Abstract
A water heating appliance includes a heating system for heating a fluid from a fluid inlet. Front and rear wall panels cooperate to define a perimeter wall that extends around the heating system in a surrounding position. A junction box is externally visible with the plurality of wall panels. An attachment interface includes a sliding retainer of the front wall panel and a sliding receiver of the rear wall panel that form an interlocking attachment in the surrounding position. The front wall panel includes a junction box slot that extends around the junction box in the surrounding position. Vertical motion of the front wall panel separates the front wall panel from the rear wall panel and separates the junction box slot from the junction box and defines an open area for accessing at least the heating system.
Claims
1. A water heating appliance comprising: a heating system that is attached to a base panel; a plurality of wall panels including a front wall panel and a rear wall panel that cooperate to selectively define a perimeter wall that extends around at least a portion of the heating system and the base panel in a surrounding position; an electrical system in communication with the heating system, wherein the electrical system includes a junction box that is externally visible with the plurality of wall panels in the surrounding position; and an attachment interface of the plurality of wall panels, wherein the attachment interface includes a sliding retainer of the front wall panel and a sliding receiver of the rear wall panel that define an interlocking attachment in the surrounding position, wherein the surrounding position is characterized by the rear wall panel being attached to the base panel and the front wall panel being attached to the base panel and the rear wall panel; the front wall panel includes a junction box slot that extends around the junction box in the surrounding position; selective vertical motion of the front wall panel separates the sliding receiver from the sliding retainer to remove the front wall panel from the rear wall panel and to separate the junction box slot from the junction box; and removal of the front wall panel from the rear wall panel and the junction box defines an open area for accessing at least the heating system.
2. The water heating appliance of claim 1, wherein the sliding retainer of the front wall panel includes a pair of opposing flanges that are defined within the front wall panel.
3. The water heating appliance of claim 2, wherein the pair of opposing flanges are stamped within the front wall panel.
4. The water heating appliance of claim 1, wherein the front wall panel and the rear wall panel define a cylindrical configuration of the perimeter wall.
5. The water heating appliance of claim 1, further comprising: a control panel that is in communication with the junction box and the heating system, wherein the control panel is disposed within a control receptacle defined within the front wall panel.
6. The water heating appliance of claim 1, wherein the sliding receiver includes a top opening and a lower guide portion that guides the sliding retainer into the surrounding position.
7. The water heating appliance of claim 1, further comprising a top panel that engages the perimeter wall to define an enclosed position, wherein the front wall panel is selectively separable from the rear wall panel after at least a portion of the top panel is removed from the perimeter wall.
8. The water heating appliance of claim 1, wherein the base panel includes a plurality of tabs that receive slots of the front wall panel and the rear wall panel.
9. The water heating appliance of claim 1, wherein the junction box is attached to the base panel, and wherein the junction box slot is defined within a bottom edge of the front wall panel.
10. The water heating appliance of claim 5, wherein the control panel is attached to the electrical system via a wire harness that is received by an electrical receptacle of the control panel.
11. A water heating appliance comprising: a heating system attached to a base panel; a front wall panel and a rear wall panel that cooperate to selectively define a surrounding position that forms a cylindrical perimeter wall that extends around at least a portion of the heating system and the base panel; an electrical junction box in communication with the heating system, wherein the electrical junction box is externally visible with the cylindrical perimeter wall in the surrounding position, wherein the electrical junction box is attached to the base panel; and an attachment interface that includes a sliding retainer of the front wall panel and a sliding receiver of the rear wall panel that define an interlocking attachment in the surrounding position, wherein the surrounding position is characterized by the rear wall panel being attached to the base panel and the front wall panel being attached to the base panel and the rear wall panel; the front wall panel includes a junction box slot within a bottom edge of the front wall panel that extends around the electrical junction box in the surrounding position; selective vertical motion of the front wall panel separates the sliding receiver from the sliding retainer to separate the junction box slot from the electrical junction box; and removal of the front wall panel from the rear wall panel and the electrical junction box defines an open area for accessing at least the heating system.
12. The water heating appliance of claim 11, wherein the sliding retainer of the front wall panel includes at least one flange that is stamped within the front wall panel.
13. The water heating appliance of claim 11, further comprising: a control panel that is in communication with the electrical junction box and the heating system, wherein the control panel is disposed within a control receptacle defined within the front wall panel.
