamp shown in Fig. 4A;

[0062] Fig. 4C shows a sectional view along line B-B depicted in Fig. 4B;

[0063] Fig. 5A shows an exemplary third housing portion of a first component providing an exemplary first cylindrical section of a first component to be used with the clamp shown in Fig. 4A;

[0064] Fig. 5B shows a front view of the third housing portion depicted in Fig. 5A;

[0065] Fig. 5C shows a sectional view along line C-C depicted in Fig. 5A;

[0066] Fig. 6A shows a perspective view of a third exemplary clamp in an open state;

[0067] Fig. 6B shows another perspective view of the clamp of Fig. 6A in the open state; Fig. 6C shows a front view of the clamp of Fig. 6A in the open state;

[0068] Fig. 7A shows an additional insert of the clamp of Figs. 6A to 6C in a perspective view;

[0069] Fig. 7B shows a front view of the insert of Fig. 7A;

[0070] Fig. 8A shows a perspective view of the clamp of Figs. 6A to 6C with the insert of Figs. 7A and 7B being mounted in a second clamping portion;

[0071] Fig. 8B shows another perspective view of the clamp of Figs. 6A to 6C with the insert of Figs. 7A and 7B; and

[0072] Fig. 8C shows a front view of the clamp of Figs. 6A to 6C with the insert of Figs. 7A and 7B. ln the Figures, identical elements and components as well as identical elements and components in different examples or embodiments, i.e. elements and components acting identical or provided for the same purposes but belong to different examples, are provided with the same reference signs.

[0073] Figure 1 A shows a front view of a first exemplary embodiment of a clamp 1 comprising a first part 2 with a first clamping portion 3 and a second part 4 with a second clamping portion 5. The clamp 1 shown in Fig. 1 A is in an open state configured to receive a first component 100, especially a first cylindrical section 101 of the first component 100. In this regard, the first part 2, which is pivotable about a pivoting axis P, for example indicated in Fig. 2D, may be pivoted in order to bring the clamp 1 in a closed state. In other words, the first part 2 and the second part 4 are pivotable about a pivoting axis P relative to each other in order to transfer the clamp 1 from an open state in a closed state.

[0074] In the closed state, the first clamping portion 3 and the second clamping portion 5 together provide for a through opening 6. In other words, in the closed state the first clamping portion 3 and the second clamping portion 5 together provide the through opening 6 for receiving the first cylindrical section of the first component 100 and a second cylindrical section 201 of a second component 200 to be clamped.

[0075] Further, the clamp 1 comprises a clamping unit 7. The clamping unit 7 is pivotable with respect to a rotational axis R, also indicated in Fig. 2D, and may be pivoted about the rotational axis R in order to bring the clamp 1 from the closed state in a secured closed state as shown in Fig. 1 B. The clamping unit 7 comprises a threaded rod 8 and a clamping element 9 attached to the threaded rod 8. The threaded rod 8 is coupled to the first part 2 by a dowel nut 10. The dowel nut 10 may rotate about the rotational axis R when the threaded rod 8 is pivoted to bring the clamp 1 from the closed state in the secured closed state. In other words, the clamp 1 comprises the clamping unit 7 configured to bring the clamp 1 from the closed state in the secured closed state, as for example shown in Fig. 1 B, preventing unintentional transition to the open state. In the secured closed state, the clamping element 9 shown here is partially received in a slot 11 .

[0076] When the clamp 1 is used with a first component 100 such as a heated sensor arrangement and a second component 200 such as an evaporator tube as shown in Figs. 2A to 3B, the first cylindrical section 101 of the heated sensor arrangement may be pre-fixed in the first clamping portion 3 of the first part 2 of the clamp 1 while the clamp 1 is in the open state. In this regard, the first cylindrical section 101 is engaged, for example, snapped, in the C-shaped first clamping portion 3. In this regard, an insertion opening is formed by two ends of the C- shape, i.e. by protrusions 12 The insertion opening is therefore narrower than an adjacent receiving area below the insertion opening. Hence, the first component 100 may not simply be moved into the first clamping portion 3 but a force may need to be applied to overcome the narrower insertion opening and to enter into the first clamping portion 3. In other words, a force may need to be applied for the first cylindrical section 101 to be snapped in the first clamping portion 3 of the first part 2 of the clamp 1 .

