Gas water heater water temperature control device

Abstract

The present invention provides a water temperature control device for a gas water heater, which has the function of instantly heating water. That is, no matter when a user turns on the showerhead, the temperature of the water flowing out of the showerhead is the temperature set by the user on the water heater, eliminating the phenomenon of cold water flowing out of the showerhead at the beginning or during a bath. The heat exchanger includes an upper water tank and a lower water tank. The bottom end of the upper water tank and the top end of the lower water tank are connected by a water tank connecting pipe. One end of the water inlet pipe is connected to the tap water pipe, and the other end is connected to the left water inlet of the lower water tank. One end of the water outlet pipe is connected to the right water outlet of the lower water tank, and the other end is connected to the showerhead. One end of the return pipe is connected to the upper water tank, and the other end of the water outlet pipe is connected between the second water temperature sensor and the third water outlet valve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of gas water heaters, and in particular relates to a water temperature control device for gas water heaters. Background Art

[0002] Household gas water heaters are a very common type of water heater used for daily bathing in households. Their use typically involves turning them on, draining the water, bathing, and then shutting them down. Many users of gas water heaters have experienced this: after turning them on, they can't immediately start bathing when the water is still cold. The water needs to drain for a while before it can warm up, which not only wastes time but also water resources, leading to frequent complaints from users.

[0003] The main reasons why the shower water temperature cannot reach the set temperature in time are: first, when the shower is first turned on, the water in the heat exchanger is pushed into the pipe by the water pressure before it has time to heat up; second, the water in the pipe from the gas water heater to the shower flows out through the shower without being heated. The longer the pipe, the more water is stored in the pipe. All this water will be drained away.

[0004] Gas water heaters currently on the market often experience this problem: not only will the water temperature not reach the set temperature at the beginning of use, requiring the user to drain the water for a while before the outlet temperature returns to normal, but if the user temporarily turns off the water during a bath (which happens to almost everyone every time they bathe), the water temperature will fall below the set temperature when the shower is turned on again, requiring the user to drain the water again for a while before the temperature returns to normal. If the user pauses multiple times during a bath, this process of draining the water multiple times will be necessary to complete the bath.

[0005] Therefore, when users use ordinary gas water heaters for bathing, they not only waste time, but are also more likely to catch a cold or get sick in cold weather, especially for the elderly and infirm. Furthermore, because a large amount of water is released during the bathing process, it not only increases the user's living costs, but also wastes precious water resources, and it will cost a greater price to protect our living environment. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In order to solve the problem that the temperature of the water flowing out of the current household water heater cannot be maintained at the user's set temperature when the user turns on the shower head again after the start of a bath or a pause, and the water temperature can only gradually heat up after a period of water discharge, the present invention provides a water temperature control device for a gas water heater, which has the function of instantly heating the water. That is, no matter when the user turns on the shower head, the temperature of the water flowing out of the shower head is the temperature set by the user on the water heater, eliminating the phenomenon that the water flowing out of the shower head is cold water at the start of a bath or a pause.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0008] The water temperature control device of a gas water heater includes a heat exchanger, characterized in that: the heat exchanger includes an upper water tank and a lower water tank, the upper water tank and the lower water tank are both serpentine tube structures, connected and communicated by a horizontal pipe and a vertical pipe; the bottom end of the upper water tank and the top end of the lower water tank are connected through a water tank connecting pipe, a water tank solenoid valve is installed at the water tank connecting pipe, a breathing valve is provided at the top of the upper water tank, and a liquid level sensor is provided at the bottom; one end of the water inlet pipe is connected to the tap water pipe, and the other end is connected to the left water inlet of the lower water tank, and a water inlet valve and a water flow meter are provided at the water inlet pipe; one end of the water outlet pipe is connected to the right water outlet of the lower water tank, and the other end is connected to a shower head, a first water temperature sensor and a first water outlet valve are sequentially provided at the connection point between the water outlet pipe and the lower water tank along the water outlet direction, and a second water temperature sensor and a third water outlet valve are sequentially provided at the connection point between the water outlet pipe and the shower head along the water outlet direction; return water One end of the pipe is connected with the upper water tank, and the other end of the water outlet pipe is connected between the second water temperature sensor and the third water outlet valve. A one-way valve is provided at the connection between the return water pipe and the upper water tank, and a return valve is provided at the connection between the return water pipe and the water outlet pipe. A return water pump is also provided at the return water pipe near the one-way valve; the water outlet pipe is connected with a booster pump in parallel near the first water outlet valve, and a booster valve is provided at the connection between the booster pump and the water outlet pipe above, and a second water outlet valve is provided at the parallel section of the water outlet pipe and the booster pump; an air valve is provided on the water outlet pipe between the first water outlet valve and the second water outlet valve; a burner is provided below the lower water tank, and gas can enter the burner through a gas pipe to burn and generate flame and high-temperature flue gas. The flue gas can exchange heat with water in the heat exchanger, a proportional valve is provided at the gas pipe, and an induction needle is provided at the flame.