14. The water heating appliance of claim 11, wherein the sliding receiver includes a top opening and a lower guide portion that guides the sliding retainer into the surrounding position.
15. The water heating appliance of claim 11, wherein the base panel includes a plurality of tabs that receive slots of the front wall panel and the rear wall panel.
16. The water heating appliance of claim 13, wherein the control panel is attached to an electrical system via a wire harness that is received by an electrical receptacle of the control panel.
17. A water heating appliance comprising: a base panel; a front wall panel and a rear wall panel that cooperate to selectively and partially form a cylindrical perimeter wall that defines an upper housing; an electrical junction box configured to be in communication with an electrical system, wherein the electrical junction box is attached to the base panel and forms a portion of the cylindrical perimeter wall; and an attachment interface that includes a sliding retainer of the front wall panel and a sliding receiver of the rear wall panel, the sliding retainer and the sliding receiver defining an interlocking attachment, wherein the rear wall panel of the cylindrical perimeter wall is attached to the base panel, and the front wall panel of the cylindrical perimeter wall is attached to the base panel, the rear wall panel, and the electrical junction box; the front wall panel includes a junction box slot within a bottom edge of the front wall panel that extends around the electrical junction box to define the cylindrical perimeter wall; selective vertical motion of the front wall panel separates the sliding receiver from the sliding retainer to separate the junction box slot from the electrical junction box; and removal of the front wall panel from the rear wall panel and the electrical junction box defines an open area for accessing the upper housing.
18. The water heating appliance of claim 17, wherein the sliding retainer of the front wall panel includes at least one flange that is stamped within the front wall panel.
19. The water heating appliance of claim 17, further comprising: A control panel that is in communication with the electrical junction box and the electrical system, wherein the control panel is disposed within a control receptacle defined within the front wall panel.
20. The water heating appliance of claim 17, wherein the sliding receiver includes a top opening and a lower guide portion that guides the sliding retainer into a surrounding position.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] In the drawings:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a water heating appliance that incorporates an aspect of the wall panels of the upper housing;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a water heating appliance of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is another side elevation view of the water heating appliance of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is another side elevation view of the water heating appliance of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the water heating appliance of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a heat pump portion of the water heating appliance of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 7 is another exploded perspective view of the water heating appliance of FIG. 6;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of an aspect of the water heating appliance that incorporates a heat pump system and with the wall panels in a surrounding position;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the water heating appliance of FIG. 8 with the control panel and a portion of the top cover removed;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of the water heating appliance of FIG. 10 showing the front wall panel being moved upward and away from the surrounding position;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of the water heating appliance of FIG. 10 with the front wall panel separated from the remainder of the water heating appliance;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the front wall panel and side wall panel shown in a surrounding position;
[0021] FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the wall panels of FIG. 12 and showing the attachment interface in the surrounding position;
[0022] FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of the wall panels of FIG. 13 and showing the front wall panel being moved upward and away from the surrounding position relative to the rear wall panel;
[0023] FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the attachment interface of FIG. 14 and showing the sliding retainer of the front wall panel separated from the sliding receiver of the rear wall panel;
[0024] FIG. 16 is a rear elevation view of the front wall panel of FIG. 12;
[0025] FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of the front wall panel of FIG. 16;
[0026] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the water heating appliance of FIG. 8, taken along lines XVIII-XVIII;
[0027] FIG. 19 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the water heating appliance of FIG. 18 taken at area XIX; and
[0028] FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of an aspect of the junction box that is incorporated into the perimeter wall of the water heating appliance.
[0029] The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to a detailed design; some schematics may be exaggerated or minimized to show function overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
[0031] For purposes of description herein, the terms upper, lower, right, left, rear, front, vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the concepts as oriented in FIG. 2. However, it is to be understood that the concepts may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
[0032] The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a perimeter wall of a water heating appliance that includes a plurality of wall panels that are separable from one another and from the remainder of the water heating appliance without disturbing a junction box of the water heating appliance. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.
[0033] As used herein, the term and/or, when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items, can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.
[0034] In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms comprises, comprising, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by comprises . . . a does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
[0035] As used herein, the term about means that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. When the term about is used in describing a value or an end-point of a range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or end-point referred to. Whether or not a numerical value or end-point of a range in the specification recites about, the numerical value or end-point of a range is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by about, and one not modified by about. It will be further understood that the end-points of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other end-point, and independently of the other end-point.
