Vehicle air conditioner mounting plate

Abstract

The invention provides a mounting plate for mounting an outdoor unit of a vehicle air conditioner on a roof of a vehicle above a roof opening, the mounting plate comprising: a downward facing side configured to engage with the roof; protrusions projecting from the downward facing side to securely engage against edges of the roof opening thereby to prevent lateral movement of the mounting plate, the protrusions comprising a first type and a second type, the first type positioned to engage edges of a smaller sized roof opening and the second type positioned to engage edges of a larger sized roof opening; wherein the second type is adapted to be moved to a non-protruding position to enable the engagement of the downward facing side with the roof when the mounting plate is installed on the smaller sized roof opening.

Description

[0001] VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONER MOUNTING PLATE

[0002] FIELD

[0003]

[0001] The present invention relates to vehicles adapted to be fitted with an air conditioner with an outdoor unit located on the vehicle roof , particularly but not limited to caravans and recreational vehicles .

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005]

[0002] Vehicles including caravans and recreational vehicle motorhomes maybe fitted with an air conditioner where the main components , such as compressor and heat exchangers are housed on a rooftop unit outside the indoor living space of the vehicle . The rooftop unit is installed above a roof opening and connects to an indoor air distribution box on an inside of the roof opening . The air distribution box functions at least to route air between the interior space and the rooftop unit through the roof opening , and usually also provides an indoor digital control panel .

[0006]

[0003] Many such air conditioners are fitted with a mounting plate between the vehicle roof and the rooftop unit to control sealing to the rooftop unit and also to allow the mounting of the rooftop unit to be visually centred within the roof opening . The roof opening is typically square and there are two common sizes : 400 mm Square and 360 mm square . This is also a common size for roof hatches , which allows easier fitment without the need to cut a new opening by simply replacing a hatch .

[0007]

[0004] A common solution for coping with the two common sizes of roof apertures is to offer two different mounting plates , the user discarding the inappropriate one . Another solution proposed in US patent publication 2021 / 0354526 Al is to provide a universal mounting plate with one orientation suiting the 400 mm sized opening and the other orientation suiting the 360 mm sized opening .

[0008]

[0005] One disadvantage with existing solutions is the distinct possibility of incorrect installation due to choosing the wrong mounting plate or orientation as the case may be . As an adhesive is normally used to seal the roof plate to the roof , if there are any errors with the plate orientation it will mean lost time to clean up and re-apply adhesive if the wrong plate or orientation is used .

[0009]

[0006] There is therefore a need to provide an improved mounting plate .

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011]

[0007] In accordance with a broad aspect of the invention there is provided a mounting plate according to claim 1 .

[0012]

[0008] Optional or preferred embodiments are detailed in the accompanying description and the dependent claims .

[0013] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014]

[0009] Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a mounting plate according to an embodiment of the invention ;

[0015]

[0010] Figure 2 is a lower perspective view of a portion of the mounting plate of Figure 1 showing details of the second type of protrusion ;

[0016]

[0011] Figure 3 is another lower perspective view of the portion of the mounting plate of Figure 1 , showing more details of the second type of protrusion ; and

[0017]

[0012] Figure 4 is an upper perspective view of the portion of the mounting plate of Figure 1 , showing more details of the second type of protrusion ;

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0019]

[0013] An embodiment of the current invention will now be described .

[0020]

[0014] Referring first to Figure 1 , an upper perspective view of a mounting plate 1 is shown . Mounting plate 1 is composed of a blend ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and PC (Polycarbonate) . ABS / PC blends exhibit enhanced impact strength , heat resistance , and dimensional stability, making them suitable for mounting plates which require durability and performance in various environmental conditions . An upper face 2 of the body of mounting plate 1 is adapted to engage with an outdoor unit of an air conditioner with upward projecting rim 4 assisting in correct location of the outdoor unit onto the mounting plate , after the mounting plate is installed on the roof . A lower face 3 of the body of the mounting plate (out of view in Figurel ) is shaped generally flat or appropriately contoured to engage with a roof of a vehicle around the roof opening . Screw holes 5 in each of four corners are positioned to allow screws to be passed through corresponding apertures in the outdoor unit and project through the roof opening , attaching to an internal bracket that rests against the ceiling , securely clamping the rooftop unit in place . Aperture 9 to be aligned with the roof opening may be void as shown or may contain other structures appropriate to the correspondence between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit .

[0021]

[0015] A downward projecting protrusion of a first type in the form of a rim with straight edges 6 and diagonal corners 7 is sized to engage with a 360 mm by 360 mm smaller sized roof opening , such that the straight edges 6 fit snugly against the square edges of the smaller sized roof opening .

