Water heater control method, controller and water heater

Abstract

This specification relates to the technical field of water heaters, and specifically discloses a water heater control method, a controller, and a water heater. Among them, the method includes: obtaining the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature probe, and using the current value of the hot water temperature as the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part; obtaining the water temperature at the lower part of the tank detected by the lower temperature probe, and determining the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part according to the minimum value of the preset cold water inlet temperature and the water temperature at the lower part of the tank or according to the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank; before the water heater discharges water, driving the valve core to act according to the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part, the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part, and the target outlet water temperature of the water heater. The water heater has a heating rod, and the heating rod starts or stops at least according to the water temperature at the lower part of the tank. This solution can at least reuse the lower temperature probe of the tank for reliable pre-adjustment of the mixing valve spool, while reducing costs and enhancing the reliability of the mixing valve, ensuring the user's water use experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to the technical field of water heaters, and particularly to a water heater control method, a controller, and a water heater. Background Art

[0002] Electric water heaters are usually provided with a mixing valve to achieve mixed water output. Currently, in order to ensure the mixed water output effect, it is necessary to perform pre-adjustment and feedback adjustment on the valve core of the mixing valve of the electric water heater. Therefore, existing mixing valves generally have three temperature probes on the valve body, namely a cold water temperature probe, a hot water temperature probe, and a mixed water temperature probe. However, this setting results in a high cost of the mixing valve, complex valve body technology, and many leakage points.

[0003] In view of the above problems, no effective solution has been proposed yet. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of this specification provide a water heater control method, a controller, and a water heater to solve the problems of high cost and low reliability in the pre-adjustment of the valve core of the mixing valve in the prior art.

[0005] Embodiments of this specification provide a water heater control method. The water heater includes a water tank and a mixing valve; the water tank is used for storing water, and a heating rod is arranged in the water tank; the water tank also has a lower temperature probe located at the lower part of the water tank to detect the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank; the heating rod can start working and / or stop working at least according to the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank; the mixing valve includes a valve body and a valve core; the valve body includes a cold water inlet part, a hot water inlet part, and a mixed water outlet part; the cold water inlet part is respectively connected to the water tank and the mixed water outlet part, and the cold water flowing into the valve body through the cold water inlet part can flow into the water tank and the mixed water outlet part; the hot water inlet part is used to connect the water tank and the mixed water outlet part, so that the hot water in the water tank can flow into the mixed water outlet part; the valve core is used to control the mixing ratio of the cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part; the outlet of the mixed water outlet part is used to output the mixed water; the water heater further includes a hot water temperature probe, and the hot water temperature probe is arranged in the hot water inlet part to directly obtain the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part, or the hot water temperature probe is an upper temperature probe located at the upper part of the water tank to detect the water temperature at the upper part of the water tank for indirectly obtaining the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part;

[0006] The water heater control method includes:

[0007] Obtain the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature probe, and use the current value of the hot water temperature as the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part;

[0008] Obtain the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe, and determine the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part according to the minimum value of the preset cold water inlet temperature and the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank, or according to the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank.

[0009] Before the water heater discharges water, drive the valve core to act according to the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part, the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part, and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater, so as to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the water heater discharges water.

[0010] In one embodiment, the control method specifically includes:

[0011] S1. Before the water heater discharges water for the first time, determine the cold water temperature according to the smaller value between the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained before the water heater discharges water and the preset cold water inlet temperature, and drive the valve core to act according to the cold water temperature, the hot water temperature, and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the water heater discharges water for the first time, and during at least the process of the water heater discharging water for the first time, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe.

[0012] S2. Before the water heater discharges water next time, update the cold water temperature with the smaller value between the cold water temperature and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained during the previous water discharge process, and drive the valve core to act according to the hot water temperature, the cold water temperature, and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the water heater discharges water next time, and during at least the process of the water heater discharging water next time, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe.

[0013] S3. Loop S2.

[0014] In one embodiment, the control method further includes:

[0015] When the power-on time of the water heater exceeds the preset power-on duration, or the cumulative water consumption of the water heater exceeds the preset water consumption, or the heating time of the water heater exceeds the preset heating duration, update the cold water temperature with the preset cold water inlet temperature or the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained during the previous water discharge process.

[0016] In one embodiment, the water heater further includes a mixed water temperature probe, and the mixed water temperature probe is used to detect the mixed water outlet temperature output from the outlet of the mixed water outlet part.

[0017] The control method further includes:

[0018] During the process of the water heater discharging water, when the target water outlet temperature of the water heater during current use is higher than the mixed water outlet temperature at the start of water discharge and the difference between the two is greater than the preset temperature difference, the cold water temperature is reduced.

[0019] In one embodiment, the preset cold water inlet temperature is not less than 25 degrees Celsius.

[0020] In one embodiment, the control method further includes:

[0021] Updating the preset cold water inlet temperature according to the season;

[0022] Specifically, the preset cold water inlet temperature in summer is higher than that in winter.

[0023] In one embodiment, the water heater further includes a mixed water temperature probe for detecting the mixed water outlet temperature output from the outlet of the mixed water outlet part, and the mixing valve further includes a motor for driving the valve core to act to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part;

[0024] The control method further includes:

[0025] When the water heater discharges water, obtain the mixed water outlet temperature detected by the mixed water temperature probe, determine the target driving speed of the motor according to the difference between the mixed water outlet temperature at the start of water discharge and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater during current use, and control the motor to run at the target driving speed to drive the valve core to act, so as to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part when the water heater discharges water, and the target driving speed is positively correlated with the absolute value of the difference.

[0026] In one embodiment, the control method specifically includes:

[0027] S4. Before the water heater discharges water for the first time, determine the cold water temperature according to the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained before the water heater discharges water, and drive the valve core to act according to the cold water temperature, the hot water temperature and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the water heater discharges water for the first time, and during at least the first water discharge process of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe;

[0028] S5. Before the next water outlet of the water heater, update the cold water temperature with the smaller value of the cold water temperature and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained during the previous water outlet process. Then, according to the hot water temperature, the cold water temperature, and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater, drive the valve core to act to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the next water outlet of the water heater, and during at least the next water outlet process of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe.

[0029] S6. Repeat S5.

[0030] In one embodiment, the control method further includes

[0031] When the power-on time of the water heater exceeds the preset power-on duration, or the cumulative water consumption of the water heater exceeds the preset water consumption, or the heating time of the water heater exceeds the preset heating duration, update the cold water temperature with the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained during the previous water outlet process.

[0032] In one embodiment, the control method specifically includes:

[0033] S7. Before the first water outlet of the water heater, determine the cold water temperature according to the preset cold water inlet temperature, and according to the cold water temperature, the hot water temperature, and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater, drive the valve core to act to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the first water outlet of the water heater, and during at least the first water outlet process of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe.

[0034] S8. Before the next water outlet of the water heater, update the cold water temperature with the smaller value of the cold water temperature and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained during the previous water outlet process. Then, according to the hot water temperature, the cold water temperature, and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater, drive the valve core to act to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the next water outlet of the water heater, and during at least the next water outlet process of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe.

[0035] S9. Repeat S8.

[0036] In one embodiment, the control method further includes

[0037] When the power-on time of the water heater exceeds the preset power-on duration, or the cumulative water consumption of the water heater exceeds the preset water consumption, or the heating time of the water heater exceeds the preset heating duration, update the cold water temperature with the preset cold water inlet temperature or the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank obtained during the previous water outlet process.

[0038] In one embodiment, the water heater further includes a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe; at least part of the water inlet pipe and at least part of the water outlet pipe are arranged in the tank; the water inlet pipe is communicated with the cold water inlet part, and the water inlet pipe is used for inputting the cold water flowing into the valve body through the cold water inlet part into the tank; the water outlet pipe is communicated with the hot water inlet part, and the water outlet pipe is used for inputting the hot water in the tank into the hot water inlet part;

[0039] At least part of the lower temperature probe is located in the tank, and the lower temperature probe is arranged close to the water outlet of the water inlet pipe, or,

[0040] The lower temperature probe is arranged on the outer wall of the tank, the lower temperature probe is arranged close to the water outlet of the water inlet pipe in the height direction or the lower temperature probe is flush with the water outlet of the water inlet pipe in the height direction, or,

[0041] The lower temperature probe is arranged above the water outlet of the water inlet pipe and is closer to the water outlet of the water inlet pipe than the upper temperature probe.

[0042] In one embodiment, the hot water temperature probe is an upper temperature probe located at the upper part of the tank to detect the water temperature at the upper part of the tank, and the heating rod can start working and / or stop working according to the water temperature at the upper part of the tank and / or the water temperature at the lower part of the tank;

[0043] The step of obtaining the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature probe and using the current value of the hot water temperature as the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part is specifically to obtain the water temperature at the upper part of the tank detected by the upper temperature probe and use the current value of the water temperature at the upper part of the tank as the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part.

[0044] In one embodiment, the water heater further includes a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe; at least part of the water inlet pipe and at least part of the water outlet pipe are arranged in the tank; the water inlet pipe is communicated with the cold water inlet part, and the water inlet pipe is used for inputting the cold water flowing into the valve body through the cold water inlet part into the tank; the water outlet pipe is communicated with the hot water inlet part, and the water outlet pipe is used for inputting the hot water in the tank into the hot water inlet part;

[0045] At least part of the upper temperature probe is located in the tank, and the upper temperature probe is arranged close to the water inlet of the water outlet pipe, or,

[0046] The upper temperature probe is disposed on the outer wall of the tank, and the upper temperature probe is disposed adjacent to the water inlet of the water outlet pipe in the height direction or the upper temperature probe is flush with the water inlet of the water outlet pipe in the height direction.

[0047] An embodiment of this specification further provides a controller, including a processor and a memory for storing processor-executable instructions. When the processor executes the instructions, the steps of the water heater control method described in any of the above embodiments are implemented.

[0048] An embodiment of this specification further provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which computer instructions are stored. When the instructions are executed, the steps of the water heater control method described in any of the above embodiments are implemented.

[0049] An embodiment of this specification further provides an electric water heater, including the controller described in any of the above embodiments.

[0050] In one embodiment, the valve body of the mixing valve of the water heater further includes a cold water cavity, a first cold water communication part, a second cold water communication part, and a cold water outlet part; the cold water inlet part of the mixing valve is communicated with the cold water cavity; the hot water inlet part and the cold water outlet part of the mixing valve are used to communicate with the tank through the same port on the tank;

[0051] The valve core of the mixing valve is disposed in the cold water cavity; the valve core is used to split the water entering the cold water cavity to the first cold water communication part and the second cold water communication part; the first cold water communication part is used to communicate the cold water cavity and the cold water outlet part, and the cold water outlet part is used to allow cold water to flow into the tank through the same port on the tank; the second cold water communication part is used to communicate the cold water cavity with the mixed water outlet part of the mixing valve, and the hot water inlet part is used to allow the hot water in the tank to flow into the mixed water outlet part through the same port on the tank;

[0052] The inlet of the mixed water outlet part is communicated with the second cold water communication part and the hot water inlet part;

[0053] At least part of the hot water inlet part is located inside the cold water outlet part.

[0054] In one embodiment, the cold water cavity is provided with a cold water inlet, a first cold water outlet, and a second cold water outlet; the cold water inlet is communicated with the cold water inlet part, the first cold water outlet is communicated with the first cold water communication part, and the second cold water outlet is communicated with the second cold water communication part;

[0055] The first cold water outlet, the second cold water outlet, and the cold water inlet are disposed on the same surface of the cold water cavity;

[0056] The same surface is the surface of the cold water cavity facing the cold water outlet part and the mixed water outlet part.

[0057] In one embodiment, the valve core includes a movable valve piece and a fixed valve piece. The fixed valve piece is provided with a first cold water outlet and a second cold water outlet. The first cold water outlet is used to communicate with the first cold water outlet, and the second cold water outlet is used to communicate with the second cold water outlet. The movable valve piece is used to control the communication relationship between the cold water inlet part and the first cold water outlet and the second cold water outlet.

[0058] In one embodiment, at least a part of the first cold water outlet and the second cold water outlet overlap in the horizontal direction, or the first cold water outlet and the second cold water outlet do not overlap in the horizontal direction but the horizontal distance therebetween is less than a first preset distance; and / or,

[0059] The extending directions of the first cold water communication part and the second cold water communication part are the same as a whole; and / or,

[0060] The first cold water communication part includes a first cold water communication pipe, and the second cold water communication part includes a second cold water communication pipe. The first cold water communication pipe and the second cold water communication pipe are arranged in parallel.

[0061] In one embodiment, the first cold water communication part is higher than the second cold water communication part; the first cold water communication part extends from the cold water cavity towards the cold water outlet part; the second cold water communication part extends from the cold water cavity towards the mixed water outlet part;

[0062] The cold water flow channel in the cold water outlet part and the cold water flow channel in the second cold water communication part do not cross each other.

[0063] In one embodiment, the cold water cavity is spaced apart from the cold water outlet part and / or the hot water inlet part by a preset distance in the horizontal and / or vertical directions to be independently arranged;

[0064] The first cold water communication part has a first cold water communication pipe with a preset length, and the first cold water communication pipe is used to connect the cold water cavity and the cold water outlet part; the second cold water communication part has a second cold water communication pipe with a preset length, and the second cold water communication pipe is used to connect the cold water cavity and the mixed water outlet part.

