Water replenishing control method and control system of water heater

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of water heaters, and provides a water replenishing control method and system for a water heater. The method comprises the steps that water level detection information of a water level sensor is obtained; judging whether the water level detection information of the water level sensor meets the water level lower limit requirement or not; if the water level detection information does not meet the water level lower limit requirement, the thermostatic valve is adjusted to be in the state that a valve element is completely opened, and water is supplemented to the water tank; judging whether the water level detection information after water supplementation meets a water level upper limit requirement or not; and if the water level detection information after water replenishing meets the water level upper limit requirement, the thermostatic valve is adjusted to be in the valve element closing state, and water replenishing operation on the water tank is ended. Automatic water supplementing can be achieved, and the water supplementing efficiency of the water heater is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of water heaters, and in particular to a water replenishment control method and a control system for a water heater. Background Art

[0002] A water heater is a household appliance used to heat cold water and provide hot water. Since the water level of a water heater may drop during use, it is necessary to replenish water regularly or automatically.

[0003] In traditional water heater designs, users need to manually fill and shut off the water. Specifically, users need to find and manually open the water source valve connected to the water heater, start filling the water tank, wait until the tank is completely filled with water, and then manually close the water source valve. During this process, users usually need to check the water level from time to time to avoid overflowing the water tank.

[0004] Although manual water replenishment by users can solve the problem of regular water replenishment of the water heater, the manual water replenishment method is relatively inefficient. Summary of the invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a water replenishment control method and a control system for a water heater, which are intended to solve the technical problem of low water replenishment efficiency caused by manual water replenishment of the water heater.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a water replenishment control method for a water heater, wherein the water heater includes a water tank, a thermostatic valve, and a water level sensor, wherein the water tank is provided with an upper water level limit and a lower water level limit, the water level sensor is located between the upper water level limit and the lower water level limit, and the valve core state of the thermostatic valve includes a valve core closed state and a valve core fully open state, and the method includes: Get the water level detection information of the water level sensor; Determine whether the water level detection information of the water level sensor meets the water level lower limit requirement; If the water level detection information does not meet the lower limit requirement of the water level, the thermostatic valve is adjusted to a fully open state of the valve core to replenish water to the water tank; Determine whether the water level detection information after water replenishment meets the water level upper limit requirement; If the water level detection information after water replenishment meets the water level upper limit requirement, the thermostatic valve is adjusted to the valve core closed state to end the water replenishment operation on the water tank.

[0007] In some embodiments, the thermostatic valve is provided with a stepper motor, and the method comprises: Adjust the action position of the stepper motor to change the valve core state of the thermostatic valve.

[0008] In some embodiments, the water heater further includes a heat exchanger, and before obtaining the water level detection information of the water tank, the method further includes: Determine whether the water heater is used for the first time; If the water heater is used for the first time, refill the heat exchanger with water.

[0009] In some embodiments, the valve core state of the thermostatic valve further includes a maximum opening and closing state of the valve core in mixed hot water, and replenishing water to the heat exchanger includes: Adjust the thermostatic valve to the maximum opening and closing state of the valve core mixed with hot water; Determine the water refilling time of the heat exchanger and refill the heat exchanger within the water refilling time.

[0010] In some embodiments, determining the water replenishment time of the heat exchanger includes: Obtain the actual water storage volume of the heat exchanger, the water inlet flow rate of the heat exchanger and the preset correction time; Based on the actual water storage volume, water inlet flow rate and the preset correction time, the water replenishment time of the heat exchanger is obtained.

[0011] In some implementations, determining whether water level detection information from a water level sensor meets a water level lower limit requirement, the method further includes: If the water level detection information meets the lower limit requirement of the water level, the thermostatic valve is set to the valve core closed state.

[0012] In some embodiments, determining whether the water level detection information after water replenishment meets the water level upper limit requirement, the method further includes: If the water level detection information after water replenishment does not meet the water level upper limit requirement, return to the step of adjusting the thermostatic valve to a fully open valve core state and replenishing water to the water tank until the water level detection information after water replenishment meets the water level upper limit requirement.

