Electric water heater control device, electric water heater and control method thereof

Abstract

The application provides an electric water heater control device, an electric water heater and a control method thereof. The electric water heater control device takes the final water temperature as a control target, adjusts the heating power during the use of the electric water heater automatically, ensures that the electric water heater can always provide appropriate hot water, and stably controls the water temperature at a temperature most comfortable for users. Users only need to adjust the water valve angle of the electric water heater at the beginning of use. During the whole use process, the electric water heater automatically detects multiple dynamic data and performs full-time domain operation control on the heating power during the use of hot water, so that the electric water heater fully automatically matches the surrounding environment and the needs of users. The factors considered in power adjustment include the opening angle of the water valve of the electric water heater, the ambient temperature, the relative humidity of the environment, the water outlet temperature of the water valve, the ambient wind speed and the like. The electric water heater control device can realize self-intelligent adjustment of the heating power of the electric water heater, reduce the waste of electric energy and improve the user experience.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of household appliances, in particular to an electric water heater control device, an electric water heater and a control method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the development of urbanization and the improvement of the living standards of residents, the electric water heater has become one of the essential household appliances in the current urban families. Due to its high power consumption, it has also become the most serious item of household power consumption.

[0003] The basic operation of the electric water heater on the market at present is that the user determines the heating target temperature and the heating power gear by himself or herself. Once the user completes the setting of the heating target temperature and the heating power gear, the control device in the electric water heater controls the heating device to heat at a fixed heating power. In the hot water use process of the electric water heater, the user mixes the hot water in the electric water heater with the normal temperature water through the water valve, and then outputs the water with a temperature suitable for human bathing. However, due to the slow response of the current electric water heater to the actual load based on its working mechanism, and the fact that the electric water heater also heats at a fixed heating power in the hot water use process, the working state of the electric water heater cannot be optimized and cannot fully adapt to the user's demand.

[0004] Specifically, in the hot water use process of the electric water heater in the prior art, the electric water heater cannot autonomously and accurately ensure that the user's body temperature is always in the comfortable interval. With the continuous change of the water consumption, the user may need to adjust the hot water output multiple times, or need to adjust the heating power. Moreover, in summer, if the user sets a too high temperature or a large heating power, the cold water output needs to be increased during use. After the user finishes bathing, part of the hot water will not be used, thereby causing waste of electric energy. In winter, if the user sets a low temperature or a small heating power, the hot water output needs to be increased during use, which may result in insufficient hot water and thus reduces the user's experience.

[0005] The current electric water heater product has not proposed an effective solution to the above problems. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an improved technical solution to solve the above problems. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To achieve the above application purpose, the present application provides an electric water heater control device, which is specifically designed as follows.

[0007] An electric water heater control device, comprising:

[0008] a signal acquisition module, configured to acquire a current water valve opening angle θ1, a water valve water outlet temperature T w , an ambient relative humidity RH, an ambient temperature T1, and an ambient wind speed V.

[0009] a data processing module, configured to calculate the dynamic heating power after the water valve is opened according to the signal obtained by the signal obtaining module;

[0010] an executing module, configured to heat the water in the electric water heater according to the dynamic heating power calculated and obtained by the data processing module.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present application, the calculation formula of the dynamic heating power in the data processing module is:

[0012] wherein θ is the maximum opening angle of the water valve, at which the hot water outlet quantity is the largest;

[0013] T st is the preset human comfortable water temperature in the data processing module;

[0014] T g is the preset human comfortable temperature in the data processing module;

[0015] T se is the current actual human temperature, and T se = 1.07 x T1+ 0.2 x w- 0.65 x V- 2.7, wherein w is the current water pressure, and the calculation formula of w is

[0016] P0 is the first preset heating power of the electric water heater when the water valve is opened.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present application, the electric water heater control device further has a second preset heating power for the electric water heater to run when the water valve is not opened, and the second preset heating power is not greater than the first preset heating power.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present application, the second preset heating power includes at least two different gear values.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present application, the signal obtaining module includes a gyroscope for obtaining the current water valve opening angle θ1 and linked with the water valve.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present application, the signal obtaining module includes a temperature sensor for obtaining the water valve outlet temperature T w and arranged at the water valve outlet end.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present application, the signal obtaining module includes a temperature and humidity sensor for obtaining the environmental relative humidity RH and the environmental temperature T1.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present application, the signal acquisition module comprises at least two temperature and humidity sensors with different distribution positions.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present application, the signal acquisition module comprises a wind speed sensor for acquiring the ambient wind speed V.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present application, the human comfortable water temperature T st is preset in the data processing module, and the value range is 35-45℃.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present application, the human comfortable water temperature T st is preset in the data processing module, and is negatively correlated with the ambient temperature T1.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present application, the human comfortable temperature T g is preset in the data processing module, and the setting range is 17-24℃.

