AU2021103700A4

AU2021103700A4 - Mounting assembly for a caravan refrigerator

Info

Publication number: AU2021103700A4
Application number: AU2021103700A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Royce Bailey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-07-02
Filing date: 2021-06-29
Publication date: 2021-08-19
Anticipated expiration: 2029-06-29

Abstract

A mounting assembly for a caravan refrigerator, the mounting assembly comprising a mounting plate, the mounting plate comprising a body, one or more projecting members extending substantially perpendicularly from the body to rest upon fins of a caravan refrigeration system, a retaining member aperture formed in at least one of the one or more projecting members for receiving a retaining member or adhesive device, one or more fan apertures formed in the body for mounting a fan fast adjacent thereto, and a thermostat aperture formed in the body for mounting a thermostat fast adjacent thereto.

Description

MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR A CARAVAN REFRIGERATOR TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a mounting assembly for a caravan refrigerator.

In particular, the invention relates to a mounting assembly for mounting fans

within a caravan refrigerator.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are

not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or

form, part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Many caravan and recreational vehicle (RV) refrigerator systems suffer

from poor circulation and cool air distribution which can adversely affect the

effectiveness of the refrigerator system in cooling and preserving food stored in

the refrigerator.

OBJECT

[0004] It is an aim of this invention to provide a mounting assembly for a caravan

refrigerator which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages

or problems described above, or which at least provides a useful commercial

alternative.

[0005] Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent

from the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0001] In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form,

there is provided a mounting assembly for a caravan refrigerator, the mounting

assembly comprising a mounting plate, the mounting plate comprising:

a body;

one or more projecting members extending substantially perpendicularly

from the body to rest upon fins of a caravan refrigeration system;

a retaining member aperture formed in at least one of the one or more

projecting members for receiving a retaining member or adhesive device;

one or more fan apertures formed in the body for mounting a fan fast

adjacent thereto; and

a thermostat aperture formed in the body for mounting a thermostat fast

adjacent thereto.

[0002] Preferably, the mounting assembly further comprises a retaining member.

Preferably, the retaining member comprises a clip. Preferably, the clip comprises a

substantially U-shaped or C-shaped clip. Preferably, an open portion of the clip

receives an edge of the projecting member of the mounting plate defining the retaining

member aperture. Preferably, the clip attaches to an edge of the projecting member

of the mounting plate defining the retaining member aperture. Preferably, the retaining

member comprises two opposed legs for receiving a portion of the mounting plate

therebetween. Preferably, a portion of the projecting member is located or secured

within the retaining member.

[0003] Preferably, the mounting plate comprises at least two fan apertures.

Preferably, the mounting plate comprises two or three fan apertures.

[0004] Preferably, the body is substantially rectangular.

[0005] Preferably, the one or more fan apertures are substantially circular.

[0006] Preferably, the thermostat aperture is substantially quadrilateral or

rectangular.

[0007] Preferably, the mounting plate comprises plastic. Preferably, the mounting

plate comprises 3D printed ABS plastic or an injection moulded material. Preferably,

the mounting plate is integrally formed.

[0008] In another form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest

form, there is provided a mounting assembly for a caravan refrigerator, the mounting

assembly comprising a mounting plate, the mounting plate comprising:

a body;

one or more projecting members extending substantially perpendicularly

from the body to rest upon fins of a caravan refrigeration system;

a retaining member aperture formed in at least one of the one or more

projecting members for receiving the retaining member;

one or more fan apertures formed in the body for mounting a fan fast

adjacent thereto; and

a thermostat aperture formed in the body for mounting a thermostat fast

adjacent thereto;

one or more fans mounted to the mounting plate adjacent the one or more fan

apertures; and

a thermostat mounted to the mounting plate adjacent the thermostat aperture;

and

a retaining member located within the retaining member aperture, wherein a

portion of one of the one or more projecting members is secured within the retaining

member.

