A water heater and its operating method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a water heater and an operation method thereof. The water heater includes a casing; a hot water pipe disposed within the casing, and one end of the hot water pipe is communicated with an external water supply pipeline of the water heater; a water path valve disposed on the hot water pipe for controlling the on-off of the hot water pipe; a gas mixing chamber disposed at the water outlet end of the hot water pipe, water flow within the hot water pipe can enter the gas mixing chamber, and a water outlet pipe of the water heater is communicated with the gas mixing chamber; a negative pressure generating assembly communicated with the gas mixing chamber, when the negative pressure generating assembly operates, a negative pressure can be formed inside the gas mixing chamber; a gas valve disposed on the gas mixing chamber, when the negative pressure generating assembly operates, the gas valve opens, and gas can enter the gas mixing chamber through the gas valve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of household appliances, and in particular, to a water heater and an operation method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Although products such as microbubble shower heads and microbubble faucets sold on the market currently can output bubble water, due to the lack of gas input at the front end of the water heater, the effect of obtaining bubble water by relying solely on products such as microbubble shower heads and microbubble faucets in the market is poor, and the bubble water cannot flow out stably, resulting in relatively large defects in the products and being unable to meet people's needs.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a water heater to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the problems existing in the related art to a certain extent. For this purpose, the present invention provides a water heater that can stably output bath water with a sufficient amount of bubbles.

[0005] The above object is achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0006] A water heater, comprising:

[0007] A housing;

[0008] A hot water pipe disposed inside the housing, and one end of the hot water pipe is communicated with an external water supply pipeline of the water heater;

[0009] A water path valve disposed on the hot water pipe for controlling the on-off of the hot water pipe;

[0010] A gas mixing chamber disposed at the water outlet end of the hot water pipe, the water flow in the hot water pipe can enter the gas mixing chamber, and the water outlet pipe of the water heater is communicated with the gas mixing chamber;

[0011] A negative pressure generating assembly communicated with the gas mixing chamber, and when the negative pressure generating assembly operates, it can make the inside of the gas mixing chamber form a negative pressure;

[0012] A gas valve disposed on the gas mixing chamber, and when the negative pressure generating assembly operates, the gas valve opens, and gas can enter the gas mixing chamber through the gas valve.

[0013] Optionally, the negative pressure generating assembly includes:

[0014] A pipeline, one end of which is communicated with the gas mixing chamber and the other end is communicated with the water inlet part of the hot water pipe;

[0015] A water pump disposed on the pipeline;

[0016] A one-way valve is provided on the pipeline, and the water flow in the gas mixing chamber can flow into the hot water pipe through the pipeline.

[0017] Optionally, the gas valve is a one-way gas valve.

[0018] Optionally, a flow meter is further included, and the flow meter is provided on the water inlet part of the hot water pipe for calculating the water flow in the hot water pipe.

[0019] Optionally, the waterway valve includes:

[0020] A first waterway valve is provided at the water inlet end of the hot water pipe. When the first waterway valve is opened, the water flow in the water supply pipeline can flow into the hot water pipe through the first waterway valve. When the first waterway valve is closed, the water flow in the water supply pipeline stops flowing into the hot water pipe.

[0021] A second waterway valve is provided at the water outlet end of the hot water pipe. A water passing port is formed on the second waterway valve. When the second waterway valve is opened, the water flow in the hot water pipe can flow into the gas mixing chamber through the second waterway valve and the water passing port. When the second waterway valve is closed, the water flow in the hot water pipe flows into the gas mixing chamber through the water passing port.

[0022] Optionally, a bubbler is further included, and the bubbler is provided at the end of the water outlet pipe.

[0023] Optionally, an operation display is further included, and the operation display includes a display screen, a temperature adjustment button, and a bubble bath selection button.

[0024] The present invention further provides an operation method of a water heater as described above, including the following steps:

[0025] S1: The water heater is powered on.

[0026] S2: Enter the normal shower mode, and open the first waterway valve and the second waterway valve.

[0027] S3: Open the bubble bath button to enter the bubble bath standby mode.

[0028] S4: Determine whether the water flow rate > the startup flow rate. If so, enter S5; if not, return to S3.

[0029] S5: Close the first waterway valve and the second waterway valve.

[0030] S6: The water pump operates for a first preset time T1, the one-way valve is opened, and gas is inhaled into the gas mixing chamber.

[0031] S7: Determine whether the water pump is operating abnormally. If so, issue an alarm, indicate that the water pump is abnormal, and exit the bubble bath mode. If not, proceed to S8;

[0032] S8: Open the first waterway valve and the second waterway valve;

[0033] S9: Determine whether the water flow rate > the shutdown flow rate. If so, proceed to S10. If not, return to S3;

[0034] S10: The entire water heater operates to output bubble water.