[0027] The present application also provides an electric water heater comprising the electric water heater control device described above.

[0028] The present application also provides a control method of an electric water heater, which comprises the following steps:

[0029] opening the water valve to mix the cold water and the hot water of the electric water heater in the water valve;

[0030] acquiring the opening angle θ1 of the current water valve, the water valve outlet water temperature Tw, the ambient relative humidity RH, the ambient temperature T1 and the ambient wind speed V;

[0031] calculating the dynamic heating power after the water valve is opened according to the acquired signals;

[0032] heating the water in the electric water heater according to the dynamic heating power.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present application, the calculation formula of the dynamic heating power is:

[0034] wherein θ is the maximum opening angle of the water valve, and the hot water outlet water quantity is maximum at this time;

[0035] T st is the preset human comfortable water temperature;

[0036] T g is the preset human comfortable temperature;

[0037] T se is the actual human temperature of the current user, and T se=1.07*T1+0.2*w-0.65*V-2.7, wherein, w is current water vapor pressure, and a calculation formula of w is

[0038] P0 is the first preset heating power of the electric water heater when the water valve is opened.

[0039] The electric water heater control device related to the present application takes the final water temperature as the control target, adjusts the heating power of the electric water heater in use through automatic adjustment, ensures that the electric water heater can always provide appropriate hot water, and stably controls the water temperature at the temperature most comfortable for the user to feel. The user only needs to adjust the water valve angle of the electric water heater at the beginning of use, and in the whole use process, the electric water heater automatically detects multiple dynamic data and performs full-time domain operation control on the heating power in the hot water use process, so that the electric water heater fully automatically matches the surrounding environment and the needs of the user, and the factors considered in power adjustment include the opening angle of the water valve of the electric water heater, the environmental temperature, the relative humidity of the environment, the water valve outlet temperature, the environmental wind speed, etc. The electric water heater control device related to the present application can realize self-intelligent adjustment of the heating power of the electric water heater, reduce the waste of electric energy, and improve the user experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0040] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or the prior art description. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor on the basis of the provided drawings.

[0041] Figure 1 Fig. 1 shows a module schematic diagram of the electric water heater control device of the present application;

[0042] Figure 2 Fig. 2 shows a control flow schematic diagram of the electric water heater of the present application;

[0043] Figure 3 Fig. 3 shows an application schematic diagram of the electric water heater of the present application.

[0044] In the figure, 10 is a water valve, 101 is a valve handle, 21 is a cold water pipe, 22 is a hot water pipe, and 30 is a water storage cavity of the electric water heater. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely in the following with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, but not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0046] As described in the background, the electric water heater in the prior art is slow in response to the actual load based on its working mechanism, and the electric water heater is heated at a fixed heating power during hot water use, so that the working state of the electric water heater cannot be optimized, cannot fully meet the user's demand, and there are problems of electric energy waste and poor user experience during use. In order to solve these problems, the present application provides an electric water heater control device and an electric water heater with the control device.

[0047] Reference Figure 3 As shown in the figure, in the specific application scenario of the electric water heater of the present application, the hot water in the water storage cavity 30 of the electric water heater is connected to the water valve 10 through the hot water pipe 22, and another cold water (i.e. normal temperature water) is also connected to the water valve 10. When using the hot water in the electric water heater, the mixing ratio of cold and hot water can be adjusted by rotating the valve handle 101 of the water valve 10.

[0048] As shown in the figure, when the valve handle 101 is rotated to the left "minimum hot water amount position", the water flowing out of the water valve is supplied by the cold water pipe 21; when the valve handle 101 is rotated to the right "maximum hot water amount position", the water flowing out of the water valve is supplied by the hot water pipe 22; when the valve handle 101 is rotated to the left "minimum hot water amount position" and the right "maximum hot water amount position", the water flowing out of the water valve is supplied by the cold water pipe 21 and the hot water pipe 22 at the same time.