[0077] Once the first component 100 to be clamped with the second component 200 is pre-fixed in the first clamping portion 3 as for example shown in Fig. 2A, the first component 100 is pre-fixed by positive locking, i.e. form fit. The first component 100 may thus still be configured to rotate about its first longitudinal axis X relative to the first clamping portion 3 but will not fall out the first clamping portion 100, for example when the clamp 1 with the first component 100 as shown in Fig. 2A is turned upside down.

[0078] Hence, before relative arrangement of the clamp 1 with the first component 100 to the second component 200 as shown in Fig. 2A, the first component 100 comprising a supporting section 102 having three receiving sections 103 may be brought in orientation. This may mean, that a first component 100 is rotated about the first longitudinal axis X relative to the first clamping portion 3 in order to orient the receiving section 103 of the supporting section 102 which may best suite an outer diameter of the second cylindrical section 201 of the second component 200 to come into contact when the second component 200 is caught by the clamp 1 . In order to orient the receiving section 103, a center position 103A of the receiving section 103 which is brought into orientation and a center position 3A of the first clamping portion 3 may be brought into orientation so that an axis which is perpendicularly arranged to a horizontal plane may run through both center positions 3A and 103A. Rotation of the first component 100 in the pre-fixed state, i.e. when being pre-fixed, may allow the user to readjust the orientation of the first component 100 before the first component 100 comes into contact with the second component 200.

[0079] In an alternative embodiment of a clamp 1 shown in Figs. 4A to 4B, the clamp 1 and more precisely the first clamping portion 3 of the first part 2 of the clamp 1 comprises second fixation means 3B. Here, the second fixation means 3B are provided by a recess or groove. Further, the second fixation means 3B are arranged at the center position 3A of the first clamping portion 3. The second fixation means 3B may thus be used to prevent rotation of a pre-fixed first component 100 relative to the first clamping portion 3 of the first part 2 of the clamp 1. In this regard, the first component 100 may thus be oriented with respect to the first clamping portion 3 before being pre-fixed. A corresponding first component 100 is described with respect to Figs. 5A to 5C below.

[0080] Afterwards, when the first component 100 is pre-fixed and oriented (before being pre-fixed or when being pre-fixed), the clamp 1 with the first component 100 may be aligned to the second component 200. In this regard, a second longitudinal axis Y of the second component 200 may be aligned with the first longitudinal axis X of the first component 100, for example in parallel as shown in Fig. 2A. The clamp 1 may then be closed such that the second component 200 is caught between the first part 2 and the second part 4 of the clamp 1 . Further, pivoting the clamping unit 7 transfers the clamp 1 into the secured closed state as shown in Fig. 2B. In the secured closed state, rotation of the clamping element 9 may rotate the clamping element 9 relative to the threaded rod 8 and may thereby move the clamping element 9 along the threaded rod 8 or may rotate the clamping element 9 together with the threaded rod 8 so that the first part 2 and the second part 4 are tightened together. To fully install the first component 100 to the second component 200, the clamping element 9 may be rotated until the first component 100 is firmly clamped to the second component 200.

[0081] The clamping element 9 may be rotated by hand with or without using a tool. In this regard, for example a hexagon bit or an Allen key may be inserted into a recess 13 of the clamping element 9, which may be a hexagonal recess, to rotate the clamping element 9. At first, the clamping element 9 may only be slightly rotated so that the first component 100 and the second component 200 are only partially clamped and the first part 2 and the second part 4 of the clamp 1 are only partially tightened together. Further rotation of the clamping element 9 may then firmly clamp the clamp 1 with the first component 100 to the second component 200.

[0082] However, before firmly clamping the clamp 1 with the first component 100 to the second component 200, an alignment indicator 14, here an arrow, may be used to bring the clamp 1 in an oriented state. An oriented state is for example shown in Figures 3A and 3B. In this state, the alignment indicators 14 are pointing vertically upwards and may for example be arranged in parallel to the direction of gravity. Still the direction of gravity may point downwards. The direction of gravity is indicated in Figs. 3A and 3B by arrows on the right-hand side next to the clamp 1 pointing downwards. In this regard, when the clamp 1 is in the secured closed state, in which the clamp 1 with the first component 100 is secured to the second component 200, the clamp 1 may be rotated about the second longitudinal axis Y of the second component 200 to bring the clamp 1 with the first component 100 and the second component 200 in the oriented state, i.e. to align the alignment indicators 14 in parallel to the direction of gravity.

