A heat exchange unit, device and warm water dispenser constituted thereby

Abstract

The present invention discloses a heat exchange unit, a device and a warm water dispenser constituted thereby. The heat exchange unit includes a first flow channel member, a first heat transfer plate and a second heat transfer plate. The first flow channel member is arranged in a coiled manner from the center outwards or from the outside inwards. A gap is provided between adjacent bodies of the first flow channel member coiled into a disc shape. The first heat transfer plate and the second heat transfer plate are sized to match the coiled first flow channel member, and corresponding grooves are provided at positions corresponding to the coiled distribution of the first flow channel member. The first heat transfer plate and the second heat transfer plate are respectively and detachably connected to the first flow channel member through the grooves. The gap between adjacent bodies of the first flow channel member and the first heat transfer plate and the second heat transfer plate form a first hot water flow channel. One end of the first hot water flow channel located at the center forms a first warm water interface, and one end of the first hot water flow channel located on the outside forms a second flow channel port. The heat exchange unit of the present invention has a longer distribution length of the flow channel in a cavity volume of the same size than that of the existing heat exchange unit, and has a higher heat exchange efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchange unit, a device and a warm water dispenser constituted thereby. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous improvement of people's living standards, more and more families have started to use water dispensers (boiling water machines). A water dispenser or boiling water machine is a device that heats normal temperature water (cold water) to hot boiling water for users to drink. Currently, common instant boiling water machines generally only have the function of providing hot boiling water (at a very high temperature). If a user needs to drink warm water, they need to wait for a long time for the temperature of the hot boiling water to slowly drop until it meets the temperature requirement for the user to drink, which causes many restrictions and inconveniences to the user's drinking.

[0003] In the prior art, there are two ways of discharging water in the well-known field of water dispensers. One is boiling water, and the other is unheated cold water. The common practice for users who need warm water is to receive a part of boiling water and a part of cold water and mix them to form warm water. However, since the cold water has not been heated, there may be residual bacteria in this part of the drinking water, which will affect the health of users.

[0004] There are also some warm water dispensers that are provided with a heat exchanger so that when a user drinks warm water, the hot boiling water passes through the heat exchanger and transfers part of its heat to the cold water flowing through the heat exchanger, thereby achieving the effect of rapid cooling. However, the heat exchange unit structure used in such heat exchangers generally adopts an arrangement where the water inlet pipes are coiled or arranged, and this kind of structure layout wastes a large amount of space and has a low heat exchange efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a heat exchange unit, a heat exchange device and a warm water dispenser constituted thereby, which have a compact structure, occupy less space and have a high heat exchange efficiency.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above technical problems is as follows:

[0007] A heat exchange unit includes a flow channel member one, a heat transfer plate one, and a heat transfer plate two. The flow channel member one is arranged in a spiral shape from the center outwards or from the outside inwards. There is a gap between adjacent flow channel member one bodies formed into a disc shape. The heat transfer plate one and the heat transfer plate two are sized to match the spiral-shaped flow channel member one, and corresponding grooves are provided at positions corresponding to the spiral distribution of the flow channel member one. The heat transfer plate one and the heat transfer plate two are respectively snap-fitted with the flow channel member one through the grooves. The gap between adjacent flow channel member one bodies and the heat transfer plate one and the heat transfer plate two form a hot water flow channel one. One end of the hot water flow channel one located at the center forms a warm water interface one, and one end of the hot water flow channel one located on the outside forms a flow channel port two.

[0008] In existing water heaters, the heat exchange units or heat exchange structures generally use metal pipes coiled into various shapes and placed in a fluid cavity for heat exchange. Since the internal pipe space of the metal pipe is the passage for the fluid to pass through, when the metal pipe is bent or coiled, in order to ensure that the bending does not cause the internal passage to become too narrow, the bending amplitude cannot be very large. Therefore, the space occupied by the bent metal pipe distribution is relatively large. Especially when it is made into a disc-shaped coiled shape, considering that the bending amplitude of the water pipe does not affect the internal passage becoming too narrow and the difficulty of bending the water pipe during operation and construction, a hollow part will inevitably be formed in the middle part of the water pipe. This part of the space is wasted space that cannot be used for heat exchange. The heat exchange unit of this solution does not use metal pipes, but is assembled by three components: a flow channel component one, a heat transfer plate one, and a heat transfer plate two. The flow channel component one can be made of a high molecular flexible material, and the heat transfer plate one and the heat transfer plate two can be made of metal materials. The bending or coiling distribution of the flow channel component one will not affect the narrowing of the flow channel. After its distribution shape is determined, the heat transfer plate one and the heat transfer plate two that match its distribution shape can be buckled. The heat transfer plate one and the heat transfer plate two can be produced by molds. The heat exchange unit assembled by these three components of the flow channel component one, the heat transfer plate one, and the heat transfer plate two does not have the problem that bending will cause the flow channel to narrow. Therefore, its distribution can be very compact. Even when it is distributed in a disc shape, the middle part will not form a hollow part. Therefore, compared with the prior art, under the same volume of the cavity, the distribution length of the flow channel of this solution is higher than that of the existing heat exchange unit, so its heat exchange efficiency is higher.

