Method and device for controlling water temperature of electric water heater

Abstract

The water temperature control method for the electric water heater comprises the following steps that whether a user approaches the electric water heater or not is judged based on environment sound; if the user is close to the electric water heater and the current water temperature does not reach the target temperature interval, the electric water heater is switched to a heating state, if the user is close to the electric water heater and the current water temperature reaches the target temperature interval, the electric water heater is kept in a heat preservation state, and if the user is not close to the electric water heater, the electric water heater is kept in the heat preservation state; and after the current water temperature is increased to reach the target temperature interval, the electric water heater is kept in a heat preservation state within a preset delay period. According to the water temperature control method and device for the electric water heater, a user does not need to actively operate the electric water heater and only needs to approach the electric water heater, and the method and device are simpler and easier to use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of electric water heaters, in particular to a water temperature control method and a control device for an electric water heater. Background Art

[0002] Electric water heaters are a common household appliance that mainly uses electric heating to provide hot water for residences. At present, electric water heaters mainly rely on users to control the start of heating and set the heating temperature. It takes a certain amount of time for all the water in the water tank to be heated to the target temperature, and users need to wait, which has a poor user experience. Some electric water heaters can also be remotely controlled and started with the help of Internet of Things technology, but users still need to take the initiative to operate. Summary of the invention

[0003] In order to solve the deficiencies in the prior art, the present invention provides a water temperature control method and control device for an electric water heater, which does not require the user to actively operate the electric water heater, but only requires the user to approach the electric water heater, and is simpler and easier to use.

[0004] In order to achieve the above object, the specific scheme adopted by the present invention is:

[0005] A method for controlling water temperature of an electric water heater comprises the following steps:

[0006] Determine whether the user is close to the electric water heater based on the ambient sound;

[0007] If the user approaches the electric water heater and the current water temperature does not reach the target temperature range, the electric water heater switches to the heating state; if the user approaches the electric water heater and the current water temperature reaches the target temperature range, the electric water heater remains in the insulation state; if the user does not approach the electric water heater, the electric water heater remains in the insulation state;

[0008] After the current water temperature is raised to reach the target temperature range, the electric water heater remains in a heat preservation state within a preset delay period.

[0009] Preferably, the method for determining whether a user is close to an electric water heater based on ambient sound includes:

[0010] Collect environmental sounds and calculate the environmental volume;

[0011] When the ambient volume reaches the preset volume threshold, the timer starts;

[0012] Calculating the volume variation range of the ambient volume within a preset timing period;

[0013] If the volume change range of the ambient sound reaches a preset range threshold, it is determined that the user is close to the electric water heater. If the volume change range of the ambient sound does not reach the preset range threshold, it is determined that the user is not close to the electric water heater.

[0014] Preferably, if the volume variation range of the ambient sound volume reaches a preset range threshold, and the coverage rate of the portion of the ambient sound volume that exceeds the volume threshold volume reaches a preset coverage threshold, it is determined that the user is approaching the electric water heater.

[0015] Preferably, the electric water heater enters a heating state after being turned on, and after the current water temperature is raised to reach a target temperature range, the electric water heater switches to a heat preservation state.

[0016] Preferably, the method for determining the target temperature range includes:

[0017] Obtain the ambient temperature, and classify the ambient temperature to obtain the ambient temperature category;

[0018] Determine the target temperature range based on the ambient temperature category.

[0019] Preferably, the ambient temperature categories include low ambient temperature, medium ambient temperature and high ambient temperature;

[0020] Methods for determining target temperature ranges based on ambient temperature categories include:

[0021] The lower limit of the target temperature range is determined based on the ambient temperature category, and the lower limit decreases as the ambient temperature category increases;

[0022] The lower limit value is added to the preset temperature range span to obtain the upper limit value of the target temperature range.

[0023] After determining the target temperature range, determine the critical temperature within the target temperature range.

