HEATING AND COOLING APPLIANCE

Abstract

A heating and cooling appliance includes a heat pump unit, an electric fireplace having an electric heating element and a display panel included on a front surface of the electric fireplace, a room temperature sensor, and a processor operatively connected to the heat pump unit, the electric heating element, and the room temperature sensor. The processor is configured to operate the heat pump unit in a cooling mode, operate the heat pump unit in a heating mode, or operate the electric heating element, in response to a signal received from the room temperature sensor. The processor is further configured to cause an image to be displayed on a display panel of the electric fireplace when either the heat pump unit or the electric heating element is operated.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/987,723 filed on Mar. 10, 2020, entitled “HEAT PUMP EXCHANGER/AIR CONDITIONER WITH FIREPLACE” by C. Vo, D, Shulver, Z. Li, T. Sibera and J. Wiltshire, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to the field of heating and cooling appliances, including direct vent and electric appliances which may include visual effects to illustrate their function. Such appliances may include vapor-compression refrigeration devices (air conditioners or heat pumps), and fireplaces, including electric fireplaces.

BACKGROUND

Direct vent appliances, such as fireplaces, may be integrated into the walls or panels of a building to provide light and/or temperature control of adjacent spaces. They may also serve as a decoration function. In the case of modern electric fireplaces, they too may be similarly integrated into a building or a structure to provide heat and/or light, and for visual and decorative purposes.

The field of heating and cooling appliances also includes vapor-compression refrigeration device comprising heat pumps and air conditioning units that are typically used to deliver heat and/or cooling to a building, structure or a particular room. During warmer seasons, heat pumps can deliver cooling effects, whereas during cooler seasons heat pumps can be used to provide heat. Such devices can be split system units, with an outdoor compressor and an indoor heat exchanger. In other cases such systems are self-contained ductless units that emit heated or cooled air through outlet vents positioned on the unit itself. During operation of a heat pump the compressor unit performs heat transfer to disperse unwanted heat or acquire desired necessary heat from an exterior source (exterior air, bodies of water, in-ground sources, etc). Air conditioners can also be split or self-contained systems. Whereas heat pumps can in many applications be used year round due to their ability to provide heating and cooling effects, an air conditioner is only practical during warmer seasons and for providing a cooling effect.

Air conditioners and heat pumps typically require a considerable amount of space for their installation and operation. The ability of a heat pump to perform efficiently and produce adequate heat output also reduces significantly at lower temperatures, to a point that in some climates they become impractical or non-usable during portions of the winter. In addition, during the operation and/or idle state of an air conditioner or heat pump, there is an absence of visual effects that can enhance the consumer experience.

SUMMARY

In one aspect the present disclosure provides an electric fireplace into which components of an indoor, and/or outdoor vapor-compression refrigeration device are integrated. The vapor-compression refrigeration device may be an air conditioning unit or a heat pump. The present disclosure may provide optional temperature controls that allow heating and cooling, while electronically creating a specific visual effect to depict heating and cooling. These visual effects may be displayed individually or together.

This disclosure contemplates one or more units connected to an outdoor vapor compression refrigeration device (such as an air conditioning unit or heat pump), or all of the necessary internal components that an outdoor air conditioning unit or heat pump may contain, to allow the process of heating and cooling to function correctly while displaying a visual effect depicting the relative heating/cooling function.

The present disclosure, in an embodiment, thus provides a heating and cooling appliance comprising a vapor-compression refrigeration device, an electric fireplace having an electric heating element and a display panel, a room temperature sensor, and a processor operatively connected to the vapor-compression refrigeration device, the electric heating element, and the room temperature sensor, the processor configured to, (i) operate the vapor-compression refrigeration device in a cooling mode, (ii) operate the vapor-compression refrigeration device in a heating mode, or (iii) operate the electric heating element, in response to a signal received from the room temperature sensor, the processor further configured to cause an image to be displayed on a display panel of the electric fireplace when either the vapor-compression refrigeration device or the electric heating element are operated.