[0065] The technical solution of this specification has the following remarkable beneficial effects:

[0066] The embodiments of this specification provide a water heater control method. The water heater includes a water tank and a mixing valve. The mixing valve includes a valve body and a valve core. The valve body includes a cold water inlet, a hot water inlet, and a mixed water outlet. The cold water flowing into the valve body through the cold water inlet can flow into the water tank and the mixed water outlet. The hot water inlet enables the hot water in the water tank to flow into the mixed water outlet. The valve core controls the mixing ratio of the cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet to achieve constant temperature water output. The water tank has a lower temperature probe. The lower temperature probe is located at the lower part of the water tank to detect the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank. The heating rod provided in the water tank can start working and / or stop working at least according to the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank. The water heater further includes a hot water temperature probe. In one embodiment, the hot water temperature probe is arranged at the hot water inlet of the mixing valve for directly obtaining the hot water temperature at the hot water inlet. In another embodiment, the hot water temperature probe is an upper temperature probe located at the upper part of the water tank to detect the water temperature at the upper part of the water tank, for indirectly obtaining the hot water temperature at the hot water inlet. Further, due to the stratification phenomenon of the water temperature in the water tank, that is, the heated hot water will gradually rise to the top of the water tank, while the cold water sinks to the bottom. Therefore, by using the upper temperature probe arranged at the upper part of the water tank as the hot water temperature probe, the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature probe is close to the hot water temperature flowing into the hot water inlet of the mixing valve through the water inlet of the water outlet pipe, so that the hot water temperature at the hot water inlet can be indirectly obtained. By arranging the lower temperature probe at the lower part of the water tank, the water temperature detected by the lower temperature probe is close to the cold water temperature flowing into the water tank through the cold water inlet. When using the mixing valve for pre-adjustment, the hot water temperature at the hot water inlet, that is, the hot water temperature flowing into the mixed water outlet, can be directly or indirectly determined based on the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature probe, and the cold water temperature at the cold water inlet, that is, the cold water temperature flowing into the mixed water outlet, can be determined based on the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe. That is to say, the water heater in the embodiments of this application can not only control the start or stop of the heating rod based on the temperature data obtained by the lower temperature probe of the water tank or based on the temperature data obtained by the upper temperature probe and the lower temperature probe of the water tank, but also reuse the temperature data obtained by the lower temperature probe of the water tank or reuse the temperature data obtained by the upper temperature probe and the lower temperature probe of the water tank for pre-adjusting the valve core of the mixing valve, without setting a cold water temperature probe on the valve body of the mixing valve or without setting a hot water temperature probe and a cold water temperature probe on the valve body of the mixing valve, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the mixing valve, reducing the potential leakage points of the mixing valve, and further reducing the possibility of water leakage of the mixing valve. Specifically, during the process of using the mixing valve for pre-adjustment, the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature probe can be obtained, and the current value of the hot water temperature is used as the hot water temperature at the hot water inlet. Usually when the water heater discharges water, the cold water flowing into the mixing valve through the cold water inlet flows into the water tank for water replenishment, and at this time, the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank appears, and this minimum value is closest to the cold water temperature at the cold water inlet. Therefore, the cold water temperature at the cold water inlet can be determined according to the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the obtained lower temperature probe.In some other embodiments, the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part can be determined by combining the preset cold water inlet temperature and the minimum value of the detected water temperature at the lower part of the water tank. For example, before the water heater is used for the first time, the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part can be determined based on the preset cold water inlet temperature. Before subsequent use of the water heater, the cold water temperature can be updated based on the minimum value of the detected water temperature at the lower part of the water tank. For another example, before the water heater is used for the first time, the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part can be determined based on both the preset cold water inlet temperature and the minimum value of the detected water temperature at the lower part of the water tank. Before subsequent use of the water heater, the cold water temperature can be updated based on the minimum value of the detected water temperature at the lower part of the water tank. In this way, by initializing the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part with the preset cold water inlet temperature or further limiting the initialization of the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part with the preset cold water inlet temperature, the initialization operation of the cold water temperature can be made convenient and fast, and the initialized cold water temperature can be made closer to the actual cold water temperature, further improving the accuracy of the determined cold water temperature. After that, before the water heater discharges water, the control valve core can be driven according to the determined hot water temperature, cold water temperature and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater, so as to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the water heater discharges water, realizing reliable pre-adjustment, while reducing the cost of the mixing valve and enhancing the reliability of the mixing valve, and ensuring the user's water use experience.

[0067] Specific embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in detail with reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings, indicating the ways in which the principles of the present invention can be employed. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention are not limited in scope thereby. Features described and / or illustrated with respect to one embodiment can be used in the same or similar manner in one or more other embodiments, combined with the features in other embodiments, or replace the features in other embodiments.

[0068] It should be emphasized that the term "comprising / including" when used herein refers to the presence of features, components, steps or assemblies, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, components, steps or assemblies. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Additionally, the shapes and proportional dimensions of the components in the figures are merely schematic and are used to assist in understanding the present invention, rather than specifically limiting the shapes and proportional dimensions of the components of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can, under the teachings of the present invention, select various possible shapes and proportional dimensions according to specific circumstances to implement the present invention. In the drawings:

[0070] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a water heater in an embodiment of the present specification is shown;

[0071] Figure 2 Shows a cross-sectional view of a water heater in an embodiment of this specification;

[0072] Figure 3 Shows a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a mixing valve in an embodiment of this specification;

[0073] Figure 4 Shows a cross-sectional view of a mixing valve in an embodiment of this specification;

[0074] Figure 5 Shows a sectional view of a mixing valve in an embodiment of this specification;

[0075] Figure 6 Shows a partial sectional view of a mixing valve communicating with a tank in an embodiment of this specification;

[0076] Figure 7 Shows a flowchart of a water heater control method in an embodiment of this specification;

[0077] Figure 8 Shows a flowchart of a water heater control method in an embodiment of this specification;

[0078] Figure 9 Shows a flowchart of a water heater control method in an embodiment of this specification;

[0079] Figure 10 Shows a flowchart of a water heater control method in an embodiment of this specification;

[0080] Figure 11 Shows a flowchart of a water heater control method in an embodiment of this specification;

[0081] Figure 12 Shows a structural schematic diagram of a valve core in an embodiment of this specification;

[0082] Figure 13 Shows a structural schematic diagram of a movable valve plate and a fixed valve plate in a valve core in an embodiment of this specification;

[0083] Figure 14 Shows a schematic diagram of a flow channel inside a mixing valve in an embodiment of this specification.

[0084] Reference numerals of the above drawings:

[0085] 10. Water heater; 100. Mixing valve; 101. Valve body; 102. Valve core; 110. Cold water cavity; 111. First cold water communication part; 112. Second cold water communication part; 113. Cold water inlet part; 114. Cold water outlet part; 115. Hot water inlet part; 116. Mixed water outlet part; 1101. First cold water outlet; 1102. Second cold water outlet; 121. Moving valve plate; 122. Fixed valve plate; 1221. First cold water outlet; 1222. Second cold water outlet; 1223. Cold water inlet; 200. Tank; 201. The same port; 202. Upper temperature probe; 203. Lower temperature probe; 204. Heating rod; 301. Water inlet pipe; 302. Water outlet pipe. Detailed implementation manners

[0086] The principles and spirit of this specification will be described below with reference to several exemplary implementation manners. It should be understood that these implementation manners are provided only to enable those skilled in the art to better understand and then implement this specification, and do not limit the scope of this specification in any way. On the contrary, these implementation manners are provided to make the disclosure of this specification more thorough and complete, and to convey the scope of this disclosure fully to those skilled in the art.

[0087] Those skilled in the art know that the implementation manners of this specification can be realized as a system, device, equipment, method, or computer program product. Therefore, the disclosure of this specification can be specifically realized in the following forms, namely: complete hardware, complete software (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or a combination of hardware and software.

[0088] Combined with the description of the accompanying drawings and the specific implementation manners of the present invention, the details of the present invention can be understood more clearly. However, the specific implementation manners of the present invention described herein are only for the purpose of explaining the present invention and cannot be understood in any way as a limitation of the present invention. Under the teaching of the present invention, those skilled in the art can conceive any possible variations based on the present invention, and these should all be regarded as belonging to the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may also be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time. The terms "installed", "connected", and "coupled" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection, or it can be the communication inside two elements. It can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms can be understood according to specific situations. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are only for the purpose of illustration and do not represent the only implementation manner.

[0089] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the technical field to which this specification belongs. The terms used herein in this specification are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit this specification. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0090] The embodiments of this specification provide a water heater control method. Figure 1 and Figure 2 respectively show a perspective structural view and a sectional view of the water heater in the water heater control method according to an embodiment of this specification. Figure 2 The left figure of is a front sectional view of the water heater, Figure 2 and the right figure of is a right sectional view of the water heater. As Figure 2 shown, the water heater 10 may include a mixing valve 100 and a tank 200. The tank 200 is used to store water, and a heating rod 204 is provided inside the tank 200. The heating rod 204 is used to heat the water inside the tank 200.

[0091] Please refer to Figures 3 to 6 , which respectively show a structural view, a sectional view and a cross-sectional view of the mixing valve in the embodiments of this specification, as well as a partial cross-sectional view of the connection between the mixing valve and the tank. As Figures 3 to 6 shown, the mixing valve 100 may include a valve body 101 and a valve core 102. The valve body 101 may include a cold water inlet part 113, a hot water inlet part 115 and a mixed water outlet part 116. The inlet of the cold water inlet part 113 may be connected to a cold water source, so that the cold water of the cold water source can flow into the valve body 101 of the mixing valve 100. The outlet of the cold water inlet part 113 is respectively connected to the tank 200 and the mixed water outlet part 116. The cold water flowing into the valve body 101 through the cold water inlet part 113 can flow into the tank 200 and the mixed water outlet part 116. The hot water inlet part 115 is used to connect the tank 200 and the mixed water outlet part 116. The inlet of the hot water inlet part 115 is connected to the tank 200, and the outlet of the hot water inlet part 115 is connected to the mixed water outlet part 116. The hot water inside the tank 200 can flow into the mixed water outlet part 116 through the hot water inlet part 115. The valve core 102 is used to control the mixing ratio of the cold water and the hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part 116. The outlet of the mixed water outlet part 116 is used to output the mixed water.

[0092] In this embodiment, the "inlet water" or "outlet water" in the hot water inlet part 115, the cold water inlet part 113 and the mixed water outlet part 116 is relative to the mixing valve 100. "Inlet water" means water flowing into the mixing valve 100, and "outlet water" means water flowing out of the mixing valve 100. In addition, the concept of cold water can be water at the same temperature as tap water, or a relative concept, that is, water colder than the water temperature in the hot water inlet part 115 (such as water that is warmer than tap water but colder than the water in the hot water inlet part 115 after preheating).

[0093] In one embodiment, the tank 200 has a lower temperature probe 203. The lower temperature probe 203 is located at the lower part of the tank 200 to detect the water temperature at the lower part of the tank. The heating rod 204 can start working and / or stop working at least according to the water temperature at the lower part of the tank. In one embodiment, when the water temperature at the lower part of the tank reaches the target set temperature of the water heater minus the first preset temperature difference, the heating rod 204 is controlled to stop working. In another embodiment, when the water temperature at the lower part of the tank is lower than or equal to the target set temperature minus the second preset temperature difference, the heating rod 204 is controlled to start working. The first preset temperature difference can be less than the second preset temperature difference. In yet another embodiment, whether the heating rod 204 stops working can be controlled according to the decreasing speed of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank. For example, when the decreasing speed of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank is greater than the preset decreasing speed, the heating rod 204 can be controlled to start working.

[0094] In another embodiment, the tank 200 has an upper temperature probe 202 and a lower temperature probe 203. The upper temperature probe 202 is located at the upper part of the tank 200 to detect the water temperature at the upper part of the tank. The lower temperature probe 203 is located at the lower part of the tank 200 to detect the water temperature at the lower part of the tank. The heating rod 204 can start working and / or stop working according to the water temperature at the upper part of the tank and / or the water temperature at the lower part of the tank. In one embodiment, whether the heating rod 204 stops working can be controlled according to both the water temperature at the upper part of the tank and the water temperature at the lower part of the tank. For example, when the water temperature at the upper part of the tank reaches the target set temperature of the water heater, and the water temperature at the lower part of the tank reaches the target set temperature of the water heater minus the preset temperature difference, the heating rod 204 is controlled to stop working. In another embodiment, whether the heating rod 204 starts working can be controlled according to the water temperature at the upper part of the tank or the water temperature at the lower part of the tank. For example, when the water temperature at the upper part of the tank is lower than or equal to the target set temperature minus the first preset temperature difference or the water temperature at the lower part of the tank is lower than or equal to the target set temperature minus the second preset temperature difference, the heating rod 204 is controlled to start working. The first preset temperature difference can be less than the second preset temperature difference. In yet another embodiment, whether the heating rod 204 stops working can be controlled according to the decreasing speed of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank. For example, when the decreasing speed of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank is greater than the preset decreasing speed, the heating rod 204 can be controlled to start working.

[0095] The water heater 10 may further include a hot water temperature probe. In one embodiment, the hot water temperature probe may be disposed at the hot water inlet portion 115 of the mixing valve 100 for directly obtaining the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet portion 115.

[0096] Since there is a temperature stratification phenomenon in the water tank 200, that is, the heated hot water will gradually rise to the top of the water tank 200, while the cold water sinks to the bottom. Therefore, by disposing the lower temperature probe 203 at the lower part of the water tank 200, the water temperature detected by the lower temperature probe 203 is close to the cold water temperature flowing into the water tank 200 through the cold water inlet portion 113. In another embodiment, the hot water temperature probe may be the upper temperature probe 202. The upper temperature probe 202 is disposed at the upper part of the water tank 200 to detect the water temperature at the upper part of the water tank. By using the upper temperature probe 202 disposed at the upper part of the water tank 200 as the hot water temperature probe, the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature probe is close to the hot water temperature flowing into the mixing valve 100 through the water inlet of the water outlet pipe 302, so that the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet portion can be indirectly obtained.

[0097] When performing pre-adjustment using the mixing valve 100, the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet portion 115, that is, the hot water temperature flowing into the mixed water outlet portion 116, can be determined based on the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature probe, and the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet portion 113, that is, the cold water temperature flowing into the mixed water outlet portion 116, can be determined based on the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe.