[0035] Optionally, after S10, there is also S11: Determine whether the operating time of the entire water heater is greater than the second preset time T2. If so, return to S5. If not, return to S10.

[0036] Optionally, the first preset time T1 is 10s, and the second preset time T2 is 4min.

[0037] Optionally, in S7, determining whether the water pump is operating abnormally specifically means: determining whether the water pump is operating normally by judging whether the current of the water pump is normal.

[0038] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0039] The water heater provided by the present invention is provided with a gas mixing chamber, a gas valve, and a negative pressure generating component. When gas needs to be input into the gas mixing chamber, the negative pressure generating component works, causing a negative pressure to be formed in the gas mixing chamber, so that the gas can smoothly enter the gas mixing chamber through the gas valve. Then, the waterway valve is opened, allowing the water in the hot water pipe to flow into the gas mixing chamber. The gas and liquid in the gas mixing chamber dissolve at the gas-liquid interface, thus ensuring sufficient air intake and ensuring the stable generation of bubble water. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the water heater provided by a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 2 is a flowchart of the operating steps of the water heater provided by a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] In the figure:

[0043] 1. Housing;

[0044] 2. Hot water pipe;

[0045] 31. First waterway valve; 32. Second waterway valve; 33. Flowmeter;

[0046] 4. Gas mixing chamber; 41. Gas valve;

[0047] 51. Pipe; 52. Water pump; 53. Check valve;

[0048] 6. Controller;

[0049] 7. Operation display;

[0050] 8. Outlet pipe;

[0051] 9. Bubbler. Detailed implementation manner

[0052] The following embodiments illustrate the present invention, but the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Modifying the specific implementation manner of the present invention or making equivalent replacements for some technical features without departing from the spirit of the present invention shall all be covered within the scope of the technical solution claimed by the present invention.

[0053] Please refer to Figure 1 , the present invention provides a water heater, including a housing 1, a hot water pipe 2, a waterway valve, a gas mixing chamber 4, a negative pressure generating assembly and a gas valve 41. The hot water pipe 2 is arranged inside the housing 1, and one end of the hot water pipe 2 is communicated with the external water supply pipeline of the water heater. The waterway valve is arranged on the hot water pipe 2 for controlling the on-off of the hot water pipe 2. The gas mixing chamber 4 is arranged at the water outlet end of the hot water pipe 2, and the water flow in the hot water pipe 2 can enter the gas mixing chamber 4. The outlet pipe 8 of the water heater is communicated with the gas mixing chamber 4. The negative pressure generating assembly is communicated with the gas mixing chamber 4. When the negative pressure generating assembly operates, a negative pressure can be formed inside the gas mixing chamber 4. The gas valve 41 is arranged on the gas mixing chamber 4. When the negative pressure generating assembly operates, the gas valve 41 opens, and gas can enter the gas mixing chamber 4 through the gas valve 41.

[0054] The water heater provided by the present invention is provided with a gas mixing chamber 4, a gas valve 41 and a negative pressure generating assembly. When it is necessary to input gas into the gas mixing chamber 4, the negative pressure generating assembly works, so that a negative pressure is formed inside the gas mixing chamber 4, and then the gas can smoothly enter the gas mixing chamber 4 through the gas valve 41. Then, the waterway valve is opened, so that the water in the hot water pipe 2 flows into the gas mixing chamber 4. The gas and liquid in the gas mixing chamber 4 are dissolved at the gas-liquid interface, thereby ensuring sufficient air intake and then ensuring the stable generation of bubble water.

[0055] Optionally, the negative pressure generating assembly includes a pipe 51, a water pump 52 and a check valve 53. One end of the pipe 51 is communicated with the gas mixing chamber 4, and the other end is communicated with the water inlet part of the hot water pipe 2. The water pump 52 is arranged on the pipe 51. The check valve 53 is arranged on the pipe 51, and the water flow in the gas mixing chamber 4 can flow to the hot water pipe 2 through the pipe 51. Specifically, when the water pump 52 operates, the water in the gas mixing chamber 4 is pumped out to the hot water pipe 2, so that a negative pressure is formed inside the gas mixing chamber 4. The setting of the check valve 53 prevents the unheated water in the hot water pipe 2 from directly flowing into the gas mixing chamber 4 through the check valve 53.

[0056] Optionally, the air valve 41 is a one-way air valve 41 to prevent water or gas in the gas mixing chamber 4 from flowing out of the gas mixing chamber 4 through the air valve 41.

[0057] Optionally, a flow meter 33 is further included. The flow meter 33 is disposed on the water inlet part of the hot water pipe 2 for calculating the water flow rate in the hot water pipe 2.

