A water heater operation control method and system

By real-time monitoring and switching of the temperature data source of the water heater, the existing water heater has solved the problem of high energy consumption and inability to accurately control the water tank temperature, and the stable and energy-saving operation of the water heater is achieved, meeting the long-term hot water supply needs of users.

CN119755804APending Publication Date: 2025-04-04GUANGDONG PHNIX ECO ENERGY SOLUTION
View PDF 0 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
CN202510116010.X
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-01-24
Publication Date
2025-04-04

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The operating control method of existing water heaters leads to high energy consumption and the inability to accurately control the water tank temperature, which cannot meet users' long-term hot water supply needs.

Method used

By monitoring the water tank temperature sensor data in real time, the water tank temperature data is preferred for control. When the data is abnormal, switch to the remote control terminal data, and rely on the inlet temperature for control when necessary to ensure the accuracy of temperature monitoring and the stable operation of the water heater.

Benefits of technology

The stable and energy-saving operation of the water heater is achieved, ensuring the long-term hot water supply demand of users and reducing the impact of failure on use.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN119755804A_ABST
    Figure CN119755804A_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of water heater temperature control, and discloses a water heater operation control method and system, the method comprising: real-time monitoring of a water tank temperature sensor to obtain first water tank temperature data of the water heater, and judging whether the first water tank temperature data is normal; when it is normal, the water heater operation is controlled based on the first water tank temperature data; when it is abnormal, the second water tank temperature data sent by the water heater remote control end is obtained and the second water tank temperature data is judged to be normal; if it is normal, the water heater operation is controlled based on the second water tank temperature data; if it is abnormal, the water heater operation is controlled based on the inlet water temperature. The present invention preferentially uses the water tank temperature data collected by the water tank temperature sensor as the data basis for operation control, and when the sensor collected data is abnormal, switches to the water tank temperature data sent by the remote control end for operation control, and when the water tank temperature data are all abnormal, the inlet water temperature operation is controlled, thereby ensuring stable and energy-saving operation of the water heater.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of water heater temperature control, and in particular to a water heater operation control method and system. Background Art

[0002] At present, most water heaters are used for heating first and cooling at the same time; however, in some colder areas, users need hot water supply all year round. However, due to limited hardware conditions, the existing water heater operation control method often results in high energy consumption: for example, to control the water inlet temperature, the water pump needs to run for a long time, resulting in high energy consumption, and the temperature of the water tank cannot be accurately controlled. At the same time, it is also impossible to predict the user's water consumption and make heating actions in advance, which may ultimately fail to meet the user's hot water needs. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention provides a water heater operation control method and system to solve the problem of how to operate the water heater stably and energy-savingly to meet the long-term hot water supply needs of users.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a water heater operation control method, the method comprising:

[0005] Real-time monitoring of the water tank temperature sensor to obtain the first water tank temperature data of the water heater, and judging whether the first water tank temperature data is normal based on the first preset condition;

[0006] When the temperature data of the first water tank is normal, the water heater operation is controlled based on the temperature data of the first water tank;

[0007] When the temperature data of the first water tank is abnormal, obtaining the temperature data of the second water tank sent by the water heater remote control terminal, and judging whether the temperature data of the second water tank is normal based on the second preset condition;

[0008] If the temperature data of the second water tank is normal, the water heater operation control is performed based on the temperature data of the second water tank;

[0009] If the temperature data of the second water tank is abnormal, the water inlet temperature of the water heater is obtained, and the operation of the water heater is controlled based on the water inlet temperature.

[0010] The water heater operation control method provided by the embodiment of the present invention preferentially uses the water tank temperature data collected by the water tank temperature sensor as the data basis for the water heater operation control. When the data collected by the water tank temperature sensor is abnormal, the water tank temperature data sent by the remote control terminal is switched to be used for the water heater operation control, thereby reducing the temperature misjudgment caused by a single factor such as sensor failure, more accurately grasping the actual situation of the water tank temperature, and ensuring the accuracy of temperature monitoring. If the water tank temperature data is abnormal due to a failure of the water tank temperature sensor itself, or if the water tank temperature data is abnormal due to problems in the remote control terminal data transmission and other links, the operation control can ultimately be carried out based on the relatively basic but also reflective data of the inlet water temperature. This fully considers how to ensure that the water heater maintains basic stable operation under different failure scenarios, reduces the impact of the failure on use, and ensures the stable and energy-saving operation of the water heater.

[0011] In an optional implementation, the real-time monitoring water tank temperature sensor acquires the first water tank temperature data of the water heater, including:

[0012] Real-time acquisition of water tank bottom temperature data collected by a first water tank temperature sensor near the water outlet of the water heater, and water tank water inlet temperature data collected by a plurality of second water tank temperature sensors evenly arranged in the water tank height direction near the water inlet of the water heater;

[0013] The temperature data of each water tank temperature sensor within a preset time period are arranged in order of size, and the data with deviations greater than a preset threshold are deleted, and the remaining data are averaged.

[0014] The embodiment of the present invention can comprehensively understand the water temperature conditions at different heights in the water tank by acquiring data collected by multiple temperature sensors evenly arranged along the height direction of the water tank of the water heater, avoid local temperature errors that may occur by relying on only a single sensor, and more accurately reflect the overall water temperature status in the water tank. The erroneous data that may be caused by abnormal factors such as sensor failure and interference can be effectively removed through data screening. During the hot water supply process, the hot water at the bottom of the water tank will flow out first, and the bottom temperature is directly related to the hot water temperature actually used by the user. Using the bottom temperature as a reference can more accurately determine whether the target temperature required by the user is reached, thereby better controlling the hot water supply and avoiding the situation where the user feels that the water temperature is not hot enough or is overheated.