[0009] Specifically, the cross-section of the coiled flow channel component one is circular, oval, polygonal or spiral. Of course, the flow channel component one can also be coiled into other shapes.

[0010] A heat exchange device composed of the above heat exchange unit includes a cover plate one and a cover plate two. The cover plate one and the cover plate two form a cavity, and the heat exchange unit is placed in the cavity. The cover plate two is provided with a raw water joint one connected to the cavity and a hot water joint connected to the flow channel port two. The cover plate one is provided with a warm water outlet connected to the warm water interface one. The heat exchange device of this solution is composed of the above heat exchange unit. Therefore, under the same heat exchange requirement, the volume occupied by the heat exchange device of this solution can be smaller.

[0011] Specifically, two heat exchange units are provided inside the cavity. The hot water interface of one heat exchange unit is connected to the hot water joint, the first flow channel port is connected to the second flow channel port of the second heat exchange unit, and the first warm water interface of the second heat exchange unit is connected to the warm water outlet. Based on the distribution structure and characteristics of this heat exchange unit, a form with one water port in the middle and one water port at the edge, making two upper and lower heat exchange units, can have the hot water inlet of the heat exchange unit enter in the middle and also output in the middle, facilitating structural design and arrangement.

[0012] The upper part of the heat exchange unit located at the upper end is provided with a third raw water inlet connected to the raw water.

[0013] A second raw water inlet connected to the raw water is provided between the two heat exchange units, and the lower part of the heat exchange unit located at the lower end is provided with a first raw water inlet connected to the raw water.

[0014] A first raw water passage is provided at the middle position of the heat exchange unit located at the upper end, and a third raw water flow channel is formed between this heat exchange unit and the first cover plate; a third raw water passage is provided at the side position of the heat exchange unit located at the lower end, and a fourth raw water flow channel is formed between this heat exchange unit and the second cover plate; a second raw water flow channel is formed between the two heat exchange units.

[0015] A two-stage heat exchange device includes two such heat exchange devices. A second raw water interface connected to the cavity is further provided on the first cover plate of one heat exchange device. The warm water outlet of this heat exchange device is connected to the hot water joint of another heat exchange device, and the second raw water interface is connected to the first raw water joint of another heat exchange device. Of course, according to the requirements of heat exchange, it can also be made into multiple stages.

[0016] A warm water machine including the above heat exchange device comprises a water combination cover, a water combination base, a water outlet nozzle, a switching valve, an electric heating element, and a water pump. The water combination cover and the water combination base form a raw water cavity, and the heat exchange device is placed inside the raw water cavity. The water combination base is provided with a water combination cold water inlet connected to the first raw water joint and a water combination hot water inlet connected to the hot water joint. The water combination cover is provided with a water combination hot water outlet connected to the warm water outlet and a water combination cold water outlet connected to the raw water cavity. The water combination cold water outlet is connected to the electric heating element and the switching valve in sequence through a pipeline. One water path of the switching valve is connected to the water outlet nozzle through a pipeline, and the other path is connected to the water combination hot water inlet through a pipeline. The water combination hot water outlet is connected to the water outlet nozzle through a pipeline. The raw water is connected to the water pump and the water combination cold water inlet in sequence through a pipeline.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and beneficial effects:

[0018] (1) Compared with the prior art, the heat exchange unit and the heat exchange device of the present invention have a longer distribution length of the flow channels in the cavity volume of the same volume, so its heat exchange efficiency is higher.

[0019] (2) Under the condition of the same heat exchange demand, the heat exchange unit and the heat exchange device of the present invention can occupy a smaller volume.

[0020] (3) The warm water machine of the present invention can reduce the temperature of the boiled water to a suitable temperature, making it more convenient to use. Description of the Drawings

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 is Figure 1 the view in the A-A direction of

[0023] Figure 3 is Figure 1 the view in the B-B direction of

[0024] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a two-stage heat exchange device;

[0025] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of the warm water machine;

[0026] Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of the heat exchange device.

