Control component for water heater motor and water heater.

Abstract

The present application provides a water heater electric motor control assembly and a water heater. The water heater electric motor control assembly comprises: inverter circuits, a driving circuit and a control circuit, wherein the inverter circuits are all electrically connected to an electric motor; the driving circuit is electrically connected to the inverter circuits; the control circuit is electrically connected to the driving circuit; and the control circuit is used for controlling the driving circuit to drive the inverter circuits to drive the electric motor to operate. At least two of the following are integrated in the same integrated chip: at least one of the inverter circuits, the control circuit, and the driving circuit.

Description

1 / 37 Control component for water heater motor and water heater. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS

[001] This application claims priority from Patent Application No. CN 202311820269, X, filed on December 27, 2023, the content of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. FIELD OF TECHNIQUE

[002] The present application relates to the field of motor control circuit technology, in particular to a control component for a water heater motor and a water heater. BACKGROUND

[003] Currently, gas water heaters have been widely used in ordinary homes, and each of the gas water heaters that meet national standards is equipped with a motor. In the last two years, direct current motors have been widely used in gas water heaters due to the high cost-effectiveness of direct current motors. Currently, a motor control board on the market is integrated into the water heater motor. During operation, the motor tends to heat the coil and increase the temperature, which affects the lifespan of the motor control board. SUMMARY

[004] The main objective of the present application is to propose a control component for a water heater motor and a water heater, with the intention of shortening the wiring distance between a driver and the heater motor. Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 7 / 117 2 / 37 of water and a power tube to improve the operational efficiency of the water heater motor.

[005] The present application provides a control component for a water heater motor, which includes a plurality of inverter circuits, a drive circuit and a control circuit.

[006] In one embodiment, the plurality of inverter circuits are electrically connected to the motor.

[007] In one embodiment, the drive circuit is electrically connected to a plurality of inverter circuits.

[008] In one embodiment, the control circuit is electrically connected to the drive circuit.

[009] In one embodiment, the control circuit is configured to control the drive circuit to trigger the operation of the plurality of inverter circuits to invert the input DC power supply and output the inverted DC power supply to the motor.

[0010] In one embodiment, at least two of the drive circuit, the control circuit and at least one inverter circuit from the plurality of inverter circuits are integrated with each other.

[0011] In one embodiment, at least one inverter circuit includes a plurality of power devices.

[0012] In one embodiment, the control component for the water heater motor includes a motor control board.

[0013] In one embodiment, at least two of the following are provided on the motor control board: by Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 8 / 117 3 / 37 minus one power device from the plurality of power devices; the control circuit; and the drive circuit.

[0014] In one embodiment, the control circuit, the drive circuit and the plurality of power devices are provided on the motor control board.

[0015] In one embodiment, the control component for the water heater motor additionally includes a casing to enclose the motor, and the motor control board is disposed outside the casing.

[0016] In one embodiment, the control component for the water heater motor additionally includes a heat sink.

[0017] In one embodiment, at least one of the following is disposed in contact with the heat sink: at least one power device from the plurality of power devices; the control circuit; and the drive circuit.

[0018] In one embodiment, the control circuit, the drive circuit and the plurality of power devices are provided on the motor control board.

[0019] In one embodiment, the heat sink includes a heat dissipation pad provided on the motor control board.

[0020] In one embodiment, the control component for the water heater motor additionally includes a rotational speed detection circuit. One input end of the rotational speed detection circuit is connected to one output end of the motor, and one output end of the detection circuit Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 9 / 117 4 / 37 of the rotational speed is connected to one end of the control circuit's input.

[0021] In one embodiment, the rotational speed detection circuit is configured to output a motor rotational speed detection signal through the control circuit.

[0022] In one embodiment, the control component for the water heater motor includes a power sensing circuit.

[0023] In one embodiment, an input end of the power sensing circuit is connected to an output end of the motor, and an output end of the power sensing circuit is connected to an input end of the control circuit.

[0024] In one embodiment, the power sensing circuit is configured to output a motor power sensing signal through the control circuit.

[0025] The present application proposes a water heater, which includes a motor and the control component for the water heater motor as described above.

[0026] In one embodiment, the water heater additionally includes a main control circuit and a communication circuit.

[0027] In one embodiment, the communication circuit is electrically connected to the main control circuit, and the communication circuit is configured to be electrically connected to the control circuit.

[0028] In one embodiment, the main control circuit is configured to output a control signal. Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 10 / 117 5 / 37 for the control circuit via the communication circuit, to allow the control circuit to control the drive circuit to drive a plurality of power devices to drive the motor rotation according to the control signal.

[0029] In one embodiment, the communication circuit includes a serial communication circuit.

[0030] In one embodiment, the water heater additionally includes a connection component and a main control board.

[0031] In one embodiment, the main control circuit and the communication circuit are provided on the main control board.

[0032] In one embodiment, if the control circuit is provided on a motor control board, the main control board and the motor control board are electrically connected to each other via the connecting component.

[0033] In one embodiment, the connecting component includes a pin plug and a pin socket that cooperates with the pin plug.

[0034] In one embodiment, one of the pin plugs and the pin socket is provided on the main control board, and the other of the pin plugs and the pin socket is provided on the motor control board.

[0035] In one embodiment, the main control circuit is additionally provided with a signal receiving end configured to receive an external configuration signal.

[0036] In one embodiment, the control circuit Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 11 / 117 6 / 37 main is configured to emit a control signal corresponding to the control circuit through the communication circuit according to the external configuration signal, to allow the motor to operate according to a rotational speed corresponding to the external configuration signal or to operate according to a power corresponding to the external configuration signal.

[0037] In one embodiment, the water heater additionally includes a rotational speed detection circuit. One input end of the rotational speed detection circuit is connected to one output end of the motor, and one output end of the rotational speed detection circuit is connected to one input end of the control circuit.