[0015] In an optional implementation, judging whether the temperature data of the first water tank is normal based on the first preset condition includes:

[0016] When a water tank temperature sensor is monitored to be short-circuited, or a preset percentage of data deviates from the average value of all collected data by more than a preset threshold, the corresponding water tank temperature sensor is judged to be abnormal, and when any water tank temperature sensor is abnormal, a first fault alarm signal is issued.

[0017] In actual operation, once the sensor is short-circuited, the data it transmits will be completely wrong. Timely discovery can avoid abnormal operation of the water heater caused by erroneous data. Even if the sensor is not completely damaged, it may be interfered with, some components are aged, or other factors may cause data deviation. The embodiment of the present invention can keenly capture these abnormal data through data deviation monitoring, and discover potential problems that may affect the normal operation of the water heater in advance. The fault alarm signal can clearly inform the user or maintenance personnel that there is a problem in the temperature monitoring link of the water heater, which helps the maintenance personnel to quickly locate the fault and can directly start the inspection from the temperature sensor and its data acquisition and processing parts.

[0018] In an optional embodiment, when the second water tank temperature sensors located at different heights are in different temperature drop ranges, different compressor control parameters are set accordingly, and the compressor control parameters include: a target compensation temperature value, a frequency increase rate, and a target frequency control coefficient. The closer the second water tank temperature sensor is to the water outlet, the larger the corresponding target compensation temperature value, frequency increase rate, and target frequency control coefficient. The larger the temperature drop value of the same second water tank temperature sensor, the larger the corresponding target compensation temperature value and frequency increase rate.

[0019] Since the closer to the water outlet, the more direct the impact of water temperature drop on user experience, the larger the corresponding unit target compensation temperature value, frequency increase rate and target frequency control coefficient, the more accurate the compensation for water temperature drop at different heights, ensuring the stability of the water temperature at the water outlet. Moreover, when the temperature drop of the same temperature sensor is different, the corresponding compensation temperature and frequency increase rate parameters also change dynamically, making temperature control more accurate.

[0020] In an optional implementation, the water heater operation control based on the first water tank temperature data includes:

[0021] Monitor the downward trend of the water tank temperature data collected by the second water tank temperature sensor located at different heights in real time, and select a combination of a larger target compensation temperature value and a faster frequency increase rate as the compressor control parameter. Based on the compressor control parameter, the compressor of the unit reaches the target frequency, and the target frequency = initial frequency + (target temperature - current actual water tank temperature) / target temperature * maximum frequency * target frequency control coefficient, where the current actual water tank temperature is the bottom temperature of the water tank.

[0022] The embodiment of the present invention can timely capture the changes in the water tank temperature by monitoring the temperature drop trend. Selecting a combination of a larger target compensation temperature value and a faster frequency increase rate can enable the compressor to respond quickly when the temperature drops, speed up the cooling or heating speed, quickly suppress the temperature drop, effectively maintain the stability of the water tank temperature, and meet the needs of scenarios with high requirements for timeliness of temperature control. Selecting appropriate control parameters according to the actual temperature changes can allow the compressor to operate in the high-efficiency range as much as possible under different working conditions. A faster frequency increase rate can enable the compressor to quickly reach the required frequency and avoid long-term operation in a low-efficiency state, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the compressor and reducing energy consumption. The data collected by temperature sensors at different heights can reflect the distribution of temperature in the water tank. Adjusting the compressor control parameters through comprehensive analysis of these data can help make the temperature at various locations in the water tank more uniform.

[0023] In an optional implementation, judging whether the temperature data of the second water tank is normal based on the second preset condition includes:

[0024] Determine whether the temperature of the second water tank is greater than a preset temperature value, if so, the temperature data of the second water tank is normal;

[0025] The historical second water tank temperature data is cleared according to a preset time period. After the historical data is cleared, if no new second water tank temperature data is received within a preset time period, the second water tank temperature data is determined to be abnormal, and a second fault alarm signal is issued when the second water tank temperature data is abnormal.

[0026] The embodiment of the present invention determines whether the temperature data of the second water tank is within a reasonable range by setting a preset temperature value, thereby providing an accurate basis for subsequent water heater operation control, and clearing historical water tank temperature data according to a preset time period, which can effectively manage data storage resources. After clearing historical data, if no new water tank temperature data is received within a preset time period, it is determined to be abnormal, and possible problems in remote data transmission can be discovered in time. This abnormal judgment mechanism can quickly detect this situation, thereby reminding users or maintenance personnel to check and repair, thereby enhancing the reliability of the system.

[0027] In an optional implementation, when the water heater operation is controlled based on the water inlet temperature, the water pump is controlled to be in a normally open state.

[0028] When the present invention is implemented and switches from water tank temperature control to water inlet temperature control, the water pump is controlled to be in a normally open state to avoid the situation where the compressor and water pump are frequently started and stopped when the water pump stops and the water inlet temperature drops because the temperature of the water tank may still be at a relatively high temperature and water inlet temperature control is used.

[0029] In an optional embodiment, when the water heater operation is controlled based on the water tank temperature, the constant temperature shutdown state is entered after the water tank temperature reaches the target temperature, the compressor is controlled to shut down, and the water pump is controlled to shut down after a preset time lag of the compressor; or,

[0030] The ambient temperature sensor collects the ambient temperature data of the water heater. When the monitored ambient temperature data is lower than the preset temperature or the ambient temperature sensor fails, the water tank temperature reaches the target temperature and enters the constant temperature shutdown state, controls the compressor to shut down, and controls the water pump to run intermittently according to the preset time period.