[0098] That is to say, the water heater in the embodiment of the present application can not only control the start or stop of the heating rod 204 based on the temperature data obtained by the lower temperature probe 203 at the lower part of the water tank or based on the temperature data obtained by the upper temperature probe 202 and the lower temperature probe 203 at the lower part of the water tank, but also reuse the temperature data obtained by the lower temperature probe 203 at the lower part of the water tank or reuse the temperature data obtained by the upper temperature probe 202 and the lower temperature probe 203 at the lower part of the water tank to perform reliable pre-adjustment of the valve core 102 of the mixing valve 100, without setting a cold water temperature probe on the valve body 101 of the mixing valve 100 or without setting a hot water temperature probe and a cold water temperature probe on the valve body 101 of the mixing valve 100, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the mixing valve 100, reducing the potential leakage points of the mixing valve 100, further reducing the leakage possibility of the mixing valve 100, and improving the reliability of the mixing valve 100.

[0099] Figure 7The flowchart of the water heater control method in an embodiment of this specification is shown. Although this specification provides method operation steps or device structures as shown in the following embodiments or drawings, more or fewer operation steps or module units may be included in the method or device based on routine or non-creative labor. In steps or structures where there is no necessary causal relationship logically, the execution order of these steps or the module structure of the device is not limited to the execution order or module structure described in the embodiments of this specification and shown in the drawings. When the method or module structure is applied to the actual device or terminal product, it can be executed sequentially or in parallel according to the method or module structure shown in the embodiments or drawings (for example, in an environment of parallel processors or multi-threaded processing, or even a distributed processing environment).

[0100] Specifically, as Figure 7 shown, the water heater control method provided in an embodiment of this specification may include the following steps.

[0101] Step S701: Obtain the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature probe, and use the current value of the hot water temperature as the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part.

[0102] The control method in this specific embodiment can be applied to the controller of the water heater. The controller can be electrically connected to the hot water temperature probe. The controller can obtain the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature probe. In one embodiment, the controller can obtain the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature probe in real time. In another embodiment, the controller can obtain the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature probe once every preset time period.

[0103] Since the hot water temperature probe is arranged at the hot water inlet part or at the upper part of the tank, it can directly or indirectly obtain the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part. Therefore, the current value of the hot water temperature can be used as the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part.

[0104] Step S702: Obtain the water temperature at the lower part of the tank detected by the lower temperature probe, and determine the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part according to the minimum value of the preset cold water inlet temperature and the water temperature at the lower part of the tank or according to the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank.

[0105] The controller can be electrically connected to the lower temperature probe. The controller can obtain the water temperature at the lower part of the tank detected by the lower temperature probe. Usually when the water heater discharges water, the cold water flowing into the mixing valve through the cold water inlet part flows into the tank for water replenishment. At this time, the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank appears, and this minimum value is closest to the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part.

[0106] In some embodiments, the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part can be determined according to the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the acquired lower temperature probe. For example, the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe can be determined as the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part. For another example, the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part can be determined according to the current water heater mode and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe. Exemplarily, if the current water heater mode indicates that the user pays more attention to reducing the hot water waiting time, the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe minus a preset temperature difference can be used as the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part. If the current water heater mode indicates that the user pays more attention to avoiding scalding, the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe plus a preset temperature difference can be used as the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part.

[0107] In some other embodiments, the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part can be determined by combining the preset cold water inlet temperature and the minimum value of the detected water temperature at the lower part of the water tank. In one embodiment, before the water heater is first used, the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part can be determined based on the preset cold water inlet temperature, and before the subsequent use of the water heater, the cold water temperature can be updated based on the minimum value of the detected water temperature at the lower part of the water tank. In another embodiment, before the water heater is first used, the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part can be determined based on both the preset cold water inlet temperature and the minimum value of the detected water temperature at the lower part of the water tank, and before the subsequent use of the water heater, the cold water temperature can be updated based on the minimum value of the detected water temperature at the lower part of the water tank. In this way, by initializing the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part through the preset cold water inlet temperature or further limiting the initialization of the cold water temperature through the preset cold water inlet temperature, the initialization operation of the cold water temperature can be made convenient and fast, and the initialized cold water temperature can be made closer to the actual cold water temperature, further improving the accuracy of the determined cold water temperature.

[0108] In one embodiment, the smaller value of the preset cold water inlet temperature and the minimum value of the detected water temperature at the lower part of the water tank can be used as the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part. In another embodiment, the average value of the preset cold water inlet temperature and the minimum value of the detected water temperature at the lower part of the water tank can be used as the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part. By further limiting the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part through the preset cold water inlet temperature, the determined cold water temperature can be made closer to the actual cold water temperature, further improving the accuracy of the determined cold water temperature.

[0109] Among them, the preset cold water inlet temperature is a pre-set temperature, which can be set according to the actual situation so that the preset cold water inlet temperature is close to the actual cold water temperature. In some embodiments of this specification, the preset cold water inlet temperature is set to be not less than 25 degrees Celsius. For example, the preset cold water inlet temperature can be set to 25 degrees Celsius, 28 degrees Celsius, 30 degrees Celsius, 32 degrees Celsius, etc. Compared with setting the preset cold water inlet temperature too low, by setting the preset cold water inlet temperature to be not less than 25 degrees Celsius, the risk of scalding the user due to too high water temperature of the water heater can be avoided, and the safety of hot water use can be improved.

[0110] In some embodiments of this specification, the control method may further include: updating the preset cold water inlet temperature according to the season. In this embodiment, considering that the cold water inlet temperature is different in different seasons due to different air temperatures, the preset cold water inlet temperature can be updated according to the current season, so that the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part determined according to the minimum value of the preset cold water inlet temperature and the detected water temperature at the lower part of the water tank is closer to the actual cold water temperature. For example, the preset cold water inlet temperature in summer can be higher than that in winter. Another example is that the preset cold water inlet temperature in summer can be higher than that in spring and autumn, and the preset cold water inlet temperature in spring and autumn is higher than that in winter. Exemplarily, the preset cold water inlet temperature in summer can be 30 degrees Celsius, the preset cold water inlet temperature in spring and autumn can be 20 degrees Celsius, and the preset cold water inlet temperature in winter can be 10 degrees Celsius. The controller can obtain the current season once every preset time period and query the corresponding preset cold water inlet temperature according to the current season as the current preset cold water inlet temperature. It can be understood that the preset cold water inlet temperature of the water heater can also be updated in other ways. For example, in areas with large day-night temperature differences, the preset cold water inlet temperature can be updated according to the time. Specifically, the preset cold water inlet temperature during the day is higher than that at night.

[0111] Step S703, before the water heater discharges water, drive the valve core to act according to the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part, the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part, and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater, so as to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the water heater discharges water.

[0112] Before the water heater discharges water, after determining the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part and the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part, the controller can pre-adjust the mixing valve spool based on the target outlet water temperature of the water heater, the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part, and the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part. The target outlet water temperature can be the outlet water temperature of the water heater set by the user or the system default, that is, the desired outlet water temperature of the mixed water outlet part. In one embodiment, the mixing ratio of the cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part can be determined according to the cold water temperature, the hot water temperature, and the target outlet water temperature, and the opening degree of the spool can be determined according to the mixing ratio. Then, the controller can drive the spool to act according to the opening degree to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the water heater discharges water, so as to achieve reliable pre-adjustment, while reducing the cost of the mixing valve and enhancing the reliability of the mixing valve, and ensuring the user's water use experience.

[0113] In some embodiments of this specification, the control method may specifically include: S1. Before the water heater discharges water for the first time, determine the cold water temperature according to the smaller value between the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained before the water heater discharges water and the preset cold water inlet temperature, and drive the spool to act according to the cold water temperature, the hot water temperature, and the target outlet water temperature of the water heater to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the water heater discharges water for the first time, and during at least the first water discharge process of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe; S2. Before the next water discharge of the water heater, update the cold water temperature with the smaller value between the cold water temperature and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained during the previous water discharge process, and drive the spool to act according to the hot water temperature, the cold water temperature, and the target outlet water temperature of the water heater to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the next water discharge of the water heater, and during at least the next water discharge process of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe; S3. Loop S2.

[0114] Please refer to Figure 8 , which shows the flowchart of the water heater control method in the embodiments of this specification. As Figure 8 shown, the method in this specific embodiment includes the following steps.

[0115] Step S801, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe before the water heater discharges water for the first time, and determine the cold water temperature according to the smaller value between the preset cold water inlet temperature and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained before the water heater discharges water for the first time.

[0116] Step S802, before the water heater discharges water for the first time, based on the determined cold water temperature, the current value of the hot water temperature, and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater, drive the valve core to act to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and hot water flowing into the mixing water outlet part before the water heater discharges water for the first time.

[0117] Step S803, during the first water discharge process of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe.

[0118] Step S804, before the Nth water discharge of the water heater, update the cold water temperature according to the smaller value among the minimum values of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected during the (N - 1)th water discharge process. Where N is an integer greater than 1.

[0119] Step S805, before the Nth water discharge of the water heater, based on the updated cold water temperature, the current value of the hot water temperature, and the target water outlet temperature before the Nth water discharge of the water heater, drive the valve core to act to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and hot water flowing into the mixing water outlet part before the Nth water discharge of the water heater.

[0120] Step S806, during the Nth water discharge process of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe. N++, return to Step S804.

[0121] Specifically, before the water heater discharges water for the first time, it is necessary to initialize the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part. Specifically, the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe can be obtained before the water heater discharges water for the first time. The minimum value of the obtained water temperature at the lower part of the water tank usually appears during the first water inlet process of the water tank, and this minimum value is close to the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part. The cold water temperature can be determined according to the smaller value between the preset cold water inlet temperature and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained before the water heater discharges water for the first time.

[0122] Considering that the heating rod heats the water in the water tank, and the lower temperature probe is usually set higher than the heating rod, the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe is slightly higher than the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part. When the preset cold water inlet temperature is higher than the minimum value of the obtained water temperature at the lower part of the water tank, it indicates that the relatively lower minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank is closer to the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part. Therefore, determining the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part according to the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank will be more accurate. When the preset cold water inlet temperature is lower than the minimum value of the obtained water temperature at the lower part of the water tank, it is more accurate to determine the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part according to the relatively lower preset cold water inlet temperature. Therefore, the cold water temperature can be determined according to the smaller value between the preset cold water inlet temperature and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained before the water heater discharges water for the first time. For example, this smaller value can be used as the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part.

[0123] Before the water heater discharges water for the first time, based on the determined cold water temperature, the current value of the hot water temperature, and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater, drive the valve core to act to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the water heater discharges water for the first time. The current value of the hot water temperature is the current value of the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature probe.

[0124] During the first water discharge process of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe. During the first water discharge process of the water heater, the cold water in the cold water inlet part flows into the water tank. At this time, the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected is closest to the actual cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part. The minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected during the first water discharge process can be used at least to determine the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part before the next water discharge of the water heater.

[0125] Specifically, before the next water discharge of the water heater, update the cold water temperature with the smaller value of the cold water temperature and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained during the previous water discharge process. Specifically, the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained during the previous water discharge process can be compared with the cold water temperature determined before the previous water discharge of the water heater, and the cold water temperature can be updated according to the smaller value of the two as the current cold water temperature. For example, the smaller value of the two can be determined as the cold water temperature.

[0126] That is to say, before the subsequent water discharges of the water heater, considering the influence of the heating rod on the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank, updating the cold water temperature according to the smaller value of the cold water temperature determined before the previous water discharge and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected during the previous water discharge process can make the updated cold water temperature closer to the cold water temperature of the current cold water inlet part.

[0127] Before the next water discharge of the water heater, after the cold water temperature is updated, based on the current value of the hot water temperature, the updated cold water temperature, and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater, drive the valve core to act to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the next water discharge of the water heater.

[0128] Similarly, during the next water discharge process of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe. The obtained minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank can be applied to the pre-adjustment of the mixing valve before the next next water discharge.

[0129] That is to say, before the Nth water outlet of the water heater, the cold water temperature can be updated according to the smaller value between the cold water temperature updated before the (N - 1)th water outlet and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected during the (N - 1)th water outlet. Then, before the Nth water outlet of the water heater, based on the updated cold water temperature, the current value of the hot water temperature, and the target water outlet temperature before the Nth water outlet of the water heater, the valve core is driven to act, so as to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and hot water flowing into the mixing water outlet part before the Nth water outlet of the water heater, realizing pre-adjustment. Wherein, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2. During the Nth water outlet of the water heater, the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank is obtained to prepare for the pre-adjustment before the (N + 1)th water outlet. And so on.

[0130] By the above method, the cold water temperature can be initialized before the first water outlet of the water heater, and the cold water temperature can be updated before each subsequent water outlet of the water heater, making the updated cold water temperature closer to the actual cold water temperature. Correspondingly, based on the updated cold water temperature for pre-adjustment, the adjusted mixing ratio can better meet the user's needs, thereby reducing the user's water use waiting time and improving the user's constant temperature water use experience.

[0131] In some embodiments of this specification, the control method may further include: when the power-on time of the water heater exceeds the preset power-on duration, or the cumulative water consumption of the water heater exceeds the preset water consumption, or the heating time of the water heater exceeds the preset heating duration, the cold water temperature is updated with the preset cold water inlet temperature or the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained during the previous water outlet.