[0009] It is further characterized by:

[0010] The outlet pipe is connected to a drain pipe at a lower position, and a drain valve is provided at the connection between the drain pipe and the outlet pipe;

[0011] A smoke collecting hood is provided above the upper water tank, and the smoke can enter the flue through the smoke collecting hood and be discharged. A fan is provided in the flue, and a wind pressure switch is provided on the smoke collecting hood.

[0012] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the design of the water temperature control device of the gas water heater enables the water temperature to maintain the user's set temperature when the user turns on the shower switch again at the beginning of bathing or after a pause, and the water outflowing is hot water. However, when the user turns on the shower switch of an ordinary water heater again at the beginning of bathing or after a pause, the water temperature in the pipe drops and the water temperature must be drained for a period of time before it can slowly become hot. Therefore, the design of the water temperature control device of the gas water heater reduces the waste of users' domestic water consumption, reduces users' expenses, saves users' living costs, and also saves water resources and protects the environment. After bathing, the water stored in the pipe can be recycled into the water heater to avoid pipe rust and extend the service life of the pipe, eliminating the trouble of users replacing the pipes and saving users' expenses. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the water temperature control device structure of a gas water heater;

[0014] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the heat exchanger structure (side view);

[0015] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the heat exchanger structure (top view);

[0016] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the heat exchanger upper water tank;

[0017] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the heat exchanger lower tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In order to deepen the understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The embodiments are only used to explain the present invention and do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] The water temperature control device of the gas water heater includes a heat exchanger 130, which includes an upper water tank 201 and a lower water tank 206. The bottom end of the upper water tank 201 and the top end of the lower water tank 206 are connected through a water tank connecting pipe 204. A water tank solenoid valve 205 is installed at the water tank connecting pipe 204. The opening and closing of the water tank solenoid valve 205 can connect or isolate the upper water tank 201 and the lower water tank 206; a breathing valve 133 is provided at the top of the upper water tank 201, which is a valve of a mechanical structure. 01 is automatically opened or closed to achieve pressure balance in the upper water tank 201; a liquid level sensor 131 is provided at the bottom of the upper water tank 201; one end of the water inlet pipe 123 is connected to the tap water pipe, and the other end is connected to the left water inlet of the lower water tank 206. A water inlet valve 124 and a water flow meter 125 are provided at the water inlet pipe 123. When the water inlet valve 124 is opened, tap water enters the water inlet pipe 123, and enters the heat exchanger 130 through the water inlet flow meter 125 for heating. At the same time, the water inlet flow meter 125 measures the amount of water entering.

[0020] One end of the water outlet pipe 117 is connected to the right water outlet of the lower water tank 206, and the other end is connected to the shower head 106. The heated water flows out of the shower head 106 through the water outlet pipe 117 for the user to bathe. A first water temperature sensor 111 and a first water outlet valve 112 are sequentially provided along the water outlet direction at the connection point between the water outlet pipe 117 and the lower water tank 206. The first water temperature sensor 111 is used to measure the water temperature at the water outlet of the heat exchanger 130. A second water temperature sensor 108 and a third water outlet valve 107 are sequentially provided along the water outlet direction at the connection point between the water outlet pipe 117 and the shower head 106. The second water temperature sensor 108 measures whether the water temperature reaching the shower head 106 has reached a set temperature, so that the single-chip microcomputer 101 can determine whether to close the return valve 109 and open the third water outlet valve 107.