[0083] In this oriented state, the clamp 1 with the first component 100 may then be firmly clamped. In the oriented state as shown in Fis. 3A and 3B, the first longitudinal axis X of the first component 100 is arranged perpendicular to the direction of gravity. Hence, the first component 100 is oriented relative to the second component 200 so that a (tilting) axis T, intersecting the first longitudinal axis X and the second longitudinal axis Y perpendicularly, forms an angle a of between 25° and 35° with the direction of gravity (indicated by an arrow in Figs. 3A and 3B). In Figs. 3A and 3B this angle a may be 30°.

[0084] The heated sensor arrangement 100 as a first component installed to an evaporator tube 200 as a second component as shown in Figs. 2A to 3B by clamp 1 comprises in addition to the first cylindrical section 101 , the supporting section 102 and the receiving section 103 a heating element 104 and a temperature sensor 105. In Fig. 2D the temperature sensor 105 is shown in an insert 106. The heating element 105 and the insert 106 are arranged with respect to the first longitudinal axis X inside a first housing portion 107 of the heated sensor arrangement 100. In this regard, the heating element 100, which comprises a substantially cylindrical form, may be inserted into the first housing portion 107 by moving the heating element 100 along the first longitudinal axis X into the first housing portion 107. In addition, the insert 106 comprising the temperature 105, for example arranged in a recess, may be inserted into the first housing portion 107 by moving the insert 106 along the first longitudinal axis X.

[0085] The heating element 104 may be configured to provide heat, when electric power is supplied to the heating element 104 via cable 108. For example, the heating element 104 may heat up to 90 °C when being used with an evaporator tube 200 in which a refrigerant, for example ammonia, having a temperature of for example -20°C flows. The heat generated by the heating element 104 may then be transferred to the first housing portion 107, so that the first housing portion 107 heats up. The first housing portion 107 may preferably be made of a material, for example steel, which has a lower heat conductivity than a tubular second housing portion 109 at least partially covering the first housing portion 107. The second housing portion 109 may preferably be made of aluminum.

[0086] The heat may further be transferred from the second housing portion 109 via the supporting section 102, and more precisely the receiving section 103 in contact with the evaporator tube 200. A third housing portion 110, providing the first cylindrical section 101 of the first component 100 being in contact with the clamp 1 and partially covering the second housing portion 109, may comprise a lower heat conductivity than the first housing portion 107 and the second housing portion 109, for example 1 W / (m*K), thereby preventing excessive heat flow to the clamp 1 . The third housing portion 110 may for example be made of a polymer material.

[0087] An exemplary third housing portion 110 of a first component 100 providing the first cylindrical section 101 is shown in Figs. 5A to 5C. This third housing portion 110 is particularly suitable for use with clamp 1 shown in Figs. 4A to 4C. The first cylindrical section 101 is here provided by an outer lateral surface of the third housing portion 110. The first cylindrical section 101 configured to be received in the first clamping portion 3 comprises first fixation means 111. The first fixation means 111 here are provided by a protrusion extending along the first longitudinal axis X of the first component 100. More precisely, the protrusion may be a flange extending along the lateral first outer surface of the third housing portion 110.

[0088] Further, the third housing portion 110 comprises two auxiliary supporting sections 112 each comprising three auxiliary receiving sections 113. When the second component 200 is brought into contact with the first component 100, the second component 200 may not only be received in the receiving section 103 of the supporting section 102, for example provided by a second housing portion 109, but also in the auxiliary receiving sections 113 provided by the third housing portion 110. In this regard, the third housing portion 110 may comprise orientation means 114 configured to engage for example with corresponding means of the second housing portion 109 in order to prevent relative rotation between the second housing portion 109 and the third housing portion 110. When the orientation means 114 are engaged, the auxiliary receiving sections 113 and the receiving sections 103 may be aligned.

[0089] As can best be seen from Figs. 5B and 5C, the third housing portion 110 comprises three auxiliary receiving sections 113, each of which is preferably used for a different evaporator tube diameter. As can be noted from a number "12" marked on the first cylindrical section 101 , corresponding auxiliary receiving sections 113 arranged with respect to this number are designed for an evaporator tube diameter of 12 mm. In other words, an evaporator tube having a diameter of 12 mm may best be used with corresponding auxiliary receiving sections 113.

