An intelligent protection plug for an electric water heater and an electric water heater

Abstract

The present invention discloses an intelligent protection plug for an electric water heater and an electric water heater, which are characterized in that it includes: a high-voltage part for supplying power to the electric heater of the electric water heater and a low-voltage part for supplying power to the main control system of the electric water heater; the low-voltage part includes: a power conversion module, a switching module, a logic control and driving module, and a communication module. The power conversion module is connected to the high-voltage part and is used to convert high-voltage electricity into low-voltage electricity and supply power to the logic control and driving module and the main control system of the electric water heater. The switching module is connected between the power conversion module and the main control system of the electric water heater through a low-voltage power supply line and is controlled by the logic control and driving module to realize the on-off of the low-voltage electricity. The logic control and driving module communicates with the main control system of the electric water heater through the communication module. The present invention has the characteristics of simple structure, good reliability and low cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of electric water heaters, and particularly to an intelligent protection plug for an electric water heater and an electric water heater. Background Art

[0002] Existing passive leakage protection technology: The leakage protection plug works in a humid bathroom environment, resulting in unstable reliability. There are risks of the leakage detection system failing and the tripping device being damaged, posing risks to users. To improve safety performance, some users press the test button of the leakage protection plug before taking a bath to disconnect the three poles (zero, live, and ground wires) of the electric water heater. After taking a bath, the reset button of the leakage protection plug needs to be pressed to power on the electric water heater. In some families, the electric water heater is installed at a high position, making the operation difficult and resulting in a poor experience. Existing active leakage protection technology: Only the electric heater is disconnected, while the power cord and controller of the leakage protection switch are still energized. And some leakage accidents are caused by poor grounding or live ground wires, unable to completely ensure the safety of users taking a bath, presenting safety risks.

[0003] A Chinese invention patent with the application number 201610383306.9 discloses an intelligent power-off control system for an electric water heater, including: a three-pole leakage protection plug power cord that can be automatically reset, a single-chip microcomputer, an electric heater module, a first relay, a second relay, an isolation communication module for realizing strong-weak electricity isolation and communication, a rechargeable power module, a power detection module, and a hardware power-on reset module. During operation, by triggering the isolation communication module through a remote control, a body button, or a remote control terminal connected to the single-chip microcomputer, the isolation communication module issues a power-off or closing signal, thereby realizing the disconnection and closing of the three poles of the three-pole leakage protection plug power cord, avoiding the difficult operation of the leakage protection plug power cord installed at a high position by users, and ensuring the safe bathing of users. However, this patent optimizes the existing leakage protection plug, with a complex internal structure and a high failure rate, resulting in a low reliability of the entire intelligent power-on and power-off system, and the electric water heater is prone to frequent failures. 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 protection plug for an electric water heater with a simple structure, good reliability, and low cost.

[0005] The present invention also provides an electric water heater with the above intelligent protection plug.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions.

[0007] An intelligent protection plug for an electric water heater, characterized by comprising: a high-voltage part for supplying power to the electric heater of the electric water heater and a low-voltage part for supplying power to the main control system of the electric water heater; the low-voltage part includes: a power conversion module, a switching module, a logic control and drive module, and a communication module, the power conversion module is connected to the high-voltage part, used to convert high-voltage electricity into low-voltage electricity and supply power to the logic control and drive module and the main control system of the electric water heater, the switching module is connected between the power conversion module and the main control system of the electric water heater through a low-voltage power supply line and is controlled by the logic control and drive module to realize the on-off of the low-voltage electricity, and the logic control and drive module communicates with the main control system of the electric water heater through the communication module.

[0008] More preferably, the switching device adopted by the switching module is a relay, a trip mechanism, a triode, a MOS tube or a thyristor controlled by an electric signal.

[0009] More preferably, the switching module is connected to the positive wiring and / or the negative wiring of the low-voltage power supply line.

[0010] More preferably, the communication module is a wired communication module, and the communication module is isolated and communicated with the main control system of the electric water heater through an opto-coupling module.

