1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to air conditioning systems and, more specifically, to an accumulator insulator bracket for an air conditioning system in a vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known to provide an accumulator for an air conditioning system in a motor vehicle. The accumulator provides for the accumulation of liquid and liquid/vapor separation of a working fluid within the air conditioning system. Typically, an accumulator includes a housing having a first section and a second section, that are joined together to define an interior chamber. The housing also has an inlet opening through which a refrigerant may be introduced into the interior chamber, and an outlet opening through which refrigerant may exit the interior chamber. The accumulator also includes a separate inlet tube, outlet tube, oil return and desiccant bag disposed in the interior chamber of the housing. An example of an accumulator is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,729,998 to Grohs et al., issued Mar. 24, 1998, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
Previously, the accumulator was attached to a portion of the air conditioning system, such as the evaporator case, using a bracket. An example of a bracket is a metal strap that wraps around the accumulator and is secured to a structure using a threaded fastener. While this type of bracket works well, a disadvantage is that it is difficult to consistently position the bracket during the vehicle assembly process.
It is known that the performance of the air conditioning system is affected by temperature variations of the liquid or liquid/vapor within the accumulator. Therefore, the accumulator is typically surrounded by an insulating device to insulate the accumulator from environmental temperature conditions, and also prevent heat transfer to the accumulator. An example of an insulating device is a foam sleeve having open ends. While the foam sleeve prevents a certain amount of heating, a disadvantage is a lower insulating efficiency since the accumulator is not completely encased. Another example of an insulting device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,618 to Patel et al. entitled xe2x80x9cInsulated Pressure Vessel Holderxe2x80x9d. This insulating device also has a sleeve shape, as well as a corrugated interior wall and an integral mounting bracket. In addition to the disadvantage of having an open-ended sleeve shape, a further disadvantage of this insulating device is that the corrugated shape of the sleeve encourages thermal contact between the sleeve and the accumulator, resulting in a decreased insulating value. Thus, there is a need in the art for an accumulator insulator bracket that efficiently and cost effectively insulates and supports the accumulator for an air conditioning system.
Accordingly, the present invention is an accumulator bracket for an accumulator in an air conditioning system. The accumulator bracket includes a housing having a cylindrical shape with a first closed end, a second closed end and a wall extending between the first closed end and the second closed end. The housing is longitudinally divided into a first housing member and a second housing member. The accumulator insulating bracket also includes an air flow directing rib extending radially from and axially along an interior portion of the wall of the housing, such that the rib defines an insulating air pocket between the wall and the accumulator and supports the accumulator.
One advantage of the present invention is that an accumulator insulator bracket is provided that integrates attachment and insulation of the accumulator into one structure. Another advantage of the present invention is that the accumulator insulator bracket has a clamshell shape to fully enclose the accumulator to prevent heat transfer. Still another advantage of the present invention is that an inside wall of the accumulator insulator bracket includes integrally molded-ribs optimally arranged to create air pockets around the outside of the accumulator that insulate the accumulator. A further advantage of the present invention is that the accumulator insulator bracket can be integrally molded with a housing for another component of the air conditioning system, such as the evaporator.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood, after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.