Heat pump water heater and machine head assembly thereof

Abstract

The application provides a heat pump water heater and a head assembly thereof. The head assembly comprises a shell, an electric control module arranged in the shell, and a relay module arranged in the shell and spaced from the electric control module in the circumferential direction of the shell. The head assembly has reduced heat generation of the electric control module relative to the heat generation of the electric control box in the related art, and reduced heat generation of the relay module relative to the heat generation of the electric control box in the related art. In a high-temperature environment, the temperature inside the electric control module is lower, and the temperature inside the relay module is also lower. Therefore, the relay module and the electric control module have better operating performance and longer service life in the high-temperature environment, and the head assembly has better operating performance and longer service life in the high-temperature environment.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of household appliances, in particular to a heat pump water heater and a head assembly thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] The existing heat pump water heater has a head assembly including a shell, an electric control box, a wiring module and a DR module (the DR module is a Demand Respond module). The electric control box is vertically installed in the shell. The DR module is installed on the top wall of the shell and protrudes upward relative to the top wall of the shell. The side wall of the shell is provided with an access opening for overhauling the electric control box. The electric control box includes a box body, a box cover, an electric control mainboard and a relay mainboard. The opening of the shell faces the access opening. The electric control mainboard and the relay mainboard are vertically arranged in the box body. The box cover is attached to the box body. Improving the operating performance of the heat pump water heater in a high-temperature environment is a technical problem that technicians in the field have been trying to solve. SUMMARY

[0003] The present application provides a head assembly with better operating performance in a high-temperature environment.

[0004] The present application also provides a heat pump water heater.

[0005] The head assembly for the heat pump water heater provided by the embodiments of the present application includes a shell, an electric control module arranged in the shell, and a relay module arranged in the shell and spaced from the electric control module in the circumferential direction of the shell.

[0006] In some example embodiments, the head assembly further includes a wiring module located radially outward of the relay module and arranged on the side wall of the shell.

[0007] In some example embodiments, the wiring module includes a wiring box. The side wall of the shell is provided with a first mounting opening. The wiring box is fixed to the first mounting opening from the outside to the inside in the radial direction of the shell.

[0008] In some example embodiments, the relay module includes a first box body arranged in the shell. An opening of the first box body faces the first mounting opening. A relay mainboard is arranged in the first box body. A first box cover is fixed to the first box body from the outside to the inside in the radial direction of the shell.

[0009] In some example embodiments, the size of the first mounting opening is not less than the size of the first box cover.

[0010] In some example embodiments, the head assembly further comprises a display module, which is located radially outside the electric control module and is arranged on the side wall of the shell.

[0011] In some example embodiments, the display module comprises a display panel, the side wall of the shell is provided with a second mounting opening, and the display panel is fixed at the second mounting opening from outside to inside along the radial direction of the shell.

[0012] In some example embodiments, the electric control module comprises a second box body arranged in the shell, an opening of the second box body faces the second mounting opening, an electric control mainboard is arranged in the second box body, and a second box cover is fixed to the second box body from outside to inside along the radial direction of the shell.

[0013] In some example embodiments, the size of the second mounting opening is not less than the size of the second box cover.

[0014] In some example embodiments, the head assembly further comprises a DR module arranged on the side of the wiring module away from the relay module, and the size of the DR module is not greater than the size of the wiring module.

[0015] In some example embodiments, the projection of the center of the electric control module and the center of the relay module on the bottom wall of the shell forms a central angle with the center of the bottom wall of the shell, and the central angle is not greater than 90 degrees.

[0016] The heat pump water heater provided in the embodiments of the present application comprises the head assembly provided in any of the above embodiments.

[0017] According to the technical scheme provided in the embodiments of the present application, the relay module is independent of the electric control module, so that the height of the electric control module can be made smaller relative to the height of the electric control box in the related art, the height of the relay module can also be made smaller relative to the height of the electric control box in the related art, and the relay module and the electric control module are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the shell, so that the height of the shell does not need to be increased. In addition, the heat generation of the electric control module is reduced relative to the heat generation of the electric control box in the related art, and the heat generation of the relay module is also reduced relative to the heat generation of the electric control box in the related art, so that the temperature inside the electric control module is lower in a high-temperature environment, and the temperature inside the relay module is also lower in a high-temperature environment. Therefore, the relay module and the electric control module have better running performance and longer service life in a high-temperature environment, and the head assembly has better running performance and longer service life in a high-temperature environment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows a front structural schematic view of a head assembly provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0019] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A top view of the cross-sectional structure of the nose assembly shown;

[0020] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the exploded structure of the nose assembly.