In a further embodiment there is provided a method for heating or cooling a room using an appliance that comprises a vapor-compression refrigeration device and an electric fireplace, the electric fireplace having a display panel, the method comprising (i) sensing a room temperature using a room temperature sensor or thermostat, (ii) with a central processor, comparing the sensed temperature with a desired temperature, if the sensed temperature exceeds the desired temperature causing the processor to operate the vapor-compression refrigeration device in a cooling mode, if the sensed temperature is below the desired temperature, sensing an exterior temperature and comparing it to a pre-determined temperature, if the exterior temperature is above the predetermined temperature operating the vapor-compression refrigeration device in a heating mode, if the exterior temperature is below the predetermined temperature deactivating the vapor-compression refrigeration device and operating an electric heating element of the electric fireplace.

In yet a further embodiment the present disclosure provides a heating and cooling appliance comprising a vapor-compression refrigeration device, a heating element and a display panel, a room temperature sensor, an exterior temperature sensor, and a processor operatively connected to the vapor-compression refrigeration device, the heating element, the room temperature sensor, and the exterior temperature sensor, the processor configured to, (i) receive a temperature signal from the room temperature sensor corresponding to a sensed room temperature, (ii) receive a temperature signal from the exterior temperature sensor corresponding to a sensed exterior temperature, (iii) operate the vapor-compression refrigeration device in a cooling mode when the sensed room temperature is above a predetermined room temperature, (iv) operate the vapor-compression refrigeration device in a heating mode when the sensed room temperature is below the predetermined room temperature and the sensed exterior temperature is above a predetermined exterior temperature, (v) prevent operation of the vapor-compression refrigeration device and operate the heating element when the sensed room temperature is below the predetermined room temperature and the sensed exterior temperature is below the predetermined exterior temperature, (vi) cause the image of a burning fire to be displayed on a lower portion of the display panel when the vapor-compression refrigeration device is in a heating mode or when the heating element is activated, and (vii) cause the image of falling snow to be displayed on an upper portion of the display panel when the vapor-compression refrigeration device is in a cooling mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present disclosure, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a heating and cooling appliance with a flame or heating and a cold or cooling effect depicted on the viewing area.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the disclosure that includes a heat pump and an electric fireplace.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the heat pump of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of internal components of the heat pump shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5a is a top view of an outdoor unit for an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5b is a front view of the outdoor unit of FIG. 5a.

FIG. 5c is a side view of the outdoor unit of FIG. 5a.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the outdoor unit of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the primary components of the outdoor unit of FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 8 is a detail view of an embodiment of the electric heating mechanism of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of an electric flame and cold simulating mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure with a flame effect depicted on its viewing area.

FIG. 11 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure with a cold or cooling effect depicted on its viewing area.

FIG. 12 is a general schematic drawing showing a number of the primary control features of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure may be embodied in a number of different forms. The specifications and drawings that follow describe and disclose some of the specific forms of the disclosure.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure comprises a heating and cooling appliance (generally represented by reference numeral 100 in the attached drawings) that comprises a vapor-compression refrigeration device operatively associated with a fireplace 300, which may be a gas fireplace (for example, a direct vent fireplace) or an electric fireplace. For illustration purposes the attached drawings and the description that follows depict and reference an electric fireplace. It will be appreciated that an electric fireplace may be a device or appliance that typically provides an image or mimics the image of a burning fire. Electric fireplaces may or may not include heaters, fans, lights and other features. In the described embodiments of the disclosure the electric fireplace will typically include a display or a form of display panel and a heater, heating element, or a form of heating device, however, those features need not necessarily be combined together into singular component that is in the form of what one would consider to be a more traditional electric fireplace housed within a common cabinet. In the embodiments of the present disclosure the components that together comprise the electric fireplace could be separately located within the overall confines of appliance 100.

One of ordinary skill in the art, with a complete understanding of the disclosure, will appreciate the nature of modifications to the structure shown in the drawings that would be required should a gas fireplace be used. The vapor-compression refrigeration device could in some applications comprise a heat pump and in other applications comprise an air conditioning unit.