[0090] In addition, the third housing portion 110 comprises as many first fixation means 111 as auxiliary receiving sections 113. Consequently, the third housing portion 110 may be pre-fixed in three different orientations, wherein in each of these orientations one of the first fixation means 111 , i.e. one of the protrusions, engages with the second fixation means 3B of the clamp 1 . In other words, the number of protrusions arranged on the first cylindrical section 101 corresponds to a number of auxiliary receiving sections 113, which is identical to the number of receiving sections 103 of the supporting section 102. The first fixation means 111 may thus define predefined rotational positions in which the first component 100 may be pre-fixed in the first clamping portion 3, i.e. in which the first fixation means 111 and the second fixation means 3B are in engagement. When being engaged, relative rotation between the first component 100 about the first longitudinal axis X and the first clamping portion 3 is prevented. Independent of whether the first component 100 is rotationally constrained to the first clamping portion 3 when being pre-fixed or not, the heated sensor arrangement 100 may be used to determine a share of liquid in a flow of refrigerant. In this regard, the heated sensor arrangement 100 may be installed to the evaporator tube 200 by means of the clamp 1 according to the aforementioned aspects. The evaporator tube 200 may be an evaporator tube 200 as part of an evaporator (not shown), which is configured to conduct gas and / or liquid refrigerant depending on the operation of the evaporator. The refrigerant may thus pass through the evaporator tube 200.

[0091] The heated sensor arrangement 100 may be installed to the most loaded evaporator tube 200 and an additional temperature sensor (not shown) may be installed to a further evaporator tube (not shown) of the evaporator. A control unit may collect sensor data from the heated sensor arrangement 100 and the additional temperature sensor. Based on the sensor signals the control unit may calculate a share of liquid in the flow of refrigerant and may adapt operation of the components and elements of a refrigerant circuit such as operation of the evaporator.

[0092] However, in order to allow control of the evaporator using the first component 100, clamp 1 is used which, due to its structure, may be operated with a single hand in order to simply attach or install a pre-fixed first component 100, pre-fixed to the first clamping portion 3 of the clamp 1 , to a second component 200, for example to retrofit the first component 100 to the second component 200.

[0093] In a further embodiment of a clamp 1 shown in Figs. 6A to 6C, the second clamping portion 5 includes ribs 51. The ribs 51 may extend along a longitudinal direction of the second clamping portion 5, respectively. Said longitudinal direction of the second clamping portion 5 may be parallel to the axis of rotation R and / or parallel to the pivoting axis P. The clamp 1 can be configured such that second longitudinal axis Y is parallel to said longitudinal direction of the second clamping portion 5 when the second component 200 is mounted. In general, the second clamping portion 5 can include various numbers of ribs 51. According to one aspect, the second clamping portion 5 includes at least two ribs 51 , maybe at least three ribs 51. In this exemplary embodiment, there are three ribs 51.

[0094] The ribs 51 allow particularly controlled and precise alignment of the second component 200 in the second clamping portion 5.

[0095] Further, a contact area between the second component 200 and the clamp 1 is reduced. This can be beneficial if the refrigerant flowing through the second component is of particularly low temperature or is of particularly high temperature. The heat transfer from the second component 200 to the clamp 1 is decreased.

[0096] Furthermore, the additional ribs 51 may facilitate fixing the second component 200 against rotation relative to the clamp 1 when the second component 200 is mounted in the clamp 1 and the clamp 1 is in the secured closed state.

[0097] Alternatively or in addition, the clamp 1 can include engagement means 52 for fixing an insert 500 of the clamp 1 for the second clamping portion 5. Just as an example, the shown engagement means 52 of the clamp 1 include a recess for (at least partially) receiving corresponding engagement means 502 of the insert 500 and / or contact surface / edges for snap features of the engagement means 502 of the insert 500.

[0098] An exemplary embodiment of such an insert 500 is shown in Figs. 7A and 7B. The insert can be of the same material than the second part 4 or of a material different from the second part 4. The insert 500 includes a main insert body 501 and the engagement means 502 that are configured to engage with the engagement means 52 of the clamp 1 for securing the insert 500 to the clamp 1 , in particular to the second part 4 of the clamp 1. Especially, the insert 500 can be configured to form part of the second clamping portion 5 as shown in Figs. 8A to 8C.

[0099] In other words, the engagement means 502 of the insert 500 and the engagement means 52 of the clamp 1 are configured to engage with each other for securing the insert 500 to the clamp 1 , especially to the second part 4 of the clamp 1 .