[0132] As can be seen from the description of the above embodiments, when the cold water temperature is updated, the smaller value of the cold water temperature at the last update and the minimum temperature at the lower part of the water tank during the last water outlet process is used as the basis. Therefore, the cold water temperature can be learned downward but not upward. After the water heater has been used for a long time, the updated cold water temperature may be lower than the actual cold water temperature, resulting in the water temperature during the next water outlet of the water heater being higher than the target water outlet temperature, and even posing a risk of scalding. For example, when the weather warms up, due to the low historical minimum value of the cold water temperature, the updated cold water temperature remains low after the weather warms up. As time goes by, the updated cold water temperature may be much lower than the actual cold water temperature at the current cold water inlet part of the water heater. When pre-adjusting based on a cold water temperature much lower than the actual cold water temperature, the mixed water outlet temperature is high, making it difficult to meet the actual needs of users. Therefore, when the power-on time of the water heater exceeds the preset power-on duration, or the cumulative water consumption of the water heater exceeds the preset water consumption, or the heating time of the water heater exceeds the preset heating duration, the cold water temperature can be reset to avoid the updated cold water temperature being too low in the future. In one embodiment, the cold water temperature can be updated with the preset cold water inlet temperature. For example, the preset cold water inlet temperature can be determined as the cold water temperature. In another embodiment, the minimum temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained during the last water outlet process can be used to update the cold water temperature. For example, the minimum temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected during the last water outlet process can be determined as the cold water temperature. By the above method, the problem that the update of the cold water temperature can only learn downward and cannot adapt to the scenario where the actual cold water temperature continues to rise is solved. It can avoid the updated cold water temperature being much lower than the actual cold water temperature, thereby avoiding the water outlet temperature being too hot and affecting the user's water use experience and water use safety, improving the water use safety, and improving the user's water use experience.

[0133] In some embodiments of this specification, the water heater may further include a mixed water temperature probe. The mixed water temperature probe is used to detect the mixed water outlet temperature output from the outlet of the mixed water outlet part. In one embodiment, the mixed water temperature probe can be arranged on the mixing valve. For example, the mixed water temperature probe is arranged close to the outlet of the mixed water outlet part of the mixing valve.

[0134] In some embodiments of this specification, the water heater control method may further include: during the water outlet process of the water heater, when the target water outlet temperature during the current use of the water heater is higher than the mixed water outlet temperature at the start of water outlet and the difference between the two is greater than the preset temperature difference, the cold water temperature is reduced. That is, during the water outlet process of the water heater, if the target water outlet temperature is much higher than the mixed water outlet temperature at the start of water outlet, for example, the temperature difference between the two is greater than the preset temperature difference, it means that the cold water temperature based on which the pre-adjustment is made is not accurate enough and is much higher than the actual cold water temperature at the cold water inlet part. Therefore, the cold water temperature can be reduced to improve the accuracy of the pre-adjustment.

[0135] Here, the mixed water outlet temperature at the start of water discharge is compared with the target outlet temperature because the mixed water temperature at the start of water discharge corresponds to the valve core opening during pre-adjustment and can accurately reflect the cold water temperature on which the pre-adjustment is based.

[0136] In one embodiment, the cold water temperature can be subtracted by a preset value. For example, the preset temperature difference can be set to 10 degrees Celsius, and the preset value can be set to 5 degrees Celsius.

[0137] In another embodiment, the amplitude of the decrease in the cold water temperature can be determined according to the temperature difference between the target outlet temperature and the mixed water outlet temperature. Exemplarily, when the temperature difference between the two is greater than the first preset temperature difference, the cold water temperature can be subtracted by the first preset value. When the temperature difference between the two is not greater than the first preset temperature difference and is greater than the second preset temperature difference, the cold water temperature can be subtracted by the second preset value. When the temperature difference between the two is not greater than the second preset temperature difference and is greater than the third preset temperature difference, the cold water temperature can be subtracted by the third preset value. Among them, the first preset temperature difference is greater than the second preset temperature difference, and the second preset temperature difference is greater than the third preset temperature difference. The first preset value is greater than the second preset value, and the second preset value is greater than the third preset value. For example, the first preset temperature difference can be set to 15 degrees Celsius, the second preset temperature difference can be set to 10 degrees Celsius, and the third preset temperature difference can be set to 7 degrees Celsius. The first preset value can be set to 8 degrees Celsius, the second preset value can be set to 5 degrees Celsius, and the third preset value can be set to 3 degrees Celsius.

[0138] For example, when the user continuously uses a small amount of water, due to the small amount of water used, the cold water flowing into the tank from the cold water inlet is less. After a small amount of cold water is mixed with the water in the tank, the water temperature detected by the lower temperature probe is higher than the actual cold water temperature at the cold water inlet, and water with a lower temperature cannot be detected. Therefore, when using the minimum value of the water temperature detected at the lower part of the tank as the cold water temperature for pre-adjustment, the mixed water outlet temperature at the start of water discharge will always be lower than the target outlet temperature, and the temperature difference between the two will always be relatively large. At this time, in order to increase the mixed water outlet temperature to approach the target outlet temperature, the cold water temperature can be lowered. The lowering amplitude is determined according to the temperature difference between the two. The larger the temperature difference, the larger the lowering amplitude of the cold water temperature.

[0139] Through the above method, when the target outlet temperature is much higher than the mixed water outlet temperature at the start of water discharge, the cold water temperature can be reduced. Before the subsequent water heater discharges water, pre-adjustment can be performed based on the reduced cold water temperature and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank during the previous water discharge process, which can improve the accuracy of pre-adjustment, make the subsequent mixed water outlet temperature closer to the target outlet temperature, and enhance the user's water use experience.

[0140] In some embodiments of the present specification, the water heater may further include a mixing water temperature probe. The mixing water temperature probe is used to detect the mixing water outlet temperature output from the outlet of the mixing water outlet part. The mixing valve may further include a motor. The motor is used to drive the valve core to act to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixing water outlet part. The controller may be electrically connected to the motor to control the motor to drive the valve core to act.

[0141] Please continue to refer to Figure 7 , as Figure 7 shown, in some embodiments of the present specification, the control method may further include: Step S704, when the water heater discharges water, obtain the mixing water outlet temperature detected by the mixing water temperature probe, and determine the target driving speed of the motor according to the difference between the mixing water outlet temperature at the start of water discharge and the target outlet temperature when the water heater is currently in use, and control the motor to run at the target driving speed to drive the valve core to act, so as to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixing water outlet part when the water heater discharges water, and the target driving speed is positively correlated with the absolute value of the difference.

[0142] After pre-adjustment based on the cold water temperature, hot water temperature and target outlet temperature, during the water discharge process of the water heater, feedback adjustment can be performed according to the target outlet temperature and the detected mixing water outlet temperature. Specifically, the adjustment speed of the valve core, that is, the target driving speed of the motor, can be determined according to the difference between the target outlet temperature and the mixing water outlet temperature at the start of water discharge. The greater the difference between the two, the greater the target driving speed and the faster the adjustment speed, so that the mixing water outlet temperature can quickly approach the target outlet temperature. For example, if the target outlet temperature is greater than the mixing water outlet temperature at the start of water discharge, drive the motor to act to reduce the cold water flow rate flowing into the mixing water outlet part and / or increase the hot water flow rate flowing into the mixing water outlet part. If the target outlet temperature is less than the mixing water outlet temperature at the start of water discharge, drive the motor to act to increase the cold water flow rate flowing into the mixing water outlet part and / or reduce the hot water flow rate flowing into the mixing water outlet part. By the above method, during the water discharge process of the water heater, feedback adjustment is performed based on the mixing water outlet temperature and the target set high temperature, and the target driving speed of the motor driving the valve core to act is determined based on the temperature difference between the two, so that the mixing water outlet temperature can quickly reach the target outlet temperature and realize constant temperature water discharge.

[0143] In some embodiments of this specification, the control method may specifically include: S4. Before the water heater first discharges water, determine the cold water temperature according to the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained before the water heater discharges water, and drive the valve core to act according to the cold water temperature, the hot water temperature, and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the water heater first discharges water, and during at least the process of the water heater first discharging water, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe; S5. Before the next water discharge of the water heater, update the cold water temperature with the smaller value of the cold water temperature and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained during the previous water discharge process, and drive the valve core to act according to the hot water temperature, the cold water temperature, and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the next water discharge of the water heater, and during at least the process of the next water discharge of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe; S6. Loop S5.

[0144] Please refer to Figure 9 , which shows the flow chart of the water heater control method in the embodiments of this specification. As Figure 9 shown, the method in this specific embodiment includes the following steps.

[0145] Step S901, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe before the water heater first discharges water, and determine the cold water temperature according to the smaller value among the minimum values of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained before the water heater first discharges water.

[0146] Step S902, before the water heater first discharges water, based on the determined cold water temperature, the current value of the hot water temperature, and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater, drive the valve core to act to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the water heater first discharges water.

[0147] Step S903, during the process of the water heater first discharging water, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe.

[0148] Step S904, before the Nth water discharge of the water heater, update the cold water temperature according to the smaller value among the minimum values of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected during the (N - 1)th water discharge process. Wherein, N is an integer greater than 1.

[0149] Step S905, before the Nth water discharge of the water heater, based on the updated cold water temperature, the current value of the hot water temperature, and the target water outlet temperature before the Nth water discharge of the water heater, drive the valve core to act to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the Nth water discharge of the water heater.

[0150] Step S906, during the Nth water outlet process of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe. N++, and return to step S904.

[0151] Specifically, before the first water outlet of the water heater, it is necessary to initialize the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part. Specifically, the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe can be obtained before the first water outlet of the water heater. The minimum value of the obtained water temperature at the lower part of the water tank usually appears during the first water inlet of the water tank, and this minimum value is close to the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part. The cold water temperature can be determined according to the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained before the first water outlet of the water heater. For example, the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained before the first water outlet of the water heater can be used as the cold water temperature.

[0152] Before the first water outlet of the water heater, based on the determined cold water temperature, the current value of the hot water temperature, and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater, drive the valve core to act to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the first water outlet of the water heater. The current value of the hot water temperature is the current value of the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature probe.

[0153] During the first water outlet process of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe. During the first water outlet process of the water heater, the cold water in the cold water inlet part flows into the water tank, and at this time, the minimum value of the detected water temperature at the lower part of the water tank is closest to the actual cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part. The minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected during the first water outlet process can at least be used to determine the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part before the next water outlet of the water heater.

[0154] Specifically, before the next water outlet of the water heater, update the cold water temperature with the smaller value of the cold water temperature and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained during the previous water outlet process. Specifically, the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained during the previous water outlet process can be compared with the cold water temperature determined before the previous water outlet of the water heater, and the cold water temperature can be updated according to the smaller value of the two as the current cold water temperature. For example, the smaller value of the two can be determined as the cold water temperature.

[0155] That is to say, before the subsequent water outlets of the water heater, considering the influence of the heating rod on the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe, updating the cold water temperature according to the smaller value of the cold water temperature determined before the previous water outlet and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected during the previous water outlet process can make the updated cold water temperature closer to the cold water temperature of the current cold water inlet part.

[0156] Before the next water outlet of the water heater, after the cold water temperature is updated, the spool can be driven to act according to the current value of the hot water temperature, the updated cold water temperature, and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater, so as to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and hot water flowing into the mixing water outlet part before the next water outlet of the water heater.

[0157] Similarly, during the next water outlet process of the water heater, the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe is obtained. The obtained minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank can be applied to the pre-adjustment of the mixing valve before the next next water outlet.

[0158] That is to say, before the Nth water outlet of the water heater, the cold water temperature can be updated according to the smaller value of the cold water temperature updated before the (N - 1)th water outlet and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected during the (N - 1)th water outlet process. Then, before the Nth water outlet of the water heater, based on the updated cold water temperature, the current value of the hot water temperature, and the target water outlet temperature before the Nth water outlet of the water heater, the spool is driven to act to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and hot water flowing into the mixing water outlet part before the Nth water outlet of the water heater, so as to achieve pre-adjustment. Wherein, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2. During the Nth water outlet process of the water heater, the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank is obtained to prepare for the pre-adjustment before the (N + 1)th water outlet. And so on.

[0159] Through the above method, the cold water temperature can be initialized before the first water outlet of the water heater, and the cold water temperature can be updated before each subsequent water outlet of the water heater, so that the updated cold water temperature is closer to the actual cold water temperature. Correspondingly, based on the updated cold water temperature for pre-adjustment, the adjusted mixing ratio can better meet the user's needs, thereby reducing the user's water usage waiting time and improving the user's constant temperature water usage experience.

[0160] In some embodiments of this specification, the control method may further include, when the power-on time of the water heater exceeds the preset power-on duration, or the cumulative water consumption of the water heater exceeds the preset water consumption, or the heating time of the water heater exceeds the preset heating duration, updating the cold water temperature with the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained during the previous water outlet process.

[0161] As can be seen from the description of the above embodiments, when the cold water temperature is updated, the smaller value of the last updated cold water temperature and the minimum water temperature at the lower part of the water tank during the last water outlet process is used as the basis. Therefore, the cold water temperature can be learned downward but not upward. After the water heater has been used for a long time, the updated cold water temperature may be lower than the actual cold water temperature, resulting in the water temperature during the next water outlet of the water heater being higher than the target water outlet temperature, and even posing a risk of scalding. For example, when the weather gets warmer, due to the low historical minimum value of the cold water temperature, the updated cold water temperature remains low after the weather warms up. As time goes by, the updated cold water temperature may be much lower than the actual cold water temperature at the current cold water inlet part of the water heater. When pre-adjusting based on a cold water temperature far lower than the actual cold water temperature, the mixed water outlet temperature is too high, making it difficult to meet the actual needs of users. Therefore, when the power-on time of the water heater exceeds the preset power-on duration or the cumulative water consumption of the water heater exceeds the preset water consumption or the heating time of the water heater exceeds the preset heating duration, the cold water temperature can be reset to avoid the updated cold water temperature being too low in the future. The minimum water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained during the last water outlet process can be used to update the cold water temperature. For example, the minimum water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected during the last water outlet process can be determined as the cold water temperature. By the above method, the problem that the update of the cold water temperature can only learn downward and cannot adapt to the scenario where the actual cold water temperature continues to rise is solved. It can avoid the updated cold water temperature being much lower than the actual cold water temperature, thereby avoiding the water outlet temperature being too hot and affecting the user's water use experience and water use safety. It can improve water use safety and improve the user's water use experience.