[0011] More preferably, the communication module is a wireless communication module, and the wireless communication module is: communicating through a Bluetooth module, a WiFi module, an RF radio frequency module, a ZigBee communication module, a Modbus module or a 433m wireless module.

[0012] More preferably, a ground wire live warning module is provided on the intelligent protection plug, and the ground wire live warning module is connected to the ground wire and the neutral wire of the high-voltage part to detect whether the ground wire is live.

[0013] More preferably, the ground wire live warning module is an audible and visual warning device.

[0014] An electric water heater, comprising: an inner tank, an electric heater, a magnesium rod, a water inlet pipe assembly, a water outlet pipe assembly installed on the inner tank, as well as an intelligent protection plug and a main control system of the electric water heater; a water usage signal detection device is connected to the water inlet pipe assembly and / or the water outlet pipe assembly, and a water resistance type electric shock prevention device is installed on the water inlet pipe assembly and / or the water outlet pipe assembly; characterized in that the intelligent protection plug is an intelligent protection plug for an electric water heater as described above.

[0015] More preferably, the main control system of the electric water heater includes: a single-chip microcomputer, a relay module and an operation display module connected to the single-chip microcomputer. The single-chip microcomputer is connected to the water usage signal detection device and communicates with the logic control and drive module through a communication module. The relay module is connected to the power supply circuit of the electric heater and is controlled by the single-chip microcomputer. The operation display module is used to operate the electric water heater and the intelligent protection plug, and display the working information of the electric water heater and the intelligent protection plug.

[0016] More preferably, an automatic start / stop button for the whole machine not to work and a manual reset button are provided on the operation display module; when the automatic start / stop button for the whole machine not to work is turned off, the electric water heater is an ordinary electric water heater without the function of automatic power-off. When the manual reset button is touched, the manual reset and power-on of the main control system of the electric water heater can be realized.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows.

[0018] First, the intelligent protection plug provided by the present invention only adds a low-voltage part with automatic power-off and reset functions on the basis of an ordinary plug. During operation, the low-voltage part is used to supply power to the main control system of the electric water heater. By disconnecting the low-voltage part, the power-off of the electric water heater can be realized, and it is no longer necessary for the user to operate the power-on and power-off, greatly improving the user experience; compared with the existing leakage protection plug with a three-pole power-off function, it has the characteristics of a simpler structure, which can not only improve the reliability of the entire automatic power-off system, but also greatly reduce the cost.

[0019] Second, by adding a ground wire live warning module to the intelligent protection plug, users can more conveniently and quickly understand whether the ground wire is live, further improving the safety of use.

[0020] Third, the electric water heater provided by the present invention can directly disconnect the power supply of the whole machine control part from the power supply plug switch of the electric water heater, so that the whole machine is in a power-off state, and an anti-electricity wall is set at the water inlet and outlet, which can protect against both the electric leakage of the electric water heater itself and the reverse electrification of the ground wire; it has good safety and high intelligence. Description of the Drawings

[0021] Figure 1 The figure shows a schematic structural diagram of the electric water heater provided by the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 The figure shows a connection structure diagram of the intelligent protection plug and the main control system of the electric water heater provided by the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 The figure shows a control flow chart of the intelligent protection plug provided by the present invention.

[0024] Description of the Reference Numerals

[0025] 1: Inner tank, 2: Electric heater, 3: Magnesium rod, 4: Water inlet pipe assembly, 5: Water outlet pipe assembly, 6: Intelligent protection plug, 7: Magnetically controlled water flow switch, 8: Water resistance type electric shock prevention device, 9: Main control system of electric water heater.

[0026] 6-1: Power conversion module, 6-2: On-off module, 6-3: Logic control and drive module, 6-4: Communication module, 6-5: Ground wire live warning module.

