A motor home and a hot water system thereof

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of water storage and waterway system, and particularly relates to a motor home and a hot water system thereof. In order to solve the problems of non-continuous hot water supply and slow heating speed of the existing hot water system of the motor home, the present application generates hot water by any one of the heating modes of heating through a heat exchange device, heating through a heat preservation water storage device and heating through an electric heating device when the vehicle is started, and generates hot water by heating through the electric heating device when the vehicle is not started. The present application can generate hot water fast and continuously in any state of the motor home.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of water storage and water system, specifically relating to a motorhome and its hot water system. Background Technology

[0002] All RVs are equipped with a domestic water system, including both cold and hot water systems to meet daily needs. Current RVs generate hot water in the following ways:

[0003] Method 1: Existing RVs use a water heating method, which uses a fuel-fired water heater or the heat from the engine to heat the antifreeze. Then, a plate heat exchanger is used to transfer the heat from the antifreeze to the cold water. This means that the cold water enters the plate heat exchanger, is heated, and flows out as hot water. The advantage of this heating method is that the heating speed is fast, and the cold water immediately becomes hot water after passing through the heat exchanger. Therefore, it is commonly referred to as water heating in the industry.

[0004] The disadvantages of this hot water production system include: when the fuel heater is underpowered or the engine is in a cooling state, the heat stored in the antifreeze will be insufficient, which will cause the heat exchanger to be unable to heat the cold water to produce hot water. This will result in problems such as no hot water being produced or the hot water being intermittent and the heating speed being slow. The hot water is produced in real time, and there is no device for storing hot water. When a large amount of hot water is consumed continuously, a high-power fuel heater is required to provide a continuous supply of hot water, which will increase costs.

[0005] Method 2: Existing RVs use a water storage heating method. The principle is to place a plate heat exchanger in a barrel-shaped container, and use a foam layer to insulate the outside of the container. The hot water generated by this method is stored, and the stored hot water can be consumed when hot water is needed.

[0006] The disadvantages of this hot water production device include: the device only uses a foam layer as insulation, resulting in poor insulation capacity; after placing the plate heat exchanger in the container, all the water in the container must be heated before hot water can be produced, increasing the time required for hot water to flow out; according to the heat exchange principle of plate heat exchangers, the water inside the heat exchanger must be in motion to fully realize its heat exchange efficiency, but this device cannot fully realize its heat exchanger efficiency when the water is not in motion, resulting in slow heating speed. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a motorhome and its hot water system to solve the problems of inconsistent hot water supply and slow heating speed in existing motorhome hot water systems.

[0008] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a RV hot water system, comprising a fuel heater and an engine. The system is characterized by further including a heat utilization circuit for absorbing heat from the fuel heater and / or the engine. This heat utilization circuit exchanges heat with a first hot water supply branch via a heat exchange device to heat the water in the first hot water supply branch. The heat utilization circuit also heats water in an insulated water storage device connected to a second hot water supply branch, wherein both the first and second hot water supply branches provide hot water to the water supply equipment. The system also includes an electric heating device for heating the water in the insulated water storage device.

[0009] Its beneficial effects are as follows: In order to solve the problems of inconsistent hot water supply and slow heating speed of existing RV hot water systems, the present invention generates hot water by any one of the following heating methods when the vehicle is started: heating through a heat exchange device, heating through an insulated water storage device, and heating through an electric heating device. When the vehicle is not started, hot water is generated by heating through an electric heating device. The present invention enables the RV to generate hot water quickly and continuously in any state.

[0010] Furthermore, the heat exchange device is a plate heat exchanger.

[0011] Its beneficial effects are: by using a plate heat exchanger to transfer the heat from the engine to cold water to produce hot water, the heat exchange efficiency is improved, and the heat generated by the engine is utilized to a greater extent.

[0012] Furthermore, the insulated water storage device is equipped with a heating coil, which is used by the heat utilization circuit to heat the water in the insulated water storage device.