[0036] The terms substantial, substantially, and variations thereof as used herein are intended to note that a described feature is equal or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a substantially planar surface is intended to denote a surface that is planar or approximately planar. Moreover, substantially is intended to denote that two values are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, substantially may denote values within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.
[0037] As used herein the terms the, a, or an, mean at least one, and should not be limited to only one unless explicitly indicated to the contrary. Thus, for example, reference to a component includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1-20, reference numeral 10 generally designates a perimeter wall having a plurality of wall panels 12 that surround and protect internal components of a water heating appliance 14. The water heating appliance 14 includes a heating system 16 that operates to heat a fluid 18, typically water, that is received via a fluid inlet 20 to define a heated fluid 22 that is delivered to an external fixture via a fluid outlet 24. The heating system 16 is attached to a base panel 26. A plurality of wall panels 12, including a front wall panel 28 and a rear wall panel 30, cooperate to selectively define the perimeter wall 10 that extends around at least the heating system 16 and the base panel 26. The plurality of wall panels 12 cooperate to define a surrounding position 32 that at least partially encloses the heating system 16 and the base panel 26. An electrical system 34 is in communication with the heating system 16. The electrical system 34 includes a junction box 36 that is externally visible with the plurality of wall panels 12 in the surrounding position 32. An attachment interface 38 of the plurality of wall panels 12 includes a sliding retainer 40 of the front wall panel 28 and a sliding receiver 42 of the rear wall panel 30. The sliding retainer 40 and the sliding receiver 42 define an interlocking engagement 44 in the surrounding position 32. The surrounding position 32 is characterized by the rear wall panel 30 being attached to the base panel 26 and the front wall panel 28 being attached to the base panel 26, as well as the rear wall panel 30. The front wall panel 28 includes a junction box slot 46 that extends around the junction box 36 in the surrounding position 32. Selective vertical motion 48 of the front wall panel 28 relative to the rear wall panel 30 separates the sliding receiver 42 from the sliding retainer 40. This vertical motion 48 of the front wall panel 28 operates to remove the front wall panel 28 from the rear wall panel 30 and also to separate the junction box slot 46 from the junction box 36. It is contemplated that removal of the front wall panel 28 from the rear wall panel 30 and the junction box 36 defines an open area 50 for accessing at least the heating system 16 of the water heating appliance 14.
[0039] Through this configuration, the front wall panel 28 can be removed from the water heating appliance 14 to provide a large open area 50 through which the heating system 16 can be accessed. This heating system 16, typically in the form of a heat pump system 60, an electrically resistive heating system, a gas heating system, and other similar heating systems, may require maintenance. Removal of the front wall panel 28 provides the open area 50 that allows a technician to easily access the heating system 16 for repair and replacement of certain component parts of the water heating appliance 14. Additionally, because the front wall panel 28 having the junction box slot 46 is separable from the junction box 36, the electrical components of the water heating appliance 14 do not need to be moved or otherwise disturbed in order to expose and maintain inner components of the water heating appliance 14. Accordingly, removal of the wall panels 12 of the water heating appliance 14, under the configuration disclosed herein, is an unobtrusive process that requires removal of minimal parts and does not require accessing or substantial manipulation of electrical components of the water heating appliance 14.
[0040] Referring again to FIGS. 1-7, the water heating appliance 14, such as a water heater, includes an outer enclosure 70 that surrounds portions of the water heating appliance 14 and components contained therein. The outer enclosure 70 can include multiple components for surrounding and protecting different aspects of the water heating appliance 14.
[0041] As exemplified in FIGS. 1-7, the outer enclosure 70 can include a lower housing 80 and an upper housing 82, which includes the front wall panel 28 and the rear wall panel 30. The lower housing 80 is configured to surround a reservoir 84 and certain heating components that may surround the reservoir 84. It is contemplated that these heating components can include resistive heating elements, gas-powered heating elements, and certain heat exchangers for providing heat to the water within the reservoir 84. The upper housing 82 can include the heat pump system 60 and a blower 86 that is in thermal communication with an evaporator 88, or other heat exchanger, of the heat pump system 60. The heat pump system 60 can operate as the primary heat source for the water heating appliance 14. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the heat pump system 60 can act as a secondary or supplemental heat source for heating water to be delivered from the water heating appliance 14.