[0058] Optionally, the water path valve includes a first water path valve 31 and a second water path valve 32. The first water path valve 31 is disposed at the water inlet end of the hot water pipe 2. When the first water path valve 31 is opened, the water flow in the water supply pipeline can flow into the hot water pipe 2 through the first water path valve 31. When the first water path valve 31 is closed, the water flow in the water supply pipeline stops flowing into the hot water pipe 2. The second water path valve 32 is disposed at the water outlet end of the hot water pipe 2. A water passing port 321 is formed on the second water path valve 32. When the second water path valve 32 is opened, the water flow in the hot water pipe 2 can flow into the gas mixing chamber 4 through the second water path valve 32 and the water passing port 321. When the second water path valve 32 is closed, the water flow in the hot water pipe 2 flows into the gas mixing chamber 4 through the water passing port 321.

[0059] Optionally, a bubbler 9 is further included. The bubbler 9 is disposed at the end of the water outlet pipe 8. Specifically, after a preset amount of gas enters the gas mixing chamber 4, the first water path valve 31 and the second water path valve 32 are opened, and the water in the water supply pipeline flows into the hot water pipe 2 through the first water path valve 31, and then flows into the gas mixing chamber 4 through the second water path valve 32.

[0060] Optionally, an operation display 7 is further included. The operation display 7 includes a display screen, a temperature adjustment button, and a bubble bath selection button. Specifically, the display screen is used to display the current set temperature of the water heater. The temperature adjustment button is used to adjust the outlet water temperature of the water heater. The bubble bath selection button is used to turn on or off the bubble bath mode.

[0061] Optionally, a controller 6 is further included. The controller 6 is disposed on the housing 1. The operation display 7, the first water path valve 31, the second water path valve 32, the water pump 52, and the flow meter 33 are all communicatively connected to the controller 6.

[0062] Please refer to Figure 2 , the present invention further provides an operation method of a water heater as described above, including the following steps:

[0063] S1: The water heater is powered on;

[0064] S2: Enter the normal shower mode, and open the first water path valve 31 and the second water path valve 32;

[0065] S3: Open the bubble bath button to enter the bubble bath standby mode;

[0066] S4: Determine whether the water flow rate > the start-up flow rate. If so, proceed to S5; if not, return to S3.

[0067] S5: Close the first waterway valve 31 and the second waterway valve 32.

[0068] S6: The water pump 52 operates for the first preset time T1, the check valve 53 opens, and gas is inhaled into the gas mixing chamber 4.

[0069] S7: Determine whether the operation of the water pump 52 is abnormal. If so, issue an alarm, prompt that the water pump 52 is abnormal and exit the bubble bath mode; if not, proceed to S8.

[0070] S8: Open the first waterway valve 31 and the second waterway valve 32.

[0071] S9: Determine whether the water flow rate > the shutdown flow rate. If so, proceed to S10; if not, return to S3.

[0072] S10: The whole water heater operates and outputs bubble water.

[0073] For the operation method of the water heater provided by the present invention, the user enters the bubble bath standby mode by pressing the bubble bath button, and then determines whether to start the machine by judging whether the water flow rate is greater than the start-up flow rate. When the water flow rate is greater than the start-up flow rate, it indicates that the water heater meets the start-up conditions. At this time, first close the first waterway valve 31 and the second waterway valve 32, and the water pump 52 operates for the first preset time T1, so that a preset amount of other substances enters the gas mixing chamber 4. Since the water passing port 321 is provided on the second waterway valve 32, the water in the hot water pipe can still circulate under the operation of the water pump 52. During the operation of the water pump 52, it is continuously determined whether the operation of the water pump 52 is abnormal. If the operation of the water pump 52 is abnormal, an alarm is issued to prompt that the water pump 52 is abnormal and exit the bubble bath mode; otherwise, open the first waterway valve 31 and the second waterway valve 32, so that the water in the hot water pipe 2 enters the gas mixing chamber 4. By detecting the abnormal condition of the water pump 52, the state of the water pump 52 is monitored in real time, and the abnormal condition of the water pump 52 can be obtained at any time and reported to the user, which is beneficial to quickly knowing the problem location during the maintenance of the water heater, improving the maintenance efficiency and reducing the maintenance cost.

[0074] A preset amount of gas can be dissolved in a preset amount of water. Since the air pump operates for the first preset time T1, the gas entering the gas mixing chamber 4 is also a preset amount. Therefore, this preset amount of gas can be dissolved in a specific amount of water. Therefore, optionally, after S10, it further includes S11: Determine whether the operation time of the whole water heater is greater than the second preset time T2. If so, return to S5; if not, return to S10. When the operation time of the whole machine is greater than the second preset time T2, all the gas in the gas mixing chamber 4 is dissolved in the water in the gas mixing chamber 4 and continuously flows out to the water outlet pipe 8, and then flows out from the bubbler 9.