[0013] Its beneficial effects are as follows: Since the water in the heat preservation water storage device is not constantly flowing, the heat from the engine and / or fuel heater is fully contacted with the water in the heat preservation water storage device through the heating coil, which shortens the heating time and increases the heating speed.

[0014] Furthermore, both the heat exchange device and the thermal insulation water storage device are equipped with low-temperature drain valves, which are used to release water from the heat exchange device and the thermal insulation water storage device when the temperature is lower than the set threshold.

[0015] Its beneficial effect is to prevent the heat exchange device and the insulated water storage device from freezing and being damaged when the temperature is too low.

[0016] Furthermore, the insulation layer of the thermal insulation water storage device consists of, from the inside out, the inner liner of the thermal insulation water storage device, the Gaina heat insulation coating, the polyurethane foam layer, and the outer shell of the thermal insulation water storage device.

[0017] Its beneficial effects are: the use of Gaina thermal insulation coating and polyurethane foam layer in the insulation layer to insulate the water storage device makes the insulation effect of the water storage device better.

[0018] Furthermore, the thermal insulation water storage device includes at least one component, namely an electronic magnesium rod and a water level sensor. The electronic magnesium rod is used to prevent rusting in the thermal insulation water storage device, and the water level sensor is used to detect the amount of water in the thermal insulation water storage device.

[0019] Its beneficial effects are: setting magnesium rods to prevent rust in the thermal insulation water storage device, thereby increasing the service life of the thermal insulation water storage device and making it more economical and environmentally friendly; when the water level in the thermal insulation water storage device is lower than a certain set threshold, it is used to control the addition of cold water to the thermal insulation water storage device.

[0020] Furthermore, the insulated water storage device is equipped with an exhaust port to balance the atmospheric pressure inside the device.

[0021] Its beneficial effects are: when adding water to the insulated water storage device, the presence of an exhaust port helps to balance the atmospheric pressure inside the device with the external atmospheric pressure, making the water addition process smoother.

[0022] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention also provides a motorhome, including a motorhome body and the above-mentioned motorhome hot water system. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the RV hot water system of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2-1 This is a cross-sectional view of the constant temperature water tank of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2-2 This is a top view of the constant temperature water tank of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2-3 This is a side view of the constant temperature water tank of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 This invention relates to the thermal insulation layer structure of a constant temperature water tank.

[0028] Wherein: 1-Expansion tank; 2-Fuel heater; 3-Engine heater core; 4-First solenoid valve; 5-Second solenoid valve; 6-Plate heat exchanger; 7-Constant temperature water tank; 8-Second water pump; 9-First low-temperature drain valve; 10-First check valve; 11-First external water inlet; 12-Second low-temperature drain valve; 13-Second check valve; 14-Second external water inlet; 15-Third solenoid valve; 16-Clear water tank; 17-First water pump; 18-Fourth solenoid valve; 19-Water-using equipment; 20-Cold water pipe interface; 21-Hot water pipe interface; 22-Antifreeze inlet; 23-Antifreeze outlet; 24-Cold water inlet; 25-Hot water outlet; 26-Electronic magnesium rod; 27-Water temperature sensor; 28-Antifreeze heating coil; 29-Water level sensor; 30-Exhaust port; 31-External water inlet; 32-Electric heating wire; 33-Drain outlet; 34-Thermostatic water tank insulation layer. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The basic concept of this invention is as follows: To enable a hot water system to provide hot water quickly and continuously, when the vehicle is started, heat is transferred to a heat exchanger and a water storage device via a heat utilization circuit. The heat from the heat exchanger and the water storage device is then used to convert cold water in a cold water storage device into hot water via a first hot water supply branch and a second hot water supply branch, respectively, so that the hot water flows out from the hot water outlet. When the vehicle is not started, an electric heating device heats the cold water in the water storage device to generate hot water, ensuring that the vehicle generates hot water simultaneously through at least one method. Based on this concept, a motorhome and its hot water system can be realized according to this invention.

[0030] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and method embodiments.