[0162] In some embodiments of this specification, the control method may specifically include: S7. Before the water heater first discharges water, determine the cold water temperature according to the preset cold water inlet temperature, and drive the valve core to act according to the cold water temperature, the hot water temperature, and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the water heater first discharges water, and during at least the first water outlet process of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe; S8. Before the next water outlet of the water heater, update the cold water temperature with the smaller value of the cold water temperature and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained during the last water outlet process, and drive the valve core to act according to the hot water temperature, the cold water temperature, and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the next water outlet of the water heater, and during at least the next water outlet process of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe; S9. Loop S8.

[0163] Please refer to Figure 10 , which shows the flowchart of the water heater control method in the embodiments of this specification. As Figure 10As shown, the method in this specific embodiment includes the following steps.

[0164] Step S1001, before the first water outlet of the water heater, determine the cold water temperature according to the preset cold water inlet temperature.

[0165] Step S1002, before the first water outlet of the water heater, based on the determined cold water temperature, the current value of the hot water temperature, and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater, drive the valve core to act to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the first water outlet of the water heater.

[0166] Step S1003, during the first water outlet process of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe.

[0167] Step S1004, before the Nth water outlet of the water heater, update the cold water temperature according to the smaller value among the minimum values of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected during the (N - 1)th water outlet process. Where N is an integer greater than 1.

[0168] Step S1005, before the Nth water outlet of the water heater, based on the updated cold water temperature, the current value of the hot water temperature, and the target water outlet temperature before the Nth water outlet of the water heater, drive the valve core to act to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the Nth water outlet of the water heater.

[0169] Step S1006, during the Nth water outlet process of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe. N++, return to step S1004.

[0170] Specifically, before the first water outlet of the water heater, it is necessary to initialize the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part. The cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part can be determined according to the preset cold water inlet temperature. For example, the preset cold water inlet temperature can be directly determined as the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part. By the above method, the initialization of the cold water temperature can be realized conveniently and quickly.

[0171] Before the first water outlet of the water heater, based on the determined cold water temperature, the current value of the hot water temperature, and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater, drive the valve core to act to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the first water outlet of the water heater. The current value of the hot water temperature is the current value of the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature probe.

[0172] During the first water outlet process of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank detected by the lower temperature probe. During the first water outlet process of the water heater, the cold water in the cold water inlet flows into the tank. At this time, the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank detected is closest to the actual cold water temperature of the cold water inlet. The minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank detected during the first water outlet process can at least be used to determine the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet before the next water outlet of the water heater.

[0173] Specifically, before the next water outlet of the water heater, update the cold water temperature with the smaller value of the cold water temperature and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank obtained during the previous water outlet process. Specifically, the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank obtained during the previous water outlet process can be compared with the cold water temperature determined before the previous water outlet of the water heater, and the cold water temperature can be updated according to the smaller value of the two as the current cold water temperature. For example, the smaller value of the two can be determined as the cold water temperature.

[0174] That is to say, before the subsequent water outlets of the water heater, considering the influence of the heating rod on the water temperature at the lower part of the tank, updating the cold water temperature according to the smaller value of the cold water temperature determined before the previous water outlet and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank detected during the previous water outlet process can make the updated cold water temperature closer to the cold water temperature of the current cold water inlet.

[0175] Before the next water outlet of the water heater, after the cold water temperature is updated, the spool can be driven to act according to the current value of the hot water temperature, the updated cold water temperature and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and hot water flowing into the mixing water outlet before the next water outlet of the water heater.

[0176] Similarly, during the next water outlet process of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank detected by the lower temperature probe. The obtained minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank can be applied to the pre-adjustment of the mixing valve before the next next water outlet.

[0177] That is to say, before the Nth water outlet of the water heater, the cold water temperature can be updated according to the smaller value of the cold water temperature updated before the (N - 1)th water outlet and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank detected during the (N - 1)th water outlet process. Then, before the Nth water outlet of the water heater, based on the updated cold water temperature, the current value of the hot water temperature and the target water outlet temperature before the Nth water outlet of the water heater, drive the spool to act to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and hot water flowing into the mixing water outlet before the Nth water outlet of the water heater to achieve pre-adjustment. Among them, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2. During the Nth water outlet process of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank to prepare for the pre-adjustment before the (N + 1)th water outlet. And so on.

[0178] Through the above method, the cold water temperature can be initialized before the water heater first discharges water, and the cold water temperature can be updated before each subsequent water discharge of the water heater, so that the updated cold water temperature is closer to the actual cold water temperature. Correspondingly, based on the updated cold water temperature for pre-adjustment, the adjusted mixing ratio can better meet the user's needs, thereby reducing the user's water use waiting time and enhancing the user's constant temperature water use experience.

[0179] In some embodiments of this specification, the method may further include: when the power-on time of the water heater exceeds a preset power-on duration, or the cumulative water consumption of the water heater exceeds a preset water consumption, or the heating time of the water heater exceeds a preset heating duration, the cold water temperature is updated with the preset cold water inlet temperature or the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained during the previous water discharge process.

[0180] As can be seen from the description of the above embodiments, when updating the cold water temperature, the smaller value of the cold water temperature updated last time and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank during the previous water discharge process is used as the basis. Therefore, the cold water temperature can learn downward but not upward. After the water heater has been used for a long time, the updated cold water temperature may be lower than the actual cold water temperature, resulting in the water temperature during the next water discharge of the water heater being higher than the target water discharge temperature, and even posing a risk of scalding. For example, when the weather warms up, due to the low historical minimum value of the cold water temperature, the updated cold water temperature remains low after the weather warms up. As time goes by, the updated cold water temperature may be much lower than the actual cold water temperature at the current cold water inlet. When pre-adjusting based on the cold water temperature that is much lower than the actual cold water temperature, the mixed water discharge temperature is too high, making it difficult to meet the actual needs of users. Therefore, when the power-on time of the water heater exceeds a preset power-on duration, or the cumulative water consumption of the water heater exceeds a preset water consumption, or the heating time of the water heater exceeds a preset heating duration, the cold water temperature can be reset to avoid the updated cold water temperature being too low subsequently. In one embodiment, the cold water temperature can be updated with the preset cold water inlet temperature. For example, the preset cold water inlet temperature can be determined as the cold water temperature. In another embodiment, the cold water temperature can be updated with the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained during the previous water discharge process. For example, the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected during the previous water discharge process can be determined as the cold water temperature. Through the above method, it is solved that since the update of the cold water temperature can only learn downward and cannot adapt to the scenario where the actual cold water temperature continuously rises, it is possible to avoid the updated cold water temperature being much lower than the actual cold water temperature, thereby avoiding the water discharge temperature being too hot and affecting the user's water use experience and water use safety, improving the water use safety, and improving the user's water use experience.

[0181] In some embodiments of the present specification, the hot water temperature probe is an upper temperature probe 202 located at the upper part of the water tank 200 to detect the water temperature at the upper part of the water tank. The heating rod 204 can start working and / or stop working according to the water temperature at the upper part of the water tank and / or the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank. The step of obtaining the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature probe and using the current value of the hot water temperature as the hot water temperature at the hot water inlet part is specifically to obtain the water temperature at the upper part of the water tank detected by the upper temperature probe 202 and use the current value of the water temperature at the upper part of the water tank as the hot water temperature at the hot water inlet part 115.

[0182] In the above embodiment, by setting the upper temperature probe 202 as the hot water temperature probe and using the current value of the water temperature at the upper part of the water tank detected by the upper temperature probe 202 as the hot water temperature at the hot water inlet part, not only can the hot water temperature at the hot water inlet part 115 be accurately obtained, but also the temperature data detected by the upper temperature probe 202 of the water tank and the lower temperature probe 203 of the water tank can be reused simultaneously for reliable pre-adjustment of the mixing valve spool, without setting a cold water temperature probe and a hot water temperature probe on the valve body 101 of the mixing valve 100. Thus, the manufacturing cost of the mixing valve 100 can be reduced, and the potential leakage points of the mixing valve 100 can be reduced, thereby improving the reliability of the mixing valve 100.

[0183] Please refer to Figure 11 , which shows a flowchart of the water heater control method in specific embodiments of the present specification. As Figure 11 shown, the water heater control method in the embodiments of the present specification may include the following steps.

[0184] Step 1, start. It can be that the water heater is powered on.

[0185] Step 2, assign a value to T_cold. T_cold is the cold water temperature at the cold water inlet part.

[0186] Before the water heater first discharges water, T_cold can be initialized. Specifically, the cold water temperature can be determined according to the preset cold water inlet temperature and / or the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe before the first water discharge. In one embodiment, the preset cold water inlet temperature can be determined as T_cold. In another embodiment, the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected before the first water discharge can be determined as T_cold. In yet another embodiment, the smaller value of the preset cold water inlet temperature and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected before the first water discharge can be determined as T_cold.

[0187] After subsequent use and when the power-on duration reaches 10 days, T cold can be reset. The cold water temperature can be determined based on the preset cold water inlet temperature and / or the minimum value of the temperature at the lower part of the tank detected by the lower temperature probe during the previous water outlet process. In one embodiment, the preset cold water inlet temperature can be determined as T cold. In another embodiment, the minimum value of the temperature at the lower part of the tank detected during the previous water outlet process can be determined as T cold. In yet another embodiment, the smaller value between the preset cold water inlet temperature and the minimum value of the temperature at the lower part of the tank detected during the previous water outlet process can be determined as T cold.

[0188] Step 3: Obtain T1, T2, and T3. Here, T1 is the current value of the water temperature at the upper part of the tank detected by the upper temperature probe. T2 is the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank detected by the lower temperature probe. T3 is the mixed water outlet temperature detected by the mixed water temperature probe. Execute Step 4 and Step 5.

[0189] Step 4: Update T hot. Update T hot to T1. Execute Step 8.

[0190] Step 5: Determine whether T2 is less than T cold. If so, execute Step 6; otherwise, execute Step 7.

[0191] Step 6: Update T cold. Update T cold to T2. Execute Step 8.

[0192] Step 7: Keep T cold unchanged. Execute Step 8.

[0193] Step 8: Determine whether the water heater is discharging water. If so, execute Step 9; otherwise, execute Step 10.

[0194] Step 9: Perform constant temperature adjustment based on T3 and T set, and control different adjustment speeds. T set is the target outlet water temperature of the water heater.

[0195] Step 10: Perform pre-adjustment of the mixing valve based on T cold, T hot, and T set.

[0196] Step 11: Determine whether the power-on duration reaches 10 days. If so, execute Step 2; otherwise, execute Step 3.

[0197] Please continue to refer to Figure 2 and Figure 6, in some embodiments of this specification, the water heater 10 may further include a water inlet pipe 301 and a water outlet pipe 302. At least part of the water inlet pipe 301 and at least part of the water outlet pipe 302 are arranged in the tank 200. The water inlet pipe 301 is communicated with the cold water inlet part 113. The water inlet pipe 301 is used to input the cold water flowing into the valve body 101 through the cold water inlet part 113 into the tank 200. The water outlet pipe 302 is communicated with the hot water inlet part 115. The water outlet pipe 302 is used to input the hot water in the tank 200 into the hot water inlet part 115. By arranging the water inlet pipe 301 and the water outlet pipe 302, the cold water flowing into the valve body 101 of the mixing valve 100 through the cold water inlet part 113 can be input into the tank 200, and the hot water in the tank 200 can be pressed into the hot water pipe and output to the hot water inlet part 115 of the mixing valve 100.

[0198] In this embodiment, the "inlet" and "outlet" in the water inlet pipe 301 and the water outlet pipe 302 are relative to the tank 200 of the water heater. The pipe for water flowing out of the tank 200 is the water outlet pipe 302, and the pipe for water flowing into the tank 200 is the water inlet pipe 301.

[0199] Generally, the water inlet of the water outlet pipe 302 is located at the upper part of the tank 200. This is because there is a temperature stratification phenomenon in the water temperature in the tank 200, that is, the heated hot water will gradually rise to the top of the tank 200, while the cold water will sink to the bottom. By setting the water inlet of the water outlet pipe 302 at the upper part of the tank 200, the relatively high-temperature hot water can flow into the water outlet pipe 302, and then flow into the valve body 101 of the mixing valve 100 through the hot water inlet part 115.

[0200] In some embodiments of this specification, at least part of the lower temperature probe 203 is located in the tank 200. The lower temperature probe 203 can be set to be spatially close to the water outlet of the water inlet pipe 301 to accurately detect the temperature of the cold water flowing into the tank 200 from the cold water inlet part 113, thereby improving the accuracy of the pre-adjustment of the mixing valve 100.

[0201] In the embodiments of this specification, A is spatially close to B, which means that the spatial distance between A and B is small. For example, the spatial distance between the two is less than a preset distance.

[0202] In some embodiments of this specification, the lower temperature probe 203 is arranged on the outer wall of the tank 200. The lower temperature probe 203 is arranged close to the water outlet of the water inlet pipe 301 in the height direction. Or, the lower temperature probe 203 is flush with the water outlet of the water inlet pipe 301 in the height direction. Due to the temperature stratification phenomenon in the water temperature in the tank 200, making the lower temperature probe 203 close to or flush with the water outlet of the water inlet pipe 301 in height can make the water temperature detected by the lower temperature probe 203 closer to the cold water temperature flowing out of the cold water inlet part 113.

[0203] In the embodiments of this specification, A being close to B in the height direction means that the absolute value of the height difference between A and B is less than a preset height difference. That is, A is slightly higher than B or slightly lower than B.

