Vehicle HVAC evaporator temperature probe assembly method

• US 6,560,977 B1
• Filed: 11/09/2001
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Valeo Climate Control Corp. (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Climate Control Corp. (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Oliver, Robert, Hupfel, Eric J.
• Primary Examiner(s): WAYNER, WILLIAM E
• Application Number:
  US10/037,640
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 374/141, 374/145, 374/209, 622/16, 622/27, 621/29, 738/665, 297/26
• US Class Current: 62/129
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/14 Supports; Fastening devices; Arrangements for mounting thermometers in particular locations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53113 Heat exchanger

Abstract

An HVAC evaporator core temperature probe apparatus and assembly method in which the temperature probe has a seal member mounted intermediate opposed ends. First and second apertures are formed in the HVAC housing, one adjacent the mounted position of the probe sensing end and the other end spaced from the access aperture and receiving the seal member to dispose the electrical connector on the other end of the probe conductor exteriorly of the housing. The temperature probe is inserted in the evaporator prior to mounting the evaporator core in the HVAC housing. The seal member is snap mounted in the first aperture in the housing to dispose the electrical connector exteriorly of the housing. After separation of the probe sensing end from the evaporator core and separation of the seal member from the first aperture, an existing temperature probe is removable through the second aperture in the housing.

Claims

1. An HVAC evaporator probe temperature apparatus for mounting in an HVAC housing having an evaporator core, a first aperture formed in the housing, and a second aperture formed in the housing spaced from the first aperture, and disposed in proximity with a cold temperature location in the core, the apparatus comprising:

a temperature probe having a sensing end adapted to be inserted into an evaporator core;

a conductor having first and second ends, the first end connected to the temperature probe sensing end;

an electrical connector connected to the second end of the conductor; and

a seal member mounted on the conductor intermediate the first and second ends for sealingly mounting the conductor in the first aperture such that the electrical connector is disposed exteriorly of the housing in which the temperature probe is mounted.

2. The temperature probe apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the seal member is fixedly mounted on the conductor.

3. The temperature probe apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the seal member is snap-fit mounted in the first aperture.

4. An HVAC apparatus comprising:

a housing having an exterior wall;

an evaporator core mounted in the housing;

a first aperture formed in the exterior wall of the housing;

a temperature probe having a sensing end mounted in the evaporator core;

an electrical conductor having first and second ends, the first end connected to the temperature probe sensing end;

an electrical connector connected to the second end of the conductor; and

a seal member mounted on the conductor intermediate the first and second ends for sealingly mounting the conductor in the first aperture such that the electrical connector is disposed exteriorly of the housing in which the temperature probe is mounted.

5. The HVAC apparatus of claim 4 wherein:

the seal member is fixedly mounted on the conductor.

6. The HVAC apparatus of claim 4 wherein:

the seal member is snap-fit mounted in the first aperture.

7. The HVAC apparatus of claim 4 further comprising:

a second aperture formed in the wall spaced from the first aperture, the second aperture disposed in proximity with the mounting position of the temperature probe sensing end in the evaporator core; and

a closure member removably mounted in the second aperture.

8. A method of mounting an HVAC evaporator core temperature probe in an HVAC housing having a first aperture in an exterior wall, the method comprising the steps of:

inserting a temperature probe sensing end into the evaporator core prior to mounting the evaporator core in the housing;

mounting the evaporator core in the housing;

routing an electrical conductor extending from the probe sensing end through the housing such that an electrical connector connected to an opposite end of the conductor is disposed exteriorly through the first aperture in the housing wall; and

sealingly closing the first aperture in the housing wall.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of sealingly closing the first aperture in the wall comprises the step of:

premounting a seal member on the conductor.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of premounting the seal member on the conductor comprises the step of:

fixedly mounting the seal member on the conductor.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of:

forming a second aperture in the housing wall spaced from the first aperture and disposed in proximity with the mounting position of the temperature probe sensing end in the evaporator core when the evaporator core is mounted in the housing; and

withdrawing the temperature probe sensing end from the evaporator core and the housing through the second aperture.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of:

mounting a removable closure member in the second aperture to sealingly close the second aperture.

13. The method of claim 12 further including the steps of removing a temperature probe from the evaporator core comprising the steps of:

separating the removable closure member from the second aperture;

separating the seal member from the first aperture;

removing the probe sensing end from the evaporator core; and

removing the temperature probe sensing end, the temperature probe conductor, the seal member and the electrical connector from the housing through the second aperture.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of installing a new probe assembly in the housing when an existing temperature probe assembly is to be removed from the housing, the method comprising the steps of:

connecting the sensing end of a new temperature probe apparatus to a portion of the existing temperature probe in the housing;

pulling the new probe assembly into the housing through the first aperture simultaneous with removing the existing probe apparatus through the second aperture in the housing;

separating the new probe apparatus from the old probe apparatus;

mounting the sensing end of the temperature probe in the evaporator core;

mounting the seal member in the first aperture in the housing; and

mounting a seal member in the second aperture in the housing.