An electronic anode anti-corrosion system with TDS detection function

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic anode anti-corrosion system with a TDS detection function, which includes an electronic anode controller, a TDS controller, a probe and a switch control unit. The probe includes a mounting base and a positive electrode and a negative electrode fixed on the mounting base. The electronic anode controller and the TDS controller share the positive electrode. The switch control unit is electrically connected to the electronic anode controller and the TDS controller respectively. The switch control unit can make the electronic anode controller and the TDS controller selectively form a conduction loop with the positive electrode to respectively realize the electronic anode anti-corrosion function and the TDS water quality detection function. The beneficial effects are as follows: The electronic anode anti-corrosion module and the TDS detection module share a positive electrode, which optimizes the situation that originally required three electrodes and two mounting holes into only two electrodes and one mounting hole. This not only saves materials and reduces costs, but also reduces the risk of water leakage and simplifies the installation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of anti-corrosion of electric water heaters and water quality detection, and particularly relates to an electronic anode anti-corrosion system with a TDS detection function. Background Art

[0002] In order to prevent the inner tank of an electric water heater from being corroded, it is usually necessary to use a coated titanium rod (electronic anode) and / or a magnesium rod (sacrificial anode) to protect the inner tank. Among them, for electronic anode anti-corrosion, the positive electrode of an external power supply (electronic anode controller) is electrically connected to the coated titanium rod, and the negative electrode is electrically connected to the inner tank. After power-on, the inner tank is protected as the cathode, and the coated titanium rod has enhanced conductivity due to the presence of the surface coating and ensures that the titanium rod is not corroded and consumed when acting as the anode. Since poor water quality not only affects the life of the inner tank but also is harmful to people's health, more and more electric water heaters are equipped with a TDS water quality detection module for detecting the water quality of the inner tank. For example, the automatic descaling electric water heater disclosed in CN108253621A and the system for understanding the water quality of the inner tank of an electric water heater through a display device disclosed in CN206959358U both use a water quality monitoring module to measure the TDS of the inner tank water quality. The TDS detection principle is that by applying power to the positive and negative electrodes (6) of the TDS probe, a high and low electric field is formed, and the ions in the water move in a certain electric field direction to form a current. The greater the current, the greater the corresponding TDS value, and the more impurities and conductive ions in the water.

[0003] Currently, electric water heaters equipped with a TDS detection module usually also have an electronic anode anti-corrosion module. The two modules are independent of each other, and each needs to set an installation opening on the inner tank for installing the TDS probe and the coated titanium rod (electronic anode). The water quality detection by the TDS probe is generally non-persistent, with a long interval, such as power-on detection once every few hours, one day or several days, and each detection takes a very short time. For the coated titanium electrode to continuously protect the inner tank, it is generally continuously powered on. The two electrodes of the TDS probe are immersed in the water of the inner tank, and the coated titanium rod (electronic anode) is also immersed in the water of the inner tank. The usage scenarios are basically the same, but there is no precedent in the field of electric water heaters to integrate TDS detection and electronic anode anti-corrosion into one module for use. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electronic anode anti-corrosion system with a TDS detection function, which combines the electronic anode anti-corrosion module and the TDS detection module into one and shares one electrode, and reduces the number of installation holes on the inner tank and simplifies the installation.

[0005] The technical solution of the present invention to solve the above technical problems is as follows: An electronic anode anti-corrosion system with a TDS detection function, which includes an electronic anode controller, a TDS controller, a probe, and a switch control unit. The probe includes a mounting base and a positive electrode and a negative electrode fixed on the mounting base. The electronic anode controller and the TDS controller share the positive electrode. The switch control unit is electrically connected to the electronic anode controller and the TDS controller respectively. The switch control unit can make the electronic anode controller and the TDS controller selectively form a conduction loop with the positive electrode to respectively realize the electronic anode anti-corrosion function and the TDS water quality detection function.

[0006] On the basis of the above technical solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows.

