Water heater inner container and manufacturing process thereof

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a water heater inner container and a manufacturing process thereof. The water heater inner container comprises a closed stainless steel container body filled with phase-change materials. The stainless steel heat exchange tubes are fixedly connected with the stainless steel container body; the stainless steel communicating component is used for communicating the plurality of stainless steel heat exchange tubes to form a to-be-heated water circulation pipeline; the multiple stainless steel heat exchange pipes make contact with the phase change materials in the stainless steel container body so that heat exchange can be conducted between water flowing through the stainless steel heat exchange pipes and the phase change materials. The stainless steel fins are located in the stainless steel container body, and the stainless steel heat exchange pipes penetrate through the stainless steel fins and make contact with the stainless steel fins. All parts in the water heater inner container are made of stainless steel materials, so that the thermal expansion coefficients of all the parts are the same, local heat accumulation deformation caused by different thermal expansion coefficients of the materials is avoided, and the service life of the water heater inner container is prolonged. Meanwhile, the stainless steel material is low in price, and the manufacturing cost of the water heater inner container is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of this specification relate to the technical field of water heater inner tanks, and in particular to a water heater inner tank and a manufacturing process thereof. Background Art

[0002] Affected by the size of the user's bathroom and the installation environment, the volume of the commonly used electric water heater tank is generally no more than 100L. For example, the more common household electric water heaters sold on the market are 60L electric water heaters. However, the ability of electric water heaters with the above capacity to supply hot water is limited. Especially in winter, users generally have problems with insufficient hot water or long heating time when bathing.

[0003] In addition to the water storage heating method, some existing water heaters also use heat exchange tubes and phase change materials to heat water. The working principle is: the circulation pump drives the hot water to circulate in the heat exchange tube, and the hot water exchanges heat with the phase change material, so that the phase change material absorbs heat and stores energy; when hot water is needed, the phase change material uses the stored energy to heat the cold water flowing in the heat exchange tube. However, the existing water heaters that use heat exchange and energy storage are expensive, and the various components in the water heater are easily damaged due to uneven heating and local overheating when the phase change material changes state.

[0004] In view of this, the embodiments of this specification are intended to provide a water heater tank and a manufacturing process thereof. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to solve the problems in the prior art that heat exchange energy storage water heaters are high in cost, their internal components are easily damaged and have a short service life, an embodiment of the present invention provides a water heater tank and a manufacturing process thereof.

[0006] The specific technical solutions of the embodiments of this specification are as follows:

[0007] A water heater tank, comprising:

[0008] A closed stainless steel body filled with a phase change material;

[0009] A plurality of stainless steel heat exchange tubes, at least some of which are fixedly connected to the stainless steel body;

[0010] A stainless steel connecting component connecting the plurality of stainless steel heat exchange tubes, wherein the stainless steel connecting component connects the plurality of stainless steel heat exchange tubes to form a pipeline for the water to be heated to flow;

[0011] The plurality of stainless steel heat exchange tubes are in contact with the phase change material in the stainless steel tank body so that water flowing through the stainless steel heat exchange tubes can exchange heat with the phase change material;

[0012] A plurality of stainless steel fins are located in the stainless steel body, and the plurality of stainless steel heat exchange tubes are passed through the stainless steel fins and are in contact with the stainless steel fins.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of stainless steel heat exchange tubes are passed through the end of the stainless steel body;

[0014] The stainless steel connecting component is located outside the stainless steel body, and the stainless steel connecting component located outside the stainless steel body connects a plurality of stainless steel heat exchange tubes.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the stainless steel bladder body is composed of at least two stainless steel sub-bladder bodies.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, each of the stainless steel sub-body includes an open end and an end portion, the open end of the stainless steel sub-body is used to combine with the open end of another stainless steel sub-body to form the stainless steel body, and the end portion of the stainless steel sub-body is provided with an opening for the stainless steel heat exchange tube to pass through.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the stainless steel tank body includes a stainless steel cylinder and a stainless steel end portion, and the end portion of the stainless steel cylinder and the stainless steel end portion are respectively provided with holes for the stainless steel heat exchange tube to pass through.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the stainless steel tank body comprises a stainless steel cylinder and two stainless steel ends arranged opposite to each other at two ends of the stainless steel cylinder, and the two stainless steel ends are respectively provided with holes for the stainless steel heat exchange tubes to pass through.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the stainless steel end has a flange, and the flange is connected to the inner wall or the outer wall of the stainless steel cylinder.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the stainless steel heat exchange tube and the stainless steel connecting component are a tube body, and the tube body is bent to form a stainless steel heat exchanger.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the stainless steel connecting component includes a first connecting structure and a second connecting structure arranged on both sides of the stainless steel body, the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure are arranged asymmetrically, and the stainless steel heat exchange tube forms a pipeline for the water to be heated to flow through the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting component includes one or a combination of a stainless steel U-shaped tube or a stainless steel water collecting box.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the stainless steel water collecting box comprises a convex hull structure, and the inner side of the convex hull structure is covered on the ends of at least two stainless steel heat exchange tubes, so that the at least two stainless steel heat exchange tubes are connected.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the stainless steel water collecting box is formed by stamping a stainless steel plate, and the convex hull structure is a convex hull formed by stamping the stainless steel plate.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, it also includes an electric heating structure, which is built into the stainless steel tank.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the electric heating structure includes an electric heating rod and a stainless steel sleeve, wherein the electric heating rod at least partially extends into the stainless steel sleeve, and the stainless steel sleeve is passed through at least a portion of the stainless steel fins.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the stainless steel fins are provided with a third opening for the stainless steel sleeve to pass through, and the edge of the third opening is provided with a flanging structure, and the stainless steel sleeve is fixedly connected to the stainless steel fin with the flanging structure by means of expansion tube, and / or the stainless steel fin is welded and fixed to the stainless steel sleeve by the flanging structure.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the stainless steel sleeve is made of high thermal conductivity stainless steel.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the high thermal conductivity stainless steel material includes martensitic stainless steel or ferritic stainless steel.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the electric heating rod is made of PTC material.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the electric heating rod is detachably connected to the stainless steel sleeve.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the electric heating structure comprises an electric heating rod.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the operating temperature of the electric heating rod is between the vaporization temperature of the phase change material and the phase change temperature of the phase change material.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the operating temperature of the electric heating rod is greater than a preset temperature, and the preset temperature is greater than the phase change temperature of the phase change material and less than the vaporization temperature of the phase change material.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, there is a gap between the edge of the stainless steel fin and the inner wall of the stainless steel body.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, each of the stainless steel heat exchange tubes is inserted into a corresponding first opening of the stainless steel fin, and the stainless steel fin is in contact with the phase change material.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the edge of the first opening is provided with a flanging structure, the stainless steel heat exchange tube is fixedly connected to the stainless steel fin having the flanging structure by means of tube expansion, and / or the stainless steel fin is welded and fixed to the stainless steel heat exchange tube by means of the flanging structure.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the stainless steel fin has a second opening at a position different from the first opening.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the second opening positions of two adjacent stainless steel fins are different.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of stainless steel fins are divided into at least two categories, the first opening positions and the second opening positions of stainless steel fins of the same category are the same, and the first opening positions and the second opening positions of stainless steel fins of different categories are the same.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, different types of stainless steel fins are arranged alternately on the stainless steel heat exchange tubes.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the stainless steel gallbladder body comprises a stainless steel cylinder and two stainless steel ends, and the distance between the stainless steel fins adjacent to the stainless steel ends and the stainless steel ends is 6 mm-12 mm.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, a temperature sensor is further included. The temperature sensor is located outside the stainless steel body and is used to detect the temperature of the phase change material in the stainless steel body.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the temperature sensor is arranged at the end of the stainless steel body.

