Micro flame control device, water heater and micro flame control method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a micro-flame control device, a water heater, and a micro-flame control method. The micro-flame control device includes a control module for controlling the heat load of a fire bar, wherein the fire bar has a preset minimum heat load. The micro-flame control device also includes a sensing needle located at the flame emission path of the fire bar. The control module is connected to the sensing needle and can apply a voltage to the sensing needle to detect the ion current generated by flame conduction on the sensing needle. The control module can adjust the heat load of the fire bar within a range below the minimum heat load based on the ion current and water temperature parameters. By adopting such a micro-flame control device, the heat load of the fire bar can be reduced to below the preset minimum heat load, thereby lowering the water temperature produced by the water heater and making the water heater more comfortable to use in hot weather.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of water heaters, and in particular to a micro-flame control device, a water heater and a micro-flame control method. Background Art

[0002] Existing water heaters all have a minimum combustion calorific value. This value is calibrated at a relatively stable minimum flame state by observing the flame's combustion state at the minimum stage. The corresponding proportional valve current value at this point is called the minimum current I'min. For users, a lower minimum load improves water comfort. Especially in summer, when the inlet water temperature is relatively high, a lower minimum load results in lower hot water temperatures (for example, with an inlet water temperature of 30°C and an outlet water temperature of 35°C). If the minimum load is too high, the outlet water temperature may be significantly higher than the set temperature, resulting in a poor user experience (for example, with an inlet water temperature of 30°C and a set temperature of 35°C, the water temperature will only reach 50°C and not drop below). Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the minimum load. However, to maintain a reliable minimum flame, reducing the minimum load means minimizing the number of fire bars burning at the minimum stage, which requires increasing the number of solenoid valves on the segmented pipes, which in turn increases costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the defect in the prior art that reducing the minimum load will cause increased costs, and to provide a micro-flame control device, a water heater and a micro-flame control method.

[0004] The present invention solves the above technical problems through the following technical solutions:

[0005] A micro-flame control device, suitable for a water heater, includes a control module for controlling the heat load of a fire grate, characterized in that: the fire grate has a preset minimum heat load, the micro-flame control device also includes a sensing needle arranged at the flame emission path of the fire grate, the control module is connected to the sensing needle, the control module can apply a voltage to the sensing needle to detect the ion current generated by flame conduction on the sensing needle, and adjust the heat load of the fire grate within a range below the minimum heat load based on the ion current and water temperature parameters.

[0006] By employing this micro-flame control device, the heat load of the fire grate can be reduced to below a preset minimum heat load, thereby lowering the water temperature produced by the water heater and making it more comfortable to use in hot weather. This avoids the problem of being unable to produce hot water at a lower temperature due to a high preset minimum heat load. Furthermore, because this method is implemented through a control module and sensor pins, it does not require modification to the layout or structure of the fire grate, resulting in low cost, compact size, and wide applicability.

[0007] Preferably, the ion current includes a preset minimum value, and the control module stops reducing the heat load of the fire grate when detecting that the ion current reaches the preset minimum value.

[0008] Since the ion current is positively correlated with the size of the flame, the larger the flame, the larger the ion current. Setting a preset minimum value for the ion current can avoid unlimited reduction of the flame causing the flame to go out, which is beneficial to improving the stability in the micro-flame working state.

[0009] Preferably, the control module can also adjust the heat load of the fire grate within a range above the minimum heat load based on the water temperature parameter. This is the water temperature regulation solution used by existing water heaters. In other words, the micro-flame control device can achieve both low-temperature water heating and water temperature regulation functions of existing water heaters, eliminating the need for additional conventional water temperature regulation devices, achieving structural reuse and reducing production costs.

[0010] Preferably, the fire grate is connected to a gas pipeline, a proportional valve connected to the control module is provided in the gas pipeline, and the control module adjusts the heat load of the fire grate by controlling the current of the proportional valve.

[0011] The control module can control the current of the proportional valve, and then adjust the opening of the proportional valve, thereby regulating the gas flow through the gas pipe, and ultimately achieving a regulation effect on the fire heat exhaust load.

[0012] Preferably, the current of the proportional valve includes a preset current corresponding to the minimum heat load of the fire bar. When the control module detects that the current of the proportional valve is greater than the preset current, it stops detecting the ion current. When the current of the proportional valve is greater than the preset current, the fire bar is within the operating range above the minimum heat load, thus reducing the risk of accidental flame extinguishment and eliminating the need for real-time monitoring of the flame size using the ion current. This helps reduce the workload of the control module and eases the difficulty of program development.