[0006] In a third form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest

form, there is provided a method for mounting a mounting assembly in a

caravan refrigerator, the method comprising the steps of:

mounting a fan to each of one or more fan apertures formed in a body

of a mounting plate;

mounting a thermostat to a thermostat aperture formed in the body of

the mounting plate;

attaching a retaining member to the mounting plate through an

aperture formed in each of one or more projecting members extending substantially

perpendicularly from the body of the mounting plate; and

locating each of the one or more projecting members over a fin of a

heatsink of a caravan refrigerator system, wherein the retaining member receives a

fin such that than fin is in contact with one of the one or more projecting members

and the fin is located between a portion of the retaining member and the projecting

member.

[0007] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become

apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention will be

described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0010] Figure 1 illustrates a mounting plate of a mounting assembly for a caravan

refrigerator according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0011] Figure 2 illustrates a second view of the mounting plate of Figure 1;

[0012] Figures 3-5 illustrate the mounting plate of Figure 1 having fans and a

thermostat attached;

[0013] Figure 6 illustrates a mounting plate of mounting assembly for a caravan

refrigerator according to another embodiment of the invention; and

[0014] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the mounting plate of Figure 6 having fans and a

thermostat attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The present disclosure relates to a mounting assembly for a caravan

refrigerator system. The mounting assembly is adapted to be attached to the fins of

an internal grill or heatsink fins of a caravan refrigerator system.

[0016] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate the mounting assembly 10 and mounting plate 100

forming part of the mounting assembly 10.

[0017] The mounting plate 100 includes a substantially rectangular body having

two circular apertures 101, 102 formed therein for receiving and mounting fans 101a,

102a (see Figure 3) fast adjacent thereto to allow the fans to circulate cool air and

more effectively and evenly cool the internal space of the refrigerator.

[0018] The fans 101a, 102a each include guards 101b, 102b to prevent objects

from interfering with the fan blades.

[0019] The mounting plate 100 also includes a rectangular aperture 103 formed in

the body for receiving a thermostat 103a fast adjacent therethrough to display an

internal temperature of the refrigerator system.

[0020] Located about the circular apertures 101, 102 are fan fastening

arrangements so that the fans 101a, 102a can be secured to the mounting plate 100.

The fan fastening arrangements take the form of frustum shaped projections 104 with

an opening 104a that can receive a screw or other fastener therein.

[0021] Located on opposite sides of the rectangular aperture 103 are two recesses

105 which receive tabbed portions of the thermostat 103a. The recesses 105 each

have openings 105a that receive a screw or other fastener therein to secure the

thermostat 103a to the mounting plate 100.

[0022] Located at opposite ends of the mounting plate 100 are two projecting

members 106 which extend perpendicularly from the body of the mounting plate 100.

The projecting members 106 can also extend substantially perpendicularly from the

body to allow the mounting plate 100 to be mounted to the cooling fins of the

refrigerator.

[0023] The projecting members 206 are substantially rectangular with a tapering,

substantially triangular, end.

[0024] There are apertures 107 formed in each of the projecting members 106.

The apertures 107 are adapted to receive retaining members 108, (which can be seen

in Figures 3-5) to allow the mounting plate 100 to be securely held on the fins of the

heatsink of the refrigerator system.

[0025] The retaining members 108 are formed from stainless steel.

[0026] In use, fans 101a, 102a are fixedly mounted to the mounting plate 100 by

screws 120 on the front 125 of the mounting plate 100. Each fan 101a, 102a is

fastened adjacent a respective circular aperture 101,102 to allow air, or other gases,

to flow through the aperture 101, 102 to the blades of the respective fan 101a, 102a.

[0027] Thermostat 103a is also secured by screws to the rear 130 of the mounting

plate 100, such that the thermostat 103a passes through the aperture 103.

[0028] Subsequently, the retaining members 108, which are substantially U- or C

shaped clips, receive a portion of the projecting member 106 between the two legs of

the retaining member 108. Subsequently, when the mounting plate 100 is to be

secured to the fins of the caravan refrigerator system, the fin is received by the

retaining member 108 such that the fin sits between one of the legs of the retaining

member 108 and the projecting member 106.

