Head assembly and heat pump water heater

Abstract

The present invention discloses a head assembly and a heat pump water heater. The head assembly includes: a housing, provided with a first mounting port; a junction box, provided at the first mounting port; and a connection port plug, provided at a side wall of the junction box facing the outside of the housing and configured to connect to a connection terminal plug of a DR module. Since users are aware that the junction box is a dangerous component for connecting high-voltage power lines, this solution arranges the connection port plug at the side wall of the junction box facing the outside of the housing. Users will pay more attention to the connection port plug and will not actively touch the connection port plug or even the DR module. Therefore, the head assembly of this solution is applied to heat pump water heaters, and the heat pump water heaters are safer to use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of electrical equipment, and more particularly to a head assembly and a heat pump water heater. Background Art

[0002] The DR module (DR module stands for Demand Respond module) is designed to balance the supply and demand of the power system by adjusting users' electricity consumption behavior. In the United States, the electricity market is managed by the ISO (Independent System Operator). The DR module was developed by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) as a standard for communication between smart grid devices and energy management systems. It supports two-way communication between devices such as smart thermostats, electric vehicles, and solar panels and the power grid. In order to respond to local grid response functions, heat pump water heaters need to be equipped with a DR module that can communicate two-way with the power grid. This DR module serves as a bridge for communication between the power grid and the heat pump water heater.

[0003] Related technology provides a heat pump water heater whose head assembly includes a housing, an electrical control box, a junction box, a display panel, and a DR module. The electrical control box is vertically mounted within the housing, the display panel is mounted on the side wall of the housing and is provided with a connection port plug, and the DR module is mounted directly in front of the display panel. The DR module's connection terminal plug is plugged into the connection port plug, and the wiring can be installed on the side wall of the housing. Improving the safety of heat pump water heaters has long been a technical challenge that those skilled in the art have been working to solve. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Analysis and research found that the connection port plug is connected to the power supply line and signal line, the power supply is a strong wire, and the display panel is a component that users often touch. Setting the connection port plug on the display panel poses a major safety hazard.

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention provides a head assembly for a heat pump water heater, comprising: a shell having a first mounting port; a junction box disposed at the first mounting port; and a connection port plug disposed on a side wall of the junction box facing the outside of the shell and configured to be connected to a connection terminal plug of a DR module.

[0006] In some exemplary embodiments, the junction box includes: a box body, disposed at the first installation port, with an opening of the box body facing the outside of the shell; and a box cover, mounted on the opening of the box body, with the connection port plug disposed on the box cover.

[0007] In some exemplary embodiments, the head assembly also includes: an electrical control box, located outside the junction box and arranged inside the shell, and the box body is provided with a first wire passing port; a connecting line, one end of which is electrically connected to the electrical control box, and the other end extends into the box body from the first wire passing port and is electrically connected to the connection port plug.

[0008] In some exemplary embodiments, the box cover includes: a first cover body, which covers the opening of the box body and is provided with a second installation port, the connection port plug is provided at the second installation port, and the connection port of the connection port plug faces the outside of the shell.

[0009] In some exemplary embodiments, the box cover further includes: a second cover body, which is provided on a side of the first cover body facing away from the box body and covers the connection port plug.

[0010] In some exemplary embodiments, the box cover further includes: the DR module having the connection terminal plug, located on a side of the first cover body facing away from the box body, and the connection terminal plug is plug-connected to the connection port plug.

[0011] In some exemplary embodiments, the first cover is an integral structure.

[0012] In some exemplary embodiments, the first cover body is a split structure and includes a first sub-cover and a second sub-cover. The first sub-cover is installed on the opening of the box body and is provided with an avoidance port. The second sub-cover is installed on the avoidance port and is provided with a second installation port. The second installation port is connected to the interior of the box body through the avoidance port.

[0013] In some exemplary embodiments, the first mounting opening is located on an end wall of the housing.