[0027] Among them, the component names corresponding to the reference numerals in the figure are: 01---Cover Plate 1, 02---Heat Transfer Plate 1, 03---Heat Transfer Plate 2, 04---Raw Water Passage 1, 05---Raw Water Passage 2, 06---Warm Water Outlet, 07---Warm Water Interface 1, 08---Hot Water Flow Path 1, 09---Flow Path Component 1, 10---Raw Water Flow Path 1, 11---Hot Water Passage, 12---Raw Water Flow Path 2, 13---Central Plate, 14---Raw Water Flow Path 3, 15---Flow Path Component 2, 16---Hot Water Flow Path 2, 17---Gasket, 18---Hot Water Interface, 19---Float 1, 20---Hot Water Connector, 21---Connector Component, 22---Float 2, 23---Raw Water Connector 1, 24---Sealing Ring 1, 25---Heat Transfer Plate 3, 26---Heat Transfer Plate 4, 27---Cover Plate 2, 28---Raw Water Inlet 1, 29---Raw Water Inlet 2, 30---Raw Water Inlet 3, 31---Cover Plate Connector, 32---Flow Path Port 1, 33---Flow Path Port 2, 34---Sealing Ring 2, 35---Raw Water Interface 2, 36---Warm Water Interface 2, 37---Raw Water Passage 3, 38---Raw Water Flow Path 3, 39---Raw Water Flow Path 4, 101---Hydration Cover, 102---Hydration Cold Water Outlet, 103---Hydration Hot Water Outlet, 104---Three-way Component, 105---Water Outlet Nozzle, 106---Hydration Hot Water Inlet, 107---Valve Outlet 1, 108---Valve Outlet 2, 109---Switching Valve, 110---Electric Heating Element, 111---Water Pump, 112---Hydration Cold Water Inlet, 113---Heat Exchange Unit, 114---Hydration Seat. Detailed implementation mode

[0028] The present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the embodiments and the drawings, but the implementation modes of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0029] Embodiment 1

[0030] Such as Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3As shown in the figure, the heat exchange unit of this embodiment includes a first flow channel member 09, a first heat transfer plate 02, and a second heat transfer plate 03. The first flow channel member 09 is arranged in a spiral shape from the center outwards or from the outside inwards. There is a gap between adjacent bodies of the first flow channel member 09 wound into a disc shape. The first heat transfer plate 02 and the second heat transfer plate 03 are sized to match the first flow channel member 09 arranged in a spiral shape, and corresponding grooves are provided at positions corresponding to the spiral distribution of the first flow channel member 09. The first heat transfer plate 02 and the second heat transfer plate 03 are respectively snap-fitted with the first flow channel member 09 through the grooves. The gap between adjacent bodies of the first flow channel member 09 and the first heat transfer plate 02 and the second heat transfer plate 03 form a first hot water flow channel 08. One end of the first hot water flow channel 08 located at the center forms a first warm water interface 07, and one end of the first hot water flow channel 08 located on the outside forms a second flow channel port 33.

[0031] In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the spiral from the center outwards or from the outside inwards is circular (mosquito coil shape). Of course, the cross-sectional shape of the spiral at the center can also be made into an ellipse, a polygon, a spiral, or other suitable distributed shapes.

[0032] Embodiment 2:

[0033] As Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the heat exchange device of this embodiment includes a first cover plate 01 and a second cover plate 27. The first cover plate 01 and the second cover plate 27 form a cavity. The heat exchange unit is placed in the cavity. A first raw water joint 23 communicating with the cavity and a hot water joint 20 communicating with the second flow channel port 33 are provided on the second cover plate 27. A warm water outlet 06 communicating with the first warm water interface 07 is provided on the first cover plate 01.

[0034] Embodiment 3:

[0035] As Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the heat exchange device of this embodiment includes a first cover plate 01 and a second cover plate 27. The first cover plate 01 and the second cover plate 27 form a cavity. The heat exchange unit is placed in the cavity. Two heat exchange units are provided in the cavity. The hot water interface 18 of one heat exchange unit is connected to the hot water joint 20, and the first flow channel port 32 is connected to the second flow channel port 33 of the second heat exchange unit. The first warm water interface 07 of the second heat exchange unit is connected to the warm water outlet 06.

[0036] The boiling water waterway of the heat exchange device in this embodiment is arranged such that boiling water enters from the hot water connector 20, enters the lower heat exchange unit through the hot water interface 18, flows around from the inside to the outside through the second hot water flow channel 16 and then enters the side, then enters the upper heat exchange unit through the hot water aisle 11, flows around from the outside to the inside through the first hot water flow channel 8 and then enters the middle part, and finally flows out through the first warm water interface 07 and the warm water outlet 06 in sequence. This waterway arrangement can ensure that the flowing path of the boiling water is the longest. After flowing around from the lower part from the inside to the outside and then from the upper part from the outside to the inside and then flowing out, it can achieve the best heat exchange effect.

