A multi-functional water heater dedicated for RVs and its control method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a multi-functional water heater for RVs and its control method, belonging to the technical field of vehicle-mounted electrical appliances. It solves the problems of high power consumption and low energy utilization rate of traditional household water heaters used in RV water heaters in the prior art. The present invention includes a water heater, in which a heat exchange coil is installed. One end of the heat exchange coil is connected to a cold water pipe, and the other end of the heat exchange coil is connected to a hot water pipe. The cold water pipe and the hot water pipe are respectively connected to a plurality of heating devices, and heat exchangers with both ends respectively connected to the cold water pipe and the hot water pipe are installed on the heating devices. A circulation pump is installed on the cold water pipe, and the water heater is also connected to a clean water tank, and a water supply pump is connected between the clean water tank and the water heater. The water heater of the present invention is dedicated to RVs, has multiple heating methods, and effectively utilizes various heat sources on the RV.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of vehicle electrical appliances, and in particular relates to a multifunctional water heater dedicated to recreational vehicles and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] RVs, also known as homes on wheels, combine the functions of a home and a vehicle, offering a comprehensive means of transportation for daily necessities. While RVs offer significant advantages, they are relatively expensive and infrequently used by ordinary families, making them a relatively unpopular choice. However, for vacations and leisure, RVs offer a highly suitable solution to the aforementioned challenges.

[0003] The domestic water and electricity used in RVs depend on the RV's water and power supply system. These are very precious. Existing RVs have low utilization rates of water, electricity, and heat. However, RVs have a relatively abundant heat source. When the engine runs for more than 10 minutes while driving, the engine coolant temperature can reach around 80°C. Currently, there are no dedicated water heaters for cars or RVs on the market. Currently, the water heaters used in RVs are household electric water heaters. These have high power, high power consumption, and large installation dimensions. Given the limited battery life and output power of RVs, the power consumption is too high, shortening the battery life and reducing the comfort and experience of RV life. Therefore, we urgently need to design a multifunctional water heater specifically for RVs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The objects of the present invention are:

[0005] In order to solve the problem that RV water heaters in the prior art use traditional household water heaters with high power consumption and low energy utilization, a multifunctional water heater dedicated to RVs and a control method thereof are provided.

[0006] The technical solution adopted in the present invention is as follows:

[0007] A multifunctional water heater for RVs includes a water heater, wherein a heat exchange coil is installed in the water heater, one end of the heat exchange coil is connected to a cold water pipe, and the other end of the heat exchange coil is connected to a hot water pipe, the cold water pipe and the hot water pipe are respectively connected to a plurality of heating devices, each heating device is equipped with a heat exchanger whose two ends are respectively connected to the cold water pipe and the hot water pipe, a circulating water pump is installed on the cold water pipe, the water heater is also connected to a clean water tank, and a water supply pump is connected between the clean water tank and the water heater.

[0008] Furthermore, multiple electric water valves are installed on the hot water pipe, and an electric heating pipe is also installed in the water heater. The electric heating pipe is connected to a relay, and the relay is respectively connected to a power supply and a controller. The controller is respectively electrically connected to a circulating water pump, a water supply pump and multiple electric water valves.

[0009] Further, a water temperature sensor is also installed on the water heater, and the water temperature sensor is electrically connected to the controller through a power supply.

[0010] Further, the heating device is an engine, a parking heater, a warm air blower or an outdoor unit of an air conditioner.

[0011] Further, a first electric water valve is connected between the engine and the water heater, a second electric water valve is connected between the parking heater and the outdoor unit of the air conditioner and the water heater, a first electric water valve, a third electric water valve and a fourth electric water valve are connected between the warm air blower and the water heater, a temperature control switch is installed on the engine, and the temperature control switch is electrically connected to the controller through the electric water valve.

[0012] Further, a wall-mounted coil water tank is installed in the water heater, the heat exchange coil is installed in the wall-mounted coil water tank, a cold water inlet, a hot water outlet, a temperature measuring port, a sewage outlet and an electric auxiliary heating connection port are opened on the wall-mounted coil water tank, and a magnesium rod is installed in the sewage outlet.