[0014] In some exemplary embodiments, the first installation opening is located on a peripheral wall of the housing, and the junction box and the electric control box are spaced apart in a circumferential direction of the housing.

[0015] In some exemplary embodiments, the shell is further provided with a third mounting port, and in the radial direction of the shell, the third mounting port is located on the outside of the electrical control box; the head assembly also includes: a display panel, which is installed on the third mounting port from the outside to the inside along the radial direction of the shell.

[0016] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a heat pump water heater, comprising the head assembly described in any of the above embodiments.

[0017] The technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention is that since users know that the junction box is a dangerous component for connecting high-voltage wires, this solution arranges the connection port plug on the side wall of the junction box facing the outside of the shell. Users will pay more attention to the connection port plug and will not actively touch the connection port plug or even the DR module. Therefore, the head assembly of this solution is applied to the heat pump water heater, and the heat pump water heater is safer to use.

[0018] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be described in the following description, and in part will become apparent from the description, or will be understood by practicing the present invention. The purpose and other advantages of the present invention can be realized and obtained through the structures particularly pointed out in the description and the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the technical solution of the present invention and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the embodiments of the present application, they are used to explain the technical solution of the present invention and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solution of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a partially exploded structure of a heat pump water heater provided in some embodiments;

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Another partial exploded structural diagram of the heat pump water heater shown;

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The structural diagram of the heat pump water heater shown;

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of another usage state of the heat pump water heater shown;

[0024] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the DR module;

[0025] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a partially exploded structure of a heat pump water heater provided in some other embodiments;

[0026] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a partial exploded structure of the first cover, the connection port plug, the connection line, and the second cover;

[0027] Figure 8 for Figure 6 Another partial exploded structural diagram of the heat pump water heater shown;

[0028] Figure 9 for Figure 6 The structural diagram of the heat pump water heater shown;

[0029] Figure 10 for Figure 9 The schematic diagram of the structure of the heat pump water heater in another usage state is shown.

[0030] The corresponding relationship between the reference numerals and component names is as follows:

[0031] 100 shell, 110 first installation port, 120 third installation port, 200 junction box, 210 box body, 211 first wire passing port, 220 first cover, 221 second installation port, 230 first sub-cover, 231 avoidance port, 240 second sub-cover, 241 second installation port, 242 second wire passing port, 250 second cover, 300 connection port plug, 310 connection line, 400 DR module, 410 connection terminal plug, 500 electrical control box, 600 protective part, 700 display panel, 800 power cord. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] To make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless there is a conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other in any manner.

[0033] Analysis and research found that the connection port plug is connected to the power supply line and signal line, the power supply is a strong wire, and the display panel is a component that users often touch. Setting the connection port plug on the display panel poses a major safety hazard.

[0034] The embodiment of the present invention provides a head assembly for a heat pump water heater, such as Figures 1 to 10 As shown, it includes: a shell 100, the shell 100 is provided with a first installation port 110; a junction box 200, the junction box 200 is provided at the first installation port 110; and a connection port plug 300, the connection port plug 300 is provided on the side wall of the junction box 200 facing the outside of the shell 100, and is configured to be connected to the connection terminal plug 410 of the DR module 400.

[0035] Since users know that the junction box 200 is a dangerous component for connecting high-voltage wires (a warning sign is generally set near the junction box 200), this solution sets the connection port plug 300 on the side wall of the junction box 200 facing the outside of the shell 100. Users will pay more attention to the connection port plug 300 and will not actively touch the connection port plug 300 or even the DR module 400. Therefore, the head assembly of this solution is applied to the heat pump water heater, and the heat pump water heater is safer to use.