For illustration purposes, the embodiment of the disclosure discussed below references a heat pump, although as discussed above in an embodiment the heat pump could be replaced with an air conditioner. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some environments it may be desirable to utilize a heat pump with a fireplace (see FIGS. 1 and 2) as the heat pump will present the ability to provide both a heating and a cooling effect. It will also be appreciated that in other environments the ambient temperatures during colder seasons may be such that the efficiency of a heat pump is too low for practical or economic operation. In those instances, it may be desirable to substitute an air conditioning unit for the heat pump, where the heat for cold months is sourced from other than a heat pump, and the air conditioner is used during warmer months. Further, while an air to air heat pump is contemplated, it will be appreciated that other forms of heat pumps (for example, geothermal) could also be used.

Where a heat pump unit is employed it will typically include a heating function and a cooling function. Those functions may be carried out through a split system that comprises both an indoor unit 200 and outdoor unit 400 (see generally FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c and 6), or though the incorporation of all components within a single unit. FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c show one embodiment of an outdoor unit 400. FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment of the outdoor unit.

The mechanisms that carry out the process of heating and cooling will typically involve a reactive substance with favorable thermodynamic properties (such as a low boiling point, a high heat of vaporization, a moderate density in liquid form, and a high critical temperature). The substance should also be non-corrosive to mechanical components, while preferably being free of toxic chemicals. Refrigerant is a prime example of such a substance. For a number of years refrigerant R-410A has been one of the most commonly used types refrigerants (also referred to as Hydrofluorocarbons or HFC's). More recently, other forms of refrigerants, such as R-32, R-134A, R-290, R-600A, CO2 and ammonia have become increasingly popular as they tend to have fewer negative environmental effects compared to older forms of refrigerant, which have been found to cause damage the Ozone layer.

During the cooling process of the heat pump, the refrigerant is cycled through four primarily sequential stages and four primary components. Those four primary components consist of an evaporator coil 202, a compressor 403, a condenser coil 450, and an expansion valve 407.

The cycle through which refrigerant travels is essential for the processes of heating and cooling. In the embodiment of the disclosure shown, refrigerant enters evaporator coil 202 in liquid state within indoor unit 200, where heat transfer occurs. Ambient air may be drawn through an inlet vent 102 and commonly through an air filter 204. After passing through filter 204 the air is directed over or around evaporator coils 202 where heat within the air is absorbed by the refrigerant flowing through the coils. A drain pipe 201 will typically be incorporated within indoor unit 200 to allow for condensation that builds up when the unit is in a cooling mode to be carried away. Commonly the flow of air through evaporator coils 202 is accomplished or supported through use of one or more fans or blowers 203 that would typically be driven by one or more DC motors 205. The ambient air thus loses its heat, is cooled, and is exhausted through outlet vent 101 to the room or building where cooling is desired. The heat from the ambient air causes the refrigerant to undergo a change in state, from a liquid into a vapor. That vapor is then carried to the compressor 403, where it is pressurized into a heated gas state. The pressurized gas is then directed through condenser coil 450 where heat transfer is performed, this time with the outside air (in the case of an air to air heat pump or air conditioner). A fan or blower 402 draws outside air through condenser coil 450. The heat is thus dissipated into the environment with the help of fan 402, and causes the refrigerant to revert back into a liquid-vapor state. The refrigerant then flows through expansion valve 407 where the pressure is reduced to allow the refrigerant to return to fully liquid state, repeating the cycle. Although not discussed specifically, as shown in the attached drawings, and as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, outdoor unit will also typically contain components common to split system heat pumps and air conditioners including valves 401, accumulator tank 404, control pressure valve 405, and a filter/drier 408.

For heat pumps, the cooling process may be reversed when necessary by the use of a reversing valve 406. Reversing valve 406 reverses the flow of refrigerant and allows the evaporating coil 202 and condenser coil 450 to effectively switch roles in the process in order to release heat into the interior environment.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of an air to air heat pump incorporated into an electric fireplace. This embodiment will have full functionality of a heat pump while also maintaining the functionality of an electric fireplace.