[0021] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows:

[0022] 100 Housing, 110 First mounting port, 120 Second mounting port, 200 Electrical control module, 210 Second housing, 220 Electrical control main board, 230 Second housing cover, 300 Relay module, 310 First housing, 320 Relay main board, 330 First housing cover, 400 Wiring module, 500 Display module, 600 DR module. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] It should be noted that all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of the present invention are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0025] Furthermore, in this invention, descriptions involving "first," "second," etc., are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0026] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "fixing" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can mean a mechanical connection or an electrical connection. "Connection" can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0027] Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other, but only if they are feasible for those skilled in the art. If the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

[0028] The head assembly for a heat pump water heater provided in this embodiment of the invention, such as... Figures 1 to 3 As shown, it includes: a housing 100; an electronic control module 200 disposed within the housing 100; and a relay module 300 disposed within the housing 100 and spaced circumferentially from the electronic control module 200.

[0029] The relay module 300 is independent of the electronic control module 200. This allows the height of both the electronic control module 200 and the relay module 300 to be made smaller compared to the height of the electronic control box in related technologies. Furthermore, the relay module 300 and the electronic control module 200 are circumferentially spaced apart from each other in the housing 100, eliminating the need to increase the height of the housing 100. In addition, the heat generation of both the electronic control module 200 and the relay module 300 is reduced compared to the electronic control box in related technologies. This results in lower internal temperatures for both the electronic control module 200 and the relay module 300 in high-temperature environments. Consequently, both the relay module 300 and the electronic control module 200 exhibit better operating performance and longer service life in high-temperature environments, leading to better operating performance and longer service life for the corresponding machine head assembly in high-temperature environments.

[0030] In some examples, the head assembly further includes a wiring module 400, which is radially located outside the relay module 300 in the housing 100 and disposed on the side wall of the housing 100. The wiring module 400 is configured to be electrically connected to a mains power supply. The radial location of the wiring module 400 outside the relay module 300 in the housing 100 facilitates wiring between the wiring module 400 and the relay module 300.

[0031] In some examples, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the wiring module 400 includes: a junction box, and a first mounting port 110 is provided on the side wall of the housing 100. The junction box is fixedly connected to the first mounting port 110 from the outside to the inside along the radial direction of the housing 100.

[0032] The side wall of the housing 100 is provided with a first mounting port 110. The junction box is fixed to the first mounting port 110 along the radial direction of the housing 100 from the outside to the inside. The junction box can be removed from the housing 100 from the outside of the housing 100, and the relay module 300 can be inspected and repaired through the first mounting port 110. This solution makes the inspection and repair process of the relay module 300 simpler. There is no need to open a special inspection port on the housing 100 for the inspection and repair of the relay module 300, which can improve the aesthetics and integrity of the machine head assembly.

[0033] Alternatively, the first mounting port 110 may have a latch on its wall, and the junction box may have a snap fastener. The snap fastener is engaged with the latch from the outside to the inside along the radial direction of the housing 100, thereby fixing the junction box to the wall of the first mounting port 110. Or, the first mounting port 110 may have a screw hole on its wall, and the junction box may have a through hole. A screw is threaded through the through hole and tightened into the screw hole from the outside to the inside along the radial direction of the housing 100, thereby fixing the junction box to the wall of the first mounting port 110. All of the above can achieve the purpose of this application, and their intent does not depart from the design concept of this invention. They will not be elaborated further here, and should all fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0034] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the relay module 300 includes: a first housing 310, which is erected inside the housing 100 and has its opening facing the first mounting port 110; a relay main board 320, which is disposed inside the first housing 310 and arranged in the vertical direction; and a first cover 330, which is fixed to the first housing 310 from the outside to the inside along the radial direction of the housing 100.