[0013] The present invention further provides a water heater comprising a gas passage, a plurality of fire bars connected to the gas passage, and the micro-flame control device as described above.

[0014] The water heater has the function of heating water in the range below the minimum heat load, thereby reducing the minimum water outlet temperature of the water heater and improving the comfort of use. It also has the advantages of low cost, small size and good applicability.

[0015] Preferably, the water heater includes a plurality of combustion sections, each combustion section corresponds to a different number of fire bars, the plurality of combustion sections share at least one fire bar, and the sensing needle is arranged at the flame emission path of the shared fire bar.

[0016] This enables the sensing needle to monitor the flame size of all combustion sections, thereby improving versatility.

[0017] Preferably, the water heater further comprises an ignition needle, and the ignition needle is arranged at the flame emission path of the common fire bar.

[0018] With such an arrangement, the ignition needle can ignite any combustion section in the water heater without the need to provide multiple ignition needles, which helps reduce manufacturing costs.

[0019] The present invention also provides a micro-flame control method, which is applicable to the micro-flame control device as described above, and is characterized in that it includes the following steps:

[0020] S10: Obtaining the preset water outlet temperature;

[0021] S20: Obtaining the required heat removal load according to the preset water outlet temperature;

[0022] S30: If the required heat removal load is less than the preset minimum heat load, heating the water flow under the premise that the heat removal load is not greater than the preset minimum heat load;

[0023] S40: On the premise that the ion current is greater than a preset minimum value, negative feedback regulation is performed on the fire heat exhaust load according to the real-time outlet water temperature, so that the outlet water temperature approaches the preset outlet water temperature.

[0024] By adopting the above method, the fire row in the water heater can be operated in a range below the preset minimum heat load, thereby reducing the lowest water outlet temperature of the water heater and improving the comfort during use.

[0025] Preferably, the step of heating the water flow under the premise that the fire exhaust heat load is not greater than the preset minimum heat load specifically includes:

[0026] The water flow is heated for a preset time at a preset minimum heat load. If the outlet water temperature after heating is lower than the preset outlet water temperature, the current load combustion is maintained. If the outlet water temperature after heating is higher than the preset outlet water temperature, step S40 is executed.

[0027] This method can quickly preheat the water flow, reduce the waiting time for the water to heat up, and further improve the comfort of use.

[0028] Preferably, in step S40, the steps of performing negative feedback regulation on the fire heat exhaust load according to the real-time outlet water temperature are as follows:

[0029] Determine whether the real-time outlet water temperature is greater than the preset outlet water temperature. If so, reduce the current of the proportional valve by a preset gradient. If not, increase the current of the proportional valve by a preset gradient, and repeat the above negative feedback adjustment steps.

[0030] By adopting the above method, the fire bar in the water heater can be operated in a range below the preset minimum heat load, thereby reducing the lowest water outlet temperature of the water heater and improving user comfort.

[0031] Preferably, the step of performing negative feedback regulation on the fire heat exhaust load according to the real-time outlet water temperature further includes:

[0032] After reducing the current of the proportional valve with a preset gradient, it is determined whether the ion current is greater than or equal to the preset minimum value. If so, the negative feedback adjustment operation is continued; if not, the adjustment is stopped and the proportional valve maintains the current working state.

[0033] This method can quickly preheat the water flow, reduce the waiting time for the water to heat up, and further improve the comfort of use.

[0034] Preferably, the step of performing negative feedback regulation on the fire heat exhaust load according to the real-time outlet water temperature further includes:

[0035] After increasing the current of the proportional valve with a preset gradient, determine whether the current of the proportional valve is less than or equal to the minimum current value of the proportional valve corresponding to the preset minimum heat load. If so, continue to perform negative feedback operation. If not, exit the micro-flame control logic and control the fire exhaust heat load with conventional constant temperature logic.

[0036] The above operation can realize the smooth switching between the conventional constant temperature control logic and the micro flame control logic, and avoid the situation where the system appears to be infinitely looped and unable to be switched out in the micro flame control logic.