As mentioned, the efficiency of most heat pumps is diminished at lower temperatures which, if large numbers of heat pumps were in operation, could potentially place a strain or could overload the electrical grids of public utilities during cold weather. For that reason heat pumps are not permitted to be operated at lower temperatures in some parts of the world. An embodiment of the disclosure may therefore include a supplemental or auxiliary heating mechanism 301 which may be incorporated into the electric fireplace or which may be a separate mechanism. Commonly, heating mechanism 301 will include a resistive electrical heating element, however, as discussed above in some instances a gas burning heater (which it is expected will in most instances be a direct vent heater), or perhaps even a hot water heating element, radiator, or heat exchanger may be utilized. In any event, the supplement or auxiliary heating mechanism will be operable separately from the heat pump and can be used to provide heat when the heat pump cannot be operated efficiently, or in some instances where for mechanical reasons the heat pump is inoperable. A separate and dedicated fan or blower 302 may be associated with heating mechanism 301 to force room air through the heating mechanism, to be returned into the ambient room environment in a heated state. In an embodiment, room air will first be circulated through the heat pump's evaporator coils 202 and then past heating mechanism 301 such that in some instances heating mechanism 301 can be used to increase the temperature of air that has already been at least partially heated by the heat pump. It will be appreciated that in an embodiment of the disclosure, the same fans or blowers 203 that move air past evaporator coils 202 could also be used to move the air through heating mechanism 301. Alternately, the disclosure could utilize one or more fans 203 and one or more fans 302 that could be operated separately or together in parallel or in series.

Heat pumps can frequently result in consumer dissatisfaction when operated in geographic areas or periods of cold outdoor temperatures. Although in such cases heat pump may still theoretically produce sufficient heat output to maintain a desired temperature inside a home or structure, a consumer often feels that the temperature is not comfortable, particularly in close proximity to an air outlet, where the movement of the air is apparent. The effect of the moving air across the skin tends to generate a local cooling effect due to increased evaporation. That effect can be undesirable to the consumer, and of particular concern in zone heaters where the air flow from an air outlet is often more pronounced than in the case of a whole home HVAC system. The ability of the disclosure to continue to use the heat pump and to supplement the heat output through heating mechanism 301, increasing the temperature of the air at the air outlet, can increase consumer perception of comfort.

In one embodiment, a single air passageway connects evaporator coils 202 and heating mechanism 301 such that circulating air first passes by the evaporator coils and then through the heating mechanism. In this manner, when the disclosure is in a heating mode, should the heat pump not be capable of sufficiently heating the circulating air (on account of cold environmental conditions, other efficiency issues, or a malfunction of the heat pump) heating mechanism 301 could be activated to “boost” the temperature of the circulating air to a level that permits the circulation of room air at a temperature that is sufficient to achieve or maintain a desired room temperature. In this embodiment a temperature sensor 602 may be placed downstream of the evaporator coils to determine the temperature of the air heated by the coils. A central processor 600 could be used to compare that temperature with room temperature to determine whether sufficient heat has been added to the circulating air by the heat pump to fulfill room heating needs. If the air has not been sufficiently heated the central processor can operate one or more heating elements (as necessary) within heating mechanism 301 to “boost” or the temperature or supplement the heating of the circulating air prior to it being expelled back into the room. The central processor could also monitor exterior/outdoor temperatures through use of an exterior temperature sensor 603 and automatically operate heating mechanism 301 when outside temperatures are too low for the known operational parameters of the heat pump to generate sufficient heat or to generate sufficient heat in an energy efficient manner. Further, central processor 600 may be programmed to cycle one or more heating elements in heating mechanism 301 where there is a desire to increase room temperature very quickly or through a significant a number of degrees. In cases where a rapid rise in room temperature is desired, use of the heat pump alone may not be capable of fulfilling the requirement, particularly where outside temperatures are low. Where a rise in temperature through a significant number of degrees is desired the heat pump alone may only be capable of fulfilling the requirement after operating for an exceedingly long period of time.