[0013] A control method for a multi-functional water heater for a motorhome includes the following steps:

[0014] S1. Turn on the water heater controller to detect the current temperature of the water heater. If the temperature is lower than 50 °C, the controller controls the electric heating tube to turn on according to the set temperature and starts heating. When the temperature reaches the set temperature, the electric heating tube is turned off;

[0015] S2. When the engine coolant temperature is lower than 45 °C, the controller closes the first electric water valve of the engine heat exchanger and closes the circulation water pump;

[0016] S3. When the engine coolant temperature is higher than 45 °C and the water temperature in the water heater is lower than 65 °C, the controller opens the first electric water valve and the circulation water pump, and the engine coolant circulates through the heat exchange coil to heat the water stored in the water heater;

[0017] S4. When the water temperature of the water heater reaches 65 °C, the controller closes the circulation water pump and closes the first electric water valve;

[0018] S5. Turn on the parking heater to heat the engine coolant. When the controller detects that the temperature of the water heater is lower than 50 °C, open the second electric water valve;

[0019] S6. Turn on the circulation water pump, and the coolant circulates through the heat exchange coil to the parking heater, and the heated coolant circulates back to the water heater;

[0020] S7. When the air conditioner is turned on, at the same time, open the second electric water valve and the circulation water pump. The heat exchanger installed in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner heats the coolant, and the coolant heats the water heater through the heat exchange coil in the water heater.

[0021] Furthermore, install a solar water heater on the roof of the RV or install an air energy water heater on the RV, and use the heating equipment of the RV for auxiliary heating.

[0022] Furthermore, when the RV is running, control the temperature of the water heater at a constant temperature of 60 - 70°C.

[0023] To sum up, due to the adoption of the above technical solutions, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0024] 1. The present invention utilizes various heating devices on the RV to collect rich heat sources and heats the water in the water heater through heat exchange. For example, the heat dissipated after the engine starts and runs can circulate the engine coolant reaching 80°C to the heat exchange coil in the water heater, effectively reducing the power consumption of the water heater. Compared with traditional household water heaters that can only be electrically heated, as long as the vehicle is running, the water heater of the present invention can have a continuous supply of hot water, without the need to consume a large amount of additional electrical energy for heating, saving energy resources, avoiding excessive battery loss of the RV, and improving the use experience of the RV.

[0025] 2. The present invention can achieve temperature control of the water heater through temperature detection, and detect the temperature of heating devices such as the engine to automatically start heating. The water heater heating can be automatically completed without the need for user operation, with a high degree of automation, greatly facilitating the use of RV users. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 It is the control structure diagram of the water heater device of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 It is the structure diagram of the wall-mounted coil water tank of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 It is the schematic diagram of the water heater controller of the present invention.

[0029] Markings in the figure: 1 - water heater, 2 - heat exchange coil, 3 - cold water pipe, 4 - hot water pipe, 5 - heat exchanger, 6 - circulation water pump, 7 - clean water tank, 8 - water supply pump, 9 - electric heating tube, 10 - relay, 11 - power supply, 12 - controller, 13 - engine, 14 - parking heater, 15 - warm air blower, 16 - air conditioner outdoor unit, 17 - first electric water valve, 18 - second electric water valve, 19 - third electric water valve, 20 - fourth electric water valve, 21 - wall-mounted coil water tank, 22 - cold water inlet, 23 - hot water outlet, 24 - electric auxiliary heat connection port, 25 - temperature measurement port, 26 - sewage discharge port. SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0030] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer and more understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0031] Embodiment 1

[0032] A multifunctional water heater for a recreational vehicle, comprising a water heater 1, in which a heat exchange coil 2 is installed. One end of the heat exchange coil 2 is connected to a cold water pipe 3, and the other end of the heat exchange coil 2 is connected to a hot water pipe 4. The cold water pipe 3 and the hot water pipe 4 are respectively connected to a plurality of heating devices, and heat exchangers 5 with both ends respectively connected to the cold water pipe 3 and the hot water pipe 4 are installed on the heating devices. A circulation pump 6 is installed on the cold water pipe 3. The water heater 1 is further connected to a water purification tank 7, and a water supply pump 8 is connected between the water purification tank 7 and the water heater 1.

[0033] Preferably, electric heaters with multiple voltages of 12V, 24V, and 220V can be installed.

[0034] To minimize the power consumption of the electric water heater 1, the water heater 1 of the present invention integrates two heating methods, namely electric heating and heat energy exchanger. There are abundant heat sources in a recreational vehicle. When the engine 13 runs for more than 10 minutes during driving, the coolant water temperature of the engine 13 can reach about 80°C. The heat exchange coil in the water heater 1 is connected to the coolant pipe of the engine 13. When the coolant temperature of the engine 13 reaches 45°C, the circulation starts through the heat exchange coil in the water heater 1, and the heat of the coolant of the engine 13 is used to heat the water in the water heater 1. The water heater 1 has a heat preservation layer to ensure hot water for 12 hours. It can also use a diesel heater, the heat energy of an air conditioner external unit 16, or the solar energy on the roof. When there is a power supply at a recreational vehicle camp, 220V electric heating can be used. As long as the vehicle engine 13 is running, there will be a continuous supply of hot water for washing. The water heater 1 of the present invention can also be used in families in areas with heating.