[0038] In one embodiment, the rotational speed detection circuit is configured to send a motor rotational speed detection signal to the main control circuit via the control circuit and the communication circuit.

[0039] In one embodiment, the water heater additionally includes a power sensing circuit. One input end of the power sensing circuit is connected to one output end of the motor, and one output end of the power sensing circuit is connected to one input end of the control circuit.

[0040] In one embodiment, the power detection circuit is configured to emit a motor power detection signal through the control circuit and the communication circuit.

[0041] In one embodiment, the control circuit Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, p. 12 / 117 7 / 37 main is configured to determine a target rotation speed according to the external configuration signal, and to determine a target power according to the target rotation speed.

[0042] In one embodiment, if the target power is greater than or equal to a predefined power, the main control circuit sends a corresponding control signal to the control circuit via communication, to enable the motor to operate at the target rotational speed.

[0043] In one embodiment, if the target power is less than the preset power, the main control circuit sends a corresponding control signal to the control circuit via the communication circuit, to enable the motor to operate according to the target power.

[0044] In one embodiment, the main control circuit is additionally configured to determine a rotational speed range in which the target rotational speed is located according to the target rotational speed, and to select a target power that corresponds to the rotational speed range according to a mapping relationship between the rotational speed range and the target power.

[0045] In one embodiment, the water heater additionally includes a sampling resistor.

[0046] In one mode, the sampling resistor number is one (1).

[0047] In one embodiment, the sampling resistor is supplied on the motor control board, one input end of the sampling resistor is connected Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 13 / 117 8 / 37 to one output end of at least one inverter circuit, and one output end of the sampling resistor is connected to one input end of the control circuit.

[0048] In one embodiment, the sampling resistor is configured to detect an instantaneous current flowing through a DC motor bus under different switching conditions of a power bridge of at least one inverter circuit, and to send a motor phase current to the main control circuit in the form of a current detection signal.

[0049] The present application proposes a control component for a water heater motor and a water heater. The control component for the water heater motor includes a plurality of power devices, a drive circuit and a control circuit.

[0050] In one embodiment, the plurality of power devices are electrically connected to the motor.

[0051] In one embodiment, the drive circuit is electrically connected to a plurality of power devices.

[0052] In one embodiment, the control circuit is electrically connected to the drive circuit.

[0053] In one embodiment, the control circuit is configured to control the drive circuit to drive the plurality of power devices to drive the motor to operate.

[0054] In an embodiment, at least two of the following are integrated into the same embedded chip: at least Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 14 / 117 9 / 37 a power device from the plurality of power devices; the control circuit; and the drive circuit.

[0055] By integrating two components of at least one power device, the control circuit and the drive circuit on the same integrated chip, the wiring distance between the two components can be shortened, which can avoid the situation where the motor starts too slowly due to signal interference caused by a very long wiring distance when the control circuit commands the motor to start, and can improve the real-time and reliability of the water heater motor control by the control circuit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] In order to explain more clearly the solutions of the embodiments of the present application or of the related technique, drawings describing the embodiments and the related technique will be introduced below. Apparently, the drawings in the description below are only for some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained based on the structure shown in these drawings by persons skilled in the art without creative effort.

[0057] Figure 1 is a circuit flow diagram of a control component for a water heater motor and a water heater according to the present application.

[0058] Figure 2 is a circuit flow diagram of a control component for a water heater motor and a water heater according to another embodiment of the present application. Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 15 / 117 10 / 37

[0059] Figure 3 is a circuit flow diagram of a control component for a water heater motor and a water heater according to yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0060] Figure 4 is a circuit flow diagram of a control component for a water heater motor and a water heater according to a further embodiment of the present application.

[0061] The implementation of the objectives, functional characteristics and advantages of the present application will be described in more detail in conjunction with the embodiments in reference to the attached drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] Hereafter in this document, the solutions of the technique in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described with reference to the attached drawings in the embodiments of this application. It is evident that the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, but not all the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by persons skilled in the art based on the embodiments in this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0063] It should be noted that all indications of directionality in the embodiments of this application (such as top, bottom, left, right, front and back) are used only to explain the relative position and movement of the elements in a specific attitude (as shown in the drawings). These indications of directionality may be altered accordingly. Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 16 / 117 11 / 37 when the specific attitude is changed.

[0064] In the present application, unless explicitly specified and defined otherwise, the terms connect, "fix" and similar terms should be understood broadly. For example, connection may be a fixed connection or a detachable connection or an integral connection, may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection, may be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and may be an internal communication of two elements or the interaction of two elements, unless explicitly defined otherwise. Persons skilled in the art may understand specific meanings of the above terms in the present application according to the specific circumstances.

[0065] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, the terms “first” and “second” are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of technical features indicated. Thus, features defined as first and second may explicitly or implicitly mean that there is at least one such feature. Furthermore, the solutions of the technique of the various embodiments may be combined with each other, provided that persons skilled in the technique can perform them. If the combination of the solutions of the technique results in a contradiction or if the combination of the solutions of the technique is impossible to perform, the combination of the solutions of the technique shall be deemed not to exist and is not within the scope of protection of this application.

[0066] A gas water heater includes a motor Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 17 / 117 12 / 37 and a motor control board configured to control the motor's operation. Currently, motor control boards on the market generally adopt a control circuit, a driver, and a power device to perform the control, or the control circuit is integrated and the discrete devices are independent of each other, which leads to a long PCB wiring when the motor control board is designed. Therefore, interference is caused when the motor starts, resulting in an unsuccessful start of the water heater motor and thus a secondary start of the motor, which causes the water heater motor to start slowly and affects the constant temperature time. The existing main control adopts PWM control mode for the water heater motor, and the rotation speed of the water heater motor adopts a square wave feedback.When long PCB wiring causes interference, the PWM feedback from the water heater motor becomes abnormal, resulting in an abnormal rotational speed of the water heater motor. It takes a period of time for the main control to convert the square wave into rotational speed, leading to poor real-time control and low reliability of the water heater motor.