The disclosure may further include a system output temperature sensor 606 that monitors the temperature of air exhausted through outlet vent 101. Sensor 606 would transmit a signal to central processor 600 such that the processor could then control the operation of various components of the disclosure based in part on the temperature of air exhausted through outlet vent 101. With central processor 600 aware of the exterior/outdoor temperature, the indoor room temperature, and the temperature of air exhausted through outlet vent 101, an algorithm can be used to predict the rate in change of temperature in the room for a given temperature of air exhausted through outlet vent 101. The various components that are controlled by central processor 600 can then be operated in a manner to maximize comfort and to more precisely match room temperature with the desired temperature “set” on thermostat 601, while minimizing energy consumption. This functionality would operate in both a heating and a cooling mode, and could include the activation of fans, the control of fan speed, the operation of high and low compressor speeds, the operation of auxiliary heating mechanisms, the control of dampers or louvers on outlet vent 101, etc. It will be appreciated that the control of fan speed will enable central processor 601 to control the volume of air expelled through outlet vent 101, a factor that can be taken into account by processor 600 when optimizing system control for comfort and energy management.

As is common in many heat pump and air conditioning applications, the heat pump/air conditioning unit of the present disclosure may include room temperature sensor, controls to govern the opening and positioning of intake and outlet grills, control of fan speed, and zone heating/cooling capabilities. Further, while the attached drawings show outlet vent 101 and inlet vent 102 integrated into appliance 100, in an alternate embodiment the respective vents could be positioned remotely and ducted to appliance 100.

Room temperature sensors may take the form of an internal or external thermostat. An external thermostat 601 may be placed in a single or a number of thermostats may be used in multiple rooms. It may be particularly advantageous to place external thermostats in multiple rooms where ducting is employed to permit zone heating and/or cooling. Thermostat settings may be accessed physically or wirelessly through a computer or smart device 604. Further, external thermostats may be hard wired or may be wirelessly connected to the components that they control through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or other similar wireless connection. For that purpose, central processor 600 may have to connect to Wi-Fi or a similar transmitter/receiver 605. Thermostat 601 may also include a humidstat and may send a signal indicating relative humidity to central processor 600.

An embodiment of the disclosure may include grill or louvre fins that may automated or user controlled to permit airflow in a specific and desired manner. Further, the grill fins can be operated to continuously move in a vertical or horizontal motion or to direct air flow in a particular direction.

One or more fans or blowers 203 can be utilized to boost the natural airflow through the inlet vent 102 and outlet vent 101. The speed and operation of fans 203 may be controlled by central processor 600 that receives signals from internal and/or external thermostats and/or temperature sensors, remote computer or smart device controls, etc to adjust the airflow through inlet vent 102 and outlet vent 101 in a manner that helps to maximize efficiency and/or that results in desired heating or cooling of a particular room or area. In the case where ducting is provide for zone heating and/or cooling, central processor 600 may be programmed to operate one or more fans or blowers 203 in a manner that directs more or less air to a desired room or area. For example a room with less insulation may require more heating or cooling than a room with more insulation. In such instances, temperature readings from remote thermostats in different rooms and the differences between sensed temperatures in different rooms can be taken into account by central processor 600 to increase or decrease fan speed as necessary to deliver a desired degree of heating or cooling to a particular room. Further, in some instances ducting may include air valves that can be controlled by central processor 600 to open, control or throttle the volume of air permitted to be flow through certain ducts and to specific rooms or areas. Once again such functionality could be controlled through a remote computer or smart device.

Where fireplace 300 is an electric fireplace and it includes heating mechanism 301, the operation of the heating mechanism may be controlled by an internal or remote thermostat and/or by central processor 600. Heating mechanism 301 can include one or more resistive hearing elements that can be individually cycled on and off as required. Alternately, an infrared or other type of heating mechanism may be used.

Where fireplace 300 is an electric fireplace it may include components to create the illusion of a flame (described in more detail below). The fireplace may also include functions to control or vary the flame illusion.

Current air conditioners and heat pumps typically employ a control panel showing the ambient temperature and/or the selected temperature. However, the currently available air conditioning or heat pump units do not have moving visual effects which can be viewed on their own. Examples of a moving visual effects include a rising flame to depict a traditional fire or the image of falling snow or ice.