[0049] Reference Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the electric water heater control device involved in the present application includes a signal acquisition module, a data processing module and an execution module.

[0050] Specifically, the signal acquisition module involved is used to acquire the current opening angle θ1 of the water valve 10, the water valve outlet temperature T w , the relative humidity RH of the environment, the temperature T1 of the environment and the wind speed V of the environment.

[0051] The data processing module involved is used to calculate the dynamic heating power after the water valve is opened according to the signals acquired by the signal acquisition module.

[0052] The execution module involved is used to heat the water in the electric water heater according to the dynamic heating power calculated and acquired by the data processing module.

[0053] In a specific embodiment of the present application, the calculation formula of the dynamic heating power in the data processing module is:

[0054] In the calculation formula, θ is the maximum opening angle of the water valve 10, at which the hot water outlet amount is maximum;

[0055] T stThe preset human body comfort water temperature is located within the data processing module;

[0056] T g The preset human comfort temperature is located within the data processing module.

[0057] T se The actual perceived temperature for the user, and T se = 1.07 × T1 + 0.2 × w - 0.65 × V - 2.7, where w is the current water vapor pressure, and its calculation formula is...

[0058] P0 is the first preset heating power of the electric water heater when the water valve is opened.

[0059] Relatively easy to understand, see reference. Figure 3 As shown in the diagram, in this invention, the opening angle θ1 of the water valve 10 refers to the angle between the current position of the valve handle 101 and the position of the valve handle 101 at the left "minimum hot water volume" when the water valve 10 is open. The maximum opening angle θ of the water valve 10 refers to the angle between the position of the valve handle 101 at the left "minimum hot water volume" and the position of the valve handle 101 at the right "maximum hot water volume".

[0060] The electric water heater control device involved in this invention takes the final water temperature as the control target. By automatically adjusting the heating power of the electric water heater during use, it ensures that the electric water heater can always provide an appropriate amount of hot water and stably control the water temperature at the most comfortable temperature for the user. The user only needs to adjust the angle of the water valve at the beginning of use. Throughout the entire use process, the electric water heater automatically detects multiple dynamic data and performs full-time domain calculation and control on the heating power during hot water use. This allows the electric water heater to automatically match the surrounding environment and the user's needs. Factors considered in the power adjustment include the opening angle of the water valve, ambient temperature, relative humidity, water outlet temperature, and ambient wind speed. The electric water heater control device involved in this invention can realize autonomous intelligent adjustment of the heating power of the electric water heater, reduce energy waste, and improve the user experience.

[0061] During the hot water usage process of the electric water heater, the opening angle θ1 of the water valve 10 is directly proportional to the hot water supply of the hot water pipe 21. According to the dynamic heating power calculation formula involved in this invention, the dynamic heating power P is positively correlated with the opening angle θ1 of the water valve 10. Thus, during the hot water supply process, when the hot water supply of the hot water pipe 22 is large (i.e., the opening angle θ1 is large), the electric water heater control device can heat the water in the water heater with a relatively large heating power; while when the hot water supply of the hot water pipe 22 is small (i.e., the opening angle θ1 is small), the electric water heater control device can heat the water in the water heater with a relatively small heating power.

[0062] In other words, during the hot water usage process, the electric water heater control device can adaptively adjust the heating power according to the angle at which the user opens the water valve 10, thereby enabling the electric water heater to supply more stable hot water.

[0063] During the use of electric water heaters, the most comfortable water temperature for the human body, T, is... st The most ideal effect is to eliminate fatigue. When the water outlet temperature T... w Too high or too low a temperature will cause user discomfort and will fail to achieve the desired effect when the user urgently needs to eliminate fatigue.

[0064] According to the dynamic heating power calculation formula of the present invention, during the hot water supply process, when the water outlet temperature T... w Water temperature higher than the human body's comfort temperature T st When the water temperature is T, the electric water heater control device will reduce the hot water heating power; when the water outlet temperature is T... w Water temperature below human comfort T st At this time, the electric water heater control device will increase the hot water heating power. This will, in turn, increase the final water outlet temperature T. w Towards the human body's comfortable water temperature T st near.