[0035] The junction box is removed from the housing 100, and then the first cover 330 is removed from the first mounting port 110. The relay main board 320 can then be inspected from the first mounting port 110. This solution makes the inspection process of the relay main board 320 (i.e., the process of inspecting the relay main board 320) simpler.

[0036] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the dimensions (including length and width) of the first mounting port 110 are not smaller than the dimensions (including length and width) of the first cover 330. This makes it easier to remove the first cover 330 from the first mounting port 110, and also allows the first cover 330 to be taken out and put in through the first mounting port 110. After the first cover 330 is removed from the first mounting port 110, it is easier to inspect the relay main board 320. This solution makes the inspection process of the relay main board 320 simpler.

[0037] In some exemplary embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 3As shown, the head assembly also includes a display module 500, which is located radially outside the electronic control module 200 in the housing 100 and is disposed on the side wall of the housing 100 to facilitate wiring between the display module 500 and the electronic control module 200.

[0038] In some examples, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the display module 500 includes: a display panel, and a second mounting port 120 is provided on the side wall of the housing 100. The display panel is fixedly connected to the second mounting port 120 from the outside to the inside along the radial direction of the housing 100.

[0039] The side wall of the housing 100 is provided with a second mounting port 120. The display panel is fixed to the second mounting port 120 along the radial direction of the housing 100 from the outside to the inside. The display panel can be removed from the outside of the housing 100, and the electronic control module 200 can be inspected through the second mounting port 120. This solution makes the inspection process of the electronic control module 200 simpler. There is no need to open a special inspection port on the housing 100 for inspecting the electronic control module 200, which can improve the aesthetics and integrity of the machine head assembly.

[0040] In some embodiments, the wall of the second mounting port 120 is provided with a latch, and the display panel is provided with a snap fastener. The snap fastener is engaged with the latch from the outside to the inside along the radial direction of the housing 100, so that the display panel is fixed to the wall of the second mounting port 120. In this scheme, the side of the display panel facing away from the electronic control module 200 is flatter and more aesthetically pleasing.

[0041] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the electronic control module 200 includes: a second housing 210, which is erected inside the housing 100 and has its opening facing the second mounting port 120; an electronic control main board 220, which is disposed inside the second housing 210 and arranged in the vertical direction; and a second housing cover 230, which is fixed to the second housing 210 from the outside to the inside along the radial direction of the housing 100.

[0042] The display panel is removed from the outer casing 100, and then the second cover 230 is removed from the second mounting port 120. The main control board 220 can then be inspected from the second mounting port 120. This solution makes the inspection process of the main control board 220 (i.e., the inspection process of the main control board 220) simpler.

[0043] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3As shown, the dimensions (including length and width) of the second mounting port 120 are not smaller than the dimensions (including length and width) of the second cover 230. This makes it easier to remove the second cover 230 from the second mounting port 120, and also allows the second cover 230 to be removed and installed from the second mounting port 120. After the second cover 230 is removed from the second mounting port 120, it is easier to inspect the electronic control motherboard 220. This solution makes the inspection process of the electronic control motherboard 220 simpler.

[0044] In some exemplary embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the head unit assembly also includes a DR module 600. The DR module 600 is located on the side of the wiring module 400 opposite to the relay module 300, which facilitates wiring between the DR module 600 and the relay module 300, and also reduces the overall height of the head unit assembly, resulting in a smaller overall height for the heat pump water heater. The DR module 600 protrudes outward from the side wall of the housing 100, facilitating maintenance of the DR module 600.

[0045] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the dimensions (including length and width) of the DR module 600 are no larger than the dimensions (including length and width) of the wiring module 400, which makes it easier for the DR module 600 to be quickly installed on the wiring module 400.

[0046] Alternatively, the wiring module 400 may have a latch, and the DR module 600 may have a snap-fit, with the snap-fit ​​engaging with the latch to secure the DR module 600 to the side of the wiring module 400 opposite to the relay module 300; or the wiring module 400 may have a screw hole, and the DR module 600 may have a through hole, with a screw passing through the through hole and tightened into the screw hole to secure the DR module 600 to the side of the wiring module 400 opposite to the relay module 300, etc.; all of the above can achieve the purpose of this application, and their intent does not depart from the design concept of this invention, and will not be elaborated further here, and should all fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0047] In some exemplary embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the central angle formed by the projections of the center (i.e., geometric center) of the electronic control module 200 and the center (i.e., geometric center) of the relay module 300 onto the bottom wall of the housing 100 and the center (i.e., geometric center) of the bottom wall of the housing 100 is no greater than 90 degrees. This facilitates the smooth wiring of the electronic control module 200, display module 500, relay module 300, wiring module 400 and DR module 600. Moreover, when the heat pump water heater is installed on the wall, the DR module 600 will not interfere with the wall.

