Heat pump with reconfigurable human-machine interface

Abstract

A heat pump (10) for a pool or spa may include a human-machine interlace (HMI). The HMI of the heat pump may be movable relative to a housing or body o(14) f the heat pump such that regardless of the location and orientation of the installation of the body of the heat pump, the HMI may be positioned so that it is accessible to a user.

Description

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 9-18, the heat pump 10 includes the cap 18, and the cap 18 may include the HMI 22. In certain embodiments, the cap 18 is supported at or proximate to the top end 15 of the body 14. In various embodiments, and as discussed in detail below, the cap 18 may be movable relative to the body 14 such that regardless of the location and orientation of the installation of the body of the heat pump, the HMI 22 may be positioned so that it is accessible to a user.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 1, for example, the HMI 22 may include an interface 30 and an optional cover 34. The interface 30 may include one or more selectable features that a user may utilize to receive information from the heat pump 10 and / or to perform various controls of the heat pump 10. Non-limiting examples of selectable features may include real and / or virtual buttons 38, a display 42, knobs, dials, a touchscreen, sub-combinations thereof, and / or other means by which a user may engage the heat pump 10 for receiving or providing information to the heat pump 10, such as to change operating characteristics of heat pump 10. When the display 42 is included, the display 42 may provide information to the user, such as confirming the user’s changes, providing status indications of the heat pump 10, and / or providing other information to the user as desired.

[0056] If present, the cover 34 may help protect interface 30 from damage caused by, for example, the external environment. As shown, cover 34 may be configured to pivot about an axis 46 so as to cover, or reveal, the interface 30. In other embodiments, the cover 34 may have other configurations as desired and / or may be movable relative to the cap 18 using other techniques or mechanisms as desired. As a non-limiting example, the cover 34 may include two sub-covers, each of which is hingedly attached to the cap 18. Other types of covers 34 may be used as desired.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 16, the HMI 22 may include at least one printed circuit board (PCB), denoted as HMI board 58 in FIG. 3D. The HMI board 58 may include electronic and other components and devices suitable for operation of HMI 22. As non-limiting examples, the HMI board 58 may include processing logic, control logic, memory, actuators, and wired or wireless transmit and receive equipment. Alternatively, some of these components may be included on the regulation circuit board 26. A lower cover 84 optionally may be included for 2022255599  19 Feb 2026 protecting the HMI board 58; however, in other embodiments, the lower cover 84 may be omitted.

[0058] In some optional embodiments, the heat pump 10 may include a light guide reflective assembly. In such embodiments, and as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 18, one or more light sources may be provided on the HMI board 58, and light emitted from the one or more light sources may be reflected through the cap 18 and / or the body 14. In the embodiment illustrated, the light sources are one or more light emitting diodes (LEDS) 80 mounted or otherwise affixed to HMI board 58, such as to a bottom face 61 of HMI board 58. In certain embodiments, the one or more light sources are provided on a face of the HMI board 58 opposite from the one or more selectable features. Although three LEDS 80 are illustrated, any suitable number may be included.

[0059] In addition to the one or more light sources, the body 14 and / or the cap 18 may include an opening 83 through which light emitted from LEDS 80 (or other light sources) may pass. In the embodiment illustrated, the opening 83 is defined in the cap 18. In some cases, as shown in FIG. 18, the light (represented by arrow 79) emitted from the one or more LEDs 80 may be reflected off the optional cover 84 and directed to the opening 83. In such embodiments, the cover 84 may be configured to protect the HMI board 58 in addition to reflecting light emitted from the LEDS 80. In such embodiments, the cover 84 may include various characteristics or features for facilitating reflection of light from the light sources. As a non-limiting example, the cover 84 may have a white coating to optimize the light reflectance. Optionally, the light guide reflective assembly may include a diffuser 87 that diffuses the reflective light before it passes through opening 83. Various other components or features may be used with the light guide reflective assembly for controlling the optical characteristics of the light emitted through the opening 83.

[0060] In certain embodiments, the HMI board 58 may be programmed so the color emitted from LEDS 80 provides a visual indication to a user of HMI 22 about a status or operating state of heat pump 10. In such embodiments, at least one characteristic of the one or more light sources may be controlled to provide different information to the user about the heat pump 10. For example, LEDS 80 emitting a first color light may be activated when heat pump 10 is in a first operating state, while LEDS 80 emitting a second color light may be activated when heat pump 10 is in a second operating state, and so forth (e.g., a first light color may correspond to a heating state, while a second light color may correspond to a cooling state, while a third light color may correspond to an error state, etc.). In other embodiments, the light sources may be 2022255599  19 Feb 2026 controlled to have a steady / constant on pattern for a first status, a first blinking pattern for a second status, etc. Various other controls of the light sources may be used as desired to provide various information about the heat pump 10.