[0065] Furthermore, during the use of an electric water heater, such as while showering, the humidity and ambient temperature of the user's environment gradually increase, leading to a change in the user's perceived temperature (T). se If the temperature rises, then the outlet water temperature T needs to be lowered. w This ensures user comfort. According to the dynamic heating power calculation formula of this invention, during the hot water supply process, when the actual perceived temperature T... se Temperatures higher than the human body's comfortable perceived temperature (T) g When the actual perceived temperature T is low, the electric water heater control device will reduce the water heating power; when the actual perceived temperature T is high... se Below the human body's comfortable temperature T g At this time, the electric water heater control device will increase the water heating power. This will, in turn, increase the actual perceived temperature T. se Towards the human body's comfortable temperature T g near.

[0066] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electric water heater control device further has a second preset heating power P1 for powering the water heater to operate when the water valve is not opened, wherein the second preset heating power P1 is not greater than the first preset heating power P0.

[0067] For electric water heaters, when water valve 10 is open, some hot water flows from the water heater to water valve 10 via hot water pipe 22. This requires timely replenishment of cold water in the water storage chamber 30. At this time, a relatively high heating power is used to heat the water, allowing it to heat up more quickly and ensuring the water heater provides a sufficiently stable temperature. When water valve 10 is closed, no hot water flows out, and a relatively low power is sufficient to heat the water in the storage chamber 30. Furthermore, this process effectively saves energy while maintaining a stable water temperature.

[0068] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second preset heating power P1 includes at least two different levels. For example, the second preset heating power P1 includes three different levels: 1500W, 2000W, and 2500W. These three levels correspond to slow heating, medium heating, and fast heating, respectively. Based on these multiple levels, different user water usage needs can be met. Corresponding to the above three different levels of the second preset heating power P1, in a specific implementation, the first preset heating power P0 is 3000W.

[0069] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the signal acquisition module involved in the present invention includes a gyroscope for acquiring the current water valve opening angle θ1. In specific implementation, the gyroscope is linked with the water valve 10, thereby enabling the measurement of the water valve opening angle θ1 when the user opens the water valve 10. It is understood that in other embodiments of the present invention, the component for acquiring the current water valve opening angle θ1 is not limited to a gyroscope, but can also be other detection elements that can acquire the rotation angle of the water valve 10 and realize signal transmission, which will not be elaborated here.

[0070] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the signal acquisition module includes acquiring the outlet water temperature T of the water valve 10. w A temperature sensor is installed at the outlet of the water valve 10. Preferably, the temperature sensor is embedded in the inner wall of the outlet of the water valve 10 and will not affect the water flow.

[0071] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the signal acquisition module further includes a temperature and humidity sensor for acquiring the ambient relative humidity RH and the ambient temperature T1.

[0072] Preferably, the signal acquisition module includes at least two temperature and humidity sensors located at different positions. Specifically, during water usage, the temperature and humidity vary at different locations in the environment. By placing temperature and humidity sensors at different locations, the average temperature and humidity can be obtained, thus enabling the signal received by the signal acquisition module to more accurately reflect the current environmental temperature and humidity.

[0073] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the signal acquisition module further includes a wind speed sensor for acquiring the ambient wind speed V. In specific application scenarios, users typically perform water operations in windless environments. In this case, the system can be set to default ambient wind speed V as zero, thus eliminating the need to install a wind speed sensor in actual implementation.

[0074] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the human body comfort water temperature T is preset in the data processing module. st The value range is 35℃-45℃.

[0075] In specific implementation, preferably, the human body comfort water temperature T is preset in the data processing module. st It is negatively correlated with the ambient temperature T1. Specifically, when the ambient temperature T1 is high, the human comfort water temperature T preset in the data processing module can be appropriately reduced. st When the ambient temperature T1 is low, the preset human comfort water temperature T in the data processing module can be appropriately increased. st .

[0076] For example, in summer, when the ambient temperature T1 is high, the user's preset comfortable water temperature T in the data processing module... st The temperature can be set between 35℃ and 40℃; in winter, when the ambient temperature T1 is low, the user's preset human comfort water temperature T in the data processing module can be used. st It can be set between 40℃ and 45℃. More specific settings can be adjusted according to different environments.

[0077] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the human comfort temperature T preset in the data processing module g The set range is 17-24℃. For example, in some specific embodiments, the human comfort temperature T is preset in the data processing module. g Set to 20℃.

