Heat exchange module, water heater and heat exchange control method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a heat exchange module, a water heater and a heat exchange control method. The heat exchange module includes a heat exchange tube for passing water and a heat exchanger, the heat exchange tube includes a heat exchange section capable of performing heat exchange with the heat exchanger and a water volume sensor capable of detecting the water flow rate of the heat exchange tube, the heat exchange section includes a first heat exchange section and a second heat exchange section, the heat exchange module also includes a valve placed in the first heat exchange section or the second heat exchange section and a control module connecting the valve, the water volume sensor and the heat exchanger, the valve can control the on and off of the first heat exchange section or the second heat exchange section, and the control module can control the opening of the valve according to the water volume data measured by the water volume sensor after turning off the water. The present invention can formulate heat exchange strategies for small flow and large flow conditions respectively, and finally achieve the effect of stopping and then turning on the water without temperature drop, which greatly improves the customer experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of water heaters, and in particular to a heat exchange module, a water heater and a heat exchange control method. Background Art

[0002] Most models on the market cannot solve the problem of sudden drop in water temperature when the water is turned off. Even models with zero cold water can only ensure that the water temperature does not drop by starting the circulation function after the water is turned off. In most cases, the temperature drop problem cannot be solved.

[0003] The mainstream solution on the market is to solve this problem through zero cold water or thermal pool devices. On the one hand, it cannot completely solve the problem, and on the other hand, it is costly. At the same time, the existing solutions may also bring other problems, such as energy consumption problems, slow initial heating problems, etc. Summary of the invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the defect of the prior art that the water temperature drops suddenly when the water is turned off and then turned on again, and to provide a heat exchange module, a water heater and a heat exchange control method.

[0005] The present invention solves the above technical problems through the following technical solutions:

[0006] The present invention provides a heat exchange module, comprising a heat exchange tube for passing water and a heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchange tube comprises a heat exchange section capable of performing heat exchange with the heat exchanger and a water flow sensor capable of detecting the water flow rate of the heat exchange tube, the heat exchange section comprises a first heat exchange section and a second heat exchange section, the heat exchange module further comprises a valve disposed in the first heat exchange section or the second heat exchange section and a control module connecting the valve, the water flow sensor and the heat exchanger, the valve being capable of controlling the on and off of the first heat exchange section or the second heat exchange section, and the control module being capable of controlling the opening of the valve according to the water flow data measured by the water flow sensor after the water is turned off.

[0007] Through the above method, when the water volume is small, one of the two heat exchange sections can be closed and only one heat exchange section can be used, so that the water temperature can be increased at a faster rate. When the water volume is large, the amount of water outlet can be controlled to ensure that the flow rate reaches the maximum without temperature drop.

[0008] In summary, the present invention can formulate heat exchange strategies for small flow and large flow conditions respectively, and ultimately achieve the effect of stopping and re-boiling water without temperature drop, which greatly improves customer experience.

[0009] Preferably, the water volume data includes historical average water flow.

[0010] Preferably, the historical average water flow rate is an average value of the water flow rates measured during the first five water shut-off operations.

[0011] Preferably, the control module can calculate the historical average heat load based on the historical average water flow after turning off the water, and compare it with the preset maximum heat load of the heat exchanger. If the historical average heat load is less than the preset maximum heat load, the control module shuts off the valve placed in the first heat exchange section or the second heat exchange section. If the historical average heat load is not less than the preset maximum heat load, the heat exchanger is controlled to perform delayed heating to compensate for the preset maximum heat load, and the opening of the valve is controlled within the preset water outlet temperature range according to the compensated preset maximum heat load.

[0012] The control module will be placed after the valve in the first heat exchange section or the second heat exchange section is closed. Only one of the two heat exchange sections can perform the heat exchange operation, which reduces the heat exchange pressure of the heat exchanger, so the water temperature in the heat exchange section can be increased at a faster rate, reducing the temperature drop when the water is turned off and then on. At the same time, since the heat exchange pressure of the heat exchanger is low, the heat exchanger can maintain a higher temperature, and condensed water is not easy to appear, which increases the life of the heat exchanger, and the efficiency will not decrease after long-term use.

[0013] After the water is turned off, the heat exchanger continues to heat for a period of time to increase the water temperature in the heat exchange section, realize compensation for the preset maximum heat load, and control the valve opening at the same time, so that the total water flow in the heat exchange section meets the following conditions: under the preset maximum load condition after compensation, the final outlet water temperature fluctuation remains within the preset outlet water temperature range. That is, the total water flow is maximized when there is no temperature drop or the temperature drop is small. When the water is turned on again, firstly, because the total water flow is smaller than the water flow of conventional technology, the temperature rises faster after ignition. At the same time, the residual heat in the heat exchange section can heat the cold water flowing through by convection heating when ignited, further reducing the temperature drop when the water is turned off, and finally achieving the effect of no temperature drop when the water is turned off and then turned on again.