[0013] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a water replenishment control system for a water heater, the water replenishment control system for the water heater comprising a main controller and a water heater, the main controller being used to perform the steps of any of the above methods; The water heater comprises a water tank, a thermostatic valve, a heat exchanger, a stepper motor and a water level sensor. The water heater is provided with a heat exchanger water supply pipe, a water tank water supply pipe, a water tank outlet pipe, a water inlet and a water outlet; The water tank is provided with an upper water level limit and a lower water level limit, and the water level sensor is located between the upper water level limit and the lower water level limit; The heat exchanger is located inside the water tank, and the heat exchanger water supply pipe is connected to the water inlet; The thermostatic valve is connected to the water tank water supply pipe, the water inlet, the water outlet and the output end of the heat exchanger; The stepper motor is arranged on the thermostatic valve and connected with the main controller.

[0014] In some embodiments, the thermostatic valve is provided with a first flow channel opening, a second flow channel opening, a third flow channel opening and a fourth flow channel opening, and the first flow channel opening is connected to the second flow channel opening; The first flow channel opening is connected to the water tank water supply pipe; the second flow channel opening is connected to the water inlet; the third flow channel opening is connected to the output end of the heat exchanger; and the fourth flow channel opening is connected to the water outlet; When the thermostatic valve is in the valve core dead-closed state, the second flow channel opening and the third flow channel opening are both closed; When the thermostatic valve is in the maximum opening and closing state of the valve core for mixing hot water, the second flow channel is closed and the third flow channel is opened; When the thermostatic valve is in a state where the valve core is fully opened, the second flow channel opening is opened and the third flow channel opening is closed.

[0015] In some embodiments, the water level sensor includes an upper set of water level probes and a lower set of water level probes, the upper set of water level probes being located at an upper limit of the water level of the water tank, and the lower set of water level probes being located at a lower limit of the water level of the water tank.

[0016] The embodiment of the present application provides a water replenishment control method and control system for a water heater. The method includes: obtaining water level detection information of a water level sensor; judging whether the water level detection information of the water level sensor meets the lower limit requirement of the water level; if the water level detection information does not meet the lower limit requirement of the water level, adjusting the thermostatic valve to a fully open valve core state to replenish water to the water tank; judging whether the water level detection information after replenishment meets the upper limit requirement of the water level; if the water level detection information after replenishment meets the upper limit requirement of the water level, adjusting the thermostatic valve to a valve core closed state to end the water replenishment operation to the water tank.

[0017] The embodiment of the present application introduces a water level sensor and uses the water level sensor to monitor the water level change in the water tank in real time. When the water level is lower than the set lower limit, the system automatically adjusts the valve core position of the thermostatic valve to the valve core fully open state to start the water replenishment operation; when the water level reaches the set upper limit, the system automatically adjusts the valve core position of the thermostatic valve to the valve core closed state and automatically stops water replenishment. Since the entire water replenishment process does not require user intervention, the efficiency of water replenishment of the water heater can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present application.

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative labor.

[0020] One or more embodiments are exemplarily described by pictures in the corresponding drawings, and these exemplified descriptions do not constitute limitations on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings represent similar elements, and unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings do not constitute proportional limitations.

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a water replenishment control system provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a flow chart of a first embodiment of a water replenishment control method for a water heater provided in the present application.

[0023] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of water flow direction when the stepper motor provided in an embodiment of the present application is located at position A.

[0024] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of water flow direction when the stepper motor provided in an embodiment of the present application is located at position B.

[0025] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of water flow direction when the stepper motor provided in an embodiment of the present application is located at position C.

[0026] Figure 6 A flow chart of another embodiment of a water replenishment control method for a water heater provided in the present application.

[0027] Figure 7 A schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a computer device provided for an embodiment of the present application is provided.