[0024] Preferably, the method for obtaining the ambient temperature includes:

[0025] Collect multiple discrete raw temperature data within a preset sampling period;

[0026] Determine the ambient temperature based on the mean of all raw temperature data.

[0027] A water temperature control device for an electric water heater, used to implement the above-mentioned water temperature control method for an electric water heater, the device comprising:

[0028] A sound receiver, used for receiving environmental sounds;

[0029] A control unit module, used to determine whether a user is close to the electric water heater based on ambient sound, and to generate a state switching instruction;

[0030] The load driving circuit module is used to drive the heating mechanism of the electric water heater when the state switching instruction is to switch to the heating state.

[0031] Preferably, the device further comprises a temperature detection module for detecting the current water temperature.

[0032] The present invention first determines whether the user is close to the electric water heater based on the ambient sound. When it is determined that the user is close to the electric water heater, it means that the user may have a water demand. If the user is not close to the electric water heater, the user has no water demand temporarily, and the corresponding electric water heater remains in the default insulation state. On this basis, if the current water temperature does not reach the target temperature range, the water in the current electric water heater cannot meet the user's water demand, so the electric water heater is switched to the heating state. On the contrary, if the current water temperature has reached the target temperature range, the water in the current electric water heater can meet the user's water demand, and the electric water heater continues to remain in the insulation state. By judging whether the user is close to the electric water heater to determine whether it is necessary to switch the electric water heater to the heating state, there is no need for manual operation by the user, which is more convenient for users to use.

[0033] The present invention determines whether a user is close to an electric water heater based on ambient sound. The user does not need to deliberately move to a specific position, but only needs to be close enough to the electric water heater, which is more convenient for users to use. Specifically, when the user is approaching the electric water heater, the sounds generated by his body movements, the sounds generated by speaking, and the sounds generated by operating other items can all be captured by the electric water heater, thereby determining whether the user is close to the electric water heater. Obviously, a microphone for collecting ambient sound should be provided on the electric water heater. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] 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, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0035] Figure 1 is a flow chart of the control method of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 is a flow chart for determining whether a user is close to an electric water heater based on ambient sound;

[0037] Figure 3 It is a structural block diagram of the control device of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments 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.

[0039] The present invention is applicable to conventional electric water heaters, which have two operating states, namely, a heating state and a heat preservation state, after being powered on. The heating state is used to heat the water inside, while the heat preservation state stops the heating process. It should also be noted that, for conventional electric water heaters, the heat preservation state does not mean that the water inside is kept at a constant temperature, but means a state of not being heated. Therefore, if the electric water heater is in the heat preservation state for a long time, the temperature of the water inside will gradually drop.

[0040] Based on the working process of the conventional electric water heater described above, the present invention first provides a water temperature control method for an electric water heater, including S1 to S3.

[0041] S1. Determine whether the user is close to the electric water heater based on the ambient sound.

[0042] S2. If the user approaches the electric water heater and the current water temperature does not reach the target temperature range, the electric water heater switches to the heating state. If the user approaches the electric water heater and the current water temperature reaches the target temperature range, the electric water heater remains in the insulation state. If the user does not approach the electric water heater, the electric water heater remains in the insulation state.

[0043] S3. After the current water temperature is raised to reach the target temperature range, the electric water heater maintains a heat preservation state within a preset delay period.

[0044] The present invention first determines whether the user is close to the electric water heater based on the ambient sound. When it is determined that the user is close to the electric water heater, it means that the user may have a water demand. If the user is not close to the electric water heater, the user has no water demand temporarily, and the corresponding electric water heater remains in the default insulation state. On this basis, if the current water temperature does not reach the target temperature range, the water in the current electric water heater cannot meet the user's water demand, so the electric water heater is switched to the heating state. On the contrary, if the current water temperature has reached the target temperature range, the water in the current electric water heater can meet the user's water demand, and the electric water heater continues to remain in the insulation state. By judging whether the user is close to the electric water heater to determine whether it is necessary to switch the electric water heater to the heating state, there is no need for manual operation by the user, which is more convenient for users to use.