[0061] In addition to supporting the HMI 22,

[0001] various optional add-on assemblies for heat pump 10 may be attached via the cap 18. As an example, and referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the cap 18 may include a lid 89, which may be plastic or any suitable material, that is easily removable from cap 18. In such embodiments, removal of the lid 89 may expose screw inserts 93 that permit mounting of the desired add-on assembly to heat pump 10 via cap 18. Referring to FIGS. 22A-D, non-limiting examples of add-on assemblies include an air deflector 63 (FIG. 22B), a cosy (aesthetically pleasing / comforting) light fixture or assembly 53 (FIG. 22A), a combination air deflector / cosy light assembly structure 55 (FIG. 22C), a technical room kit 57 (FIG. 22D), combinations thereof, and / or other structures as desired.

[0062] As mentioned, the cap 18 is movable and repositionable relative to the body 14. In certain embodiments, the cap 18 may be easily removed from, and easily attached (or reattached) to, the body 14. FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a simple screw-hole fastening system in which four screws attach the cap 18 to the body 14. Regardless of the orientation of cap 18, one of its openings 50 (see FIGS. 12 and 13) can align with each corresponding attachment feature 29 (see FIG. 7) of body 14 and receive a screw or other attachment device. In other embodiments, other attachment mechanisms or features may be used to attach the cap 18 to the body 14.

[0063] In at least some versions of heat pump 10, cap 18 may be moved relative to body 14 without disconnecting any cables or wiring to board 26. In certain embodiments, the cap 18 may be moved relative to the body 14 without removing the cap 18 from the body 14. In some embodiments, the cap 18 optionally may include movement mechanisms to facilitate movement of the cap 18 relative to the body 14. Such movement mechanisms may include sliders, rollers, gears, combinations thereof, and / or other mechanisms facilitating movement of the cap 18 relative to the body 14 as desired. In other embodiments, the cap 18 need not include movement mechanisms.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 17A-C, the HMI 22 (as part of cap 18) may be movable relative to the body 14 to have a desired orientation or position relative to the body 14. In each of FIGS. 17A-C, the body 14 is oriented so that, e.g., the board 26 appears on the right-hand side of the body 14 (the board 26 is visible in the drawings because part of body 14 is cut-away.) For 2022255599  19 Feb 2026 comparison purposes, FIG. 17B illustrates a “standard,” or “nominal,” placement of the cap 18 so that the HMI 22 is present in the lower left-hand side of the figure. The placement illustrated in FIG. 17B may be useful, for example, if the body 14 is positioned such that the walls 13 that arrows 95 are pointing towards are positioned most proximate to a wall. By contrast, in FIG. 17A, the HMI 22 is located in the upper left-hand side of the figure, such placement being useful, for example, if the body 14 is positioned relative to a wall such that the walls 13 with arrows 95 are most proximate to the wall. In FIG. 17C, the HMI 22 is located in the lower right-hand side of the figure, such placement being useful, for example, if the body 14 is positioned such that walls 13 with arrows 95 are most proximate to a wall. Although not shown in any of FIGS. 17A-C, in some versions of the heat pump 10, the cap 18 may be rotated so that HMI 22 is located in the upper right-hand side of a figure.

[0065] The change in orientation of the HMI 22 relative to the body 14 may occur due to the movability of cap 18 relative to body 14. The movability of the HMI 22 relative to the body 14 may allow for the HMI 22 to remain accessible to a user regardless of how the body 14 of the heat pump 10 is installed at a particular location. This is true notwithstanding that various portions of body 14 may be positioned immediately adjacent the walls (with exemplary distances as small as 2 cm, 10 cm, 18 cm, and 20 cm, among others). Condensate Management System

[0066] Referring to FIGS. 19-21D, in certain embodiments, heat pumps 10 described herein may include a condensate management system 31, which may route condensate from the heat pump 10 to the swimming pool or spa rather than allow it merely to drip beneath the apparatus under force of gravity. Such condensate management systems may minimize the volume of water leaking from, or otherwise exiting, the heat pump 10 onto the ground or other mounting surface and may also avoid wasting the water by instead using the water further to fill the pool or spa.

[0067] In certain embodiments, the condensate management system 31 includes means for moving condensate created by operation of the heat pump 10 to the outlet 98 of the heat pump 10. In various embodiments, the condensate management system 31 includes the base 77 of the heat pump 10. As illustrated in FIG. 19, in some optional embodiments, the base 77 of the heat pump 10 may include a steep / sloped surface 99 that directs the condensate toward an area 85 (e.g., adjacent an inner wall 97 in the embodiment of FIG. 19) that may facilitate movement of 2022255599  19 Feb 2026 the condensate to the means for moving the condensate. Optionally, the base 77 may further include a drainage port 54 allowing for the base 77 to be selectively drained; however, in other embodiments, the drainage port 54 may be omitted.