[0007] Further, the positive output terminals of the electronic anode controller and the TDS controller are electrically connected to the positive electrode through wires. The negative output terminals of the electronic anode controller and the TDS controller are respectively electrically connected to the inner tank of the electric water heater and the negative electrode through the switch control unit. The switch control unit can, according to the set time sequence and / or a single input signal, make the negative output terminal of the electronic anode controller electrically connected to the inner tank of the electric water heater or make the negative output terminal of the TDS controller electrically connected to the negative electrode.

[0008] Further, the positive output terminals of the electronic anode controller and the TDS controller are electrically connected to the positive electrode through the switch control unit. The negative output terminal of the electronic anode controller is electrically connected to the inner tank of the electric water heater through a wire. The negative output terminal of the TDS controller is electrically connected to the negative electrode through a wire. The switch control unit can, according to the set time sequence and / or a single input signal, selectively conduct the positive output terminals of the electronic anode controller and the TDS controller with the positive electrode.

[0009] Further, the switch control unit includes a timing automatic switch circuit. The timing automatic switch circuit can make the positive output terminal of the electronic anode controller disconnect from the positive electrode after conducting for t1 time and immediately switch to make the positive output terminal of the TDS controller conduct with the positive electrode for t2 time and then disconnect, where t1 > t2. After the positive output terminal of the TDS controller disconnects from the positive electrode, the positive output terminal of the electronic anode controller conducts with the positive electrode again, and so on, continuously cycling and alternately conducting.

[0010] Further, the switch control unit further includes a manual button. When the manual button is pressed and triggered, the positive output terminal of the TDS controller conducts with the positive electrode for t2 time and then disconnects and automatically switches to the positive output terminal of the electronic anode controller to conduct with the positive electrode.

[0011] Further, the switch control unit includes a single-pole double-throw switch, which ensures that either the electronic anode controller or the TDS controller forms a conduction loop with the positive electrode. The switch blade of the single-pole double-throw switch is driven by a driving mechanism to switch between two closed conduction positions of the single-pole double-throw switch.

[0012] Further, a temperature sensor for detecting the water temperature in the inner tank of the water heater is also provided on the mounting base.

[0013] Further, the mounting base is a cap-shaped nut. The tails of the positive electrode and the negative electrode penetrate through the closed end of the cap-shaped nut and are fixedly connected. The open end of the cap-shaped nut has a thread matching the preset screw interface on the inner tank of the water heater.

[0014] Further, a display screen is also included. The display screen is signal-connected to the TDS controller to display the measured TDS value.

[0015] Further, the positive electrode is a coated titanium electrode, and the negative electrode is a bare titanium electrode.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0017] The electronic anode anti-corrosion module and the TDS detection module share a positive electrode, optimizing the original structure and installation method that require three electrodes (two electrodes of the TDS probe and one electronic anode) and two installation holes (one for installing the TDS probe and the other for the electronic anode) into only two electrodes and one installation hole. This not only saves materials and reduces costs but also reduces the risk of water leakage and simplifies the installation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 FIG. is a schematic diagram of the electronic anode anti-corrosion system with TDS detection function provided by the present invention after being installed on a water heater, where the switch control unit is electrically connected to the positive electrode;

[0019] Figure 2 FIG. is a schematic diagram of another electronic anode anti-corrosion system with TDS detection function provided by the present invention after being installed on a water heater, where the switch control unit is electrically connected to the negative electrode;

[0020] Figure 3 FIG. is a schematic diagram of the change of the current magnitude flowing through the positive electrode with time cycle during the use of the electronic anode anti-corrosion system with TDS detection function provided by the present invention. The electronic anode anti-corrosion function is realized in the time interval t1, and the function of measuring the water quality TDS is realized in the time interval t2.

