Accumulator cycling switch

Abstract

In a vehicle air conditioning system, an improved combination accumulator housing and cycling switch assembly for controlling operation of a compressor in response to refrigerant pressure within the interior of the housing. The housing has a flexure or creep action type diaphragm secured in overlying relation to aperture means in the accumulator housing exterior wall in a sealed spaced manner to effectively close the aperture means to direct communication between the interior housing and the ambient air. The central portion of the diaphragm extends over a stepped counterbore of the switch assembly so as to be movable from its normal planar position to an outer flexed position in response to pressure differences between the housing interior and the ambient air. The switch actuator button includes a stem portion and an enlarged head positioned in engagement with the diaphragm wherein a cuspidal annular gap between the head and switch diaphragm seat allows the diaphragm to flex in a convoluted manner into control sensitive conformity with the actuator head. The assembly is structured to limit travel of the button in a direction for transmitting movement of the diaphragm to the snap-action switch, thereby obviating the need to discharge the air conditioning system upon removal of the switch means.