Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
  • F24H9/00—Details
  • F24H9/02—Casings; Cover lids; Ornamental panels
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
  • F24F1/06—Separate outdoor units, e.g. outdoor unit to be linked to a separate room comprising a compressor and a heat exchanger
  • F24F1/56—Casing or covers of separate outdoor units, e.g. fan guards
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
  • F24F11/88—Electrical aspects, e.g. circuits
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
  • F24F11/89—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
  • F24H4/00—Fluid heaters characterised by the use of heat pumps
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
  • F24H9/00—Details
  • F24H9/20—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
  • F24F1/06—Separate outdoor units, e.g. outdoor unit to be linked to a separate room comprising a compressor and a heat exchanger
  • F24F1/20—Electric components for separate outdoor units

Definitions

• Heat pump unit comprising an electrical box
• the invention relates to a heat pump unit comprising an electrical box.
• the invention further relates to an electrical box for a heat pump unit.
• the electrical box comprising an electrical terminal block, connected or connectable to one or more electrical cables, one or more internal access points, or internal access apertures, and one or more external access points, or external access apertures. Both the internal and external access points, or apertures, may be used for one or more electrical cables to run through either access points to reach at least one electrical connection point outside the heat pump unit. This offers two modes of electrical connection on the same heat pump unit for the installation of the heat pump unit.
• Heat pump units require a power supply to operate. They may also require a wired connection between the indoor unit and the outdoor heat pump unit for control and monitoring purposes, i.e. to transmit control signal or sensor signals.
• connections are usually made by one or more electrical cables connected from the building serviced by the heat pump unit to an electrical box comprised by the outdoor or indoor heat pump unit.
• the connections are preferably well covered and preferably inaccessible to reduce safety risks or risks of damaging these connections, as users or by-passer can’t easily or accidentally reach the connections, with all associated risks like hot spots, chemical risks, electrical risks.
• an enclosure may be provided on an external surface of the heat pump unit.
• the enclosure may comprise a box and a cover to close/open the box.
• the cover is removed. This provides access to the electrical terminal block positioned inside the box. The electrical connections are made and the cover is then replaced to cover the enclosure and the electrical connections.
• openings are provided in a side panel of the heat pump unit through which cables can be inserted into the inside of the heat pump unit. These openings can be fitted with flexible material to ensure a seal between the cable and the panel. Once the cables are inserted into the product, they are connected to an electrical terminal block inside the heat pump unit.
• connections should not be passed through the side of the heat pump unit for safety reasons.
• a solution would be to pass the connections via the inside of the heat pump unit, for example through the bottom of the heat pump unit.
• not all installation locations permit the pass-through at the bottom. In such cases, a connection through the side may be necessary.
• the object is therefore to provide a heat pump unit which can be connected to at least one connection point outside of the product while offering the flexibility of passing the connections through either, at least a part of, the inside or via the outside of the heat pump unit, such as via a bottom or a side of the heat pump unit.
• a heat pump unit comprising a heat pump housing defining an inner space and heat pump components positioned in the inner space, wherein the heat pump housing comprises a ground opening situated in a bottom panel, and wherein the heat pump unit comprises an electrical box comprising a cover, the electrical box further comprising an electrical terminal block, comprising a first group of at least one terminal block connection points for electrical connection to the heat pump components, and a second group of at least one terminal block connection points for electrical connection to at least one connection point located outside the heat pump unit, wherein the cover of the electrical box is arranged so that a part of the cover is situated in the inner space of the heat pump housing and a part of the cover is situated outside the heat pump housing, and wherein the cover comprises one or more internal access apertures positioned on the part of the cover situated in the inner space, and arranged to allow electrical connection to the second group of at least one terminal block connection points, which electrical connection is arranged to proceed via the ground opening from the at least one electrical connection point located outside of the heat pump unit, and the cover comprises
• the installer may therefore choose at installation the most appropriate arrangement for installment and electrical connection of the heat pump unit. This is particularly advantageous if it is not known in advance what existing arrangement the heat pump is to be connected to.
• the arrangement of the invention allows a single heat pump unit to be connected up to an external electrical connection via the ground, for protection for the cabling from animals and/or weather, or through the air when such protection is not necessary. Further it allows direct ground connection to a second ground source heat pump arrangement, while also allowing direct connection to a second air-positioned heat pump arrangement, situated for example on a wall of a building.
