Water heater and vehicle

The integrated design of the water heater integrates the three-way valve with the flow channel inside the heating chamber, and controls the valve status through an actuator. This solves the problems of complex structure and large space occupation of existing water heaters, and achieves a compact structure and simplified troubleshooting.

CN117469800BActive Publication Date: 2026-05-12XIAOGAN HUAGONG GAOLI ELECTRONICS CO LTD
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
XIAOGAN HUAGONG GAOLI ELECTRONICS CO LTD
Filing Date
2023-12-06
Publication Date
2026-05-12

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing vehicle water heater coolant circuit valves and pipes are too numerous, occupying a lot of space and having a complex structure, making troubleshooting difficult and failing to meet the requirements of weight reduction integration for new energy vehicles.

Method used

Design an integrated water heater that integrates the valve chamber of a three-way valve with the inner flow channel of the heating chamber into one unit, and drives the valve to switch between different states through an actuator to control the flow direction of the coolant, thereby reducing the number of pipes and the space occupied.

Benefits of technology

This design achieves a compact water heater structure, reduces piping costs, improves space utilization, simplifies troubleshooting, and meets the integration and weight reduction requirements of new energy vehicles.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of vehicle water heater, and relates to a water heater and a vehicle. The water heater comprises a shell, a valve and an actuator. The shell is provided with a water inlet, a heating cavity, a valve cavity, a first water outlet and a second water outlet. The valve is installed in the valve cavity and divides the valve cavity into a first sub-cavity, a second sub-cavity and a third sub-cavity. The heating cavity is communicated between the water inlet and the first sub-cavity. The first water outlet is communicated with the second sub-cavity, and the second water outlet is communicated with the third sub-cavity. The actuator is connected with the valve. The actuator is used for driving the valve to act, so that the valve can be switched between a first state, a second state and a third state, to realize the communication between the first sub-cavity and the second sub-cavity and / or the third sub-cavity. The structure of the water heater is more compact, occupies less space, has high space utilization rate, and reduces the pipeline cost.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of vehicle water heater technology, and in particular relates to a water heater and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] In existing vehicle water heaters, after the coolant flows out of the water heater outlet, an external three-way valve and multiple pipes are generally required to control the flow of the coolant.

[0003] External three-way valves and multiple pipes occupy space in the vehicle and are structurally more complex, which does not conform to the overall concept of weight reduction and integration in new energy vehicles. In addition, too many pipes will make troubleshooting difficult. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a water heater and a vehicle, addressing the issue of numerous valve bodies and pipes in existing automotive coolant circuits.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, on the one hand, the present invention provides a water heater, including a housing, a valve, and an actuator. The housing is provided with a water inlet, a heating chamber, a valve chamber, a first water outlet, and a second water outlet. The valve is installed in the valve chamber and divides the valve chamber into a first sub-chamber, a second sub-chamber, and a third sub-chamber. The heating chamber is connected between the water inlet and the first sub-chamber. The first water outlet is connected to the second sub-chamber, and the second water outlet is connected to the third sub-chamber.

[0006] The actuator is connected to the valve and is used to drive the valve to move so that the valve can switch between a first state, a second state and a third state;

[0007] In the first state of the valve, the first compartment is connected to the second compartment and isolated from the third compartment; in the second state of the valve, the first compartment is connected to the third compartment and isolated from the second compartment; in the third state of the valve, the first compartment is connected to both the second compartment and the third compartment.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a water heater has a heating chamber and a valve chamber simultaneously provided on its housing. Coolant enters the heating chamber through the inlet for heating and then flows directly into the first sub-chamber. An actuator drives the valve to control the communication between the first sub-chamber, the second sub-chamber, and the third sub-chamber. This water heater integrates the valve chamber of the three-way valve and the inner flow channel of the heating chamber into one unit, and places the actuator outside the water heater, resulting in a more compact structure, smaller footprint, higher space utilization, and reduced piping costs.

