Non-metallic inner tank and electric water heater

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of water heaters, and discloses a nonmetal inner container and an electric water heater. The nonmetal inner container comprises an inner container body, one end of the inner container body is formed with a container mouth, the end of the container mouth is formed with an annular part extending to the center, a pressure-bearing fixing part is fixed in the container mouth, the end surface of the pressure-bearing fixing part is located on the inner side of the annular part, an inner container flange is located on the outer side of the annular part and is fixedly connected with the pressure-bearing fixing part, the pressure-bearing fixing part and the inner container flange are fixedly connected to compress the annular part, and a sealing part is arranged between the inner container flange and the annular part. The application can effectively improve the pressure-bearing performance of the nonmetal inner container, and can avoid water leakage between the nonmetal inner container and the inner container flange.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of water heaters, and in particular to a non-metallic inner tank and an electric water heater. Background Art

[0002] The inner tank of existing electric water heaters, serving as the water storage component, is mostly made of metal. To heat the water inside, a heating tube must be installed inside the metal tank. When installing the heating tube, a flange is typically welded to the metal tank opening. The heating tube is then mounted on the flange, and the flange securely connects the inner tank flange to the heating tube flange, completing the installation of the heating tube within the metal tank.

[0003] However, the above-mentioned inner liner is mostly made of stainless steel or enamel. These types of inner liner meet the pressure requirements, but they have problems such as low insulation coefficient, poor corrosion resistance, and processing cost. Therefore, the market has begun to use non-metallic inner liner (such as plastic inner liner) to replace stainless steel or enamel inner liner, but this also causes the following problems: in order to achieve a fixed connection with the heating pipe flange, it is still necessary to set an inner liner flange at the liner opening of the non-metallic inner liner. The existing inner liner flange is usually embedded in the liner opening of the non-metallic inner liner by welding, and then fixedly connected to the heating pipe flange. When the non-metallic inner liner is subjected to a large pressure, the position where the liner opening of the non-metallic inner liner and the inner liner flange are welded will crack due to excessive pressure, and then water leakage will occur, which will affect the performance of the electric water heater and even cause safety hazards in serious cases. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a non-metallic inner tank and an electric water heater, which can avoid water leakage between the non-metallic inner tank and the inner tank flange.

[0005] To achieve this object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] A non-metallic liner, comprising:

[0007] An inner liner body, wherein one end of the inner liner body is formed with an opening, and the end of the opening is formed into an annular portion extending toward the center thereof;

[0008] A pressure-bearing fixing member is fixed in the gallbladder opening and the end surface of the pressure-bearing fixing member is located inside the annular portion;

[0009] An inner liner flange is located outside the annular portion and is fixedly connected to the pressure-bearing fixing member, and the pressure-bearing fixing member and the inner liner flange are fixedly connected to press the annular portion;

[0010] A sealing member is provided between the inner liner flange and the annular portion.

[0011] Preferably, the annular portion is circumferentially provided with a plurality of first through holes, the end face of the pressure-bearing fixing piece is circumferentially provided with a plurality of threaded holes, and the inner liner flange is circumferentially provided with a plurality of second through holes. The fixing piece passes through the second through holes and the first through holes in sequence and is threadedly connected to the threaded holes. When the fixing piece is threadedly connected to the threaded holes, the pressure-bearing fixing piece and the inner liner flange press the annular portion tightly.

[0012] Preferably, a plurality of blow-molding holes are circumferentially provided at one end of the pressure-bearing fixing member.

[0013] Preferably, the other end of the pressure-bearing fixing member extends outward in the circumferential direction to form a supporting portion, and the supporting portion is in contact with the inner wall of the liner body.

[0014] Preferably, a plurality of reinforcing ribs are provided around the pressure-bearing fixing member.

[0015] Preferably, a sealing groove is provided at one end of the inner liner flange close to the liner opening, and the sealing member is installed in the sealing groove.