[0037] The positive progress effect of the present invention is:

[0038] This reduces the heat load of the fire grate to below a preset minimum heat load, thereby lowering the water temperature produced by the water heater and making it more comfortable to use in hot weather. This avoids the problem of being unable to produce hot water at a lower temperature due to a high preset minimum heat load. Furthermore, since this effect is achieved through the control module and sensor pins, there is no need to modify the layout or structure of the fire grate, resulting in low cost, compact size, and wide applicability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 A perspective view of a micro-flame control device in a water heater;

[0040] Figure 2 A top view of a micro-flame control device in a water heater;

[0041] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of one of the combustion sections of a water heater;

[0042] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of one of the combustion sections of a water heater;

[0043] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of one of the combustion sections of a water heater;

[0044] Figure 6 This is a circuit diagram of the micro flame control device;

[0045] Figure 7 is a flow chart of the micro flame control method;

[0046] Description of reference numerals:

[0047] Control module 100

[0048] Sensor needle 200

[0049] Fire Bar 300

[0050] Gas pipeline 400

[0051] Proportional valve 410

[0052] Combustion section 420

[0053] Ignition needle 500 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] The present invention is further described below by way of examples, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of the examples.

[0055] Combine Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 6 The present invention provides a micro flame control device suitable for water heaters, comprising a control module 100 for controlling the heat load of a fire bar 300, wherein the fire bar 300 has a preset Minimum heat load Q1, where the preset minimum heat Load Q1 refers to the minimum combustion stage of fire row 300 At 420°, the minimum flame is calibrated by observing the flame's combustion state and determining a relatively stable minimum flame state. The minimum flame is stable, without flame separation, yellowing, or flashback. It should also be ensured that the minimum flame will not extinguish during long-term use of the water heater.

[0056] The micro-flame control device also includes a sensing needle 200 located at the flame emission path of the fire bar 300. The control module 100 is connected to the sensing needle 200. The control module 100 can apply voltage to the sensing needle 200 to detect the ion current generated by flame conduction on the sensing needle 200, and adjust the heat load of the fire bar 300 within a range below the minimum heat load Q1 based on the ion current and water temperature parameters.

[0057] The regulation principle is as follows: Since the flame is a high-temperature plasma, it has unidirectional conductivity. Therefore, after the control module 100 applies current to the sensing needle 200, it can be conducted through the flame to the metal fire bar 300, thereby generating an ion current on the sensing needle 200. Under the same applied voltage, the stronger the flame near the sensing needle 200, the greater the ion current generated. Therefore, the burning condition of the flame can be judged by the ion current.

[0058] In addition, the preset minimum heat load Q1 is based on stability considerations. Therefore, if the flame status can be monitored in real time to ensure that it does not go out, the flame size can be further reduced, that is, the heat load of the fire bar 300 can be reduced to a range below the minimum heat load Q1.

[0059] By employing this micro-flame control device, the heat load of the fire bar 300 can be reduced to below the preset minimum heat load Q1, thereby lowering the water temperature produced by the water heater and making it more comfortable to use in hot weather. This avoids the problem of being unable to produce low-temperature hot water due to a high preset minimum heat load Q1. Furthermore, because this method is implemented through the control module 100 and the sensor pins 200, there is no need to modify the layout or structure of the fire bar 300. Therefore, it has the advantages of low cost, small size, and wide applicability.

[0060] In this embodiment, the ion current includes a preset minimum value I min The control module 100 detects that the ion current reaches the preset minimum value I min When the heat load of the fire grate 300 is stopped, the fire grate 300 is kept working at the heat load. Since the ion current is positively correlated with the size of the flame, the larger the flame, the larger the ion current. A preset minimum value I is set for the ion current. min It can avoid the flame from being extinguished due to unlimited flame reduction, which is beneficial to improving the stability in the micro-flame working state.

[0061] In this embodiment, the control module 100 can also be used to control the minimum heat load Q according to the water temperature parameter. 1 or above, which is the water temperature regulation scheme adopted by existing water heaters. In other words, the micro-flame control device can realize the function of low-temperature water boiling and the water temperature regulation function of existing water heaters. There is no need to configure additional devices for conventional water temperature regulation, thus realizing structural reuse and reducing production costs.

[0062] Combine Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 6In this embodiment, the fire grate 300 is connected to the gas pipeline 400. A proportional valve 410 connected to the control module 100 is provided in the gas pipeline 400. The control module 100 can control the current of the proportional valve 410, and then adjust the opening of the proportional valve 410, thereby adjusting the gas flow flowing through the gas pipe, and finally achieving the regulation of the heat load of the fire grate 300.

