EP4658957A1

EP4658957A1 - A heat pump system with a protective grille

Info

Publication number: EP4658957A1
Application number: EP24701982.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Florian ANTOINE; Olivier SIEGEL; Damien Kieffer; Cyril BOUCHE; Mickaël KOCH
Original assignee: BDR Thermea Group BV
Current assignee: BDR Thermea Group BV
Priority date: 2023-01-30
Filing date: 2024-01-30
Publication date: 2025-12-10
Also published as: EP4407251A1; WO2024160755A1

Abstract

Providing an apparatus for heating water in a building, such as an air source heat pump, wherein the apparatus comprises a fan, a heat exchanger, a first set of fixing means with a first set of distance relationships to each other, a second set of fixing means with the same first set of distance relationships to each other, a first grille with interlocking means compatible to both the first and second fixing means and with the same first set of distance relationships to each other. The grille is affixed to the first side of the casing but may be affixed to either the first or second side of the casing, and therefore may protect the fan and the heat exchanger from external impact and prevent access from the outside and may be construed as a common part capable of reversibly fixing to either the first or second fixing means.

Description

A heat pump system with a protective grille

The invention relates to an apparatus for heating water in a building, such as an air source heat pump, wherein the apparatus comprises a fan, a heat exchanger, a first fixing means, and a second fixing means wherein a first grille is compatible to the first and second fixing means. The first grille may protect both the fan and the heat exchanger from external impact and/or prevent access to the fan and the heat exchanger from an outer side. This way, the first grille may be construed as a common part capable of reversibly fixing to either the first or second fixing means. The invention further relates to a grille for protecting a fan or a heat exchanger to be fixed to an aforementioned apparatus.

Heating of water in buildings, such as heating water of a central heating system or heating of water for domestic use, may be accomplished by means of a heat pump system. Such a heat pump system may either be a ground source heat pump (GSHP) system or an air source heat pump (ASHP) system. In a GSHP system, calories are exchanged between the ground, or ground water, and a fluid, the fluid in particular being air or water. The calories in the ground may be extracted by capturing calories in a water table or by circulating a water-based circuit in the ground. In an ASHP system calories are exchanged between the air and a fluid, in particular air or water.

A heat pump system may comprise an outdoor unit for extracting heat from an external source. In case of an ASHP system, such an outdoor unit may extract heat from the air by having an airflow pass over, a part of, a heat exchanger which transfers the heat calories in the air via the surface of the heat exchanger to a refrigerant fluid within the heat exchanger. Such an outdoor unit thus usually comprises a fan and a heat exchanger.

The fan is a moving part, activated by a motor. The blades of the fan may be relatively sharp, especially when the fan is turning around. To prevent a user from accidentally touching the fan or inserting an object between the fan blades, a grille has to be placed in front of the fan to limit access to the fan while ensuring sufficient air flow to pass through the fan. The heat exchanger, or at least the evaporator part of the heat exchanger, is typically a heatsink with a fin stack, made of a thermally conductive material or materials. The fins in such a fin stack usually are very thin, often a few tenths of a millimeter, and are thus fragile. To prevent deformation of these fins due to external objects exerting a force onto the fins, it is necessary to place a grille in front of the heat exchanger as deformation of these fins could reduce the performance of the heat exchange or increase the noise of the air flow due to additional perturbations.

A heat pump system may thus comprise two or more grilles to protect a variety of components against insertion of external objects. Depending on the design of the heat pump system, this requires different designs for each grille. This may lead to improper installation of the grille when the wrong grille is attached to a particular side of the heat pump system. Also, having multiple design variants of each grille requires different production processes, or at least different processing steps or tools, thus leading to an increase of production and supply chain costs. A standardized design would be preferred as it reduces production costs, enables optimization of transportation and storage, and reduces the risk of too much stock at the end of a product range’s life, thus being more eco-friendly. It is therefore desired to have a single grille design and a heat pump system that can be equipped and provided with such a standard grille design.