[0045] On the other hand, the present invention determines whether the user is close to the electric water heater based on the ambient sound. The user does not need to deliberately move to a specific position, but only needs to be close enough to the electric water heater, which is more convenient for users to use. Specifically, when the user is approaching the electric water heater, the sounds generated by his body movements, the sounds generated by speaking, and the sounds generated by operating other items can all be captured by the electric water heater, thereby determining whether the user is close to the electric water heater. Obviously, a microphone for collecting ambient sounds should be provided on the electric water heater.

[0046] Furthermore, the method for determining whether the user is close to the electric water heater based on the ambient sound includes S11 to S14.

[0047] S11, collecting ambient sound and calculating ambient volume. The ambient sound can be collected based on the above-mentioned microphone, and the ambient volume is obtained by analyzing the ambient sound. The specific analysis process belongs to conventional audio processing means and will not be described in detail here.

[0048] S12, when the ambient volume reaches the preset volume threshold, start timing. Because the sound is constantly attenuated during the propagation process, if the ambient volume is large and reaches the preset volume threshold, the distance between the sound source and the pickup may be close, that is, the user may be close enough to the electric water heater. However, the ambient volume changes over time. If the user is close to the electric water heater for only a short moment during the movement, and then moves away from the electric water heater, the ambient volume may suddenly reach the volume threshold at a certain moment, and then quickly decay to below the volume threshold or even completely return to zero. For the situation where the user is only temporarily passing by the electric water heater, the user should not have a water demand, and the electric water heater should not be switched to the heating state accordingly. Therefore, the present invention starts timing after the ambient volume reaches the volume threshold, and further determines whether the user has a water demand within a certain period of time. The specific method is as S13 to S14.

[0049] S13, calculating the volume variation range of the ambient volume within a preset timing period. Specifically, within the timing period, the volume variation range is determined based on the deviation between the maximum value and the minimum value of the ambient volume.

[0050] S14. If the volume variation range of the ambient sound volume reaches the preset range threshold, it is determined that the user is close to the electric water heater. If the volume variation range of the ambient sound volume does not reach the preset range threshold, it is determined that the user is not close to the electric water heater. Specifically, because the timing is turned on only after the ambient sound volume reaches the volume threshold, if the volume variation range of the ambient sound volume is small during the timing period, it means that the ambient sound volume has been large during the timing period, which further means that the user may have been in a position close to the electric water heater during the timing period. It can be determined that the user is not temporarily passing by the electric water heater. At this time, it is determined that the user has a water demand, and the accuracy rate is higher. On the contrary, if the volume variation range of the ambient sound volume does not reach the preset range threshold, that is, the volume variation range is too large, it can be determined that the user is only temporarily passing by the electric water heater, and correspondingly, it can be determined that the user does not have a water demand temporarily, and the accuracy rate is also higher.

[0051] Considering that for conventional residential structures, electric water heaters are usually installed in the bathroom. If the bathroom is close to the living room, some sounds generated in the living room may interfere with the ambient sounds around the electric water heater, such as the sound of the TV in the living room. In order to further improve the accuracy of the judgment result of whether the user is close to the electric water heater, when the volume variation range of the ambient volume reaches a preset range threshold, and the coverage rate of the part of the ambient volume that exceeds the volume threshold reaches a preset coverage threshold, it is judged that the user is close to the electric water heater. Specifically, after the ambient volume reaches the preset volume threshold and the timing is turned on, the volume variation range of the ambient volume is small within the timing period, and the ambient volume at most moments reaches the volume threshold, it is determined that the user is close to the electric water heater. In this way, the probability of the electric water heater being mistakenly switched to the heating state when the user is not close can be reduced.