[0078] Based on the electric water heater control device and corresponding electric water heater provided above, the present invention also provides a control method for an electric water heater, which includes the following steps:

[0079] Turn on the water valve to mix the cold water with the hot water from the electric water heater.

[0080] Obtain the current opening angle θ1 of the water valve, the water outlet temperature Tw, the ambient relative humidity RH, the ambient temperature T1, and the ambient wind speed V;

[0081] The dynamic heating power after the water valve is opened is calculated based on the acquired signal;

[0082] The water in the electric water heater is heated according to the dynamic heating power.

[0083] In a more detailed embodiment, the formula for calculating the dynamic heating power is:

[0084] Where θ is the maximum opening angle of the water valve, at which point the hot water output is at its maximum;

[0085] T st The preset water temperature is the most comfortable for the human body.

[0086] T g The preset temperature for optimal human comfort.

[0087] T se The actual perceived temperature for the user, and T se = 1.07 × T1 + 0.2 × w - 0.65 × V - 2.7, where w is the current water vapor pressure, and its calculation formula is...

[0088] P0 is the first preset heating power of the electric water heater when the water valve is opened.

[0089] It should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This way of describing the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0090] The detailed descriptions listed above are merely specific descriptions of feasible embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent embodiments or modifications made without departing from the spirit of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A control device for an electric water heater, characterized in that, include: The signal acquisition module is used to acquire the current water valve opening angle θ1 and the water valve outlet temperature T. w Ambient relative humidity (RH), ambient temperature (T1), ambient wind speed (V); The data processing module is used to calculate the dynamic heating power after the water valve is opened based on the signal acquired by the signal acquisition module. The execution module is used to heat the water in the electric water heater according to the dynamic heating power calculated and obtained by the data processing module. The formula for calculating dynamic heating power in the data processing module is as follows: ; Where θ is the maximum opening angle of the water valve, at which point the hot water output is at its maximum; T st The preset human body comfort water temperature is located within the data processing module; T g The preset human comfort temperature is located within the data processing module. T se This is the current actual perceived temperature for the user, and Where w is the current water vapor pressure, and its calculation formula is: ; P0 is the first preset heating power of the electric water heater when the water valve is opened.

2. The electric water heater control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electric water heater control device also has a second preset heating power for powering the water heater when the water valve is not opened, and the second preset heating power is not greater than the first preset heating power.

3. The electric water heater control device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second preset heating power includes at least two different levels.

4. The electric water heater control device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The signal acquisition module includes a gyroscope for acquiring the current water valve opening angle θ1 and linked with the water valve.

5. The electric water heater control device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The signal acquisition module includes acquiring the water valve outlet temperature T. w A temperature sensor is also installed at the outlet of the water valve.

6. The electric water heater control device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The signal acquisition module includes a temperature and humidity sensor that acquires the ambient relative humidity RH and ambient temperature T1.

7. The electric water heater control device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The signal acquisition module includes at least two temperature and humidity sensors located at different positions.

8. The electric water heater control device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The signal acquisition module includes a wind speed sensor for acquiring the ambient wind speed V.

9. The electric water heater control device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The human body comfort water temperature T is preset in the data processing module. st The value range is 35℃-45℃.

10. The electric water heater control device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The human body comfort water temperature T is preset in the data processing module. st It is negatively correlated with ambient temperature T1.

11. The electric water heater control device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The human comfort temperature T preset in the data processing module g The setting range is 17-24℃.

12. An electric water heater, characterized in that, Includes the electric water heater control device according to any one of claims 1-11.

13. A control method for an electric water heater, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Turn on the water valve to mix the cold water with the hot water from the electric water heater. Obtain the current opening angle θ1 of the water valve, the water outlet temperature Tw, the ambient relative humidity RH, the ambient temperature T1, and the ambient wind speed V; The dynamic heating power after the water valve is opened is calculated based on the acquired signal; The water in the electric water heater is heated according to this dynamic heating power. The formula for calculating the dynamic heating power is as follows: ; Where θ is the maximum opening angle of the water valve, at which point the hot water output is at its maximum; T st The preset water temperature is the most comfortable for the human body. T g The preset temperature for optimal human comfort. T se This is the current actual perceived temperature for the user, and Where w is the current water vapor pressure, and its calculation formula is: ; P0 is the first preset heating power of the electric water heater when the water valve is opened.

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