Automotive air conditioning refrigerant charging apparatus

Abstract

An automotive air conditioning refrigerant charging apparatus. In a described embodiment, an automotive air conditioning refrigerant charging apparatus includes an R-134a system quick connect connector, a pressure gauge and a refrigerant can valve. The pressure gauge and the valve are simultaneously and permanently connected to the quick connect connector.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates generally to automotive air conditioning systems and, in an embodiment described herein, more particularly provides an automotive air conditioning refrigerant charging apparatus.

[0002] Current automotive air conditioning systems generally utilize an R-134a refrigerant. These air conditioning systems will require charging with refrigerant, or recharging with refrigerant if the system has been serviced or a leak has occurred. It would be advantageous for a person to be able to conveniently charge an automotive air conditioning system with refrigerant in these circumstances and others.

[0003] Unfortunately, present refrigerant charging apparatus are not convenient to use. One such apparatus requires the user to interchange a pressure gauge with a valve multiple times in a dangerous and complicated checking/charging/verifying procedure during its use. The apparatus is cumbersome, complicated and dangerous for a novice or unskilled mechanic to use.

[0004] Therefore, it may be seen that it would be desirable to provide an improved automotive air conditioning refrigerant charging apparatus.

SUMMARY

[0005] In carrying out the principles of the present invention, in accordance with an embodiment thereof, an automotive air conditioning refrigerant charging apparatus is provided which does not require interchanging elements thereof during its use, and which is more convenient and less dangerous to use.

[0006] In one aspect of the invention, an automotive air conditioning refrigerant charging apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a quick connect connector operative to connect to a low pressure service port of an R-134a air conditioning system, a pressure gauge, and a refrigerant can valve. The pressure gauge and valve are connected simultaneously to the quick connect connector.

[0007] In another aspect of the invention, an automotive air conditioning refrigerant charging apparatus is provided in which at least one of the pressure gauge and valve is permanently connected to the quick connect connector. Preferably, both the pressure gauge and the valve are permanently connected to the quick connect connector.

[0008] In yet another aspect of the invention, an automotive air conditioning refrigerant charging apparatus is provided which includes a quick connect connector operative to connect to a low pressure service port of an R-134a air conditioning system, a pressure gauge, a refrigerant can valve, and a T-fitting connected to each of the quick connect connector, the pressure gauge and the valve. Preferably, the pressure gauge is connected directly to the T-fitting, and hoses are used to connect between the T-fitting and each of the quick connect connector and the valve.

[0009] These and other features, advantages, benefits and objects of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon careful consideration of the detailed description of a representative embodiment of the invention hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a prior art refrigerant charging apparatus being used to charge an automotive air conditioning system; and

[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic elevational view of an automotive air conditioning system charging apparatus embodying principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Schematically illustrated in FIG. 1 is a prior art refrigerant charging apparatus 10 connected to an automotive air conditioning system 12. The air conditioning system 12 includes a compressor 20, a high pressure line 22 and a low pressure line 24. An accumulator 26 is interconnected in the low pressure line 24. The accumulator 26 has a service port 28 thereon for charging the system 12 with refrigerant. In some other systems, the service port 28 may be located in another portion of the low pressure line 24.

[0013] The apparatus 10 includes a hose 14 having connectors 16, 18 at opposite ends. The connector 16 is a conventional “quick connect” connector of the type used to connect to R-134a air conditioning system service ports. The quick connect connector 16 is not threaded to the service port 28, but is instead secured by manipulating an external sleeve to engage a series of balls with a recess on the service port. The other connector 18 is an internally threaded member.

[0014] The apparatus 10 is designed so that either a pressure gauge 30 or a refrigerant can valve 32 may be threaded to the connector 18. For this purpose, each of the pressure gauge 30 and the valve 32 has an externally threaded portion which mates with the internally threaded connector 18. The valve 32 is additionally provided with internal threads (not visible in FIG. 1) to mate with an externally threaded top end of a can of refrigerant 34.