[0029] The mounting plate 100 is integrally formed from Acrylonitrile Butadiene

Styrene (ABS) plastic using a 3D printer. In some alternative embodiments, the

mounting plate 100 is integrally formed using injection moulding. In a further preferable

embodiment, the plate is formed from injection moulded plastic.

[0030] Formed in the body of the mounting plate 100 is an elongate, rectangular

recess 109 which is intended to receive an LED light strip 109a (see Figure 5).

[0031] Returning to Figure 1, it can be seen that channels 110a, 11Ob are formed

in a front portion of the mounting plate 100. The channels 110a, 110b provide

convenient channels for cabling of the fans and thermostat to minimise clutter that can

be caused by untidy wiring.

[0032] Turning to Figures 6 and 7, there is shown a second embodiment of the

present invention in the form of mounting assembly 20 having mounting plate 200.

[0033] Similar to mounting plate 100, the mounting plate 200 includes a

substantially rectangular body having a plurality of circular apertures formed therein.

However, different to mounting plate 100, mounting plate 200 includes three circular

apertures 201, 202, 210 formed therein for receiving and mounting fans 201a, 202a,

210a (see Figure 7) fast adjacent thereto to allow the fans to circulate cool air and

more effectively and evenly cool the internal space of the refrigerator.

[0034] The fans 201a, 202a, 210a each include guards 201b, 202b, 210b.

[0035] The mounting plate 200 also includes a rectangular aperture 203 formed in

internal temperature of the refrigerator system.

[0036] Located about the circular apertures 201, 202, 210 are fan fastening

arrangements so that the fans 201a, 202a, 210a can be secured to the mounting plate

200. The fan fastening arrangements take the form of frustum shaped projections 204

with an opening 204a that can receive a screw or other fastener therein.

[0037] Located on opposite sides of the rectangular aperture 203 are two recesses

205 which receive tabbed portions of the thermostat 103a. The recesses 205 each

have openings 205a that receive a screw or other fastener therein to secure the

thermostat 103a to the mounting plate 200.

[0038] Located at opposite ends of the mounting plate 200 are two substantially

projecting members 206 which extend perpendicularly from the body of the mounting

plate 200. The projecting members 206 can also extend substantially perpendicularly

from the body to allow the mounting plate 200 to be mounted to the cooling fins of the

refrigerator. The projecting members 206 are substantially rectangular with a tapering,

substantially triangular, end.

[0039] There are apertures 207 formed in each of the projecting members 206.

The apertures 207 are adapted to receive retaining members 108 (which can be seen

in Figures 3-5 and 8) to allow the mounting plate 200 to be securely held on the fins

of the heatsink of the refrigerator system.

[0040] In use, fans 201a, 202a, 210a are fixedly mounted to the mounting plate

200 by screws 220 on the front 225 of the mounting plate 200. Each fan 201a, 202a,

210a is fastened adjacent a respective circular aperture 201,202, 210 to allow air, or other gases, to flow through the aperture 201, 202, 210 to the blades of the respective fan 201a, 202a, 210a.

[0041] Thermostat 103a is also secured by screws to the rear of the mounting plate

200, and is positioned such that the thermostat 103a passes through the aperture 203.

[0042] Subsequently, the retaining members 108, which are substantially U- or C

shaped, receive a portion of the projecting member 206 between the two legs of the

retaining member 108. Subsequently, when the mounting plate 200 is to be secured

to the fins of the caravan refrigerator system, the fin is received by the retaining

member 108 such that the fin sits between one of the legs of the retaining member

108 and the projecting member 206.

[0043] The mounting plate 200 is integrally formed from Acrylonitrile Butadiene

Styrene (ABS) plastic using a 3D printer. In some alternative embodiments, the

mounting plate 200 is integrally formed using injection moulding. In a further preferable

embodiment, the plate is formed from injection moulded plastic.