[0031] Example of a RV hot water system:

[0032] The present invention discloses a RV hot water system, the system schematic diagram of which is shown below. Figure 1 As shown, the system includes a heating circuit (heat utilization circuit), a hot water supply branch, and a cold water supply branch. The heating circuit includes an expansion tank 1, a fuel heater 2, an engine heater core 3, a first solenoid valve 4, and a second solenoid valve 5. The expansion tank 1 is used to maintain the stable operation of the heating system. The first solenoid valve 4 is used to control the antifreeze to send the heat from the fuel heater 2 and the engine heater core 3 to the plate heat exchanger 6 (the heat exchange device in this embodiment is a plate heat exchanger). The second solenoid valve 5 is used to control the antifreeze to send the heat from the fuel heater 2 and the engine heater core 3 to the constant temperature water tank 7 (the heat preservation water storage device in this embodiment is a constant temperature water tank). The constant temperature water tank 7 has a built-in electric heating device (in this embodiment, an electric heating wire is used, and in...) Figure 2-1 (as indicated in the text) is used to heat the water in the constant temperature water tank 7; the antifreeze returns to the expansion tank 1 after passing through the plate heat exchanger 6 and the constant temperature water tank 7.

[0033] The hot water supply branch includes a first hot water supply branch and a second hot water supply branch. The first hot water supply branch includes a second external water inlet 14, a clean water tank 16, a first water pump 17, a third solenoid valve 15, a first check valve 10, a hot water pipe interface 21, and a first low-temperature drain valve 9. The second external water inlet 14 is used to add cold water to the clean water tank 16. The third solenoid valve 15 is used to control the injection of cold water from the clean water tank 16 into the plate heat exchanger 6 through the first water pump 17. The first check valve 10 is used to unidirectionally transport the hot water flowing through the plate heat exchanger 6 to the hot water pipe interface 21. The first low-temperature drain valve 9 is used to drain the water from the plate heat exchanger 6 when the temperature is below a threshold to prevent the plate heat exchanger 6 from freezing at low temperatures.

[0034] The second water supply branch includes a second external water inlet 14, a clean water tank 16, a first water pump 17, a fourth solenoid valve 18, a second water pump 8, a second check valve 13, a hot water pipe interface 21, a first external water inlet 11, and a second low-temperature drain valve 12. The second external water inlet 14 is used to add cold water to the clean water tank 16. The fourth solenoid valve 18 is used to control the injection of cold water from the clean water tank 16 into the constant temperature water tank 7 through the first water pump 17. The second water pump 8 is used to unidirectionally deliver hot water from the constant temperature water tank 7 to the hot water pipe interface 21 through the second check valve 13. The first external water inlet 11 is used to add cold water to the constant temperature water tank. The second low-temperature drain valve 12 is used to drain water from the constant temperature water tank 7 when the temperature is below a threshold to prevent the constant temperature water tank 7 from freezing at low temperatures.

[0035] The cold water supply branch includes a water-using device 19 and a cold water pipe interface 20. The cold water pipe interface 20 is used to discharge cold water from the clean water tank 16 through the first water pump 17 for passenger use.

[0036] Based on the above-mentioned RV hot water system, the specific methods by which the system generates hot water during operation include:

[0037] 1) The system generates heat through a heat exchanger, outputting both cold and hot water:

[0038] When the vehicle is starting, the first solenoid valve 4 is opened and the second solenoid valve 5 is closed at the same time. At this time, the system uses the plate heat exchanger 6 to generate hot water.

[0039] Open the first water pump 17, the third solenoid valve 15 and close the fourth solenoid valve 18. At this time, cold water flows through the plate heat exchanger 6 and is heated into hot water. Then, the hot water flows into the water-using equipment 19 through the first one-way valve 10 from the hot water pipe interface 21. Cold water flows into the water-using equipment 19 through the cold water pipe interface 20. The user can then use cold water and hot water as needed.

[0040] 2) The system outputs both cold and hot water through a constant-temperature water tank.

[0041] When the vehicle is starting, the first solenoid valve 4 is closed and the second solenoid valve 5 is opened at the same time. At this time, the system uses the constant temperature water tank 7 to heat the cold water to produce hot water.