[0031] The embodiment of the present invention enters a constant temperature shutdown state after the water tank temperature reaches the target temperature, controls the compressor to shut down, and controls the water pump to shut down after a preset time of the compressor, so that the compressor shuts down after the water tank reaches the target temperature, which can prevent it from continuing to cool or heat and causing energy waste. The delayed shutdown of the water pump can utilize the remaining cooling capacity or heat, improve energy utilization, avoid the water pump idling energy consumption when there is no actual demand, and make the water temperature in the water tank more uniform, avoid local temperature being too high or too low, reduce temperature fluctuations, and keep the water tank temperature more stably near the target value, thereby improving the accuracy and stability of temperature control; in a low temperature environment or sensor failure, controlling the water pump to run intermittently can reduce the working time of the water pump. By controlling the water pump to run intermittently, the temperature drop rate of the hot water in the water tank can be slowed down to a certain extent. If the water pump is running all the time, the hot water will circulate continuously between the pipe and the water tank, and the heat will be lost to the low temperature environment faster. Intermittent operation can make the hot water have a relatively stable residence time in the water tank, reduce heat exchange with the outside world, thereby improving the stability of the water temperature and ensuring that users can obtain a relatively stable water temperature when using hot water.

[0032] In an optional embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0033] Obtaining a current timestamp, and determining whether the current timestamp is in a valley power period;

[0034] If yes, the unit is controlled to operate at maximum load.

[0035] The embodiment of the present invention allows the unit to operate at maximum load during the off-peak period, which can quickly heat the water in the water tank to a higher temperature or reserve a sufficient amount of hot water. It can make full use of low-cost off-peak electricity to meet the heating needs of the water heater, while reducing the heating burden of the water heater during peak electricity consumption periods. The unit operates at maximum load during the off-peak period, so that the work of the water heater is concentrated in a specific period, which helps to form a relatively stable operating condition. Stable operating conditions and less frequent adjustments are conducive to extending the service life of the unit.

[0036] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a water heater operation control system, comprising:

[0037] A first water tank temperature data monitoring module, used for real-time monitoring of the water tank temperature sensor to obtain the first water tank temperature data of the water heater, and judging whether the first water tank temperature data is normal based on a first preset condition;

[0038] A first operation control module, used for controlling the operation of the water heater based on the first water tank temperature data when the first water tank temperature data is normal;

[0039] A second water tank temperature data monitoring module, used for obtaining the second water tank temperature data sent by the water heater remote control terminal when the first water tank temperature data is abnormal, and judging whether the first water tank temperature data is normal based on a second preset condition;

[0040] A second operation control module, configured to control the operation of the water heater based on the temperature data of the second water tank if the temperature data of the second water tank is normal;

[0041] The third operation control module is used to obtain the water inlet temperature of the water heater if the temperature data of the second water tank is abnormal, and perform operation control of the water heater based on the water inlet temperature.

[0042] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a computer device, comprising: a memory and a processor, the memory and the processor are communicatively connected to each other, computer instructions are stored in the memory, and the processor executes the water heater operation control method of the first aspect or any corresponding embodiment thereof by executing the computer instructions.

[0043] In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium having computer instructions stored thereon, the computer instructions being used to enable a computer to execute the water heater operation control method of the first aspect or any corresponding embodiment thereof.

[0044] In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a computer program product, comprising computer instructions for causing a computer to execute the water heater operation control method of the first aspect or any corresponding embodiment thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation methods of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the specific implementation methods or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation methods of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0046] Figure 1A schematic flow chart of a water heater operation control method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the location of the water tank temperature sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 3 A structural block diagram of a water heater operation control system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a computer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are 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 those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0051] In order to keep the water heater in a stable and energy-saving state, reduce unnecessary energy loss, and accurately meet the water temperature requirements of end customers. An embodiment of the present invention provides an embodiment of a water heater operation control method. It should be noted that the steps shown in the flowchart of the accompanying drawings can be executed in a computer system such as a set of computer executable instructions, and although a logical order is shown in the flowchart, in some cases, the steps shown or described can be executed in a different order than here. Figure 1 is a flow chart of a water heater operation control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the process includes the following steps:

[0052] S101, real-time monitoring of the water tank temperature sensor to obtain first water tank temperature data of the water heater, and judging whether the first water tank temperature data is normal based on a first preset condition.

[0053] The first water tank temperature data of the embodiment of the present invention includes water tank bottom temperature data and water tank water inlet temperature data. The specific monitoring process using the water tank temperature sensor is: real-time acquisition of water tank bottom temperature data collected by the first water tank temperature sensor near the water outlet of the water heater, and water tank water inlet temperature data collected by multiple second water tank temperature sensors evenly arranged in the water tank height direction near the water inlet of the water heater; arranging the temperature data of each water tank temperature sensor within a preset time period in order of size, and taking the average of the remaining data after deleting the data with a deviation greater than the preset threshold.

[0054] In a specific embodiment, for example, at the water inlet of the water heater in the water tank, three temperature sensors are evenly spaced at upper, middle and lower positions to monitor the water temperature change trend at the water inlet so that the unit can make corresponding adjustments in time. The temperature data collected 100 times at a millisecond data collection speed are arranged in order of size, and the data with large deviations 10% before and after the sequence are discarded. The remaining 80% of the data are averaged to ensure the accuracy and stability of the collected water temperature. The value of the temperature data at the bottom of the water tank is used as a reference value to determine whether the target temperature set by the user has been reached, so as to directly control the start and stop of the unit compressor.