[0044] Formed in the body of the mounting plate 200 is an elongate, rectangular

recess 209 which is intended to receive an LED light strip (not shown).

[0045] Advantageously, the mounting assemblies described herein provide a

single device for mounting both fans and a thermostat.

[0046] Further advantageously, having the fans mounted directly adjacent the

heatsink fin causes the air to be directed over the heatsink and thereby reduce frost

build up on the fins.

[0047] In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top

and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from

another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such

relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not to be interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer, component, or step, etc.

[0048] The above detailed description of various embodiments of the present

invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related

art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed

embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the

present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching.

Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically,

other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary

skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and

variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other

embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.

[0049] In this specification, the terms 'comprises', 'comprising', 'includes',

'including', or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that

a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include

those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.

[0050] Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context

requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be

limited to the specific value or range qualified by the terms.

Claims

1. A mounting assembly for a caravan refrigerator, the mounting assembly

comprising a mounting plate, the mounting plate comprising:

a body;

one or more projecting members extending substantially perpendicularly

from the body to rest upon fins of a caravan refrigeration system;

a retaining member aperture formed in at least one of the one or more

projecting members for receiving a retaining member or adhesive device;

one or more fan apertures formed in the body for mounting a fan fast

adjacent thereto; and

a thermostat aperture formed in the body for mounting a thermostat fast

adjacent thereto.

2. A mounting assembly for a caravan refrigerator, the mounting assembly

comprising a mounting plate, the mounting plate comprising:

a body;

one or more projecting members extending substantially perpendicularly

from the body to rest upon fins of a caravan refrigeration system;

a retaining member aperture formed in at least one of the one or more

projecting members for receiving the retaining member;

one or more fan apertures formed in the body for mounting a fan fast

adjacent thereto; and

a thermostat aperture formed in the body for mounting a thermostat fast

adjacent thereto;

one or more fans mounted to the mounting plate adjacent the one or more fan

apertures; and a thermostat mounted to the mounting plate adjacent the thermostat aperture; and a retaining member located within the retaining member aperture, wherein a portion of one of the one or more projecting members is secured within the retaining member.

3. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly further

comprises a retaining member.

4. The mounting assembly of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the retaining member

comprises a clip.

5. The mounting assembly of claim 4, wherein the clip comprises a substantially

U-shaped or C-shaped clip.

6. The mounting assembly of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein an open portion of the

clip receives an edge of the projecting member of the mounting plate defining

the retaining member aperture.

7. The mounting assembly of claim 6, wherein the clip attaches to an edge of the

projecting member of the mounting plate defining the retaining member

aperture.

8. The mounting assembly of any one of claims 3-5, wherein the retaining member

or clip comprises two opposed legs for receiving a portion of the mounting plate

therebetween.

9. The mounting assembly of any one of claims 3-8, wherein a portion of the

projecting member is located or secured within the retaining member.

1O.The mounting assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

mounting plate comprises at least two fan apertures.

11.The mounting assembly of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the mounting

plate comprises two or three fan apertures.

12.The mounting assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body

is substantially rectangular.

13. The mounting assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or

more fan apertures are substantially circular.

14.The mounting assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

thermostat aperture is substantially quadrilateral or rectangular.

15.The mounting assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

mounting plate comprises plastic.

16.The mounting assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

mounting plate comprises 3D printed ABS plastic or an injection moulded

material.

17.The mounting assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

mounting plate is integrally formed.

18.A method for mounting a mounting assembly in a caravan refrigerator, the

method comprising the steps of:

mounting a fan to each of one or more fan apertures formed in a body

of a mounting plate;

mounting a thermostat to a thermostat aperture formed in the body of

the mounting plate;

attaching a retaining member to the mounting plate through an

perpendicularly from the body of the mounting plate; and locating each of the one or more projecting members over a fin of a heatsink of a caravan refrigerator system, wherein the retaining member receives a fin such that than fin is in contact with one of the one or more projecting members and the fin is located between a portion of the retaining member and the projecting member.