[0042] When the second water pump 8 is turned on, the water pump will draw hot water stored in the constant temperature water tank 7. Then, the hot water flows into the water-using device 19 through the hot water pipe interface 21 via the one-way valve 13, and the cold water flows into the water-using device 19 through the cold water pipe interface 20. The user can then use cold water and hot water as needed.

[0043] When the water level in the constant temperature water tank 7 drops to a certain threshold, water is replenished in two ways: the first method is to turn on the first water pump 17, close the third solenoid valve 15, and open the fourth solenoid valve 18 to transfer cold water from the clean water tank to the constant temperature water tank 7; the second method is to insert the faucet hose directly into the first water inlet 11 and manually add cold water to the constant temperature water tank 7.

[0044] 3) Heating is generated by the electric heating wire in the constant temperature water tank 7. The system outputs hot and cold water in the same way as in step 2).

[0045] The different heating methods mentioned above can be combined according to needs to make the hot water heat up faster and the water output more continuous. For example: when the vehicle starts, the first solenoid valve 4 and the second solenoid valve 5 are opened, and the heat exchanger and the constant temperature water tank work together to generate heat; when the vehicle starts, the first solenoid valve 4 is opened and the second solenoid valve 5 is closed, and the electric heating wire is energized, and the heat exchanger and the electric heating wire work together to generate heat; for example: when the vehicle starts, the first solenoid valve 4 is closed and the second solenoid valve 5 is opened, and the electric heating wire is energized, and the electric heating wire and the constant temperature water tank work together to generate heat; or the heat exchanger, the constant temperature water tank and the electric heating wire work together to generate heat.

[0046] The above-mentioned constant temperature water tank has the following composition and structure: Figure 2-1 , Figure 2-2 and Figure 2-3As shown, the system specifically includes: an antifreeze inlet 22, an antifreeze outlet 23, a cold water inlet 24, a hot water outlet 25, an electronic magnesium rod 26, a water temperature sensor 27, an antifreeze heating coil 28, a water level sensor 29, an air vent 30, an external water inlet 31, an electric heating wire 32, a drain outlet 33, and a constant temperature water tank insulation layer 34. The antifreeze inlet 22 and antifreeze outlet 23 are respectively connected to the second solenoid valve 5 and the expansion tank 1, for injecting and discharging antifreeze into and from the constant temperature water tank 7 through the antifreeze inlet 22 and antifreeze outlet 23, respectively. The cold water inlet 24 and hot water outlet 25 are respectively connected to the fourth solenoid valve 18 and the second water pump 8, for injecting cold water. The system includes: a hot water outlet; an electronic magnesium rod 26 to prevent rusting of the inner tank; a water temperature sensor 27 to detect the water temperature inside the tank; an antifreeze heating coil 28 to transfer heat from the antifreeze to the cold water to heat it into hot water; a water level sensor 29 to detect the water level in the constant temperature water tank for timely replenishment; an exhaust port 30 to balance the atmospheric pressure inside the tank for smooth water filling; an external water inlet 31 for connecting an external faucet to directly add cold water to the tank; an electric heating wire 32 for connecting to the power supply to heat the cold water; a drain port 33 for manually emptying the water from the tank; and a constant temperature water tank insulation layer 34 to maintain the water temperature inside the tank and slow down the rate of temperature drop.

[0047] Among them, the insulation layer of the constant temperature water tank is like Figure 3 As shown, the system includes an inner tank, an outer shell, a Gaina thermal insulation coating, and a polyurethane foam layer. The inner tank stores clean water and is the water storage component. The outer shell protects the tank from damage and secures it. The Gaina thermal insulation coating is the key insulation layer, blocking most of the heat and maintaining a constant water temperature. The polyurethane foam layer is the second insulation layer, combined with the Gaina coating to enhance insulation performance. The Gaina coating was originally used for thermal insulation of rocket fairings and later promoted for civilian use in space technology. Its raw materials are 80% hollow ceramic microspheres and 20% acrylic resin. When applied to a constant temperature water tank, it can block heat transfer and prevent the water temperature from dropping.