[0021] One end of the return pipe 118 is connected to the upper water tank 201, and the other end of the water outlet pipe 117 is connected to the second water temperature sensor 108 and the third water outlet valve 107. If the temperature of the water in the outlet pipe 117 when it flows to the shower head 106 is lower than the user's set temperature, it will not flow out of the shower head 106, but will flow back to the water heater through the return pipe 118 for reheating, thereby realizing circulating heating; a one-way valve 132 is provided at the connection between the return pipe 118 and the upper water tank 201, and a return valve 109 is provided at the connection between the return pipe 118 and the water outlet pipe 117. A return pump 129 is also provided near the one-way valve 132 of the return pipe 118. After the user finishes bathing, the water in the outlet pipe 117 can be recovered to the upper water tank 201 of the heat exchanger 130 through the return valve 109 and the return pump 129. During water return, the first outlet valve 112 and the second outlet valve 113 are closed to prevent the water in the lower water tank 206 from flowing out. At the same time, the booster valve 115 and the booster pump 116 are opened, and the return valve 109 and the return pump 129 are turned on to recover the water in the pipeline to the upper water tank 201. At this time, the air valve 114 automatically opens under the action of the negative pressure in the pipeline to suck in air, balance the pressure in the pipeline, and allow the water return to proceed normally. When the liquid level sensor 131 detects that the liquid level in the upper water tank 201 no longer changes (indicating that all the water in the pipeline has been recovered) or the water is full, the booster valve 115 and the booster pump 116 as well as the return valve 109 and the return pump 129 are closed, and the water return operation stops; the function of the one-way valve 132 is to prevent the water in the heat exchanger 130 from flowing back when it is full.

[0022] The water outlet pipe 117 is connected in parallel with a booster pump 116 near the first water outlet valve 112. A booster valve 115 is provided at the connection between the booster pump 116 and the water outlet pipe 117. A second water outlet valve 113 is provided at the parallel section of the water outlet pipe 117 and the booster pump 116. An air valve 114 is provided on the water outlet pipe 117 between the first water outlet valve 112 and the second water outlet valve 113.

[0023] The upper water tank 201 and the lower water tank 206 are both serpentine tube structures, connected by a horizontal pipe 202 and a vertical pipe 203. The function of the upper water tank 201 is mainly to store water recovered by the return pipe 118 after bathing, and the function of the lower water tank 206 is mainly to store and heat the water coming in from the tap water pipe during bathing; the purpose of designing the heat exchanger 130 as an upper and lower water tank and a serpentine tube is to facilitate the storage of water and the heat exchange, because the serpentine tube increases the contact area with the flue gas, and because there are gaps between the tubes, it is convenient for the heat of the flue gas 110 to be fully transferred to the water, and it is also convenient for the flue gas 110 to flow upward and be discharged.

[0024] The lower part of the water outlet pipe 117 is connected to the drain pipe 120, and a drain valve 119 is provided at the connection between the drain pipe 120 and the water outlet pipe 117. Its function is to discharge the water in the internal and external pipes when the user does not use the water heater for a long time to prevent the heat exchanger 130 and the pipes from rusting; when the water needs to be drained, the drain valve 119 is opened, the water tank solenoid valve 205 is opened, the first water outlet valve 112 and the second water outlet valve 113 are opened, and the water flows out of the drain pipe 120 naturally by its own gravity, and the negative pressure formed in the heat exchanger is balanced by the breathing valve 133.

[0025] A burner 126 is provided below the lower water tank 206. Gas can enter the burner 126 through the gas pipe 122 and burn to generate a flame 127 and high-temperature flue gas 110. The flue gas 110 can exchange heat with the water in the heat exchanger 130. A proportional valve 121 is provided at the gas pipe 122, and a sensing needle 128 is provided at the flame 127. The water volume signal detected by the water inlet flow meter 125 is input to the single-chip microcomputer 101. The single-chip microcomputer 101 controls the size of the gas intake by adjusting the opening of the proportional valve 121 according to the size of the water intake, that is, adjusts the size of the flame 127, so as to control the water temperature at the user's set temperature; the function of the sensing needle 128 is to sense whether a flame is generated by the ignition. When the flame signal is sensed, it means that the ignition is successful and the ignition stops.