[0028] Description of Figure Numbers: Water heater 10, water inlet 101, water outlet 102, water tank 110, water tank water supply pipe 111, water tank water outlet pipe 112, thermostatic valve 120, first flow channel opening 121, second flow channel opening 122, third flow channel opening 123, fourth flow channel opening 124, heat exchanger 130, heat exchanger water supply pipe 131, stepper motor 140, water level sensor 150, lower group water level probe 151, upper group water level probe 152, first flow sensor 161, second flow sensor 162, third flow sensor 163, main controller 20. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0030] The disclosure below provides many different embodiments or examples to realize the different structures of the present application. In order to simplify the disclosure of the present application, the parts and settings of specific examples are described below. Of course, they are only examples, and the purpose is not to limit the present application. In addition, the present application can repeat reference numbers and / or letters in different examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplification and clarity, and does not itself indicate the relationship between the various embodiments and / or settings discussed.

[0031] It should be understood that when used in this specification and the appended claims, the terms "include" and "comprises" indicate the presence of described features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0032] It should also be understood that the terms used in this application specification are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the application. As used in this application specification and the appended claims, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include plural forms.

[0033] It should be further understood that the term “and / or” used in the specification and appended claims refers to any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, and includes these combinations.

[0034] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "if" may be interpreted as "when" or "upon" or "in response to determining" or "in response to detecting," depending on the context. Similarly, the phrases "if it is determined" or "if [described condition or event] is detected" may be interpreted as meaning "upon determination" or "in response to determining" or "upon detection of [described condition or event]" or "in response to detecting [described condition or event]," depending on the context.

[0035] In order to solve the technical problem in the prior art that water replenishment efficiency is relatively low due to manual water replenishment of the water heater, the present application provides a water replenishment control method and control system for a water heater, which can realize automatic water replenishment and improve the water replenishment efficiency of the water heater.

[0036] The present application embodiment provides a water supply control system for a water heater, referring to Figure 1 , the water replenishment control system of the water heater 10 includes a main controller 20 and the water heater 10, the main controller 20 is used to execute the method steps of the following embodiment; The water heater 10 includes a water tank 110, a thermostatic valve 120, a heat exchanger 130, a stepper motor 140 and a water level sensor 150. The water heater 10 is provided with a heat exchanger water supply pipe 131, a water tank water supply pipe 111, a water tank water outlet pipe 112, a water inlet 101 and a water outlet 102; The water tank 110 is provided with an upper water level limit and a lower water level limit, and the water level sensor 150 is located between the upper water level limit and the lower water level limit; The heat exchanger 130 is located inside the water tank 110, and the heat exchanger water supply pipe 131 is connected to the water inlet 101; The thermostatic valve 120 is connected to the water tank water supply pipe 111, the water inlet 101, the water outlet 102 and the output end of the heat exchanger 130; The stepper motor 140 is disposed on the thermostatic valve 120 and connected to the main controller 20 .

[0037] In some embodiments, the thermostatic valve 120 is provided with a first flow channel opening 121, a second flow channel opening 122, a third flow channel opening 123 and a fourth flow channel opening 124, and the first flow channel opening 121 and the second flow channel opening 122 are in communication; The first flow channel opening 121 is connected to the water tank water supply pipe 111; the second flow channel opening 122 is connected to the water inlet 101; the third flow channel opening 123 is connected to the output end of the heat exchanger 130; the fourth flow channel opening 124 is connected to the water outlet 102; When the thermostatic valve 120 is in the valve core closed state, the second flow channel opening 122 and the third flow channel opening 123 are both closed; When the thermostatic valve 120 is in the maximum opening and closing state of the valve core mixing hot water, the second flow channel opening 122 is closed and the third flow channel opening 123 is opened; When the thermostatic valve 120 is in a fully open valve core state, the second flow channel opening 122 is open, and the third flow channel opening 123 is closed.

[0038] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger 130 may be a heat exchange tube.

[0039] In some embodiments, each flow channel opening of the thermostatic valve 120 may be provided with a flow sensor and a temperature sensor.

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, the water inlet 101 may be provided with a first flow sensor 161 and a first temperature sensor, the output end of the heat exchanger 130 may be provided with a second flow sensor 162 and a second temperature sensor, and the water outlet 102 may be provided with a third flow sensor 163 and a third temperature sensor.