Traditionally, when electric fireplaces operate they present a visual image of a fire. In an embodiment of the present disclosure there is depicted a heating image comprising the image of a flame (indicative of a heating function) or a cooling image comprising the image of falling snow or ice (or other image signifying a cooling function) that is indicative of whether the units is functioning in heating or a cooling mode. Imagery could also be used to indicate whether, when in a heating mode the unit is supplying heat from its heat pump and/or heating mechanism 301.

In the embodiment of the disclosure where the fireplace is an electric fireplace the illusion of a flame may be created through use of a projection or display panel 305 which could comprise a substantial or a majority of the front surface area of appliance 100 or, as shown in FIG. 9, could be positioned adjacent to or behind a front viewing panel or safety barrier 309 (typically made from glass, but may also be another transparent material such as Perspex®, or acrylic, or even a mesh type material). In an alternate embodiment, front viewing panel or safety barrier 309 could be eliminated and display panel 305 set-back from the front of appliance 100 to provide the appearance of an “open” viewing area or firebox, as is more common in traditional wood burning fireplaces. In an embodiment the image of a burning flame is depicted on a portion of the display panel, and most preferably the lower portion. During operation a rotating drum/flickering element 303 may be used to reflect light (which may be generated by a light/LED strip 306) onto the projection or display panel 305 to create a flame effect. It will be appreciated that there are a variety of known mechanisms by which a flame effect may be projected, including transmitting light though a flame cut-out panel 304. Light may also, or alternately, transmitted through rotating drum/flickering element 303 and onto projection panel 305 at an acute angle, thereby creating a flickering or burning flame effect on the projection panel. This effect may be altered by the functioning of the fireplace. For example, the flame brightness, flickering speed, and size may be reduced or increased accordingly to indicate a low or smoldering fire or a large raging blaze.

In alternate embodiments of the disclosure the visual imagery of a fire or snow may be created through the use of one or more programmable LED, OLED, LCD panels or other electrical components which can be programmed or manipulated to illustrate a flame or other desired visual effect. A flame/heating visual indicator or imagery may be programmed to turn on automatically when the unit is heating and turned off when the unit is cooling. Alternatively, the flame/heating indicator may be turned on/off at the user's discretion.

In a similar manner, fireplace 300 may include a snow or cooling effect 104 which may be projected through the use of projection panel 305 and rotating drum/flickering element 303 to reflect light onto the projection panel with the use of a snow flake cutout. This embodiment could make use of an LED or LED panel 307 (mounted within the fireplace through brackets 308—see FIG. 9) which is programmed to display a snowflake effect on projection panel 305, or in an embodiment to a portion of projection panel 305, and preferably the upper portion of the panel. Similar to the case of the presentation of a flame image, other methods to produce a snow, ice or cooling effect may be employed, including but are not limited to one or more OLED, LCD, plasma screens, and other electrical and/or mechanical components which can be programmed or manipulated to illustrate a snow or cooling effect. The snow, ice or cooling effect may be programmed to turn on automatically when the unit is cooling and to turn off when the unit is heating. Alternatively, the snow or cooling effect may be turned on/off at the user's discretion.

If desired, the snow, ice or cooling and the flame effect can be displayed together, such as in FIG. 1, or individually as show in FIGS. 10 and 11. In one embodiment, the snow or cooling effect, independent of its projection or generation method, is mounted above the flame effect to create the image of a transition from a rising flame to falling snow (see FIG. 1).

With the integration of a heat pump and an electric fireplace within the same enclosure the functionality of both components can be controlled together by common controls and within a common reduced footprint.

The device described above may be constructed in a compact manner to allow it to be installed within a wall of a room, such as the exterior wall of an individual motel or hotel room. In one embodiment the disclosure can be configured to be operated independently as a zone heater. In a further embodiment the disclosure can be connected by hard wire or indirectly by Wi-Fi or Bluetooth wireless technology to a central HVAC system or to one or more other similar zone heaters to improve the comfort, air circulation, and overall efficiency of the heating and cooling system inside a structure.