[0045] The present specification also provides a manufacturing process for a water heater tank, including:

[0046] The stainless steel heat exchange tube is inserted into the stainless steel fin to form a heat exchange component;

[0047] Placing the heat exchange component in a stainless steel casing;

[0048] Put the heat exchange component and the stainless steel body into a welding furnace for welding;

[0049] The stainless steel heat exchange tubes are connected by using a stainless steel connecting component;

[0050] The phase change material is filled into the stainless steel body.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the stainless steel connecting component comprises a stainless steel water collecting box; the manufacturing process comprises:

[0052] The stainless steel heat exchange tube is inserted into the stainless steel fin to form a heat exchange component;

[0053] The heat exchange component is placed inside the stainless steel tank, and the stainless steel water collecting box is placed outside the stainless steel tank;

[0054] Put the heat exchange assembly, the stainless steel water collecting box and the stainless steel body into a welding furnace for welding, so that the stainless steel water collecting box is connected to the end of the stainless steel body;

[0055] The phase change material is filled into the stainless steel body.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the stainless steel connecting component comprises a stainless steel U-shaped tube; and the process comprises:

[0057] The stainless steel heat exchange tube is inserted into the stainless steel fin to form a heat exchange component;

[0058] The heat exchange component is placed inside the stainless steel tank, and the stainless steel U-shaped tube is placed outside the stainless steel tank;

[0059] Put the heat exchange assembly, the stainless steel U-shaped tube and the stainless steel body into a welding furnace for welding, so that the stainless steel U-shaped tube is connected to the stainless steel heat exchange tube;

[0060] The phase change material is filled into the stainless steel body.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment, the stainless steel body includes a stainless steel cylinder and two stainless steel ends, and placing the heat exchange component in the stainless steel body further includes:

[0062] Holes for the stainless steel heat exchange tubes to pass through are respectively provided at the two stainless steel ends;

[0063] Placing the heat exchange component in the stainless steel cylinder;

[0064] Disposing one of the two stainless steel ends at one end of the stainless steel cylinder;

[0065] The other of the two stainless steel ends is arranged at the other end of the stainless steel cylinder.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment, the stainless steel body includes a stainless steel cylinder and a stainless steel end, and placing the heat exchange component in the stainless steel body further includes:

[0067] Holes for the stainless steel heat exchange tube to pass through are respectively provided at the end of the stainless steel cylinder and the stainless steel end;

[0068] The heat exchange assembly is placed in the stainless steel cylinder, and one end of the stainless steel heat exchange tube is passed through the end of the stainless steel cylinder;

[0069] The stainless steel end portion is arranged at one end of the stainless steel cylinder, and the other end of the stainless steel heat exchange tube is passed through the stainless steel end portion.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment, when the stainless steel body is composed of two stainless steel sub-bodies, placing the heat exchange component in the stainless steel body further includes:

[0071] The ends of the two stainless steel sub-bodies are respectively provided with holes for the stainless steel heat exchange tubes to pass through;

[0072] Placing the heat exchange component part inside one of the two stainless steel sub-bodies;

[0073] The open ends of the two stainless steel bladders are butt-jointed.

[0074] In a preferred embodiment, the step of inserting the stainless steel heat exchange tube into the stainless steel fin to form a heat exchange component includes:

[0075] Opening a first opening on the stainless steel fin;

[0076] Positioning the stainless steel fins at a predetermined spacing;

[0077] The stainless steel heat exchange tube is inserted into the first opening to form the heat exchange component.

[0078] In a preferred embodiment, the first opening is formed on the stainless steel fin, comprising:

[0079] Arranging a flange structure at the edge of the first opening;

[0080] After the stainless steel heat exchange tube is inserted into the first opening, the method further comprises:

[0081] The stainless steel heat exchange tube is fixedly connected to the stainless steel fin with a flange structure by means of tube expansion.

[0082] In a preferred embodiment, the water heater inner tank comprises a stainless steel casing, and the stainless steel casing is used to accommodate at least part of the electric heating rod; the manufacturing process further comprises:

[0083] The stainless steel sleeve is inserted into the stainless steel body from one end of the stainless steel body, and penetrated with at least a portion of the stainless steel fins.

[0084] The embodiments of the present specification provide a water heater tank and a manufacturing process thereof, wherein all components in the water heater tank are made of stainless steel, so that the thermal expansion coefficients of the components are the same, thereby avoiding local heat accumulation and deformation due to different thermal expansion coefficients of the materials, which is beneficial to increasing the service life of the water heater tank; at the same time, stainless steel materials are inexpensive, which is beneficial to reducing the cost of the water heater tank.

[0085] With reference to the following description and drawings, specific embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in detail, indicating the manner in which the principles of the present invention can be adopted. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention are not limited in scope. Within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, the embodiments of the present invention include many changes, modifications and equivalents. Features described and / or shown for one embodiment can be used in one or more other embodiments in the same or similar manner, combined with features in other embodiments, or replace features in other embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0086] The accompanying drawings described herein are only for explanation purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. In addition, the shapes and proportional dimensions of the various components in the figures are only schematic, used to help understand the present invention, and are not specifically limited to the shapes and proportional dimensions of the various components of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can select various possible shapes and proportional dimensions to implement the present invention according to the teachings of the present invention.

[0087] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a water heater tank provided in an embodiment of this specification is shown;

[0088] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the inner tank of a water heater in an embodiment of this specification is shown;

[0089] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a stainless steel gallbladder in an embodiment of this specification is shown;

[0090] Figure 4 It shows a structural schematic diagram of another stainless steel gallbladder body in the embodiment of this specification;

[0091] Figure 5a It shows a structural schematic diagram of another stainless steel gallbladder body in the embodiment of this specification;

[0092] Figure 5b The schematic diagram of the assembly of the stainless steel heat exchange tube and two stainless steel ends in the embodiment of this specification is shown;

[0093] Figure 6a and Figure 6b A schematic diagram showing the structure of the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure in the embodiment of this specification is shown;

[0094] Figure 7 It shows a schematic structural diagram of the convex hull structure in the embodiment of this specification;

[0095] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 The enlarged schematic diagram of F in the middle;

[0096] Fig. 9 It shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a stainless steel water collecting box in an embodiment of this specification;

[0097] Fig.10 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure at D in the middle;

[0098] Fig.11 A cross-sectional view of the inner tank of the water heater in another perspective is shown in the embodiment of this specification;

[0099] Fig.12 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure at E in the middle;

[0100] Fig.13 It shows a schematic diagram of the assembly of the stainless steel fin and the stainless steel body in the embodiment of this specification;

[0101] Fig.14a The structural schematic diagram of the stainless steel fin in the embodiment of this specification is shown;

[0102] Fig.14b for Fig.14a Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the stainless steel fin;

[0103] Fig.15 Another schematic diagram of assembling the stainless steel fins and the stainless steel body in the embodiment of this specification is shown;

[0104] Fig.16 A schematic diagram showing the steps of a manufacturing process of a water heater tank provided in an embodiment of this specification is shown;

[0105] Fig.17 A schematic diagram showing the steps of another water heater tank manufacturing process provided in an embodiment of this specification;

[0106] Fig.18 A schematic diagram showing the steps of another water heater tank manufacturing process provided in an embodiment of this specification;

[0107] Fig.19A schematic diagram showing the steps of placing a heat exchange component in a stainless steel tank in an embodiment of this specification is shown;

[0108] Fig. 20 A schematic diagram showing another step of placing the heat exchange component in the stainless steel tank body in the embodiment of this specification;

[0109] Fig.21 A schematic diagram showing another step of placing the heat exchange component in the stainless steel tank body in the embodiment of this specification;

[0110] Fig. 22 A schematic diagram of the steps of inserting a stainless steel heat exchange tube into a stainless steel fin to form a heat exchange component in an embodiment of this specification is shown.