[0048] In this embodiment, a coil is used inside the constant temperature water tank to transfer heat from the coolant to the constant temperature water tank. In addition to using a coil, a heat exchanger can also be used to transfer heat from the coolant to the constant temperature water tank. In this embodiment, the inner tank of the constant temperature water tank is coated with a Gaina heat insulation coating. A Gaina coating can also be added to the outside of the polyurethane foam layer and the inside of the water tank shell to improve the heat insulation performance.

[0049] This invention employs a RV hot water system with multiple heat sources, and controls the system to generate hot water in different ways depending on the RV's operating state, so that the RV can produce hot water quickly and continuously.

[0050] RV Example:

[0051] The present invention provides a motorhome equipped with the aforementioned hot water system, which is controlled by a central control screen in the motorhome to generate hot water as needed. The system and its control method have been described in detail in the above-described motorhome hot water system embodiments and will not be repeated here.

Claims

1. A RV hot water system, comprising a fuel heater and an engine, characterized in that, It also includes a heat recovery circuit for absorbing heat from the fuel heater and / or engine, wherein the heat recovery circuit includes a first solenoid valve for controlling the antifreeze to send heat from the fuel heater and / or engine to a heat exchange device, and a second solenoid valve for controlling the antifreeze to send heat from the fuel heater and / or engine to a thermally insulated water storage device; the heat recovery circuit exchanges heat with a first hot water supply branch through the first solenoid valve and the heat exchange device to heat the water in the first hot water supply branch. Furthermore, the heat utilization circuit also heats the water in the heat-insulating water storage device through the second solenoid valve. The heat-insulating water storage device is connected to the second hot water supply branch, wherein both the first hot water supply branch and the second hot water supply branch are used to provide hot water to the water supply equipment; it also includes an electric heating device for heating the water in the heat-insulating water storage device. When the vehicle starts, the first and second solenoid valves are opened, and heat is generated together through the heat exchange device and the heat storage device. Alternatively, open the first solenoid valve, close the second solenoid valve, and power the electric heating device so that the heat exchange device and the electric heating device work together to generate heat. Alternatively, the first solenoid valve can be closed, the second solenoid valve opened, and the electric heating device powered on, so that the electric heating device and the heat-insulating water storage device work together to generate heat.

2. The RV hot water system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first hot water supply branch also includes a third solenoid valve, a first water pump, and a clean water tank; the second hot water supply branch also includes a fourth solenoid valve, a first external water inlet, a first water pump, and a clean water tank; among which... When the water level in the thermal insulation water storage device drops to a certain threshold, water should be replenished using the following methods: Turn on the first water pump, close the third solenoid valve, and open the fourth solenoid valve to transfer the cold water in the clean water tank to the heat preservation water storage device. Alternatively, you can plug the faucet hose directly into the first external water inlet and manually add cold water into the insulated water storage device.

3. The RV hot water system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The insulated water storage device is equipped with a heating coil, which is used by the heat utilization circuit to heat the water in the insulated water storage device.

4. The RV hot water system according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Both the heat exchange device and the thermal insulation water storage device are equipped with low-temperature drain valves, which are used to release water from the heat exchange device and the thermal insulation water storage device when the temperature is lower than the set threshold; the heat exchange device is a plate heat exchanger.

5. The RV hot water system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The insulation layers of the thermal insulation water storage device, from the inside out, consist of the inner tank of the thermal insulation water storage device, the Gaina heat insulation coating, the polyurethane foam layer, and the outer shell of the thermal insulation water storage device.

6. The RV hot water system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thermal insulation water storage device includes at least one component: an electronic magnesium rod and a water level sensor. The electronic magnesium rod is used to prevent rust in the thermal insulation water storage device, and the water level sensor is used to detect the amount of water in the thermal insulation water storage device.

7. The RV hot water system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The insulated water storage device is equipped with an exhaust port to balance the atmospheric pressure inside the device.

8. A motorhome, comprising a motorhome body, characterized in that, It also includes the RV hot water system as described in any one of claims 1-7.

Images