[0063] In this embodiment, the current of the proportional valve 410 includes a preset current corresponding to the fire bar 300 being at the minimum heat load Q1. When the control module 100 detects that the current of the proportional valve 410 is greater than the preset current, it stops detecting the ion current. The reason is that when the current of the proportional valve 410 is greater than the preset current, the fire bar 300 is in an operating range above the minimum heat load Q1. Therefore, the risk of accidental flame extinguishment is low, and there is no need to monitor the flame size in real time through the ion current. This helps to reduce the workload of the control module 100 and reduce the difficulty of program development.

[0064] Combine Figure 1 and Figure 2 The present invention also provides a water heater comprising a gas passage, multiple fire bars 300 connected to the gas passage, and the micro-flame control device described above. The water heater heats water within a range below a minimum heat load Q1, thereby lowering the minimum outlet water temperature and improving user comfort. The water heater also offers advantages such as low cost, compact size, and good applicability.

[0065] Combine Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 In this embodiment, the water heater includes multiple combustion sections 420, each combustion section 420 corresponds to a different number of fire bars 300 for fire output, and multiple combustion sections 420 share at least one fire bar 300. The sensing needle 200 is arranged at the flame emission path of the common fire bar 300 of the combustion sections 420, thereby enabling the sensing needle 200 to monitor the flame size of all combustion sections 420, thereby improving versatility.

[0066] In this embodiment, the water heater further includes an ignition pin, which is located where the combustion section 420 overlaps the flame emission path of the fire bar 300. With this arrangement, the ignition pin can ignite any combustion section 420 in the water heater, eliminating the need for multiple ignition pins and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0067] Combine Figure 7 The present invention also provides a micro-flame control method, which is applicable to the micro-flame control device as described above, and comprises the following steps:

[0068] S10: Obtaining the preset water outlet temperature t2;

[0069] S20: Obtain the required heat load Q of the fire bar 300 according to the preset water outlet temperature t2, water inlet temperature t1 and water flow rate q. Specifically, Q = q(t2-t1);

[0070] S30: If the required heat load Q of the fire bar 300 is less than the preset minimum heat load Q1, the water flow is heated under the premise that the heat load of the fire bar 300 is not greater than the preset minimum heat load Q1. If it is greater than the preset minimum heat load Q, the heat load of the fire bar 300 is controlled using conventional constant temperature control logic;

[0071] S40: When the ion current is greater than the preset minimum value I min Under the premise of , the heat load of the fire block 300 is negatively feedback regulated according to the real-time outlet water temperature t3, so that the outlet water temperature t3 approaches the preset outlet water temperature t2. Specifically, the negative feedback regulation is achieved by judging whether the outlet water temperature t3 is greater than the preset outlet water temperature t2. If so, the current of the proportional valve 410 is reduced by a preset gradient △I; if not, the current of the proportional valve 410 is increased by the preset gradient △I, and the above negative feedback regulation steps are repeated, so that the outlet water temperature t3 can gradually approach the preset outlet water temperature t2.

[0072] By adopting the above method, the fire grate 300 in the water heater can be operated in a range below the preset minimum heat load Q1, thereby reducing the lowest water outlet temperature of the water heater and improving user comfort.

[0073] In this embodiment, the step of heating the water flow under the premise that the heat load of the fire bar 300 is not greater than the preset minimum heat load Q1 specifically includes:

[0074] The water flow is heated with a preset minimum heat load Q1 for a preset time. In this embodiment, the preset time is 20 seconds. If the outlet water temperature t3 after heating is less than the preset outlet water temperature t2, it means that the micro-flame control logic does not need to intervene at present, so the current load combustion is maintained. If the outlet water temperature t3 after heating is greater than the preset outlet water temperature t2, the micro-flame control logic is executed and step S40 is executed.

[0075] This method can quickly preheat the water flow, reduce the waiting time for the water to heat up, and further improve the comfort of use.

[0076] In this embodiment, the negative feedback regulation step further includes: after reducing the current of the proportional valve 410 by a preset gradient ΔI, determining whether the ion current is greater than or equal to a preset minimum value I min If yes, then continue to perform negative feedback regulation operation, if no, then stop regulation and make proportional valve 410 maintain I min Work to avoid accidental flame extinguishing and improve the operational reliability of the water heater.