[0111] Description of the accompanying symbols:

[0112] 10. Stainless steel body;

[0113] 11, 11', stainless steel body;

[0114] 12. Open end;

[0115] 13. End;

[0116] 131, opening;

[0117] 14. Stainless steel cylinder;

[0118] 15. Stainless steel ends;

[0119] 151. Kong;

[0120] 1511, first flanging;

[0121] 152. Flanging;

[0122] 20. Stainless steel heat exchange tube;

[0123] 30. Stainless steel connecting parts;

[0124] 31. A first connecting structure;

[0125] 32. A second connecting structure;

[0126] 33. Convex hull structure;

[0127] 331. Pipeline support;

[0128] 40, 40a, 40b stainless steel fins;

[0129] 41. first opening;

[0130] 411, flange structure;

[0131] 42, 42', second opening;

[0132] 43. The third opening;

[0133] 431, flange structure;

[0134] 50. Electric heating structure;

[0135] 51. Electric heating rod;

[0136] 52. Stainless steel casing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0137] The details of the present invention can be more clearly understood by combining the accompanying drawings and the description of the specific embodiments of the present invention. However, the specific embodiments of the present invention described herein are only used for the purpose of explaining the present invention and cannot be understood as limiting the present invention in any way. Under the guidance of the present invention, technicians can conceive of any possible variations based on the present invention, which should be regarded as belonging to the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that when an element is referred to as "arranged on" another element, it can be directly on another element or there can also be a central element. When an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to another element or there may be a central element at the same time. The terms "installed", "connected" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection, or it can be the communication between the two elements, it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms can be understood according to the specific circumstances. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "up", "down", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are only for illustrative purposes and do not represent the only implementation method.

[0138] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used herein in the specification of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0139] In order to solve the problems in the prior art that heat exchange energy storage water heaters are high in cost, their internal components are easily damaged and have a short service life, an embodiment of the present invention provides a water heater tank and a manufacturing process thereof.

[0140] like Figure 1 As shown, the water heater inner tank includes a stainless steel tank body 10, a plurality of stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20, a stainless steel connecting component 30 and a stainless steel fin 40;

[0141] The stainless steel body 10 is filled with a phase change material (not shown in the figure); the phase change material is a material whose state changes, specifically, when the phase change material changes from solid to liquid, it absorbs heat and stores energy; when the phase change material changes from liquid to solid, it releases energy. The final state of the stainless steel body 10 is closed, that is, after the above-mentioned multiple stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20, stainless steel connecting components 30 and stainless steel fins 40 are installed and connected to the stainless steel body 10, the stainless steel body 10 is closed to avoid leakage of the phase change material.

[0142] At least part of the stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 are fixedly connected to the stainless steel body 10. The stainless steel connecting component 30 connects the multiple stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20, and the stainless steel connecting component 30 connects the multiple stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 to form a pipeline for the water to be heated to flow. The multiple stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 are in contact with the phase change material in the stainless steel body 10 so that the water flowing through the stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 exchanges heat with the phase change material.

[0143] There are multiple stainless steel connecting components 30. In some feasible embodiments, the stainless steel connecting components 30 connect multiple stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 in series to form a pipeline; in other feasible embodiments, the stainless steel connecting components 30 can also connect the stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 to form multiple pipelines, and these multiple pipelines output hot water in parallel.

[0144] The stainless steel fin 40 is located in the stainless steel body 10, and a plurality of the stainless steel fins 40 are provided. The plurality of stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 are passed through the stainless steel fins 40 and contact the stainless steel fins 40. The stainless steel fins 40 are used to transfer heat from a heat source to the phase change material, and then the phase change material heats the water flowing in the stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20.

[0145] Preferably, the plurality of stainless steel fins 40 are evenly and evenly distributed along the axial direction of the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20, so as to evenly transfer the heat from the heat source to the phase change material between any two adjacent stainless steel fins 40. Furthermore, the plurality of stainless steel fins 40 are evenly and evenly distributed vertically along the axial direction of the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20, so as to more fully utilize the space in the stainless steel body 10, which is conducive to improving the heat exchange efficiency with the phase change material.

[0146] The embodiment of this specification provides a water heater inner tank, in which all the components are made of stainless steel, so that the thermal expansion coefficients of the components are the same, so that when the phase change material absorbs heat to store energy or releases heat, the components shrink or expand synchronously, avoiding local heat accumulation and deformation due to different thermal expansion coefficients of the materials, which is beneficial to improving the service life of the water heater inner tank; at the same time, the stainless steel material is cheap, which is beneficial to reducing the cost of the water heater inner tank. In addition, the use of stainless steel fins 40 can transfer heat energy to the phase change material more quickly, which is beneficial to improving the heat exchange efficiency, shortening the time required for heating, avoiding users from waiting for a long time, and improving the user experience.

[0147] Combination Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in the embodiment of this specification, the plurality of stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 are inserted through the end of the stainless steel body 10; the stainless steel connecting component 30 is located outside the stainless steel body 10 (the stainless steel connecting component 30 further includes a first connecting structure 31 and a second connecting structure 32 respectively arranged on both sides of the stainless steel body 10), and the stainless steel connecting component 30 located outside the stainless steel body 10 connects the plurality of stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20. That is, the end of the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 is connected and fixed to the stainless steel body 10, and the tube body of the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 contacts and exchanges heat with the phase change material.

[0148] In the embodiment of the present specification, after the stainless steel connecting component 30 is located outside the stainless steel body 10, only the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 in the form of a straight tube remains in the stainless steel body 10. Therefore, after each stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 is connected with the stainless steel fin 40 to form a heat exchange assembly and placed in the stainless steel body 10, the heat exchange assembly can be connected with the stainless steel connecting component 30, which can facilitate the installation of the inner tank of the water heater; and to a certain extent, the distance between the stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 in the stainless steel body 10 can be reduced, so that the number of stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 set in the stainless steel body 10 with limited space can be as large as possible, which can increase the storage of water to be heated and the heat exchange contact area between the water to be heated and the phase change material, and improve the heat exchange efficiency.

[0149] Furthermore, when a plurality of stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 are arranged horizontally and in parallel, the distance between any two stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 at different positions along the axis is equal, so that the distance between the holes on each stainless steel fin 40 for any two stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 to pass through is equal, that is, each stainless steel fin 40 can adopt the same hole opening method, which is beneficial to reduce the difficulty of the hole opening process on the stainless steel fin 40.

[0150] Since the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 is arranged as a straight tube in the stainless steel body 10, the end of the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 is connected to the end of the stainless steel body 10, so the stainless steel fins 40 can be arranged along the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 to the two ends of the stainless steel body 10, that is, Figure 2 and Fig.15 As shown, the phase change material in the stainless steel body 10 is heated more fully, which is beneficial to improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0151] The stainless steel body 10 is composed of at least two stainless steel sub-bodies. By using at least two stainless steel sub-bodies, it is convenient to assemble various parts in the stainless steel body 10.

[0152] In a possible embodiment, if Figure 3 As shown, the stainless steel body includes stainless steel sub-bodies 11 and 11'. The stainless steel sub-bodies 11 and 11' both include an open end 12 and an end 13. The open end 12 of the stainless steel sub-bodies 11 is used to combine with the open end 12 of another stainless steel sub-bodies 11' to form the stainless steel body 10. The ends of the stainless steel sub-bodies 11 and 11' are both provided with openings 131 for the stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 to pass through. That is, the stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 are connected to the stainless steel sub-bodies 11 and 11' through the openings 131.

[0153] The assembly method of the various components in the stainless steel body 10 is as follows: after the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 is inserted into each stainless steel fin 40 to form a heat exchange component, the two ends of the heat exchange component are respectively placed in the stainless steel sub-bodies 11 and 11' and the two ends of each stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 are respectively passed through the corresponding openings 131 on the end 13 of the stainless steel sub-body 11 and the corresponding openings 131 on the end 13 of the stainless steel sub-body 11'; finally, the stainless steel sub-bodies 11 and 11' are connected through their respective open ends 12.

[0154] In another possible embodiment, if Figure 4 As shown, the stainless steel body 10 includes a stainless steel cylinder 14 and a stainless steel end 15 , and the end of the stainless steel cylinder 14 and the stainless steel end 15 are respectively provided with holes 151 for the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 to pass through.

[0155] The corresponding assembly method of the components in the stainless steel body 10 is: place the heat exchange assembly in the stainless steel cylinder 14 so that one end of each stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 at least partially passes through the corresponding hole 151 on the end of the stainless steel cylinder 14; connect the stainless steel end 15 to the stainless steel cylinder 14 and make the other end of each stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 at least partially pass through the corresponding holes 151 on the stainless steel end 15.

