Controlling refrigeration having control module directly attached on valve body

Claim 1

A controller assembly for controlling refrigerant flow in a vehicle air conditioning system comprising: (a) valve body means defining an inlet adapted to receive pressurized refrigerant, an outlet adapted for discharging said refrigerant at a lower pressure and a valving passage therebetween having therein a valve member movable between an open and closed position for controlling flow in said passage between said inlet and outlet; (b) motor means attached to said body means and operable upon periodic energization to move said valve member between said open and said closed position, said motor means having at least one electrical connector extending therefrom; (c) a first temperature sensing means attached to said body means and operative, upon electrical energization, for sensing the temperature in said outlet, said sensing means having at least one electrical connector extending therefrom; (d) said body means further defining an auxiliary passage therethrough, said auxiliary passage adapted for having refrigerant leaving an evaporator flow therethrough; (e) second temperature sensing means attached to said body means and operative, upon electrical energization for sensing the temperature in said auxiliary passage, said second sensing means having at least one electrical connector extending therefrom; (f) control circuit means comprising a module including a microcomputer and means operable to periodically energize said valve, said module attached to and in direct contact with said body means which has for heat conduction therewith, said module having receptacle means received therein, in plug-in arrangement, said motor electrical connector and said electrical connectors of said first and second temperature sensing means; and, (g) electrical supply connector means provided on said module and adapted for connection to an on-board source of electrical power.