Water heater with detachable energy storage module

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a water heater with a detachable energy storage module, and relates to the technical field of water heaters, the water heater with the detachable energy storage module comprises a water tank assembly and the energy storage module, the water tank assembly comprises a water tank, the water tank is provided with an inner cavity, and a mounting position is arranged on a shell of the water tank; the energy storage module is detachably installed on the installation position, and heat exchange can be conducted between the energy storage module and liquid in the inner cavity of the water tank. Through the structural design, on one hand, reliable heat exchange between the energy storage module and the liquid in the inner cavity of the water tank can be ensured, and on the other hand, as the energy storage module can be easily disassembled and assembled from the mounting position of the water tank, the energy storage module and the water heater main body can be separately transported during transportation, the transportation weight is reduced, and the transportation cost is reduced. Therefore, the transportation difficulty is lower, and the transportation convenience is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of water heaters, and in particular to a water heater with a detachable energy storage module. Background Art

[0002] Water heaters are commonly used household appliances that are needed in almost every household.

[0003] Phase change material water heaters are gradually appearing on the market, and their heat storage materials are all phase change materials. Because phase change materials cannot be directly heated by heaters, the existing phase change material energy storage is indirect energy storage.

[0004] However, the phase change material in the phase change material water heater has high density and heavy weight, which brings many problems to transportation and installation. Summary of the invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is that the phase change material of the existing phase change material water heater has a high density and a large weight and is inconvenient to transport.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an embodiment of the present invention proposes a water heater with a detachable energy storage module, including a water tank assembly and an energy storage module, wherein the water tank assembly includes a water tank, the water tank is provided with an inner cavity, and a mounting position is provided on the shell of the water tank; the energy storage module is detachably installed on the mounting position, and the energy storage module can perform heat exchange with the liquid in the inner cavity of the water tank.

[0007] A further technical solution is that the energy storage module includes a main body and a supporting ear provided at an end of the main body, and the supporting ear protrudes from the main body.

[0008] A further technical solution is that the installation position is a installation groove, and the energy storage module is detachably embedded in the installation groove.

[0009] A further technical solution is that the supporting ears of the energy storage module abut against the shell of the water tank on both sides of the mounting groove, and the main body of the energy storage module contacts the side walls and bottom walls of the mounting groove, wherein the energy storage module exchanges heat with the liquid in the inner cavity of the water tank through the side walls and bottom walls of the mounting groove.

[0010] A further technical solution is that the installation position is an installation port, the energy storage module can be removably embedded in the installation port, and the supporting ears of the energy storage module abut against the shell of the water tank on both sides of the installation port, wherein the energy storage module can directly contact the liquid in the inner cavity of the water tank and perform heat exchange.

[0011] A further technical solution is that the water heater with a detachable energy storage module also includes a sealing ring, which is clamped between the supporting ears of the energy storage module and the shell of the water tank on both sides of the installation port.

[0012] A further technical solution is that the main body is provided with an energy storage inner cavity, and energy storage material is provided in the energy storage inner cavity, and the energy storage material includes a high heat storage value material.

[0013] A further technical solution is that a handle hole is provided on the upper part of the main body.

[0014] A further technical solution is that the water tank assembly also includes a heater, and the heater is arranged at the bottom of the water tank.

[0015] A further technical solution is that the water tank assembly also includes a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe, and both the water inlet pipe and the water outlet pipe pass through the shell of the water tank and extend into the inner cavity of the water tank; wherein the height of the water outlet pipe is higher than that of the water inlet pipe.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the technical effects achieved by the embodiments of the present invention include:

[0017] The embodiment of the present invention proposes a water heater with a detachable energy storage module, including a water tank assembly and an energy storage module, wherein the water tank assembly includes a water tank, the water tank is provided with an inner cavity, and a mounting position is provided on the shell of the water tank; the energy storage module is detachably mounted on the mounting position, and the energy storage module can perform heat exchange with the liquid in the inner cavity of the water tank. Through the above structural design, on the one hand, it is ensured that the energy storage module and the liquid in the inner cavity of the water tank can perform reliable heat exchange, and on the other hand, since the energy storage module can be easily disassembled and installed from the mounting position of the water tank, the energy storage module can be transported separately from the water heater body during transportation, which reduces the transportation weight, makes transportation easier, and improves the convenience of transportation. 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 invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention 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 structural diagram of a water heater with a detachable energy storage module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a water tank assembly of a water heater with a detachable energy storage module provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a water heater with a detachable energy storage module provided in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a water tank assembly of a water heater with a detachable energy storage module provided by another embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of a water heater with a detachable energy storage module provided by another embodiment of the present invention when provided with a sealing ring;