It will thus be appreciated that the above-described structure provides a degree of functionality and flexibility not previously known. The structure permits the ability to present, in a single self-contained unit, a heat pump/air conditioner unit having an integrated fireplace that provides a user with both a means of heating and/or cooling a room or rooms, as well as a means to provide a visually pleasing effect. Internal ducting and air flow passageways within the single unit are such that in one embodiment room air can be heated or cooled through sequential movement through evaporator coils and then through an electrical heating mechanism. When in a heating mode the heating function can be accomplished through the use of the heat pump. Where the amount of heat generated by the heat pump is insufficient the electrical heating mechanism can be used to boost the temperature of the air that exists the heat pump component. Where jurisdictional limitations prevent the operation of heat pumps under very cold conditions, or where the heat pump malfunctions, the required heat can be supplied solely by the electrical heating mechanism. Although not specifically shown in the attached drawings, in an alternate embodiment heat may be provided through the incorporation of a gas burner which, in most instances, would be a direct vent burner. When cooling is required, the same unit can be utilized to present a cooling effect through the operation of either a heat pump (where a heat pump is present) or an air conditioning unit.

As described above, in conjunction with the heating and cooling functions, there also may be presented visual imagery depicting the image of a flame or fire and/or the image of falling snow. In most instances it is expected that the image of a flame or fire will be used to indicate that the unit is in a heating mode, whereas the image of falling snow will be used to indicate that the unit is in a cooling mode. That imagery could be projected or displayed on a relatively large displace screen on the front of the unit and would serve to provide a visual indication of whether or not the unit is in operation, and if so in which mode. There is also presented the ability for a user to choose a particular form of imagery, regardless of the mode of heating or cooling that the unit is presently operating in. For example, in warm climates where the unit is operating in a cooling mode, for ambiance a user may wish to present the image of a fire. User controlled functionality of central processor 600 permits the display of such imagery.

Operational control of the unit can be accomplished through use of internal or external sensors or thermostats and/or a remote computer or smart device that communicate with central processor 600. While central processor 600 will be preprogrammed with non-operator control functions for various aspects of the heating and cooling functionality of the primary unit, other user control features will be present, including room temperature, fan speed, and visual display control. Central processor 600 may also be connected to optical sensors that can be used to dim the intensity of a displayed fire or falling snow image during low ambient light conditions (for example as may be encountered at night and where the primary unit is installed in a bedroom).

It is to be understood that what has been described are the preferred embodiments of the disclosure. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth above, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

1. A heating and cooling appliance comprising:

a vapor-compression refrigeration device,

an electric fireplace having an electric heating element and a display panel,

a room temperature sensor, and

a processor operatively connected to the vapor-compression refrigeration device, the electric heating element, and the room temperature sensor, the processor configured to: (i) operate the vapor-compression refrigeration device in a cooling mode, (ii) operate the vapor-compression refrigeration device in a heating mode, or (iii) operate the electric heating element

in response to a signal received from the room temperature sensor,

wherein the processor is further configured to cause an image to be displayed on a display panel of the electric fireplace when either the vapor-compression refrigeration device or the electric heating element is operated.

2. The heating and cooling appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein the vapor-compression refrigeration device comprises a heat pump unit.

3. The heating and cooling appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein the vapor-compression refrigeration device comprises an air conditioner.

4. The heating and cooling appliance as claimed in claim 2 comprising an exterior temperature sensor operatively connected to the processor, the processor being configured to prevent operation of the heat pump unit and to permit operation of the electric heating element when a sensed exterior temperature is below a predetermined value.

5. The heating and cooling appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein the display panel is positioned adjacent to a front viewing panel of the appliance.

6. The heating and cooling appliance as claimed in claim 5 wherein the processor is configured to cause the image of a burning fire to be displayed on the display panel when the vapor-compression refrigeration device is in the heating mode or when the electric heating element is activated.

7. The heating and cooling appliance as claimed in claim 6 wherein the processor is configured to cause a cooling image to be displayed on the display panel when the vapor-compression refrigeration device is in a cooling mode.

