An intelligent electric valve with bidirectional cut-off function and zero cold water control system

Abstract

The present invention discloses an intelligent electric valve with a two-way shutoff function, comprising a valve seat, a hot water flow channel, a cold water flow channel, a center hole and a solenoid valve arranged on the valve seat, wherein the center hole connects the hot water flow channel with the cold water flow channel, and the solenoid valve blocks the center hole from one side of the hot water flow channel; it is characterized in that a sealing gasket and a compression spring connected to the sealing gasket are provided on one side of the cold water flow channel, and the sealing gasket blocks the center hole under the action of the compression spring. With a two-way shutoff function, permanent sealing from the cold water flow channel to the hot water flow channel can completely solve the problem of mistakenly starting the water heater caused by turning on the cold water and the problem of part of the cold water entering the hot water flow channel when turning on the hot water, thereby causing the hot water temperature to drop. The present invention also provides a zero cold water control system using the above-mentioned intelligent electric valve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of water heaters, and particularly to an intelligent electric valve with a two-way cut-off function and a zero-cold water control system. Background Art

[0002] To achieve the function of instant hot water in zero-cold water series gas water heaters, it is necessary to preheat the water in the pipeline, and preheating requires forming a closed circulation loop between the water pipe and the water heater. Currently, there are two solutions to achieve the circulation loop: one is to install a return water pipe; the other is to install a one-way valve device at the remote water usage point in the pipeline. The first solution requires modification of the water circuit in the user's home, which is very troublesome; while the second solution using an ordinary one-way valve will cause the following problems. When the water pressure is too high, the user's use of cold water will cause the water heater to start accidentally, and it is impossible to accurately judge the stop heating time, which may lead to overheating or insufficient heating of the circulating water, and different pipeline lengths require manual setting of the stop heating time.

[0003] An invention patent with the patent number: CN110206911 and the patent name: Electric cut-off valve and zero-cold water control system applying the electric cut-off valve specifically discloses that the electric cut-off valve includes a valve seat, a valve core is arranged on the valve seat, the valve seat is a four-way valve, and a hot water cavity and a cold water cavity are provided. The valve core includes a coil, an iron core installed inside the coil, the iron core is connected to one end of a rubber head through a spring, the other end of the rubber head is connected to a tray, and the tray is provided with a diaphragm. The communication and truncation between the hot water cavity and the cold water cavity are realized through the movement of the tray and the diaphragm. After technical improvement, although the problem of accidental start when opening cold water is solved, there is still the phenomenon that the hot water is not constant temperature when opening hot water, that is, when opening hot water, the water in the cold water cavity will enter the hot water cavity, resulting in a low outlet water temperature. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Aiming at the problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an intelligent electric valve with a two-way cut-off function that is convenient to assemble and safe.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] An intelligent electric valve with a two-way cut-off function includes a valve seat, a hot water flow channel, a cold water flow channel, a central hole and an electromagnetic valve arranged on the valve seat. The central hole communicates the hot water flow channel and the cold water flow channel, and the electromagnetic valve blocks the central hole from one side of the hot water flow channel; characterized in that a sealing gasket and a compression spring connected to the sealing gasket are arranged on one side of the cold water flow channel, and the sealing gasket blocks the central hole under the action of the compression spring.

[0007] As a further illustration of the above solution, the solenoid valve includes: a solenoid valve body with a coil, a spring and an iron core mounted on the solenoid valve body, one end of the iron core is connected to the spring, and the other end of the iron core is connected to a tray through a rubber head, and a diaphragm for blocking the central hole is provided on the tray.

[0008] As a further illustration of the above solution, the gasket is installed at the end of a guide post, a support post cooperating with the compression spring is provided in the cold water flow channel, a guide groove cooperating with the guide post is provided on the support post, and the other end of the guide post is movably inserted into the guide groove.

[0009] As a further illustration of the above solution, a nut is connected to the tail of the support post, and the nut is used to fix the support post on the valve seat.

[0010] As a further illustration of the above solution, a first temperature sensor is provided in the hot water flow channel.

[0011] As a further illustration of the above solution, an intelligent controller connected to the first temperature sensor and the solenoid valve is provided on the valve seat, and a communication module is connected to the intelligent controller.

[0012] As a further illustration of the above solution, the communication module is a power line carrier communication module and / or a wireless communication module.