[0067] Therefore, in order to avoid the problems of low real-time performance and low reliability of water heater motor control due to the long wiring distance between the control circuit, the driver, and a power tube, the present application proposes a control component for a water heater motor. Referring to Figure 1, the control component for the motor... Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 18 / 117 13 / 37 of the water heater includes a plurality of inverter circuits 80, a drive circuit 20 and a control circuit 10.

[0068] The plurality of inverter circuits 80 are electrically connected to the motor.

[0069] The drive circuit 20 is electrically connected to the plurality of inverter circuits 80.

[0070] Control circuit 10 is electrically connected to drive circuit 20. 3Control circuit 10 is configured to control drive circuit 20 to drive the operation of the plurality of inverter circuits 80 to invert the input DC power supply and output the inverted DC power supply to the motor.

[0071] At least two of the drive circuit 20, the control circuit 10 and at least one inverter circuit of the plurality of inverter circuits 80 are integrated with each other.

[0072] It should be understood that, with reference to Figure 2, at least one inverter circuit 80 includes a plurality of power devices. The existing gas water heater includes a motor and a motor control board configured to control motor operation, and a control circuit 10, a drive circuit 20, and a plurality of power devices 30 are provided on the motor control board. In the case of the gas water heater being controlled to operate, the control circuit 10 controls the drive circuit 20 to drive the Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 19 / 117 14 / 37 A plurality of power devices 30 are used to drive the motor to operate, which allows the oxygen necessary for combustion to be supplied to the gas water heater and allows the combustion gas generated after combustion to be released. However, the control circuit 10, the drive circuit 20, and the plurality of power devices 30 provided on the existing motor control board are arranged independently of each other, which leads to a very long PCB wiring distance between the control circuit 10, the drive circuit 20, and the plurality of power devices 30 when the motor control board is designed. In this way, the control circuit 10 easily introduces interference in the motor start control process, which can result in an unsuccessful motor start, or a slow motor start.In order to overcome the above defect, the present application proposes a control component for a water heater motor. By integrating two of the control circuits 10, drive circuit 20, and at least one power device from the plurality of power devices 30 on the same integrated chip, the wiring distance between the control circuit 10, the drive circuit 20, and at least one power device 30 can be shortened, which can avoid the situation where the motor starts too slowly due to signal interference caused by a very long wiring distance when the control circuit 10 controls the motor to start, and can improve the real-time and reliability of the water heater motor control by the control circuit 10.

[0073] It should be understood that the control component for the water heater motor includes a Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 20 / 117 15 / 37 plurality of power devices 30, a drive circuit 20 and a control circuit 10. In the present document, at least two of the power devices 30, the drive circuit 20 and the control circuit 10 are integrated on the same integrated chip. For example, the power device 30 and the drive circuit 20 may be integrated on the same integrated chip; or the power device 30 and the control circuit 10 may be integrated on the same integrated chip; or the drive circuit 20 and the control circuit 10 may be integrated on the same integrated chip; or the power device 30, the drive circuit 20 and the control circuit 10 may be integrated on the same integrated chip simultaneously.It should be noted that there is a plurality of power devices 30, and in the case where the power device 30 and the control circuit 10 or the drive circuit 20 are integrated on the same integrated chip, at least one power device 30 can be integrated with the control circuit 10, or at least one power device 30 can be integrated with the drive circuit 20. For example, one power device 30 and the control circuit 10 can be integrated on the same integrated chip; or three power devices 30 and the control circuit 10 can be integrated on the same integrated chip; or one power device 30 and the drive circuit 20 can be integrated on the same integrated chip; or three power devices 30 and the drive circuit 20 can be integrated on the same integrated chip.Similarly, if the power device 30, as well as the control circuit 10 and the drive circuit 20, are integrated on the same integrated chip, there is at least one power device. Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 21 / 117 16 / 37 can be integrated with the control circuit 10 and the drive circuit 20 simultaneously. For example, a power device 30, as well as the control circuit 10 and the drive circuit 20, can be integrated on the same integrated chip; or three power devices 30, as well as the control circuit 10 and the drive circuit 20, can be integrated on the same integrated chip.

[0074] The present embodiment is described by an example in which a power device 30, a control circuit 10, and a drive circuit 20 are simultaneously integrated on the same integrated chip. A power device 30, a control circuit 10, and a drive circuit 20 are simultaneously integrated on the same integrated chip. In the case of the water heater being controlled to operate, the control circuit 10 provided on the motor control board controls the drive circuit 20 to drive the power device 30 to drive the motor to operate, which allows the oxygen necessary for combustion to be supplied to the gas water heater and allows the combustion gas generated after combustion to be released.In this way, the wiring distance between the power device 30, the control circuit 10, and the drive circuit 20 is reduced, and the real-time and reliability of the water heater motor control by the control circuit 10 are improved.

[0075] The present application proposes a control component for a water heater motor. The control component for the water heater motor includes a plurality of inverter circuits 80, a drive circuit 20 and a control circuit 10. The plurality of Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 22 / 117 17 / 37 inverter circuits 80 are electrically connected to the motor. The drive circuit 20 is electrically connected to a plurality of inverter circuits 80. The control circuit 10 is electrically connected to the drive circuit 20. The control circuit 10 is configured to control the drive circuit 20 to drive the plurality of inverter circuits 80 to drive the motor operation. In the present document, at least two of the following are integrated on the same integrated chip: at least one inverter circuit from the plurality of inverter circuits 80; the control circuit 10; and the drive circuit 20.By integrating two circuits—at least one inverter circuit 80, the control circuit 10, and the drive circuit 20—on the same integrated chip, the wiring distance between the two circuits can be shortened. This can prevent the situation where the motor starts too slowly due to signal interference caused by a very long wiring distance when the control circuit 10 controls the motor to start, and can improve the real-time and reliability of the water heater motor control by the control circuit 10.

