A bathroom temperature control device based on gas-electric hybrid and its control system

Abstract

The present invention discloses a bathroom temperature control device based on a gas-electric hybrid system. The device comprises a temperature control device body, a control IC, a dual electric valve control module, a first electric valve, a check valve, and a second electric valve. The temperature control device body is provided with a hot water pipe, a cold water pipe, and a return pipe, with the return pipe connected between the hot water pipe and the cold water pipe. The control IC is connected to the dual electric valve control module, and the first electric valve and the second electric valve are connected and controlled by the dual electric valve control module. The check valve and the second electric valve are respectively installed in the return pipe. The second electric valve can close the return pipe, completely isolating the hot water pipe from the cold water pipe. The hot water pipe is connected to an atomizing pipe, the output end of the atomizing pipe is connected to an atomizing nozzle, and the first electric valve is provided on the atomizing pipe to control the opening and closing of the atomizing nozzle. The present invention can achieve rapid bathroom heating while ensuring a constant bathing temperature. Through adaptive control, the rapid heating process is optimized, shortening the heating time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of water heaters, and more particularly to a bathroom temperature control device and a control system thereof. Background Art

[0002] In winter, users in areas without heating experience a lower perceived temperature in their bathrooms. Currently, bathrooms are typically heated using electric heating methods like fan heaters or heat pumps. Conventional bathroom heating methods, typically installed in the ceiling, have limited heating capacity, often leading to a "hot head, cold feet" experience and limited comfort. Furthermore, fan heaters and heat pumps often lack stable power supply in bathrooms, requiring battery power and frequent replacement. This requires further improvement in bathroom temperature control. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to address the deficiencies of the prior art and to provide a bathroom temperature control device based on gas-electric hybrid which has a simple structure, can heat the bathroom environment, optimize the rapid heating process, and shorten the heating time.

[0004] Another object of the present invention is to provide a bathroom temperature control system based on gas-electric hybrid.

[0005] The present invention adopts the following technical solutions to achieve the above-mentioned purpose: a bathroom temperature control device based on gas-electric hybrid, characterized in that it includes a temperature control device body, a control IC, a dual electric valve control module, electric valve 1, a one-way valve and electric valve 2. The temperature control device body is provided with a hot water pipe, a cold water pipe and a return pipe, and the return pipe is connected between the hot water pipe and the cold water pipe; the control IC is connected to the dual electric valve control module, and the dual electric valve control module is used to connect and control electric valve 1 and electric valve 2.

[0006] The one-way valve and the electric valve 2 are respectively installed in the return pipe. The electric valve 2 can close the return pipe and completely separate the hot water pipe and the cold water pipe.

[0007] The hot water pipeline is connected with an atomizing pipeline, the output end of the atomizing pipeline is connected with an atomizing nozzle, and an electric valve is arranged on the atomizing pipeline to control the on-off of the atomizing nozzle.

[0008] As a further illustration of the above solution, the hot water pipe is provided with a hot water inlet and a hot water outlet; the cold water pipe is provided with a cold water inlet and a cold water outlet.

[0009] Furthermore, the atomizing pipe is connected between the hot water inlet and the hot water outlet, and a hot water temperature probe is provided in the hot water pipe.

[0010] Furthermore, the control IC is connected to a power supply module, which includes a power supply management module and a battery box connected thereto. The battery box contains batteries and supplies power to the control part. The power management module is connected to an external power supply interface. A impeller water flow generator is installed on the hot water pipe, and the impeller water flow generator is connected to the external power supply interface to charge the power supply module. In standby mode, an external power supply, such as a power bank or a DC power supply, can also be used for charging through the external power supply interface.

[0011] A bathroom temperature control system based on gas-electric hybrid, characterized in that it includes a bathroom temperature control terminal arranged at a water use point, a water heater body, a hot water pipeline connected between the water heater body and the bathroom temperature control device, and a cold water pipeline connected to the tap water pipeline; the water heater body is provided with a water pump and an electric heating module.

[0012] The bathroom temperature control terminal is equipped with an atomizing nozzle, a control IC, and a wireless communication module and an ambient temperature probe connected to the control IC. The ambient temperature in the bathroom is monitored by the ambient temperature probe. The control IC communicates with the water heater body through the wireless communication module to control the working status of the atomizing nozzle.