[0042] Referring again to FIGS. 1-7, the outer enclosure 70 can include a plurality of panels that can be separable from the remainder of the outer enclosure 70 for providing access to certain locations of the water heating appliance 14. As described herein, the upper housing 82 includes the perimeter wall 10 that is made up of a plurality of wall panels 12. The upper housing 82 also includes the first top panel 100 and the second top panel 102 that can be attached to the plurality of wall panels 12 of the upper housing 82.
[0043] Referring again to FIGS. 1-7, during operation of the heat pump system 60 for the water heating appliance 14, an air inlet 110 is disposed within the second top panel 102, where the blower 86 draws ambient air into the upper housing 82 through the air inlet 110. This ambient air passes through a heat exchanger, typically in the form of an evaporator 88. Within the evaporator 88, heat is extracted from the ambient air and is directed into a thermal exchange media 112 or directly into the water to be heated. After leaving the evaporator 88, the now cooled air is directed through the blower 86, and the cooled air is expelled through an air outlet 114 that is defined within the first top panel 100. The air inlet 110 and the air outlet 114 can each include a grill 116 or other feature that provides support and structural integrity to each of the air inlet 110 and the air outlet 114, respectively. The air outlet 114 can also include an air filter 118 that can be used for capturing particulate within the cooled process air leaving the evaporator 88. This air filter 118 can be separated from a filter slot 120 of the grill 116 for the air outlet 114 for periodic cleaning and/or replacement.
[0044] Referring again to FIGS. 5-7, the evaporator 88 for the heat pump system 60 extracts heat from the ambient air and delivers this heat to the reservoir 84 of the water heating appliance 14 or to another area where water is heated. The water to be heated is delivered into the water heating appliance 14 through the fluid inlet 20. The heated water is then delivered from the water heating appliance 14 to an external location via the fluid outlet 24. The fluid inlet 20 and the fluid outlet 24 each pass through the top cover 130 of the upper housing 82. As described herein, the top cover 130 of the upper housing 82 includes the first top panel 100 and the second top panel 102 that combine to provide the top enclosure for the upper housing 82. The fluid inlet 20 and the fluid outlet 24 are typically in the form of a flexible conduit 132. This flexible conduit 132 can be a flexible plastic conduit, a flexible metal conduit, or a flexible conduit 132 that includes pasting and metallic components. It is contemplated that more rigid conduits can be used for the fluid inlet 20 and the fluid outlet 24.
[0045] As exemplified in FIGS. 1-7, the upper housing 82 can include a control panel 140 for operating the various components of the water heating appliance 14. The junction box 36 can also be included within an area of the upper housing 82. According to the various aspects of the device, the junction box 36 is separate from the wall panels 12 of the upper housing 82 such that removal of the various wall panels 12 of the upper housing 82 does not affect the operation, location, or placement of the junction box 36 or the wiring that extends into or out from the junction box 36.
[0046] Referring again to FIGS. 1-5, the outer enclosure 70 of the water heating appliance 14 also includes a relief valve 150 that allows certain amounts of water from a reservoir 84 to be released for decreasing the pressure within the water heating appliance 14. The water heating appliance 14 can also include a drain 152 that is positioned within a bottom portion of the outer enclosure 70 to drain certain amounts of water from the reservoir 84.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the blower 86 and the heat pump system 60 can be mounted onto the base plate. This base plate operates to separate the upper housing 82 from the lower housing 80 and to provide structural support for the blower 86 and the heat pump system 60. The components of the heat pump system 60 located within the upper housing 82 can include the evaporator 88, the compressor 160, at least one expansion device 162, and the blower 86. Various other components can also be included within the upper housing 82. The condensing portion 164 of the heat pump system 60 is typically positioned adjacent to or in thermal communication with the reservoir 84 or conduit where the water is heated for the water heating appliance 14.
