Thermal switch mounting clip

Abstract

Techniques disclosed herein include a mounting clip for use with large body thermal switches, which have can a length substantially longer than a diameter of refrigeration tubing. The mounting clip snaps onto the thermal switch, and then snaps or locks onto the refrigeration tubing as well. Embodiments can include a one-piece or two-piece mounting clip that removable presses and holds the thermal switch against a refrigeration tube by encompassing both the refrigeration tube and the thermal switch. The mounting clip can be sized small enough to fit within relatively small space constraints of evaporator units.

1 . A two part thermal switch mounting clip comprising:
 an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the elongated member being bent at multiple points such that the elongated member forms a loop sized to pass around both a refrigeration tube and a thermal switch in contact with the refrigeration tube, the loop defining a top portion, a bottom portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion, the thermal switch having a substantially cylindrical body including a first end and a second end, the first end of the thermal switch being substantially flat, the second end of the thermal switch having a generally concave surface shaped to conform to a portion of curvature of the refrigeration tube for thermal contact between the thermal switch and the refrigeration tube, the thermal switch controlling defrost cycles of a refrigeration system, the first end of the elongated member and the second end of the elongated member positioned at the first side portion of the loop, the first end of the elongated member configured to releasably interlock with the second end of the elongated member such that when interlocked the elongated member presses the thermal switch against the refrigeration tube securing contact between the thermal switch and the refrigeration tube; and   a separate structural plate attached to the top portion of the loop, the structural plate having multiple prongs tensioned to releasably hold the thermal switch within the loop of the elongated member.   
     
     
         2 . The two part thermal switch mounting clip of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal switch having a generally concave surface shaped to conform to a portion of curvature of the refrigeration tube includes being sized to conform to a U-bend of evaporator tubing. 
     
     
         3 . The two part thermal switch mounting clip of  claim 2 , wherein a thickness of the elongated member and loop geometry are selected such that the loop is sized to fit between U-bends of adjacent refrigeration tubing 
     
     
         4 . The two part thermal switch mounting clip of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the elongated member and the second end of the elongated member interlock by being bent to each form a hook. 
     
     
         5 . The two part thermal switch mounting clip of  claim 1 , wherein the separate structure plate includes at least three prongs adapted to releasably hold the two-part thermal switch. 
     
     
         6 . The two part thermal switch mounting clip of  claim 1 , wherein the separate structural plate is spot welded to the elongated member. 
     
     
         7 . The two part thermal switch mounting clip of  claim 1 , wherein the separate structural plate is riveted to the elongated member. 
     
     
         8 . The two part thermal switch mounting clip of  claim 1 , wherein the separate structural plate is crimped to the elongated member. 
     
     
         9 . A thermal switch mounting clip comprising:
 an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the elongated member being bent at multiple points such that the elongated member forms a loop sized to pass around both a refrigeration tube and a thermal switch in contact with the refrigeration tube, the loop defining a top portion, a bottom portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion, the thermal switch having a substantially cylindrical body including a first end and a second end, the first end of the thermal switch being substantially flat, the second end of the thermal switch having a generally concave surface shaped to conform to a portion of curvature of the refrigeration tube for thermal contact between the thermal switch and the refrigeration tube, the thermal switch controlling defrost cycles of a refrigeration system, the top portion of the loop having a thermal switch securing mechanism that releasably holds the thermal switch relative to the elongated member using multiple spring tension prongs, the multiple spring tension prongs adapted to releasably hold the thermal switch to the elongated member, the first end of the elongated member and the second end of the elongated member positioned at the bottom portion of the loop, the first end of the elongated member and the second end of the elongated member configured to define a separable opening to the loop such that the elongated member and the thermal switch can be pressed onto the refrigeration tube via the separable opening such that the first end of the elongated member and the second end of the elongated member move apart from each other when pressed over the refrigeration tube and then return to an approximate initial position after passing the refrigeration tubing.   
     
     
         10 . The thermal switch mounting clip of  claim 9 , wherein the thermal switch securing mechanism includes the elongated member having multiple spring tension prongs located at the top portion of the loop. 
     
     
         11 . The thermal switch mounting clip of  claim 9 , wherein the thermal switch securing mechanism includes a structural plate attached to the top portion of the loop, the structural plate having multiple prongs tensioned to releasably hold the thermal switch within the loop of the elongated member. 
     
     
         12 . The thermal switch mounting clip of  claim 11 , wherein the structure plate includes at least three prongs adapted to releasably hold the thermal switch. 
     
     
         13 . The thermal switch mounting clip of  claim 11 , wherein the structural plate is spot welded to the elongated member. 
     
     
         14 . The thermal switch mounting clip of  claim 11 , wherein the structural plate is riveted to the elongated member. 
     
     
         15 . The thermal switch mounting clip of  claim 11 , wherein the structural plate is crimped to the elongated member. 
     
     
         16 . The thermal switch mounting clip of  claim 9 , wherein the thermal switch having a generally concave surface shaped to conform to a portion of curvature of the refrigeration tube includes being sized to conform to a U-bend of evaporator tubing. 
     
     
         17 . The thermal switch mounting clip of  claim 16 , wherein a thickness of the elongated member and loop geometry are selected such that the loop is sized to fit between U-bends of adjacent refrigeration tubing 
     
     
         18 . The thermal switch mounting clip of  claim 9 , wherein the first end of the elongated member and the second end of the elongated member define the separable opening by each being bent at an angle that causes the loop to separate when the opening is pressed sufficiently against the refrigeration tube.