[0026] Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of an energy storage module of a water heater with a detachable energy storage module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a water heater with a detachable energy storage module provided by an embodiment of the present invention when the energy storage module is not filled with energy storage material;

[0028] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of a water heater with a detachable energy storage module provided by an embodiment of the present invention when no heater is configured;

[0029] Fig. 9 A schematic structural diagram of a water heater with a detachable energy storage module when no heater is configured is provided according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Reference numerals

[0031] Water tank assembly 10, energy storage module 20, sealing ring 30, water tank 11, inner cavity 12, heater 13, water inlet pipe 14, water outlet pipe 15, installation groove 16, installation port 17, main body 21, supporting ear 22, energy storage inner cavity 23, handle hole 24, energy storage material 25. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The technical solutions in the embodiments will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Similar component numbers in the drawings represent similar components. Obviously, the embodiments described below are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] 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.

[0034] It should also be understood that the terms used in this description of the embodiments of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention. As used in the description of the embodiments of the present invention and the appended claims, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms of "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include plural forms.

[0035] See also Figure 1-Figure 9 The embodiment of the present invention provides a water heater with a detachable energy storage module. The energy storage module 20 of the water heater with a detachable energy storage module can be easily disassembled and installed, so that the energy storage module 20 can be transported separately from the water heater body during transportation, which reduces the transportation weight, makes transportation easier, and improves the convenience of transportation. Specifically, the water heater with a detachable energy storage module includes a water tank assembly 10 and an energy storage module 20. The specific structure is described as follows:

[0036] The water tank assembly 10 includes a water tank 11, which can be a pressure-bearing water tank 11 or an open water tank 11 (non-pressure-bearing). The water tank 11 is provided with an inner cavity 12, which is used to store water.

[0037] In the present invention, a mounting position is provided on the shell of the water tank 11. The mounting position can be specifically a mounting groove 16 or a mounting opening 17. The mounting opening 17 can be directly connected to the inner cavity 12 of the water tank 11.

[0038] In the present invention, the energy storage module 20 can be detachably installed on the installation position, and the energy storage module 20 can perform heat exchange with the liquid in the inner cavity 12 of the water tank 11, that is, heat can be transferred between the energy storage module 20 and the liquid in the inner cavity 12 of the water tank 11. Specifically, the heat of the energy storage module 20 can be transferred to the liquid in the inner cavity 12 of the water tank 11; or the heat of the liquid in the inner cavity 12 of the water tank 11 can be transferred to the energy storage module 20.

[0039] The embodiment of the present invention proposes a water heater with a detachable energy storage module, including a water tank assembly 10 and an energy storage module 20. The water tank assembly 10 includes a water tank 11, the water tank 11 is provided with an inner cavity 12, and a mounting position is provided on the shell of the water tank 11; the energy storage module 20 is detachably mounted on the mounting position, and the energy storage module 20 can perform heat exchange with the liquid in the inner cavity 12 of the water tank 11. Through the above structural design, on the one hand, it is ensured that the energy storage module 20 and the liquid in the inner cavity 12 of the water tank 11 can perform reliable heat exchange, and on the other hand, because the energy storage module 20 can be easily disassembled and installed from the mounting position of the water tank 11, the energy storage module 20 can be transported separately from the water heater body during transportation, which reduces the transportation weight, makes transportation easier, and improves the convenience of transportation.

[0040] Further, in some embodiments, the energy storage module 20 includes a main body 21 and a support ear 22 provided at the end of the main body 21, and the support ear 22 protrudes from the main body 21. The support ear 22 plays a role in supporting and carrying the energy storage module 20. The main body 21 is used to store energy storage material 25. The support ear 22 and the main body 21 can be integrally formed.

