Heat exchanger and instant-boiled water dispenser comprising the same

Abstract

The present application relates to drinking water equipment technical field, specifically provide a kind of heat exchanger and including the cooling white open drinking water machine of the heat exchanger, to solve the problem that the heat exchanger is prone to cause pipeline disinfecting effect is not ideal in the high temperature disinfection state of existing drinking water machine.For this purpose, the heat exchanger of the present application includes shell and at least two parallelly arranged rib plates in the shell, the rib plate separates the chamber of shell into first chamber, second chamber and first flow channel between two rib plates;First chamber and second chamber are provided with connecting channel;Wherein, at least one straight pipe is further provided on the shell and / or through the first chamber and / or second chamber.When drinking water machine starts high temperature disinfection mode and disinfects bacteria to pipeline, a part of high temperature boiled water is sterilized to downstream pipeline of heat exchanger by straight pipe, reduce the heat loss when high temperature boiled water passes through first flow channel, improve the adaptability of heat exchanger in the high temperature disinfection mode of drinking water machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of drinking water equipment technology, specifically providing a heat exchanger and a boiled water dispenser including the heat exchanger. Background Technology

[0002] Existing boiled water dispensers typically use heat exchangers to cool hot water or heat cold water to achieve the purpose of preparing boiled water.

[0003] Typically, the heat exchanger in a water dispenser cools boiling water from 100 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius, requiring a relatively long heat exchange pipeline. However, when the water dispenser uses hot water in a circulating manner to disinfect the pipeline and the inside of the heat exchanger, the hot water, after passing through the long heat exchange pipeline and connecting lines, experiences a decrease in the temperature required for sterilization. This results in incomplete sterilization of the connecting lines and the heat exchanger itself, leading to unsatisfactory disinfection and a poor user experience.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need in the field for a new type of heat exchanger to address the aforementioned problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the existing technology, that is, to solve the problem that the heat exchanger of the existing water dispenser is prone to causing unsatisfactory disinfection effect in the pipeline under high temperature disinfection.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a heat exchanger, comprising a housing and at least two parallel ribs disposed within the housing, the ribs dividing a chamber of the housing into a first chamber, a second chamber, and a first flow channel located between the two ribs; a connecting channel is provided between the first chamber and the second chamber; the housing is provided with a first interface, a second interface, a third interface, and a fourth interface; the first interface communicates with the first chamber; the second interface communicates with the second chamber; the third interface and the fourth interface are respectively communicated with both ends of the first flow channel; wherein the housing is further provided with at least one direct current pipe penetrating the first chamber and / or the second chamber.

[0007] In the preferred embodiment of the heat exchanger described above, the DC pipe passes through the first flow channel.

[0008] In the preferred embodiment of the heat exchanger described above, the connecting channel extends through the first flow channel.

[0009] In the preferred technical solution of the heat exchanger described above, the first flow channel is a plurality of S-shaped, U-shaped, Z-shaped or spiral structures with their ends joined together.

[0010] In the preferred embodiment of the heat exchanger described above, the connecting channel is located at the bend of the first flow channel.

[0011] In the preferred embodiment of the heat exchanger described above, the housing includes an upper housing and a lower housing, and the ribs are symmetrically distributed on the upper housing and the lower housing.

[0012] In the preferred embodiment of the heat exchanger described above, both the first interface and the second interface are formed on the upper housing or the lower housing.

[0013] In the preferred embodiment of the heat exchanger described above, the thickness of the rib plate is not less than 0.5 mm and not more than 4 mm.

[0014] In the preferred embodiment of the heat exchanger described above, the distance between the two ribs is not less than 1 mm and not more than 10 mm.

[0015] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a boiled water dispenser, including the aforementioned heat exchanger.

[0016] Those skilled in the art will understand that the heat exchanger of the present invention includes a housing and at least two parallel ribs disposed within the housing. The ribs divide the housing into a first chamber, a second chamber, and a first flow channel located between the two ribs. A connecting channel is provided between the first chamber and the second chamber. The housing is provided with a first interface, a second interface, a third interface, and a fourth interface. The first interface communicates with the first chamber; the second interface communicates with the second chamber; and the third and fourth interfaces communicate with both ends of the first flow channel, respectively. The housing also includes at least one direct-flow pipe penetrating the first chamber and / or the second chamber. With this arrangement, a direct-flow pipe is provided within the housing of the heat exchanger. When the water dispenser activates its high-temperature disinfection mode to disinfect the pipes, a portion of the hot water is used to disinfect the downstream pipes of the heat exchanger via the direct-flow pipe, reducing heat loss when the hot water passes through the first flow channel and improving the adaptability of the heat exchanger in the high-temperature disinfection mode of the water dispenser.