[0027] 9-1: Single-chip microcomputer, 9-2: Relay module, 9-3: Operation module, 9-4: Display module. 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 understood 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 specified and limited, such terms as "assembled", "connected", and "joined" should 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 internally connected and communicated between two elements. 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, a first feature being “above” or “below” a second feature may include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or may include that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being “above”, “below”, and “above” a second feature includes that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being “above”, “below”, and “below” a second feature includes that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0032] The following is a further description of the specific implementation of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings of the specification, so that the technical solution and its beneficial effects of the present invention are clearer and more explicit. The following description of the embodiments with reference to the drawings is exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, but cannot be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0033] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description or may be learned by practice of the present invention.

[0034] like Figure 1 The electric water heater comprises: an inner tank 1, an electric heater 2 installed on the inner tank 1, a magnesium rod 3, a water inlet pipe assembly 4, a water outlet pipe assembly 5, an intelligent protection plug 6 and an electric water heater main control system; a magnetic control water flow switch 7 is provided on the water inlet pipe assembly 4, and a water resistance type anti-electric shock device 8 is provided on the water outlet pipe assembly 5; the intelligent protection plug 6 supplies power to the electric heater 2 and the electric water heater main control system, and the intelligent protection plug 6 is connected to the signal of the magnetic control water flow switch 7, and disconnects or connects the power supply of the electric water heater main control system according to the signal fed back by the magnetic control water flow switch 7.

[0035] In actual operation, the intelligent protection plug 6 disconnects the power supply of the main control system of the electric water heater according to the water use signal fed back by the magnetic control water flow switch 7. At the same time, the power supply circuit of the electric heater is disconnected as the main control system of the electric water heater loses power, realizing the function of the whole machine not working, and avoiding the leakage of the electric water heater itself. When the environmental ground wire is charged, the electric water heater's built-in anti-electric wall ensures that whether the electric water heater itself leaks or the ground wire is reversely charged, the electric water heater can be used safely through the physical isolation principle of water resistance of the anti-electric wall.

[0036] Obviously, the above structure of the electric water heater is only a preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art can install the magnetic control water flow switch 7 on the water outlet pipe assembly 5 or other water pipelines communicating with the inner tank 1 according to different actual needs. The magnetic control water flow switch 7 can also adopt other water signal detection devices such as a water flow sensor, a temperature sensor, a water pressure sensor, etc. The water resistance type electric shock prevention device 8 can be set on both the water inlet pipe assembly 4 and the water outlet pipe assembly 5; it is not limited to this embodiment.

[0037] Figure 2 The connection structure diagram of the intelligent protection plug 6 shown to the electric water heater main control system 9. It can be seen from this figure that the intelligent protection plug 6 has a high-voltage part and a low-voltage part. The high-voltage part supplies power to the electric heater 2, and the low-voltage part supplies power to the electric water heater main control system 9.

[0038] Among them, the low-voltage part includes: a power conversion module 6-1, a switch-on and -off module 6-2, a logic control and drive module 6-3, and a communication module 6-4. The power conversion module 6-1 is used to convert high-voltage electricity into low-voltage electricity and supply power to the logic control and drive module 6-3 and the electric water heater main control system 9. The switch-on and -off module 6-2 is connected between the power conversion module 6-1 and the electric water heater main control system 9 through a low-voltage power supply line and is controlled by the logic control and drive module 6-3 to realize the on and off of the low-voltage electricity. The logic control and drive module 6-3 communicates with the electric water heater main control system 9 through the communication module 6-4.

[0039] In this embodiment, the specific circuit designs of the power conversion module 6-1, the switch-on and -off module 6-2, and the logic control and drive module 6-3 are all common technical means mastered by those skilled in the art and will not be elaborated here.

[0040] For the on and off of the low-voltage power supply line, a relay or a trip mechanism can be used, or directly a switch device controlled by an electric signal such as a triode, a MOS tube, or a thyristor. For the power-off method of the low-voltage power supply line, one line can be disconnected alone, or two lines can be disconnected together.