[0014] Preferably, the heat exchanger comprises a heat exchange fin and a heating device disposed below the heat exchange fin, and the first heat exchange section and the second heat exchange section are disposed through the heat exchange fin.

[0015] Preferably, the first heat exchange section is arranged above the second heat exchange section, and the valve is arranged in the first heat exchange section.

[0016] Since the heating device is located below the heat exchanger, the lower part of the heat exchanger has a higher temperature. Placing the second heat exchange section, through which water always flows, at a lower position can make contact with the heat exchanger with a higher temperature, thereby further accelerating the heat exchange rate.

[0017] Preferably, the heat exchanger further comprises a shell surrounding the heat exchange fins, and the heat exchange tube further comprises a surrounding section arranged around the shell.

[0018] As a result, the waste heat on the outer shell can be absorbed by the surrounding section, thereby further improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0019] The present invention also provides a water heater, comprising the heat exchange module as described above. The water heater using the heat exchange module also has the advantage of no temperature drop when the water supply is turned off and then turned on.

[0020] The present invention also provides a heat exchange control method, which is applicable to the water heater as described above, and comprises the following steps:

[0021] S10: After the water is turned off, historical water volume data is obtained;

[0022] S20: Calculating a historical average heat load according to the historical water volume data, and comparing the historical average heat load with a preset maximum heat load;

[0023] S30: When the historical average heat load is less than the preset maximum heat load, the valve in the first heat exchange section or the second heat exchange section is turned off; when the historical average heat load is not less than the preset maximum heat load, the heat exchanger is controlled to delay heating to compensate for the preset maximum heat load, and the opening of the valve is adjusted within the preset water outlet temperature range according to the compensated preset maximum heat load.

[0024] Preferably, after step S30, the method further includes:

[0025] S40: When water is discharged again, if the historical average heat load is less than the preset maximum heat load, the heat exchanger is controlled to output a compensating heat load greater than the preset heat load; if the historical average heat load is not less than the preset maximum heat load, the heat exchanger is controlled to output at the preset maximum heat load.

[0026] Preferably, the historical water volume data is an average value of water flow rates measured during the previous five water shut-off operations.

[0027] The positive and progressive effects of the present invention are:

[0028] The present invention can formulate heat exchange strategies for small flow and large flow conditions respectively, and ultimately achieve the effect of stopping and re-boiling the water without temperature drop, which greatly improves the customer experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional diagram of a heat exchange module;

[0030] Figure 2 It is the front view of the heat exchange module;

[0031] Figure 3 A simplified view of a water heater;

[0032] Figure 4 It is the electrical connection diagram in the heat exchange module;

[0033] Figure 5 is a flow chart of a heat exchange control method;

[0034] Description of reference numerals:

[0035] Heat exchange module 10

[0036] Heat Exchanger 100

[0037] Heat exchange tube 110

[0038] The first heat exchange section 111

[0039] Valve 112

[0040] The second heat exchange section 113

[0041] Surrounding segment 114

[0042] Water level sensor 120

[0043] Housing 130

[0044] Heat exchanger 140

[0045] Heating device 150

[0046] Control module 200 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The present invention is further described below by way of examples, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of the examples.

[0048] Combination Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The present invention provides a heat exchange module 10 for heating water in a water heater. The heat exchange module 10 includes a heat exchange tube 110 for passing water and a heat exchanger 100. The heat exchange tube 110 includes a heat exchange section capable of performing heat exchange with the heat exchanger 100 and a water flow sensor 120 capable of detecting the water flow of the heat exchange tube 110. When in use, the heat exchanger 100 is heated, and the heat exchange tube 110 flows through the heated heat exchanger 100 so that the water in the heat exchange section is heated, so that the water heater obtains hot water.

[0049] Combination Figure 4 In this embodiment, the heat exchange section includes a first heat exchange section 111 and a second heat exchange section 113 that are separately arranged. The heat exchange module 10 also includes a valve 112 disposed in the first heat exchange section 111 or the second heat exchange section 113 and a control module 200 that connects the valve 112, the water volume sensor 120 and the heat exchanger 100.

[0050] The valve 112 is a proportional valve 112, which can control the opening and closing of the first heat exchange section 111 or the second heat exchange section 113 and the water flow rate by controlling the opening of the valve 112. The control module 200 can be a microcontroller chip or MCU. The control module 200 can control the opening of the valve 112 according to the water volume data measured by the water volume sensor 120.

[0051] Through the above method, when the water volume is small, one of the two heat exchange sections can be closed and only one heat exchange section can be used, so that the water temperature can be increased at a faster rate. When the water volume is large, the amount of water outlet can be controlled to ensure that the flow rate reaches the maximum without temperature drop.