[0156] In another possible embodiment, if Figure 5a As shown, the stainless steel body 10 includes a stainless steel cylinder 14 and two stainless steel ends 15 disposed opposite to each other at both ends of the stainless steel cylinder 14, and the two stainless steel ends 15 are respectively provided with holes 151 for the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 to pass through. That is, both ends of the stainless steel cylinder 14 are open to connect with the two stainless steel ends 15.

[0157] The assembly method of the various components in the stainless steel body 10 is as follows: the heat exchange component is placed in the stainless steel cylinder 14, the two stainless steel ends 15 are respectively connected to one side of the stainless steel cylinder 14, and the two ends of each stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 are respectively at least partially passed through the holes 151 on the two oppositely arranged stainless steel ends 15.

[0158] like Figure 5b As shown, it is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 and the two stainless steel ends 15 ( Figure 5b In the figure, the stainless steel fins are not shown), the edges of each hole on the stainless steel end portion 15 may be provided with a first flange 1511, and the first flange 1511 may serve to enhance the stability of the connection between the stainless steel end portion 15 and the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20.

[0159] The embodiments of this specification provide Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5a The several embodiments of the stainless steel tank body 10 shown can all improve the convenience of production and assembly of the inner tank of the water heater. Of course, in addition to the above-mentioned several feasible embodiments of the stainless steel tank body 10, there can also be other embodiments.

[0160] like Figure 4 , Figure 5a and Figure 5b As shown, the stainless steel end 15 has a flange 152, and the flange 152 is connected to the inner wall or the outer wall of the stainless steel cylinder 14. The flange 152 can increase the contact area when the stainless steel end 15 is connected to the stainless steel cylinder 14, so as to improve the stability of the connection. Specifically, the stainless steel end 15 and the stainless steel cylinder 14 can be connected by brazing. Of course, other welding processes can also be used. In the embodiments of this specification, the welding process for connecting the stainless steel end 15 and the stainless steel cylinder 14 is not specifically limited.

[0161] In some feasible embodiments, the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 and the stainless steel connecting component 30 are a tube body, and the tube body is bent to form a stainless steel heat exchanger.

[0162] The stainless steel connecting component 30 includes first connecting structures 31 (such as Figure 6aas shown) and a second communicating structure 32 (as shown Figure 6b As shown), the first connecting structure 31 and the second connecting structure 32 are arranged asymmetrically, and the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 forms a pipeline for the water to be heated to flow through the first connecting structure 31 and the second connecting structure 32.

[0163] For a stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 (referred to as heat exchange tube A), if one end thereof located at the first connecting structure 31 of the stainless steel body 10 is the water inlet end, then the other end thereof located at the second connecting structure 32 of the stainless steel body 10 is the water outlet end. The water inlet end needs to be connected to the water outlet end of other stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 (referred to as heat exchange tube B), and the water outlet end needs to be connected to the water inlet end of other stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 (referred to as heat exchange tube C) different from heat exchange tube B, otherwise, heat exchange tube A and heat exchange tube B will be connected to form a loop and cannot be connected to other heat exchange tubes. Therefore, the other stainless steel heat exchange tubes connected at both ends of each stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 are different, so that the first connecting structure 31 and the second connecting structure 32 are asymmetric.

[0164] Furthermore, the stainless steel connecting component 30 includes one or a combination of a stainless steel U-shaped tube or a stainless steel water collecting box.

[0165] There are multiple U-shaped tubes, and both ends of each U-shaped tube are respectively connected to the ends of two stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 located on the same side of the stainless steel body 10. The smooth transition of the U-shaped tube is beneficial to improving the smoothness of water flowing in the stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20.

[0166] In the embodiments of this specification, Figures 6a to 8 As shown, the stainless steel water collecting box includes a convex structure 33, the inner side of which is covered at the ends of at least two stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20, so that the at least two stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 are connected. Water in the at least two stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 covered by the same convex structure 33 can flow under the action of water pressure.

[0167] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 The enlarged schematic diagram at F in the figure is as follows: Figure 8 As shown, further, a pipe bracket 331 for connecting to the end of each stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 can be formed on the inner side of the convex structure 33. Inserting each pipe bracket 331 into the corresponding end of each stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 can improve the stability of the connection between the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 and the stainless steel connecting component 30.

[0168] like Fig. 9 As shown, the stainless steel water collecting box is formed by stamping a stainless steel plate, and the convex structure 33 is a convex structure formed by stamping the stainless steel plate.

[0169] The area between the two convex hull structures 33 can be used as a solder filling area when connected and fixed to the stainless steel body 10. After the stainless steel water collecting box is connected to the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 and the stainless steel body 10, the convex hull structures 33 are isolated from each other.

[0170] In the embodiment of the present specification, the water heater inner tank also includes an electric heating structure, and the electric heating structure is built into the stainless steel tank body. The electric heating structure is used to convert electrical energy into thermal energy to achieve the purpose of heating the phase change material in the stainless steel tank body 10. It should be noted that the electric heating structure can be provided with one or more. The number of the electric heating structures in the embodiment of the present specification is not specifically limited, and the number of the electric heating structures can be set according to actual usage. When the electric heating structure is provided with multiple structures, it can not only improve the heat exchange efficiency, but also realize the heating of the phase change material at different positions in the stainless steel tank body, thereby playing a role in improving the uniformity of heat exchange.

[0171] In some feasible embodiments, the electric heating structure includes an electric heating rod. The electric heating rod can be inserted into at least a portion of the stainless steel fins and thus built into the stainless steel body, and the electric heating rod can heat the phase change material in the stainless steel body through the stainless steel fins. When the phase change material undergoes a phase change, its volume may also change accordingly, and the phase change material in the stainless steel body may flow to transfer heat. The electric heating rod generates a certain high temperature to heat the phase change material and store energy. Since the electric heating rod generates a high temperature, long-term high temperature may cause damage to the electric heating rod.

[0172] Fig.10 yes Figure 2 The structural diagram at D is as follows: Fig.10 As shown, in some other feasible embodiments, the electric heating structure 50 includes an electric heating rod 51 and a stainless steel sleeve 52, the electric heating rod 51 at least partially extends into the stainless steel sleeve 52, and the stainless steel sleeve 52 is passed through at least a part of the stainless steel fins 40.

[0173] The stainless steel sleeve 52 can protect the electric heating rod 51. In addition, the stainless steel sleeve 52 and other parts in the stainless steel body 10 are made of the same stainless steel material to have the same thermal expansion coefficient as other parts, thereby avoiding local heat accumulation and deformation caused by different thermal expansion coefficients of materials during heat exchange.

[0174] Preferably, the length of the electric heating structure 50 can be adapted to the size of the heat exchange component, that is, the stainless steel sleeve 52 of the electric heating structure 50 can be passed through all the stainless steel fins 40 to transfer heat to all the stainless steel fins 40 and improve the heat exchange efficiency. Fig.11 As shown ( Fig.11 Only part of the stainless steel fins 40 are shown as an example. The length of the electric heating structure 50 is adapted to the length of the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 in the heat exchange assembly, which helps to improve the heat exchange efficiency while making the heat exchange of the phase change material more uniform.

[0175] Preferably, a heat-conducting layer (not shown in the figure) is filled between the electric heating rod 51 and the stainless steel sleeve 52. The heat-conducting layer may be thermal grease. The thermal grease has high thermal conductivity and thermal stability and can transfer the heat generated by the electric heating rod 51 to the stainless steel sleeve 52.

[0176] Furthermore, at least a portion of the stainless steel fins 40 are provided with a third opening 43 for the stainless steel sleeve 52 to pass through, and the edge of the third opening 43 is provided with a flanging structure 431, and the stainless steel sleeve 52 is fixedly connected to the stainless steel fin 40 having the flanging structure 431 by means of expansion tube, and / or the stainless steel fin 40 is welded and fixed to the stainless steel sleeve 52 by means of the flanging structure 431.

[0177] Since the electric heating structure can be provided with one or more, the number of the third openings 43 provided on the stainless steel fin 40 can be provided with one or more accordingly.

[0178] The flange structure 431 can increase the contact area between the stainless steel sleeve 52 and the stainless steel fin 40 , which is beneficial to improving the stability of the connection between the stainless steel sleeve 52 and the stainless steel fin 40 , thereby facilitating ensuring the heat exchange effect.