[0077] In this embodiment, the negative feedback regulation step further includes: after increasing the current of the proportional valve 410 by a preset gradient ΔI, determining whether the current I' of the proportional valve 410 is less than or equal to the minimum value I' of the proportional valve 410 corresponding to the preset minimum heat load Q min If yes, continue to perform negative feedback operation, if not, exit the micro-flame control logic, and control the heat load of fire bar 300 with conventional constant temperature logic. The above operation can realize smooth switching between conventional constant temperature control logic and micro-flame control logic, avoiding the situation where the system appears to be infinitely looped and cannot be cut out in the micro-flame control logic.

[0078] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that these are merely illustrative and that the 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, and such changes and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A micro-flame control device, suitable for use with a water heater, comprising a control module for controlling the heat removal load of a fire, characterized in that: The fire grate has a preset minimum heat load, and the micro-flame control device further includes a sensing needle provided at a flame emission path of the fire grate. The control module is connected to the sensing needle, and the control module is capable of applying a voltage to the sensing needle to detect an ion current generated by flame conduction on the sensing needle, and adjusting the heat load of the fire grate within a range below the minimum heat load based on the ion current and water temperature parameters; The ion current includes a preset minimum value, and the control module stops reducing the heat load of the fire grate when detecting that the ion current reaches the preset minimum value; The fire grate is connected to a gas pipeline, a proportional valve connected to the control module is provided in the gas pipeline, and the control module adjusts the heat load of the fire grate by controlling the current of the proportional valve; The current of the proportional valve includes a preset current corresponding to the fire bar being at a minimum heat load. When the control module detects that the current of the proportional valve is greater than the preset current, the detection of the ion current is stopped.

2. The micro-flame control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control module can also adjust the heat load of the fire grate in a range above the minimum heat load according to the water temperature parameter.

3. A water heater, characterized in that: It comprises a gas passage, a plurality of fire bars connected to the gas passage, and the micro-flame control device as claimed in claim 1 or 2.

4. The water heater according to claim 3, wherein: The water heater comprises a plurality of combustion sections, each of which corresponds to a different number of fire bars for emitting fire, and the plurality of combustion sections share at least one fire bar, and the sensing needle is arranged at the flame emission path of the shared fire bar.

5. The water heater according to claim 4, wherein: The water heater further comprises an ignition needle, which is arranged at the flame emission path of the common fire bar.

6. A micro-flame control method, applicable to the micro-flame control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S10: Obtaining the preset water outlet temperature; S20: Obtaining the required heat removal load according to the preset water outlet temperature; S30: If the required heat removal load is less than the preset minimum heat load, heating the water flow under the premise that the heat removal load is not greater than the preset minimum heat load; S40: On the premise that the ion current is greater than a preset minimum value, negative feedback regulation is performed on the fire heat exhaust load according to the real-time outlet water temperature, so that the outlet water temperature approaches the preset outlet water temperature.

7. The micro-flame control method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The steps of heating the water flow under the premise that the heat load of the fire exhaust is not greater than the preset minimum heat load specifically include: The water flow is heated for a preset time at a preset minimum heat load. If the outlet water temperature after heating is lower than the preset outlet water temperature, the current load combustion is maintained. If the outlet water temperature after heating is higher than the preset outlet water temperature, step S40 is executed.

8. The micro-flame control method according to claim 6, characterized in that: In step S40, the steps of performing negative feedback regulation on the heat exhaust load according to the real-time outlet water temperature are as follows: Determine whether the real-time outlet water temperature is greater than the preset outlet water temperature. If so, reduce the current of the proportional valve by a preset gradient. If not, increase the current of the proportional valve by a preset gradient, and repeat the above negative feedback adjustment steps.

9. The micro-flame control method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The steps of negatively feedback regulating the fire heat load according to the real-time outlet water temperature also include: After reducing the current of the proportional valve with a preset gradient, it is determined whether the ion current is greater than or equal to the preset minimum value. If so, the negative feedback adjustment operation is continued; if not, the adjustment is stopped and the proportional valve maintains the current working state.

10. The micro-flame control method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The steps of negatively feedback regulating the fire heat load according to the real-time outlet water temperature also include: After increasing the current of the proportional valve with a preset gradient, determine whether the current of the proportional valve is less than or equal to the minimum current value of the proportional valve corresponding to the preset minimum heat load. If so, continue to perform negative feedback operation. If not, exit the micro-flame control logic and control the fire exhaust heat load with conventional constant temperature logic.

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