[0076] In one embodiment, with reference to Figure 2, at least one inverter circuit 80 includes a plurality of power devices.

[0077] It should be understood that, in the present embodiment, at least one inverter circuit 80 includes the plurality of power devices. In the present document, at least two of the power devices 30, the drive circuit 20 and the control circuit 10 are integrated on the same integrated chip. For example, the device Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 23 / 117 Power device 30 and drive circuit 20 can be integrated on the same integrated chip; or power device 30 and control circuit 10 can be integrated on the same integrated chip; or drive circuit 20 and control circuit 10 can be integrated on the same integrated chip; or power device 30, drive circuit 20, and control circuit 10 can be integrated on the same integrated chip simultaneously. It should be noted that there is a plurality of power devices 30, and in the case of power device 30 and control circuit 10 or drive circuit 20 being integrated on the same integrated chip, at least one power device 30 can be integrated with control circuit 10, or at least one power device 30 can be integrated with drive circuit 20.For example, a power device 30 and a control circuit 10 can be integrated on the same integrated chip; or three power devices 30 and a control circuit 10 can be integrated on the same integrated chip; or a power device 30 and a drive circuit 20 can be integrated on the same integrated chip; or three power devices 30 and a drive circuit 20 can be integrated on the same integrated chip. Similarly, if the power device 30, as well as the control circuit 10 and the drive circuit 20, are integrated on the same integrated chip, at least one power device 30 can be integrated with the control circuit 10 and the drive circuit 20 simultaneously. For example, a power device 30, as well as the control circuit 10 and the drive circuit 20, can be integrated on the same integrated chip; or three power devices 30, as well as the... Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 24 / 117 19 / 37 control circuit 10 and drive circuit 20 can be integrated on the same integrated chip.

[0078] In one embodiment, the control component for the water heater motor includes a motor control board. At least two of the following are provided on the motor control board:

[0079] at least one power device from the plurality of power devices 30;

[0080] the control circuit 10; and

[0081] the drive circuit 20.

[0082] It should be understood that at least two of the power devices 30, the drive circuit 20 and the control circuit 10 are provided on the motor control board. For example, the power device 30 and the drive circuit 20 may be provided on the motor control board; or the power device 30 and the control circuit may be provided on the motor control board; or the drive circuit 20 and the control circuit 10 may be provided on the motor control board; or the power device 30, the drive circuit 20 and the control circuit 10 may be provided on the motor control board simultaneously.

[0083] It should be noted that there is a plurality of power devices 30 in the present application, and in the event that the power device 30 and the control circuit 10 or the drive circuit 20 are provided on the motor control board, at least one power device 30 and the control circuit 10 may be provided on the motor control board, or at least one power device 30 and the drive circuit 20 may be provided on the motor control board. Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 25 / 117 20 / 37 motor control. For example, a power device 30 and a control circuit 10 may be provided on the motor control board; or three power devices 30 and a control circuit 10 may be provided on the motor control board; or a power device 30 and a drive circuit 20 may be provided on the motor control board; or three power devices 30 and a drive circuit 20 may be provided on the motor control board. Similarly, if the power device 30, as well as the control circuit 10 and the drive circuit 20, are provided on the motor control board, at least one power device 30, as well as the control circuit 10 and the drive circuit 20, may be provided simultaneously on the motor control board.For example, a power device 30, as well as the control circuit 10 and the drive circuit 20, can be supplied simultaneously on the motor control board; or three power devices 30, as well as the control circuit 10 and the drive circuit 20, can be supplied simultaneously on the motor control board.

[0084] In one embodiment, the control circuit 10, the drive circuit 20, and the plurality of power devices 30 are provided on the motor control board.

[0085] It should be understood that in the present embodiment, the control circuit 10, the drive circuit 20, and the plurality of power devices 30 are provided on the motor control board. In an example where the plurality of power devices 30 includes three power devices 30, the three power devices Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 26 / 117 21 / 37, as well as the control circuit 10 and the drive circuit 20, are simultaneously supplied on the motor control board. In the case of the water heater being controlled to operate, the control circuit 10 supplied on the motor control board controls the drive circuit 20 to drive the three power devices 30 to drive the motor to operate, which allows the oxygen necessary for combustion to be supplied to the gas water heater and allows the combustion gas generated after combustion to be released.

[0086] In one embodiment, the control component for the water heater motor additionally includes a casing to enclose the motor.

[0087] The motor control board is located outside the casing.

[0088] It should be understood that the motor control board currently on the market is integrated with the motor, and if the water heater is in operation, the motor is prone to coil heating and temperature increase, which affects the lifespan of the motor control board in a high-temperature environment. Therefore, in order to prevent the water heater from affecting the normal operation of the motor control board during operation, in the present embodiment, the motor control board is located externally outside the housing. In this way, the motor control board is located away from the motor, which can prevent the motor control board from being affected by the motor's temperature.

[0089] In one embodiment, the control component for the water heater motor includes Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 27 / 117 22 / 37 additionally a heat sink.

[0090] At least one of the following is in contact with the heat sink:

[0091] at least one power device from the plurality of power devices30;

[0092] the control circuit 10;e

[0093] the drive circuit20.

[0094] It should be understood that, in the case of the water heater being in operation, the devices on the motor control board will generate a certain amount of heat due to continuous operation, which leads to an increase in the temperature of the motor control board. Since the service life of the motor control board is affected in a high-temperature environment, the control component for the water heater motor, according to the present embodiment, is provided with a heat sink to reduce the temperature of the motor control board.