[0041] Specifically, the main body 21 is provided with an energy storage cavity 23, and an energy storage material 25 is provided in the energy storage cavity 23, and the energy storage material 25 includes a high heat storage value material. The energy storage cavity 23 can be specifically a closed cavity to prevent leakage of the energy storage material 25. The energy storage material 25 can be specifically a high heat storage value material, and the heat storage capacity of the high heat storage value material is greater than the heat storage capacity of the same volume of water, for example, a phase change material (PCM) with a higher enthalpy value.

[0042] Furthermore, a handle hole 24 is provided on the upper portion of the main body 21 . The handle hole 24 can facilitate taking and placing the energy storage module 20 .

[0043] Further, in some embodiments, the installation position is a mounting groove 16, and the energy storage module 20 is detachably embedded in the mounting groove 16. The mounting groove 16 can be specifically provided on the upper side of the shell of the water tank 11, so that the energy storage module 20 can be reliably embedded in the mounting groove 16 by gravity, without the need for other fastening devices for fixing, which greatly improves the convenience of installation and disassembly.

[0044] Furthermore, the supporting ears 22 of the energy storage module 20 abut against the shell of the water tank 11 on both sides of the mounting groove 16, and the main body 21 of the energy storage module 20 contacts the side walls and the bottom wall of the mounting groove 16, wherein the energy storage module 20 performs heat exchange with the liquid in the inner cavity 12 of the water tank 11 through the side walls and the bottom wall of the mounting groove 16.

[0045] Specifically, in this embodiment, the water tank 11 is closed, so there is no need to seal between the energy storage module 20 and the water tank 11 .

[0046] The supporting ears 22 of the energy storage module 20 abut against the shell of the water tank 11 on both sides of the installation groove 16 to support the energy storage module 20 .

[0047] The main body 21 of the energy storage module 20 is in contact with the side walls and the bottom wall of the mounting groove 16 , thereby reducing thermal resistance, achieving reliable heat exchange, and improving heat exchange efficiency.

[0048] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the installation position is an installation opening 17, and the energy storage module 20 can be removably embedded in the installation opening 17, and the supporting ears 22 of the energy storage module 20 abut against the shell of the water tank 11 on both sides of the installation opening 17, wherein the energy storage module 20 can directly contact the liquid in the inner cavity 12 of the water tank 11 and perform heat exchange.

[0049] Specifically, in this embodiment, the water tank 11 is open, and the installation opening 17 is directly connected to the inner cavity 12 of the water tank 11. The energy storage module 20 is detachably embedded in the installation opening 17. The installation opening 17 can be specifically provided on the upper side of the shell of the water tank 11, so that the energy storage module 20 can be reliably embedded in the installation groove 16 by gravity, which greatly improves the convenience of installation and disassembly.

[0050] The supporting ears 22 of the energy storage module 20 abut against the shell of the water tank 11 on both sides of the installation opening 17, and the supporting ears 22 play a role in supporting the energy storage module 20. Therefore, the energy storage module 20 can directly contact the liquid in the inner cavity 12 of the water tank 11, and the energy storage module 20 can directly exchange heat with the liquid in the inner cavity 12, with less heat loss, thereby greatly improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0051] Furthermore, if the water tank 11 is open (non-pressurized water tank 11 ), there is no need to seal between the water tank 11 and the energy storage module 20 .

[0052] If the water tank 11 is a pressure-bearing type, the water tank 11 and the energy storage module 20 need to be sealed. In order to achieve reliable sealing, see Figure 5 The water heater with a detachable energy storage module further includes a sealing ring 30, which is clamped between the supporting ear 22 of the energy storage module 20 and the shell of the water tank 11 on both sides of the installation opening 17. The sealing ring 30 can be pressed by the gravity of the energy storage module 20. By clamping the sealing ring 30, a reliable seal can be achieved.

[0053] Furthermore, there may be a variety of ways to fix the connection between the energy storage module 20 and the water tank 11. For example, since the density of the energy storage material 25 contained in the energy storage module 20 is generally relatively large, the energy storage module 20 has sufficient weight to press the sealing ring 30 by its own weight to achieve sealing. For another example, the energy storage module 20 and the water tank 11 may also be sealed with a bolted flange or a snap-on seal.