[0016] The present invention also provides an electric water heater, comprising the above-mentioned non-metallic inner tank.

[0017] Preferably, the electric water heater further comprises a heating pipe flange and a heating pipe mounted on the heating pipe flange, the heating pipe flange being fixedly mounted on the inner liner flange of the non-metallic inner liner, and the heating pipe being placed in the non-metallic inner liner.

[0018] Preferably, a sealing gasket is further included, and the sealing gasket is placed between the heating tube flange and the inner tank flange.

[0019] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: by fixing a pressure-bearing fixture on the inner side of the annular portion of the bile opening, and setting an inner liner flange on the outer side of the annular portion of the bile opening, and the inner liner flange and the pressure-bearing fixture are fixedly connected, the pressure-bearing performance of the non-metallic inner liner can be effectively improved. Moreover, when the inner liner flange and the pressure-bearing fixture are fixedly connected, the annular portion at the bile opening can be pressed tightly, so that the pressure-bearing fixture and the inner liner flange simultaneously press and seal the annular portion. The connection surface between the pressure-bearing fixture, the inner liner flange and the annular portion presents a multi-bend structure, which can effectively achieve sealing. Even if cracks appear, water at the cracks can only flow into the inner liner body, effectively avoiding water leakage between the inner liner body and the inner liner flange. In addition, a sealing member is provided between the inner liner flange and the end face of the bile opening, further improving the sealing effect between the non-metallic inner liner and the inner liner flange.

[0020] The electric water heater of the present invention can effectively ensure its performance through the non-metallic inner tank. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the non-metallic liner provided by the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the decomposed structure of the non-metallic liner provided by the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the opening of the non-metallic inner liner provided by the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This invention Figure 3 A magnified schematic diagram of point A;

[0025] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the pressure-bearing fixing member provided by the present invention;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a structural schematic diagram of the inner liner flange provided by the present invention from another perspective;

[0027] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the electric water heater provided by the present invention;

[0028] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the electric water heater (with hidden heating tube) provided by the present invention.

[0029] In the picture:

[0030] 1. Inner liner body; 11. Inner liner opening; 12. Annular portion; 121. First through hole; 2. Pressure-bearing fixing piece; 21. Threaded hole; 22. Blow-molding hole; 23. Support portion; 24. Reinforcement rib; 25. Mounting hole; 3. Inner liner flange; 31. Second through hole; 32. U-shaped opening; 33. Sealing groove; 34. Annular mounting portion; 10. Non-metallic liner; 20. Heating tube flange; 30. Heating tube; 40. Sealing gasket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. It will be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are intended only to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. It should also be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings only illustrate portions relevant to the present invention, not all structures.

[0032] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "connected," "connected," and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integration; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal communication between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention in specific circumstances.

[0033] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features being in contact not directly but through another feature between them. Furthermore, a first feature being "above," "above," and "above" a second feature may include the first feature being directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below," "below," and "below" a second feature may include the first feature being directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0034] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," and other orientations or positional relationships are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely for ease of description and simplified operation. They do not indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used solely for descriptive purposes and have no special meanings.

[0035] The present invention provides a non-metallic inner liner 10, which is used in water heaters, especially electric water heaters, for storing water. In this embodiment, the non-metallic inner liner 10 can be a plastic inner liner or an inner liner made of other non-metallic materials.

[0036] like Figures 1-4 As shown, the non-metallic liner 10 of this embodiment includes an liner body 1, a pressure-bearing fixture 2, an liner flange 3, and a sealing member 4. The liner body 1 can be formed by a blow molding process or a winding process. One end of the liner body 1 is formed with a liner opening 11, and the other end is closed. The end of the liner opening 11 forms an annular portion 12 extending toward the center. The pressure-bearing fixture 2 is fixed in the liner opening 11, and the end face of the pressure-bearing fixture 2 is located on the inner side of the annular portion 12. The liner flange 3 is located outside the annular portion 12 and partially penetrates the pressure-bearing fixture 2, and the liner flange 3 is fixedly connected to the pressure-bearing fixture 2. When the liner flange 3 is fixedly connected to the pressure-bearing fixture 2, the pressure-bearing fixture 2 and the liner flange 3 can press the annular portion 12 tightly. The sealing member 4 is arranged between the pressure-bearing fixture 2 and the annular portion 12 to achieve a seal between the two.