[0035] The present invention utilizes various heating devices on the recreational vehicle to collect abundant heat sources and uses heat exchange to heat the water in the water heater 1. For example, the heat emitted after the engine 13 starts and runs can be used to circulate the coolant of the engine 13 reaching 80°C to the heat exchange coil 2 in the water heater 1, effectively reducing the power consumption of the water heater 1. Compared with traditional household water heaters 1 that can only perform electric heating, as long as the vehicle is running, the water heater 1 of the present invention can have a continuous supply of hot water, without the need to consume a large amount of additional electric energy for heating, saving energy resources, avoiding excessive battery loss of the recreational vehicle, and improving the use experience of the recreational vehicle.

[0036] Embodiment 2

[0037] On the basis of Embodiment 1, a plurality of electric water valves are installed on the hot water pipe 4, and an electric heating pipe 9 is also installed in the water heater 1. The electric heating pipe 9 is connected to a relay 10, and the relay 10 is respectively connected to a power supply 11 and a controller 12. The controller 12 is electrically connected to the circulation water pump 6, the water supply pump 8 and a plurality of electric water valves respectively.

[0038] Embodiment 3

[0039] On the basis of Embodiment 1, a water temperature sensor is further installed on the water heater 1, and the water temperature sensor is electrically connected to the controller 12 through the power supply 11.

[0040] Embodiment 4

[0041] On the basis of Embodiment 1, preferably, the heating device is an engine 13, a parking heater 14, a warm air blower 15 or an air conditioner outdoor unit 16.

[0042] Embodiment 5

[0043] On the basis of Embodiment 1, a first electric water valve 17 is connected between the engine 13 and the water heater 1, a second electric water valve 18 is connected between the parking heater 14 and the air conditioner outdoor unit 16 and the water heater 1, a first electric water valve 17, a third electric water valve 19 and a fourth electric water valve 20 are connected between the warm air blower 15 and the water heater 1, and a temperature control switch is installed on the engine 13. The temperature control switch is electrically connected to the controller 12 through the electric water valve.

[0044] Embodiment 6

[0045] On the basis of Embodiment 1, a wall-mounted coil water tank 21 is installed in the water heater 1, the heat exchange coil 2 is installed in the wall-mounted coil water tank 21, a cold water inlet 22, a hot water outlet 23, a temperature measuring port 25, a sewage outlet 26 and an electric auxiliary heating connection port 24 are opened on the wall-mounted coil water tank 21, and a magnesium rod is installed in the sewage outlet 26.

[0046] The control method of the multifunctional water heater 1 for a recreational vehicle of the present invention includes the following steps:

[0047] S1. Open the controller 12 to detect the current temperature of the water heater 1. If it is lower than 50 °C, the controller 12 controls the electric heating pipe 9 to open according to the set temperature and starts heating. When the temperature reaches the set temperature, the electric heating pipe 9 is closed;

[0048] S2. When the coolant temperature of the engine 13 is lower than 45 °C, the controller 12 closes the first electric water valve 17 of the engine 13 heat exchanger and closes the circulation water pump 6;

[0049] S3. When the coolant temperature of the engine 13 is higher than 45°C and the water temperature in the water heater 1 is lower than 65°C, the controller 12 opens the first electric water valve 17 and the circulation pump 6. The coolant of the engine 13 circulates through the heat exchange coil 2 to heat the water stored in the water heater 1.

[0050] S4. When the water temperature of the water heater 1 reaches 65°C, the controller 12 closes the circulation pump 6 and the first electric water valve 17.

[0051] S5. The parking heater 14 is turned on to heat the coolant of the engine 13. When the controller 12 detects that the temperature of the water heater 1 is lower than 50°C, the second electric water valve 18 is opened.

[0052] S6. The circulation pump 6 is turned on, and the coolant circulates through the heat exchange coil 2 for parking heating, and the heated coolant circulates back to the water heater 1.

[0053] S7. When the air conditioner is turned on, the controller 12 simultaneously opens the second electric water valve 18 and the circulation pump 6. The heat exchanger 5 installed in the air conditioner outdoor unit 16 heats the coolant, and the coolant heats the water heater 1 through the heat exchange coil 2 in the water heater 1.

[0054] Furthermore, a solar water heater 1 is installed on the roof of the RV or an air energy water heater 1 is installed on the RV, and the heating equipment of the RV is used for auxiliary heating.

[0055] Furthermore, during the driving of the RV, the temperature of the water heater 1 is controlled at a constant temperature of 60 - 70°C. Preferably, the temperature of the water heater 1 is controlled at a constant temperature of 65°C.

[0056] The water heater of the present invention can communicate with the control panel using two communication methods, is compatible with multiple control panels. The controller uses a Cypress cyt2b7 automotive-grade mcu, all temperature sensors sample thermistor-type water level sensors, the 220v heating relay uses a Hongfa HF2160 - 1A - 12DE water heater special relay, a 12v brushless silent water pump, and a 12v electric water valve. The above is taken as one of the preferred implementation manners.