[0017] Furthermore, the connecting channel is located at a bend in the first flow channel. This arrangement facilitates sufficient water flow within both the first and second chambers.

[0018] Furthermore, the shell comprises an upper shell and a lower shell, with ribs symmetrically distributed on both shells. This configuration allows for the fabrication of a single heat exchanger mold, enabling the upper and lower covers to fit together and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0019] Furthermore, both the first and second interfaces are formed on the upper or lower casing. This arrangement facilitates connection with external piping and enhances the overall aesthetics of the heat exchanger.

[0020] Furthermore, the boiled water dispenser provided by the present invention, based on the above technical solution, has the same technical effects as the heat exchanger because it uses the heat exchanger. Compared with existing boiled water dispensers, the boiled water dispenser of the present invention has a better high-temperature disinfection effect and improves the user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the heat exchanger of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is an exploded structural diagram of the heat exchanger of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the upper shell of the heat exchanger of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the lower shell of the heat exchanger of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cooled boiled water dispenser of the present invention.

[0027] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0028] 1. Heat exchanger; 101. Upper shell; 102. Lower shell; 11. First chamber; 111. First interface; 12. Second chamber; 121. Second interface; 13. Rib; 130. First flow channel; 131. Third interface; 132. Fourth interface; 133. Connecting channel; 141. First DC pipe; 142. Second DC pipe; 2. Switch valve; 3. First water pump; 4. Second water pump; 5. Heating element; 6. Faucet; 7. Regulating valve; 71. First inlet; 72. Second inlet; 73. Outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical principles of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] It should be noted that in the description of this invention, terms such as "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "left," and "right," which indicate direction or positional relationship, are based on the direction or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. This is merely for ease of description and does not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0031] Furthermore, it should be noted that in the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection, a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; or they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0032] Based on the background art, existing water dispensers often suffer from unsatisfactory pipe sterilization effects due to the heat exchanger in high-temperature sterilization mode. This invention provides a heat exchanger that, by incorporating a direct-flow pipe within the heat exchanger, allows a portion of the hot water to directly sterilize the pipes during high-temperature sterilization, avoiding heat loss during heat exchange and improving the heat exchanger's adaptability to high-temperature sterilization modes in water dispensers.

[0033] Specifically, see Figures 1 to 5 The heat exchanger 1 of the present invention includes a housing and at least two parallel ribs 13 arranged within the housing. The ribs 13 divide the chamber of the housing into a first chamber 11, a second chamber 12, and a first flow channel 130 located between the two ribs 13. A connecting channel 133 is provided between the first chamber 11 and the second chamber 12. The housing is provided with a first interface 111, a second interface 121, a third interface 131, and a fourth interface 132. The first interface 111 communicates with the first chamber 11. The second interface 121 communicates with the second chamber 12. The third interface 131 and the fourth interface 132 are respectively communicated with the two ends of the first flow channel 130. The housing is also provided with at least one direct current pipe that penetrates the first chamber 11 and / or the second chamber 12.

[0034] For example, see Figures 1 to 5 The housing of the present invention has a box-shaped structure. Inside the housing are two parallel ribs 13, which are spaced apart in the vertical thickness direction, dividing the housing into a first chamber 11, a second chamber 12, and a first flow channel 130 located between the two ribs 13. Each rib 13 has a thickness of 2 mm, and the distance between the two ribs 13 is 5 mm. Two direct current pipes are installed inside the heat exchanger 1 housing. The ribs 13 support and fix the two direct current pipes, which vertically penetrate the first chamber 11, the second chamber 12, and the first flow channel 130.

[0035] Preferably, see Figures 2 to 4 The first flow channel 130 of the present invention is a plurality of U-shaped structures connected end to end.