[0068] As shown conceptually in FIG. 20, condensate formed through operation of the evaporator of heat pump 10 may drip to the bottom region 60 of the body 14 and / or in the base 77. From there, the condensate may be pumped or otherwise transferred (represented by arrows 81) directly or indirectly to a return line 62 from the heat pump 10 for introduction of the condensate into a swimming pool 66 or other body of water. Preferably (although not necessarily), the condensate may be mixed with water output from a heat exchanger 70 so that only one return line 62 is needed.

[0069] FIGS. 21A-B illustrate a peristaltic pump 74 as available to pump condensate to return line 62. Persons skilled in the art will, of course, recognize that other means for moving the condensate may be utilized as desired, including other types of pumps and / or or other processes (e.g. Venturi effect, gravity) may be used instead to move the condensate. Optionally, and as illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21C, a saddle / paddle clamp 78 (or other introducing means) may be provided on, around, or proximate to the outlet 98 of the body 14, which may allow for the condensate to enter return line 62. FIG. 21A further illustrates a filtration pump 86 and an outboard line 90 allowing pool water to flow from the pool 66 to the inlet 96 of the body 14 for heating by the heat pump 10. FIGS. 21A and 21D also illustrate a suction strainer and / or filtrating foam 75, which optionally may be used to strain and / or filter any debris from the collected condensate before it is pumped (or otherwise returned) to the return line 62. Other filtering means optionally may be used in other embodiments. As mentioned, and referring back to FIG. 19, the steep / sloped surface 99 of the embodiment illustrated directs the condensate toward the area 85 in the vicinity of suction strainer and / or filtrating foam 75. Various other components or features may be included with the condensate management system 31 in addition to the means for moving condensate created by operation of the heat pump 10 to the outlet 98 of the heat pump 10, and the features illustrated in FIGS. 19-21D should not be considered limiting.

[0070]

[0002] Exemplary concepts or combinations of features of the invention may include: A. A heating device for a swimming pool or spa comprising a body and a cap repositionable relative to the body, with the cap comprising an HMI. 2022255599  19 Feb 2026 B. The heating device according to statement A, wherein the cap is repositionable while maintaining connections of cabling or wires to the HMI. C. The heating device according to statement A or B, wherein the heating device is a heat pump. D. The heating device according to any one of statements A-C, wherein the HMI comprises at least one selectable feature and at least one display. E. The heating device according to any one of statements A-D, wherein the at least one selectable feature and the at least one display are provided on a first surface of the HMI, and wherein the HMI further comprises at least one light source on a second surface opposite from the first surface. F. The heating device according to any one of statements A-E, wherein the cap comprises an aperture, and wherein an illumination path is defined from the at least one light source to the aperture. G. The heating device according to any one of statements A-F, wherein the cap further comprises a cover movable relative to the cap for preventing access to the HMI or providing access to the HMI. H. The heating device according to any one of statements A-G, wherein the body further comprises an upper support, wherein the upper support comprises a plurality of predefined support locations, and wherein the cap is repositionable such that the HMI is aligned with one of the plurality of predefined support locations. I. A method of installing a heat pump for a swimming pool or spa, comprising mounting a body of the heat pump in a fixed position on a surface and attaching a cap to the body in a manner such that an HMI of the cap is accessible to a user of the heat pump regardless of the fixed position in which the body is mounted. J. The method according to statement I, wherein changing the orientation comprises maintaining cabling or wiring connections with the HMI. K. The method according to statement I or J, wherein changing the orientation comprises moving the cap to one or more predetermined orientations. 2022255599  19 Feb 2026 L. The method according to any one of statements I-K, wherein changing the orientation comprises rotating the cap on the body. M. The method according to any one of statements I-L, wherein changing the orientation of the cap comprises aligning the HMI with a corner of the body of the heat pump. N. A heat pump for a swimming pool or spa comprising an evaporator, an outlet for returning water to the swimming pool or spa, and means for moving condensate created by operation of the evaporator to the outlet. O. The heat pump according to statement N, wherein the means for moving condensate comprise a pump. P. The heat pump according to statement N or O, further comprising a body and a base, wherein the outlet is on the body, and wherein the base comprises a directing surface for directing the condensate towards the means for moving condensate. Q. The heat pump according to any one of statements N-P, wherein the means for moving condensate indirectly or directly move condensate to the outlet. R. The heat pump according to any one of statements N-Q, wherein the means for moving condensate comprise a filtering device. S. A heat pump for a swimming pool or spa comprising a cap comprising a HMI, wherein the HMI includes an opening through which light is emitted to reflect an operating state of the heat pump. T. A heat pump for a swimming pool or spa comprising a cap, the cap comprising an HMI, wherein the HMI comprises a light source, and wherein the cap comprises an opening, wherein light emitted from the light source is reflected through the opening. U. The heat pump according to statement T, wherein at least one characteristic of the light emitted from HMI is adjustable based on an operating state of the heat pump. V. The heat pump according to statement T or U, wherein the light source is a first light source of a plurality of light sources. 2022255599  19 Feb 2026 W. The heat pump according to any one of statements T-V, wherein the light source is provided on a first side of the HMI, and wherein a second side of the HMI comprises a selectable feature for a user. X. A heat pump for a swimming pool or spa comprising a cap, the cap comprising an HMI and mounting means, wherein at least one of a plurality of heat pump accessories are attachable to the heat pump via the mounting means. Y. The heat pump according to statement X, further comprising the at least one of the plurality of heat pump accessories, wherein the plurality of heat pump accessories comprise air deflectors and light assemblies. Z. A heat pump for a swimming pool or spa comprising a body, the body comprising a first wall, a second wall, and a beveled face extending between the first wall and the second wall, wherein the beveled face extends at an oblique angle relative to the first wall and the second wall. AA. The heat pump according to statement Z, wherein the beveled face extends at an approximately 5-45° angle relative to the first wall and the second wall of the body. BB. The heat pump according to statement Z or AA, wherein the first wall is orthogonal to the second wall. CC. The heat pump according to any one of statements Z-BB, wherein the first wall and the second wall each have a height and extend from a bottom end of the body to a top end of the body, and wherein a height of the beveled surface is less than the height of the first wall and less than the height of the second wall. DD. The heat pump according to any one of statements Z-CC, wherein the beveled face comprises at least one of an inlet or an outlet for the heat pump. EE. A method of heating water of a swimming pool or spa, the method comprising: (i) causing water from the swimming pool or spa to travel to an inlet of a heat pump; (ii) heating the water from the swimming pool or spa; (iii) causing the heated water to exit an outlet of the heat pump for return to the swimming pool or spa; and (iv) causing condensate created by operation 2022255599  19 Feb 2026 of an evaporator of the heat pump to mix with the heated water returning to the swimming pool or spa.