[0055] During the operation and control process, in order to ensure that the status of the water tank temperature sensor is normal, it is necessary to monitor the status of the water tank temperature sensor in real time. For example, if the water tank temperature sensor is short-circuited (the collected temperature data will be the maximum or minimum value at this time), or there is a preset percentage of water tank temperature data collected by the temperature sensor that deviates from its corresponding average value by more than a preset threshold (for example, 40% of the data deviates from the water tank temperature average value by >5°C), it is considered that the temperature sensor is unstable or damaged at this time, and the collected water tank temperature is abnormal and cannot be used as a data reference basis for operation and control. When any water tank temperature sensor is abnormal, a first fault alarm signal is issued. The first fault alarm signal is used to indicate that the water tank temperature sensor is abnormal and normal water tank temperature monitoring cannot be achieved, such as sound and light alarm information, or specific voice alarm information, which can be reasonably set according to actual needs.

[0056] In actual operation, once the sensor is short-circuited, the data it transmits will be completely wrong. Timely discovery can avoid abnormal operation of the water heater caused by erroneous data. Even if the sensor is not completely damaged, it may be interfered with, some components are aged, or other factors may cause data deviation. The embodiment of the present invention can keenly capture these abnormal data through data deviation monitoring, and discover potential problems that may affect the normal operation of the water heater in advance. The fault alarm signal can clearly inform the user or maintenance personnel that there is a problem in the temperature monitoring link of the water heater, which helps the maintenance personnel to quickly locate the fault and can directly start the inspection from the temperature sensor and its data acquisition and processing parts.

[0057] S102: When the temperature data of the first water tank is normal, the water heater operation is controlled based on the temperature data of the first water tank.

[0058] The embodiment of the present invention preferentially uses the water tank temperature data collected by the water tank temperature sensor as the data basis for the water heater operation control, and performs the water heater operation control by monitoring the change trend of the water tank temperature data collected by multiple temperature sensors.

[0059] Specifically, in an embodiment of the present invention, when the second water tank temperature sensors located at different heights are in different temperature drop ranges, different compressor control parameters are set accordingly. The compressor control parameters include: a target compensation temperature value, a frequency increase rate, and a target frequency control coefficient. The closer the second water tank temperature sensor is to the water outlet, the larger the corresponding target compensation temperature value, frequency increase rate, and target frequency control coefficient. The larger the temperature drop value of the same second water tank temperature sensor, the larger the corresponding target compensation temperature value and frequency increase rate.

[0060] Specifically, since the closer the sensor is to the water outlet, the larger the corresponding compensation value, frequency increase rate and target frequency control coefficient, this can accurately deal with the natural drop in temperature during the outflow of hot water. Because the hot water is in the water tank, the closer it is to the water outlet, the more directly related to the user's actual temperature experience of using hot water. This setting can ensure that the water temperature at the water outlet is closer to the target temperature. The greater the temperature drop value set for the same temperature sensor, the larger the corresponding unit target compensation temperature value and frequency increase rate, which means that the system can dynamically adjust the compensation strength and heating speed according to the degree of temperature drop. For example, when the temperature drops significantly, a larger compensation temperature value and frequency increase rate can quickly raise the water temperature, effectively preventing users from encountering situations where the water temperature is too low when using hot water.

[0061] Based on the above compressor control parameter settings, the process of using the water tank temperature data collected by the water tank temperature sensor to control the operation of the water heater is: real-time monitoring of the downward trend of the water tank temperature data collected by the second water tank temperature sensor located at different heights, and selecting a combination of a larger target compensation temperature value and a faster frequency increase rate as the compressor control parameter, and based on the compressor control parameter, the compressor of the unit reaches the target frequency, target frequency = initial frequency + (target temperature - current actual water tank temperature) / target temperature * maximum frequency * target frequency control coefficient, where the current actual water tank temperature is the temperature at the bottom of the water tank.

[0062] The embodiment of the present invention monitors the downward trend of data collected by temperature sensors at different heights in real time, selects a combination with a larger compensation value and a faster frequency increase rate, and uses PID control to control the compressor of the unit to achieve the target frequency operation. PID control can accurately adjust the operating frequency of the unit according to the deviation between the actual temperature and the target temperature, so that the unit can quickly and stably reach the target temperature. This control method can improve the operating efficiency of the unit and reduce energy waste, because it does not simply operate at a fixed frequency, but dynamically adjusts according to actual needs. The calculation formula of the target frequency (target frequency = initial frequency + (target temperature - current actual water tank temperature) / target temperature maximum frequency target frequency control coefficient) takes into account multiple factors such as initial frequency, target temperature, current actual temperature, maximum frequency and target frequency control coefficient. This allows the unit to make full use of its maximum frequency adjustment range, flexibly adjust the operating frequency according to different temperature deviation conditions, speed up the heating speed, and thus more efficiently meet the hot water supply demand.