[0022]

[0016] Four downward projecting protrusions of a second type are sized to engage with four respective edges of a 400 millimetre by 400 millimetre larger sized roof opening . Top face of a spacer 8 connecting to this type of protrusion is visible in Figure 1 .

[0023]

[0017] Referring now to Figure 2 , the mounting plate of Figure 1 is shown from a lower perspective view . One of the straight edges 6 of the rim of the downward projecting protrusion of the first type can be seen spaced inward by 20 mm from one of the four protrusions 10 of the downward projecting protrusions of the second type . The 20 mm distance provides that the four protrusions 10 of the second type engage with and fit snugly against square edges of a larger sized roofed opening of 400 mm by 400 mm square . The protrusions 10 extend down through an aperture 11 which allows for the protrusion 10 to be rotated upwards , to be described below .

[0024]

[0018] Referring now to Figure 3 , which is another lower perspective view showing more details of the projection 10 of the second type , spacer 8 can be seen with frangible links 13 and 14 joined to the body of the mounting plate . A two-part hinge 15 and 16 joins the spacer 8 rotatably to the body of the mounting plate . When projection 10 is pushed upwards with sufficient force , frangible links 13 and 14 break which allows rotation of projection 10 and integral spacer 8 upwards through aperture 11 . In this way, when installing on a roof opening of the smaller size (360 mm by 360 mm in this embodiment) , when downward facing side 3 of the mounting plate is pushed down onto the roof , two-part hinge 15 and 16 allows rotation of spacer 8 and protrusion 10 upwards through aperture 11 to the nonprotruding position if the frangible links are broken , either in advance by hand or by force of the pushing action .

[0025]

[0019] Referring now to Figure 4 , an upper perspective view of the region surrounding the protrusion of the second type is shown . Upper face of spacer 8 can be seen together with frangible links 13 and 14 and two-part hinge 15 and 16. An instruction 17 reading "BREAK TABS FOR 360x360" appears on the upper face of spacer 8 , advising to break the frangible links 13 and 14 in the case of desired installation on the smaller sized roof opening .

[0026]

[0020] Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that many variations may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention , which is determined from the broadest scope and claims .

[0027]

[0021] For example , while square openings are normal and exemplified, rectangular or other shaped openings are within the broadest scope .

[0028]

[0022] Further , protrusions of the second type of any size and shape adapted to perform the function of the invention are within the broader scope , which requires only engagement with the edges of the roof opening of the larger size and movement to a non-protruding position . The movement into the non-protruding position may include complete removal and discarding of the protrusion by severing of frangible links rather than rotation into the still-attached non-protruding position of the detailed embodiment described .

[0029]

[0023] Further also , protrusions of the first type adapted to engage with the edges of the roof opening of the smaller size may also come in different forms , and may be in separate sections rather than the single rim of the described embodiment .

[0030]

[0024] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention , except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication , the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense , i . e . to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention . Further , any method steps recited in the claims are not necessarily intended to be performed temporally in the sequence written , or to be performed without pause once started, unless the context requires it .

[0031]

[0025] It is to be understood that , if any prior art publication is referred to herein , such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art , in Australia or any other country .

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A mounting plate for mounting an outdoor unit of a vehicle air conditioner on a roof of a vehicle above a roof opening , the mounting plate comprising : a downward facing side configured to engage with the roof ; protrusions projecting from the downward facing side to securely engage against edges of the roof opening thereby to prevent lateral movement of the mounting plate , the protrusions comprising a first type and a second type , the first type positioned to engage edges of a smaller sized roof opening and the second type positioned to engage edges of a larger sized roof opening ; wherein the second type is adapted to be moved to a nonprotruding position to enable the engagement of the downward facing side with the roof when the mounting plate is installed on the smaller sized roof opening .2 . The mounting plate of claim 1 , the first type comprising a rim configured to extend around and engage the edges of the smaller sized roof opening .

3. The mounting plate of claim 1 , the first type comprising separate protrusions each configured to provide the prevention of the lateral movement of the mounting plate .4 . The mounting plate of claim 1 or claim 2 , wherein the second type comprise separate protrusions configured to provide the prevention of the lateral movement of the mounting plate , and each protrusion of the second type attached to one or more frangible links which when unbroken secure the protrusion in place and when broken enables the protrusion to be moved into the non-protruding position .5 . The mounting plate of claim 4 , wherein the one or more frangible links are adapted to be broken by hand .6 . The mounting plate of claim 4 or 5 , wherein the one or more frangible links are adapted to be broken by engagement with the roof of the vehicle when the downward facing side of the mounting plate is pressed onto and around the smaller sized roof opening .7 . The mounting plate of any one of claims 4 to 6 , wherein each of the separate protrusions of the second type are attached via a hinge which allows the protrusion to rotate upwards into the non-protruding position when the one or more frangible links are broken .

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