[0041] In some embodiments, the water level sensor 150 includes an upper set of water level probes 152 and a lower set of water level probes 151 . The upper set of water level probes 152 is located at the upper limit of the water level of the water tank 110 , and the lower set of water level probes 151 is located at the lower limit of the water level of the water tank 110 .

[0042] In some embodiments, the valve core state of the thermostatic valve 120 includes a valve core closed state, a valve core fully open state, and a valve core mixed hot water maximum open state.

[0043] See also Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a flow chart of a first embodiment of a water supply control method for a water heater provided by the present application. The first embodiment includes the following steps: Step 110: Acquire water level detection information from the water level sensor.

[0044] Step 120: Determine whether the water level detection information of the water level sensor meets the water level lower limit requirement.

[0045] Step 130: If the water level detection information does not meet the lower limit requirement of the water level, the thermostatic valve is adjusted to a fully open state of the valve core to replenish water in the water tank.

[0046] Among them, the water level detection information does not meet the water level lower limit requirement, indicating that the current water level is lower than the water level lower limit.

[0047] Step 140: Determine whether the water level detection information after water replenishment meets the water level upper limit requirement.

[0048] Step 150: If the water level detection information after water replenishment meets the water level upper limit requirement, the thermostatic valve is adjusted to a valve core closed state to end the water replenishment operation on the water tank.

[0049] In this way, by introducing a water level sensor and using it to monitor the water level changes in the water tank in real time, when the water level is lower than the set lower limit, the system automatically adjusts the valve core position of the thermostatic valve to the fully open state to start the water replenishment operation; when the water level reaches the set upper limit, the system automatically adjusts the valve core position of the thermostatic valve to the closed state and automatically stops water replenishment. Since the entire water replenishment process does not require user intervention, the efficiency of water replenishment of the water heater can be improved.

[0050] Referring to the second embodiment of a water supply control method for a water heater provided in the present application, the first embodiment includes the following steps: Step 210: Determine whether the water heater is used for the first time.

[0051] Step 220: If the water heater is not used for the first time, the water level detection information of the water level sensor is obtained.

[0052] Step 230: Determine whether the water level detection information of the water level sensor meets the water level lower limit requirement.

[0053] Step 240: If the water level detection information does not meet the lower limit requirement of the water level, the thermostatic valve is adjusted to a fully open state of the valve core to replenish water in the water tank.

[0054] Among them, when the valve core is fully opened, the water inflow into the water tank is the largest.

[0055] In this way, by introducing a water level sensor, when the water heater is not used for the first time, the water level sensor is used to monitor the water level changes in the water tank in real time. When the water level is lower than the set lower limit, the system automatically adjusts the valve core position of the thermostatic valve to the fully open state to start the water replenishment operation; when the water level reaches the set upper limit, the system automatically adjusts the valve core position of the thermostatic valve to the closed state and automatically stops water replenishment. Since the entire water replenishment process does not require user intervention, the efficiency of water replenishment of the water heater can be improved.

[0056] In some implementations, if the water level detection information meets the lower limit requirement of the water level, the thermostatic valve is set to a valve core closed state.

[0057] Step 250: Determine whether the water level detection information after water replenishment meets the water level upper limit requirement.

[0058] Step 260: If the water level detection information after water replenishment meets the water level upper limit requirement, the thermostatic valve is adjusted to the valve core closed state to end the water tank replenishment operation.

[0059] In some embodiments, if the water level detection information after water replenishment does not meet the water level upper limit requirement, the process returns to the step of adjusting the thermostatic valve to a fully open valve core state and replenishing the water tank until the water level detection information after water replenishment meets the water level upper limit requirement.

[0060] Since there is no water in the heat exchanger when the water heater is used for the first time, in order to prevent the user from heating the entire machine when the heat exchanger is not full of water and causing safety accidents, in some embodiments, when it is determined that the water heater is used for the first time, the heat exchanger is preferentially replenished with water.

[0061] Specifically, replenishing water to the heat exchanger may include the following steps: Step 310: Adjust the thermostatic valve to the maximum opening and closing state of the valve core for mixing hot water.