[0026] A smoke collecting hood 105 is provided above the upper water tank 201. The smoke 110 can be gathered through the smoke collecting hood 105 and then enter the flue 104 and be discharged by the fan 103. A wind pressure switch 134 is provided on the smoke collecting hood 105. When the water heater switch is turned on, the fan 103 is started first to extract the air in the water heater. This can prevent the safety risks caused by the accumulation of unburned gas or exhaust gas in the water heater. The fan 103 can also be turned on in advance to prepare for the normal operation of the water heater. At the same time, the wind pressure switch 134 transmits a signal to the single-chip computer 101 after detecting negative pressure. Only when negative pressure is detected, indicating that the fan is working normally, can gas enter, the ignition switch can be closed, ignition heating can be carried out, and the water heater can work normally to avoid the smoke 110 being unable to be eliminated and causing safety hazards.

[0027] The single chip microcomputer 101 and the signal transmission line 102 transmit the sensor signals to the single chip microcomputer 101, and the single chip microcomputer 101 compares and calculates and then transmits the command to each actuator, such as the opening or closing action of the electromagnetic valve.

[0028] When the water heater is first used, the water tank solenoid valve 205 opens, connecting the upper and lower water tanks 201 and 206 via the water tank connecting pipe 204. If the liquid level sensor 131 detects that the upper water tank 201 is not full or empty, the water inlet valve 124 opens, allowing tap water to enter the lower water tank 206 through the water inlet pipe 123. Since the upper and lower water tanks are connected, when the lower water tank 206 is full, water enters the upper water tank 201. As the water level in the upper water tank rises, the air above the water surface in the upper water tank 201 is compressed. When the pressure reaches a certain level, the breathing valve 133 opens, releasing air to balance the pressure in the upper water tank 201. When the liquid level sensor 131 detects that the upper water tank 201 is full, the water inlet valve 124 closes, and the burner 126 ignites, starting heating. This avoids the safety risks of heating without water. At this time, the high-temperature flue gas heats the water in the upper and lower water tanks, and at the same time, the first water temperature sensor 111 detects the water temperature at the water outlet. When the temperature reaches the set temperature, the first water outlet valve 112 opens. Because the water inlet valve 124 is in a closed state, the tap water pressure cannot be relied upon to push the water flow. Therefore, the second water outlet valve 113 is closed, and the booster valve 115 and the booster pump 116 are opened to provide power. The water in the burner 126 flows into the water outlet pipe 117. When the second water temperature sensor 108 detects that the water temperature has not reached the set temperature, the return valve 109 is opened and the return pump 129 is turned on, so that the water flows back to the heat exchanger 130 through the return pipe 118 and the one-way valve 132 to continue heating. When the second water temperature sensor 108 detects that the water temperature has reached the user's set temperature, the return valve 109 is closed, the return pump 129 is turned off, and the third water outlet valve 107 is opened. At this time, the user turns on the shower head 106 to take a bath, and the water temperature is the set temperature. At this time, since the water inlet valve 124 is still in the closed state, as the water in the upper water tank 201 continues to flow into the lower water tank 206, the water continues to enter the water outlet pipe 117 from the lower water tank 206, and negative pressure is generated above the liquid level of the upper water tank 201. When the negative pressure reaches a certain value, the breathing valve 133 will open, and air will enter to achieve the purpose of balancing the internal pressure of the upper water tank 201. When the liquid level sensor 131 detects that the water level in the upper water tank 201 has dropped to zero, the water tank solenoid valve 205 is closed, isolating the upper and lower water tanks. The first water outlet valve 112 remains open, while the water inlet valve 124 and the second water outlet valve 113 are opened. The booster valve 115 and the booster pump 116 are closed, allowing tap water to flow into the lower water tank 206. The water in the lower water tank 206 flows under the pressure of the tap water, and the water heater enters the normal bathing state. In the normal bathing state, the heat exchanger 130 only uses the lower water tank 206, leaving the upper water tank 201 empty so that the water in the pipeline can be recovered after the bathing is completed.