[0013] After starting the atomizing nozzle, the bathroom temperature control terminal records the bathroom's ambient temperature T1. After the water heater detects the water flow signal, it starts the electric heating module and water pump for heating, starts timing the heating time as t, and detects the bathroom temperature as T2. When the temperature rise K reaches the set value, the bathroom heating is completed, and the bathroom temperature control terminal sends a completion signal to the water heater.

[0014] The water heater body detects the water flow rate Q. When Q is less than the minimum flow rate Q1 for gas heating, the water temperature is controlled only by the electric heating module. When Q is greater than the minimum flow rate Q1 for gas heating and less than the maximum flow rate Q2 for electric heating, the gas is at minimum load and the temperature is controlled by adjusting the electric heating power. When Q is greater than the maximum flow rate Q2 for electric heating, the electric heating is at rated power and the temperature is controlled by adjusting the gas load.

[0015] Furthermore, bathroom temperature control terminals are respectively installed at multiple water use points, and different circuits are formed by switching the electric valves 2 of different bathroom temperature control terminals.

[0016] The beneficial effects that can be achieved by the present invention by adopting the above technical solutions are:

[0017] The water heater used in the present invention contains an electric heating module, which can ensure that water can still be heated at low flow rate, and prevent the pipe resistance from being too high, resulting in the water flow rate not meeting the water heater startup combustion conditions. Moreover, it can be linked with the bathroom temperature control terminal, and the water in the pipe can be atomized through the atomizing nozzle to heat the bathroom, and the rapid bathroom heating can be achieved through software control while ensuring that the bathing temperature remains unchanged; through adaptive control, the rapid heating process is optimized and the heating time is shortened; insulation during bathing, in addition to preventing the temperature in the bathroom from dropping, can also allow hot water to continue to flow into the hot water pipe, preventing the hot water in the hot water pipe from becoming cold water due to heat loss; because the water heater continues to work at low load, it can also prevent cold water from being turned on; using an adjustable speed water pump, the heated bathroom is kept warm without affecting the water temperature in the pipe; charging the battery by generating electricity through water flow can extend the charging interval; the charging voltage also serves as a water flow signal to inform the control IC whether there is water flowing through, and the operation is simple and convenient. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of the terminal control system of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the controller of the terminal control system.

[0020] Figure 3 It is a flow chart of bathroom heating for gas-electric hybrid models.

[0021] Figure 4 It is a flow chart of the adaptive rapid heating function.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a flow chart of heating during bathing.

[0023] Figure 6 It is a flow chart of water pump speed regulation and thermal insulation.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a diagram of the installation for a single bathroom.

[0025] Figure 8 This is a diagram of an installation for multiple bathrooms.

[0026] Explanation of the accompanying drawings: 1. Temperature control device body 1-1, hot water pipe 1-2, cold water pipe 1-3, return pipe 1-4, atomizing pipe 1-5, hot water inlet 1-6, hot water outlet 1-7, cold water inlet 1-8, cold water outlet 2, control IC 3, dual electric valve control module 4, electric valve one 5, one-way valve 6, electric valve two 7, atomizing nozzle 8, hot water temperature probe 9, power supply module 9-1, power supply management module 9-2, battery box 9-3, external power supply interface 10, impeller water flow generator 11, bathroom temperature control terminal 12, water heater body 13, hot water pipe 14, cold water pipe 15, wireless communication module 16, ambient temperature probe 17, adjustable speed water pump 18, electric heating module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, for directional words, such as the terms "center", "horizontal", "longitudinal", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and the like, indicating directions and positional relationships, are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and cannot be understood as limiting the specific scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features. Therefore, the terms "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of these features. Throughout the description of the present invention, "at least" means one or more than one, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0029] In the present invention, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "assemble," "connect," and "connect" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integral connection; mechanical connection; direct connection, connection through an intermediate medium, or internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on specific circumstances.