[0041] Combined Figure 3 As shown, in actual application, the intelligent protection plug 6 is connected to the power supply line of the electric water heater; when the communication module 6-4 receives a water use signal, the logic control and drive module 6-3 receives the signal and sends a drive instruction to control the switch-on and -off module 6-2 to turn on and off, so that the low-voltage power supply line is powered on and off. In particular, the logic control and drive module 6-3 has a timing reset power-on function to control the switch-on and -off module 6-2 to turn on and off, and then intermittently receive the change of the water use signal.

[0042] In this embodiment, the time interval for timed reset and power-on is 3 minutes (this time can be adjusted according to actual needs). After 3 minutes of power-off, the logic control and drive module 6-3 sends a drive instruction to control the on-off module 6-2 to power on. The main control system 9 of the electric water heater gets powered on and works. First, it keeps the display screen off and the operator inoperative. Then it detects the water flow signal. If there is a water flow signal, it continues to send a power-off instruction to the intelligent protection plug 6 to cut off the power. If there is no water flow signal, the whole machine resumes normal operation.

[0043] It should be noted that a ground wire live warning module 6-5 is also provided on the intelligent protection plug 6. The ground wire live warning module 6-5 is connected to the ground wire and the zero wire of the high-voltage part and is used to detect whether the ground wire is live. To achieve a better ground wire live warning effect, in this embodiment, it is preferably that the ground wire live warning module 6-5 is an audible and visual warning device. As for the specific circuit design of the audible and visual warning device, it is common technical knowledge mastered by those skilled in the art and will not be elaborated here. Obviously, according to different actual situations, the ground wire live warning module 6-5 can be installed on the electric water heater, such as connected between the housing of the electric water heater and the installation wall.

[0044] Combined with Figure 2 As shown, the main control system 9 of the electric water heater includes: a single-chip microcomputer 9-1, a relay module 9-2, an operation module 9-3, and a display module 9-4 connected to the single-chip microcomputer 9-1. The single-chip microcomputer 9-1 is connected to the magnetic control water flow switch 7 and communicates with the logic control and drive module 6-3 through the communication module 6-4. The relay module 6-2 is connected to the power supply circuit of the electric heater 2 and is controlled by the single-chip microcomputer 9-1. The operation module 9-3 is used to operate the electric water heater and the intelligent protection plug 6, and the display module 9-4 is used to display the working information of the electric water heater and the intelligent protection plug 6.

[0045] In actual application, an automatic start-stop button for the whole machine not to work can be set on the operation module 9-3. When the automatic start-stop button for the whole machine not to work is turned off, the electric water heater is a common electric water heater without the function of automatic power-off. A manual reset button can also be set on the operation module 9-3 to achieve the manual reset and power-on of the main control system 9 of the electric water heater through manual operation.

[0046] Obviously, those skilled in the art can use other control function chips such as microprocessors to replace the single-chip microcomputer according to different actual needs, and the operation module 9-3 and the display module 9-4 can be integrated together, such as integrated into a touch display screen, etc. In different embodiments, the operation module 9-3 can also be an independent remote control device or other wireless control devices.

[0047] In this embodiment, the single-chip microcomputer 9-1 is connected to the communication module 6-4 by a communication line in a wired manner; the communication module 6-4 can receive only high electrical signals, or only low-level signals, or both high and low-level signals simultaneously. To improve safety, it is preferred that the communication module is an isolated communication module, and the isolation communication method is opto-coupled signal communication or other high and low potential signal communications. During operation, it can receive only high electrical signals, or only low-level signals, or both high and low-level signals simultaneously. In other embodiments, the communication between the single-chip microcomputer and the communication module can be wireless communication, such as through a Bluetooth module, a WiFi module, an RF radio frequency module, a ZigBee communication module, a Modbus module communication, or a 433m wireless module, etc., all of which can replace the communication line in this embodiment.

[0048] For the relay module 9-2, it can also be replaced by a switch device controlled by an electrical signal such as an or trip mechanism, a triode, a MOS transistor, a thyristor, etc.; this is not limited to this embodiment.