[0204] In some embodiments of this specification, the lower temperature probe 203 is arranged above the water outlet of the water inlet pipe 301 and is closer to the water outlet of the water inlet pipe 301 than the upper temperature probe 202. Generally, in order to detect the heating condition of the water in the water tank 200 by the heating rod 204, the lower temperature probe 203 is arranged to be higher than the heating rod 204 in the height direction. And the heating rod 204 is usually arranged to be higher than the water outlet of the water inlet pipe 301 or flush with the water outlet of the water inlet pipe 301 in the height direction. Therefore, the lower temperature probe 203 can be arranged to be higher than the water outlet of the water inlet pipe 301. Based on the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe 203 and the water temperature at the upper part of the water tank detected by the upper temperature probe 202, the overall heating condition of the water in the water tank 200 can be determined, which is convenient for controlling the start and stop of the heating rod 204 according to the heating condition of the water in the water tank 200. In the above embodiments, by arranging the lower temperature probe 203 to be higher than the water outlet of the water inlet pipe 301 and closer to the water outlet of the water inlet pipe 301 than the upper temperature probe 202, the water temperature detected by the lower temperature probe 203 can be used not only for the constant temperature adjustment of the mixing valve 100, but also for controlling the start and stop of the heating rod 204.

[0205] In some embodiments of this specification, at least part of the upper temperature probe 202 is located in the water tank 200, and the upper temperature probe 202 is arranged close to the water inlet of the water outlet pipe 302 to accurately detect the water temperature of the hot water flowing into the mixing valve 100, thereby improving the accuracy of the pre-adjustment of the mixing valve 100.

[0206] In some embodiments of this specification, the upper temperature probe 202 is arranged on the outer wall of the water tank 200. When the upper temperature probe 202 is arranged on the outer wall of the water tank 200, the upper temperature probe 202 can be arranged to be close to the water inlet of the water outlet pipe 302 in the height direction or flush with the water inlet of the water outlet pipe 302 in the height direction to more accurately detect the water temperature of the hot water flowing into the mixing valve 100, thereby improving the accuracy of the constant temperature adjustment of the mixing valve 100. Moreover, by arranging the upper temperature probe 202 outside the water tank 200, the manufacturing process of the water tank 200 can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0207] Due to the temperature stratification phenomenon in the water tank 200, that is, the heated hot water will gradually rise to the top of the water tank 200, while the cold water will sink to the bottom. Therefore, by setting the upper temperature probe 202 to be close to the water inlet of the outlet pipe 302 in the height direction or to be flush with the water inlet of the outlet pipe 302 in the height direction, the water temperature detected by the upper temperature probe 202 is close to the water temperature of the hot water flowing into the mixing valve 100 through the water inlet of the outlet pipe 302.

[0208] In some embodiments of this specification, such as Figure 2 shown, the water tank 200 may include an upper tank and a lower tank. The upper tank is communicated with the lower tank, and the upper tank is located above the lower tank. The upper temperature probe 202 may be disposed in the upper tank, and the lower temperature probe 203 may be disposed in the lower tank. The lower temperature probe 203 may be disposed higher than the heating rod 204 in the lower tank.

[0209] Each embodiment in this specification is described in a progressive manner. The same or similar parts between each embodiment can be referred to each other, and the key points of each embodiment are the differences from other embodiments. Specifically, reference can be made to the description of the related processing related embodiments above, and details will not be repeated here.

[0210] The above describes specific embodiments of this specification. Other embodiments are within the scope of this specification. In some cases, the actions or steps recorded in the specification can be executed in a different order from that in the embodiments and still achieve the desired results. In addition, the processes depicted in the drawings do not necessarily require the specific order or sequential order shown to achieve the desired results. In certain embodiments, multi-tasking and parallel processing are also possible or may be advantageous.

[0211] This specification embodiment also provides a controller. The controller may include a processor and a memory for storing processor-executable instructions. When the processor executes the instructions, the steps of the method described in any of the above embodiments are implemented.

[0212] This specification embodiment also provides a computer storage medium based on the water heater control method. The computer storage medium stores computer program instructions, and when the computer program instructions are executed, the steps of the water heater control method described in any of the above embodiments are implemented.

[0213] In this embodiment, the above storage medium may include, but is not limited to, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Cache, Hard Disk Drive (HDD), or Memory Card. The memory may be used to store computer program instructions. The network communication unit may be set according to the standards specified by the communication protocol and is used for the interface of network connection communication.

[0214] In this embodiment, the functions and effects specifically implemented by the program instructions stored in the computer storage medium can be explained by comparison with other embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0215] The embodiments of this specification also provide a water heater, which may include the controller described in any of the above embodiments.

[0216] As Figure 2 shown, the water heater 10 may further include a mixing valve 100 and a water tank 200. The water tank 200 is used to store water, and a heating rod 204 is arranged inside the water tank 200. The heating rod 204 is used to heat the water in the water tank 200.

[0217] As Figures 3 to 6 shown, the mixing valve 100 may include a valve body 101 and a valve core 102. The valve body 101 may include a cold water inlet part 113, a hot water inlet part 115, and a mixed water outlet part 116. The inlet of the cold water inlet part 113 may be connected to a cold water source, so that the cold water of the cold water source can flow into the valve body 101 of the mixing valve 100. The outlet of the cold water inlet part 113 is respectively connected to the water tank 200 and the mixed water outlet part 116. The cold water flowing into the valve body 101 through the cold water inlet part 113 can flow into the water tank 200 and the mixed water outlet part 116. The hot water inlet part 115 is used to connect the water tank 200 and the mixed water outlet part 116. The inlet of the hot water inlet part 115 is connected to the water tank 200, and the outlet of the hot water inlet part 115 is connected to the mixed water outlet part 116. The hot water in the water tank 200 can flow into the mixed water outlet part 116 through the hot water inlet part 115. The valve core 102 is used to control the mixing ratio of the cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part 116. The outlet of the mixed water outlet part 116 is used to output the mixed water.

[0218] In this embodiment, the "inlet water" or "outlet water" in the hot water inlet part 115, the cold water inlet part 113, and the mixed water outlet part 116 is relative to the mixing valve 100. "Inlet water" means water flowing into the mixing valve 100, and "outlet water" means water flowing out of the mixing valve 100. In addition, the concept of cold water can be water at the same temperature as tap water, or it can be a relative concept, that is, water that is colder than the water temperature in the hot water inlet part 115 (such as water that is warmer than tap water but colder than the water in the hot water inlet part 115 after preheating).

[0219] In one embodiment, the water tank 200 has a lower temperature probe 203. The lower temperature probe 203 is located at the lower part of the water tank 200 to detect the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank. The heating rod 204 can start working and / or stop working at least according to the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank.

[0220] In another embodiment, the water tank 200 has an upper temperature probe 202 and a lower temperature probe 203. The lower temperature probe 203 is located at the lower part of the water tank 200 to detect the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank. The heating rod 204 can start working and / or stop working according to the water temperature at the upper part of the water tank and / or the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank.

[0221] The water heater 10 may further include a hot water temperature probe. In one embodiment, the hot water temperature probe may be disposed in the hot water inlet part 115 of the mixing valve 100 to directly obtain the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part 115. In another embodiment, the hot water temperature probe may be the upper temperature probe 202. The upper temperature probe 202 is disposed at the upper part of the water tank 200 to detect the water temperature at the upper part of the water tank, and is used to indirectly obtain the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part 115.

[0222] Please continue to refer to Figures 3 to 6 , in some embodiments of this specification, the valve body 101 of the mixing valve 100 may further include a cold water cavity 110, a first cold water communication part 111, a second cold water communication part 112, and a cold water outlet part 114. In this embodiment, the "outlet water" in the cold water outlet part 114 is also relative to the mixing valve 100, and "outlet water" means water flowing out of the mixing valve 100.

[0223] As Figure 6 shown, the hot water inlet part 115 and the cold water outlet part 114 are used to communicate with the water tank 200 through the same port on the water tank 200. In this embodiment, by making the hot water inlet part 115 and the cold water outlet part 114 communicate with the water tank 200 through the same port on the water tank 200, only one port needs to be provided on the water tank 200, the process is relatively simple, and there are fewer water leakage points.

[0224] As Figures 4 to 6As shown, the cold water inlet part 113 is communicated with the cold water cavity 110, and the cold water flowing in through the cold water inlet part 113 enters the cold water cavity 110. The valve core 102 is arranged in the cold water cavity 110. The valve core 102 is used to shunt the water entering the cold water cavity 110 through the cold water inlet part 113 to the first cold water communication part 111 and the second cold water communication part 112. Specifically, after the cold water in the cold water inlet part 113 flows into the cold water cavity 110, it enters the inside of the valve core 102, and then flows out to the first cold water communication part 111 and the second cold water communication part 112 after being shunted by the valve core 102. The first cold water communication part 111 is used to communicate the cold water cavity 110 and the cold water outlet part 114, and the cold water outlet part 114 is used to make the cold water flow into the water tank 200 through the same opening on the water tank 200. The second cold water communication part 112 is used to communicate the cold water cavity 110 with the mixed water outlet part 116. The hot water inlet part 115 is used to make the hot water in the water tank 200 flow into the mixed water outlet part 116 through the same opening on the water tank 200. Compared with directly adjusting the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water by the valve core 102, in this embodiment, by adjusting the ratio of the cold water shunted from the cold water cavity 110 to the first cold water communication part 111 and the second cold water communication part 112 by the valve core 102, the ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part 116 can be indirectly adjusted, so as to realize the adjustment of the mixed water outlet temperature, and it can also avoid the valve core 102 contacting the hot water and being prone to scaling. At the same time, as Figures 3 to 6 shown, the first cold water communication part 111 and the second cold water communication part 112 have a preset length, and the valve core 102 in the cold water cavity can also be spaced apart from the cold water outlet part 114 and / or the hot water inlet part 115, which also avoids the interference of the hot water on the valve core 102 directly or indirectly, so as to improve the reliability of the mixing valve 100 and the accuracy of the water temperature adjustment.

[0225] The mixed water outlet part 116 can mix the cold water flowing in from the second cold water communication part 112 and the hot water flowing in from the hot water inlet part 115. That is, the mixed water outlet part 116 is used to mix the cold water and the hot water and then output the mixed water. The inlet of the mixed water outlet part 116 is communicated with the second cold water communication part 112 and the hot water inlet part 115. The outlet of the mixed water outlet part 116 is used to output the mixed water.

[0226] In one embodiment, the mixed water outlet part 116 is provided with a first inlet and a second inlet. The mixed water outlet part 116 is communicated with the second cold water communication part 112 through the first inlet and is connected with the hot water inlet part 115 through the second inlet. The first inlet may include one or more inlets. The second inlet may include one or more inlets. The first inlet and the second inlet may be the same inlet or different inlets.

[0227] The hot water flow channel formed in the hot water inlet part 115 is independent of the cold water flow channel formed in the cold water outlet part 114. AsFigures � to 6 As shown, at least a part of the hot water inlet portion 115 is located inside the cold water outlet portion 114. Correspondingly, at least a part of the water outlet pipe communicating with the hot water inlet portion 115 is located inside the water inlet pipe communicating with the cold water outlet portion 114. In this embodiment, at least a part of A being located inside B means that at least a part of the cross-section of A is located inside the cross-section of B, that is, the cross-section of B surrounds at least a part of the cross-section of A. As Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, in the embodiments of this specification, the x-direction is the lateral direction, and the z-direction is the longitudinal direction (i.e., the height direction). The cross-section in the embodiments of this specification refers to the section obtained by intercepting along a direction perpendicular to the z-direction.

[0228] In this embodiment, by arranging at least a part of the hot water inlet portion 115 of the mixing valve 100 to be located inside the cold water outlet portion 114, the hot water inlet portion 115 and the cold water outlet portion 114 are relatively compactly arranged, which can reduce the size of the mixing valve 100, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the mixing valve 100. In addition, the size of the same opening required to be opened on the water tank 200 of the water heater can also be reduced, reducing the sealing difficulty, and thus reducing the possibility of water leakage.

[0229] In some embodiments of this specification, a cold water inlet (not shown in the figure), a first cold water outlet 1101, and a second cold water outlet 1102 are provided on the cold water cavity 110. The cold water inlet is communicated with the cold water inlet portion 113, and the water in the cold water inlet portion 113 can enter the cold water cavity 110 through the cold water inlet. The first cold water outlet 1101 is communicated with the first cold water communication portion 111, and the water in the cold water cavity 110 can flow to the first cold water communication portion 111 through the first cold water outlet 1101. The second cold water outlet 1102 is communicated with the second cold water communication portion 112, and the water in the cold water cavity 110 can flow to the second cold water communication portion 112 through the second cold water outlet 1102. By providing the cold water inlet, the first cold water outlet 1101, and the second cold water outlet 1102 on the cold water cavity 110, the cold water cavity 110 is communicated with the cold water inlet portion 113, the first cold water communication portion 111, and the second cold water communication portion 112.

[0230] As Figures 4 to 6As shown, in some embodiments of this specification, the first cold water outlet 1101 and the second cold water outlet 1102 are provided on the same surface of the cold water cavity 110. The cold water cavity 110 may include multiple surfaces. The first cold water outlet 1101 and the second cold water outlet 1102 may be provided on the same surface of the cold water cavity 110. By arranging the first cold water outlet 1101 and the second cold water outlet 1102 on the same surface of the cold water cavity 110, the two cold water outlet directions of the cold water cavity 110 are made consistent. Compared with setting the two cold water outlet directions to be inconsistent, in this embodiment, setting the cold water outlet directions of the first cold water outlet 1101 and the second cold water outlet 1102 to be generally consistent can ensure that the valve body 101 has a smaller volume and at the same time facilitates guiding the water outlets of the two cold water outlets to the cold water outlet part 114 and the mixed water outlet part 116 respectively.

[0231] In some embodiments of this specification, the cold water inlet (not shown in the figure) is provided on the same surface. Compared with setting the cold water inlet on a surface different from the first cold water outlet 1101 and the second cold water outlet 1102, in this embodiment, by arranging the cold water inlet, the first cold water outlet 1101 and the second cold water outlet 1102 on the same surface, the structure of the valve core can be made simpler, the manufacturing process can be made simpler, and the reliability can be higher.