[0063] In a specific embodiment, if Figure 2 The figure shows the schematic diagram of the location of each water tank temperature sensor. Three temperature sensors, upper, middle and lower, are evenly set at a height interval of 30 cm near the water inlet of the water tank to collect water tank inlet temperature data at different heights to monitor the temperature change trend of water tanks at different heights near the water inlet. The temperature data of the bottom of the water tank collected by the temperature sensor near the water outlet is used to reflect the current actual water tank temperature so that the unit can make corresponding adjustments in time. The unit target compensation temperature value, frequency rise rate and target frequency control coefficient corresponding to the water tank temperature collected by each temperature sensor are shown in the following table:

[0064] Table 1 Parameter settings of the temperature sensor at the highest point

[0065]

[0066] Table 2 Parameter settings of the temperature sensor located in the middle of the height

[0067]

[0068] Table 3 Parameter settings of the temperature sensor located at the lower part of the height

[0069]

[0070] After the user uses the water, the top of the water tank begins to replenish cold tap water. Therefore, the water temperature trend at different heights of the water tank reflects the actual water temperature of the water tank. When the temperature is lower near the bottom of the water tank, it means that the hot water in the water tank has been basically used up. At this time, it is necessary to greatly increase the target temperature and quickly increase the frequency to heat the water tank at the fastest speed to meet customer needs. Therefore, in the above determination of the change trend of the water tank temperature, the combination with a larger compensation value and a faster frequency increase rate is prioritized; for example:

[0071] 1. Set 50℃ as the target temperature. When the "water tank temperature - lower" drops by more than 10℃, it is 39℃, the "water tank temperature - middle" drops by more than 15℃, it is 33℃, and the "water tank temperature - upper" drops by more than 20℃, it is 28℃. At this time, the combination of "compensation + 6℃" and "PID P value + 2" is used, that is, control is performed based on the "water tank temperature - lower";

[0072] 2. Set 50℃ as the target temperature. When the temperatures of "water tank temperature - lower" and "water tank temperature - middle" remain unchanged, the temperature of "water tank temperature - upper" drops by more than 10℃ to 39℃. At this time, the combination of "compensation +1℃, PID P value unchanged" is adopted, that is, control is performed based on "water tank temperature - upper";

[0073] 3. Set 50℃ as the target temperature. When the "water tank temperature - lower" remains unchanged, the "water tank temperature - upper" drops by more than 20℃ to 28℃, and the "water tank temperature - middle" drops by more than 15℃ to 33℃, then take the combination of "compensation +4℃, PID P value +1", that is, control based on the "water tank temperature - middle".

[0074] S103, when the temperature data of the first water tank is abnormal, obtaining the temperature data of the second water tank sent by the remote control terminal of the water heater, and judging whether the temperature data of the second water tank is normal based on a second preset condition.

[0075] Specifically, the second water tank temperature data refers to the water tank temperature data sent by the remote control end of the water heater when the water tank temperature data collected by the temperature sensor is abnormal, for example, the water tank temperature sent by the remote control end is obtained by using PLC for control. When the temperature intervened by PLC is used for control, the water tank temperature data is received and judged to be greater than the preset temperature (for example, 0°C). If the water tank temperature is used for unit control, and the data is cleared every preset time (for example, 10 minutes), if the water tank temperature data is not received within the preset time (for example, within 1 minute) after the data is cleared, it is judged that the water heater host is disconnected from the PLC, the water tank temperature data obtained is abnormal, and a second fault alarm signal is issued. The second fault alarm signal is used to indicate that the water heater host is disconnected from the PLC and the remote water tank temperature data cannot be obtained. The fault alarm signal is different from the fault signal when the water tank temperature sensor is abnormal, so as to facilitate the operation and maintenance personnel to accurately locate the fault type.

[0076] The embodiment of the present invention determines whether the temperature data of the second water tank is within a reasonable range by setting a preset temperature value, thereby providing an accurate basis for subsequent water heater operation control, and clearing historical water tank temperature data according to a preset time period, which can effectively manage data storage resources. After clearing historical data, if no new water tank temperature data is received within a preset time period, it is determined to be abnormal, and possible problems in remote data transmission can be discovered in time. This abnormal judgment mechanism can quickly detect this situation, thereby reminding users or maintenance personnel to check and repair.

[0077] S104: If the temperature data of the second water tank is normal, the water heater operation is controlled based on the temperature data of the second water tank.

[0078] S105: If the temperature data of the second water tank is abnormal, the water inlet temperature of the water heater is obtained, and the operation of the water heater is controlled based on the water inlet temperature.

[0079] The inlet water temperature obtained in the embodiment of the present invention is the inlet water temperature point located at the casing of the machine. The process of controlling the operation of the water heater based on the second water tank temperature data and the process of controlling the operation of the water heater based on the inlet water temperature both adopt PID control, which is different from the process of controlling the operation of the water heater based on the first water tank temperature data in that the source of the temperature data is different.

[0080] When the start and stop control of the unit is controlled by the inlet water temperature, and the control based on the water tank temperature is switched to the control based on the inlet water temperature, since the target temperature is reached and the compressor stops working, once the water pump stops, the temperature of the unit casing will gradually drop, and the temperature of the water tank may still be at a relatively high temperature at this time. Therefore, when the inlet water temperature control is used, once the water pump stops and the inlet water temperature drops, the compressor and water pump will start and stop frequently. Therefore, the water pump is controlled to be in a normally open state at this time.

[0081] In one embodiment, when the water heater operation is controlled based on the water tank temperature, the constant temperature shutdown state is entered after the water tank temperature reaches the target temperature, the compressor is controlled to shut down, and the water pump is controlled to shut down after a preset time of the compressor; specifically, after the water tank temperature reaches the target temperature, the constant temperature shutdown compressor is shut down, and the water pump is shut down after a preset time of the constant temperature shutdown compressor. This control method can prevent the unit from continuing to heat after the water temperature has reached the target temperature, thereby saving energy. At the same time, the delayed shutdown of the water pump can ensure that the hot water in the water tank is fully circulated, making the temperature distribution more uniform, and is also conducive to protecting the unit equipment and avoiding shortening the service life due to frequent startup and excessive operation. Through the above-mentioned precise temperature control and efficient unit operation mode, a stable hot water temperature can be provided to users. Whether it is when the water tank is just being used or during use, the system can effectively compensate for the temperature drop, ensuring that the user will not feel uncomfortable due to water temperature fluctuations during water use, thereby improving the comfort and satisfaction of hot water use.

