Flush mounted heat pump control device and arrangement with a heat pump and method of start-up of such an arrangement

Abstract

A flush-mounted heat pump control device UP is presented for installation in an installation box D, comprising a housing G and further comprising at least one connection means to a power supply L, at least one connection means to a control unit SE and at least two connection means for heat pump control lines WP1, WP2, wherein the heat pump control lines WP1, WP2 are connected to a heat pump WP, wherein the control of the operating state of the heat pump WP depends on the signals which the flush-mounted heat pump control device UP sends to the heat pump control lines WP1, WP2.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a flush-mounted heat pump control device for installation in a junction box, comprising a housing and further comprising at least one connection means to a power supply, at least one connection means to a control unit and at least two connection means for heat pump control lines, wherein the heat pump control lines are connected to a heat pump, wherein the control of the operating state of the heat pump depends on the signals that the flush-mounted heat pump control device sends to the heat pump control lines.

[0002] The invention also relates to an arrangement comprising a flush-mounted heat pump control device and a heat pump.

[0003] The invention further relates to a method for commissioning such an arrangement.

[0004] Heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular, especially due to their low running costs and their good CO2 balance (compared to oil and gas heating systems), particularly when used in conjunction with a PV system.

[0005] Recently, aspects such as grid compatibility and load management in connection with the operation of the heat pump have become increasingly relevant, especially to increase self-consumption in combination with a PV system.

[0006] However, a problem with existing, state-of-the-art heat pump control solutions is that heat pumps are regularly controlled via complex logic units, particularly those implemented as space-consuming load management systems within a building, which also require a central interface to the grid operator. This is relatively complex, space-consuming, and expensive to install.

[0007] From WO 2020 / 144081 A1, a universal multifunctional device for decentralized building automation is known for room-related control tasks such as air conditioning control, roller shutter control, or lighting control. The device consists of a flush-mounted unit and a surface-mounted unit, both of which are electrically connected via a pin header and mechanically via a plastic snap-fit ​​connection. The surface-mounted unit includes, for example, a touch-sensitive display, sensors for recording all room-related environmental values, a main processing unit with an open-source operating system, and wired interfaces (KNX, CAN, RS485, TTL).

[0008] EP 2 600 127 A2 describes an electronic installation device for determining and displaying the current temperature in a room or building. The device is divided into a display unit and a separate flush-mounted unit, both of which can be connected via power and data interfaces. The device can be powered via a bus system, such as PoE or KNX. It features an integrated temperature sensor or a sensor interface for connecting an external temperature sensor. An external temperature sensor can also be connected via the device's bus interface.

[0009] Optionally, the device can have a switching output to trigger external switching operations depending on the detected temperature conditions, such as turning a fan on / off.

[0010] Based on the discussed prior art, the invention aims to create a solution that minimizes installation effort and space requirements, enabling the control of a heat pump in a particularly simple manner, especially without complex logic units and building load management systems. This objective is achieved by a flush-mounted heat pump control device for installation in a standard electrical box, comprising the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the flush-mounted heat pump control device are defined in dependent claims 2-6.

[0011] In contrast to existing load management systems, an unusual flush-mounted heat pump control device is proposed to allow installation in a standard electrical box. This advantageously saves installation space and enables a virtually invisible installation, as the flush-mounted installation is carried out within a standard electrical box. However, the advantages of the flush-mounted heat pump control device according to the invention extend far beyond the space requirements and the lack of visibility: The flush-mounted heat pump control device according to the invention requires no complex logic units and / or load management systems within a building, but in the simplest case requires only one connection to a power supply, one connection to a control unit, and two connections for heat pump control lines.Preferably, only four cables need to be connected to the flush-mounted heat pump control unit according to the invention, for example via screw terminals. This substantially reduces the installation hurdle and the costs. According to the present invention, the control unit for controlling the heat pump can be connected to a KNX system and / or to a switching device designed as a switch or push button for building installation technology with an actuating element for local operation to influence the heat pump.

[0012] According to one variant of the in-wall heat pump control device according to the invention, the control unit is connected to a KNX system. This offers the enormous advantage that an existing KNX system in the building can be used to control the heat pump. This applies both to data communication via the control lines using KNX and to the in-wall installation via KNX cables already running in the wall. A connection to a load management system, which is often non-standardized or even non-existent, is thus effectively avoided. Furthermore, the KNX user interface can be used to visualize the operating status of the heat pump, thus eliminating the need for a separate interface / app.This gives the user of the KNX system the decisive advantage that they can manage the heat pump in a convenient and uniform way with regard to the operating mode via their familiar KNX user interface, without having to set up a large number of other user interfaces / apps or load management systems with complex logic.

[0013] According to an alternative embodiment of the in-wall heat pump control device according to the invention, the control unit is connected to a ZigBee or Matter network.

[0014] In another variant of the in-wall heat pump control device according to the invention, the control unit is connected to a switching device of the building installation technology, namely a switch or push button, with an actuating element. This enables on-site operation of the heat pump – in contrast to remote operation via an app – which is not only particularly simple and intuitive, but also functions even in the event of an internet outage or does not require any internet connection between the heat pump and an end device at all.