[0062] Among them, when the valve core is in the maximum opening and closing state of mixed hot water, the water inlet of the heat exchanger is the largest.

[0063] Step 320: Determine the water replenishment time of the heat exchanger, and replenish the heat exchanger with water within the water replenishment time.

[0064] In some embodiments, determining the water replenishment time of the heat exchanger in step 320 includes the following steps: Step 321: Obtain the actual water storage volume of the heat exchanger, the water inlet flow rate of the heat exchanger, and the preset correction time.

[0065] Step 322: Based on the actual water storage volume, the water inlet flow rate and the preset correction time, the water replenishment time of the heat exchanger is obtained.

[0066] For step 321 and step 322, the following formula 1 may be used: , Formula 1.

[0067] Among them, t is the water replenishment time of the heat exchanger, V is the actual water storage volume of the heat exchanger, Q is the water inlet flow rate, The preset correction time is to avoid the situation where the heat exchanger is not fully filled with water due to errors in the actual water storage volume V of the heat exchanger or fluctuations in the water inlet flow rate Q during water use.

[0068] Among them, Q can be monitored by a flow sensor, The specific value of can be determined according to the capacity of the heat exchanger.

[0069] In some embodiments, the action position of the stepper motor can be adjusted to change the valve core state of the thermostatic valve.

[0070] See also Figures 3 to 5 For example, if the action position of the stepper motor is adjusted to position A, the valve core state of the thermostatic valve is the valve core closed state. At this time, the second flow channel and the third flow channel are both closed, and the heat exchanger and the water tank are not replenished with water; Adjust the action position of the stepper motor to position B, and the valve core state of the thermostatic valve is the maximum open and close state of the valve core mixed hot water. At this time, the second flow channel is closed and the third flow channel is opened to replenish water to the heat exchanger; When the action position of the stepper motor is adjusted to position C, the valve core state of the thermostatic valve is the valve core fully open state. At this time, the second flow channel opening is opened and the third flow channel opening is closed to replenish water in the water tank.

[0071] In this way, by controlling the action position of the stepper motor, the system can flexibly adjust the valve core state of the thermostatic valve to achieve a variety of opening and closing degrees to realize the automatic water replenishment operation of the water heater.

[0072] Based on the water supply control method and water supply control system of the water heater provided in the above embodiment, Figure 6 The water supply control method for the water heater provided in this application mainly includes the following steps: Step 11: Power on.

[0073] Step 12: Determine whether the stepper motor moves to position A.

[0074] If yes, go to step 13, if no, go back to step 12.

[0075] When the stepper motor moves to position A, the valve core state of the thermostatic valve is a valve core dead-closed state. At this time, the second flow channel opening and the third flow channel opening are both closed.

[0076] Step 13: Open the water inlet and outlet valves.

[0077] Step 14: Determine whether the water heater is used for the first time.

[0078] If yes, go to step 15, if no, return to step 16.

[0079] Step 15: Move the stepper motor to position B.

[0080] Among them, when the stepper motor moves to position B, the valve core state of the thermostatic valve is the maximum opening and closing state of the valve core mixed hot water. At this time, the second flow channel is closed and the third flow channel is opened to replenish water to the heat exchanger.

[0081] Step 16: Determine whether the next group of water level probes triggers a signal.

[0082] If yes, go to step 17, if no, go to step 19.

[0083] Among them, the signal triggered by the lower group of water level probes is a water replenishment signal, that is, when the water level is lower than the position of the lower group of water level probes, the lower group of water level probes triggers the water replenishment signal, and step 17 is executed to perform the water replenishment operation; when the water level is higher than the position of the lower group of water level probes, the lower group of water level probes do not trigger the water replenishment signal, then step 19 is executed without performing the water replenishment operation.

[0084] That is, when the water level is higher than the position of the lower group of probes, the water heater can be used normally. At this time, no signal is triggered for water replenishment, which can prevent frequent water replenishment from causing trouble to users.

[0085] Step 17: Move the stepper motor to position C.