• the electrical box is preferably positioned in a panel opening in a side panel of the heat pump housing, such as a back side panel, the panel opening being configured to accommodate the electrical box.
• the electrical box is preferably positioned in the panel opening in a watertight manner. Positioning and sealing may be achieved by pressing the electrical box partially through the panel opening.
• the panel opening and the electrical box form a tight fit, to secure the electrical box in position and prevent water or dirt from entering the heat pump housing. This can be achieved by a fixed material, a flexible area, such as a seal.
• the electrical box may have a circumferential notch in which the inner edge of the opening in the side panel is captured. The notch may be provided in the housing part, the cover part or on the interface of these parts.
• the housing and cover part are explained in more detail below.
• This way the electrical box can be fixed by pressing the electrical box through the opening until the notch captures the inner edge, locking the electrical box in position.
• the notch may be made from a flexible material to allow capturing the edge of the opening when inserted inside the notch.
• the heat pump components may be, amongst others, a compressor, a fan, a condenser, an expansion valve and/or an evaporator.
• the electrical box comprises a housing, or cover, part comprising the one or more internal access points, or apertures, and a cover part comprising the one or more external access points, or apertures.
• the housing, or internal cover, part is (mainly) positioned inside the heat pump housing and the external cover part is (mainly) positioned outside the heat pump housing.
• the housing part and the cover part are preferably matching and configured to connect to each other to form the electrical box.
• the housing part may be fixed to the heat pump housing and the cover part may be removable from the housing part to provide access to the electrical terminal block.
• the external cover part is positioned on the outside of the heat pump housing, thereby advantageously providing access to the inside of the electrical box and the electrical terminal block from the outside of the heat pump unit.
• the external cover part is configured to be locked to and unlocked from the housing part and/or the heat pump housing with a tool.
• the external cover part may be locked and unlocked using a reversible locking means such as screws.
• the locking and unlocking tool may be a screwdriver.
• An additional layer may be added over the cover as to further protect or hide the electrical box and, at least partially the one or electrical cables.
• the additional layer may be shaped in such a manner to guide water such as rain water off of the electrical box and away from the heat pump unit.
• the one or more internal access points, or apertures, and/or the one or more external access points, or apertures are formed as openings or openable members.
• Openable members may be formed as removable pre-cut members. This embodiment has the advantage that openings which are not used can remain closed. This is particularly advantageous for the one or more external access points, as if these can be kept closed, the ingress of water via the external access points can be prevented.
• the one or more internal access points and/or the one or more external access points are positioned below the electrical terminal block. This protects the electrical terminal block from rainwater damage, in particular via any openings or access points not in use.
• the one or more internal access points and/or the one or more external access points are positioned at least 40mm lower than the electrical terminal block.
• the access points are positioned at least 40mm, preferably at least 70mm, lower than the lowest connection point of the electrical terminal block.
• the access points are preferably made at the bottom of the electrical box.
• the heat pump unit comprises one or more electrical cables connected to the electrical terminal block, the electrical cables being power supply cables and/or signal cables.
• Power cables are used to provide the heat pump unit and in particular the heat pump components of the heat pump unit with electricity.
• Signal cables are used to convey control signals and/or sensor readings to or from the heat pump unit.
• the electrical cables have a first diameter
• the internal and external access points have a second diameter or a minimal cross-sectional width in the range of 1 to 3 times the first diameter
• the electrical box comprises outlet openings positioned above the electrical terminal block for electrical cables to run between the electrical terminal block and one or more of the heat pump components.
• the heat pump housing comprises a bottom panel having at least one hole or opening.
• the electrical cables running from the electrical terminal block to at least one connection point located outside of the heat pump unit while passing at least partially in the inner space of the heat pump housing pass through the at least one hole in the bottom panel.
• this may be used to allow for electrical connection to the terminal block from cabling originating from the ground.
• the cabling coming out of the ground can be fed straight through the opening into the heat pump housing for eventual connection through the internal access apertures.