[0030] In the present invention, unless otherwise specified or limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features being in contact not directly but through another feature therebetween. Furthermore, a first feature being "above," "below," and "above" a second feature may include the first feature being directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "above," "below," and "below" a second feature may include the first feature being directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0031] The following description of the embodiments of the present invention is further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings to make the technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present invention clearer and more specific. The following description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings is illustrative and intended to explain the present invention, but is not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0032] like Figures 1-8 As shown, the present invention is a bathroom temperature control device based on gas-electric hybrid and its control system. The bathroom temperature control device structurally includes a temperature control device body 1, a control IC 2, a dual electric valve control module 3, an electric valve 1 4, a one-way valve 5 and an electric valve 2 6. The temperature control device body 1 is an integrated pipeline structure, provided with a hot water pipe 1-1, a cold water pipe 1-2 and a return pipe 1-3. In this embodiment, the hot water pipe and the cold water pipe are arranged in parallel with each other, and the return pipe 1-3 is connected between the hot water pipe and the cold water pipe; the control IC is connected to the dual electric valve control module, and the electric valve 1 4 and the electric valve 2 6 are connected through the dual electric valve control module; the one-way valve 5 and the electric valve 2 are respectively installed in the return pipe, and the electric valve 2 can close the return pipe to completely separate the hot water pipe and the cold water pipe; the hot water pipe is connected to the atomization pipe 1-4, and the output end of the atomization pipe is connected to the atomization nozzle 7. The electric valve 1 is arranged on the atomization pipe to control the on and off of the atomization nozzle.

[0033] The hot water pipe is equipped with hot water inlets 1-5 and hot water outlets 1-6; the cold water pipe is equipped with cold water inlets 1-7 and cold water outlets 1-8. An atomizing pipe is connected between the hot water inlet and outlet. A hot water temperature probe 8 is installed in the hot water pipe and is connected to the control IC. The atomizing nozzle converts water in the hot water pipe into tiny droplets and sprays them into the bathroom, thereby changing the bathroom temperature. The hot water pipe typically contains preheated hot water, thus heating the bathroom. The hot water temperature probe monitors the hot water pipe temperature. When the water temperature meets the required level, indicating preheating is complete, electric valve 2 is closed to prevent hot water from flowing into the cold water pipe.

[0034] Furthermore, the control IC is connected to a power supply module 9, which includes a power management module 9-1 and a battery box 9-2 connected thereto. The battery box houses batteries and provides power to the control unit. The power management module is connected to an external power supply interface 9-3. An impeller water flow generator 10 is installed on the hot water pipe, and the impeller water flow generator is connected to the external power supply interface to charge the power supply module. It is worth noting that an external power supply can also be used in standby mode. A low-voltage DC wire or socket can be used for continuous power supply, but users generally do not reserve low-voltage DC wires or sockets in the bathroom. The power generation device and rechargeable battery can be replaced with a large-capacity lithium-ion polymer battery, which can also extend the use time of a single full charge and reduce the frequency of user charging or battery replacement, but it will increase the system size and cost.

[0035] The following is a gas-electric hybrid bathroom temperature control system using the aforementioned bathroom temperature control device as the bathroom temperature control terminal. The system comprises a bathroom temperature control terminal 11 located at a water point, a water heater body 12, a hot water pipe 13 connected between the water heater body and the bathroom temperature control device, and a cold water pipe 14 connected to the tap water line. Multiple water points can each be equipped with a separate bathroom temperature control terminal. The water heater body is equipped with an adjustable-speed water pump 17 and an electric heating module 18. The adjustable-speed water pump maintains the temperature of the heated bathroom while maintaining the water temperature within the pipes. The bathroom temperature control terminal's control IC is connected to a wireless communication module 15, which monitors the bathroom's ambient temperature via an ambient temperature probe 16. The control IC communicates with the water heater body via the wireless communication module to control the operating status of the atomizing nozzle.

[0036] Bathroom heating mode.

[0037] (1) After the user turns on the bathroom heating, the preheating function must be performed first. When the instant heating function of the water heater ends, the water heater commands the temperature control terminal to close the electric valve 1 and open the electric valve 2.

[0038] (2) If Figure 3 As shown, after electric valve 1 is opened, the atomizing nozzle begins spraying under the action of water pressure. The control terminal records the bathroom's ambient temperature at this time, T1. The water heater detects the water flow signal and activates the electric heating module and water pump to heat the water. The heating time is measured at t, and the bathroom temperature is detected at T2.