[0095] In one embodiment, there may be one heat sink or a plurality of heat sinks. In the case of one heat sink, said heat sink may be implemented by a heat dissipation pad. For example, a heat dissipation pad serving as a heat sink is provided on the motor control board, which may achieve a cooling effect on the motor control board. In the case of a plurality of heat sinks, each of the plurality of heat sinks is in contact with a respective of the plurality of power devices 30, the control circuit 10 and the drive circuit 20, to achieve an effect of simultaneously reducing the temperature of each of the plurality of Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 28 / 117 23 / 37 power devices 30, control circuit temperature 10 and drive circuit temperature 20.

[0096] In one embodiment, the control circuit 10, the drive circuit 20 and the plurality of power devices 30 are provided on the motor control board.

[0097] The heat sink includes a heat dissipation pad supplied on the motor control board.

[0098] It can be understood that in the present embodiment, the control circuit 10, the drive circuit 20 and the plurality of power devices 30 are provided on the motor control board. In order to prevent the control circuit 10, the drive circuit 20 and the plurality of power devices 30 provided on the motor control board from generating a large amount of thermal energy during operation, the present embodiment also provides a heat sink, wherein the heat sink number is one, and the heat sink is implemented by a heat dissipation cushion.In a real-world application, the heat dissipation cushion that serves as a heat sink is provided on the motor control board, which can achieve a cooling effect on the motor control board and, in turn, reduce the temperature of each of the plurality of power devices 30, the temperature of the control circuit 10, and the temperature of the drive circuit 20.

[0099] In one embodiment, with reference to Figure 3, the control component for the water heater motor includes a rotational speed detection circuit 40.

[00100] One input end of the circuit Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 29 / 117 24 / 37 rotation speed detection 40 is connected to one output end of the motor, and one output end of the rotation speed detection circuit 40 is connected to one input end of the control circuit 10.

[00101] The rotational speed detection circuit 40 is configured to emit a motor rotational speed detection signal through the control circuit 10.

[00102] It can be understood that, in the present embodiment, the control component for the water heater motor additionally includes a rotation speed detection circuit 40 to detect the rotation speed of the motor. In a real application, the rotation speed detection circuit 40 detects the rotation speed of the motor and sends back a rotation speed detection signal to a main control circuit 70 configured to control the entire water heater, and the main control circuit 70 acquires the rotation speed of the motor in real time according to the rotation speed detection signal.

[00103] In one embodiment, with reference to Figure 3, the control component for the water heater motor includes a power sensing circuit 50.

[00104] One input end of the power sensing circuit 50 is connected to the output end of the motor, and one output end of the power sensing circuit 50 is connected to the input end of the control circuit 10.

[00105] In one embodiment, the power detection circuit 50 is configured to emit a signal of Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, p. 30 / 117 25 / 37 motor power detection via control circuit 10.

[00106] It can be understood that, in the present embodiment, the control component for the water heater motor additionally includes a power detection circuit 50 configured to detect the motor power. In a real application, the power detection circuit 50 detects the motor power and sends back a power detection signal to the main control circuit 70 configured to control the entire water heater, and the main control circuit 70 acquires the motor power in real time according to the power detection signal.

[00107] The present application also proposes a water heater, which includes a motor and the control component for the water heater motor as described above.

[00108] It should be understood that the present application also proposes a water heater, which includes a motor and a control component for the water heater motor. The control component for the water heater motor includes a plurality of power devices 30, a drive circuit 20, and a control circuit 10. The control circuit 10 controls the drive circuit 20 to drive the plurality of power devices 30 to drive the motor to operate, which allows the oxygen necessary for combustion to be supplied to the gas water heater and allows the combustion gas generated after combustion to be released. In the present application, by integrating two of the drive circuit 20, control circuit 10, and the plurality of power devices 30 on the same chip Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 31 / 117 26 / 37 integrated, the wiring distance between the control circuit 10, the drive circuit 20 and the plurality of power devices 30 can be shortened, which can avoid the situation where the motor starts too slowly due to signal interference caused by a very long wiring distance when the control circuit 10 controls the motor to start, and can improve the real-time and reliability of the water heater motor control by the control circuit 10.

[00109] In one embodiment, with reference to Figure 4, the water heater additionally includes:

[00110] a main control circuit 70; and

[00111] a communication circuit 60 electrically connected to the main control circuit 70 and configured to be electrically connected to the control circuit 10.

[00112] The main control circuit 70 is configured to send a control signal to the control circuit 10 through the communication circuit 60, to allow the control circuit 10 to control the drive circuit 20 to drive the plurality of power devices 30 to drive the motor rotation according to the control signal.

[00113] It can be understood that, in the present embodiment, the water heater additionally includes a main control circuit 70 configured to control the entire water heater, and a communication circuit 60 configured to communicate with the main control circuit 70. In a real application, the communication between the main control circuit 70 and the control circuit 10 Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 32 / 117 27 / 37 is performed via communication circuit 60. In addition, the water heater surface is further equipped with a trigger button with different levels. If the user triggers the water heater's trigger button, the trigger button emits an external setting signal corresponding to the level to the main control circuit 70. The main control circuit 70 determines a starting power required by the motor according to the external setting signal, and sends a corresponding control signal to the control circuit 10 via communication circuit 60, to allow the control circuit 10 to control the motor to rotate in different operating modes according to the control signal.For example, control circuit 10 controls drive circuit 20 to drive a plurality of power devices 30 to drive the motor rotation in a constant power mode according to the control signal, or control circuit 10 controls drive circuit 20 to drive a plurality of power devices 30 to drive the motor rotation in a constant speed mode according to the control signal.