The object of the invention is obtained by providing an apparatus for heating water in a building, such as an air source heat pump, and comprising a casing, a fan on a first side of the casing, a heat exchanger on a second side of the casing, a first set of fixing means on the first side of the casing, wherein the first set of fixing means have a first set of distance relationships to each other, and a second fixing means on the second side of the casing wherein the second set of fixing means have the first set of distance relationships to each other, and wherein the first grille comprises interlocking means compatible to both the first fixing means and the second fixing means and wherein the interlocking means have the first set of distance relationships to each other so that the grille may be affixed to either the first side or the second side of the casing, and wherein the grille is affixed to the first side of the casing.

The first grille protects the fan on the first side, and is attached to the first fixing means on the first side. The first and second fixing means may be all identical and the spacing between the first fixing means on the first side may be the same spacing between the second fixing means on the second side. The first and second fixing means may also be different from each other. The first and second fixing means may be situated on a panel already present on the apparatus or on the frame of the apparatus. The first grille has interlocking means that is compatible to the both the first and second fixing means. When the first and second fixing means are identical to each other, the first grille has only one kind of interlocking means. When the first and second fixing means differ from each other, the first grille may have two kinds of interlocking means or an interlocking means that can be used on either the first or second fixing means without any modifications. Thus, the first grille could be, for any reason, detached from the first side of the apparatus and attached to the second side of the apparatus. As the first and second fixing means may be situated on a panel or on the frame of the apparatus, the first grille may be attached onto the panel or may be installed as a replacement of the panel. The first grille may be a grid-like grille. As such, a standard grille design can be provided and the object of the invention is thereby achieved.

In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a second grille on the second side of the apparatus close to the heat exchanger, and wherein the second grille is compatible to both the first fixing means and the second fixing means. The second grille is identical to the first grille. This way, the first and second grille are interchangeable with each other meaning the first grille can be attached to the second side of the apparatus while the second grille can be attached to the first side of the apparatus. As the first and second fixing means may be situated on a panel or on the frame of the apparatus, the second grille may be attached onto the panel or may be installed as a replacement of the panel.

In an embodiment, the first fixing means and the second fixing means essentially are the same fixing means on each side. By having both the first and second fixing means similar or identical, only one set of interlocking means on either the first or second grille has to be provided.

In an embodiment, the first fixing means comprises opening for clips, screwing points, tapping, ribbing, protuberances or a combination thereof, and wherein the first fixing means preferably are removable fixing means. The first fixing means may allow the reversible attachment of any compatible interlocking means to be attached to the first fixing means. For instance, the first fixing means may be an opening that allows for a clip, a screw, a tap or the like to be inserted and attach to the first fixing means. In an embodiment, the second fixing means comprises opening for clips, screwing points, tapping, ribbing, protuberances or a combination thereof, and wherein the second fixing means preferably are removable fixing means. The second fixing means may allow the reversible attachment of any compatible interlocking means to be attached to the second fixing means. For instance, the second fixing means may be an opening that allows for a clip, a screw, a tap or the like to be inserted and attach to the second fixing means. The second fixing means may be similar or identical to the first fixing means of the previous embodiment.

In an embodiment, the first grille is made from plastic, metal or a combination of both, wherein the first grille comprises interlocking means such as clips, openings for screws, taps, ribs, protrusions, or a combination thereof to reversibly attach to the first fixing means. The first grille has to be able to withstand certain external force and as such is made from plastic or metal. The first grille may be made from a combination of plastic and metal, for example the first grille may have an outer edge made from plastic and an inner wire frame made from metal.

In an embodiment, the second grille is made from plastic, metal or a combination of both, and the second grille comprises interlocking means such as clips, openings for screws, taps, ribs, protrusions, or a combination thereof to reversibly attach to the second fixing means. The second grille has to be able to withstand certain external force and as such is made from plastic or metal. The second grille may be made from a combination of plastic and metal, for example the second grille may have an outer edge made from plastic and an inner wire frame made from metal.

In an aspect of the invention, a grille for protecting a fan or a heat exchanger of an apparatus is provided, wherein the grille comprises interlocking means such as clips, openings for screws, taps, ribs, protrusions, or a combination thereof to reversibly attach to a fixing means, on either a first or second side on an apparatus. The interlocking means may reversibly attach to a fixing means situated on an apparatus for heating water in a building, such as an air source heat pump. The interlocking means may thus reversibly attach to a first and/or second fixing means of any of the previous embodiments. The grille may therefore be attached to either the front face or the rear face of an apparatus for heating water in a building, and therefore provides protection for the apparatus components while reducing production costs.