[0179] In some preferred embodiments, the stainless steel sleeve 52 is made of high thermal conductivity stainless steel.

[0180] By utilizing the high thermal conductivity of the stainless steel sleeve 52, the heat generated by the electric heating rod 51 can be quickly and low-loss transferred to the stainless steel sleeve 52, and then transferred to the phase change material in the stainless steel body 10 through the stainless steel fins 40 in contact with the stainless steel sleeve 52, and finally heat the water flowing in the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20. This is beneficial to improving the heating efficiency and reducing the heat energy loss.

[0181] In some preferred embodiments, the high thermal conductivity stainless steel material includes martensitic stainless steel or ferritic stainless steel. Martensitic stainless steel or ferritic stainless steel has fast and low-loss heat exchange performance, can better avoid the influence of high welding temperature, has strong corrosion resistance, can play a good protective role for the electric heating rod 51 subsequently placed therein, and has low cost.

[0182] Preferably, the electric heating rod 51 is made of a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) material. The temperature of the PTC material is easy to control, and it is not easy to overheat and cause the vaporization of the phase change material.

[0183] The electric heating rod 51 is detachably connected to the stainless steel sleeve 52. For example, the electric heating rod 51 is detachably inserted into the stainless steel sleeve 52 through a flange or a thread. The use of a flange or a thread can facilitate the installation, disassembly, maintenance or replacement of the electric heating rod 51.

[0184] In the embodiment of this specification, the working temperature of the electric heating rod 51 is between the vaporization temperature of the phase change material and the phase change temperature of the phase change material.

[0185] For example, the vaporization temperature of the phase change material may be 120°C, and the phase change temperature may be 35°C, and the working temperature of the electric heating rod is between 35-120°C, that is, the working temperature causes the phase change material to change from solid to liquid, which facilitates the phase change material to absorb heat and store energy, and release heat energy when transferring heat to the water to be heated, thereby achieving the effect of heating the water in the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20. Moreover, the working temperature will not cause the vaporization of the phase change material, thus avoiding the failure or damage of the phase change material due to vaporization.

[0186] In a preferred embodiment, the operating temperature of the electric heating rod 51 is greater than a preset temperature, and the preset temperature is greater than the phase change temperature of the phase change material and less than the vaporization temperature of the phase change material.

[0187] Exemplarily, the preset temperature can be set to 90°C. Since the operating temperature is greater than the preset temperature, when the electric heating rod 51 is working above the preset temperature, the phase change material immediately undergoes a phase change, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency and shortening the heating time of the water in the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20.

[0188] like Fig.13 As shown, there is a gap between the edge of the stainless steel fin 40 and the inner wall of the stainless steel body 10. The gap can be used to improve the assembly of the stainless steel fin 40; ensure that the stainless steel fin 40 is not easily deformed by collision with the stainless steel body 10 during installation; and make the space inside the stainless steel body 10 connected to balance the pressure at each point; in addition, it can also increase the exhaust space and the overflow space of the phase change material during the phase change material filling, thereby improving the injection efficiency of the phase change material.

[0189] like Fig.13As shown, each of the stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 is inserted into the corresponding first opening 41 of the stainless steel fin 40, and the stainless steel fin 40 is in contact with the phase change material. That is, the first openings 41 on each stainless steel fin 40 are the same in number, shape, position and size, which can reduce the process difficulty of opening the first openings on the stainless steel fin 40 and reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0190] The first openings 41 correspond one-to-one to the stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 , and therefore, in the embodiment of this specification, a plurality of the first openings 41 are provided.

[0191] Fig.12 yes Figure 2 The structural diagram at E is as follows: Fig.12 As shown, a flange structure 411 is provided at the edge of the first opening 41, and the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 is fixedly connected to the stainless steel fin 40 having the flange structure 411 by means of tube expansion, and / or the stainless steel fin 40 is welded and fixed to the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 by means of the flange structure 411.

[0192] Specifically, the tube expansion method refers to squeezing expansion steel balls into each of the stainless steel heat exchange tubes 20 or the stainless steel sleeves 52, so that the tube wall of the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 is tightly connected to the flange structure 411, or the tube wall of the stainless steel sleeve 52 is tightly connected to the flange structure 431, thereby ensuring the heat energy transfer effect.

[0193] The flange structure 411 can increase the contact area when the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 is connected to the stainless steel fin 40, which is beneficial to improve the stability when the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 is connected to the stainless steel fin 40, thereby ensuring the heat exchange effect.

[0194] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present specification, the flange structure 411 arranged on the edge of the first opening 41 and the flange structure 431 arranged on the edge of the third opening 43 can be manufactured using the same process, such as a stamping process, or can be manufactured using different processes. The manufacturing process of the flange structure 411 and the flange structure 431 is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present specification.

[0195] like Fig.14a and Fig.14b As shown, in the embodiment of this specification, the stainless steel fin 40 has a second opening 42, 42' at a different position from the first opening 41. The second opening 42, 42' is used to reduce the weight of each fin, and can also facilitate the flow of phase change material between the two stainless steel fins 40 to increase energy storage efficiency. The number of second openings 42, 42' opened on each of the stainless steel fins 40 can be one or more.

[0196] It should be noted that, in the embodiment of this specification, the first opening 41, the second openings 42, 42' and the third opening 43 provided on the stainless steel fin 40 can be openings of the same type respectively.

[0197] In the embodiment of this specification, the second opening positions of two adjacent stainless steel fins are different.

[0198] There are a large number of stainless steel fins in the stainless steel body 10. If the second openings on each stainless steel fin are opened in different ways in order to achieve different second opening positions of two adjacent stainless steel fins 40, the manufacturing process is complicated. In the embodiment of this specification, preferably, the plurality of stainless steel fins are divided into at least two categories, the first opening positions and the second opening positions of the same category of stainless steel fins are the same, the first opening positions and the second opening positions of different categories of stainless steel fins are the same, and the second opening positions of different categories of stainless steel fins are different, and the different categories of stainless steel fins are staggered and arranged on the stainless steel heat exchange tube in sequence.

[0199] For example, if the stainless steel fins 40 are divided into type a and type b, the stainless steel fins 40a in type a and the stainless steel fins 40b in type b are alternately arranged on the stainless steel heat exchange tube 20. Fig.14a and Fig.14b As shown, when the position where the second opening 42 is opened on the stainless steel fin 40a in category a corresponds to the stainless steel fin 40b in category b, the second opening 42' is not opened at that position; correspondingly, when the position where the second opening 42' is opened on the stainless steel fin 40b in category b corresponds to the stainless steel fin 40a in category a, the second opening 42 is also not opened at that position.

[0200] In another feasible embodiment, the stainless steel fin 40 includes two positions of the second openings 42 , and the positions of the second openings 42 of two adjacent stainless steel fins 40 are different.

[0201] In the embodiment of the present specification, the second openings on two adjacent stainless steel fins 40 are staggered in the above manner, thereby avoiding the problem that two or more adjacent stainless steel fins have no stainless steel fins for heat exchange due to the second openings at the same position. This ensures that the phase change material in the stainless steel bladder can be evenly heat exchanged through the stainless steel fins, ensuring the heat exchange effect of the phase change material.

[0202] like Fig.15 As shown, the stainless steel body 10 includes a stainless steel cylinder ( Fig.15The stainless steel heat exchange tube 20 adjacent to the stainless steel end 15 is a straight tube, which is convenient for installing the stainless steel fin 40 at a position very close to the stainless steel end 15, so that the distance (denoted as L) between the stainless steel fin 40 adjacent to the stainless steel end 15 and the stainless steel end 15 is 6mm-12mm. That is, in the embodiment of this specification, the distance between the stainless steel fin 40 and the stainless steel end 15 of the stainless steel gallbladder body 10 is extremely small. Compared with the prior art that uses a U-shaped tube to connect the heat exchange tube in the gallbladder body, which makes it impossible to install the fin in the area close to the end, the solution of the embodiment of this specification can make the heating of the phase change material in the stainless steel gallbladder body 10 more sufficient, which is conducive to improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0203] Furthermore, a water heater inner tank provided in the embodiment of the present specification also includes a temperature sensor (not shown in the figure), which is located outside the stainless steel tank body 10, and is used to detect the temperature of the phase change material in the stainless steel tank body 10. Since in the embodiment of the present specification, all parts of the water heater inner tank are made of stainless steel, which has good thermal conductivity, the temperature sensor can be located outside the stainless steel tank body 10 and can accurately monitor the temperature of the phase change material inside it. At the same time, the temperature sensor is located outside the stainless steel tank body 10, so that the temperature sensor does not contact the phase change material, thereby avoiding damage to the temperature sensor caused by squeezing the phase change material due to the change in phase change volume.