[0013] A zero cold water control system includes a water heater, a cold water pipeline, a hot water pipeline and a water usage point. The hot water pipeline is connected between the hot water outlet end of the water heater and the water usage point, and the cold water pipeline is connected between the cold water inlet end of the water heater and the water usage point. A tap water connection port is provided on the cold water pipeline. It is characterized in that an intelligent electric valve as described above is installed at the most distal water usage point. The hot water flow channel and the cold water flow channel of the intelligent electric valve are respectively connected in series with the hot water pipeline and the cold water pipeline, so that the water heater, the hot water pipeline, the intelligent electric valve and the cold water pipeline form a circulation loop, and a circulation pump is provided on the circulation loop; both the circulation pump and the intelligent controller of the intelligent electric valve are connected to the main controller of the water heater; when the water heater starts circulating and preheating, the main controller controls the solenoid valve to open and starts the circulation pump through the intelligent controller, and the main controller receives the signal of the first temperature sensor through the intelligent controller. When the water temperature feedback by the first temperature sensor reaches the closing temperature, the main controller controls the circulation pump to stop and closes the solenoid valve.

[0014] As a further illustration of the above solution, the method for determining the closing temperature is as follows: Use the second temperature sensor to detect the outlet water temperature of the water heater, and the closing temperature = the outlet water temperature - the set temperature difference.

[0015] As a further illustration of the above solution, the set temperature difference is related to the length of the hot water pipeline; when the length of the hot water pipeline is 30 meters or less, the set temperature difference is 2°C; when the length of the hot water pipeline is 30 - 60 meters, the set temperature difference is 3°C; when the length of the hot water pipeline is 60 meters or more, the set temperature difference is 4°C; the length of the hot water pipeline is calculated by the main controller, and the calculation method is as follows: Use the water flow sensor to detect the water flow rate q of the preheating cycle. When the water heater starts the preheating cycle for the first time, the main controller determines the time T according to the temperature rise signal fed back by the first temperature sensor. The length of the hot water pipeline is L, s is the cross-sectional area of the hot water pipeline.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0017] First, with a two-way cut-off function, the permanent closure from the cold water flow path to the hot water flow path can completely solve the problem of accidentally starting the water heater when opening cold water and the problem that part of the cold water rushes into the hot water flow path when opening hot water, resulting in a decrease in the hot water temperature.

[0018] Second, it can adapt to the length of the circulation pipeline and automatically increase the outlet water temperature of the water heater according to the length of the circulation pipeline. It can prevent the problem of low water temperature at the water usage point or too long circulation time caused by heat dissipation in the circulation pipeline, improve the circulation efficiency, and does not require manual setting, which is convenient to use. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] Figure 1 The figure shows a schematic structural diagram of the intelligent electric valve with a two-way cut-off function provided by the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 The figure shows a cross-sectional view of the intelligent electric valve with a two-way cut-off function provided by the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 The figure shows a cut-off state diagram of the intelligent electric valve with a two-way cut-off function provided by the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 The figure shows an open state diagram of the intelligent electric valve with a two-way cut-off function provided by the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5 The figure shows a schematic diagram of the pipeline installation of the zero cold water control system provided by the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6The figure shows the heating control flow chart of the zero cold water control system provided by the present invention.

[0025] Figure 7 The figure shows the effect comparison diagram of the zero cold water control system using an intelligent electric valve provided by the present invention and that using the prior art.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0027] 1: First temperature sensor, 2: Solenoid valve body, 3: Spring, 4: Iron core, 5: Rubber head, 6: Tray, 7: Diaphragm, 8: Gasket, 9: Guide post, 10: Compression spring, 11: Nut, 12: Cold water flow channel, 13: Hot water flow channel, 12-1: Cold water outlet, 12-2: Cold water inlet, 13-1: Hot water outlet, 13-2: Hot water inlet, 14: First water usage point, 15: Second water usage point, 16: Intelligent controller, 17: Mixing valve, 18: Master controller, 19: Circulation water pump, 20: Water flow sensor, 21: Second temperature sensor, 100: Intelligent electric valve, A: Set temperature curve, B: Outlet water temperature curve of the prior art, C: Outlet water temperature curve of the zero cold water system provided by the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0028] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that for orientation terms, such as the terms "center", "horizontal", "longitudinal", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., the orientation and position relationships indicated are based on the orientation or position relationships shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and should not be construed as limiting the specific protection scope of the present invention.

[0029] In addition, such terms as "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "at least" is one or more than one, unless otherwise specifically and clearly defined.