In an embodiment, the grille is made from plastic, metal or a combination of both. The grille has to be able to withstand certain external force and as such is made from plastic or metal. The grille may be made from a combination of plastic and metal, for example the grille may have an outer edge made from plastic and an inner wire frame made from metal.

In the figures, the subject-matter of the invention is schematically shown, wherein identical or similarly acting elements are usually provided with the same reference signs.

Figure 1A shows a schematic representation of a first side of an apparatus according to the present invention.

Figure 1 B shows a schematic representation of an alternative first side of an apparatus according to the present invention.

Figure 2A shows a schematic representation of a second side of an apparatus according to the present invention.

Figure 2B shows a schematic representation of an alternative second side of an apparatus according to the present invention.

Figure 3A shows a schematic representation of a grille for a heat pump system according to an aspect of the present invention.

Figure 3B shows an alternative schematic representation of a grille for a heat pump system according to an aspect of the present invention.

Figure 3C shows an alternative schematic representation of a grille for a heat pump system according to an aspect of the present invention.

Figure 4A shows another schematic representation of a first side of an apparatus according to the present invention.

Figure 4B shows another schematic representation of an alternative first side of an apparatus according to the present invention.

Figure 5 shows another schematic representation of a second side of an apparatus according to the present invention.

Figure 6A shows an exploded representation of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention. Figure 6B shows an exploded representation of an alternative embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention.

With reference to Figure 1 A, an apparatus 1 for heating water in a building, with a casing 1a, is shown on a first side comprising a fan 2, situated behind grid-like structure 2a as seen from the outside of apparatus 1 , and first fixing means 6a to 6d. First set of fixing means 6a to 6d have a set of distance relationships to each other, which may be defined for example by the distance between them, or by the diagonal distance between 6b and 6c, or between 6a and 6d. The first fixing means 6a to 6d are openings to accommodate interlocking means 8a to 8d of a protective grille 4, 5 shown in Figures 3A and 3B.

Figure 1 B shows an apparatus 1 , with casing 1a, for heating water in a building, with a first side comprising a fan 2. In this instance the fan is fully visible from outside the apparatus as there is no grid-like structure 2A included in the apparatus 1. Again apparatus 1 comprises first fixing means 6a to 6d which may be defined by a first set of distance relationships to each other,

In Figure 2A, the apparatus 1 , with casing 1a, is shown again but now on a second side comprising a heat exchanger 3, situated behind grid-like structure 3a as seen from outside apparatus 1 , and second fixing means 7a to 7d. The second set of fixing means 7a to 7d have the same first set of distance relationships to each other as have fixing means 6a to 6d. In other words the second set of fixing means have the same set of distance relationships to each other as the first set of fixing means. The second fixing means 7a to 7d are openings to accommodate interlocking means 8a to 8d of a protective grille 4,5 shown in Figures 3A and 3B.

Figure 2B shows an apparatus 1 , with casing 1a, for heating water in a building, with heat exchanger 3. In this instance the heat exchanger is visible from outside the apparatus as there is no grid-like structure 3a included in the apparatus 1. Again apparatus 1 comprises second fixing means 7a to 7d which may be defined by a second set of distance relationships to each other,

In Figure 3A, a grille 4, 5 is shown comprising interlocking means 8a to 8d. The set of interlocking means 8a to 8d have the first set of distance relationships to each other and therefore grille 4,5 may be affixed to either the first side or the second side of the casing. Therefore the grille may be used as first grille 4 and/or as second grill 5. The interlocking means 8a to 8d are clips that may be reversible attached to the first fixing means 7a to 7d and/or to the second fixing means 8a to 8b of an apparatus 1 as shown in Figures 1A-2B.

Figure 3B shows an alternative view of a grille 4, 5 comprising interlocking means 8a to 8d.

Figure 3C shows an alternative view of a portion of the grille 4, 5 comprising an interlocking means 8a.

Figure 4A shows apparatus 1 of Figure 1A with the grille 4 attached to the first fixing means 6a to 6d. The grille 4 protects the fan 2 in addition to the grid-like structure 2a.

Figure 4B shows apparatus 1 of Figure 1 B with the grille 4 attached to the first fixing means 6a to 6d. The grille 4, 5 protects the fan 2, in particular in the event when a gridlike structure 2a is missing from the casing 1a or is not provided.