[0036] For example, see Figures 2 to 4 The first flow channel 130 of this invention comprises multiple U-shaped structures joined end-to-end. The U-shaped structures arrange the shell chambers in a serpentine pattern according to the shell's shape, and flow channels are also formed between the U-shaped structures. The upper end of the first flow channel 130 communicates with the third interface 131, and the lower end of the first flow channel 130 communicates with the fourth interface 132. A connecting channel 133 penetrates the first flow channel 130, connecting the first chamber 11 and the second chamber 12. The connecting channel 133 is located at the bend of the first flow channel 130.

[0037] When cold water enters the first chamber 11 and exchanges heat with the rib 13 on one side of the first flow channel 130, the cold water flows through the connecting channel at the bend of the first flow channel 130 and into the second chamber 12 to continue exchanging heat with the rib 13 on the other side of the first flow channel 130. The connecting channel 133 is located at the bend of the first flow channel 130, so the water flow can flow along the rib 13 to exchange heat with the first flow channel 130 inside the rib 13, thereby increasing the heat exchange effect between the hot water in the first flow channel 130 and the cold water in the first chamber 11 and the second chamber 12.

[0038] It should be noted that the specific layout structure of the first flow channel 130 is not limited to the above-described configuration. Depending on the actual application, those skilled in the art can configure the flow channel shape into an S-shaped structure, a Z-shaped structure, a spiral structure, or other irregular structures, as long as the effect of increasing the length of the first flow channel 130 can be achieved. Such adjustments and changes to the specific structure of the first flow channel 130 do not deviate from the principles and scope of the present invention and should all be limited to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0039] Furthermore, it should be noted that the structure of the connecting channel 133 is not limited to the above-described configuration. Depending on the actual application, those skilled in the art can use pipes to bypass the rib plate 13 to connect the first chamber 11 and the second chamber 12, as long as cold water can flow and exchange heat in the first chamber 11 and the second chamber 12. Such adjustments and changes to the specific configuration of the connecting channel 133 do not deviate from the principles and scope of the present invention and should be limited to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0040] Preferably, see Figure 3 and Figure 4 The housing of the present invention includes an upper housing 101 and a lower housing 102, with ribs 13 symmetrically distributed on the upper housing 101 and the lower housing 102.

[0041] For example, see Figure 3 and Figure 4The two ribs 13 are divided into upper and lower parts along the thickness direction. The upper rib 13 is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the upper shell 101, and the lower rib 13 is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the lower shell 102. The first chamber 11, the second chamber 12, and the first flow channel 130 are symmetrically distributed on the upper shell 101 and the lower shell 102. Two DC pipes are also symmetrically distributed on the upper shell 101 and the lower shell 102. For example, the shell is made of plastic. When the upper shell 101 and the lower shell 102 are closed, they are welded together to form a single unit.

[0042] It should be noted that the rib 13 is made of a material with good thermal conductivity, such as stainless steel, copper, or ceramic. Furthermore, the shell or rib 13 can also be made of thermally conductive plastics such as PA46 or modified PPS. Such adjustments and changes to the specific materials of the shell or rib 13 do not deviate from the principles and scope of this invention and should be limited to the protection scope of this invention.

[0043] Preferably, the thickness of the rib 13 is not less than 0.5 mm and not more than 4 mm; the spacing between two ribs 13 is not less than 1 mm and not more than 10 mm.

[0044] For example, the thickness of the rib 13 is set to 2 mm, and the distance between the two ribs 13 is set to 5 mm.

[0045] It should be noted that, depending on the actual application, those skilled in the art may also set the thickness of the rib 13 to 1 mm and the distance between the two ribs 13 to 3 mm, or the thickness of the rib 13 to 3 mm and the distance between the two ribs 13 to 6 mm, etc. Such flexible adjustment and change of the thickness of the rib 13 and the distance between the two ribs 13 does not deviate from the principle and scope of the present invention, and should be limited to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0046] Preferably, see Figure 3 The first interface 111 and the second interface 121 of the present invention are both formed on the upper housing 101 or the lower housing 102.

[0047] For example, see Figure 3 The first interface 111 and the second interface 121 are both formed on the upper housing 101. That is, the first interface 111 and the second interface 121 are both located on one side of the housing, which facilitates matching and connection with external pipelines and improves the overall aesthetics of the heat exchanger 1.