[0086] When the stepper motor is moved to position C, the valve core of the thermostatic valve is in a fully open state. At this time, the second flow channel is opened and the third flow channel is closed to replenish water in the water tank.

[0087] Step 18: Determine whether the upper group of water level probes triggers a signal.

[0088] If yes, return to step 17, if no, go to step 19.

[0089] Similarly, the signal triggered by the upper group of water level probes is a water replenishment signal, that is, when the water level is lower than the position of the upper group of water level probes, the upper group of water level probes triggers the water replenishment signal, and then returns to step 17 to continue the water replenishment operation. When the upper group of water level probes detects the water level, the water replenishment signal is not triggered. At this time, a stop water replenishment signal can be sent to execute step 19 to stop the water replenishment operation.

[0090] Step 19: Move the stepper motor to position A.

[0091] By introducing a water level sensor and a stepper motor, and using the water level sensor to monitor the water level changes in the water tank in real time, when the water level is lower than the set lower limit, the system automatically adjusts the action position of the stepper motor to make the thermostatic valve fully open, and then starts the water replenishment operation; when the water level reaches the set upper limit, the system automatically adjusts the action position of the stepper motor to make the thermostatic valve close, and automatically stops water replenishment. Since the entire water replenishment process does not require user intervention, the efficiency of water heater water replenishment can be improved.

[0092] like Figure 7 As shown, the embodiment of the present application provides a computer device, including a processor 111, a communication interface 112, a memory 113 and a communication bus 114, wherein the processor 111, the communication interface 112, and the memory 113 communicate with each other through the communication bus 114. A memory 113, for storing computer programs; In one embodiment of the present application, the processor 111 is used to execute the program stored in the memory 113 to implement the water replenishment control method of the water heater provided by any of the above method embodiments, including: Get the water level detection information of the water level sensor; Determine whether the water level detection information of the water level sensor meets the water level lower limit requirement; If the water level detection information does not meet the lower limit requirement of the water level, the thermostatic valve is adjusted to a fully open state of the valve core to replenish water to the water tank; Determine whether the water level detection information after water replenishment meets the water level upper limit requirement; If the water level detection information after water replenishment meets the water level upper limit requirement, the thermostatic valve is adjusted to the valve core closed state to end the water replenishment operation on the water tank.

[0093] It is understood by those skilled in the art that all or part of the processes in the method for implementing the above embodiment can be completed by instructing the relevant hardware through a computer program. The computer program can be stored in a storage medium, which is a computer-readable storage medium. The computer program is executed by at least one processor in the computer system to implement the process steps of the embodiment of the above method.

[0094] Therefore, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the water replenishment control method for a water heater provided in any of the aforementioned method embodiments are implemented, including: Get the water level detection information of the water level sensor; Determine whether the water level detection information of the water level sensor meets the water level lower limit requirement; If the water level detection information does not meet the lower limit requirement of the water level, the thermostatic valve is adjusted to a fully open state of the valve core to replenish water to the water tank; Determine whether the water level detection information after water replenishment meets the water level upper limit requirement; If the water level detection information after water replenishment meets the water level upper limit requirement, the thermostatic valve is adjusted to the valve core closed state to end the water replenishment operation on the water tank.

[0095] The storage medium is a physical, non-transient storage medium, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, etc., which can store program codes. Computer-readable storage media can be non-volatile or volatile.

[0096] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of the two. In order to clearly illustrate the interchangeability of hardware and software, the composition and steps of each example have been generally described in terms of function in the above description. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0097] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of each unit is only a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed.

[0098] The steps in the method of the embodiment of the present application can be adjusted in order, combined and deleted according to actual needs. The units in the device of the embodiment of the present application can be combined, divided and deleted according to actual needs. In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0099] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, terminal, or network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application.