[0052] In summary, the present invention can formulate heat exchange strategies for small flow and large flow conditions respectively, and ultimately achieve the effect of stopping and re-boiling water without temperature drop, which greatly improves customer experience.

[0053] In this embodiment, the water volume data is the historical average water flow rate, specifically, the average value of the water flow rate measured by the water volume sensor 120 during the previous five water shut-off operations. This can be used to determine the user's current usage status and subsequently determine the temperature control strategy to be used.

[0054] In this embodiment, the control module 200 can calculate the historical average heat load based on the historical average water flow rate, and compare it with the preset maximum heat load of the heat exchanger 100. If the historical average heat load is less than the preset maximum heat load, it can be determined that the heating pressure of the heat exchanger 100 is relatively small at this time, and the control module 200 will turn off the valve 112 placed in the first heat exchange section 111 or the second heat exchange section 113. As a result, only one of the two heat exchange sections performs the heat exchange operation, which reduces the heat exchange pressure of the heat exchanger 100, so that the water temperature in the heat exchange section can be increased at a faster rate, reducing the temperature drop when the water is turned off and then turned on. At the same time, since the heat exchange pressure of the heat exchanger 100 is relatively low, the heat exchanger 100 can maintain a relatively high temperature, and condensed water is not easy to appear, which increases the life of the heat exchanger 100, and the efficiency will not be reduced after long-term use.

[0055] When the historical average heat load is not less than the preset maximum heat load, it can be determined that the heating pressure of the heat exchanger 100 is relatively large at this time. Therefore, the water temperature in the heat exchange section can be increased by continuing to heat for a period of time after the water is turned off to compensate for the preset maximum heat load. At the same time, the opening of the control valve 112 is controlled so that the total water flow in the heat exchange section meets the following conditions: under the preset maximum load condition after compensation, the final water outlet temperature fluctuation is maintained within the preset water outlet temperature range. That is, the total water flow is maximized when there is no temperature drop or a small temperature drop. When the water is turned on again, firstly, because the total water flow is smaller than the water flow of conventional technology, the temperature rises faster after ignition. At the same time, the residual temperature in the heat exchange section can heat the cold water flowing through during ignition by heat convection heating, further reducing the temperature drop when the water is turned off, and finally achieving the effect of no temperature drop when the water is turned off and then turned on again.

[0056] Combination Figure 1 and Figure 3 In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 100 includes a heat exchange sheet 140 and a heating device 150 disposed below the heat exchange sheet 140. The plurality of heat exchange sheets 140 are arranged in a fin shape or a fin shape, and the first heat exchange section 111 and the second heat exchange section 113 are disposed in the heat exchange sheet 140. The heating device 150 can heat the heat exchange sheet 140.

[0057] The first heat exchange section 111 and the second heat exchange section 113 are arranged in a high-low arrangement, and the first heat exchange section 111 is arranged above the second heat exchange section 113. The valve 112 is arranged in the first heat exchange section 111, that is, the valve 112 is arranged in the upper heat exchange section. The reason for adopting the above design is that: since the heating device 150 is located below the heat exchange plate 140, the lower position of the heat exchange plate 140 has a higher temperature, and the second heat exchange section 113, through which water always flows, is arranged at a lower position so that it can contact the heat exchange plate 140 with a higher temperature, thereby further accelerating the heat exchange speed.

[0058] Combination Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 100 further includes a shell 130 arranged around the heat exchange fins 140, and the heat exchange tube 110 further includes a surrounding section 114 arranged around the shell 130. Thus, the surrounding section 114 can absorb the residual heat on the shell 130, further improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0059] Combination Figure 3 The present invention further provides a water heater, comprising the heat exchange module 10 as described above. The water heater using the heat exchange module 10 also has the advantage of no temperature drop when the water supply is turned off and then turned on again.

[0060] Combination Figure 5 The present invention also provides a heat exchange control method, which is applicable to the water heater as described above, and comprises the following steps:

[0061] S10: When the water supply stops, the historical water volume data Q1 is obtained. Specifically, in the present invention, the historical The water volume data Q1 is an average value of the water flow rates measured during the previous five water shut-off operations.