[0030] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, terms such as "assembled", "connected", and "joined" shall be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it may also be a mechanical connection; it may be directly connected, or connected through an intermediate medium, and may be connected internally between two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0031] In the invention, unless otherwise specified and limited, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may include direct contact between the first and second features, or may include the situation where the first and second features are not in direct contact but in contact through other features between them. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "below", and "on top of" the second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicating that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature being "above", "below", and "beneath" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicating that the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than that of the second feature.

[0032] The following further describes the specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings of the specification, making the technical solutions and their beneficial effects of the present invention clearer and more definite. The embodiments described below by referring to the drawings are exemplary and are intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

[0033] Embodiment 1

[0034] As Figures 1-4 shown, an intelligent electric valve with a two-way cut-off function includes a valve seat, a hot water flow channel 13, a cold water flow channel 12, a central hole, and a solenoid valve provided on the valve seat. The central hole communicates the hot water flow channel and the cold water flow channel, and the solenoid valve blocks the central hole from one side of the hot water flow channel. It is characterized in that a sealing gasket 8 and a compression spring connected to the sealing gasket 8 are provided on one side of the cold water flow channel, and the sealing gasket blocks the central hole under the action of the compression spring.

[0035] Among them, the solenoid valve includes: a solenoid valve body 2 with a coil, a spring 3 and an iron core 4 installed on the solenoid valve body 2. One end of the iron core 4 is connected to the spring 3, and the other end of the iron core 4 is connected with a tray 6 through a rubber head 5. A diaphragm 7 for blocking the central hole is provided on the tray 6. The diaphragm 7 blocks the central hole under the action of the spring. The water in the hot water flow channel enters above the diaphragm 7 through the side holes on the tray. Since the central hole is blocked, the greater the water pressure, the tighter the diaphragm is pressed, thus realizing the sealing from the hot water flow channel to the cold water flow channel.

[0036] The gasket 8 is installed at the end of a guide post 9. A support post that cooperates with the compression spring 10 is provided in the cold water flow channel 12. A guide groove that cooperates with the guide post 9 is provided on the support post, and the other end of the guide post is movably inserted into the guide groove. Under the elastic force of the compression spring 10, the gasket blocks the central hole. The greater the water pressure in the cold water flow channel, the better the sealing performance, realizing the closure from the cold water flow channel to the hot water flow channel.

[0037] The communication between the hot water flow channel and the cold water flow channel is controlled by an electromagnetic valve. When the electromagnetic valve works, the water flow channel is in a conducting state, and hot water can flow to the cold water. When the electromagnetic valve does not work, the water flow channel is in a cut-off state, and the direction from the cold water flow channel to the hot water flow channel is always in a cut-off state to prevent cold water from flowing into the hot water, resulting in non-constant temperature. Moreover, the greater the water pressure in the cold water flow channel, the better the sealing effect.

[0038] Preferably, a nut 11 is connected to the tail of the support post, and the nut is used to fix the support post on the valve seat.

[0039] The hot water flow channel 13 includes a hot water inlet 13-2 and a hot water outlet 13-1; the cold water flow channel 12 includes a cold water inlet 12-2 and a cold water outlet 12-1.

[0040] A first temperature sensor 1 is provided in the hot water flow channel 13.

[0041] Further preferably, connectors for connecting cold and hot water pipelines are provided on the valve seat; the valve seat and the connectors are integrally formed without additional assembly, avoiding potential water leakage problems.

[0042] An intelligent controller 16 connected to the first temperature sensor 1 and the electromagnetic valve is provided on the valve seat, and a communication module is connected to the intelligent controller 16.

[0043] The communication module is a power line carrier communication module and / or a wireless communication module.

[0044] Compared with the prior art, an intelligent electric valve with a two-way cut-off function provided in this embodiment has the following characteristics: with a two-way cut-off function, realizing the permanent closure from the cold water flow channel to the hot water flow channel can completely solve the problem of accidentally starting the water heater when opening cold water and the problem that part of the cold water flows into the hot water flow channel when opening hot water, resulting in a decrease in the hot water temperature.