[0036] In some examples, such as Figures 1 to 3 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the junction box 200 includes: a box body 210, which is installed at the first installation opening 110 from the outside of the housing 100, with the opening of the box body 210 facing the outside of the housing 100; and a box cover, which is installed at the opening of the box body 210 from the outside of the housing 100. The connection port plug 300 is provided on the box cover, and the connection port of the connection port plug 300 faces the outside of the housing 100. When the DR module 400 needs to be installed, the connection terminal plug 410 of the DR module 400 is inserted into the connection port plug 300 on the outside of the box body 210. This solution simplifies the installation process of the DR module 400. Moreover, the connection terminal plug 410 and the connection port plug 300 are hidden on the side of the DR module 400 facing the housing 100, and the user will not touch the connection terminal plug 410 and the connection port plug 300, which is safer.

[0037] In some examples, such as Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, the head assembly further includes: an electric control box 500, which is located outside the junction box 200 and inside the housing 100. The box body 210 is provided with a first wire-passing opening 211; a connecting line 310, one end of which is electrically connected to the electric control box 500, and the other end of which extends into the box body 210 through the first wire-passing opening 211 and is electrically connected to the connection port plug 300. That is, the connection port plug 300 is electrically connected to the electric control box 500 via the connecting line 310. The connecting line 310 includes a power supply line and a signal line, wherein the power supply line is a high-voltage line and the signal line is a low-voltage line.

[0038] Among them, such as Figure 1 and Figure 6 As shown, a protective member 600 is provided between the first wire-passing opening 211 and the connecting line 310. The protective member 600 isolates the wall of the first wire-passing opening 211 from the connecting line 310, protecting the connecting line 310 and preventing the wall of the first wire-passing opening 211 from scratching the connecting line 310. The protective member 600 can be a silicone member or a rubber member, etc., which can achieve the purpose of this application. The purpose does not deviate from the design concept of the present invention and will not be repeated here. All should fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0039] The first mounting opening 110 may be located on the end wall (ie, top wall) of the housing 100; or the first mounting opening 110 may be located on the end wall (ie, top wall) of the housing 100; Figures 1 to 4 、 Figure 6 、 Figures 8 to 10As shown, the first mounting port 110 is located on the peripheral wall of the shell 100. At this time, the DR module 400 will not form an upward convex structure on the top wall of the shell 100. In this way, the packaging structure on the top of the shell 100 is simpler and the protection effect is better. The junction box 200 and the electric control box 500 can be arranged to be spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the shell 100 to avoid interference between the junction box 200 and the electric control box 500.

[0040] In some examples, such as Figures 6 to 10 As shown, the box cover includes: a first cover body 220, the first cover body 220 is covered at the opening of the box body 210 and is provided with a second installation port 221, and the connection port plug 300 is fixed at the second installation port 221 from the side of the first cover body 220 facing away from the shell 100, so that when the DR module 400 is inserted, the connection port plug 300 on the first cover body 220 will not be pressed off by the connection terminal plug 410 and fall into the box body 210.

[0041] In some examples, such as Figures 1 to 3 、 Figures 6 to 9 As shown, the box cover further includes a second cover 250. The second cover 250 is located on the side of the first cover 220 facing away from the box body 210 and covers the connection port plug 300. If the DR module 400 is not required, the second cover 250 covers the connection port plug 300 to prevent the user from touching the connection port plug 300 and causing an electric shock, thereby improving safety. The second cover 250 is configured as an insulating member, such as a plastic member.

[0042] In some examples, such as Figure 4 、 Figure 5 and Figure 10 As shown, the box cover further includes a DR module 400 having a connection terminal plug 410. The DR module 400 is located on the side of the first cover 220 facing away from the box body 210, and the connection terminal plug 410 is plugged into the connection port plug 300. To install the DR module 400, first remove the second cover 250, then insert the connection terminal plug 410 of the DR module 400 into the connection port plug 300, and then secure the DR module 400 to the first cover 220 using screws, snaps, or other structures to prevent the DR module 400 from falling off.