[0048] It should be noted that the first interface 111, the second interface 121, the third interface 131, and the fourth interface 132 are not limited to the above-described configuration. Depending on the actual application, those skilled in the art can arrange all of the first interface 111, the second interface 121, the third interface 131, and the fourth interface 132 on the upper housing 101, or all of the first interface 111, the second interface 121, the third interface 131, and the fourth interface 132 on the lower housing 102. Alternatively, the first interface 111 and the fourth interface 132 can be arranged on the upper housing 101, and the second interface 121 and the third interface 131 can be arranged on the lower housing 102. Such adjustments and changes to the specific positions of the first interface 111, the second interface 121, the third interface 131, and the fourth interface 132 do not deviate from the principles and scope of the present invention and should all be limited to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0049] Furthermore, it should be noted that the DC tube is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Depending on the actual application, the DC tube can also be horizontally arranged along the width of the housing, with the interfaces at both ends of the DC tube located on the same side as the first interface 111 and the second interface 121. Such adjustments and changes to the specific arrangement of the DC tube do not deviate from the principles and scope of the present invention and should all be limited to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0050] Finally, the present invention also provides a boiled water dispenser that includes the heat exchanger 1 described above.

[0051] Specifically, see Figure 5 The cooled boiled water dispenser of the present invention includes a heat exchanger 1, a switching valve 2, a first water pump 3, a second water pump 4, a heating element 5, a faucet 6, and a regulating valve 7. The first water pump 3 draws raw water to the second port 121 of the heat exchanger 1. The first port 111 of the heat exchanger 1 is connected to the water inlet of the heating element 5. The water outlet of the heating element 5 is connected to the third port 131 of the heat exchanger 1. The fourth port 132 of the heat exchanger 1 is connected to the second inlet 72 of the regulating valve 7. The first inlet 71 of the regulating valve 7 is connected to the water outlet of the heating element 5. The outlet 73 of the regulating valve 7 is connected to the faucet 6. The outlet of the heating element 5 is connected to the upper end of the second DC pipe 142, the lower end of the second DC pipe 142 is connected to the inlet of the second water pump 4, the upper end of the first DC pipe 141 is connected to the second inlet 72, the lower end of the first DC pipe 141 is connected to the inlet of the second water pump 4, and the outlet of the second water pump 4 is connected to the second interface 121.

[0052] When the cooled boiled water dispenser is activated in water-cooling mode, the switch valve 2 and the second water pump 4 are closed, while the first water pump 3 and the heating element 5 are activated. The first water pump 3 pumps cold water through the second interface 121 into the second chamber 12. After heat exchange with the first flow channel 130, the cold water enters the first chamber 11 through the connecting channel 130, and finally flows out through the first interface 111 into the inlet of the heating element 5. The heating element 5 heats the cooled water to boiling point. The boiling water then enters the first flow channel 130 through the third interface 131, where it exchanges heat again to form warm water. The warm water flows out through the fourth interface 132 to the second inlet 72 of the regulating valve 7. When the first inlet 71 of the regulating valve 7 is closed and the outlet 73 of the regulating valve 7 is opened, cooled boiled water is supplied to the faucet 6. Furthermore, the temperature of the cooled boiled water can be adjusted to a suitable level by regulating the flow rate of the boiling water through the first inlet 71 of the regulating valve 7.

[0053] When the high-temperature disinfection mode of the boiled water dispenser is activated, the switch valve 2 and the second water pump 4 are turned on, the heating element 5 is started, the first water pump 3 is turned off, and the first inlet 71, the second inlet 72, and the outlet 73 of the regulating valve 7 are closed. The second water pump 4 drives the water in the pipeline to circulate between the heat exchanger 1 and the heating element 5, performing high-temperature disinfection on the pipeline and the first chamber 11, the second chamber 12, and the first flow channel 130 within the heat exchanger 1.