[0009] Optionally, an inner flow channel is formed inside the heating chamber, the inlet of the inner flow channel is connected to the water inlet, and the outlet of the inner flow channel is connected to the first sub-chamber.

[0010] Optionally, the valve includes a flow guide and a blocking part, and the flow guide is provided with a flow guide hole communicating with the first compartment;

[0011] In the first state of the valve, the flow guide orifice is connected to the second sub-chamber, and the first sub-chamber and the third sub-chamber are isolated by the blocking part; in the second state of the valve, the flow guide orifice is connected to the third sub-chamber, and the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber are isolated by the blocking part; in the third state of the valve, the flow guide orifice is connected to both the second sub-chamber and the third sub-chamber.

[0012] Optionally, when the actuator drives the valve to move, the area of ​​the communication port between the guide hole and the second compartment and / or the third compartment can also be adjusted.

[0013] Optionally, the valve is rotatably connected within the valve chamber, and the actuator is used to drive the valve to rotate.

[0014] Optionally, the housing includes a body and a base, the base being connected to the body, and the heating chamber and the valve chamber being formed between the base and the body. The base is provided with the water inlet, the first water outlet and the second water outlet.

[0015] Optionally, the housing further includes a cover plate, which is connected to the body and forms an installation cavity between the cover plate and the body;

[0016] The water heater also includes an electrical control component and a heating component. The electrical control component and the heating component are respectively installed in the mounting cavity. The heating component is electrically connected to the electrical control component. The electrical control component is used to drive the heating component to heat the coolant in the heating cavity.

[0017] Optionally, the actuator is an electric actuator, which is electrically connected to the electronic control component. The electronic control component is also used to drive the electric actuator to reciprocate between a first state, a second state, and a third state.

[0018] Optionally, the water heater further includes a sealing ring, which is sealingly connected between the body and the base.

[0019] On the other hand, embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle that includes the water heater described above. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a water heater provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of a water heater;

[0022] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the base and valve;

[0023] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the middle base;

[0024] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the valve in its first state;

[0025] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the valve in its second state;

[0026] Figure 7 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the valve in its third state.

[0027] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0028] 1. Shell; 11. Inlet; 12. Heating chamber; 121. Inner flow channel; 13. Valve chamber; 131. First sub-chamber; 132. Second sub-chamber; 133. Third sub-chamber; 14. First outlet; 15. Second outlet; 101. Body; 102. Base; 103. Cover plate;

[0029] 2. Valve; 21. Flow guide; 211. Flow guide orifice; 22. Blocking part;

[0030] 3. Actuator;

[0031] 4. Sealing gasket;

[0032] 5. Heating components;

[0033] 6. Sealing ring. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To make the technical problems solved, the technical solutions, and the beneficial effects of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0035] like Figures 1 to 7As shown, the water heater provided in this embodiment of the invention includes a housing 1, a valve 2, and an actuator 3. The housing 1 is provided with a water inlet 11, a heating chamber 12, a valve chamber 13, a first water outlet 14, and a second water outlet 15. The valve 2 is installed in the valve chamber 13 and divides the valve chamber 13 into a first sub-chamber 131, a second sub-chamber 132, and a third sub-chamber 133. The heating chamber 12 is connected between the water inlet 11 and the first sub-chamber 131. The first water outlet 14 is connected to the second sub-chamber 132, and the second water outlet 15 is connected to the third sub-chamber 133.

[0036] The actuator 3 is connected to the valve 2, and the actuator 3 is used to drive the valve 2 to operate so that the valve 2 can switch between a first state, a second state and a third state.

[0037] like Figure 5 As shown, in the first state of the valve 2, the first chamber 131 is connected to the second chamber 132, and the first chamber 131 is isolated from the third chamber 133. Figure 6 As shown, in the second state of valve 2, the first chamber 131 is connected to the third chamber 133, and the first chamber 131 is isolated from the second chamber 132. Figure 7 As shown, in the third state of the valve 2, the first chamber 131 is simultaneously connected to the second chamber 132 and the third chamber 133.