[0082] In another embodiment, when the water heater operation is controlled based on the water tank temperature, the ambient temperature sensor is used to collect the ambient temperature data of the water heater. When the ambient temperature data is monitored to be less than the preset temperature or the ambient temperature sensor fails, when the water tank temperature reaches the target temperature, the constant temperature shutdown compressor is shut down, and the water pump is controlled to run intermittently according to the preset time period. For example, when the ambient temperature is less than 2°C or the ambient temperature sensor fails, for the purpose of unit antifreeze, the water pump should run intermittently (for example, run for 3 minutes and shut down for 30 minutes) after the constant temperature shutdown. In a low temperature environment or when the sensor fails, controlling the water pump to run intermittently can reduce the working time of the water pump. By controlling the water pump to run intermittently, the temperature drop rate of the hot water in the water tank can be slowed down to a certain extent. If the water pump is running all the time, the hot water will continue to circulate between the pipe and the water tank, and the heat will be lost to the low temperature environment faster. Intermittent operation can make the hot water have a relatively stable residence time in the water tank, reduce heat exchange with the outside world, thereby improving the stability of the water temperature and ensuring that users can obtain a relatively stable water temperature when using hot water.

[0083] The embodiment of the present invention provides a water heater operation control method, which preferentially uses the water tank temperature data collected by the water tank temperature sensor as the data basis for the water heater operation control. When the data collected by the water tank temperature sensor is abnormal, the water tank temperature data sent by the remote control terminal is switched to be used for the water heater operation control, thereby reducing the temperature misjudgment caused by a single factor such as sensor failure, more accurately grasping the actual situation of the water tank temperature, and ensuring the accuracy of temperature monitoring. If the water tank temperature data is abnormal due to a failure of the water tank temperature sensor itself, or if the water tank temperature data is abnormal due to problems in the remote control terminal data transmission and other links, the operation control can ultimately be carried out based on the relatively basic but also reflective data of the inlet water temperature. This fully considers how to ensure that the water heater maintains basic stable operation under different failure scenarios and reduce the impact of the failure on use.

[0084] The method provided by the embodiment of the present invention also includes: obtaining the current timestamp, and determining if the current timestamp is in the off-peak period; if so, controlling the unit to operate at maximum load. The embodiment of the present invention allows the unit to operate at maximum load during the off-peak period, and can quickly heat the water in the water tank to a higher temperature or reserve cheap and stable hot water to guarantee the user's water demand to the greatest extent. At the same time, it reduces the heating burden of the water heater during peak electricity consumption periods. The unit operates at maximum load during the off-peak period, so that the work of the water heater is concentrated in a specific period, which helps to form a relatively stable operating condition. Stable operating conditions and less frequent adjustments are conducive to extending the service life of the unit.

[0085] In this embodiment, a water heater operation control system is also provided, which is used to implement the above-mentioned embodiments and preferred implementation modes, and the descriptions that have been made will not be repeated. As used below, the term "module" can be a combination of software and / or hardware that implements a predetermined function. Although the system described in the following embodiments is preferably implemented in software, the implementation of hardware, or a combination of software and hardware, is also possible and conceivable.

[0086] This embodiment provides a water heater operation control system. Figure 3 As shown, including:

[0087] The first water tank temperature data monitoring module 301 is used to monitor the water tank temperature sensor in real time to obtain the first water tank temperature data of the water heater, and determine whether the first water tank temperature data is normal based on the first preset condition;

[0088] A first operation control module 302, configured to control the operation of the water heater based on the first water tank temperature data when the first water tank temperature data is normal;

[0089] The second water tank temperature data monitoring module 303 is used to obtain the second water tank temperature data sent by the water heater remote control terminal when the first water tank temperature data is abnormal, and determine whether the first water tank temperature data is normal based on the second preset condition;

[0090] A second operation control module 304, configured to control the operation of the water heater based on the second water tank temperature data if the second water tank temperature data is normal;

[0091] The third operation control module 305 is used to obtain the water inlet temperature of the water heater if the temperature data of the second water tank is abnormal, and perform water heater operation control based on the water inlet temperature.

[0092] In some optional implementations, the first water tank temperature data monitoring module 301 includes:

[0093] Real-time acquisition of water tank bottom temperature data collected by a first water tank temperature sensor near the water outlet of the water heater, and water tank water inlet temperature data collected by a plurality of second water tank temperature sensors evenly arranged in the water tank height direction near the water inlet of the water heater;

[0094] The temperature data of each water tank temperature sensor within a preset time period are arranged in order of size, and the data with deviations greater than a preset threshold are deleted, and the remaining data are averaged.

[0095] In some optional implementations, the first water tank temperature data monitoring module 301 includes:

[0096] When a water tank temperature sensor is monitored to be short-circuited, or a preset percentage of data deviates from the average value of all collected data by more than a preset threshold, the corresponding water tank temperature sensor is judged to be abnormal, and when any water tank temperature sensor is abnormal, a first fault alarm signal is issued.

[0097] In some optional embodiments, when the second water tank temperature sensors located at different heights are in different temperature drop ranges, different compressor control parameters are set accordingly. The compressor control parameters include: a target compensation temperature value, a frequency increase rate, and a target frequency control coefficient. The closer the second water tank temperature sensor is to the water outlet, the larger the corresponding target compensation temperature value, frequency increase rate, and target frequency control coefficient. The larger the temperature drop value of the same second water tank temperature sensor, the larger the corresponding target compensation temperature value and frequency increase rate.