[0015] According to a further embodiment of the in-wall heat pump control device according to the invention, the control unit is connected (solely magnetically) to a switching device of the building installation technology, namely a switch or push button, such that the actuating element has a magnet which changes its position when actuated locally. A magnetic field sensor arranged in the in-wall heat pump control device detects the change in the magnetic field and sends a signal to the heat pump control lines. This minimizes the installation effort of the in-wall heat pump control device, since no wiring between the in-wall heat pump control device and the switching device is required, yet reliable and simple local operation of the heat pump is still possible. For this purpose, the actuating element can be provided with a magnet, for example, glued to the back.

[0016] In the embodiments described above, wherein the heat pump is operated via a switching device (electrical or magnetic), this device preferably has a display unit of the set operating mode, for example a display or a light unit.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the in-wall heat pump control device according to the invention, the in-wall heat pump control device has an interface via which an inverter can be connected. This allows, for example, the solar yield of a PV system to be included in the control of the heat pump. Preferably, the current direction at the inverter is detected inductively (using particularly cost-effective inductive current direction detection elements), with the current direction serving as an indicator of whether a feed-in is taking place, i.e., whether there is a PV surplus.

[0018] In a further development of the in-wall heat pump control device according to the invention, the housing of the in-wall heat pump control device has a volume of less than 100 cm³.

[0019] Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement comprising an adapter and a flush-mounted heat pump control device according to the invention, wherein the adapter is designed such that it makes the flush-mounted heat pump control device installable as a DIN rail device. This allows a DIN rail device solution to be implemented if, for example, flush-mounting is not possible due to concrete walls in the basement.

[0020] Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement with the features of claim 6, comprising a flush-mounted heat pump control device according to the invention and a heat pump connected to the flush-mounted heat pump control device via the heat pump control lines.

[0021] This achieves the same advantages as the in-wall heat pump control unit according to the invention. Preferred embodiments of the arrangement are defined in claims 7 and 8. According to a preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the operating states of the heat pump initiated by the in-wall heat pump control unit comprise four operating states, wherein a first operating state corresponds to the heat pump being partially switched off, a second operating state corresponds to the normal operation of the heat pump, a third operating state corresponds to the recommended, enhanced operation of the heat pump, and a fourth operating state corresponds to the heat pump being switched on, in particular also with a higher setpoint temperature and / or heating element use.

[0022] According to the invention, a method with the features of claim 9 for commissioning an arrangement with the features of one of claims 6-8 is further proposed.

[0023] The invention is described below with reference to the accompanying figures and various exemplary embodiments. The figures show: Fig. 1 :a schematic representation of an arrangement according to the invention, comprising a switching device having an actuating element, a flush-mounted heat pump control device, an installation box and a heat pump, wherein the control of the heat pump is effected by actuating the switching device, Fig. 2 :a schematic representation of an arrangement according to the invention, comprising a flush-mounted heat pump control device covered by a blanking plate and installed in a junction box, and a heat pump, wherein the heat pump is controlled via KNX, Fig. 3:a schematic representation of an arrangement according to the invention, comprising a switching device having an actuating element with a magnet, a flush-mounted heat pump control device, an installation box and a heat pump, wherein the control of the heat pump is effected by the actuating of the switching device, which is magnetically detected and Fig. 4 :a schematic representation of an arrangement according to the invention, comprising an adapter and a flush-mounted heat pump control device, wherein the adapter is designed in such a way that it makes the flush-mounted heat pump control device also installable as a DIN rail device.

[0024] In the various figures, identical parts are always marked with the same reference symbols and are therefore usually only named or mentioned once.

[0025] The in Figure 1The schematically illustrated arrangement according to the invention comprises a switching device S having an actuating element B, a flush-mounted heat pump control device UP, an installation box D, and a heat pump WP, wherein the heat pump WP is controlled by actuating the switching device S. For this purpose, the flush-mounted heat pump control device UP for installation in the installation box D comprises a housing G and further at least one connection means to a power supply L, at least one connection means to a control unit SE, and at least two connection means for heat pump control lines WP1, WP2, wherein the heat pump control lines are connected to a heat pump WP, and wherein the control of the operating state of the heat pump WP depends on the signals that the flush-mounted heat pump control device UP sends to the heat pump control lines.The connection means for the heat pump control lines WP1 and WP2 are designed as SG-Ready interfaces SG. This arrangement according to the invention provides a simple solution for influencing the operating state of the heat pump WP via a local actuator, without requiring the user to install unsightly, space-consuming, and complex load management systems with their own logic unit. Therefore, the barrier to influencing the operating state of the heat pump WP is advantageously significantly reduced in terms of infrastructure, aesthetics, cost, and the time required by the user (no logging into an app on a device is necessary).