[0021] In the drawings, the list of components represented by each reference numeral is as follows:

[0022] 1. Electronic anode controller; 2. TDS controller; 3. Switch control unit; 4. Mounting base; 5. Positive electrode; 6. Negative electrode; 7. Inner tank of electric water heater. Detailed implementation manner

[0023] The principles and features of the present invention will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. The examples given are only for explaining the present invention and are not used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0024] In the description of the present invention, if terms indicating directions such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. are used, the directions or positional relationships indicated are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

[0025] As Figures 1 to 3 shown, the present invention provides an electronic anode anti-corrosion system with TDS detection function, which includes an electronic anode controller 1, a TDS controller 2, a probe and a switch control unit 3. The probe includes a mounting base 4 and a positive electrode 5 and a negative electrode 6 fixed on the mounting base 4. The electronic anode controller 1 and the TDS controller 2 share the positive electrode 5. The switch control unit 3 is electrically connected to the electronic anode controller 1 and the TDS controller 2 respectively. The switch control unit 3 can make the electronic anode controller 1 and the TDS controller 2 selectively form a conduction loop with the positive electrode 5 to respectively realize the electronic anode anti-corrosion function and the TDS water quality detection function.

[0026] It should be noted that TDS detection is generally performed at relatively long intervals, and each detection takes a short time, only a few seconds or a dozen seconds to complete a detection. In addition, the TDS controller does not form a conduction loop with the positive electrode, that is, the positive electrode is used as an electronic anode to form a conduction loop with the electronic anode controller for the vast majority of the time. Of course, to realize the electronic anode anti-corrosion function, the electronic anode controller also needs to be electrically connected to the inner tank of the electric water heater. Specifically, the positive output terminal of the electronic anode controller is electrically connected to the positive electrode, and the negative output terminal is electrically connected to the inner tank to provide cathodic protection for the inner tank. To realize the TDS water quality detection function, in addition to being electrically connected to the positive electrode, the TDS controller also needs to be electrically connected to the negative electrode. The switch control unit is a component for selectively realizing the electronic anode anti-corrosion function and the TDS water quality detection function.

[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, as Figure 2As shown, the positive output terminals of the electronic anode controller 1 and the TDS controller 2 are both electrically connected to the positive electrode 5 through wires. The negative output terminals of the electronic anode controller 1 and the TDS controller 2 are respectively electrically connected to the electric water heater inner tank 7 and the negative electrode 6 through the switch control unit 3. The switch control unit 3 can, according to the set time sequence and / or single input signal, connect the negative output terminal of the electronic anode controller 1 to the electric water heater inner tank 7 or connect the negative output terminal of the TDS controller 2 to the negative electrode 6. In this embodiment, the switch control unit may include a timing automatic switch circuit. For example, this automatic switch circuit includes two timing cyclic start-stop modules at the same time. The set time sequence may specifically be that when one timing cyclic start-stop module connects the inner tank to the negative output terminal of the electronic anode controller, it remains energized for a time t1, and the other timing cyclic start-stop module disconnects the negative electrode from the negative output terminal of the TDS controller (i.e., remains disconnected) during this time interval. At the moment when the time t1 ends, the negative output terminal of the electronic anode controller disconnects from the inner tank and remains for a time t2, and during this time, the negative electrode of the TDS controller is electrically connected to the negative output terminal of the TDS controller. As time progresses, the above process continuously cycles.

[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, as Figure 1 shown, the positive output terminals of the electronic anode controller 1 and the TDS controller 2 are electrically connected to the positive electrode 5 through the switch control unit 3. The negative output terminal of the electronic anode controller 1 is electrically connected to the electric water heater inner tank 7 through a wire, and the negative output terminal of the TDS controller 2 is electrically connected to the negative electrode 6 through a wire. The switch control unit 3 can, according to the set time sequence and / or single input signal, selectively conduct one of the positive output terminals of the electronic anode controller 1 and the TDS controller 2 to the positive electrode 5.