• an electrical box for a heat pump unit comprising a heat pump housing and heat pump components, the electrical box comprising a cover and an electrical terminal block comprising a first group of at least one terminal block connection points for electrical connection to the heat pump components, and further comprising a second group of at least one terminal block connection points for electrical connection to at least one electrical connection point located outside of the heat pump unit (1), and wherein the electrical box comprises one or more internal access apertures arranged to be situated in an inner space of a heat pump unit (1) and arranged to allow electrical connection to the second group of at least one terminal block connection points from the at least one electrical connection point located outside the heat pump unit, and one or more external access apertures arranged to be situated outside the heat pump unit (1) and arranged to allow electrical connection to the second group of at least one terminal block connection points from the at least one electrical connection point located outside the heat pump unit.
• the electrical box is configured to be positioned in an opening of the heat pump housing with the internal access points, or apertures, positioned inside the heat pump housing and the external access points, or apertures, positioned outside the heat pump housing.
• the electrical box may have a circumferential notch that is configured to receive an edge of an opening in the heat pump housing, i.e. in a side panel, to secure position the electrical box in the opening of the heat pump housing.
• the notch may be provided in the housing part, the cover part or on the interface of these parts.
• the dimensions of the electrical box may be larger than on the side of the notch of the internal access points. This allows the electrical box to be positioned in the opening in the heat pump housing from the outside, while preventing the electrical box from being inserted too far.
• the notch may be made from a flexible material to allow capturing the edge of the opening when inserted inside the notch.
• FIGS. 1a-b schematically show a view of a heat pump unit according to an embodiment
• FIGS 2a-d schematically show different views of an electrical box according to an embodiment
• Figure 3 schematically shows a view of an electrical box according to an embodiment
• Figure 4 schematically shows another view of a heat pump unit according to an embodiment
• FIGS 1a and 1 b schematically show a heat pump unit 1 comprising a heat pump housing 10 defining an inner space having heat pump components, not shown, positioned within the inner space.
• the heat pump unit 1 comprises an electrical box 2, attached to a back panel 11 , having an electrical terminal block 5 connected to one or more electrical cables 6 which terminate at a connection point anywhere outside the heat pump unit.
• the electrical box 2 comprises one or more internal access points, or apertures, 8 positioned inside the heat pump housing 10.
• the electrical box 2 further comprises one or more external access points, or apertures, 7 positioned outside the heat pump housing 10.
• a group of terminal block connection points 5a allow connection between the heat pump and an external electrical connection point.
• the electrical box 2 comprises outlet openings 9 positioned above the electrical terminal block 5 for electrical cables to run, via a group of terminal block connection points 5b, between the electrical terminal block 5 and one or more of the heat pump components, not shown.
• the one or more electrical cables 6 are connect to the electrical terminal block 5, via the terminal block connection points 5a while running through the one or more external access points 7 positioned outside the heat pump housing 10.
• the one or more electrical cables 6 are connect to the electrical terminal block 5, via the terminal block connection points 5a, while running through the one or more internal access points 8 positioned inside the heat pump housing 10, to terminate at a connection point anywhere outside the heat pump unit.
• Electrical box 2 has a cover, or housing, 3, 4 comprising a part 3 situated inside the heat pump housing 10, and a part 4 situated outside the heat pump housing. Externally situated part 4 is sometimes referred to as the cover, while internally situated part 3 is sometimes referred to as the housing.
• Figures 2a to 2d show different views of an electrical box 2 for a heat pump unit 1 , not shown in these figures, comprising a housing part 3, a cover part 4, multiple external access points 7, multiple internal access points 8, and an outlet opening 9.
• an electrical terminal block 5 is present but not shown between the housing part 3 and the cover part 4.
• the electrical box 2 is shown from the bottom side wherein the electrical box 2 is attached to a back panel 11 of a heat pump unit 1 , not shown.
• FIG 3 shows another view of the electrical box 2 as shown in Figures 2a to 2d.
• housing part 3 is omitted and an electrical terminal block 5 can be clearly seen.
• two electrical cables 6 are shown and connected to the electrical terminal block 5.
• Figure 4 schematically shows a part of a heat pump unit 1 wherein the bottom panel 12 of the heat pump housing 10 comprises multiple holes or openings (13) sized to enable the pass-through of electrical cables 6 while the electrical box 2 is attached to the back panel 11. Openings 14 are typically larger sized openings intended for hydraulic connection.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• Details Of Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=85571180

Family Applications (2)

Family Applications Before (1)

Country Status (2)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2023
  • 2023-03-10 EP EP23161310.0A patent/EP4428467A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2024
  • 2024-03-06 EP EP24708489.0A patent/EP4677286A1/de active Pending
  • 2024-03-06 WO PCT/EP2024/055830 patent/WO2024188750A1/en not_active Ceased

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