[0037] like Figure 4As shown, the annular portion 12 is provided with a plurality of first through holes 121 in the circumference, the end surface of the pressure-bearing fixture 2 is provided with a plurality of threaded holes 21 in the circumference, and the inner liner flange 3 is provided with a plurality of second through holes 31 in the circumference. By passing a fixing member (e.g., a bolt) through the second through holes 31 and the first through holes 121 in sequence and then being threadedly connected to the threaded holes 21, the pressure-bearing fixture 2 and the inner liner flange 3 can be connected. Moreover, when the fixing member is threadedly connected to the threaded holes 21, the pressure-bearing fixture 2 and the inner liner flange 3 can press the annular portion 12 tightly. At this time, the annular portion 12 itself forms a structure similar to a sealing gasket, further forming a sealed connection between the pressure-bearing fixture 2, the inner liner flange 3, and the annular portion 12. Moreover, when the inner liner flange 3 and the pressure-bearing fixture 2 press the annular portion 12 tightly, the connection surface between the pressure-bearing fixture 2, the inner liner flange 3, and the annular portion 12 presents a multi-bend structure, which can effectively prevent water leakage.

[0038] In this embodiment, the pressure-bearing fixing member 2 is made of metal material, which has greater rigidity and strength, thereby improving the pressure-bearing performance of the non-metallic liner 10 and avoiding the undesirable situation such as deformation of the liner opening 11 of the liner body 1 due to excessive pressure. In this embodiment, it should be pointed out that the end surface of the pressure-bearing fixing member 2 is located on the inner side of the annular portion 12 ( Figure 4 As shown), that is, the pressure-bearing fixture 2 is entirely located inside the inner liner body 1. This structural arrangement ensures that the connection points between the pressure-bearing fixture 2 and the inner liner body 1 are both inside the non-metallic inner liner 10. As a result, when the pressure inside the inner liner body 1 is too high, the pressure-bearing fixture 2 can better bear the pressure. Moreover, through this structure, even if the pressure-bearing fixture 2 is cracked at the connection with the inner liner body 1 due to excessive pressure inside the inner liner body 1, water at the crack can only flow into the inner liner body 1 and will not flow into the connection between the inner liner flange 3 and the inner liner body 1, which can effectively prevent water leakage between the inner liner body 1 and the inner liner flange 3.

[0039] Further, please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 In this embodiment, a mounting hole 25 is provided at the center of the pressure-bearing fixing member 2, and one end of the inner liner flange 3 is arranged through the mounting hole 25. Specifically, the inner liner flange 3 is provided with an annular mounting portion 34, and the annular mounting portion 34 can be inserted into the mounting hole 25 with an interference fit. Through the interference fit of the two, a partial seal between the two can be achieved to prevent water from flowing out through the connection between the two.

[0040] In this embodiment, the pressure-bearing fixing member 2 and the inner liner body 1 are formed by blow molding. On the one hand, it can realize the fixed connection between the pressure-bearing fixing member 2 made of metal material and the non-metallic inner liner 10 made of non-metallic material. On the other hand, the blow molding method can also improve the connection stability of the pressure-bearing fixing member 2, making it more firmly connected to the non-metallic inner liner 10. Preferably, you can refer toFigure 5 A plurality of blow molding holes 22 can be provided circumferentially at one end of the pressure-bearing fixture 2. Through these blow molding holes 22, when the pressure-bearing fixture 2 and the liner body 1 are blow-molded, the material of the liner body 1 can be blow-molded into the blow molding holes 22. Consequently, when the blow molding is complete, the liner body 1 can be firmly integrated with the pressure-bearing fixture 2. In other words, the provision of these blow molding holes 22 can further strengthen the connection strength between the pressure-bearing fixture 2 and the liner body 1, thereby further improving the pressure-bearing performance of the liner opening 11 of the liner body 1 and, to a certain extent, reducing the probability of cracks forming at the connection between the pressure-bearing fixture 2 and the liner body 1.