[0232] As Figures 4 to 6 shown, in some embodiments of this specification, the same surface is the surface of the cold water cavity 110 facing the cold water outlet part 114 and the mixed water outlet part 116. Compared with arranging the first cold water outlet 1101 and the second cold water outlet 1102 on other surfaces of the cold water cavity 110, in this embodiment, arranging the first cold water outlet 1101 and the second cold water outlet 1102 on the surface of the cold water cavity 110 facing the cold water outlet part 114 and the mixed water outlet part 116 facilitates the connection between the cold water cavity 110 and the cold water outlet part 114 and the mixed water outlet part 116, can shorten the distance between the cold water cavity 110 and the cold water outlet part 114 and the mixed water outlet part 116, reduce the lengths of the first cold water connection part 111 and the second cold water connection part 112, reduce the complexity of the structure of the valve body 101 of the mixing valve 100, reduce the size of the valve body 101, and further reduce the manufacturing cost of the mixing valve 100, and the manufacturing process of the valve body 101 is simpler.

[0233] Please refer to Figure 12 and Figure 13 , which shows a schematic structural diagram of the valve core in the embodiments of this specification. As Figure 13As shown, in some embodiments of this specification, the valve core 102 may include a movable valve plate 121 and a fixed valve plate 122. The fixed valve plate 122 is provided with a first cold water outlet 1221 and a second cold water outlet 1222. The first cold water outlet 1221 is used to communicate with the first cold water outlet 1101. The second cold water outlet 1222 is used to communicate with the second cold water outlet 1102. The first cold water outlet 1101 and the second cold water outlet 1102 are arranged on the same surface of the cold water cavity 110. At least part of the water flowing into the cold water cavity 110 from the cold water inlet part 113 can flow through the first cold water outlet 1221 on the fixed valve plate 122 to the first cold water outlet 1101 on the cold water cavity 110, and then flow through the first cold water communication part 111 to the cold water outlet part 114. At least part of the water flowing into the cold water cavity 110 from the cold water inlet part 113 can flow through the second cold water outlet 1222 on the fixed valve plate 122 to the second cold water outlet 1102 on the cold water cavity 110, and then flow through the second cold water communication part 112 to the mixed water outlet part 116. The movable valve plate 121 is used to control the communication relationship between the cold water inlet part 113, the first cold water outlet 1221, and the second cold water outlet 1222, so as to control the proportion of the water flow rates flowing to the cold water outlet part 114 and the mixed water outlet part 116. Compared with arranging the first cold water outlet 1221 and the second cold water outlet 1222 on different valve plates, in this embodiment, by arranging the first cold water outlet 1101 and the second cold water outlet 1102 on the same surface of the cold water cavity 110 and arranging both the first cold water outlet 1221 and the second cold water outlet 1222 on the fixed valve plate 122, the cold water cavity 110 and the valve core 102 can be better adapted, without adding a bent flow channel in the cold water cavity 110, and the manufacturing process is simpler.

[0234] As Figure 12 and Figure 13 shown, the fixed valve plate 122 is also provided with a cold water inlet 1223, and the cold water inlet 1223 is communicated with the cold water inlet on the cold water cavity 110. The water flowing into the cold water inlet part 113 can flow from the cold water inlet on the cold water cavity 110 to the cold water inlet 1223 on the fixed valve plate 122, and then flow into the cold water cavity 110.

[0235] In some embodiments of the present specification, the first cold water outlet 1101 and the second cold water outlet 1102 at least partially overlap in the lateral direction. Herein, the lateral direction refers to the projection on the horizontal plane (i.e., the plane perpendicular to the z direction). The fact that the first cold water outlet 1101 and the second cold water outlet 1102 at least partially overlap in the lateral direction means that the projections of the first cold water outlet 1101 and the second cold water outlet 1102 on the horizontal plane at least partially coincide, such that the overall thickness of the valve body 101 (i.e., the dimension of the valve body 101 in the y direction) is smaller. When installed on a water heater, the local thickness of the water heater (i.e., the dimension of the water heater in the y direction) can be reduced, the installation volume of the mixing valve 100 can be decreased, the distance between the mixing valve and the wall can be enlarged, and thus the operating space for the external pipeline can be ensured. In addition, on the premise of ensuring the water passing capacity of the valve body, it is more convenient to be installed on the water heater tank 200, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. For example, when the valve body 101 of the mixing valve is installed on the water heater tank 200 through a flange, if the size of the valve body 101 is too large, it cannot be adapted to the flange studs on the conventional tank 200, and the flange studs on the tank 200 need to be newly developed, resulting in a high cost problem. If the diameters of the first cold water outlet 1101 and the second cold water outlet 1102 are reduced due to size problems, the water passing capacity cannot be guaranteed.

[0236] In some embodiments of the present specification, the first cold water outlet 1101 and the second cold water outlet 1102 do not overlap in the lateral direction but the lateral spacing is less than a first preset spacing. That is to say, the projections of the first cold water outlet 1101 and the second cold water outlet 1102 on the horizontal plane do not coincide, and the distance between the projections is less than the first preset spacing, that is, the first cold water outlet 1101 and the second cold water outlet 1102 are arranged close to each other in the lateral direction. Although the effect is not the best compared with the previous embodiment, it is still an improved embodiment with beneficial effects. It can make the overall thickness of the valve body 101 smaller to a certain extent, reduce the manufacturing cost to a certain extent, be convenient to be installed on the water heater tank 200 to a certain extent, and can also reduce the installation thickness of the mixing valve 100 to a certain extent, thereby reducing the installation volume of the mixing valve 100 to a certain extent.

[0237] Such as Figures 3 to 6As shown, in some embodiments of this specification, the extending directions of the first cold water communication part 111 and the second cold water communication part 112 are the same as a whole. The first cold water communication part 111 extends from the cold water cavity 110 to the cold water outlet part 114 as a whole. The second cold water communication part 112 extends from the cold water cavity 110 to the mixed water outlet part 116 as a whole. The extending directions of both are the same as a whole. Being the same as a whole can mean that the extending directions of both are parallel or nearly parallel. For example, the extending direction of the first cold water communication part 111 is slightly inclined relative to the extending direction of the second cold water communication part 112, and the inclination angle is less than a preset angle. Or for example, the extending paths of the first cold water communication part 111 and / or the second cold water communication part 112 have bent segments, but still extend to the cold water outlet part 114 and the mixed water outlet part 116 as a whole. By setting the extending directions of the first cold water communication part 111 and the second cold water communication part 112 to be the same as a whole, the size of the valve body 101 can be reduced and the cost can be lowered.

[0238] In some embodiments of this specification, the first cold water communication part 111 may include a first cold water communication pipe. The second cold water communication part 112 may include a second cold water communication pipe. The first cold water communication pipe and the second cold water communication pipe are arranged in parallel. In this embodiment, the communication part is arranged in the form of a communication pipe, and the first cold water communication pipe and the second cold water communication pipe are parallel to each other. Compared with the non-parallel arrangement of the first cold water communication pipe and the second cold water communication pipe, in this embodiment, by arranging the first cold water communication pipe and the second cold water communication pipe in parallel, the volume of the valve body 101 can be reduced, the structure is simpler, and the manufacturing cost can be lowered.

[0239] Please refer to Figure 14 , which shows a cross-sectional view of the mixing valve in the embodiments of this specification. As Figure 14 shown, in some embodiments of this specification, at least part of the hot water inlet part 115 is located inside the cold water outlet part 114. The first cold water communication part 111 is higher than the second cold water communication part 112. The first cold water communication part 111 extends from the cold water cavity 110 towards the cold water outlet part 114. The second cold water communication part 112 extends from the cold water cavity 110 towards the mixed water outlet part 116. The cold water flow channel in the cold water outlet part 114 and the cold water flow channel in the second cold water communication part 112 do not intersect. Here, non-intersecting can mean that the projection of the cold water flow channel in the cold water outlet part 114 and the cold water flow channel in the second cold water communication part 112 on the xz plane does not intersect. By arranging at least part of the hot water inlet part 115 to be located inside the cold water outlet part 114 and arranging the first cold water communication part 111 to be higher than the second cold water communication part 112, the cold water flow channel in the cold water outlet part 114 and the cold water flow channel in the second cold water communication part 112 do not intersect.

[0240] In some embodiments of the present specification, the cold water cavity 110 is spaced apart from the cold water outlet portion 114 and / or the hot water inlet portion 115 by a preset distance in the horizontal and / or vertical directions to be independently arranged. The first cold water communication portion 111 has a first cold water communication pipe with a preset length, and the first cold water communication pipe is used to communicate the cold water cavity 110 with the cold water outlet portion 114. The second cold water communication portion 112 has a second cold water communication pipe with a preset length, and the second cold water communication pipe is used to communicate the cold water cavity 110 with the mixed water outlet portion 116.

[0241] In this embodiment, the horizontal direction may refer to the horizontal direction and be parallel to the installation wall surface, that is, the x direction. The vertical direction may refer to the vertical direction and be parallel to the installation wall surface, that is, the z direction. In one embodiment, as Figures 3 to 6 shown, the cold water cavity 110 is spaced apart from the cold water outlet portion 114 and / or the hot water inlet portion 115 by a preset distance in the horizontal direction.

[0242] In another embodiment, the cold water cavity 110 is spaced apart from the cold water outlet portion 114 and / or the hot water inlet portion 115 by a preset distance in the vertical direction.

[0243] In yet another embodiment, the cold water cavity 110 is spaced apart from the cold water outlet portion 114 and / or the hot water inlet portion 115 by a preset distance in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0244] The cold water cavity 110 is communicated with the cold water outlet portion 114 through a first cold water communication pipe with a preset length. The cold water cavity 110 is communicated with the hot water inlet portion 115 through a second cold water communication pipe with a preset length. By setting the cold water cavity 110 to be spaced apart from the cold water outlet portion 114 and / or the hot water inlet portion 115 by a preset distance, the valve core 102 in the cold water cavity 110 is far away from the hot water inlet portion 115, avoiding the valve core 102 from being blocked due to contact with hot water scale after scaling, which may cause the valve core to fail. It can also avoid the plastic parts and seals in the valve core 102 from being affected by the proximity to hot water, thereby reducing their service life and reliability. Therefore, the reliability of the mixing valve 100 and the accuracy of water temperature adjustment can be improved.

[0245] Obviously, those skilled in the art should understand that the above-mentioned modules or steps of the embodiments of the present specification can be implemented by a general-purpose computing device. They can be concentrated on a single computing device or distributed on a network composed of multiple computing devices. Optionally, they can be implemented by program codes executable by the computing device. Thus, they can be stored in a storage device and executed by the computing device. And in some cases, the steps shown or described can be executed in a different order than here, or they can be separately fabricated into individual integrated circuit modules, or multiple modules or steps among them can be fabricated into a single integrated circuit module to be implemented. In this way, the embodiments of the present specification are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software.

[0246] It should be understood that the above description is for illustrative purposes and not for limitation. By reading the above description, many embodiments and many applications other than the provided examples will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0247] The above is only the preferred embodiment of this specification and is not used to limit this specification. For those skilled in the art, various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments of this specification. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of this specification shall be included within the protection scope of this specification.

Claims

1. A water heater control method, characterized in that, The water heater includes a tank and a mixing valve; the tank is used to store water, and a heating rod is arranged in the tank; the tank also has a lower temperature probe located at the lower part of the tank to detect the water temperature at the lower part of the tank; the heating rod can start and / or stop working at least according to the water temperature at the lower part of the tank; the mixing valve includes a valve body and a valve core; the valve body includes a cold water inlet part, a hot water inlet part and a mixed water outlet part; the cold water inlet part is respectively communicated with the tank and the mixed water outlet part, and the cold water flowing into the valve body through the cold water inlet part can flow into the tank and the mixed water outlet part; the hot water inlet part is used to communicate the tank and the mixed water outlet part, so that the hot water in the tank can flow into the mixed water outlet part; the valve core is used to control the mixing ratio of the cold water and the hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part; the outlet of the mixed water outlet part is used to output the mixed water; the water heater further includes a hot water temperature probe, the hot water temperature probe is arranged in the hot water inlet part to directly obtain the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part, or the hot water temperature probe is an upper temperature probe located at the upper part of the tank to detect the water temperature at the upper part of the tank for indirectly obtaining the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part; The control method of the water heater includes: Obtain the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature probe, and use the current value of the hot water temperature as the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part; Obtain the water temperature at the lower part of the tank detected by the lower temperature probe, and determine the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part according to the smaller value of the preset cold water inlet temperature and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank; Before the water heater discharges water, drive the valve core to act according to the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part, the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater, so as to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and the hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the water heater discharges water.

2. The water heater control method according to claim 1, wherein The control method specifically includes: S1. Before the water heater discharges water for the first time, determine the cold water temperature according to the smaller value of the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank obtained before the water heater discharges water and the preset cold water inlet temperature, and drive the valve core to act according to the cold water temperature, the hot water temperature and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and the hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the water heater discharges water for the first time, and during at least the process of the water heater discharging water for the first time, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank detected by the lower temperature probe; S2. Before the next water discharge of the water heater, update the cold water temperature with the smaller value of the cold water temperature and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank obtained during the previous water discharge process, and drive the valve core to act according to the hot water temperature, the cold water temperature and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and the hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the next water discharge of the water heater, and during at least the process of the next water discharge of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank detected by the lower temperature probe; S3. Loop S2.

3. The water heater control method according to claim 2, characterized in that The control method further includes: When the power-on time of the water heater exceeds the preset power-on duration, or the cumulative water consumption of the water heater exceeds the preset water consumption, or the heating time of the water heater exceeds the preset heating duration, update the cold water temperature with the preset cold water inlet temperature or the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained during the previous water outlet process.