[0204] Furthermore, the temperature sensor is located at the end of the stainless steel body 10 .

[0205] The temperature sensor is located at the end of the stainless steel body, which can facilitate the assembly and maintenance of the temperature sensor; and because the embodiment of this specification adopts a process of locating the stainless steel connecting component outside the stainless steel body, the stainless steel fin adjacent to the end of the stainless steel body is very close to the end of the stainless steel body, and the phase change material in the stainless steel body is heated evenly, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the temperature of the phase change material monitored by the temperature sensor.

[0206] This specification also provides a manufacturing process for a water heater tank, including:

[0207] The stainless steel heat exchange tube is inserted into the stainless steel fin to form a heat exchange component;

[0208] Placing the heat exchange component in a stainless steel casing;

[0209] Put the heat exchange component and the stainless steel body into a welding furnace for welding;

[0210] The stainless steel heat exchange tubes are connected by using a stainless steel connecting component;

[0211] The phase change material is filled into the stainless steel body.

[0212] It should be noted that the above manufacturing process provided in this specification may include more or fewer operating steps based on conventional or non-creative labor; and the operating steps are not limited to one order. In actual manufacturing, the operating order can be adjusted as needed.

[0213] Preferably, Fig.16 As shown, an embodiment of a manufacturing process of a water heater inner tank is provided, comprising the following steps:

[0214] S1610: inserting stainless steel heat exchange tubes into stainless steel fins to form a heat exchange assembly;

[0215] S1620: connecting the stainless steel heat exchange tubes using a stainless steel connecting component;

[0216] S1630: placing the heat exchange component in a stainless steel tank;

[0217] S1640: placing the heat exchange assembly and the stainless steel body into a welding furnace for welding;

[0218] S1650: Filling the stainless steel body with phase change material.

[0219] After welding and fixing, the stainless steel body is sealed.

[0220] The stainless steel fins are used to transfer heat from the heat source to the stainless steel heat exchange tubes via the phase change material to heat the liquid to be heated flowing in the stainless steel heat exchange tubes. The stainless steel connecting parts are used to connect multiple stainless steel heat exchange tubes to form a pipeline for the water to be heated to flow.

[0221] The present specification provides a manufacturing process for a water heater liner, wherein heat pipes, fins, connecting parts, liner body and other parts are all made of stainless steel, with the same thermal expansion coefficient, which can prevent deformation and damage caused by local heat accumulation, and is beneficial to improving the service life of the water heater liner; and the stainless steel material is low in cost, which is beneficial to reducing the manufacturing cost of the water heater liner. The manufacturing process of the water heater liner provided in the present specification is simple and suitable for industrial production.

[0222] In another feasible embodiment, the stainless steel connecting component includes a stainless steel water collecting box. Fig.17 As shown, the manufacturing process of the water heater tank may include the following steps:

[0223] S1710: inserting a stainless steel heat exchange tube into a stainless steel fin to form a heat exchange assembly;

[0224] S1720: placing the heat exchange assembly inside the stainless steel tank, and placing the stainless steel water collecting box outside the stainless steel tank;

[0225] S1730: placing the heat exchange assembly, the stainless steel water collecting box and the stainless steel body into a welding furnace for welding, so that the stainless steel water collecting box is connected to the end of the stainless steel body;

[0226] S1740: Filling the stainless steel body with phase change material.

[0227] The water collecting box covers the ends of at least two stainless steel heat exchange tubes, so that the at least two stainless steel heat exchange tubes are connected.

[0228] In another feasible embodiment, the stainless steel connecting component comprises a stainless steel U-shaped tube. Fig.18 As shown, the manufacturing process of the water heater inner tank may include the following steps:

[0229] S1810: inserting a stainless steel heat exchange tube into a stainless steel fin to form a heat exchange assembly;

[0230] S1820: placing the heat exchange component inside the stainless steel tank, and placing the stainless steel U-shaped tube outside the stainless steel tank;

[0231] S1830: placing the heat exchange assembly, the stainless steel U-shaped tube and the stainless steel body into a welding furnace for welding, so that the stainless steel U-shaped tube is connected to the stainless steel heat exchange tube;

[0232] S1840: Filling the stainless steel body with phase change material.

[0233] Specifically, a plurality of stainless steel U-shaped tubes are provided, and both ends of each U-shaped tube are respectively connected to the ends of the same side of two stainless steel heat exchange tubes. The stainless steel U-shaped tubes have a smooth transition, which is beneficial to improving the smoothness of water flowing in the stainless steel heat exchange tubes.

[0234] The embodiments of this specification provide Fig.17 and Fig.18 The manufacturing process of the water heater inner tank shown in the figure is different in the specific structure of the stainless steel connecting parts, but both adopt the method of setting the stainless steel connecting parts outside the stainless steel tank body, so that only the straight stainless steel heat exchange tubes are left outside the stainless steel tank body, so both can bring the following beneficial effects:

[0235] To a certain extent, the distance between the stainless steel heat exchange tubes in the stainless steel tank can be reduced, so that the number of stainless steel heat exchange tubes arranged in the stainless steel tank with limited space can be as large as possible, which is beneficial to increase the storage capacity of water to be heated and increase the heat exchange contact area between the water to be heated and the phase change material, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency;

[0236] When a plurality of stainless steel heat exchange tubes are arranged horizontally and in parallel, the distance between any two stainless steel heat exchange tubes at different positions along the axis is equal, so that the distance between the holes on each stainless steel fin for the two stainless steel heat exchange tubes to pass through is equal, that is, each stainless steel fin can adopt the same hole opening method, which is conducive to reducing the process difficulty of opening the stainless steel fins and is conducive to reducing costs; and

[0237] When multiple stainless steel fins are arranged perpendicular to the stainless steel heat exchange tubes, the stainless steel fins can be arranged until the two ends of the stainless steel body, so that the phase change material in the stainless steel body can be heated more fully, which is beneficial to improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0238] like Fig.19 As shown, the stainless steel body includes a stainless steel cylinder and two stainless steel ends (ie, the stainless steel body is as shown in FIG. Figure 5a As shown), the heat exchange component is placed in a stainless steel tank, which may further include:

[0239] S1910: respectively opening holes at the two ends of the stainless steel for the stainless steel heat exchange tube to pass through;

[0240] S1920: placing the heat exchange component in the stainless steel cylinder;

[0241] S1930: Disposing one of the two stainless steel ends at one end of the stainless steel cylinder;

[0242] S1940: Dispose the other of the two stainless steel ends at the other end of the stainless steel cylinder.

[0243] Finally, both ends of each stainless steel heat exchange tube in the heat exchange assembly pass through the corresponding holes on the two stainless steel ends respectively.

[0244] like Fig. 20 As shown, the stainless steel body includes a stainless steel cylinder and a stainless steel end (ie, the stainless steel body is as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown), the heat exchange component is placed in a stainless steel tank, which may further include:

[0245] S2010: respectively opening holes for the stainless steel heat exchange tube to pass through at the end of the stainless steel cylinder and the stainless steel end;

[0246] S2020: placing the heat exchange assembly in the stainless steel cylinder, so that one end of the stainless steel heat exchange tube is inserted into the end of the stainless steel cylinder;

[0247] S2030: The stainless steel end portion is arranged at one end of the stainless steel cylinder, and the other end of the stainless steel heat exchange tube is passed through the stainless steel end portion.

[0248] Finally, both ends of each stainless steel heat exchange tube in the heat exchange assembly pass through the end of the stainless steel cylinder and the corresponding holes on the stainless steel end, respectively.