[0029] In the above embodiment, the switch control unit 3 includes a timing automatic switch circuit. The timing automatic switch circuit can disconnect the positive output terminal of the electronic anode controller 1 from the positive electrode 5 after every conduction for a time t1 and immediately switch to conduct the positive output terminal of the TDS controller 2 to the positive electrode 5 for a time t2 and then disconnect, where t1 > t2. After the positive output terminal of the TDS controller 2 disconnects from the positive electrode 5, the positive output terminal of the electronic anode controller 1 is conducted to the positive electrode 5 again, and so on, continuously cycling and alternately conducting. In the above process, the current change of the positive electrode is as Figure 3 shown. The magnitude of the current only indicates that the currents are different when realizing two functions and does not represent the specific quantitative magnitude.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, the switch control unit 3 further includes a manual button. When the manual button is pressed and triggered, the positive output terminal of the TDS controller 2 is conducted with the positive electrode 5 for a time t2 and then disconnected, and automatically switches to the positive output terminal of the electronic anode controller 1 to be conducted with the positive electrode 5. This manual button is preferably an automatic reset button. The purpose of setting it is to enable manual real-time control for TDS water quality detection without waiting for a specific timing point for automatic detection, which is more flexible.

[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, as Figure 1 shown, the switch control unit 3 includes a single-pole double-throw switch. The single-pole double-throw switch ensures that either the electronic anode controller 1 or the TDS controller 2 forms a conduction loop with the positive electrode 5. The switch blade of the single-pole double-throw switch is driven by a driving mechanism to switch between the two closed conduction positions of the single-pole double-throw switch.

[0032] It can be understood that the driving mechanism can be a servo motor with an encoder or a telescopic mechanism (such as an electric cylinder) that can be programmed to control periodic telescoping. By the rotation of the servo motor and the telescoping of the telescopic mechanism, the single-pole double-throw switch is switched between the two closed conduction positions to achieve the functions of electronic anode anti-corrosion and TDS water quality detection respectively.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, a temperature sensor for detecting the water temperature in the inner tank 7 of the water heater is further provided on the mounting base 4. The water temperature has an obvious influence on the water quality TDS value. Usually, the water temperature cannot be too high when testing TDS. Therefore, setting the temperature sensor and electrically connecting it to the TDS controller helps to give the corresponding water temperature value when testing the TDS value, and also helps to measure the TDS value within a suitable temperature range.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the mounting base 4 is a cap nut. The tails of the positive electrode 5 and the negative electrode 6 penetrate through the closed end of the cap nut and are fixedly connected. The open end of the cap nut has a thread matching the preset screw interface on the inner tank 7 of the water heater.

[0035] It can be understood that when the cap nut is screwed and threadedly connected to the screw interface, it should be able to achieve water sealing to avoid water leakage. At the same time, the positive electrode and the negative electrode on the cap nut can be immersed in the water in the inner tank to ensure that they can achieve their functions in the required environment.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, a display screen is further included. The display screen is signal-connected to the TDS controller 2 to display the measured TDS value. The display screen can display the TDS value measured most recently or multiple times for the user to judge whether the water quality in the inner tank of the water heater meets the use requirements.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode 5 is a coated titanium electrode, and the negative electrode 6 is a bare titanium electrode. The coated titanium electrode can ensure that the titanium rod does not dissolve when it is used as the positive electrode connected to the positive terminal of the power supply (the output positive terminal of each controller), while there is no need to worry about the dissolution problem when it is used as the negative electrode connected to the negative terminal of the power supply, so a bare titanium electrode can be used.

[0038] The basic principle of the present invention is that a screw interface is provided on the inner tank of the electric water heater, and the probe is fixed to the screw interface through the mounting base. The positive and negative electrodes on the probe both extend into the inner tank and are immersed in water. The positive electrode is shared by the electronic anode anti-corrosion module and the TDS detection module. Through the switch control unit, the positive electrode can be selectively connected to the circuit where the electronic anode controller is located or the circuit where the TDS controller is located to respectively realize the functions of electronic anode anti-corrosion and TDS detection. After sharing one positive electrode, the situation that originally required three electrodes (two electrodes of the TDS probe and one electronic anode) and two mounting holes (one for mounting the TDS probe and the other for the electronic anode) is optimized to only require two electrodes (fixed on the same mounting base) and one mounting hole, which not only saves materials and reduces costs, but also reduces the risk of water leakage and simplifies the installation.