4. The water heater control method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The water heater further includes a mixing water temperature probe for detecting the mixing water outlet temperature output from the outlet of the mixing water outlet part; The control method further includes: During the water outlet process of the water heater, when the target water outlet temperature during the current use of the water heater is higher than the mixing water outlet temperature at the start of water outlet and the difference between the two is greater than the preset temperature difference, reduce the cold water temperature.

5. The water heater control method according to claim 2, characterized in that The preset cold water inlet temperature is not less than 25 degrees Celsius.

6. The water heater control method according to claim 2 or 5, characterized in that, The control method further includes: Update the preset cold water inlet temperature according to the season; Specifically, the preset cold water inlet temperature in summer is higher than that in winter.

7. The water heater control method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The water heater further includes a mixing water temperature probe for detecting the mixing water outlet temperature output from the outlet of the mixing water outlet part, and the mixing valve further includes a motor for driving the valve core to act to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixing water outlet part; The control method further includes: During the water outlet of the water heater, obtain the mixing water outlet temperature detected by the mixing water temperature probe, determine the target driving speed of the motor according to the difference between the mixing water outlet temperature at the start of water outlet and the target water outlet temperature during the current use of the water heater, and control the motor to run at the target driving speed to drive the valve core to act to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixing water outlet part during the water outlet of the water heater, and the target driving speed is positively correlated with the absolute value of the difference.

8. The water heater control method according to claim 1, wherein The control method specifically includes: S7. Before the first water outlet of the water heater, determine the cold water temperature according to the preset cold water inlet temperature, and drive the valve core to act to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixing water outlet part before the first water outlet of the water heater according to the cold water temperature, the hot water temperature and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater, and obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe during at least the first water outlet process of the water heater; S8. Before the next water outlet of the water heater, update the cold water temperature with the smaller value of the cold water temperature and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained during the previous water outlet process, and drive the valve core to act to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixing water outlet part before the next water outlet of the water heater according to the hot water temperature, the cold water temperature and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater, and obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank detected by the lower temperature probe during at least the next water outlet process of the water heater; S9. Loop S8.

9. The water heater control method according to claim 8, wherein The control method further includes When the power-on time of the water heater exceeds a preset power-on duration, or the cumulative water consumption of the water heater exceeds a preset water consumption, or the heating time of the water heater exceeds a preset heating duration, update the cold water temperature with the preset cold water inlet temperature or the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained during the previous water outlet process.

10. The water heater control method according to claim 1, wherein the hot water temperature probe is an upper temperature probe located at the upper part of the water tank to detect the water temperature at the upper part of the water tank, and the heating rod can start working and / or stop working according to the water temperature at the upper part of the water tank and / or the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank; the step of obtaining the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature probe and using the current value of the hot water temperature as the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part specifically is to obtain the water temperature at the upper part of the water tank detected by the upper temperature probe and use the current value of the water temperature at the upper part of the water tank as the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part.

11. The water heater control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water heater further includes a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe; at least part of the water inlet pipe and at least part of the water outlet pipe are arranged in the water tank; the water inlet pipe is communicated with the cold water inlet part, and the water inlet pipe is used for inputting the cold water flowing into the valve body through the cold water inlet part into the water tank; the water outlet pipe is communicated with the hot water inlet part, and the water outlet pipe is used for inputting the hot water in the water tank into the hot water inlet part; at least part of the lower temperature probe is located in the water tank, and the lower temperature probe is arranged close to the water outlet of the water inlet pipe. Or the lower temperature probe is arranged on the outer wall of the water tank, and the lower temperature probe is arranged close to the water outlet of the water inlet pipe in the height direction or the lower temperature probe is flush with the water outlet of the water inlet pipe in the height direction. Or the lower temperature probe is arranged higher than the water outlet of the water inlet pipe and is closer to the water outlet of the water inlet pipe than the upper temperature probe.

12. The water heater control method according to claim 10, wherein, The water heater further includes a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe; at least part of the water inlet pipe and at least part of the water outlet pipe are arranged in the water tank; the water inlet pipe is communicated with the cold water inlet part, and the water inlet pipe is used for inputting the cold water flowing into the valve body through the cold water inlet part into the water tank; the water outlet pipe is communicated with the hot water inlet part, and the water outlet pipe is used for inputting the hot water in the water tank into the hot water inlet part; at least part of the upper temperature probe is located in the water tank, and the upper temperature probe is arranged close to the water inlet of the water outlet pipe. Or the upper temperature probe is arranged on the outer wall of the water tank, and the upper temperature probe is arranged close to the water inlet of the water outlet pipe in the height direction or the upper temperature probe is flush with the water inlet of the water outlet pipe in the height direction.

13. A water heater control method, characterized in that, The water heater includes a tank and a mixing valve; the tank is used to store water, and a heating rod is provided in the tank; the tank also has a lower temperature probe located at the lower part of the tank to detect the water temperature at the lower part of the tank; the heating rod can start working and / or stop working at least according to the water temperature at the lower part of the tank; the mixing valve includes a valve body and a valve core; the valve body includes a cold water inlet part, a hot water inlet part and a mixed water outlet part; the cold water inlet part is respectively communicated with the tank and the mixed water outlet part, and the cold water flowing into the valve body through the cold water inlet part can flow into the tank and the mixed water outlet part; the hot water inlet part is used to communicate the tank and the mixed water outlet part, so that the hot water in the tank can flow into the mixed water outlet part; the valve core is used to control the mixing ratio of the cold water and the hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part; the outlet of the mixed water outlet part is used to output the mixed water; the water heater further includes a hot water temperature probe, the hot water temperature probe is arranged in the hot water inlet part to directly obtain the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part, or the hot water temperature probe is an upper temperature probe located at the upper part of the tank to detect the water temperature at the upper part of the tank for indirectly obtaining the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part; The water heater control method includes: Obtain the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature probe, and use the current value of the hot water temperature as the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part; Obtain the water temperature at the lower part of the tank detected by the lower temperature probe, and determine the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part according to the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank; Before the water heater discharges water, drive the valve core to act according to the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part, the cold water temperature of the cold water inlet part and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater, so as to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and the hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the water heater discharges water; Wherein, the control method specifically includes: S4. Before the water heater discharges water for the first time, determine the cold water temperature according to the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank obtained before the water heater discharges water, and drive the valve core to act according to the cold water temperature, the hot water temperature and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and the hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the water heater discharges water for the first time, and during at least the first water discharge process of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank detected by the lower temperature probe; S5. Before the next water discharge of the water heater, update the cold water temperature with the smaller value of the cold water temperature and the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank obtained during the previous water discharge process, and drive the valve core to act according to the hot water temperature, the cold water temperature and the target water outlet temperature of the water heater to adjust the mixing ratio of the cold water and the hot water flowing into the mixed water outlet part before the next water discharge of the water heater, and during at least the next water discharge process of the water heater, obtain the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the tank detected by the lower temperature probe.

14. The water heater control method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The control method further specifically includes: S6. Loop S5.

15. The water heater control method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The control method further includes, When the power-on time of the water heater exceeds a preset power-on duration, or the cumulative water consumption of the water heater exceeds a preset water consumption, or the heating time of the water heater exceeds a preset heating duration, update the cold water temperature with the minimum value of the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank obtained during the previous water outlet process.

16. The water heater control method according to claim 13, wherein the water heater further includes a mixing water temperature probe for detecting the mixing water outlet temperature output from the outlet of the mixing water outlet part; the control method further includes: During the water outlet process of the water heater, when the target water outlet temperature during the current use of the water heater is higher than the mixing water outlet temperature at the start of water outlet and the difference between the two is greater than a preset temperature difference, lower the cold water temperature.

17. The water heater control method according to claim 13, wherein The water heater further includes a mixing water temperature probe for detecting the mixing water outlet temperature output from the outlet of the mixing water outlet part, and the mixing valve further includes a motor for driving the valve core to act to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixing water outlet part; the control method further includes: When the water heater discharges water, obtain the mixing water outlet temperature detected by the mixing water temperature probe, determine the target driving speed of the motor according to the difference between the mixing water outlet temperature at the start of water discharge and the target water outlet temperature during the current use of the water heater, and control the motor to run at the target driving speed to drive the valve core to act, so as to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water flowing into the mixing water outlet part when the water heater discharges water, and the target driving speed is positively correlated with the absolute value of the difference.

18. The water heater control method according to claim 13, wherein the hot water temperature probe is an upper temperature probe located at the upper part of the water tank to detect the water temperature at the upper part of the water tank, and the heating rod can start working and / or stop working according to the water temperature at the upper part of the water tank and / or the water temperature at the lower part of the water tank; The step of obtaining the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature probe and taking the current value of the hot water temperature as the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part is specifically to obtain the water temperature at the upper part of the water tank detected by the upper temperature probe and take the current value of the water temperature at the upper part of the water tank as the hot water temperature of the hot water inlet part.

19. The water heater control method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The water heater further includes a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe; at least part of the water inlet pipe and at least part of the water outlet pipe are arranged in the water tank; the water inlet pipe is communicated with the cold water inlet part and is used for inputting the cold water flowing into the valve body through the cold water inlet part into the water tank; the water outlet pipe is communicated with the hot water inlet part and is used for inputting the hot water in the water tank into the hot water inlet part; at least part of the lower temperature probe is located in the water tank, and the lower temperature probe is arranged close to the water outlet of the water inlet pipe, or, the lower temperature probe is arranged on the outer wall of the water tank, and the lower temperature probe is arranged close to the water outlet of the water inlet pipe in the height direction or the lower temperature probe is flush with the water outlet of the water inlet pipe in the height direction, or, The lower temperature probe is arranged above the water outlet of the water inlet pipe and is closer to the water outlet of the water inlet pipe than the upper temperature probe.

20. The water heater control method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The water heater further includes a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe; at least part of the water inlet pipe and at least part of the water outlet pipe are arranged in the tank; the water inlet pipe is communicated with the cold water inlet part, and the water inlet pipe is used to input the cold water flowing into the valve body through the cold water inlet part into the tank; the water outlet pipe is communicated with the hot water inlet part, and the water outlet pipe is used to input the hot water in the tank into the hot water inlet part; At least part of the upper temperature probe is located in the tank, and the upper temperature probe is arranged close to the water inlet of the water outlet pipe. Or, The upper temperature probe is arranged on the outer wall of the tank, and the upper temperature probe is arranged close to the water inlet of the water outlet pipe in the height direction or the upper temperature probe is flush with the water inlet of the water outlet pipe in the height direction.

21. A controller, characterized in that, It includes a processor and a memory for storing instructions executable by the processor. When the processor executes the instructions, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

22. A water heater, characterized in that, It includes the controller according to claim 21.

23. The water heater according to claim 22, characterized in that, The valve body of the mixing valve of the water heater further includes a cold water cavity, a first cold water communication part, a second cold water communication part and a cold water outlet part; the cold water inlet part of the mixing valve is communicated with the cold water cavity; the hot water inlet part and the cold water outlet part of the mixing valve are used to be communicated with the tank through the same opening on the tank; The valve core of the mixing valve is arranged in the cold water cavity; the valve core is used to divide the water entering the cold water cavity into the first cold water communication part and the second cold water communication part; the first cold water communication part is used to communicate the cold water cavity and the cold water outlet part, and the cold water outlet part is used to make cold water flow into the tank through the same opening on the tank; the second cold water communication part is used to communicate the cold water cavity with the mixed water outlet part of the mixing valve, and the hot water inlet part is used to make the hot water in the tank flow into the mixed water outlet part through the same opening on the tank; The inlet of the mixed water outlet part is communicated with the second cold water communication part and the hot water inlet part; At least part of the hot water inlet part is located inside the cold water outlet part.

24. The water heater according to claim 23, wherein The cold water cavity is provided with a cold water inlet, a first cold water outlet and a second cold water outlet; the cold water inlet is communicated with the cold water inlet part, the first cold water outlet is communicated with the first cold water communication part, and the second cold water outlet is communicated with the second cold water communication part; The first cold water outlet, the second cold water outlet and the cold water inlet are arranged on the same surface of the cold water cavity; The same surface is the surface of the cold water cavity facing the cold water outlet part and the mixed water outlet part.

25. The water heater according to claim 24, wherein, The valve core includes a movable valve plate and a fixed valve plate. The fixed valve plate is provided with a first cold water outlet and a second cold water outlet. The first cold water outlet is used to communicate with the first cold water outlet, and the second cold water outlet is used to communicate with the second cold water outlet. The movable valve plate is used to control the communication relationship between the cold water inlet part and the first cold water outlet and the second cold water outlet.

26. The water heater according to claim 24, wherein, The first cold water outlet and the second cold water outlet at least partially overlap in the horizontal direction or the first cold water outlet and the second cold water outlet do not overlap in the horizontal direction but the horizontal distance therebetween is less than a first preset distance; and / or, The extending directions of the first cold water communication part and the second cold water communication part are the same as a whole; and / or, The first cold water communication part includes a first cold water communication pipe, and the second cold water communication part includes a second cold water communication pipe. The first cold water communication pipe and the second cold water communication pipe are arranged in parallel.

27. The water heater according to claim 23, characterized in that, The first cold water communication part is higher than the second cold water communication part; the first cold water communication part extends from the cold water cavity towards the cold water outlet part; the second cold water communication part extends from the cold water cavity towards the mixed water outlet part; The cold water flow channels in the cold water outlet part and the cold water flow channels in the second cold water communication part do not cross each other.

28. The water heater according to claim 23, wherein The cold water cavity and the cold water outlet part and / or the hot water inlet part are spaced apart by a preset distance in the horizontal and / or vertical directions to be independently arranged; The first cold water communication part has a first cold water communication pipe with a preset length, and the first cold water communication pipe is used to connect the cold water cavity and the cold water outlet part; the second cold water communication part has a second cold water communication pipe with a preset length, and the second cold water communication pipe is used to connect the cold water cavity and the mixed water outlet part.

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