[0039] (3) The water heater detects the water flow rate Q. When Q is less than the minimum gas heating flow rate Q1, the water temperature is controlled only by the electric heating module. When Q is greater than the minimum gas heating flow rate Q1 and less than the maximum electric heating flow rate Q2, the gas is at minimum load, and the temperature is controlled by adjusting the electric heating power. When Q is greater than the maximum electric heating flow rate Q2, the electric heating is at rated power, and the temperature is controlled by adjusting the gas load. When the heating time t expires, it is determined that the heating cannot be completed, the operation is stopped, and the user is notified.

[0040] The temperature rise K of the bathroom is calculated through T1 and T2. When the temperature rise K reaches the set value, the bathroom heating is completed, the control terminal sends a completion signal to the water heater, the electric valve 1 is closed, and the water heater turns off the water pump to stop heating.

[0041] Adaptive fast heating mode.

[0042] (1) If Figure 4 As shown, when the initial bathroom heating is completed, the heating time t1 is recorded, and the water consumption L for bathroom heating and the corresponding preheating time t2 are calculated.

[0043] (2) When the bathroom is heated for the second time, the preheating time starts at t3, and the adjustment coefficient a defaults to 0.5. When the current preheating time t3 < a·t2, the outlet water temperature of the water heater is T3. When the preheating time t3 ≥ a·t2, the outlet water temperature of the water heater is the water heater set value T4, and the preheating is completed.

[0044] (3) After preheating is completed, start heating the bathroom, record the ambient temperature T1 at this time, and start timing the heating time t.

[0045] (4) When the bathroom temperature rise K meets the requirement, the bathroom heating is complete. Calculate whether the heating time t meets the requirement. If it does, rapid heating is successful. If it does not, the coefficient a is too small and needs to be increased. If the coefficient a is greater than or equal to 1, rapid heating has failed and the parameters need to be initialized and data collected again.

[0046] Heat during bathing.

[0047] (1) During bathing, the shower head is usually turned off and the body is washed with shower gel. When the shower head is turned off, the timer t is started and the number of times water is used N1 is recorded. When N1 does not exceed the upper limit, the electric valve 1 is opened to heat the bathroom.

[0048] (2) The bathroom heats up until the shower is turned on again, the electric valve 1 is closed, and the bathing mode is entered. Or, when the heating time t times out, it is determined that the hot water is no longer in use and the heating ends.

[0049] Water pump speed regulation achieves heat preservation.

[0050] Once the bathroom temperature rise meets the required conditions, the pump's adjustable speed is used to reduce the speed until the water flow reaches the specified value. The system then continues heating the bathroom, maintaining the bathroom's temperature through low-flow, low-load operation until the shower is turned on and the bathroom enters bathing mode, or until the heating time expires and the system stops.

[0051] Compared to existing technologies, this invention uses an atomizing nozzle to transform water from the hot water pipe into tiny droplets, which are then sprayed into the bathroom, achieving the desired temperature change. The hot water in the hot water pipe is typically preheated, so the bathroom can be heated. Software control enables adaptive rapid heating, automatically optimizing the heating time. A combination of software and hardware controls automatically initiates heating or heat preservation, enabling automatic heating before and during bathing.