[0054] Specifically, see Figures 1 to 5 In the initial stage, after boiling water exits from the outlet of the heating element 5, one stream of boiling water enters the first flow channel 130 and disinfects the first flow channel 130. The other stream of boiling water enters the second direct current pipe 142 and then passes through the second water pump 4 into the second chamber 12, sequentially disinfecting the second chamber 12 and the first chamber 11 at high temperature. Since the second chamber 12 and the first chamber 11 are initially filled with cold water, the warm water that has only exchanged heat through the first flow channel 130 will be sequentially discharged from the second chamber 12 and the first chamber 11 to the heating element 5 for heating, increasing the overall disinfection time. By diverting some heat through the second direct current pipe through the heat exchanger 1, heat loss from the heat exchange between boiling water and cold water is reduced, and the heating rate in the cold water chamber of the heat exchanger 1 is accelerated. Furthermore, the boiling water directly and quickly discharges the cold water from the second chamber 12 and the first chamber 11, increasing the heating rate of the water in the pipeline and shortening the initial stage time.

[0055] During the disinfection phase, when the initial phase lasts for a set time, such as 1 minute, the cold water in the pipeline and heat exchanger is heated to boiling water. This state is maintained for 5 to 10 minutes to disinfect the pipeline and heat exchanger 1 at a constant temperature. Since the water in the first direct current pipe 141, the second direct current pipe 142, the first flow channel 130, the first chamber 11, and the second chamber 12 is heated to boiling water temperature, there is a certain heat loss when the boiling water flows through the pipeline and heat exchanger 1, which are far from the heating body 5. When the water in the pipeline passes through the first direct current pipe 141 and the second direct current pipe 142, it can reduce the heat exchange loss at the heat exchanger 1, thereby ensuring that the boiling water can effectively disinfect the pipeline far from the heating body 5.

[0056] It should be noted that although the first DC pipe 141 of the heat exchanger 1 is used for warm water return, those skilled in the art can, depending on the actual application, connect the two DC pipes in parallel or in series to one end of the heating element 5, as long as the boiling water passes through the heat exchanger 1 and the water temperature in the pipe is kept at a constant sterilization temperature. Such adjustments and changes to the specific application scenario of the DC pipe of the heat exchanger 1 do not affect the deviation from the principle and scope of the present invention, and should all be limited to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0057] Furthermore, it should be noted that the application of heat exchanger 1 is not limited to the specific structure of the aforementioned boiled water dispenser. Depending on the actual application, heat exchanger 1 can also be used for heat exchange and temperature regulation in boiled water dispensers with different structures. Such use of heat exchanger 1 in different boiled water dispensers does not affect the deviation from the principle and scope of this invention, and should all be limited to the protection scope of this invention.

[0058] It should also be noted that the present invention does not impose any restrictions on the specific structure of the heating element 5, as long as the heating element 5 can heat and boil the water flowing through it. Those skilled in the art can set the structure of the heating element 5 according to actual needs. For example, the heating element 5 can be set as a tube with an electric heating wire, or it can be set as an electromagnetic heating device, etc. Such flexible adjustments and changes do not deviate from the basic principles and scope of the present invention and should all be limited to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0059] The technical solution of the present invention has been described above with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of protection of the present invention is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the principles of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make equivalent changes or substitutions to the relevant technical features, and the technical solutions after such changes or substitutions will all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, characterized by, The heat exchanger comprises a shell and at least two parallel arranged rib plates in the shell, the rib plates separate the shell into a first chamber, a second chamber and a first flow channel between the two rib plates; a connecting channel is arranged between the first chamber and the second chamber; the shell is provided with a first interface, a second interface, a third interface and a fourth interface; the first interface is in communication with the first chamber; the second interface is in communication with the second chamber, and the third interface and the fourth interface are in communication with two ends of the first flow channel respectively; The shell is further provided with at least one straight flow pipe penetrating through the first chamber and / or the second chamber.

2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein The straight flow pipe also penetrates through the first flow channel.

3. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein The connecting channel penetrates through the first flow channel.

4. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein The first flow channel is in a plurality of S-shaped, U-shaped, Z-shaped or spiral structures connected head to tail.

5. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein, The connecting channel is located at a bending position of the first flow channel.

6. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein The shell comprises an upper shell and a lower shell, and the rib plates are symmetrically distributed on the upper shell and the lower shell.

7. The heat exchanger of claim 6, wherein The first interface and the second interface are both formed on the upper shell or the lower shell.

8. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein, The thickness of the rib plate is not less than 0.5 mm and not more than 4 mm.

9. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein, The interval distance between the two rib plates is not less than 1 mm and not more than 10 mm.

10. A cold boiled water dispenser, characterized by, The heat exchanger comprises any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images