[0052] In actual situations, some users will cut off the power supply of the electric water heater when it is not used for a long time for the purpose of saving electricity, and only power it on when it is needed. On this basis, in order to improve the user experience, the electric water heater enters the heating state after it is turned on, so that the heating starts without manual operation by the user, shortening the user's waiting time, and after the current water temperature is raised to the target temperature range, the electric water heater switches to the insulation state.

[0053] In actual use, the hot water in the electric water heater is often mixed with tap water to form warm water with a comfortable temperature for users after flowing out, so as to avoid harm to users due to excessive temperature. In different seasons, the temperature of tap water is different. In the cold winter, the temperature of tap water at room temperature is low. If you want to mix warm water with a comfortable temperature, you need more hot water or hot water with a higher temperature. In the hot summer, because the temperature of tap water at room temperature is high, you don’t need too much hot water or overheated hot water to mix warm water with a comfortable temperature. For this reason, when determining the target temperature range, seasonal factors need to be considered. However, if there is a heating facility in the house and it is running, the temperature of the tap water will also be increased. Therefore, the present invention determines the target temperature range based on the actual ambient temperature, rather than just considering the difference in seasons. Specifically, the method for determining the target temperature range includes: obtaining the ambient temperature, and classifying the ambient temperature to obtain the ambient temperature category; determining the target temperature range based on the ambient temperature category. When determining the target temperature range, the ambient temperature is used as a basis. If the ambient temperature is high, the lower and upper limits of the target temperature range can be lowered. Conversely, if the ambient temperature is low, the lower and upper limits of the target temperature range can be raised. On this basis, when the ambient temperature is low, the hot water in the electric water heater has a higher temperature. When users mix hot water with tap water, they only need a small amount of hot water to mix warm water with a comfortable temperature. Correspondingly, the hot water in the electric water heater can mix more warm water, thereby fully meeting the user's water demand. When the ambient temperature is high, because users no longer need to use the hot water in the water heater in many scenarios, but directly use tap water, the demand for hot water in the electric water heater is reduced under the same water demand. At this time, the hot water in the electric water heater has a lower temperature, which can reduce the consumption of electrical energy during the heating process.

[0054] More specifically, the ambient temperature categories include low ambient temperature, medium ambient temperature and high ambient temperature. The method for determining the target temperature range based on the ambient temperature category includes: determining the lower limit value of the target temperature range based on the ambient temperature category, and the lower limit value decreases as the ambient temperature category increases; superimposing the lower limit value with the preset temperature range span to obtain the upper limit value of the target temperature range. The temperature range span is determined according to actual needs, for example, it can be set to 5 to 10°C. On this basis, when the ambient temperature is low, the target temperature range can be set to 65 to 75°C, and when the ambient temperature is high, the target temperature range can be set to 40 to 50°C.

[0055] In order to obtain a more accurate ambient temperature, the method for obtaining the ambient temperature includes: collecting multiple discrete raw temperature data within a preset sampling period; and determining the ambient temperature based on the average of all the raw temperature data. Obviously, a temperature sensor capable of collecting the ambient temperature should be provided on the electric water heater.

[0056] Because the target temperature range mainly affects the heating process of the electric water heater, that is, after the electric water heater switches to the heating state, it needs to heat the internal water to a temperature within the target temperature range. During the heating process, the heating element will still generate a certain amount of heat after the power is turned off, and the current water temperature will continue to rise. In order to save more energy, after determining the target temperature range, the critical temperature is determined within the target temperature range. The critical temperature is used to limit the heating process of the electric water heater. After the current water temperature reaches the critical temperature, the electric water heater can stop heating and switch to the insulation state. After that, the residual heat of the heating element can continue to release heat and make the current water temperature continue to rise. However, because the residual heat is limited, the current water temperature will not exceed the upper limit of the target temperature range, thereby achieving energy saving.