[0100] In this exemplary embodiment, the engagement means 502 of the insert 500 include two snap arms 503A and 503B. The snap arms 503A, 503B can engage with the corresponding engagement means 52 of the second part 4. This can be best seen in Fig. 8A.

[0101] The main insert body 501 includes a first side surface (an outer circumferential surface) 504 for facing the second part 4. The first side surface 504 can include grooves 505 for accommodating the ribs 51 of the second part 4 when the insert 500 is mounted to the clamp 1. The resulting engagement between the ribs 51 and the corresponding grooves 505 secures the insert 500 additionally against rotation relative to the second part 4.

[0102] The main insert body 501 further includes a second side surface (an inner circumferential surface) 506 for facing the second component 200. The second side surface 506 can include ribs 507, e.g. at least two ribs 507, may be at least three ribs 507. The advantages described above (with regard to the ribs 51 ) apply accordingly when the second component 200 is clamped via the insert 500.

[0103] A shape of the first side surface 504 may be (at least partially) geometrically adapted to a side of the second part 4 at the second clamping portion 5. The first side surface 504 might (at least partially) extend along a circumferential direction about an imaginary center axis ICA with a first radius RD1 .

[0104] The second side surface 506 might (at least partially) extend the circumferential direction about the imaginary center axis ICA with a second radius RD2. The second radius RD2 is smaller than the first radius RD1 .

[0105] The imaginary center axis ICA may be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the insert 500. The imaginary center axis ICA may coincide with the second longitudinal axis Y of the second component 200 when the second component 200 is mounted in the clamp 1 with the insert 500.

[0106] The side of the second part 4 at the second clamping portion 5 may at least partially extend along the circumferential direction about the imaginary center axis ICA as well when the insert 500 is mounted to the second part 4.

[0107] According to one aspect, a number of the ribs 507 (of the insert 500) can correspond to a number of the grooves 505 (of the insert 500). Especially, the number of the ribs 507 of the insert 500 can be the same as a number of the ribs 51 of the second part 4. Further, the grooves 505 and the ribs 507 can be provided as "radial pairs", respectively. For each of these pairs, the groove 505 and the rib 507 are arranged a long a same imaginary radial line with respect to the imaginary center axis ICA. The groove 505 is arranged at the same angular position as the corresponding rib 507 but with a larger radial distance with respect to the imaginary center axis ICA.

[0108] The insert 500 is configured to adapt the second clamping portion 5 to the second component 200 with reduced diameter. The insert 500 may reduce an effective accommodation size, in this example in more detail an effective accommodation radius of the second clamping portion 5. With the insert 500, the effective accommodation radius can be adapted.

[0109] The clamp 1 can include different sizes of inserts 500. Different inserts 500 may be used for clamping different embodiments of the second component 200. The different inserts 500 may have different effective accommodation radii. For example, if the second component 200 is of particularly small diameter, an insert 500 with particularly small second radius RD2 may be used. If the second compo- nent200 is of particularly large diameter, no insert 500 may be used (such that the second part 4 without any insert 500 determines the effective accommodation size / radius). If the second component 200 is of medium diameter, an insert 500 with medium second radius RD2 can be used.

[0110] Especially, the imaginary center axes ICA of different inserts 500 may be in the same position with regard to the second part 4 when the individual inserts 500 are mounted in the second part 4, respectively. This ensures a uniform "centered" position of the second component 200 in the clamp 1 (in the secured closed state) even for second components 200 of different radii with corresponding inserts 500 of different second radii RD2.

[0111] The effective accommodation radius of the second part 4 (without the insert 500) may correspond to the second radius RD2, optionally minus a radial length of the ribs 51. The effective accommodation radius with the insert 500 may correspond to the second radius RD2, optionally minus a radial length of the ribs 507.

[0112] In this embodiment, a longitudinal end face of the main insert body 501 includes an indication 508. The indication 508 can show a type of the insert 500, suitable diameters of the second component 200 for which the insert 500 is suitable, and / or the like. The longitudinal end face of the main insert body 501 is an end face of the main insert body 501 along a longitudinal direction of the insert 500. The longitudinal direction of the insert 500 may correspond to the longitudinal direction of the second clamping portion 5 when the insert 500 is mounted.

[0113] Figs. 8A to 8C the clamp 1 with the insert 500 being mounted to the second part 4. When mounted to the second part 4, the insert 500 may be considered forming part of the second clamping portion 5.