[0249] like Fig.21 As shown, when the stainless steel gallbladder body is composed of two stainless steel sub-gallery bodies (i.e., the stainless steel gallbladder body is as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown), placing the heat exchange component in the stainless steel body further includes:

[0250] S2110: respectively opening holes at the ends of the two stainless steel sub-bodies for the stainless steel heat exchange tubes to pass through;

[0251] The stainless steel sub-body comprises an open end and an end portion, and the open end of the stainless steel sub-body is used to be combined with the open end of another stainless steel sub-body to form the stainless steel body.

[0252] S2120: placing the heat exchange component part inside one of the two stainless steel sub-bodies;

[0253] S2130: Butt the open ends of the two stainless steel sub-bodies together.

[0254] The heat exchange assembly is placed inside the stainless steel body from the open end of the stainless steel sub-body, and finally both ends of each stainless steel heat exchange tube in the heat exchange assembly pass through the corresponding holes on the ends of the two sub-bodies respectively.

[0255] Based on the examples provided in this specification Figures 19 to 21 The method steps shown can realize the assembly of stainless steel gallbladders with different structures and their internal components, and can improve the convenience of assembling the stainless steel gallbladders with different structures and their internal components.

[0256] Furthermore, if Fig. 22 As shown, the stainless steel heat exchange tube is inserted into the stainless steel fin to form a heat exchange component, which may further include:

[0257] S2210: Opening a first opening on the stainless steel fin;

[0258] S2220: Positioning the stainless steel fins at a predetermined interval;

[0259] S2230: Insert the stainless steel heat exchange tube into the first opening to form the heat exchange component.

[0260] By arranging multiple stainless steel fins evenly along the axial direction of the stainless steel heat exchange tube at a predetermined interval, the heat from the heat source is evenly transferred to the stainless steel heat exchange tube, avoiding the adverse effects of local heat accumulation on the life of various components, and at the same time helping to improve the heat exchange effect.

[0261] Furthermore, the first opening is formed on the stainless steel fin, comprising:

[0262] A flange structure is provided at the edge of the first opening; the flange is used to increase the contact area when the stainless steel heat exchange tube is connected to the stainless steel fin, which is beneficial to improve the stability of the connection between the stainless steel heat exchange tube and the stainless steel fin, thereby ensuring the heat exchange effect.

[0263] After the stainless steel heat exchange tube is inserted into the first opening, the method further comprises:

[0264] The stainless steel heat exchange tube is fixedly connected to the stainless steel fin with a flange structure by means of tube expansion.

[0265] In the embodiment of this specification, the stainless steel heat exchange tube is fixedly connected to the stainless steel fin with a flange structure by means of tube expansion, which can be further performed as follows:

[0266] The expansion steel balls are squeezed into the stainless steel heat exchange tubes in sequence, so that the stainless steel heat exchange tubes are fixedly connected to the flange structure of the stainless steel fins.

[0267] Through the tube expansion process, the tube wall of the stainless steel heat exchange tube can be closely connected with the flange structure of the stainless steel fin, which is beneficial to ensure the heat energy transfer effect and improve the heat exchange efficiency.

[0268] Furthermore, in the embodiment of this specification, the water heater inner tank includes a stainless steel casing, and the stainless steel casing is used to accommodate at least part of the electric heating rod; the manufacturing process also includes:

[0269] The stainless steel sleeve is inserted into the stainless steel body from one end of the stainless steel body, and penetrated with at least a portion of the stainless steel fins.

[0270] The stainless steel sleeve and the electric heating rod constitute an electric heating structure, and the electric heating structure is used to convert electrical energy into thermal energy to achieve the purpose of heating the phase change material in the stainless steel tank.

[0271] Based on the embodiment of this specification, a water heater tank and its manufacturing process are provided, which heats water by using phase change material heat exchange; each component included in the water heater tank is made of stainless steel, which avoids local heat accumulation and deformation caused by different thermal expansion coefficients of materials, and is conducive to improving the service life of the water heater tank; at the same time, stainless steel materials are low in price, which is conducive to reducing the cost of the water heater tank. In addition, the manufacturing process is simple and easy to implement.

[0272] All articles and references disclosed, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated herein by reference for various purposes. The term "consisting essentially of ... " describing a combination should include determined elements, ingredients, parts or steps and other elements, ingredients, parts or steps that do not substantially affect the basic novel features of the combination. The use of the terms "comprising" or "including" to describe the combination of elements, ingredients, parts or steps here also contemplates the implementation method consisting essentially of these elements, ingredients, parts or steps. Here, by using the term "may", it is intended to illustrate that any attribute described that "may" includes is optional. Multiple elements, ingredients, parts or steps can be provided by a single integrated element, ingredient, part or step. Alternatively, a single integrated element, ingredient, part or step can be divided into separate multiple elements, ingredients, parts or steps. The disclosure "one" or "one" used to describe an element, ingredient, part or step is not said to exclude other elements, ingredients, parts or steps.

[0273] Each embodiment in this specification is described in a progressive manner, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. The same and similar parts between the various embodiments can refer to each other. The above-mentioned embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of the present invention. The purpose is to enable people familiar with this technology to understand the content of the present invention and implement it accordingly, and it cannot be used to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any equivalent changes or modifications made according to the spirit of the present invention should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water heater tank, characterized in that: include, A closed stainless steel body filled with a phase change material; A plurality of stainless steel heat exchange tubes, at least some of which are fixedly connected to the stainless steel body; A stainless steel connecting component connecting the plurality of stainless steel heat exchange tubes, wherein the stainless steel connecting component connects the plurality of stainless steel heat exchange tubes to form a pipeline for the water to be heated to flow; The plurality of stainless steel heat exchange tubes are in contact with the phase change material in the stainless steel tank body so that water flowing through the stainless steel heat exchange tubes can exchange heat with the phase change material; A plurality of stainless steel fins are located in the stainless steel body, and the plurality of stainless steel heat exchange tubes are passed through the stainless steel fins and are in contact with the stainless steel fins.

2. The water heater inner tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of stainless steel heat exchange tubes are passed through the end of the stainless steel body; The stainless steel connecting component is located outside the stainless steel body, and the stainless steel connecting component located outside the stainless steel body connects a plurality of stainless steel heat exchange tubes.

3. The water heater inner tank according to claim 2, characterized in that: The stainless steel body is composed of at least two stainless steel sub-bodies.

4. The water heater inner tank according to claim 3, characterized in that: Each of the stainless steel sub-bodies comprises an open end and an end portion. The open end of the stainless steel sub-bodies is used to combine with the open end of another stainless steel sub-bodies to form the stainless steel body. The end portion of the stainless steel sub-bodies is provided with an opening for the stainless steel heat exchange tube to pass through.

5. The water heater inner tank according to claim 2, characterized in that: The stainless steel tank body comprises a stainless steel cylinder and a stainless steel end portion, and the end portion of the stainless steel cylinder and the stainless steel end portion are respectively provided with holes for the stainless steel heat exchange tube to pass through.

6. The water heater inner tank according to claim 2, characterized in that: The stainless steel tank body comprises a stainless steel cylinder and two stainless steel ends arranged opposite to each other at two ends of the stainless steel cylinder, and the two stainless steel ends are respectively provided with holes for the stainless steel heat exchange tubes to pass through.

7. The water heater inner tank according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that: The stainless steel end portion has a flange, and the flange is connected to the inner side wall or the outer side wall of the stainless steel cylinder.

8. The water heater inner tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The stainless steel heat exchange tube and the stainless steel connecting component form a tube body, and the tube body is bent to form a stainless steel heat exchanger.

9. The water heater inner tank according to claim 2, characterized in that: The stainless steel connecting component includes a first connecting structure and a second connecting structure arranged on both sides of the stainless steel body, the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure are arranged asymmetrically, and the stainless steel heat exchange tube forms a pipeline for the water to be heated to flow through the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure.

10. The water heater inner tank according to claim 9, characterized in that: The connecting component includes one or a combination of a stainless steel U-shaped tube and a stainless steel water collecting box.

11. The water heater inner tank according to claim 10, characterized in that: The stainless steel water collecting box comprises a convex structure, the inner side of which is covered on the ends of at least two stainless steel heat exchange tubes, so that the at least two stainless steel heat exchange tubes are connected.