[0049] As an improved implementation manner, the electric water heater and / or the intelligent protection plug 6 further have a fault detection function. When the intelligent protection plug 6 does not perform the function of disconnecting the low-voltage power supply line, a fault prompt is given through an operation display or other prompt devices to remind the user to repair.

[0050] Through the above description of the 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 all 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. Parts not described in the specific embodiments are all prior art or common general knowledge.

Claims

1. An intelligent protection system for an electric water heater, comprising: an inner tank, an electric heater, a magnesium rod, a water inlet pipe assembly, a water outlet pipe assembly, an intelligent protection plug, and a main control system of the electric water heater installed on the inner tank; a water usage signal detection device is connected to the water inlet pipe assembly and / or the water outlet pipe assembly, and a water resistance type electric shock prevention device is installed on the water inlet pipe assembly and / or the water outlet pipe assembly; characterized in that the intelligent protection plug includes: a high-voltage part for supplying power to the electric heater of the electric water heater and a low-voltage part for supplying power to the main control system of the electric water heater; the low-voltage part includes: a power conversion module, a switching module, a logic control and drive module, and a communication module, the power conversion module is connected to the high-voltage part, used to convert high-voltage electricity into low-voltage electricity and supply power to the logic control and drive module and the main control system of the electric water heater, the switching module is connected between the power conversion module and the main control system of the electric water heater through a low-voltage power supply line and is controlled by the logic control and drive module to realize the on and off of low-voltage electricity, and the logic control and drive module communicates with the main control system of the electric water heater through the communication module; the main control system of the electric water heater includes: a single-chip microcomputer, a relay module and an operation display module connected to the single-chip microcomputer, the single-chip microcomputer is connected to the water usage signal detection device and communicates with the logic control and drive module through the communication module, the relay module is connected to the power supply circuit of the electric heater and is controlled by the single-chip microcomputer, and the operation display module is used to operate the electric water heater and the intelligent protection plug and display the working information of the electric water heater and the intelligent protection plug; when the communication module receives a water usage signal, the logic control and drive module receives the signal and sends a drive instruction to control the switching module to disconnect the low-voltage power supply line; the logic control and drive module has a timing reset power-on function to control the switching module to be powered on, and then intermittently receive changes in the water usage signal; the logic control and drive module sends a drive instruction to control the switching module to be powered on, the main control system of the electric water heater is powered on and works, first keeps the display screen off and the operator does not work, then detects the water flow signal, if there is a water flow signal, continues to send a power-off instruction to the intelligent protection plug to cut off the power, and if there is no water flow signal, the whole machine resumes normal operation.

2. An intelligent protection system for an electric water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that, the switching device adopted by the switching module is a relay, a tripping mechanism, a triode, a MOS tube or a thyristor controlled by an electric signal.

3. An intelligent protection system for an electric water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that, the switching module is connected to the positive wiring and / or the negative wiring of the low-voltage power supply line.

4. An intelligent protection system for an electric water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that, the communication module is a wired communication module, and the communication module is isolated and communicated with the main control system of the electric water heater through an opto-coupling module.

5. An intelligent protection system for an electric water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that, The communication module is a wireless communication module, and the wireless communication module is: communicating through a Bluetooth module, a WiFi module, an RF radio frequency module, a ZigBee communication module, a Modbus module, or a 433m wireless module.

6. An intelligent protection system for an electric water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that a ground wire live warning module is provided on the intelligent protection plug, and the ground wire live warning module is connected to the ground wire and the neutral wire of the high-voltage part and is used to detect whether the ground wire is live.

7. An intelligent protection system for an electric water heater according to claim 6, characterized in that the ground wire live warning module is an audible and visual warning device.

8. An intelligent protection system for an electric water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that an automatic shutdown and startup button for the whole machine not to work and a manual reset button are provided on the operation display module; when the automatic shutdown and startup button for the whole machine not to work is turned off, the electric water heater is an ordinary electric water heater without the function of automatic power-off, and when the manual reset button is touched, the manual reset and power-on of the main control system of the electric water heater can be realized.

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