[0048] During operation of the heat pump system 60, a thermal exchange media 112, such as a refrigerant, water, or other similar thermal exchange media 112, can be delivered from the compressor 160 and through a refrigerant loop 170. The heat exchange media leaving the compressor 160 is pressurized and heated, typically in the form of a gas. This form of a heat exchange media is then directed to a condensing portion 164 of the heat pump system 60 where heat is rejected into a separate media. In the case of the water heating appliance 14, this separate media is the water to be heated. The condensing portion 164 of the heat exchange system expels the heat from the thermal exchange media 112 and directs this heat into the water to be heated. As discussed herein, this water to be heated can be within the reservoir 84 or within a conduit of water that is heated as it moves through the condensing portion 164 of the heat pump system 60. After leaving the condensing portion 164 of the heat pump system 60, the heat exchange media is delivered to the expansion device 162. Within the expansion device 162, the heat exchange media, which is now cooled, is expanded into a liquid form. This cooled liquid form of the heat exchange media is then delivered to the evaporator 88 of the heat pump system 60. Within the evaporator 88, the heat exchange media absorbs heat from the ambient air moving through the evaporator 88 due to operation of the blower 86. The heat exchange media leaving the evaporator 88 is in the form of a heated gas that is then returned to the compressor 160 to begin this cycle of the refrigerant loop 170 again.
[0049] According to the various aspects of the device, as exemplified in FIGS. 1-20, and as described herein, various outer panels of the outer enclosure 70 are separable from the outer enclosure 70 for maintaining components of the heat pump system 60, the blower 86, and other components of the water heating appliance 14.
[0050] Referring again to FIGS. 1-17, the water heating appliance 14 includes the heating system 16 that is attached to the base panel 26. The front wall panel 28 and the rear wall panel 30 cooperate to selectively define a surrounding position 32 that forms a cylindrical perimeter wall 10 that extends around at least the heating system 16 and the base panel 26. The electrical junction box 36 is in communication with the heating system 16. The electrical junction box 36 is externally visible with the cylindrical perimeter wall 10 in the surrounding position 32. A top panel is attached to a top edge 250 of the cylindrical perimeter wall 10 in an enclosed position. The electrical junction box 36 is attached to the base panel 26. The attachment interface 38 of the plurality of wall panels 12 includes the sliding retainer 40 of the front wall panel 28 and the sliding receiver 42 of the rear wall panel 30. The sliding retainer 40 and the sliding receiver 42 define an interlocking attachment in the surrounding position 32. The surrounding position 32 is characterized by the rear wall panel 30 being attached to the base panel 26, and the front wall panel 28 being attached to the base panel 26 and the rear wall panel 30. The front wall panel 28 includes the junction box slot 46 within a bottom edge 240 of the front wall panel 28. This junction box slot 46 extends around a substantial portion of the electrical junction box 36 in the surrounding position 32. Selective vertical motion 48 of the front wall panel 28 separates the receiver from the sliding retainer 40 and also separates the junction box slot 46 from the electrical junction box 36. Removal of the front wall panel 28 from the rear wall panel 30 and the junction box 36 defines an open area 50 for accessing at least the heating system 16.
[0051] Referring again to FIGS. 6-17, the sliding receiver 42 of the front wall panel 28 includes at least one flange 180, and typically a pair of opposing flanges 180, that are defined within the front wall panel 28. These opposing flanges 180 are stamped within the front wall panel 28 and are bent to form the shape of the opposing flanges 180 that interact with the sliding receiver 42 of the rear wall panel 30. The opposing flanges 180, cooperate with a wall portion 182 of the front wall panel 28 to form a receiving space 184 within which a portion of the rear wall panel 30 surrounding the sliding receiver 42 can be received and selectively retained. It is contemplated, in certain aspects of the device, that the pair of opposing flanges 180 can be attached to the inner surface 186 of the front wall panel 28. Typically, the opposing flanges 180 will be integral with the structure of the front wall panel 28. When the sliding retainer 40 of the front wall panel 28 and the sliding receiver 42 of the rear wall panel 30 are engaged, the front wall panel 28 and the rear wall panel 30 define a cylindrical configuration of the perimeter wall 10. It is contemplated that other shapes of the perimeter wall 10 are contemplated. Typically, a cylindrical shape is formed. It is also contemplated that various polynomial shapes can also be used to define the perimeter of the wall.
[0052] Referring again to FIGS. 1-8, the water heating appliance 14 can include the control panel 140 that is in communication with at least the junction box 36 and the heating system 16. The control panel 140 is disposed within a control receptacle 190 that is defined within the front wall panel 28. Typically, the control receptacle 190 is an aperture that is cut, stamped, or otherwise defined within the front wall panel 28. The control panel 140 is attached to the electrical system 34 via the wire harness 192. It is contemplated that the wire harness 192 can extend from the junction box 36 to the control panel 140.