[00114] In one embodiment, with reference to Figure 4, communication circuit 60 includes a serial communication circuit 60.

[00115] It can be understood that in the present embodiment, the communication circuit 60 includes a serial communication circuit 60, and the main control circuit 70 and the control circuit 10 communicate with each other in a serial communication manner. Specifically, the main control circuit 70 sends a control signal to the circuit of Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 33 / 117 28 / 37 serial communication 60, and the serial communication circuit 60 converts the control signal into a serial signal and sends the serial signal to the control circuit 10. The control circuit 10 controls the motor to rotate according to the serial signal output by the serial communication circuit 60.

[00116] In one embodiment, the water heater additionally includes:

[00117] a connection component; and

[00118] a main control board in which the main control circuit 70 and the communication circuit 60 are provided.

[00119] If control circuit 10 is provided on the motor control board, the main control board and the motor control board are electrically connected to each other via the connecting component.

[00120] It should be understood that, in the present embodiment, the main control circuit 70 and the communication circuit 60 are provided on the main control board. If the control circuit 10 is provided on the motor control board, an electrical connection relationship between the main control board and the motor control board is established through the connection component. In this document, the connection component may be a terminal block, a PCB connector, an industrial connector, a junction box, a high-performance connector, a cable, a cable joint, a safety barrier, a contact piece, a pin connector, and the like. In a real application, the main control circuit 70 emits a control signal, and the control signal passes sequentially through the communication circuit 60 and the connection component and finally reaches the circuit. Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 34 / 117 29 / 37 control 10, which allows control circuit 10 to control the motor rotation.

[00121] In one embodiment, the connecting component includes a pin plug and a pin socket that cooperates with the pin plug.

[00122] One of the pin plugs and the pin socket is provided on the main control board, and the other of the pin plugs and the pin socket is provided on the motor control board.

[00123] It should be understood that the connection component includes a pin connector, and the pin connector includes a pin plug and a pin socket that cooperates with the pin plug. In a first embodiment, the pin plug is provided on the main control board, the pin socket is provided on the motor control board, and the pin plug and the pin socket are connected to each other to allow an electrical connection relationship between the main control board and the motor control board to be established. In a second embodiment, the pin plug is provided on the motor control board, the pin socket is provided on the main control board, and the pin plug and the pin socket are connected to each other to allow an electrical connection relationship between the main control board and the motor control board to be established.

[00124] In one embodiment, the main control circuit 70 is additionally provided with a signal receiving end configured to receive an external configuration signal.

[00125] The main control circuit 70 is configured to output a control signal corresponding to Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 35 / 117 30 / 37 control circuit 10 via communication circuit 60 according to the external configuration signal, to allow the motor to operate according to a rotational speed corresponding to the external configuration signal or to operate according to a power corresponding to the external configuration signal.

[00126] It should be understood that, in the present embodiment, a surface of the water heater is additionally equipped with a trigger button with different levels. If the user triggers the water heater's trigger button, the trigger button emits an external setting signal corresponding to the level to the main control circuit 70. The main control circuit 70 determines a starting power required by the motor according to the external setting signal, and sends a corresponding control signal to the control circuit 10 via the communication circuit 60, to allow the control circuit 10 to control the motor to rotate in different operating modes according to the control signal.For example, control circuit 10 controls drive circuit 20 to drive a plurality of power devices 30 to drive the motor rotation in a constant power mode according to the control signal, or control circuit 10 controls drive circuit 20 to drive a plurality of power devices 30 to drive the motor rotation in a constant speed mode according to the control signal.

[00127] In one embodiment, with reference to Figure 4, the water heater additionally includes a rotation speed detection circuit 40. Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 36 / 117 31 / 37

[00128] One input end of the rotation speed detection circuit 40 is connected to one output end of the motor, and one output end of the rotation speed detection circuit 40 is connected to one input end of the control circuit 10.

[00129] The rotation speed detection circuit 40 is configured to send a motor rotation speed detection signal to the main control circuit 70 via the control circuit 10 and the communication circuit 60.

[00130] It can be understood that motor feedback means that a signal generated during motor operation is sent back to the main control circuit 70 for real-time monitoring and adjustment of the motor's operating state and performance. In the present embodiment, motor feedback includes feedback on the motor's rotational speed; the motor's rotational speed is detected in real time by the rotational speed detection circuit 40, and a motor rotational speed detection signal is sent to the main control circuit 70 via the control circuit 10 and the communication circuit 60. The main control circuit 70 detects the actual speed of a motor's rotational shaft according to the rotational speed detection signal to acquire a motor operating speed, in order to achieve control and adjustment of the motor's rotational speed.

[00131] In one embodiment, with reference to Figure 4, the water heater additionally includes a power detection circuit 50.

[00132] One input end of the circuit Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, p. 37 / 117 32 / 37 power detection 50 is connected to the output end of the motor, and one output end of the power detection circuit 50 is connected to the input end of the control circuit 10.

[00133] The power detection circuit 50 is configured to emit a motor power detection signal through the control circuit 10 and the communication circuit 60.

[00134] It can be understood that motor feedback means that a signal generated during motor operation is sent back to the main control circuit 70 for real-time monitoring and adjustment of the motor's operating state and performance. In the present embodiment, motor feedback includes motor power feedback; motor power is detected in real time by the power detection circuit 50, and a motor power detection signal is sent to the main control circuit 70 via the control circuit 10 and the communication circuit 60. The main control circuit 70 detects the actual power of the motor's rotating shaft according to the power detection signal to acquire a motor operating power, in order to achieve motor power control and adjustment.

[00135] In one embodiment, with reference to Figure 4, the main control circuit 70 is configured to determine a target rotational speed according to the external configuration signal, and to determine a target power according to the target rotational speed.