8. The heating and cooling appliance as claimed in claim 7 wherein the cooling image is an image of falling snow.

9. The heating and cooling appliance as claimed in claim 2 wherein the display panel is a projection panel, the appliance further comprises a flicker element and an LED or LCD panel, the processor is configured to cause the flicker element to project an image of a burning fire on a first portion of the projection panel when the heat pump unit is in a heating mode or the electric heating element is activated, and the processor configured to cause the LED or LCD panel to project an image of snow or ice on a second portion of the projection panel when the heat pump unit is in a cooling mode.

10. The heating and cooling appliance as claimed in claim 9 wherein the first portion of the projection panel is a lower portion and wherein the second portion of the projection panel is an upper portion.

11. The heating and cooling appliance as claimed in claim 2 including a blower, wherein the processor is configured to operate the blower to deliver warm air into a room within which the appliance is positioned when the heat pump unit is in a heating mode or when the electric element is activated, and the processor is configured to cause the blower to deliver cool air to the room when the heat pump unit is in a cooling mode.

12. A method for heating or cooling a room using an appliance that comprises a vapor-compression refrigeration device and an electric fireplace, the electric fireplace having a display panel, the method comprising:

sensing a room temperature using a room temperature sensor or thermostat,

with a central processor, comparing the sensed temperature with a desired temperature,

if the sensed temperature exceeds the desired temperature, causing the processor to operate the vapor-compression refrigeration device in a cooling mode, and

if the sensed temperature is below the desired temperature, sensing an exterior temperature and comparing it to a predetermined temperature, and further performing the steps of: if the exterior temperature is above the predetermined temperature, operating the vapor-compression refrigeration device in a heating mode, if the exterior temperature is below the predetermined temperature, deactivating the vapor-compression refrigeration device and operating an electric heating element of the electric fireplace.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the vapor-compression refrigeration device is a heat pump unit.

14. The method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the vapor-compression refrigeration device is an air conditioner.

15. The method as claimed in claim 13 comprising using the processor to cause an image of a burning fire to be displayed on the display panel of the electric fireplace when the heat pump unit is in a heating mode or when the electric heating element is activated.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15 comprising using the processor to cause a cooling image to be displayed on the display panel of the electric fireplace when the heat pump unit is in a cooling mode.

17. The method as claimed in claim 15 comprising using the processor to cause an image of falling snow to be displayed on the display panel of the electric fireplace when the heat pump unit is in a cooling mode.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17 wherein the image of a burning fire is displayed on a lower portion of the display panel and the image of falling snow is displayed on an upper portion of the display panel.

19. A heating and cooling appliance comprising:

a heat pump unit,

a heating element and a display panel,

a room temperature sensor,

an exterior temperature sensor, and

a processor operatively connected to the heat pump unit, the heating element, the room temperature sensor, and the exterior temperature sensor, the processor configured to: (i) receive a first temperature signal from the room temperature sensor corresponding to a sensed room temperature, (ii) receive a second temperature signal from the exterior temperature sensor corresponding to a sensed exterior temperature, (iii) operate the heat pump unit in a cooling mode when the sensed room temperature is above a predetermined room temperature, (iv) operate the heat pump unit in a heating mode when the sensed room temperature is below the predetermined room temperature and the sensed exterior temperature is above a predetermined exterior temperature, (v) prevent operation of the heat pump unit and operate the heating element when the sensed room temperature is below the predetermined room temperature and the sensed exterior temperature is below the predetermined exterior temperature, (vi) cause an image of a burning fire to be displayed on a lower portion of the display panel when the heat pump unit is in a heating mode or when the heating element is activated, and (vii) cause an image of falling snow to be displayed on an upper portion of the display panel when the heat pump unit is in a cooling mode.

20. The heating and cooling appliance of claim 19 wherein the display panel is a projection panel, the appliance further comprises a flicker element and an LED or LCD panel, the processor is configured to cause the flicker element to project the image of the burning fire on a lower portion of the projection panel when the heat pump unit is in the heating mode or the heating element is activated, and the processor is configured to cause the LED or LCD panel to project the image of falling snow on an upper portion of the projection panel when the heat pump unit is in the cooling mode.