[0038] The water heater provided in this embodiment of the invention has a heating chamber 12 and a valve chamber 13 simultaneously provided on the housing 1. Coolant enters the heating chamber 12 through the inlet 11 for heating and then flows directly into the first sub-chamber 131. An actuator 3 drives the valve 2 to control the communication between the first sub-chamber 131, the second sub-chamber 132, and the third sub-chamber 133. This water heater integrates the valve chamber 13 of the three-way valve and the inner flow channel 121 of the heating chamber 12 into one unit, and places the actuator 4 outside the water heater. This results in a more compact structure, smaller footprint, higher space utilization, and reduced piping costs.

[0039] In one embodiment, such as Figures 2 to 7 As shown, an inner flow channel 121 is formed within the heating chamber 12. The inlet of the inner flow channel 121 communicates with the water inlet 11, and the outlet of the inner flow channel 121 communicates with the first sub-chamber 131. The inner flow channel 121 is used to provide a flow path for the coolant. Preferably, the inner flow channel 121 is S-shaped.

[0040] In one embodiment, such as Figure 3As shown, the valve 2 includes a flow guide 21 and a blocking part 22. The flow guide 21 is provided with a flow guide hole 211 that communicates with the first compartment 131.

[0041] In the first state of valve 2, the flow guide orifice 211 communicates with the second sub-chamber 132, and the first sub-chamber 131 and the third sub-chamber 133 are separated by the blocking part 22. In the second state of valve 2, the flow guide orifice 211 communicates with the third sub-chamber 133, and the first sub-chamber 131 and the second sub-chamber 132 are separated by the blocking part 22. In the third state of valve 2, the flow guide orifice 211 communicates with both the second sub-chamber 132 and the third sub-chamber 133.

[0042] By controlling the connection between the guide hole 211 and the second sub-cavity 132 and / or the third sub-cavity 133, the connection between the first sub-cavity 131 and the second sub-cavity 132 and / or the third sub-cavity 133 is realized.

[0043] In one embodiment, when the actuator 3 drives the valve 2 to move, it can also adjust the area of ​​the communication port between the guide hole 211 and the second sub-chamber 132 and / or the third sub-chamber 133, thereby adjusting the flow rate to each sub-chamber.

[0044] Specifically, in the first state of the valve 2, the actuator 3 can further drive the valve 2 to move, so as to further adjust the area of ​​the communication port between the guide hole 211 and the second sub-chamber 132, thereby adjusting the flow rate to the second sub-chamber 132.

[0045] In the second state of the valve 2, the actuator 3 can further drive the valve 2 to move, so as to further adjust the area of ​​the communication port between the guide hole 211 and the third sub-chamber 133, thereby adjusting the flow rate to the third sub-chamber 133.

[0046] In the third state of the valve 2, the actuator 3 can further drive the valve 2 to move, so as to further adjust the area of ​​the communication port between the guide hole 211 and the second sub-chamber 132 and the third sub-chamber 133, thereby adjusting the flow rate to the second sub-chamber 132 and the third sub-chamber 133.

[0047] In one embodiment, such as Figures 2 to 7 As shown, the valve 2 is rotatably connected in the valve chamber 13, and the actuator 3 is used to drive the valve 2 to rotate so that the valve 2 can achieve communication between the first chamber 131, the second chamber 132 and / or the third chamber 133 by rotating.

[0048] In one embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, a sealing gasket 4 is provided between the valve 2 and the second sub-chamber 132 and the third sub-chamber 133. The sealing gasket 4 is used to seal between the valve 2 and the second sub-chamber 132 and the third sub-chamber 133, to prevent the coolant in the second sub-chamber 132 and the third sub-chamber 133 from permeating each other, or to prevent the coolant in the first sub-chamber 131 from entering the second sub-chamber 132 and / or the third sub-chamber 133 through the gap between the valve 2 and the second sub-chamber 132 and the third sub-chamber 133.