[0098] In some optional implementations, the first operation control module 302 includes:

[0099] Monitor the downward trend of the water tank temperature data collected by the second water tank temperature sensor located at different heights in real time, and select a combination of a larger target compensation temperature value and a faster frequency increase rate as the compressor control parameter. Based on the compressor control parameter, the compressor of the unit reaches the target frequency. The target frequency = initial frequency + (target temperature - current actual water tank temperature) / target temperature * maximum frequency * target frequency control coefficient, where the current actual water tank temperature is the temperature at the bottom of the water tank.

[0100] In some optional implementations, the second water tank temperature data monitoring module 303 includes:

[0101] A second water tank temperature value monitoring unit, used to determine whether the temperature of the second water tank is greater than a preset temperature value, if so, the temperature data of the second water tank is normal;

[0102] The second water tank temperature data update monitoring unit is used to clear the historical second water tank temperature data according to a preset time period. After clearing the historical data, if no new second water tank temperature data is received within the preset time period, the second water tank temperature data is determined to be abnormal, and a second fault alarm signal is issued when the second water tank temperature data is abnormal.

[0103] In some optional implementations, when the water heater operation is controlled based on the inlet water temperature, the water pump is controlled to be in a normally open state.

[0104] In some optional embodiments, when the water heater operation is controlled based on the water tank temperature, the water heater enters a constant temperature shutdown state after the water tank temperature reaches the target temperature, the compressor is controlled to shut down, and the water pump is controlled to shut down after a preset time delay from the compressor; or,

[0105] The ambient temperature sensor collects the ambient temperature data of the water heater. When the monitored ambient temperature data is lower than the preset temperature or the ambient temperature sensor fails, the water tank temperature reaches the target temperature and enters the constant temperature shutdown state, controls the compressor to shut down, and controls the water pump to run intermittently according to the preset time period.

[0106] In some optional embodiments, the system further comprises:

[0107] The off-peak time operation control module is used to obtain the current timestamp and determine whether the current timestamp is within the off-peak time period; if so, the unit is controlled to operate at maximum load.

[0108] The further functional description of each of the above modules and units is the same as that of the above corresponding embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0109] The water heater operation control system in this embodiment is presented in the form of a functional unit, where the unit refers to an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) circuit, a processor and memory that executes one or more software or fixed programs, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions.

[0110] The embodiment of the present invention also provides a computer device having the above Figure 3 The water heater operation control system shown.

[0111] See also Figure 4 , Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a computer device provided by an optional embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 4 As shown, the computer device includes: one or more processors 10, a memory 20, and interfaces for connecting various components, including high-speed interfaces and low-speed interfaces. Various components are connected to each other using different buses for communication, and can be installed on a common mainboard or installed in other ways as needed. The processor can process the instructions executed in the computer device, including instructions stored in or on the memory to display the graphical information of the GUI on an external input / output device (such as, a display device coupled to the interface). In some optional embodiments, if necessary, multiple processors and / or multiple buses can be used together with multiple memories and multiple memories. Similarly, multiple computer devices can be connected, and each device provides some necessary operations (for example, as a server array, a group of blade servers, or a multi-processor system). Figure 4 A processor 10 is taken as an example.

[0112] The processor 10 may be a central processing unit, a network processor or a combination thereof. The processor 10 may further include a hardware chip. The hardware chip may be a dedicated integrated circuit, a programmable logic device or a combination thereof. The programmable logic device may be a complex programmable logic device, a field programmable gate array, a general purpose array logic or any combination thereof.

[0113] The memory 20 stores instructions executable by at least one processor 10, so that at least one processor 10 executes the method shown in the above embodiment.

[0114] The memory 20 may include a program storage area and a data storage area, wherein the program storage area may store an operating system, an application required for at least one function; the data storage area may store data created according to the use of the computer device, etc. In addition, the memory 20 may include a high-speed random access memory, and may also include a non-transient memory, such as at least one disk storage device, a flash memory device, or other non-transient solid-state storage device. In some optional embodiments, the memory 20 may optionally include a memory remotely arranged relative to the processor 10, and these remote memories may be connected to the computer device via a network. Examples of the above-mentioned network include, but are not limited to, the Internet, an intranet, a local area network, a mobile communication network, and combinations thereof.

[0115] The memory 20 may include a volatile memory, such as a random access memory; the memory may also include a non-volatile memory, such as a flash memory, a hard disk or a solid state drive; the memory 20 may also include a combination of the above types of memory.

[0116] The computer device further comprises a communication interface 30 for the computer device to communicate with other devices or a communication network.

[0117] The embodiment of the present invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium. The method according to the embodiment of the present invention can be implemented in hardware, firmware, or can be implemented as a computer code that can be recorded in a storage medium, or can be implemented as a computer code that is originally stored in a remote storage medium or a non-temporary machine-readable storage medium and will be stored in a local storage medium through a network download, so that the method described herein can be stored in such software processing on a storage medium using a general-purpose computer, a dedicated processor, or programmable or dedicated hardware. Among them, the storage medium can be a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a read-only storage memory, a random access memory, a flash memory, a hard disk or a solid-state hard disk, etc.; further, the storage medium can also include a combination of the above types of memories. It can be understood that a computer, a processor, a microprocessor central control system or programmable hardware includes a storage component that can store or receive software or computer code. When the software or computer code is accessed and executed by a computer, a processor or hardware, the method shown in the above embodiment is implemented.