[0100] In the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment has its own emphasis. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0101] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

[0102] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of various equivalent modifications or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, and these modifications or replacements should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A water replenishment control method for a water heater, characterized in that: The water heater comprises a water tank, a thermostatic valve, and a water level sensor. The water tank is provided with an upper water level limit and a lower water level limit. The water level sensor is located between the upper water level limit and the lower water level limit. The valve core state of the thermostatic valve comprises a valve core closed state and a valve core fully open state. The method comprises: Acquire water level detection information of the water level sensor; Determine whether the water level detection information of the water level sensor meets the water level lower limit requirement; If the water level detection information does not meet the water level lower limit requirement, the thermostatic valve is adjusted to a state where the valve core is fully opened to replenish water to the water tank; Determine whether the water level detection information after water replenishment meets the water level upper limit requirement; If the water level detection information after the water replenishment meets the water level upper limit requirement, the thermostatic valve is adjusted to the valve core closed state, and the water replenishment operation on the water tank is ended.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The thermostatic valve is provided with a stepper motor, and the method comprises: The action position of the stepper motor is adjusted to change the valve core state of the thermostatic valve.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The water heater further includes a heat exchanger. Before acquiring the water level detection information of the water tank, the method further includes: Determining whether the water heater is used for the first time; If the water heater is used for the first time, the heat exchanger is replenished with water.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The valve core state of the thermostatic valve also includes the maximum opening and closing state of the valve core mixed with hot water, and the water replenishment to the heat exchanger includes: Adjust the thermostatic valve to the maximum opening and closing state of the valve core mixed hot water; Determine the water replenishment time of the heat exchanger, and replenish the water to the heat exchanger within the water replenishment time.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that Determining the water replenishment duration of the heat exchanger includes: Obtaining the actual water storage volume of the heat exchanger, the water inlet flow rate of the heat exchanger, and the preset correction time; The water replenishment duration of the heat exchanger is obtained based on the actual water storage volume, the water inlet flow rate and the preset correction time.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method of judging whether the water level detection information of the water level sensor meets the water level lower limit requirement further includes: If the water level detection information meets the water level lower limit requirement, the thermostatic valve is set to the valve core closed state.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method for judging whether the water level detection information after water replenishment meets the water level upper limit requirement further includes: If the water level detection information after the water replenishment does not meet the water level upper limit requirement, return to the step of adjusting the thermostatic valve to the fully open state of the valve core and replenishing water to the water tank until the water level detection information after the water replenishment meets the water level upper limit requirement.

8. A water supply control system for a water heater, characterized in that: The water replenishment control system of the water heater comprises a main controller and a water heater, wherein the main controller is used to execute the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7; The water heater comprises a water tank, a thermostatic valve, a heat exchanger, a stepper motor and a water level sensor, and the water heater is provided with a heat exchanger water supply pipe, a water tank water supply pipe, a water tank water outlet pipe, a water inlet and a water outlet; The water tank is provided with an upper water level limit and a lower water level limit, and the water level sensor is located between the upper water level limit and the lower water level limit; The heat exchanger is located inside the water tank, and the heat exchanger water supply pipe is connected to the water inlet; The thermostatic valve is connected to the water tank water supply pipe, the water inlet, the water outlet and the output end of the heat exchanger; The stepper motor is arranged on the thermostatic valve and connected to the main controller.

9. The water replenishment control system for a water heater according to claim 8, characterized in that: The thermostatic valve is provided with a first flow channel opening, a second flow channel opening, a third flow channel opening and a fourth flow channel opening, and the first flow channel opening is connected to the second flow channel opening; The first flow channel opening is connected to the water tank water supply pipe; the second flow channel opening is connected to the water inlet; the third flow channel opening is connected to the output end of the heat exchanger; and the fourth flow channel opening is connected to the water outlet; When the thermostatic valve is in a valve core-closed state, the second flow channel opening and the third flow channel opening are both closed; When the thermostatic valve is in the maximum opening and closing state of the valve core for mixing hot water, the second flow channel is closed and the third flow channel is opened; When the thermostatic valve is in a valve core fully open state, the second flow channel opening is opened and the third flow channel opening is closed.

10. The water replenishment control system for a water heater according to claim 9, characterized in that: The water level sensor comprises an upper group of water level probes and a lower group of water level probes. The upper group of water level probes is located at the upper limit of the water level of the water tank, and the lower group of water level probes is located at the lower limit of the water level of the water tank.

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