[0048] An electrical control box provided by a related technology has a height of 342mm. After designing the electrical control module 200 and relay module 300 of this application, the height of the electrical control module 200 is 312mm (the height of the relay module 300 is less than the height of the electrical control module 200), which helps to reduce the height of the housing 100. Moreover, the highest internal temperature of the electrical control module 200 and the highest internal temperature of the relay module 300 are both lower than the highest internal temperature of the electrical control box in the related technology. Therefore, the electrical control module 200 and the relay module 300 have better operating performance and longer service life. Another related technology provides an electrical control box with a height of 456mm. After designing it with the electrical control module 200 and relay module 300 of this application, the height of the electrical control module 200 is 426mm (the height of the relay module 300 is less than the height of the electrical control module 200). This helps to reduce the height of the housing 100. Moreover, the highest internal temperature of the electrical control module 200 and the highest internal temperature of the relay module 300 are both lower than the highest internal temperature of the electrical control box in the related technology. Therefore, the electrical control module 200 and the relay module 300 have better operating performance and a longer service life.

[0049] The heat pump water heater proposed in this embodiment of the invention (not shown in the figure) includes the head assembly described in any of the above embodiments.

[0050] This heat pump water heater possesses all the advantages of the head unit assembly provided in any of the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0051] In summary, the technical solution proposed in this invention allows the relay module to operate independently of the electronic control module. This allows both the electronic control module and the relay module to be made smaller compared to the electronic control box in related technologies. Furthermore, the relay module and the electronic control module are circumferentially spaced within the housing, eliminating the need to increase the overall height of the housing. Additionally, the heat generation of both the electronic control module and the relay module is reduced compared to the electronic control box in related technologies. This results in lower internal temperatures for both the electronic control module and the relay module in high-temperature environments. Consequently, both the relay module and the electronic control module exhibit better performance and longer service life in high-temperature environments, leading to improved performance and a longer service life for the corresponding machine head assembly.

[0052] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0053] 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 indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0054] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0055] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0056] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0057] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting this application. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A head assembly for a heat pump water heater, characterized in that, include: case; The electronic control module is located inside the housing; A relay module is disposed within the housing and spaced circumferentially from the electronic control module within the housing; and A wiring module is located radially outside the relay module of the housing and disposed on the side wall of the housing; the wiring module includes: A junction box, wherein the side wall of the housing has a first mounting opening, and the junction box is fixedly connected to the first mounting opening radially from the outside to the inside of the housing; the relay module includes: A first box body is disposed inside the housing, with the opening of the first box body facing the first mounting port; The relay main board is located inside the first housing; and The first lid is fixed to the first box body from the outside to the inside along the radial direction of the shell.

2. The head assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The size of the first mounting port is not smaller than the size of the first cover.

3. The head assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Also includes: The display module is located radially outside the electronic control module of the housing and is disposed on the side wall of the housing.

4. The head assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The display module includes: The display panel has a second mounting opening on the side wall of the housing, and the display panel is fixedly connected to the second mounting opening from the outside to the inside along the radial direction of the housing.

5. The head assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The electronic control module includes: A second housing is disposed inside the housing, with the opening of the second housing facing the second mounting port; The main control board is located inside the second housing; and The second lid is fixed to the second box body from the outside to the inside along the radial direction of the shell.

6. The head assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The size of the second mounting opening is not smaller than the size of the second cover.

7. The head assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Also includes: The DR module is located on the side of the wiring module opposite to the relay module, and the size of the DR module is not larger than the size of the wiring module.

8. The head assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The central angle formed by the projections of the center of the electronic control module and the center of the relay module onto the bottom wall of the housing and the center of the bottom wall of the housing is no greater than 90 degrees.

9. A heat pump water heater, characterized in that, Includes the nose assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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