[0043] In some embodiments, as Figures 6 to 10 As shown, the first cover 220 is an integral structure and is configured as a sheet metal member. This provides the first cover 220 with improved strength and fire resistance. Furthermore, the structure of the junction box 200 is simpler and the manufacturing cost is lower. Alternatively, the first cover 220 may be fixed to the box body 210 by screws.

[0044] It can be, for example Figure 7As shown, the second cover body 250 is provided with a positioning post and a through hole, and the first cover body 220 is provided with a positioning hole and a screw hole, the positioning post is inserted into the positioning hole to position the second cover body 250, and then the screw is passed through the through hole and screwed into the screw hole to fix the second cover body 250 on the first cover plate; or it can be that the second cover body 250 is provided with a positioning hole and a through hole, and the first cover body 220 is provided with a positioning post and a screw hole, the positioning hole is sleeved on the positioning post to position the second cover body 250, and then the screw is passed through the through hole and screwed into the screw hole to fix the second cover body 250 on the first cover plate, etc.; all of the above can achieve the purpose of this application, and its purpose does not deviate from the design idea of ​​the present invention, and will not be repeated here, and should all fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0045] In other embodiments, Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the first cover body is a split structure and includes a first sub-cover 230 and a second sub-cover 240. The first sub-cover 230 is installed at the opening of the box body 210 from the outer cover of the shell 100 and is provided with a avoidance opening 231. The second sub-cover 240 is installed at the avoidance opening 231 from the side of the first sub-cover 230 facing away from the box body 210 and is provided with a second installation opening 241. The second installation opening 241 is connected to the interior of the box body 210 through the avoidance opening 231. The connection port plug 300 is installed at the second installation opening 241 from the side of the second sub-cover 240 facing away from the first sub-cover 230.

[0046] The first sub-cover 230 is configured as a sheet metal member, providing greater strength and fire resistance. The second sub-cover 240 also has a second wire opening 242 at its edge, communicating with the second mounting opening 241. The connection port plug 300 passes through the avoidance opening 231 and is positioned on the side of the second sub-cover 240 facing away from the first sub-cover 230. The connection line 310 is positioned within the second mounting opening 241 from the second wire opening 242. The connection port plug 300 is then mounted on the second mounting opening 241 from the side of the second sub-cover 240 facing away from the first sub-cover 230. Optionally, the first sub-cover 230 is secured to the box body 210 via screws.

[0047] The second sub-cover 240 may be provided with a buckle, the first sub-cover 230 may be provided with a buckle position, the buckle is mounted on the buckle position, and the second sub-cover 240 is fixed to the first sub-cover 230; or the second sub-cover 240 may be provided with a buckle, the first sub-cover 230 may be provided with a buckle position, and the buckle is mounted on the buckle position, so that the second sub-cover 24 Figure 1 As shown, the second sub-cover 240 is provided with a through hole, the first sub-cover 230 is provided with a screw hole, and the screw is passed through the through hole and screwed into the screw hole to achieve the second sub-cover 240 being fixed on the first sub-cover 230, etc.; the above can all achieve the purpose of this application, and its purpose does not deviate from the design idea of ​​the present invention, and will not be repeated here, and should all fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0048] It can be, for example Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the second sub-cover 240 is provided with a buckle, and the second cover body 250 is provided with a buckle position, and the buckle is snapped on the buckle position to fix the second cover body 250 on the second sub-cover 240; or it can be that the second sub-cover 240 is provided with a screw hole, and the second cover body 250 is provided with a through hole, and the screw passes through the through hole and is screwed into the screw hole to fix the second cover body 250 on the second sub-cover 240, etc.; the above can all achieve the purpose of this application, and its purpose does not deviate from the design idea of ​​the present invention, and will not be repeated here, and should all fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0049] In some examples, such as Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 4 、 Figures 8 to 10 As shown, the housing 100 further defines a third mounting opening 120, which is located radially outward of the electrical control box 500. The head assembly further comprises a display panel 700, which is mounted radially inward from the outside of the housing 100 at the third mounting opening 120. By removing the display panel 700 from the outside of the housing 100, the electrical control box 500 can be accessed through the third mounting opening 120, eliminating the need for a dedicated access opening on the housing 100 for accessing the electrical control box 500. This improves the strength and overall integrity of the housing 100.