[0015] To use the apparatus 10, a person must first connect the gauge 30 to the connector 18, and then connect the connector 16 to the low pressure line 24 service port 28. It would be very dangerous to first connect the connector 16 to the service port 28, since this would allow refrigerant at high pressure to escape from the air conditioning system 12 through the open end of the hose 14 at the connector 18. Thus, a particular order of steps must be followed by the user of the apparatus 10 to avoid possible injury or damage.

[0016] After connecting the gauge 30 to the connector 18, and then connecting the connector 16 to the service port 28, the air conditioning system 12 is operated, for example, by starting the automobile to which the air conditioning system is attached and turning on the air conditioning system. The user can now read the operating pressure in the low pressure line 24 on the gauge 30 in order to determine whether additional refrigerant is needed.

[0017] If additional refrigerant is needed, the air conditioning system 12 must be turned off and the apparatus 10 disconnected from the service port 28. The pressure gauge 30 is unthreaded from the connector 18. The valve 32 is then threaded onto the top of the refrigerant can 34. Then, with the can 34 attached to the valve 32, the valve is threaded into the connector 18. It will be readily appreciated that this portion of the procedure is very cumbersome, prone to error and inconvenient for the user.

[0018] With the can 34 connected to the valve 32, and the valve connected to the connector 18, the connector 16 is then connected to the service port 28. The air conditioning system 12 is again turned on, and the valve 32 is opened to permit refrigerant to flow from the can 34 into the low pressure line 24. Note that, at this point (while refrigerant is being flowed into the system 12), the user is unable to determine whether sufficient refrigerant has been added to the system, whether still more refrigerant needs to be added, or whether too much refrigerant has already been added.

[0019] Once the refrigerant has been transferred from the can 34 into the system 12, the valve 32 is closed and the air conditioning system is again turned off. The apparatus 10 is disconnected from the system 12, and the gauge 30 is substituted for the valve 32 in the connector 18. The connector 16 is again connected to the service port 28, and the air conditioning system 12 is again turned on. The user can then verify whether sufficient refrigerant has been added to the system 12 by reading the pressure gauge 30.

[0020] If more refrigerant needs to be added, then the system 12 will need to be turned off again, the apparatus 10 disconnected from the system, another can of refrigerant 34 threaded onto the valve 32, the valve substituted for the gauge 30 in the connector 18, the connector connected to the service port 28, and the air conditioning system turned back on again. This process of connecting, disconnecting, threading and unthreading various elements of the apparatus 10 may need to be repeated multiple times to achieve a desired level of refrigerant in the system 12, and each time the process is performed a particular sequence of steps must be followed in order to prevent the inadvertent escape of pressurized refrigerant. These problems are solved, or at least substantially reduced, by the present invention.

[0021] Turning now to FIG. 2, an automotive air conditioning refrigerant charging apparatus 40 embodying principles of the invention is representatively and schematically illustrated. The apparatus 40 is specifically designed for use with air conditioning systems (such as the system 12 described above) which utilize R-134a refrigerant. For this purpose, the apparatus 40 is provided with a quick connect connector 42 for connection to the service port 28, and a valve 44 having internal threads (not visible in FIG. 2) for connection to the refrigerant can 34.

[0022] Note that the valve 44 is preferably connected permanently to a hose 46 of the apparatus 40. Due to the construction of the apparatus 40, there is no need for the valve 44 to be interchanged on the hose 46 with any other element of the apparatus, or for the valve itself to be repeatedly connected and disconnected from the hose.

[0023] An opposite end of the hose 46 is connected, via a T-fitting 48, to a pressure gauge 50. This connection between the hose 46 and the gauge 50 is also preferably a permanent connection, since there is no need to disconnect and reconnect the gauge, or to substitute it with any other element of the apparatus 40.

[0024] Another hose 52 is connected between the T-fitting 48 and the connector 42. Thus, both the pressure gauge 50 and the valve 44 are connected to the connector 42 at the same time, enabling a user to monitor pressure in the system 12 while the valve is also connected and available to add refrigerant to the system. Preferably, the hose 52 is permanently connected between the T-fitting 48 and the connector 42.