[00136] If the target power is greater than or equal to a preset power, the control circuit Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 38 / 117 33 / 37 main 70 emits a corresponding control signal to the control circuit 10 via the communication circuit 60, to allow the motor to operate according to the target rotational speed.

[00137] If the target power is less than the preset power, the main control circuit 70 sends a corresponding control signal to the control circuit 10 via the communication circuit 60, to allow the motor to operate according to the target power.

[00138] It can be understood that, in the case of the motor operating in a low power state, the motor drive current is very low, and the motor wind resistance is weak, resulting in low stability and safety performance of the motor. Furthermore, a motor feedback current acquired by the main control circuit 70 is unstable, which reduces the reliability of the motor control by the main control circuit 70.In order to avoid the phenomenon of unstable motor operation in the case of the motor operating at low power, a motor operating mode is configured to be a constant power mode and a constant rotation speed mode according to the present embodiment, to allow the motor to operate in constant power mode in the case of the motor being at low power, and to allow the motor to operate in constant rotation speed mode in the case of the motor being at high power. In a real application, the surface of the water heater is additionally equipped with a trigger button with different levels. If the user triggers the water heater's trigger button, the trigger button emits a signal. Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 39 / 117 34 / 37 external configuration corresponding to the level for the main control circuit 70. The main control circuit 70 determines a target rotation speed according to the external configuration signal and determines a target power according to the target rotation speed. If the main control circuit 70 detects that the target power is greater than or equal to 12 W, the main control circuit 70 sends a first control signal to the control circuit 10 through the communication circuit 60, to allow the control circuit 10 to control the motor to operate in a constant rotation speed mode. If the main control circuit 70 detects that the target power is less than 12 W, the main control circuit 70 sends a second control signal to the control circuit 10 through the communication circuit 60, to allow the control circuit 10 to control the motor to operate in a constant power mode.

[00139] In one embodiment, the main control circuit 70 is additionally configured to determine a rotational speed range in which the target rotational speed is located according to the target rotational speed, and to select a target power that corresponds to the rotational speed range according to a mapping relationship between the rotational speed range and the target power.

[00140] It can be understood that, in the present modality, the mapping relationship between the rotational speed range and the target power obtained from experimental data from a technician is as follows: in the case of a target engine rotational speed of less than 2,000 rpm, Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, p. 40 / 117 35 / 37 a target motor power is consequently less than 12 W; and in the case of a target motor rotation speed being greater than or equal to 2000 rpm, a target motor power is consequently greater than or equal to 12 W. In a real application, if the main control circuit 70 determines that the target rotation speed is in a rotation speed range of less than 2000 rpm, the main control circuit 70 selects a current target motor power to be less than 12 W according to the mapping relationship between the rotation speed range and the target power, i.e., it controls the motor to operate in a constant power mode.If the main control circuit 70 determines that the target rotation speed is within a rotation speed range of 2000 rpm or greater, the main control circuit 70 determines that the current target power of the motor is a target power of 12 W or greater according to the mapping relationship between the rotation speed range and the target power, i.e., it controls the motor to operate in a constant rotation speed mode.

[00141] In one embodiment, the water heater additionally includes a sampling resistor.

[00142] The sampling resistor number is one, and the sampling resistor is supplied on the motor control board. One input end of the sampling resistor is connected to one output end of at least one inverter circuit, and one output end of the sampling resistor is connected to one input end of the control circuit.

[00143] The sampling resistor is configured Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 41 / 117 36 / 37 to detect an instantaneous current flowing through a DC motor busbar according to different switching conditions of a power bridge of at least one inverter circuit, and send a motor phase current to the main control circuit through the control circuit and the communication circuit.

[00144] It can be understood that, in the control component for the water heater motor, the main control circuit needs to measure the current in a motor winding in a timely and accurate manner, in order to achieve the design of the closed-loop current control and current protection circuit. For this purpose, the motor current needs to be detected. Current detection can be implemented by a sampling resistor or a plurality of sampling resistors. The present embodiment is described by an example in which current detection is implemented by a sampling resistor.Specifically, since at least one inverter circuit includes a power bridge, if the sampling resistor is connected to at least one inverter circuit, the sampling resistor can detect an instantaneous current flowing through a DC bus of the motor according to different switching conditions of the power bridge of at least one inverter circuit, obtain a motor phase current according to the instantaneous current flowing through the DC bus of the motor, and send the motor phase current to the main control circuit through the control circuit and the communication circuit, to allow closed-loop current control to be achieved by the main control circuit according to the current. Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 42 / 117 37 / 37 motor phase. It should be understood that, in the present embodiment, a sampling resistor is adopted to achieve the motor current detection function, and a sampling resistor is provided on the motor control board, which can lead to a smaller footprint on the motor control board. Furthermore, compared to a plurality of sampling resistors, adopting a single sampling resistor can allow the main control circuit to execute a motor algorithm more efficiently.

[00145] The foregoing are merely optional embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. All equivalent structures made using the descriptive report and accompanying drawings of the present application, or direct or indirect applications of the application to other related fields of the art, shall be understood to fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, p. 43 / 117

Claims

1 / 8 CLAIMS 1. CONTROL COMPONENT FOR A WATER HEATER MOTOR characterized by comprising: a plurality of inverter circuits, wherein the plurality of inverter circuits is electrically connected to the motor; a drive circuit, wherein the drive circuit is electrically connected to the plurality of inverter circuits; and a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is electrically connected to the drive circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to control the drive circuit to drive the operation of the plurality of inverter circuits to invert the input DC power supply and output the inverted DC power supply to the motor, wherein at least two of the drive circuit, the control circuit and at least one inverter circuit of the plurality of inverter circuits are integrated with each other.

2. CONTROL COMPONENT FOR THE WATER HEATER MOTOR, according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one inverter circuit comprises a plurality of power devices.