[0114] List of reference signs

[0115] 1 clamp

[0116] 2 first part

[0117] 3 first clamping portion

[0118] 3A center position (of the first clamping portion)

[0119] 3B second fixation means

[0120] 4 second part

[0121] 5 second clamping portion

[0122] 6 through opening

[0123] 7 clamping unit

[0124] 8 threaded rod

[0125] 9 clamping element

[0126] 10 dowel nut

[0127] 11 slot

[0128] 12 protrusion

[0129] 13 recess

[0130] 14 alignment indicator

[0131] 51 rib

[0132] 52 engagement means

[0133] 100 first component (heated sensor arrangement)

[0134] 101 first cylindrical section

[0135] 102 supporting section

[0136] 103 receiving section

[0137] 103A center position (of a receiving section)

[0138] 104 heating element

[0139] 105 temperature sensor

[0140] 106 insert

[0141] 107 first housing portion

[0142] 108 cable 109 second housing portion

[0143] 110 third housing portion

[0144] 111 first fixation means

[0145] 112 auxiliary supporting section

[0146] 113 auxiliary receiving section

[0147] 114 orientation means

[0148] 200 second component (evaporator tube)

[0149] 201 second cylindrical section

[0150] 500 insert

[0151] 501 main insert body

[0152] 502 engagement means

[0153] 503A, 503B snap arm

[0154] 504 first side surface

[0155] 505 groove

[0156] 506 second side surface

[0157] 507 rib

[0158] 508 indication a angle

[0159] T axis

[0160] X first longitudinal axis

[0161] Y second longitudinal axis

[0162] Z third longitudinal axis

[0163] P pivoting axis

[0164] R rotational axis

[0165] ICA imaginary center axis

[0166] RD1 first radius

[0167] RD2 second radius

Claims

Claims1 . Method for clamping and relative orientating a first component (100), which is at least partially cylindrical, for example a heated sensor arrangement, to a second component (200), which is at least partially cylindrical, for example a tube such as an evaporator tube of an evaporator of a refrigerant circuit, and wherein the method comprises at least the following steps:- Pre-fixing a first cylindrical section (101 ) of the first component (100), the first component (100) comprising a supporting section (102) and the first cylindrical section (101 ), in a first clamping portion (3) of a first part (2) of a clamp (1 ) when the clamp (1 ) is in an open state so that the first component (100) is held in the first clamping portion (3), wherein the first clamping portion (3) holds the first component (100),- Relative arrangement of the clamp (1 ) with the first component (100) to the second component (200) so that the second component (200) abuts against the supporting section (102) with a second cylindrical section (201 ),- Pivoting the first part (2) and a second part (4) of the clamp (1 ) relative to each other about a pivoting axis (P) in order to transfer the clamp (1 ) from the open state to a closed state such that the second component (200) is caught between the first part (2) and the second part (4),- Using a clamping unit (7) for securing the first component (100) and the second component (200) for bringing the clamp (1 ) in a secured closed state in in which the clamp (1 ) with the first component (100) is secured to the second component (200) but rotatable about a second longitudinal axis (Y) of the second component (200),Using the clamping unit (7) for firmly clamping the clamp (1 ) with the first component (100) to the second component (200) by tightening the first part (2) and the second part (4) together.

2. Method according to claim 1 , characterized in that for pre-fixing the first component (100) in the first clamping portion (3) of the clamp (1 ), the first component (100) is engaged in, for example snapped in, the first clamping portion (3) and held in the first clamping portion (3) by positive locking.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that for relative arrangement of the clamp (1 ) with the first component (100) to the second component (200), the second longitudinal axis (Y) of the second component (200) is aligned in parallel with a first longitudinal axis (X) of the first component (100) or the second longitudinal axis (Y) of the second component (200) is aligned orthogonally with respect to the first longitudinal axis (X) of the first component (100).

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting section (102) comprises at least one receiving section (103), wherein, before relative arrangement of the clamp (1 ) with the first component (100) to the second component (200), the pre-fixed first component (100) is brought into an orientation in which the receiving section (103) of the supporting section (102) is configured to receive the second cylindrical section (201 ) of the second component (200) by rotating the first component (100) about the first longitudinal axis (X) relative to the first clamping portion (3).