[0075] Optionally, in step S7, if the water pump 52 operates abnormally, an alarm is issued to indicate the abnormality of the water pump 52 and then the bubble bath mode is exited, and then return to S2.

[0076] Optionally, the first preset time T1 is 10 s, and the second preset time T2 is 4 min. Specifically, when the water pump 52 operates for 10 s, the water entering the gas mixing chamber 4 can maintain the output of 30 L of gas-rich water, and the water output of the bubbler 9 is approximately 6 - 7 L / min. Therefore, the interval time set by the program is 4 min.

[0077] Further, when the bathing time is greater than or equal to 4 min, return to S5 and repeat the bubble bath steps.

[0078] Optionally, in S7, determining whether the water pump 52 operates abnormally specifically includes: determining whether the water pump 52 operates normally by judging whether the current of the water pump 52 is normal.

[0079] The above are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention, several modifications and improvements can still be made, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water heater, characterized in that, Comprising: A casing (1); A hot water pipe (2), arranged inside the casing (1), and one end of the hot water pipe (2) is communicated with an external water supply pipeline of a water heater; A waterway valve, arranged on the hot water pipe (2) for controlling the on-off of the hot water pipe (2); A gas mixing chamber (4), arranged at the water outlet end of the hot water pipe (2), water flow inside the hot water pipe (2) can enter the gas mixing chamber (4), and a water outlet pipe (8) of the water heater is communicated with the gas mixing chamber (4); A negative pressure generating assembly, communicated with the gas mixing chamber (4), when the negative pressure generating assembly operates, it can make the inside of the gas mixing chamber (4) form a negative pressure; A gas valve (41), arranged on the gas mixing chamber (4), when the negative pressure generating assembly operates, the gas valve (41) opens, and gas can enter the gas mixing chamber (4) through the gas valve (41), and the negative pressure generating assembly includes: A pipeline (51), one end of which is communicated with the gas mixing chamber (4), and the other end is communicated with the water inlet part of the hot water pipe (2); A water pump (52), arranged on the pipeline (51); A one-way valve (53), arranged on the pipeline (51), water flow in the gas mixing chamber (4) can flow into the hot water pipe (2) through the pipeline (51); It further includes a flow meter (33), and the flow meter (33) is arranged on the water inlet part of the hot water pipe (2) for calculating the water flow in the hot water pipe (2); The waterway valve includes: A first waterway valve (31), arranged at the water inlet end of the hot water pipe (2), when the first waterway valve (31) opens, water flow in the water supply pipeline can flow into the hot water pipe (2) through the first waterway valve (31), when the first waterway valve (32) closes, water flow in the water supply pipeline stops flowing into the hot water pipe (2); A second waterway valve (32), arranged at the water outlet end of the hot water pipe (2), a water passing port (321) is opened on the second waterway valve (32), when the second waterway valve (32) opens, water flow in the hot water pipe (2) can flow into the gas mixing chamber (4) through the second waterway valve (32) and the water passing port (321), when the second waterway valve (32) closes, water flow in the hot water pipe (2) flows into the gas mixing chamber (4) through the water passing port (321).

2. The water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas valve (41) is a one-way gas valve.

3. The water heater according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, It further includes a bubbler (9), and the bubbler (9) is arranged at the end of the water outlet pipe (8).

4. The water heater according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, It further includes an operation display (7), and the operation display (7) includes a display screen, a temperature adjustment button and a bubble bath selection button.

5. A method for operating a water heater according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, Including the following steps: S1: Turn on the water heater; S2: Enter the normal shower mode, and open the first waterway valve and the second waterway valve; S3: Open the bubble bath button and enter the bubble bath standby mode; S4: Judge whether the water flow rate > the startup flow rate, if so, enter S5, if not, return to S3; S5: Close the first waterway valve and the second waterway valve; S6: The water pump operates for the first preset time T1, the one-way valve opens, and gas is inhaled into the gas mixing chamber; S7: Determine whether the operation of the water pump is abnormal. If so, issue an alarm, prompt that the water pump is abnormal and exit the bubble bath mode. If not, proceed to S8; S8: Open the first waterway valve and the second waterway valve; S9: Determine whether the water flow rate > the shutdown flow rate. If so, proceed to S10. If not, return to S3; S10: The whole water heater operates to output bubble water.

6. The operating method of the water heater according to claim 5, characterized in that, After S10, there is also S11: Determine whether the operation time of the whole water heater is greater than the second preset time T2. If so, return to S5. If not, return to S10.

7. The operating method of the water heater according to claim 6, characterized in that The first preset time T1 is 10s, and the second preset time T2 is 4min.

8. The operating method of the water heater according to any one of claims 5-7, characterized in that, In S7, determining whether the operation of the water pump is abnormal specifically is: determining whether the operation of the water pump is normal by judging whether the current of the water pump is normal.

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