3. CONTROL COMPONENT FOR THE WATER HEATER MOTOR, according to claim 2, wherein the control component for the water heater motor is characterized by comprising a motor control board, in which at least two of the following are provided on the motor control board: at least one power device from the plurality of power devices; the control circuit; and the drive circuit.

4. CONTROL COMPONENT FOR THE WATER HEATER MOTOR, according to claim 3, characterized in that the control circuit, the drive circuit and the plurality of power devices are provided on the motor control board.

5. CONTROL COMPONENT FOR THE WATER HEATER MOTOR, according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the control component for the water heater motor is further characterized by comprising: a casing to enclose the motor, wherein the motor control board is disposed outside the casing.

6. CONTROL COMPONENT FOR THE WATER HEATER MOTOR, according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the control component for the water heater motor is characterized by further comprising a heat sink, wherein at least one of the following is disposed in contact with the heat sink: at least one power device from the plurality of power devices; the control circuit; and the drive circuit.

7. CONTROL COMPONENT FOR THE WATER HEATER MOTOR, according to claim 6, characterized in that the control circuit, the drive circuit and the plurality of power devices are provided on the motor control board, wherein the heat sink comprises a heat dissipation cushion provided on the motor control board.

8. CONTROL COMPONENT FOR THE WATER HEATER MOTOR, according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control component for the water heater motor is further characterized by comprising: a rotational speed detection circuit, wherein one input end of the rotational speed detection circuit is connected to one output end of the motor and one output end of the rotational speed detection circuit is connected to one input end of the control circuit, wherein the rotational speed detection circuit is configured to output a motor rotational speed detection signal through the control circuit.

9. CONTROL COMPONENT FOR THE WATER HEATER MOTOR, according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control component for the water heater motor is characterized by comprising: a power sensing circuit, wherein one input end of the power sensing circuit is connected to one output end of the motor and one output end of the power sensing circuit is connected to one input end of the control circuit, wherein the power sensing circuit is configured to output a motor power sensing signal through the control circuit.

10. WATER HEATER characterized by comprising Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, page 46 / 117 4 / 8 a motor and a control component for the water heater motor, as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. WATER HEATER, according to claim 10, wherein the water heater is further characterized by comprising: a main control circuit; and a communication circuit, wherein the communication circuit is electrically connected to the main control circuit, wherein the communication circuit is configured to be electrically connected to the control circuit, wherein the main control circuit is configured to send a control signal to the control circuit via the communication, to enable the control circuit to control the drive circuit to drive a plurality of power devices to drive the motor rotation in accordance with the control signal.

12. WATER HEATER, according to claim 11, characterized in that the communication circuit comprises a serial communication circuit.

13. WATER HEATER, according to claim 11, wherein the water heater is further characterized by comprising: a connection component; and a main control board in which the main control circuit and the communication circuit are provided, wherein, in the case of the control circuit being provided on a motor control board, the main control board and the motor control board are electrically connected to each other through the connection component.

14. WATER HEATER, according to claim 13, characterized in that the connecting component comprises a pin plug and a pin socket cooperating with the pin plug, wherein one of the pin plugs and the pin socket is provided on the main control board, and the other of the pin plugs and the pin socket is provided on the motor control board.

15. WATER HEATER, according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the main control circuit is additionally provided with a signal receiving end configured to receive an external configuration signal, wherein the main control circuit is configured to emit a control signal corresponding to the control circuit through the communication circuit according to the external configuration signal, to enable the motor to operate according to a rotational speed corresponding to the external configuration signal or to operate according to a power corresponding to the external configuration signal.

16. WATER HEATER, according to claim 15, wherein the water heater is further characterized by comprising: a rotational speed detection circuit, wherein one input end of the rotational speed detection circuit is connected to one output end of the motor and one output end of the rotational speed detection circuit is connected to one input end of the control circuit, wherein the rotational speed detection circuit is configured to output a motor rotational speed detection signal to the main control circuit via the control circuit and the communication circuit.

17. WATER HEATER, according to claim 15, wherein the water heater is further characterized by comprising: a power sensing circuit, wherein one input end of the power sensing circuit is connected to one output end of the motor and one output end of the power sensing circuit is connected to one input end of the control circuit, wherein the power sensing circuit is configured to output a motor power sensing signal through the control circuit and the communication circuit.

18. WATER HEATER, according to claim 15, characterized in that the main control circuit is configured to determine a target rotation speed according to the external configuration signal and to determine a target power according to the target rotation speed, wherein, if the target power is greater than or equal to a predefined power, the main control circuit emits a corresponding control signal to the control circuit through the communication circuit, to allow the motor to operate according to the target rotation speed, Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, p. 49 / 117 7 / 8 wherein, if the target power is less than the predefined power, the main control circuit emits a corresponding control signal to the control circuit through the communication circuit, to allow the motor to operate according to the target power.

19. WATER HEATER, according to claim 18, characterized in that the main control circuit is additionally configured to determine a rotational speed range, in which the target rotational speed is located according to the target rotational speed, and to select a target power that corresponds to the rotational speed range according to a mapping relationship between the rotational speed range and the target power.

20. WATER HEATER, according to claim 11, wherein the water heater is further characterized by comprising: a sampling resistor, wherein a number of the sampling resistor is one (1), wherein the sampling resistor is provided on a motor control board, wherein one input end of the sampling resistor is connected to an output end of at least one inverter circuit and one output end of the sampling resistor is connected to an input end of the control circuit, wherein the sampling resistor is configured to detect an instantaneous current flowing through a DC bus of the motor under different switching conditions of a power bridge of at least one inverter circuit, and to send a motor phase current to the main control circuit in the form of a current detection signal.Petition 870240111446, dated 12 / 31 / 2024, pp. 51 / 117.

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