[0057] The present invention further provides a water temperature control device for an electric water heater, which is used to implement the above-mentioned water temperature control method for an electric water heater. The device includes a sound receiver, a control unit module, a load driving circuit module and a temperature detection module.

[0058] A sound receiver is used to receive environmental sounds.

[0059] The control unit module is used to determine whether the user is close to the electric water heater based on the ambient sound and generate a state switching instruction.

[0060] The load driving circuit module is used to drive the heating mechanism of the electric water heater when the state switching instruction is to switch to the heating state.

[0061] The temperature detection module is used to detect the current water temperature and the ambient temperature. The temperature detection module may include a first temperature sensor disposed in the water tank of the electric water heater and a second temperature sensor disposed on the housing of the electric water heater, wherein the first temperature sensor is used to sense the current water temperature and the second temperature sensor is used to sense the ambient temperature.

[0062] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referenced to each other.

[0063] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables one skilled in the art to implement or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention will not be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but rather to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for controlling water temperature of an electric water heater, characterized in that: The steps include: Determine whether the user is close to the electric water heater based on the ambient sound; If the user approaches the electric water heater and the current water temperature does not reach the target temperature range, the electric water heater switches to the heating state; if the user approaches the electric water heater and the current water temperature reaches the target temperature range, the electric water heater remains in the insulation state; if the user does not approach the electric water heater, the electric water heater remains in the insulation state; After the current water temperature is raised to reach the target temperature range, the electric water heater remains in a heat preservation state within a preset delay period.

2. A method for controlling water temperature of an electric water heater as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The method for judging whether a user is close to an electric water heater based on ambient sound includes: Collect environmental sounds and calculate the environmental volume; When the ambient volume reaches the preset volume threshold, the timer starts; Calculating the volume variation range of the ambient volume within a preset timing period; If the volume change range of the ambient sound reaches a preset range threshold, it is determined that the user is close to the electric water heater. If the volume change range of the ambient sound does not reach the preset range threshold, it is determined that the user is not close to the electric water heater.

3. A water temperature control method for an electric water heater as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: If the volume variation range of the ambient sound reaches a preset range threshold, and the coverage rate of the portion of the ambient sound exceeding the volume threshold reaches a preset coverage threshold, it is determined that the user is approaching the electric water heater.

4. The water temperature control method of an electric water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that: After the electric water heater is turned on, it enters the heating state, and after the current water temperature is raised to reach the target temperature range, the electric water heater switches to the insulation state.

5. The water temperature control method of an electric water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that: Methods for determining the target temperature range include: Obtain the ambient temperature, and classify the ambient temperature to obtain the ambient temperature category; Determine the target temperature range based on the ambient temperature category.

6. A water temperature control method for an electric water heater as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: Ambient temperature categories include low ambient temperature, medium ambient temperature, and high ambient temperature; Methods for determining target temperature ranges based on ambient temperature categories include: The lower limit of the target temperature range is determined based on the ambient temperature category, and the lower limit decreases as the ambient temperature category increases; The lower limit value is added to the preset temperature range span to obtain the upper limit value of the target temperature range.

7. A method for controlling water temperature of an electric water heater as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: After determining the target temperature range, determine the critical temperature within the target temperature range.

8. The water temperature control method of an electric water heater as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: Methods for obtaining ambient temperature include: Collect multiple discrete raw temperature data within a preset sampling period; Determine the ambient temperature based on the mean of all raw temperature data.

9. A water temperature control device for an electric water heater, characterized in that: Used to implement a water temperature control method for an electric water heater as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, the device comprises: A sound receiver, used for receiving environmental sounds; The control unit module is used to determine whether the user is close to the electric water heater based on the ambient sound and generate a state switching instruction; the load driving circuit module is used to drive the heating mechanism of the electric water heater when the state switching instruction is to switch to the heating state.

10. The water temperature control device for an electric water heater as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that: The device also includes a temperature detection module for detecting the current water temperature.

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