[0041] Preferably, the other end of the pressure-bearing fixture 2 of this embodiment (i.e., the end without the blow-molding hole 22) extends circumferentially outward to form a support portion 23, which fits against the inner wall of the liner body 1. This support portion 23 increases the contact area between the pressure-bearing fixture 2 and the liner body 1, thereby increasing the area of ​​the connection formed after blow molding, further improving the connection stability between the pressure-bearing fixture 2 and the liner body 1, and reducing the probability of cracks.

[0042] In this embodiment, as a preferred technical solution, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 24 are provided around the circumference of the pressure-bearing fixture 2. The reinforcing ribs 24 may specifically extend from one end of the pressure-bearing fixture 2 to the other end, thereby increasing the structural strength of the pressure-bearing fixture 2. More importantly, after the pressure-bearing fixture 2 and the liner body 1 are blow-molded, the reinforcing ribs 24 are embedded in the liner body 1, further increasing the connection strength between the pressure-bearing fixture 2 and the liner body 1, thereby effectively avoiding or reducing the probability of cracks at the connection between the two, thereby reducing the risk of water leakage.

[0043] like Figure 6 As shown, the end of the inner tank flange 3 of this embodiment is circumferentially provided with a plurality of U-shaped openings 32, through which bolts can be installed on the inner tank flange 3 and then fixedly connected to the heating pipe flange 20 of the electric water heater. The U-shaped openings 32 facilitate the installation of the bolts.

[0044] Furthermore, a sealing groove 33 is formed at one end of the inner liner flange 3 near the liner opening 11, and the sealing member 4 is installed in the sealing groove 33 to achieve sealing between the inner liner flange 3 and the liner opening 11 of the inner liner body 1. In this embodiment, the sealing member 4 can be a sealing ring.

[0045] The above-mentioned non-metallic inner liner 10 of this embodiment is configured by fixing a pressure-bearing fixing part 2 in the liner opening 11, and opening a plurality of threaded holes 21 circumferentially on the end face of the pressure-bearing fixing part 2, which cooperate with the first through hole 121 circumferentially opened on the annular portion 12 and the second through hole 31 circumferentially opened on the inner liner flange 3. The fixing part can pass through the second through hole 31 and the first through hole 121 in sequence and then be threadedly connected to the threaded hole 21 to fix the inner liner flange 3 and the pressure-bearing fixing part 2, thereby effectively improving the pressure-bearing performance of the non-metallic inner liner 10. Moreover, when the fixing piece is threadedly connected to the threaded hole 21, the inner liner flange 3 and the pressure-bearing fixing piece 2 can press the annular portion 12 at the liner opening 11, so that the pressure-bearing fixing piece 2 and the inner liner flange 3 simultaneously press and seal the annular portion 12. The connecting surfaces between the pressure-bearing fixing piece 2, the inner liner flange 3 and the annular portion 12 have a multi-bend structure, which can effectively achieve sealing. Even if cracks appear, water at the cracks can only flow into the inner liner body 1, effectively avoiding water leakage between the inner liner body 1 and the inner liner flange 3. In addition, a sealing piece 4 is arranged between the inner liner flange 3 and the end face of the liner opening 11, which further improves the sealing effect between the non-metallic inner liner 10 and the inner liner flange 3.