[0029] The functions of the booster pump 116 and the return water pump 129 cannot replace each other. When the water heater is first used, there is no water in the outlet pipe 117 and the return water pipe 118, and they are empty pipes. The flow of water can only rely on the power provided by the booster pump 116; and when the water in the pipeline is recovered after the bathing is completed, the pipeline section where the booster pump 116 is located will soon be empty and cannot provide power for the flow of water, and can only rely on the return water pump 129 to provide it.

[0030] During the bathing process, if the user pauses and the second water temperature sensor 108 detects that the water temperature has not reached the set temperature, the inlet valve 124 closes, the return valve 109 opens, the return pump 129 is turned on, and the water tank solenoid valve 205 opens, connecting the upper water tank 201 and the lower water tank 206 via the water tank connecting pipe 204. This creates a circulating heating process from the heat exchanger 130, the outlet pipe 117, the return pipe 118, and then back to the heat exchanger 130. During this process, the third outlet valve 107 remains open, allowing hot water to flow out whenever the user turns on the showerhead 106. When the user resumes bathing after the pause, hot water immediately flows out of the showerhead 106. The liquid level sensor 131 detects a drop in the water level, signaling the end of the pause. The microcontroller 101 then closes the return valve 109 and the return pump 129. When the liquid level sensor 131 detects that the water level in the upper water tank 201 has dropped to zero, the water tank solenoid valve 205 is closed, isolating the upper water tank 201 from the lower water tank 206, and simultaneously opening the water inlet valve 124 to resume normal bathing. If the user pauses in the bathing process for more than a certain period of time, the water heater assumes that the user has finished bathing and then performs operations such as recovering the water in the pipes and shutting down the water heater.

Claims

1. A water temperature control device for a gas water heater, comprising a heat exchanger, characterized in that: The heat exchanger includes an upper water tank and a lower water tank, and the upper water tank and the lower water tank are both serpentine tube structures, which are connected and communicated by a horizontal pipe and a vertical pipe; the bottom end of the upper water tank and the top end of the lower water tank are connected through a water tank connecting pipe, and a water tank solenoid valve is installed at the water tank connecting pipe, a breathing valve is provided at the top of the upper water tank, and a liquid level sensor is provided at the bottom; one end of the water inlet pipe is connected to the tap water pipe, and the other end is connected to the left water inlet of the lower water tank, and a water inlet valve and a water flow meter are provided at the water inlet pipe; one end of the water outlet pipe is connected to the right water outlet of the lower water tank, and the other end is connected to the shower, and a first water temperature sensor and a first water outlet valve are sequentially provided at the connection point between the water outlet pipe and the lower water tank along the water outlet direction, and a second water temperature sensor and a third water outlet valve are sequentially provided at the connection point between the water outlet pipe and the shower along the water outlet direction; one end of the return pipe is connected to the upper water tank, and the other end The second water temperature sensor of the water outlet pipe at one end and the third water outlet valve are connected. A one-way valve is provided at the connection between the return water pipe and the upper water tank, and a return water valve is provided at the connection between the return water pipe and the water outlet pipe. A return water pump is also provided at the return water pipe near the one-way valve; the water outlet pipe is connected in parallel with a booster pump near the first water outlet valve, and a booster valve is provided at the connection between the booster pump and the upper part of the water outlet pipe, and a second water outlet valve is provided at the parallel section of the water outlet pipe and the booster pump; an air valve is provided between the first water outlet valve and the second water outlet valve; a burner is provided below the lower water tank, and gas can enter the burner through a gas pipe to burn and generate flame and high-temperature flue gas, and the flue gas can exchange heat with water in the heat exchanger, a proportional valve is provided at the gas pipe, and a sensing needle is provided at the flame.

2. The water temperature control device for a gas water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower part of the water outlet pipe is connected with a drain pipe, and a drain valve is provided at the connection point between the drain pipe and the water outlet pipe.

3. The water temperature control device for a gas water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that: A smoke collecting hood is provided above the upper water tank, and the smoke can enter the flue through the smoke collecting hood and be discharged. A fan is provided in the flue, and a wind pressure switch is provided on the smoke collecting hood.

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