5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for bringing the clamp (1 ) in the secured closed state- a threaded rod (8) of the clamping unit (7) which is coupled to the first part (2) is pivoted about a rotational axis (R) from a first position, in which clampingof the first part (2) and the second part (4) is not possible, into a second position, in which clamping of the first part (2) and the second part (4) is possible, and- a clamping element (9) attached to the threaded rod (8) is rotated with respect to the threaded rod (8) or together with the threaded rod (8), and wherein further rotation of the clamping element (9) firmly clamps the clamp (1 ) with the first component (100) to the second component (200).

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the clamp (1 ) with the first component (100) is firmly clamped to the second component (200) and the first longitudinal axis (X) of the first component (100) is arranged perpendicular to the direction of gravity, the first component (100) is oriented relative to the second component (200) so that an axis (T), which intersects the first longitudinal axis (X) and the second longitudinal axis (Y) perpendicularly, forms an angle (a) of between 25° and 35°, preferably an angle (a) of 30°, with the direction of gravity.

7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for relative orientation of the first component (100) relative to the second component (200) with respect to the direction of gravity, an alignment indicator (14) of the clamp (1 ) is brought into a desired orientation, preferably in parallel to the direction of gravity, by rotating the partially clamped clamp (1 ) about the second longitudinal axis (Y) of the second component (200).

8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by fixing an insert (500) to the second part (4) for adapting an effective accommodation size and / or shape for the second component (200).

9. Clamp (1 ) for clamping a heated sensor arrangement as a first component (100) to an evaporator tube of an evaporator of a refrigerant circuit as a second component (200), wherein the clamp (1 ) comprises a first part (2) with a first clamping portion (3) and a second part (4) with a second clamping portion (5), wherein the first part (2) and the second part (4) are pivotable about a pivoting axis (P) relative to each other in order to transfer the clamp (1 ) from an open state in a closed state, wherein in the closed state the first clamping portion (3) and the second clamping portion (5) together provide a through opening (6) for receiving a first component (100) and a second component (200) to be clamped, wherein the clamp (1 ) comprises a clamping unit (7) configured to bring the clamp (1 ) from the closed state in a secured closed state preventing unintentional transition to the open state, characterized in that, in the open state, the first clamping portion (3) of the first part (2) of the clamp (1 ) is configured to pre-fix the first component (100) to be clamped with the second component (200) to the first part (2) of the clamp (1 ) by positive locking.

10. Clamp (1 ) according to claim 9, characterized in that the first clamping portion (3) of the first part (2) of the clamp (1 ) comprises C-shaped cross section.11 . Clamp (1 ) according to any one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the first clamping portion (3) is configured to pre-fix a first cylindrical section (101 ) comprising an outer diameter of between 4 mm and 14 mm.

12. Clamp (1 ) according to any one of claims 9 to 11 , characterized in that the clamping unit (7) comprises a threaded rod (8) being coupled to the first part (2) and pivotable thereto about a rotational axis (R), and a clamping element (9) attached to the threaded rod (8) and rotatable with respect to the threaded rod (8) or together with the threaded rod (8), and wherein the clamping unit (7) is configured to pull the first part (2) and the second part (4) of the clamp (1 ) together by rotating the clamping element (9) when the clamp (1 ) is in the secured closed state.

13. Clamp (1 ) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the first part (2) of the clamp (1 ) comprises a dowel nut (10) rotatable about the rotational axis (R), wherein the rotational axis (R) is arranged in parallel to the pivoting axis (P), and wherein the threaded rod (8) is coupled to the dowel nut (10) so that a third longitudinal axis (Z) of the threaded road (8) and the rotational axis (R) together form a right angle.

14. Clamp (1 ) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the clamp (1 ) comprises an alignment indicator (14) indicating a desired orientation of the clamp (1 ) and thus a relative orientation of the first clamping portion (3) of the first part (2) and the second clamping portion (5) of the second part (4) relative to the desired orientation.

15. Clamp (1 ) according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the first part (2) and the second part (4) of the clamp (1 ) are made of a polymer material which comprises a heat conductivity of less than 1 W / (m*K) and which is thermally stable between temperatures of -50 °C and +120 °C, for example of Polyamide 12 or Nylon PA12.

16. Clamp (1 ) according to any one of the claims 9 to 15, characterized in that the clamp (1 ) includes an insert (500) for reducing an effective accommodation size and / or shape of the second clamping portion (5).

17. Arrangement of a heated sensor arrangement, as a first component (100), clamped to an evaporator tube, as a second component (200), of an evaporator of a refrigerant circuit by a clamp (1 ) according to any one of claims 9 to 16.

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