[0050] In this application, the junction box 200 and the connection port plug 300 are both installed on the outside of the shell 100, which is not only simple to operate, but also convenient for power-on detection of the connection port plug 300 and power-on detection of the power cord 800 introduced from the electrical control box 500 to the junction box 200.

[0051] The embodiment of the present invention also provides a heat pump water heater, such as Figures 1 to 4 、 Figure 6 、 Figures 8 to 10 As shown, it includes the head assembly described in any of the above embodiments.

[0052] This heat pump water heater has all the advantages of the head assembly provided by any of the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0053] To sum up, the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention is that since users know that the junction box is a dangerous component for connecting high-voltage wires, this solution arranges the connection port plug on the side wall of the junction box facing the outside of the shell. Users will pay more attention to the connection port plug and will not actively touch the connection port plug or even the DR module. Therefore, the head assembly of this solution is applied to the heat pump water heater, and the heat pump water heater is safer to use.

[0054] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "one side", "the other side", "one end", "the other end", "side", "relative", "four corners", "periphery", ""mouth"-shaped structure", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship, are based on the orientation or position relationship 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 structure referred to has a specific orientation, is constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0055] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "connection," "direct connection," "indirect connection," "fixed connection," "installation," and "assembly" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. The terms "installation," "connection," and "fixed connection" may refer to a direct connection, an indirect 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.

[0056] Although the embodiments disclosed herein are as described above, the contents described herein are merely embodiments for facilitating understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art may make any modifications and variations in the form and details of the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. However, the scope of patent protection of the present invention shall still be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A head assembly for a heat pump water heater, characterized in that: include: The housing is provided with a first mounting opening; A junction box, provided at the first installation opening; and A connection port plug is provided on a side wall of the junction box facing the outside of the housing and is configured to be connected to a connection terminal plug of a DR module; the junction box includes a box cover, and the box cover includes the DR module having the connection terminal plug.

2. The head assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The junction box also includes: The box body is arranged at the first installation opening, the opening of the box body faces the outside of the shell, the box cover is installed on the opening of the box body, and the connection port plug is arranged on the box cover.

3. The head assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that Also includes: An electric control box, located outside the junction box and disposed inside the housing, the box body being provided with a first wire-passing opening; One end of the connecting line is electrically connected to the electric control box, and the other end extends into the box body from the first wire passing port and is electrically connected to the connection port plug.

4. The head assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that The box cover also includes: The first cover body is mounted on the opening of the box body and is provided with a second installation opening. The connection port plug is provided at the second installation opening. The connection port of the connection port plug faces the outside of the shell.

5. The head assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that The box cover also includes: The second cover is arranged on a side of the first cover facing away from the box body and covers the connection port plug.

6. The head assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that The DR module is located on a side of the first cover body facing away from the box body, and the connection terminal plug is plug-connected with the connection port plug.

7. The head assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first cover is an integral structure; or The first cover body is a split structure and includes a first sub-cover and a second sub-cover. The first sub-cover is installed on the opening of the box body and is provided with an avoidance opening. The second sub-cover is installed on the avoidance opening and is provided with a second installation opening. The second installation opening is connected to the interior of the box body through the avoidance opening.

8. The head assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that The first mounting opening is located on the end wall of the housing; or The first mounting opening is located on the peripheral wall of the housing, and the junction box and the electric control box are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the housing.

9. The head assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The housing is further provided with a third mounting opening, which is located outside the electric control box in the radial direction of the housing; the head assembly further includes: The display panel is installed in the third installation opening from outside to inside along the radial direction of the shell.

10. A heat pump water heater, characterized in that: Comprising a head assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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