[0049] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the housing 1 includes a body 101 and a base 102. The base 102 is connected to the body 101. The heating chamber 12 and the valve chamber 13 are formed between the base 102 and the body 101. The base 102 is provided with a water inlet 11, a first water outlet 14 and a second water outlet 15 to form the structure of the housing 1.

[0050] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the housing 1 also includes a cover plate 103, which is connected to the body 101 and forms an installation cavity with the body 101.

[0051] The water heater also includes an electrical control component and a heating component 5. The electrical control component and the heating component 5 are respectively installed in the mounting cavity. The heating component 5 is electrically connected to the electrical control component. The electrical control component is used to drive the heating component 5 to heat the coolant in the heating cavity 12.

[0052] In one embodiment, the actuator 3 is an electric actuator, which is electrically connected to the electronic control component. The electronic control component is also used to drive the electric actuator to reciprocate between the first state, the second state, and the third state, thereby realizing the communication between the first chamber 131, the second chamber 132, and / or the third chamber 133.

[0053] In other embodiments not shown in the figures, the actuator may also be a manual actuator.

[0054] In one embodiment, the water heater further includes a sealing ring 6, which is sealed between the body 101 and the base 102 to prevent the coolant in the heating chamber 12 and the valve chamber 13 from overflowing from the gap between the body 101 and the base 102.

[0055] The vehicle provided in this embodiment of the invention includes the water heater provided in the above embodiment.

[0056] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water heater, characterized in that, The device includes a housing, a valve, and an actuator. The housing is provided with an inlet, a heating chamber, a valve chamber, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The valve is installed in the valve chamber and divides the valve chamber into a first sub-chamber, a second sub-chamber, and a third sub-chamber. The heating chamber is connected between the inlet and the first sub-chamber. The first outlet is connected to the second sub-chamber, and the second outlet is connected to the third sub-chamber. The actuator is connected to the valve and is used to drive the valve to move so that the valve can switch between a first state, a second state and a third state; In the first state of the valve, the first compartment is connected to the second compartment and isolated from the third compartment; in the second state of the valve, the first compartment is connected to the third compartment and isolated from the second compartment; in the third state of the valve, the first compartment is connected to both the second compartment and the third compartment.

2. The water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that, An inner flow channel is formed inside the heating chamber. The inlet of the inner flow channel is connected to the water inlet, and the outlet of the inner flow channel is connected to the first sub-chamber.

3. The water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve includes a flow guide and a blocking part, and the flow guide is provided with a flow guide hole communicating with the first compartment. In the first state of the valve, the flow guide orifice is connected to the second sub-chamber, and the first sub-chamber and the third sub-chamber are isolated by the blocking part; in the second state of the valve, the flow guide orifice is connected to the third sub-chamber, and the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber are isolated by the blocking part; in the third state of the valve, the flow guide orifice is connected to both the second sub-chamber and the third sub-chamber.

4. The water heater according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the actuator drives the valve to move, it can also adjust the area of ​​the communication port between the guide hole and the second compartment and / or the third compartment.

5. The water heater according to claim 3, characterized in that, The valve is rotatably connected within the valve chamber, and the actuator is used to drive the valve to rotate.

6. The water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing includes a body and a base. The base is connected to the body, and the heating chamber and the valve chamber are formed between the base and the body. The base is provided with the water inlet, the first water outlet and the second water outlet.

7. The water heater according to claim 6, characterized in that, The housing also includes a cover plate, which is connected to the body and forms an installation cavity with the body; The water heater also includes an electrical control component and a heating component. The electrical control component and the heating component are respectively installed in the mounting cavity. The heating component is electrically connected to the electrical control component. The electrical control component is used to drive the heating component to heat the coolant in the heating cavity.

8. The water heater according to claim 7, characterized in that, The actuator is an electric actuator, which is electrically connected to the electronic control component. The electronic control component is also used to drive the electric actuator to reciprocate between the first state, the second state, and the third state.

9. The water heater according to claim 6, characterized in that, The water heater also includes a sealing ring, which is sealed between the body and the base.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the water heater as described in any one of claims 1-9.