[0039] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic anode anti-corrosion system with TDS detection function, characterized in that, It includes an electronic anode controller (1), a TDS controller (2), a probe, and a switch control unit (3). The probe includes a mounting base (4), a positive electrode (5), and a negative electrode (6) fixed to the mounting base (4). The electronic anode controller (1) and the TDS controller (2) share the positive electrode (5). The switch control unit (3) is electrically connected to the electronic anode controller (1) and the TDS controller (2) respectively. The switch control unit (3) can make the electronic anode controller (1) and the TDS controller (2) selectively form a conduction loop with the positive electrode (5) to respectively realize the electronic anode anti-corrosion function and the TDS water quality detection function. The output positive terminals of the electronic anode controller (1) and the TDS controller (2) are electrically connected to the positive electrode (5) through wires. The output negative terminals of the electronic anode controller (1) and the TDS controller (2) are respectively electrically connected to the electric water heater inner tank (7) and the negative electrode (6) through the switch control unit (3). The switch control unit (3) can, according to the set timing and / or a single input signal, make the output negative terminal of the electronic anode controller (1) electrically connected to the electric water heater inner tank (7) or make the output negative terminal of the TDS controller (2) electrically connected to the negative electrode (6). Or the output positive terminals of the electronic anode controller (1) and the TDS controller (2) are electrically connected to the positive electrode (5) through the switch control unit (3). The output negative terminal of the electronic anode controller (1) is electrically connected to the electric water heater inner tank (7) through a wire. The output negative terminal of the TDS controller (2) is electrically connected to the negative electrode (6) through a wire. The switch control unit (3) can, according to the set timing and / or a single input signal, make the output positive terminals of the electronic anode controller (1) and the TDS controller (2) selectively conduct with the positive electrode (5). It further includes a display screen, and the display screen is signal-connected to the TDS controller (2) to display the measured TDS value.

2. The electronic anode anti-corrosion system with TDS detection function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switch control unit (3) includes a timing automatic switch circuit. The timing automatic switch circuit can make the output positive terminal of the electronic anode controller (1) disconnect from the positive electrode (5) after conducting for t1 time and immediately switch to make the output positive terminal of the TDS controller (2) conduct with the positive electrode (5) for t2 time and then disconnect. t1 > t2. After the output positive terminal of the TDS controller (2) disconnects from the positive electrode (5), the output positive terminal of the electronic anode controller (1) conducts with the positive electrode (5) again, and such continuous cyclic alternate conduction occurs.

3. The electronic anode anti-corrosion system with TDS detection function according to claim 2, characterized in that, The switch control unit (3) further includes a manual button. When the manual button is pressed and triggered, the output positive terminal of the TDS controller (2) conducts with the positive electrode (5) for t2 time and then disconnects and automatically switches to the output positive terminal of the electronic anode controller (1) to conduct with the positive electrode (5).

4. The electronic anode anti-corrosion system with TDS detection function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switch control unit (3) includes a single-pole double-throw switch, and the single-pole double-throw switch ensures that either the electronic anode controller (1) or the TDS controller (2) forms a conduction loop with the positive electrode (5). The switch blade of the single-pole double-throw switch is driven by a driving mechanism to switch between two closed conduction positions of the single-pole double-throw switch.

5. The electronic anode anti-corrosion system with TDS detection function according to claim 1, characterized in that, A temperature sensor for detecting the water temperature in the water heater inner tank (7) is further provided on the mounting base (4).

6. The electronic anode anti-corrosion system with TDS detection function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting base (4) is a cap-shaped nut. The tails of the positive electrode (5) and the negative electrode (6) penetrate through the closed end of the cap-shaped nut and are fixedly connected. The open end of the cap-shaped nut has a thread matching a preset screw interface on the water heater inner tank (7).

7. An electronic anode anti-corrosion system with a TDS detection function according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The positive electrode (5) is a coated titanium electrode, and the negative electrode (6) is a bare titanium electrode.

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