[0062] S20: Calculate the historical average heat load according to the historical water volume data, and compare the historical average heat load with the preset maximum heat load X;

[0063] S30: When the historical average heat load is less than the preset maximum heat load X, the valve 112 disposed in the first heat exchange section 111 or the second heat exchange section 113 is turned off; when the historical average heat load is not less than the preset maximum heat load X, the heat exchanger 100 is controlled to delay heating to compensate for the preset maximum heat load, and the opening of the valve 112 is adjusted within the preset water outlet temperature range according to the compensated preset maximum heat load. Specifically, in the present invention, the delayed heating step is that the heat exchanger 100 heats the preset time T1 with the preset load F, and the preset load F and the preset time T1 satisfy: after heating, the water temperature in the heat exchanger 100 is higher than the preset temperature by 2°C. Specifically, in the present invention, the adjustment of the opening of the valve 112 within the preset water outlet temperature range according to the compensated preset maximum heat load specifically includes: adjusting the opening of the valve 112 so that the total water flow Q2 satisfies: Q2=X / (T 设定 -T 进水 )*N2L / min, where Q2≥2.5L / min, T 设定 is the set water outlet temperature, T 进水 is the measured water inlet temperature, N2 is a compensation constant, wherein the compensation constant N2 can make the total water flow rate Q2, and when the heat exchanger 100 works at the preset maximum heat load X, the water outlet temperature is within the preset water outlet temperature range.

[0064] In this embodiment, after step S30, the following steps are further included:

[0065] S40: When water is discharged again, if the historical average heat load is less than the preset maximum heat load X, the heat exchanger 100 is controlled to output a compensating heat load Q1 greater than the preset heat load; if the historical average heat load is not less than the preset maximum heat load X, the heat exchanger 100 is controlled to output the preset maximum heat load X. In the present invention, the compensating heat load satisfies: Compensating heat load = Q1*(T 设定 -T 进水 )*N1%, where N1 is a compensation constant, and the compensation constant can make the final outlet water temperature higher than the preset temperature by 2°C when the heat exchanger 100 works to compensate the heat load, thereby further improving the heating speed and reducing the temperature drop after the outlet water.

[0066] Although the specific embodiments of the present invention are described above, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that this is only for illustration and the protection scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art may make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of the present invention, but these changes and modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A heat exchange module, comprising a heat exchange tube for passing water and a heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchange tube comprises a heat exchange section capable of performing heat exchange with the heat exchanger and a water flow sensor capable of detecting the water flow of the heat exchange tube, characterized in that: The heat exchange section includes a first heat exchange section and a second heat exchange section. The heat exchange module also includes a valve disposed in the first heat exchange section or the second heat exchange section and a control module connected to the valve, the water volume sensor and the heat exchanger. The valve can control the on and off of the first heat exchange section or the second heat exchange section. The control module can control the opening of the valve according to the water volume data measured by the water volume sensor after the water is turned off. The water volume data includes a historical average water flow rate. The control module can calculate the historical average heat load according to the historical average water flow rate after the water is turned off, and compare it with the preset maximum heat load of the heat exchanger. If the historical average heat load is less than the preset maximum heat load, the control module turns off the valve disposed in the first heat exchange section or the second heat exchange section. If the historical average heat load is not less than the preset maximum heat load, the heat exchanger is controlled to perform delayed heating to compensate for the preset maximum heat load, and the opening of the valve is controlled within a preset water outlet temperature range according to the compensated preset maximum heat load.

2. The heat exchange module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The historical average water flow rate is the average value of the water flow rates measured during the previous five water shut-off operations.

3. The heat exchange module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat exchanger comprises a heat exchange fin and a heating device arranged below the heat exchange fin, and the first heat exchange section and the second heat exchange section are arranged through the heat exchange fin.

4. The heat exchange module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first heat exchange section is arranged above the second heat exchange section, and the valve is arranged in the first heat exchange section.

5. The heat exchange module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat exchanger further includes a heat exchange fin and a shell surrounding the heat exchange fin, and the heat exchange tube further includes a surrounding section arranged around the shell.

6. A water heater, characterized in that: The heat exchange module comprises the heat exchange module as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A heat exchange control method, applicable to the water heater according to claim 6, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S10: After the water is turned off, historical water volume data is obtained; S20: Calculating a historical average heat load according to the historical water volume data, and comparing the historical average heat load with a preset maximum heat load; S30: When the historical average heat load is less than the preset maximum heat load, the valve in the first heat exchange section or the second heat exchange section is turned off; when the historical average heat load is not less than the preset maximum heat load, the heat exchanger is controlled to delay heating to compensate for the preset maximum heat load, and the opening of the valve is adjusted within the preset water outlet temperature range according to the compensated preset maximum heat load.

8. The heat exchange control method according to claim 7, characterized in that: After step S30, the method further includes: S40: When water is discharged again, if the historical average heat load is less than the preset maximum heat load, the heat exchanger is controlled to output a compensating heat load greater than the preset heat load; if the historical average heat load is not less than the preset maximum heat load, the heat exchanger is controlled to output at the preset maximum heat load.

9. The heat exchange control method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The historical water volume data is an average value of the water flow rates measured during the previous five water shut-off operations.

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