[0053] When the front wall panel 28 is to be removed from the water heating appliance 14, it may be convenient to remove the control panel 140 from the front wall panel 28. This can be accomplished by removing various latches, fasteners, or interference mechanisms that secure the control panel 140 within the control receptacle 190 of the front wall panel 28. The control panel 140, when desired, can be removed from the electrical system 34 by unplugging a wire harness 192 from the control panel 140. In certain aspects of the device, the control panel 140 can be removed along with the front wall panel 28.
[0054] Referring again to FIGS. 8-17, the sliding receiver 42 of the rear wall panel 30 can include a top opening 264 and a lower guide portion 266. The top opening 264 can be sized to allow the opposing flanges 180 of the sliding retainer 40 to pass therethrough. The lower guide portion 266 can then be used to guide the downward movement of the front wall panel 28 and the opposing flanges 180 into a retaining slot 268 of the sliding retainer 40. Once the opposing flanges 180 of the sliding retainer 40 are positioned within the retaining slot 268, the front wall panel 28 and the rear wall panel 30 are in the surrounding position 32.
[0055] Referring again to FIGS. 1-11, the top cover 130 of the water heating appliance 14 engages the perimeter wall 10 to define an enclosed position of the top cover 130. It is contemplated that the front wall panel 28 can be selectively separable from the rear wall panel 30 after at least a portion of the top panel is removed from a top edge 250 of the perimeter wall 10.
[0056] As exemplified in FIGS. 8-11, the top panel can include a first cover panel and a second cover panel. Where the second cover panel is removed from the top edge 250 of the perimeter wall 10, the front wall panel 28 can be separated from the rear wall panel 30 to define the open area 50 for accessing the heating system 16 of the water heating appliance 14. In this manner, the front wall panel 28 can be removed from the rear wall panel 30 without first removing the first cover panel of the top cover 130.
[0057] Referring again to FIGS. 6-11 and 18-20, the base panel 26 includes a plurality of tabs 200 that receive slots 202 of the front wall panel 28 and the rear wall panel 30. The slots 202 of the front wall panel 28 and the rear wall panel 30 align and engage with the tabs 200 of the base panel 26 to properly align the front wall panel 28 and the rear wall panel 30 in the surrounding position 32 with respect to the heat pump system 60 and other internal components of the water heating appliance 14. The junction box 36 is typically attached to the base panel 26. The junction box slot 46 is defined within a bottom edge 240 of the front wall panel 28 and slidably engages the junction box 36. In addition to the sliding retainer 40 being guided by the sliding receiver 42, the junction box slot 46 is guided into the surrounding position 32 by the outer surface of the junction box 36. The engagement of these surfaces also serves to guide the front wall panel 28 and the rear wall panel 30 into the surrounding position 32 and into engagement of the various tabs 200 of the base panel 26.
[0058] Referring now to FIGS. 1-11 and 18-20, the junction box 36 includes the box member 210 and a plurality of box covers 212 that enclose a box interior 214 of the junction box 36. Wiring extending into and out from the junction box 36 is organized to extend through a grommet 220 that is attached to a back wall of the box member 210. A base flange 216 of the junction box 36 is attached to the base panel 26. This base flange 216 secures the box member 210 and the remainder of the junction box 36 to the base panel 26 via fasteners, adhesives, welding, or other methods. The junction box 36 also includes a perimeter flange 218. The perimeter flange 218 extends outward from the box member 210. As will be described more fully herein, the front wall panel 28 includes a contoured lower edge that extends around the box member 210 and is secured behind the perimeter flange 218. In this manner, when the front wall panel 28 is in place, the box covers 212 of the junction box 36 are visible and accessible through the perimeter wall 10.
[0059] Referring again to FIGS. 1-9 and 18-20, the positioning of the junction box 36 to be flush or substantially flush with the perimeter wall 10 prevents a gap in the insulation that is disposed in the inside surface of the outer enclosure 70. This positioning also creates greater serviceability through the junction box 36. Accordingly, where the junction box 36 needs to be accessed, only the box covers 212 need to be removed. Additionally, when internal components of the water heating appliance 14 need to be accessed, the front wall panel 28 can be removed without disturbing the junction box 36 or the wiring associated with the junction box 36.