[0037] Embodiment 4:

[0038] As Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 shown, on the basis of Embodiment 3, in this embodiment, a third raw water inlet 30 connected to the raw water is provided at the upper part of the heat exchange unit at the upper end, a second raw water inlet 29 connected to the raw water is provided between the two heat exchange units, and a first raw water inlet 28 connected to the raw water is provided at the lower part of the heat exchange unit at the lower end. The waterway arrangement in this embodiment is to facilitate the raw water in the heat exchange device to enter through multiple water inlets (the first raw water inlet 28, the second raw water inlet 29, the third raw water inlet 30) and flow out through the first raw water connector, so as to better conduct heat exchange.

[0039] Embodiment 5:

[0040] As Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 6 shown, on the basis of Embodiment 3, the difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 4 is that in this embodiment, only a third raw water inlet 30 connected to the raw water is provided at the upper part of the heat exchange unit at the upper end, a first raw water aisle 04 is provided at the middle position of the heat exchange unit at the upper end, and a third raw water flow channel 38 is formed between this heat exchange unit and the first cover plate 1; a third raw water aisle 37 is provided at the side position of the heat exchange unit at the lower end, and a fourth raw water flow channel 39 is formed between this heat exchange unit and the second cover plate 27; a second raw water flow channel 12 is formed between the two heat exchange units.

[0041] The raw water inlet of this embodiment is arranged to enter from the upper side. After flowing around the third raw water flow channel 38 from the outside to the inside, it enters the middle part, then enters the middle part basin area of the two heat exchange units through the first raw water aisle 04. Then, after flowing around the second raw water flow channel 12 from the inside to the outside and entering the side, it flows into the lower basin area through the third raw water aisle 37. Finally, after flowing around the fourth raw water flow channel 39 from the outside to the inside, it enters the middle part and is connected to the first raw water joint 23. Of course, the order of the raw water circulation in this part can also be set reversely. This waterway setting in this embodiment can, on the one hand, ensure that the flow path of the cooling raw water is the longest. After flowing around from the upper part, it flows through the middle part in sequence and then flows out after flowing around from the lower part, which can achieve the best heat exchange effect. On the other hand, it can avoid the problem of local non-flow or small flow volume of the raw water in the heat exchange unit and improve the heat exchange efficiency.

[0042] Embodiment 6:

[0043] As Figure 4 shown, the two-stage heat exchange device of this embodiment includes two heat exchange devices described in Embodiment 2 or Embodiment 3. A second raw water interface 35 connected to the cavity is further provided on the first cover plate of one heat exchange device. The warm water outlet of this heat exchange device is connected to the hot water joint of the other heat exchange device, and the second raw water interface is connected to the first raw water joint of the other heat exchange device.

[0044] Of course, the heat exchange device can also be made into three-stage, four-stage or more stages on the basis of the two stages in this embodiment. For the added stage, a second raw water interface connected to the cavity is added on the first cover plate of the heat exchange device, and the connection relationship can be continued to be connected and superimposed with reference to the two-stage one.

[0045] Embodiment 7:

[0046] As Figure 5 shown, the warm and fresh water machine of this embodiment includes the heat exchange device described in any one of Embodiments 2 - 5, and further includes a hydration cover 101, a hydration seat 114, a water outlet nozzle 105, a switching valve 109, an electric heating element 110, and a water pump 111. The hydration cover 101 and the hydration seat 114 form a raw water cavity, and the heat exchange device is placed in the raw water cavity. A hydration cold water inlet 112 connected to the first raw water joint 23 and a hydration hot water inlet 106 connected to the hot water joint 20 are provided on the hydration seat 114. A hydration hot water outlet 103 connected to the warm water outlet 06 and a hydration cold water outlet 102 connected to the raw water cavity are provided on the hydration cover 101. The hydration cold water outlet 102 is connected to the electric heating element 110 and the switching valve 109 in sequence through pipelines. One waterway of the switching valve 109 is connected to the water outlet nozzle 105 through a pipeline, and the other waterway is connected to the hydration hot water inlet 106 through a pipeline. The hydration hot water outlet 103 is connected to the water outlet nozzle 105 through a pipeline. The raw water is connected to the water pump 111 and the hydration cold water inlet 112 in sequence through pipelines.