[0025] In use, the apparatus 40 is connected to the air conditioning system 12 when the system is turned off. With the valve 44 closed, a can of refrigerant 34 threaded into the valve. The connector 42 is then connected to the service port 28 and the system 12 is turned on. At this point, pressure in the low pressure line 24 may be monitored using the gauge 50. The valve 44 may then be opened to permit refrigerant to flow from the can into the system 12.

[0026] Pressure in the low pressure line 24 may be conveniently monitored using the gauge 50 during the process of adding refrigerant. For example, the valve 44 may be closed after only a partial can of refrigerant 34 has been added, and the gauge 50 checked to see whether a sufficient amount of refrigerant has been added, while the system 12 remains turned on.

[0027] There is no need to interchange the gauge 50 with a valve, as in the prior art system illustrated in FIG. 1, when it is desired to add refrigerant, or to interchange the valve with the gauge when it is desired to check the pressure in the low pressure line 24. Furthermore, there is no need to repeat this process multiple times when it is necessary to add more than one can of refrigerant 34 to the system 12.

[0028] Thus, it will be readily appreciated that the apparatus 40 is more convenient, easier to operate, less dangerous and less prone to error than prior refrigerant charging apparatus.

[0029] Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a careful consideration of the above description of a representative embodiment of the invention, readily appreciate that many modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions, and other changes may be made to this specific embodiment, and such changes are contemplated by the principles of the present invention. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as being given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited solely by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An automotive air conditioning refrigerant charging apparatus, comprising:

a quick connect connector operative to connect to a low pressure service port of an R-134a air conditioning system;

a pressure gauge; and

a refrigerant can valve,

the pressure gauge and valve being connected simultaneously to the quick connect connector.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure gauge and valve are connected to the quick connect connector using at least one hose.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first hose is connected between the pressure gauge and the quick connect connector, and wherein a second hose is connected between the valve and the pressure gauge.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first hose is connected between the quick connect connector and a T-fitting connected to the pressure gauge, and wherein the second hose is connected between the T-fitting and the valve.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure gauge is permanently connected to the quick connect connector.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the valve is permanently connected to the quick connect connector.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure gauge and the valve are each permanently connected to the quick connect connector.

8. An automotive air conditioning refrigerant charging apparatus, comprising:

a quick connect connector operative to connect to a low pressure service port of an R-134a air conditioning system;

a pressure gauge; and

a refrigerant can valve,

at least one of the pressure gauge and valve being permanently connected to the quick connect connector.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein both of the pressure gauge and valve are permanently connected to the quick connect connector.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the pressure gauge and the valve are connected simultaneously to the quick connect connector.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the pressure gauge and valve are connected to the quick connect connector using at least one hose.

12. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a first hose is connected between the pressure gauge and the quick connect connector, and wherein a second hose is connected between the valve and the pressure gauge.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first hose is connected between the quick connect connector and a T-fitting connected to the pressure gauge, and wherein the second hose is connected between the T-fitting and the valve.

14. An automotive air conditioning refrigerant charging apparatus, comprising:

a quick connect connector operative to connect to a low pressure service port of an R-134a air conditioning system;

a pressure gauge;

a refrigerant can valve; and

a T-fitting connected to each of the quick connect connector, the pressure gauge and the valve.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the pressure gauge and valve is permanently connected to the T-fitting.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein both of the pressure gauge and valve are permanently connected to the T-fitting.

17. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the pressure gauge and the valve are connected simultaneously to the T-fitting.

18. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the pressure gauge and valve are connected to the quick connect connector using at least one hose.

19. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a first hose is connected between the pressure gauge and the quick connect connector, and wherein a second hose is connected between the valve and the pressure gauge.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the first hose is connected between the quick connect connector and the T-fitting, and wherein the second hose is connected between the T-fitting and the valve.