[0060] Referring again to FIGS. 1-11, the junction box 36 can include one or more box covers 212 that can selectively enclose the junction box 36. These box panels can be separated from the structure of the junction box 36 to provide access into the junction box 36. The junction box 36 of the electrical system 34 can be used to house various electrical wiring, and other electrical components that are used to operate the water heating appliance 14. The junction box 36 can also include various components that are frequently replaced or maintained for effective operation of the water heating appliance 14. It is typical that the junction box 36 will receive various electrical wires from various components of the water heating appliance 14. These wires that extend into the junction box 36 via the grommet 220 may be inconvenient to move or relocate during maintenance of the water heating appliance 14. By attaching the junction box 36 to the base panel 26 and allowing for removal of the front wall panel 28 without disturbing the junction box 36, maintenance of the water heating appliance 14 can be achieved without manipulating or disturbing these wires or the junction box 36.
[0061] Referring again to FIGS. 5-11, removal of the front wall panel 28 provides access to the heating system 16. As discussed herein, it is typical that the heating system 16 is in the form of a heat pump system 60. Removal of the front wall panel 28 provides access to the heat pump system 60 for maintaining components thereof. Removal of the rear wall panel 30 provides access to a blower 86 of the water heating appliance 14, as well as certain aspects of an evaporator 88 or other heat-absorbing heat exchanger.
[0062] Referring now to FIGS. 8-17, the front wall panel 28 and the rear wall panel 30 can include two sets of the attachment interface 38. A first sliding retainer 230 and a second sliding retainer 232 can be positioned to align with a first sliding receiver 234 and a second sliding receiver 236, respectively. It is contemplated that the first sliding retainer 230 and the first sliding receiver 234 can be positioned at a different vertical orientation than the second sliding retainer 232 and the second sliding receiver 236. This ensures that the front wall panel 28 and the rear wall panel 30 are properly aligned when installed with one another. By varying the locations of the respective attachment interfaces 38, installation of the front wall panel 28 in an inverted position can be prevented.
[0063] As exemplified in FIGS. 6-17, a bottom edge 240 of the perimeter wall 10 includes a plurality of slots 202 that engage the tabs 200 of the base panel 26. These slots 202 can be in the form of cutouts, or bent portions of the perimeter wall 10 that define aligning apertures of the bottom edge 240 of the perimeter wall 10. The tabs 200 of the base panel 26 can be integral tabs 200 or can be attached features, such as fasteners, or other similar interference mechanism that can be received within the slots 202 of the perimeter wall 10. The front wall panel 28 and the rear wall panel 30 utilize these slots 202 that align with the various tabs 200 of the base panel 26. The slots 202 of the perimeter wall 10 and the tabs 200 of the base panel 26 can be positioned uniformly around the base panel 26. Alternatively, the slots 202 and tabs 200 can be spaced in a particular pattern or configuration that promotes a single orientation of the front wall panel 28 and the rear wall panel 30 with respect to the base panel 26. Misalignment of the front wall panel 28 or the rear wall panel 30 with respect to the base panel 26 can be discouraged through misalignment of the slots 202 of the perimeter wall 10 with the tabs 200 of the base panel 26.
[0064] As exemplified in FIGS. 6-17, the top edge 250 of the front wall panel 28 and the rear wall panel 30 include a lip 252 that receives portions of the top cover 130. This lip 252 can be used to align the first cover panel and the second cover panel on to the perimeter wall 10. In this manner, the top edge 250 of the perimeter wall 10 can include a notch 254, a plurality of notches 254, or other similar cutouts that receive and align at least the first cover panel, as well as the second cover panel of the top cover 130 with the perimeter wall 10 and the components of the water heating appliance 14. Typically, the notches 254 will be used to align the first cover panel of the top cover 130. The second cover panel of the top cover 130 can then be disposed onto the top edge 250 of the perimeter wall 10 and into engagement with the seat of the first cover panel of the top cover 130.
[0065] As exemplified in FIGS. 1-17, the front wall panel 28 and/or the rear wall panel 30 can include various relief formations that provide structural integrity to the front wall panel 28 and the rear wall panel 30. These relief formations prevent inward deflection. Such inward deflection may cause damage to the internal components of the water heating appliance 14 if not prevented.
[0066] Referring again to FIGS. 1-17, the bottom edge 240 of the perimeter wall 10 can include the slots 202 that engage the tabs 200 of the base panel 26. It is also contemplated that fastening apertures 260 can also be defined within or near the lower edge of the perimeter wall 10 to secure fasteners that extend through the perimeter wall 10 and into the base panel 26.
[0067] It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.