[0047] For the warm water dispenser of this embodiment, the water outlet water path can be selected through a switching valve, that is, warm water or boiling water can be selected. The outlet temperature of the warm water can be adjusted as needed by adjusting the length of the exchange water path of the heat exchange unit in the heat exchange device, and can be adjusted to a suitable temperature required by the user as needed. The way to control the switching valve to select the water outlet water path can be designed as manual or electric control according to needs, and can be realized by using existing technologies.

[0048] As described above, the present invention can be preferably realized.

Claims

1. A heat exchange device, characterized in that, It includes a first cover plate (01) and a second cover plate (27). The first cover plate (01) and the second cover plate (27) form a cavity. Inside the cavity, there are two heat exchange units distributed vertically. In the middle of the lower heat exchange unit, there is a hot water interface (18). At a position near the end of the lower heat exchange unit, there is a first flow channel port (32) connected to the hot water interface (18). In the middle of the upper heat exchange unit, there is a first warm water interface (07). At a position near the end of the upper heat exchange unit, there is a second flow channel port (33) connected to the first warm water interface (07). The first flow channel port (32) and the second flow channel port (33) are connected through a hot water passage (11). On the second cover plate (27), there are a first raw water joint (23) connected to the cavity and a hot water joint (20) connected to the hot water interface (18). On the first cover plate (01), there is a warm water outlet (06) connected to the first warm water interface (07); The heat exchange unit includes a first flow channel member (09), a first heat transfer plate (02), and a second heat transfer plate (03). The first flow channel member (09) is arranged in a coil from the center outwards or from the outside inwards. There is a gap between the adjacent bodies of the first flow channel member (09) wound into a disk shape. The first heat transfer plate (02) and the second heat transfer plate (03) are sized to match the coiled first flow channel member (09), and corresponding grooves are provided at positions corresponding to the coiled distribution of the first flow channel member (09). The first heat transfer plate (02) and the second heat transfer plate (03) are respectively snap-fitted with the first flow channel member (09) through the grooves. The gap between the adjacent bodies of the first flow channel member (09) and the first heat transfer plate (02) and the second heat transfer plate (03) form a first hot water flow channel (08). One end of the first hot water flow channel (08) located at the center forms the first warm water interface (07), and one end of the first hot water flow channel (08) located on the outside forms the second flow channel port (33). The cross-section of the coil of the first flow channel member (09) is circular, elliptical, polygonal, or spiral; The first flow channel member (09) is made of a high molecular flexible material, and the first heat transfer plate (02) and the second heat transfer plate (03) are made of a metal material; At the upper part of the upper heat exchange unit, there is a third raw water inlet (30) connected to the raw water; At the middle position of the upper heat exchange unit, there is a first raw water passage (04), and a third raw water flow channel (38) is formed between this heat exchange unit and the first cover plate (01); At the side position of the lower heat exchange unit, there is a third raw water passage (37), and a fourth raw water flow channel (39) is formed between this heat exchange unit and the second cover plate (27). A second raw water flow channel (12) is formed between the two heat exchange units.

2. The heat exchange device according to claim 1, characterized in that, There is a second raw water inlet (29) connected to the raw water between the two heat exchange units, and a first raw water inlet (28) connected to the raw water is provided at the lower part of the lower heat exchange unit.

3. A two-stage heat exchange device, characterized in that, It includes two heat exchange devices as described in claim 1 or 2. On the first cover plate of one heat exchange device, there is also a second raw water interface (35) connected to the cavity. The warm water outlet of this heat exchange device is connected to the hot water joint of the other heat exchange device, and the second raw water interface is connected to the first raw water joint of the other heat exchange device.

4. A warm water dispenser comprising the heat exchange device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, It includes a hydration cover (101), a hydration base (114), a water outlet nozzle (105), a switching valve (109), a heating element (110), and a water pump (111). The hydration cover (101) and the hydration base (114) form a raw water cavity, and the heat exchange device is placed in the raw water cavity. The hydration base (114) is provided with a hydration cold water inlet (112) connected to the first raw water connector (23) and a hydration hot water inlet (106) connected to the hot water connector (20). The hydration cover (101) is provided with a hydration hot water outlet (103) connected to the warm water outlet (06) and a hydration cold water outlet (102) connected to the raw water cavity. The hydration cold water outlet (102) is connected to the heating element (110) and the switching valve (109) in sequence through pipelines. One water path of the switching valve (109) is connected to the water outlet nozzle (105) through a pipeline, and the other water path is connected to the hydration hot water inlet (106) through a pipeline. The hydration hot water outlet (103) is connected to the water outlet nozzle (105) through a pipeline. The raw water is connected to the water pump (111) and the hydration cold water inlet (112) in sequence through pipelines.

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