Figure 5 shows apparatus 1 of Figure 2A or 2B with grille 5 attached to the second fixing means 7a to 7d. The grille 5 protects the heat exchanger 3, in particular in the event when the grid-like structure 3a is missing from the casing 1a or is not provided.

Figure 6A shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the invention is which an apparatus 1 , with casing 1a, is provided without a circular grid-like structure on one side to protect a fan to be included in the apparatus. In this event the addition of a grille 4 on the respective side of the apparatus 1 provides protection for the fan. In this case gridlike structure 3a to protect a heat exchanger on the other side of apparatus 1 is included.

Figure 6B shows the apparatus 1 with casing 1a of Figure 6A, and now with the fan installed. As can be seen the fan has no protection unless grille 4 is provided. The invention has the further advantage that an installer, upon arriving at an installation site to install apparatus 1 , and finding that the installation site offers certain risks to the apparatus, for example if apparatus 1 is to be installed outside on a rooftop and both sides of apparatus 1 will be exposed to the risk of wind-borne debris, can further install a second but identical grille 5 over the grid-like structure 3a protecting the heat exchanger.

Reference Signs

1 apparatus

1a casing 2 fan

2a grid-like structure designed to offer some protection to fan

3 heat exchanger

3a grid-like structure designed to offer some protection to heat exchanger

4 first grille 5 second grille

6a-6d first fixing means

7a-7d second fixing means

8a-8d interlocking means

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. An apparatus (1) for heating water in a building, such as an air source heat pump, wherein the apparatus (1) comprises:

- a casing (1a);

- a fan (2) on a first side of the casing (1);

- a heat exchanger (3) on a second side of the casing (1);

- a first set of fixing means (6a-6d) on the first side of the casing (1)) wherein the first set of fixing means have a first set of distance relationships to each other; and

- a second fixing means (7a-7d) on the second side of the casing (1)) wherein the second set of fixing means have the first set of distance relationships to each other; wherein the first grille (4) comprises interlocking means compatible to both the first fixing means (6a-6d) and the second fixing means (7a-7d) and wherein the interlocking means have the first set of distance relationships to each other so that the grille may be affixed to either the first side or the second side of the casing; and wherein the grille is affixed to the first side of the casing.

2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus (1) further comprises a second grille (5) on the second side of the apparatus (1) close to the heat exchanger (3), and wherein the second grille (5) is compatible to both the first fixing means (6a-6d) and the second fixing means (7a-7d).

3. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first fixing means (6a-6d) and the second fixing means (7a-7d) essentially are the same fixing means on each side.

4. The apparatus (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the first fixing means (6a-6d) comprises opening for clips, screwing points, tapping, ribbing, protuberances or a combination thereof, and wherein the first fixing means (6a- 6d) preferably are removable fixing means.

5. The apparatus (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the second fixing means (7a-7d) comprises opening for clips, screwing points, tapping, ribbing, protuberances or a combination thereof and wherein the second fixing means (7a- 7d) preferably are removable fixing means.

6. The apparatus (1) according to any of the claim 1 to 3, wherein the first grille (4) is made from plastic, metal or a combination of both, and wherein the first grille (4) comprises interlocking means (8a-8d) such as clips, openings for screws, taps, ribs, protrusions, or a combination thereof to reversibly attach to the first fixing means (6a-6d).

7. The apparatus (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the second grille (5) is made from plastic, metal or a combination of both, and wherein the second grille (5) comprises interlocking means (8a-8d) such as clips, openings for screws, taps, ribs, protrusions, or a combination thereof to reversibly attach to the second fixing means (7a-7d).

8. The apparatus (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the second grille (5) is essentially the same, in particular identical, to the first grille (4).

9. A grille (4,5) for protecting a fan or a heat exchanger of an apparatus according to claim 1-8, wherein the grille (4, 5) comprises interlocking means (8a-8d) such as clips, openings for screws, taps, ribs, protrusions, or a combination thereof to reversibly attach to a fixing means (6a-6b, 7a-7d) on either a first or second side on an apparatus.

10. The grille (4,5) according to claim 8, wherein the grille (4,5) is made from plastic, metal or a combination of both.