[0054] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the water tank assembly 10 further includes a heater 13, and the heater 13 is disposed at the bottom of the water tank 11. The heater 13 can heat the water in the water tank 11.

[0055] When the heater 13 is provided, the heat storage and release process is as follows:

[0056] Energy storage process:

[0057] The electric energy is heated by the heater 13 and converted into thermal energy, which is then transferred to the water in the water tank 11 . The water in turn continuously transfers the heat to the energy storage material 25 , so that the energy storage material 25 stores more thermal energy.

[0058] Exothermic process:

[0059] When using water, as cold water in the water tank 11 continues to flow in and hot water is continuously discharged, the water temperature in the water tank 11 drops, and the energy storage material 25 continuously transfers the stored heat to the water in the water tank 11 .

[0060] Alternatively, in some embodiments, see Figure 8-Figure 9 The water tank assembly 10 is not equipped with a heater 13. At this time, the usage is as follows: the energy storage module 20 is detachable. During the day, the energy storage module 20 can be taken out and placed in the outdoor sunlight to store natural light energy (the principle is similar to that of a solar water heater). After one day of energy storage, it is put back into the water heater, and the energy stored in the energy storage module 20 will be released into the water in the water tank 11.

[0061] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the water tank assembly 10 further includes a water inlet pipe 14 and a water outlet pipe 15, both of which pass through the shell of the water tank 11 and extend into the inner cavity 12 of the water tank 11; wherein the height of the water outlet pipe 15 is higher than that of the water inlet pipe 14. The water inlet pipe 14 is used to transport water into the inner cavity 12 of the water tank 11, and the water outlet pipe 15 is used to output water to the outside of the water tank 11.

[0062] 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.

[0063] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0064] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0065] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be connected, detachably connected, or integrated; it can be mechanically connected or electrically connected; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0066] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or may include that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" and "above" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" and "below" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0067] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representation of the above terms should not be understood as necessarily referring to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification.

[0068] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalents, the present invention is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

[0069] The above is a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention 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 by the present invention, and these modifications or replacements should be included in the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A water heater with a detachable energy storage module, characterized in that: It includes a water tank assembly and an energy storage module. The water tank assembly includes a water tank. The water tank is provided with an inner cavity. A mounting position is provided on the shell of the water tank. The energy storage module can be detachably mounted on the mounting position, and the energy storage module can perform heat exchange with the liquid in the inner cavity of the water tank.

2. The water heater with a detachable energy storage module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The energy storage module includes a main body and a supporting ear portion provided at an end of the main body, wherein the supporting ear portion protrudes from the main body.

3. The water heater with a detachable energy storage module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The installation position is a mounting groove, and the energy storage module is detachably embedded in the mounting groove.

4. The water heater with a detachable energy storage module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The supporting ears of the energy storage module abut against the shell of the water tank on both sides of the mounting groove, and the main body of the energy storage module contacts the side walls and the bottom wall of the mounting groove, wherein the energy storage module exchanges heat with the liquid in the inner cavity of the water tank through the side walls and the bottom wall of the mounting groove.

5. The water heater with a detachable energy storage module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The installation position is an installation opening, and the energy storage module can be removably embedded in the installation opening, and the supporting ears of the energy storage module abut against the shell of the water tank on both sides of the installation opening, wherein the energy storage module can directly contact the liquid in the inner cavity of the water tank and perform heat exchange.

6. The water heater with a detachable energy storage module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The water heater with a detachable energy storage module further comprises a sealing ring, which is clamped between the supporting ears of the energy storage module and the shell of the water tank on both sides of the installation port.

7. The water heater with a detachable energy storage module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The main body is provided with an energy storage inner cavity, and energy storage material is arranged in the energy storage inner cavity. The energy storage material includes a high heat storage value material.

8. The water heater with a detachable energy storage module according to claim 2, characterized in that: A handle hole is provided on the upper portion of the main body.

9. The water heater with a detachable energy storage module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water tank assembly also includes a heater, which is arranged at the bottom of the water tank.

10. The water heater with a detachable energy storage module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water tank assembly also includes a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe, both of which pass through the shell of the water tank and extend into the inner cavity of the water tank; wherein the height of the water outlet pipe is higher than that of the water inlet pipe.

Images