[0071] These examples are not intended to be mutually exclusive, exhaustive, or restrictive in any way, and the invention is not limited to these example embodiments but rather encompasses all possible modifications and variations within the scope of any claims ultimately drafted and issued in connection with the invention (and their equivalents). For avoidance of doubt, any combination of features not physically impossible or expressly identified as non-combinable herein may be within the scope of the invention.

[0072] The entire contents of the Berens patent are incorporated herein by this reference. Further, although applicant has described heating systems for use with water containing vessels, persons skilled in the relevant field will recognize that the present invention may be employed in other manners. Finally, references to “pools” and “swimming pools” herein may also refer to spas or other water containing vessels used for recreation or therapy and for which cleaning is needed or desired.

[0073] The above-described aspects are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims that follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described embodiments, nor the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A heat pump for a swimming pool or spa comprising a body and a cap repositionable relative to the body, with the cap comprising a human-machine interface (HMI) wherein the cap is repositionable in its orientation to align the human-machine interface with a corner of the body of the heat pump.

2. The heat pump of claim 1, wherein the cap is repositionable while maintaining connections of cabling or wires to the HMI.

3. The heat pump of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the corner of the body is defined by adjacent walls of the body.

4. The heat pump of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the HMI comprises at least one selectable feature and at least one display.

5. The heat pump of claim 4, wherein the at least one selectable feature and the at least one display are provided on a first surface of the HMI, and wherein the HMI further comprises at least one light source on a second surface opposite from the first surface.

6. The heat pump of claim 5, wherein the cap comprises an aperture, and wherein an illumination path is defined from the at least one light source to the aperture.

7. The heat pump of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cap further comprises a cover movable relative to the cap for preventing access to the HMI or providing access to the HMI.

8. The heat pump of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the body further comprises an upper support, wherein the upper support comprises a plurality of predefined support locations, and wherein the cap is repositionable such that the HMI is aligned with one of the plurality of predefined support locations.

9. A method of installing a heat pump for a swimming pool, the method comprising: mounting a body of the heat pump in a fixed position on a surface;attaching a cap to the body in a first orientation relative to the body, the cap comprising a human-machine interface (HMI); and2022255599  19 Feb 2026changing an orientation of the cap relative to the body to a second orientation different from the first orientation while maintaining the fixed position of the body, whereinchanging the orientation of the cap comprises aligning the HMI with a corner of the body of the heat pump.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein changing the orientation comprises maintaining cabling or wiring connections with the HMI.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein changing the orientation comprises moving the cap to one or more predetermined orientations.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein changing the orientation comprises rotating the cap on the body.

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