[0052] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this field, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the creative concept of the present invention, which all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bathroom temperature control system based on gas-electric hybrid, characterized in that: It includes a bathroom temperature control terminal installed at the water point, a water heater body, a hot water pipeline connected between the water heater body and the bathroom temperature control device, and a cold water pipeline connected to the tap water pipeline; the water heater body is provided with a water pump and an electric heating module; The bathroom temperature control device includes a temperature control device body, a control IC, a dual electric valve control module, electric valve 1, a check valve, and electric valve 2. The temperature control device body is equipped with a hot water pipe, a cold water pipe, and a return pipe, with the return pipe connected between the hot water pipe and the cold water pipe. The control IC is connected to the dual electric valve control module, which in turn controls electric valve 1 and electric valve 2. The check valve and electric valve 2 are installed in the return pipe, and electric valve 2 can close the return pipe, completely isolating the hot water pipe from the cold water pipe. The hot water pipe is connected to an atomizing pipe, the output end of the atomizing pipe is connected to an atomizing nozzle, and an electric valve is arranged on the atomizing pipe to control the on and off of the atomizing nozzle; The bathroom temperature control terminal is provided with an atomizing nozzle, a control IC, and a wireless communication module and an ambient temperature probe connected to each of the control ICs. The ambient temperature in the bathroom is monitored by the ambient temperature probe. The control IC communicates with the water heater body through the wireless communication module to control the working state of the atomizing nozzle. The hot water pipe is provided with a hot water inlet and a hot water outlet. The cold water pipe is provided with a cold water inlet and a cold water outlet. The atomizing pipe is connected between the hot water inlet and the hot water outlet, and a hot water temperature probe is provided in the hot water pipe. The control IC is connected to a power supply module, which includes a power supply management module and a battery box connected thereto. The battery box contains batteries, and the battery box supplies power to the control part. The power supply management module is connected to an external power supply interface. An impeller water flow generator is installed on the hot water pipe, and the impeller water flow generator is connected to the external power supply interface to charge the power supply module. Bathroom heating mode: (1) After the user turns on the bathroom heating, the preheating function must be performed first; when the instant heating function of the water heater ends, the water heater commands the temperature control terminal to close the electric valve 1 and open the electric valve 2; (2) After the electric valve 1 is turned on, the atomizing nozzle starts to spray under the action of water pressure; the control terminal records the ambient temperature of the bathroom at this time T1, and the water heater starts the electric heating module and water pump to heat after detecting the water flow signal; the heating time is started to be t, and the bathroom temperature is detected to be T2; (3) The water heater detects the water flow rate Q. When Q is less than the minimum gas heating flow rate Q1, the water temperature is controlled only by the electric heating module. When Q is greater than the minimum flow rate Q1 for gas heating and less than the maximum flow rate Q2 for electric heating, the gas is at minimum load and the temperature is controlled by adjusting the electric heating power. When Q is greater than the maximum flow rate Q2 for electric heating, the electric heating is at rated power and the temperature is controlled by adjusting the gas load. When the heating time t exceeds the time limit, it is determined that the heating cannot be completed, the heating stops, and the user is notified. The temperature rise K of the bathroom is calculated by T1 and T2. When the temperature rise K reaches the set value, the bathroom heating is completed. The control terminal sends a completion signal to the water heater. Once the electric valve is closed, the water heater turns off the water pump and stops heating. Adaptive fast heating mode: (1) After the first bathroom heating is completed, record the heating time t1, calculate the water consumption L for bathroom heating, and the corresponding preheating time t2; (2) When the bathroom is heated for the second time, the preheating time starts at t3, and the adjustment coefficient a defaults to 0.5; when the current preheating time t3 < a·t2, the outlet water temperature of the water heater is T3; when the preheating time t3 ≥ a·t2, the outlet water temperature of the water heater is the water heater set value T4, and the preheating is completed; (3) After preheating is completed, start heating the bathroom, record the ambient temperature T1 at this time, and start timing the heating time t; (4) When the bathroom temperature rise K meets the requirements, the bathroom heating is completed; calculate whether the heating time t meets the requirements. If it does, it means that the rapid heating is successful; if it does not, it means that the coefficient a is too small and needs to be increased; if the coefficient a is greater than or equal to 1, it means that the rapid heating has failed, and the parameters need to be initialized and the data needs to be collected again; Heating during bathing: (1) During bathing, the shower head is usually turned off and the body is washed with shower gel. When the shower head is turned off, the timer t is started and the number of water uses N1 is recorded. When N1 does not exceed the upper limit, the electric valve 1 is opened to heat the bathroom. (2) The bathroom heats until the shower is turned on again, electric valve 1 is closed, and the bathroom enters the bathing mode; or the heating time t times out, and it is determined that hot water is no longer in use, and the heating ends; Water pump speed regulation to achieve heat preservation: When the temperature rise in the bathroom meets the requirements, the pump will reduce the speed until the water flow reaches the specified value, and continue heating the bathroom. This low-flow, low-load operation will keep the bathroom warm until the shower is turned on and the bathing mode is entered, or the heating time expires and the system stops working. Bathroom temperature control terminals are installed at multiple water use points respectively, and different circuits are formed by switching the electric valves of different bathroom temperature control terminals.

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