[0118] A part of the present invention may be applied as a computer program product, such as a computer program instruction, which, when executed by a computer, can call or provide the method and / or technical solution according to the present invention through the operation of the computer. Those skilled in the art should understand that the existence of the computer program instruction in a computer-readable medium includes, but is not limited to, a source file, an executable file, an installation package file, etc., and accordingly, the way in which the computer program instruction is executed by the computer includes, but is not limited to: the computer directly executes the instruction, or the computer compiles the instruction and then executes the corresponding compiled program, or the computer reads and executes the instruction, or the computer reads and installs the instruction and then executes the corresponding installed program. Here, the computer-readable medium may be any available computer-readable storage medium or communication medium accessible to the computer.

[0119] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations are all within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A water heater operation control method, characterized in that: include: Real-time monitoring of the water tank temperature sensor to obtain the first water tank temperature data of the water heater, and judging whether the first water tank temperature data is normal based on the first preset condition; When the temperature data of the first water tank is normal, the water heater operation is controlled based on the temperature data of the first water tank; When the temperature data of the first water tank is abnormal, obtaining the temperature data of the second water tank sent by the water heater remote control terminal, and judging whether the temperature data of the second water tank is normal based on the second preset condition; If the temperature data of the second water tank is normal, the water heater operation control is performed based on the temperature data of the second water tank; If the temperature data of the second water tank is abnormal, the water inlet temperature of the water heater is obtained, and the operation of the water heater is controlled based on the water inlet temperature.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The real-time monitoring water tank temperature sensor obtains the first water tank temperature data of the water heater, including: Real-time acquisition of water tank bottom temperature data collected by a first water tank temperature sensor near the water outlet of the water heater, and water tank water inlet temperature data collected by a plurality of second water tank temperature sensors evenly arranged in the water tank height direction near the water inlet of the water heater; The temperature data of each water tank temperature sensor within a preset time period are arranged in order of size, and the data with deviations greater than a preset threshold are deleted, and the remaining data are averaged.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The determining whether the temperature data of the first water tank is normal based on the first preset condition includes: When a water tank temperature sensor is monitored to be short-circuited, or a preset percentage of data deviates from the average value of all collected data by more than a preset threshold, the corresponding water tank temperature sensor is judged to be abnormal, and when any water tank temperature sensor is abnormal, a first fault alarm signal is issued.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the second water tank temperature sensors located at different heights are in different temperature drop ranges, different compressor control parameters are set accordingly. The compressor control parameters include: a target compensation temperature value, a frequency increase rate, and a target frequency control coefficient. The closer the second water tank temperature sensor is to the water outlet, the larger the corresponding target compensation temperature value, frequency increase rate, and target frequency control coefficient. The larger the temperature drop value of the same second water tank temperature sensor, the larger the corresponding target compensation temperature value and frequency increase rate.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The water heater operation control based on the first water tank temperature data includes: Monitor the downward trend of the water tank temperature data collected by the second water tank temperature sensor located at different heights in real time, and select a combination of a larger target compensation temperature value and a faster frequency increase rate as the compressor control parameter. Based on the compressor control parameter, the compressor of the unit reaches the target frequency, and the target frequency = initial frequency + (target temperature - current actual water tank temperature) / target temperature * maximum frequency * target frequency control coefficient, where the current actual water tank temperature is the bottom temperature of the water tank.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The determining whether the temperature data of the second water tank is normal based on the second preset condition includes: Determine whether the temperature of the second water tank is greater than a preset temperature value, if so, the temperature data of the second water tank is normal; The historical second water tank temperature data is cleared according to a preset time period. After the historical data is cleared, if no new second water tank temperature data is received within a preset time period, the second water tank temperature data is determined to be abnormal, and a second fault alarm signal is issued when the second water tank temperature data is abnormal.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that When the water heater operation is controlled based on the water inlet temperature, the water pump is controlled to be in a normally open state.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that When the water heater operation is controlled based on the water tank temperature, the water heater enters a constant temperature shutdown state after the water tank temperature reaches the target temperature, the compressor is controlled to shut down, and the water pump is controlled to shut down after a preset time delay from the compressor; or, The ambient temperature sensor collects the ambient temperature data of the water heater. When the monitored ambient temperature data is lower than the preset temperature or the ambient temperature sensor fails, the water tank temperature reaches the target temperature and enters the constant temperature shutdown state, controls the compressor to shut down, and controls the water pump to run intermittently according to the preset time period.

9. The method according to claim 1 or 8, characterized in that: Also includes: Obtaining a current timestamp, and determining whether the current timestamp is in a valley power period; If yes, the unit is controlled to operate at maximum load.

10. A water heater operation control system, characterized in that: include: A first water tank temperature data monitoring module, used for real-time monitoring of the water tank temperature sensor to obtain the first water tank temperature data of the water heater, and judging whether the first water tank temperature data is normal based on a first preset condition; A first operation control module, used for controlling the operation of the water heater based on the first water tank temperature data when the first water tank temperature data is normal; A second water tank temperature data monitoring module, used for obtaining the second water tank temperature data sent by the water heater remote control terminal when the first water tank temperature data is abnormal, and judging whether the first water tank temperature data is normal based on a second preset condition; A second operation control module, configured to control the operation of the water heater based on the temperature data of the second water tank if the temperature data of the second water tank is normal; The third operation control module is used to obtain the water inlet temperature of the water heater if the temperature data of the second water tank is abnormal, and perform operation control of the water heater based on the water inlet temperature.

11. A computer device, characterized in that: include: A memory and a processor, wherein the memory and the processor are communicatively connected to each other, the memory stores computer instructions, and the processor executes the water heater operation control method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 by executing the computer instructions.

12. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and the computer instructions are used to enable a computer to execute the water heater operation control method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

13. A computer program product, characterized in that The method comprises computer instructions, wherein the computer instructions are used to enable a computer to execute the water heater operation control method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.