[0045] Embodiment 2

[0046] As Figures 5-7As shown in the figure, a zero - cold - water control system includes a water heater, a cold - water pipeline, a hot - water pipeline and a water - using point. The hot - water pipeline is connected between the hot - water outlet end of the water heater and the water - using point, and the cold - water pipeline is connected between the cold - water inlet end of the water heater and the water - using point. A tap - water connection port is provided on the cold - water pipeline. It is characterized in that an intelligent electric valve 100 as described in Embodiment 1 is installed at the farthest water - using point. The hot - water flow channel 13 and the cold - water flow channel 12 of the intelligent electric valve are respectively connected in series with the hot - water pipeline and the cold - water pipeline, so that the water heater, the hot - water pipeline, the intelligent electric valve and the cold - water pipeline form a circulation loop. A circulation water pump 19 is provided on the circulation loop. Both the circulation water pump 19 and the intelligent controller 16 of the intelligent electric valve are connected to the main controller 18 of the water heater. When the water heater starts cyclic pre - heating, the main controller 18 controls the solenoid valve to open and starts the circulation water pump through the intelligent controller 16. The main controller 18 receives the signal of the first temperature sensor 1 through the intelligent controller 16. When the water temperature feedback by the first temperature sensor 1 reaches the closing temperature, the main controller 16 controls the circulation water pump 19 to stop and closes the solenoid valve.

[0047] Working principle of the zero - cold - water control system: During normal water use, the solenoid valve of the intelligent electric valve is in the closed state, and the cold - water flow channel and the hot - water flow channel are isolated and closed, so that the hot - water pipeline and the cold - water pipeline are not connected to each other, and there will be no mixing of cold and hot water when the user uses hot or cold water. During cyclic pre - heating, the solenoid valve is opened and the cold - water outlet and hot - water outlet of the intelligent electric valve are closed. The circulation water pump is started, and hot water flows into the cold - water flow channel through the central hole to form a one - way circulating water flow. At the same time, the first temperature sensor on the intelligent electric valve feeds back the detected water temperature to the main controller. When the water temperature of the intelligent electric valve reaches the closing temperature, the circulation water pump is closed, and the main controller controls the solenoid valve to close, and the water heater stops heating.

[0048] The method for judging the closing temperature is as follows: Use the second temperature sensor to detect the outlet water temperature of the water heater, and the closing temperature = the outlet water temperature - the set temperature difference. The set temperature difference is related to the length of the hot water pipeline; when the length of the hot water pipeline is 30 meters or less, the set temperature difference is 2°C; when the length of the hot water pipeline is 30 - 60 meters, the set temperature difference is 3°C; when the length of the hot water pipeline is 60 meters or more, the set temperature difference is 4°C. This minimizes the phenomenon of low water temperature caused by heat dissipation in the pipeline. When the water heater starts the circulating preheating for the first time, use the water flow sensor to detect the water flow rate q in the hot water pipeline and feedback the water flow rate q to the main controller. When the main controller receives the temperature rise signal fed back by the first temperature sensor on the intelligent electric valve, the length L of the hot water pipeline can be obtained by calculating the time T from the start of the circulating heating of the water heater to the rise of the water temperature in the intelligent electric valve and the cross-sectional area s of the hot water pipeline, and the data is stored. The calculation formula is

[0049] In this embodiment, there are two water usage points on the water pipeline of the water heater, namely the first water usage point 14 at the proximal end and the second water usage point 15 at the distal end; mixing valves 17 are installed at the first water usage point 14 and the second water usage point 15. The intelligent electric valve 100 is installed at the second water usage point 15 at the distal end. The cold water outlet and the hot water outlet of the intelligent electric valve are connected to the mixing valve 17. The cold water inlet of the intelligent electric valve is connected to the cold water pipeline, and the hot water inlet of the intelligent electric valve is connected to the hot water pipeline.

[0050] The water heater in this embodiment is a gas water heater. In other embodiments, the water heater can be a solar water heater or an electric water heater.

[0051] Figure 7 It is a curve graph of the outlet water temperature of the zero-cold-water system changing with time. A is the set temperature curve, B is the outlet water temperature curve of the prior art, and C is the outlet water temperature curve of the zero-cold-water system provided by this embodiment. Using the outlet water temperature curve of the prior art, it can be seen that the outlet water temperature drops and there is a large difference from the set temperature. The reason is that the cold water in the cold water flow channel enters the hot water flow channel under the action of water pressure, resulting in a decrease in the hot water temperature.