12. The water heater inner tank according to claim 11, characterized in that: The stainless steel water collecting box is formed by stamping a stainless steel plate, and the convex hull structure is a convex hull formed by stamping the stainless steel plate.

13. The water heater inner tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an electric heating structure, which is built into the stainless steel body.

14. The water heater inner tank according to claim 13, characterized in that: The electric heating structure comprises an electric heating rod and a stainless steel sleeve, wherein the electric heating rod at least partially extends into the stainless steel sleeve, and the stainless steel sleeve is penetrated through at least a part of the stainless steel fins.

15. The water heater inner tank according to claim 14, characterized in that: At least a portion of the stainless steel fins are provided with a third opening for the stainless steel sleeve to pass through, and the edge of the third opening is provided with a flanging structure. The stainless steel sleeve is fixedly connected to the stainless steel fin with the flanging structure by means of expansion tube, and / or the stainless steel fin is welded and fixed to the stainless steel sleeve by means of the flanging structure.

16. The water heater inner tank according to claim 15, characterized in that: The stainless steel sleeve is made of high thermal conductivity stainless steel.

17. The water heater inner tank according to claim 16, characterized in that: The high thermal conductivity stainless steel material includes martensitic stainless steel or ferritic stainless steel.

18. The water heater inner tank according to claim 14, characterized in that: The electric heating rod is made of PTC material.

19. The water heater inner tank according to claim 14, characterized in that: The electric heating rod is detachably connected to the stainless steel sleeve.

20. The water heater inner tank according to claim 13, characterized in that: The electric heating structure comprises an electric heating rod.

21. The water heater inner tank according to any one of claims 14 to 20, characterized in that: The operating temperature of the electric heating rod is between the vaporization temperature of the phase change material and the phase change temperature of the phase change material.

22. The water heater inner tank according to claim 21, characterized in that: The operating temperature of the electric heating rod is greater than a preset temperature, and the preset temperature is greater than a phase change temperature of the phase change material and less than a vaporization temperature of the phase change material.

23. The water heater tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: There is a gap between the edge of the stainless steel fin and the inner wall of the stainless steel body.

24. The water heater inner tank according to claim 23, characterized in that: Each of the stainless steel heat exchange tubes is passed through a corresponding first opening of the stainless steel fin, and the stainless steel fin is in contact with the phase change material.

25. The water heater inner tank according to claim 24, characterized in that: The edge of the first opening is provided with a flange structure, the stainless steel heat exchange tube is fixedly connected to the stainless steel fin with the flange structure by means of tube expansion, and / or the stainless steel fin is welded and fixed to the stainless steel heat exchange tube by means of the flange structure.

26. The water heater inner tank according to claim 24, characterized in that: The stainless steel fin has a second opening at a position different from that of the first opening.

27. The water heater inner tank according to claim 26, characterized in that: The second opening positions of two adjacent stainless steel fins are different.

28. The water heater inner tank according to claim 26, characterized in that: The plurality of stainless steel fins are divided into at least two categories. The first opening positions and the second opening positions of stainless steel fins of the same category are the same, and the first opening positions and the second opening positions of stainless steel fins of different categories are the same.

29. The water heater inner tank according to claim 28, characterized in that: Different types of stainless steel fins are arranged alternately on the stainless steel heat exchange tubes.

30. The water heater inner tank according to any one of claims 1, 23 to 29, characterized in that: The stainless steel gallbladder body comprises a stainless steel cylinder and two stainless steel ends, and the distance between the stainless steel fins adjacent to the stainless steel ends and the stainless steel ends is 6mm-12mm.

31. The water heater tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a temperature sensor, which is located outside the stainless steel body and is used to detect the temperature of the phase change material in the stainless steel body.

32. The water heater inner tank according to claim 31, characterized in that: The temperature sensor is arranged at the end of the stainless steel body.

33. A process for manufacturing a water heater tank, characterized in that: include: The stainless steel heat exchange tube is inserted into the stainless steel fin to form a heat exchange component; Placing the heat exchange component in a stainless steel casing; Put the heat exchange component and the stainless steel body into a welding furnace for welding; The stainless steel heat exchange tubes are connected by using a stainless steel connecting component; The phase change material is filled into the stainless steel body.

34. The manufacturing process of the water heater inner tank according to claim 33, characterized in that: The stainless steel connecting component includes a stainless steel water collecting box; the manufacturing process includes: The stainless steel heat exchange tube is inserted into the stainless steel fin to form a heat exchange component; The heat exchange component is placed inside the stainless steel tank, and the stainless steel water collecting box is placed outside the stainless steel tank; Put the heat exchange assembly, the stainless steel water collecting box and the stainless steel body into a welding furnace for welding, so that the stainless steel water collecting box is connected to the end of the stainless steel body; The phase change material is filled into the stainless steel body.

35. The manufacturing process of the water heater inner tank according to claim 33, characterized in that: The stainless steel connecting component comprises a stainless steel U-shaped tube; the manufacturing process comprises: The stainless steel heat exchange tube is inserted into the stainless steel fin to form a heat exchange component; The heat exchange component is placed inside the stainless steel tank, and the stainless steel U-shaped tube is placed outside the stainless steel tank; Put the heat exchange assembly, the stainless steel U-shaped tube and the stainless steel body into a welding furnace for welding, so that the stainless steel U-shaped tube is connected to the stainless steel heat exchange tube; The phase change material is filled into the stainless steel body.

36. The manufacturing process of the water heater inner tank according to claim 33, characterized in that: The stainless steel body includes a stainless steel cylinder and two stainless steel ends, and placing the heat exchange component in the stainless steel body further includes: Holes for the stainless steel heat exchange tubes to pass through are respectively provided at the two stainless steel ends; Placing the heat exchange component in the stainless steel cylinder; Disposing one of the two stainless steel ends at one end of the stainless steel cylinder; The other of the two stainless steel ends is arranged at the other end of the stainless steel cylinder.

37. The manufacturing process of the water heater inner tank according to claim 33, characterized in that: The stainless steel body includes a stainless steel cylinder and a stainless steel end, and placing the heat exchange component in the stainless steel body further includes: Holes for the stainless steel heat exchange tube to pass through are respectively provided at the end of the stainless steel cylinder and the stainless steel end; The heat exchange assembly is placed in the stainless steel cylinder, and one end of the stainless steel heat exchange tube is passed through the end of the stainless steel cylinder; The stainless steel end portion is arranged at one end of the stainless steel cylinder, and the other end of the stainless steel heat exchange tube is passed through the stainless steel end portion.

38. The manufacturing process of the water heater inner tank according to claim 33, characterized in that: When the stainless steel body is composed of two stainless steel sub-bodies, placing the heat exchange component in the stainless steel body further includes: The ends of the two stainless steel sub-bodies are respectively provided with holes for the stainless steel heat exchange tubes to pass through; Placing the heat exchange component part inside one of the two stainless steel sub-bodies; The open ends of the two stainless steel bladders are butt-jointed.

39. The manufacturing process of the water heater inner tank according to claim 33, characterized in that: The step of inserting the stainless steel heat exchange tube into the stainless steel fin to form a heat exchange component includes: Opening a first opening on the stainless steel fin; Positioning the stainless steel fins at a predetermined spacing; The stainless steel heat exchange tube is inserted into the first opening to form the heat exchange component.

40. The manufacturing process of the water heater inner tank according to claim 39, characterized in that: The step of forming a first opening on the stainless steel fin comprises: Arranging a flange structure at the edge of the first opening; After the stainless steel heat exchange tube is inserted into the first opening, the method further comprises: The stainless steel heat exchange tube is fixedly connected to the stainless steel fin with a flange structure by means of tube expansion.

41. The manufacturing process of the water heater inner tank according to claim 33, characterized in that: The water heater inner tank includes a stainless steel casing, and the stainless steel casing is used to accommodate at least part of the electric heating rod; the manufacturing process also includes: The stainless steel sleeve is inserted into the stainless steel body from one end of the stainless steel body, and penetrated with at least a portion of the stainless steel fins.

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