[0046] The present invention also provides an electric water heater, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the electric water heater includes the non-metallic inner tank 10, a heating pipe flange 20, a heating pipe 30, and a sealing gasket 40. The heating pipe 30 is mounted on the heating pipe flange 20, which is bolted to the inner tank flange 3 of the non-metallic inner tank 10. The heating pipe flange 20 and the inner tank flange 3 are sealed together by the sealing gasket 40. When the heating pipe flange 20 is mounted on the inner tank flange 3, the heating pipe 30 extends into the inner tank body 1 of the non-metallic inner tank 10 to heat the water stored therein.

[0047] Preferably, the non-metallic inner liner 10 of this embodiment can be provided as one or two. When provided as two, the two non-metallic inner liners 10 are provided side by side.

[0048] The electric water heater of the present invention can effectively avoid the water leakage problem caused by insufficient pressure of the non-metallic inner tank 10 by providing the non-metallic inner tank 10, and can also ensure its performance.

[0049] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for the purpose of clearly illustrating the present invention and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention. A person skilled in the art would be able to make various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. It is not necessary and impossible to enumerate all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A non-metallic liner, characterized in that: include: An inner liner body (1), wherein one end of the inner liner body (1) is formed with a liner opening (11), and an end portion of the liner opening (11) is formed with an annular portion (12) extending toward the center thereof; A pressure-bearing fixing member (2) is fixed in the bile opening (11), and the end surface of the pressure-bearing fixing member (2) is located inside the annular portion (12); An inner liner flange (3) is located outside the annular portion (12) and is fixedly connected to the pressure-bearing fixing member (2), and the pressure-bearing fixing member (2) and the inner liner flange (3) compress the annular portion (12) when they are fixedly connected; A sealing member is provided between the inner liner flange (3) and the annular portion (12); The annular portion (12) is provided with a plurality of first through holes (121) in a circumferential direction, the end surface of the pressure-bearing fixing member (2) is provided with a plurality of threaded holes (21) in a circumferential direction, and the inner liner flange (3) is provided with a plurality of second through holes (31) in a circumferential direction. The fixing member passes through the second through holes (31) and the first through holes (121) in sequence and is then threadedly connected to the threaded holes (21). When the fixing member is threadedly connected to the threaded holes (21), the pressure-bearing fixing member (2) and the inner liner flange (3) press the annular portion (12); A mounting hole (25) is provided at the center of the pressure-bearing fixing member (2), and an annular mounting portion (34) is provided on the inner liner flange (3). The annular mounting portion (34) can be inserted into the mounting hole (25) in an interference fit.

2. The non-metallic liner according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure-bearing fixing member (2) and the inner container body (1) are formed by blow molding.

3. The non-metallic liner according to claim 2, characterized in that: One end of the pressure-bearing fixing member (2) is circumferentially provided with a plurality of blow-molding holes (22).

4. The non-metallic liner according to claim 3, characterized in that: The other end of the pressure-bearing fixing member (2) extends outward in the circumferential direction to form a support portion (23), and the support portion (23) is in contact with the inner wall of the liner body (1).

5. The non-metallic liner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The pressure-bearing fixing member (2) is provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs (24) in the circumferential direction.

6. The non-metallic liner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: A sealing groove (33) is provided at one end of the inner liner flange (3) close to the liner opening (11), and the sealing member is installed in the sealing groove (33).

7. An electric water heater, characterized in that: It comprises the non-metallic inner liner (10) described in any one of claims 1-6.

8. The electric water heater according to claim 7, characterized in that The electric water heater further comprises a heating pipe flange (20) and a heating pipe (30) mounted on the heating pipe flange (20); the heating pipe flange (20) is fixedly mounted on the inner liner flange (3) of the non-metallic inner liner (10); and the heating pipe (30) is placed in the non-metallic inner liner (10).

9. The electric water heater according to claim 8, characterized in that It also includes a sealing gasket (40), which is placed between the heating tube flange (20) and the inner tank flange (3).

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