[0052] Compared with the prior art, a zero-cold-water control system provided by this embodiment has the following characteristics: 1) A temperature sensor is provided on the intelligent electric valve and is communicatively connected to the main controller of the water heater. The circulating preheating is automatically stopped according to the water temperature on the intelligent electric valve to achieve zero cold water and improve the user experience. 2) It can adapt to the length of the hot water pipeline and automatically increase the outlet water temperature of the water heater according to the length of the hot water pipeline, preventing the water temperature at the water usage point from being too low due to heat dissipation in the circulating pipeline and too long circulating time, without manual setting, which is convenient to use.

[0053] Through the description of the above structure and principle, those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above specific embodiments. Improvements and substitutions using well-known techniques in the art based on the present invention fall within the protection scope of the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention shall be defined by each claim item and its equivalents. The parts not described in the specific embodiments are all prior art or common general knowledge.

Claims

1. An intelligent electric valve with bidirectional cut-off function, comprising a valve seat, a hot water flow channel, a cold water flow channel, a central hole and a solenoid valve arranged on the valve seat, the central hole communicating the hot water flow channel and the cold water flow channel, and the solenoid valve blocking the central hole from one side of the hot water flow channel; Characterized in that, a sealing gasket and a compression spring connected to the sealing gasket are provided on one side of the cold water flow channel, and the sealing gasket blocks the central hole under the action of the compression spring; the solenoid valve includes: a solenoid valve body with a coil, a spring and an iron core installed on the solenoid valve body, one end of the iron core is connected to the spring, the other end of the iron core is connected with a tray through a rubber head, and a diaphragm for blocking the central hole is arranged on the tray; the sealing gasket is installed at the end of a guide post, a support post cooperating with the compression spring is arranged in the cold water flow channel, a guide groove cooperating with the guide post is arranged on the support post, and the other end of the guide post is movably inserted into the guide groove.

2. An intelligent electric valve with bidirectional cut-off function according to claim 1, Characterized in that, a nut is connected to the tail of the support post, and the nut is used to fix the support post on the valve seat.

3. An intelligent electric valve with bidirectional cut-off function according to claim 1, Characterized in that, a first temperature sensor is arranged in the hot water flow channel.

4. An intelligent electric valve with bidirectional cut-off function according to claim 3, Characterized in that, an intelligent controller connected to the first temperature sensor and the solenoid valve is arranged on the valve seat, and a communication module is connected to the intelligent controller.

5. An intelligent electric valve with bidirectional cut-off function according to claim 4, Characterized in that, the communication module is a power line carrier communication module and / or a wireless communication module.

6. A zero cold water control system, comprising a water heater, a cold water pipeline, a hot water pipeline and a water using point, the hot water pipeline is connected between the hot water outlet end of the water heater and the water using point, the cold water pipeline is connected between the cold water inlet end of the water heater and the water using point, and a tap water connection port is arranged on the cold water pipeline; Characterized in that, an intelligent electric valve as described in any one of claims 4 and 5 is installed at the most distal water using point, the hot water flow channel and the cold water flow channel of the intelligent electric valve are respectively connected in series with the hot water pipeline and the cold water pipeline, so that the water heater, the hot water pipeline, the intelligent electric valve and the cold water pipeline form a circulation loop, and a circulation pump is arranged on the circulation loop; both the circulation pump and the intelligent controller of the intelligent electric valve are connected to the main controller of the water heater; when the water heater starts cyclic preheating, the main controller controls the solenoid valve to open and starts the circulation pump through the intelligent controller, the main controller receives the signal of the first temperature sensor through the intelligent controller, and when the water temperature fed back by the first temperature sensor reaches the closing temperature, the main controller controls the circulation pump to stop and closes the solenoid valve.

7. A zero-cold water control system according to claim 6, characterized in that, the method for judging the closing temperature is: detecting the outlet water temperature of the water heater by using a second temperature sensor, and the closing temperature = the outlet water temperature - the set temperature difference.

8. A zero-cold water control system according to claim 7, characterized in that, the set temperature difference is related to the length of the hot water pipeline; when the length of the hot water pipeline is less than 30 meters, the set temperature difference is 2°C; when the length of the hot water pipeline is 30 - 60 meters, the set temperature difference is 3°C; when the length of the hot water pipeline is greater than 60 meters, the set temperature difference is 4°C. The length of the hot water pipeline is calculated by the main controller, and the calculation method is as follows: The water flow rate q of the preheating cycle is detected by the water flow sensor. When the water heater starts the preheating cycle for the first time, the main controller determines the time T according to the temperature rise signal fed back by the first temperature sensor. The length of the hot water pipeline is L, , where s is the cross-sectional area of the hot water pipeline.

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