[0026] The in Figure 2The schematically illustrated arrangement according to the invention comprises a flush-mounted heat pump control unit (UP) covered by a blanking plate (BP) and installed in a junction box (D), and a heat pump (WP), wherein the heat pump (WP) is controlled via KNX. For this purpose, the control unit (SE) is connected to a KNX system (KNX). This offers the significant advantage that an existing KNX system in the building can be used to control the heat pump (WP). This applies to both the data traffic via the control lines using KNX and the flush-mounted installation via KNX cables already running in the wall. A connection to a non-standardized load management system is thus effectively avoided. Furthermore, the KNX user interface can be used to visualize the operating status of the heat pump (WP), thus eliminating the need for a separate interface / app.This gives the user of the KNX system the decisive advantage that they can manage the heat pump (WP) in a convenient and uniform manner with regard to its operating mode via their familiar, existing KNX user interface, without having to set up a multitude of additional user interfaces / apps. A combination of the implementations is possible. Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is expressly not excluded, so that both on-site operation of the switching device with actuating element B and operation via the KNX system KNX to influence the operating states of the heat pump WP are possible.

[0027] The in Figure 3The schematically illustrated arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that, in the flush-mounted heat pump control device UP, the control unit SE is connected to a switching device of the building installation technology, namely a switch or push button, in such a way that the actuating element B has a magnet M which changes its position when actuated, so that a magnetic field sensor H arranged in the flush-mounted heat pump control device UP as part of the control unit SE detects the change in the magnetic field and sends it as a signal to the heat pump control lines WP1, WP2.

[0028] The in Figure 4The schematically illustrated arrangement according to the invention comprises an adapter A and a flush-mounted heat pump control unit UP, wherein the adapter A is designed in such a way that it makes the flush-mounted heat pump control unit UP also installable as a series-mounted device in a meter cabinet Z, for example if an installation in a concrete basement is desired and no masonry wall is available. Reference symbol list adapter

[0029] B Actuating element BP Blanking plate D Installation box G Housing H Sensor KNX KNX system L Power supply M Magnet S Switching device SE Control unit SG SG-Ready interface WP1, WP2 Heat pump control line WP Heat pump UP Flush-mounted heat pump control unit Z Meter cabinet

Claims

1. Flush-mounted heat pump control device (UP) for installation in an installation box (D), comprising a housing (G) and further comprising at least one connection means to a power supply (L), at least one connection means to a control unit (SE) and at least two connection means for heat pump control lines (WP1, WP2), wherein the heat pump control lines (WP1, WP2) can be connected to a heat pump (WP), wherein the control of the operating state of the heat pump (WP) depends on the signals that the flush-mounted heat pump control device (UP) sends to the heat pump control lines (WP1, WP2), wherein the connection means for the heat pump control lines (WP1, WP2) are designed as an SG-Ready interface (SG) and wherein the control unit (SE) for controlling the heat pump can be connected to a KNX system and / or to a switching device (S) of the building installation technology designed as a switch or push button with an actuating element (B) for on-site operation to influence the heat pump.

2. Flush-mounted heat pump control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (SE) is connected to a switching device (S) of the building installation technology, in particular a switch or push button, in such a way that the actuating element (B) has a magnet (M) which changes its position when actuated, so that a magnetic field sensor (H) arranged in the flush-mounted heat pump control device (UP) as part of the control unit (SE) detects the change in the magnetic field and transmits it as a signal to the heat pump control lines (WP1, WP2).

3. Flush-mounted heat pump control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing (G) of the flush-mounted heat pump control device (UP) has a volume of less than 100 cm3.

4. Flush-mounted heat pump control device according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the housing (G) of the flush-mounted heat pump control device (UP) has an interface to which an inverter can be connected.

5. Flush-mounted heat pump control device according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing (G) of the flush-mounted heat pump control device (UP) has screw terminals.

6. Arrangement comprising an adapter (A) and a flush-mounted heat pump control device (UP) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the adapter (A) is designed such that it allows the flush-mounted heat pump control device (UP) to be installed as a series-mounted device.

7. Arrangement comprising a flush-mounted heat pump control device (UP) according to any of claims 1 to 5 and a heat pump (WP) connected to the flush-mounted heat pump control device (UP) via the heat pump control lines (WP1, WP2).

8. Arrangement according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the operating states of the heat pump (WP) initiated by the flush-mounted heat pump control device (UP) comprise four operating states, wherein a first operating state corresponds to the partially switched-off state of the heat pump (WP), a second operating state corresponds to normal operation of the heat pump (WP), a third operating state corresponds to the recommended, enhanced operation of the heat pump (WP), and a fourth operating state corresponds to the switched-on state of the heat pump (WP) with a higher setpoint temperature and / or heating element use.

9. Method for commissioning an arrangement according to any of claims 6 to 8, comprising the steps: - connecting the flush-mounted heat pump control device (UP) to the power supply (L), - connecting the flush-mounted heat pump control device (UP) to a control unit (SE), - connecting the flush-mounted heat pump control device (UP) to the heat pump control lines (WP1, WP2) connected to the heat pump (WP).

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