[0057] As Figure 3 shown, the control principle of the water heater controller is as follows:

[0058] After the control panel sets the water temperature of the water heater 1, the controller 12 polls and detects each available heat source connected according to the set temperature, selects the heat source close to the set temperature from multiple heat sources, and opens the corresponding heat source circulation system to heat the water heater 1. The control panel temperature can be set in two gears. One gear is the constant temperature water level. As long as there is a heat source, the controller 12 heats through the temperature difference between the temperature sensor of the water heater 1 and the temperature sensor of the heat source. The second gear is the user-set temperature. When the heat source temperature cannot heat up to the required temperature in the second gear, the electric heating is started for heating.

[0059] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multifunctional water heater for RV, characterized in that: The water heater (1) comprises a heat exchange coil (2) installed in the water heater (1), one end of the heat exchange coil (2) is connected to a cold water pipe (3), and the other end of the heat exchange coil (2) is connected to a hot water pipe (4), the cold water pipe (3) and the hot water pipe (4) are respectively connected to a plurality of heating devices, each heating device is respectively equipped with a heat exchanger (5) whose two ends are connected to the cold water pipe (3) and the hot water pipe (4), a circulating water pump (6) is installed on the cold water pipe (3), the water heater (1) is also connected to a clean water tank (7), and a water supply pump (8) is connected between the clean water tank (7) and the water heater (1); A plurality of electric water valves are installed on the hot water pipe (4), and an electric heating pipe (9) is also installed in the water heater (1). The electric heating pipe (9) is connected to a relay (10), and the relay (10) is respectively connected to a power supply (11) and a controller (12). The controller (12) is respectively electrically connected to a circulating water pump (6), a water supply pump (8) and a plurality of electric water valves; The water heater (1) is also equipped with a water temperature sensor, which is electrically connected to the controller (12) via a power supply (11); The heating device is an engine (13), a parking heater (14), a heater (15) or an air conditioner outdoor unit (16); A first electric water valve (17) is connected between the engine (13) and the water heater (1), a second electric water valve (18) is connected between the parking heater (14) and the air conditioner outdoor unit (16) and the water heater (1), a first electric water valve (17), a third electric water valve (19) and a fourth electric water valve (20) are connected between the heater (15) and the water heater (1), and a temperature control switch is installed on the engine (13), and the temperature control switch is electrically connected to the controller (12) through the electric water valve; The controller (12) is used to execute the following control method: S1. Turn on the controller (12) to detect the current temperature of the water heater (1). If the current temperature is lower than 50°C, the controller (12) controls the electric heating tube (9) to turn on according to the set temperature and starts heating. When the temperature reaches the set temperature, the electric heating tube (9) is turned off. S2, when the engine (13) coolant temperature is lower than 45°C, the controller (12) closes the first electric water valve (17) of the engine (13) heat exchanger and turns off the circulating water pump (6); S3, when the engine (13) coolant temperature is higher than 45°C and the water temperature in the water heater (1) is lower than 65°C, the controller (12) opens the first electric water valve (17), the circulating water pump (6) is turned on, and the engine (13) coolant circulates through the heat exchange coil (2) to heat the water stored in the water heater (1); S4, when the water temperature of the water heater (1) reaches 65°C, the controller (12) turns off the circulating water pump (6) and closes the first electric water valve (17); S5, turning on the parking heater (14) to heat the coolant of the engine (13), the controller (12) detecting that the temperature of the water heater (1) is lower than 50°C, and turning on the second electric water valve (18); S6, turning on the circulating water pump (6), the coolant circulates through the heat exchange coil (2) to the parking heater, and the heated coolant circulates to the water heater (1); S7. When the air conditioner is turned on, the second electric water valve (18) and the circulating water pump (6) are turned on at the same time, and the heat exchanger (5) installed in the air conditioner outdoor unit (16) heats the coolant, and the coolant heats the water heater (1) through the heat exchange coil (2) in the water heater (1).

2. A multifunctional water heater for RVs according to claim 1, characterized in that: A wall-mounted coil water tank (21) is installed in the water heater (1), and the heat exchange coil (2) is installed in the wall-mounted coil water tank (21). The wall-mounted coil water tank (21) is provided with a cold water inlet (22), a hot water outlet (23), a temperature measuring port (25), a sewage outlet (26), and an electric auxiliary heating connection port (24). A magnesium rod is installed in the sewage outlet (26).

3. The multifunctional water heater for RV according to claim 1, characterized in that: A solar water heater (1) is installed on the roof of the RV or an air energy water heater (1) is installed on the RV, and auxiliary heating is performed using heating equipment in the RV.

4. The multifunctional water heater for RV according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature of the water heater (1) is controlled to be constant at 60-70°C while the RV is traveling.

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