Water heater and control method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of heating devices, and provides a water heater and a control method.The water heater comprises a first water path, a second water path, a third water path, a fourth water path and a fourth water path, and the first water path sequentially extends from a water inlet to a flow sensor, a first heat exchange pipeline, a reversing valve and a water outlet; the second water path is formed by a water inlet, a flow sensor, a first heat exchange pipeline, a reversing valve, a second heat exchange pipeline and a water outlet in sequence; the first heat exchange pipeline is arranged in the first energy storage box, and the second heat exchange pipeline is arranged in the second energy storage box; a phase change energy storage material is also arranged in the first energy storage box and / or the second energy storage box; the first water way and the second water way are switched through a reversing valve. According to the heat exchange type electric water heater capable of achieving multi-energy storage, the heat energy release amount of the water heater can be increased, the bathing comfort of a user is improved, the phase change frequency of the phase change material can be reduced, and the service life of the product is prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] A water heater is a device that converts electrical energy into thermal energy. It can not only be used as a kitchen and bathroom accessory, for example, it can be used to boil water to provide hot water for cooking and bathing, but can also be used as a heat source for heating. In addition, it is also widely used in industry and plays an important role in life and production.

[0003] Existing hot water products are generally equipped with a heat preservation function to prevent the heat of the hot water from being lost quickly, especially as phase change material water heaters gradually appear on the market, and their heat storage materials are all phase change materials to improve energy storage efficiency.

[0004] The current phase change energy storage water heater may still have the following problems: on the one hand, the phase change material cannot be directly heated by a heater, so the existing phase change material energy storage is indirect energy storage, resulting in low thermal efficiency; on the other hand, the phase change material releases heat slowly and cannot release all the heat stored inside in a short time, so the heating rate is insufficient when relying solely on phase change material energy storage and release, thereby affecting the user experience, for example, affecting the user's bathing comfort. Therefore, the present invention proposes a water heater to at least partially solve the problems that may exist in the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the above problems, embodiments of the present invention are proposed to provide a water heater that overcomes the above problems or at least partially solves the above problems.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an embodiment of the present invention discloses a water heater, comprising: Sequentially from the water inlet to the flow sensor, to the first heat exchange pipeline, to the reversing valve, to the first water path of the water outlet; A second water path is formed from the water inlet to the flow sensor, to the first heat exchange pipeline, to the reversing valve, to the second heat exchange pipeline, and to the water outlet in sequence; The first heat exchange pipeline is arranged in the first energy storage box, and the second heat exchange pipeline is arranged in the second energy storage box; Phase change energy storage material is also provided in the first energy storage box and / or the second energy storage box; The first water channel and the second water channel are switched by the reversing valve.

[0007] Optionally, a thermostatic valve is also provided at the water outlet; The first heat exchange pipeline is also connected to the thermostatic valve at a position after the flow sensor.

[0008] Optionally, a second heating element is further provided between the thermostatic valve and the water outlet.

[0009] Optionally, both the first energy storage box and the second energy storage box are provided with a thermal insulation layer on the outside.

[0010] Optionally, the first energy storage box and the second energy storage box are arranged side by side inside the shell.

[0011] Optionally, the first energy storage box and the second energy storage box are arranged in close proximity, and a heat-conducting wall is provided between them.

[0012] Optionally, a temperature control element is also provided inside the first energy storage box.

[0013] Optionally, the phase change energy storage material is a liquid high calorific value material, including water, oil or ester.

[0014] The embodiment of the present invention also discloses a control method for a water heater, comprising: Obtain single water consumption based on the preset flow sensor; By comparing the single water consumption with the preset threshold, it is determined whether it is a large water consumption event; If there is a large water usage event, the reversing valve will switch from the first water path to the second water path consisting of a water inlet to a flow sensor, a first heat exchange pipeline, a reversing valve, a second heat exchange pipeline, and a water outlet.

[0015] Optionally, if it is a small water usage event, the first water path is maintained through the reversing valve, wherein the first water path includes sequentially from the water inlet to the flow sensor, to the first heat exchange pipeline, to the reversing valve, and to the water outlet.

[0016] The embodiments of the present invention include the following advantages: The first water path is formed by sequentially going from the water inlet to the flow sensor, to the first heat exchange pipeline, to the reversing valve, to the water outlet; the second water path is formed by sequentially going from the water inlet to the flow sensor, to the first heat exchange pipeline, to the reversing valve, to the second heat exchange pipeline, to the water outlet; the first heat exchange pipeline is arranged in the first energy storage box, and the second heat exchange pipeline is arranged in the second energy storage box; the first energy storage box and / or the second energy storage box are also provided with phase change energy storage material; the first water path and the second water path are switched by the reversing valve. The present invention provides a heat exchange electric water heater capable of realizing multi-energy storage, which can not only increase the heat energy release of the water heater and improve the bathing comfort of users, but also reduce the number of phase changes of the phase change material and improve the product life. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a water heater embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2It is a schematic diagram of the structure of an energy storage box of a water heater embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of energy storage heat transfer of an energy storage box of a water heater embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of water flow in a small water use event of a water heater embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of water flow in a large water consumption event of a water heater embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 It is a logic diagram of the control action of the reversing valve of a water heater embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 It is a water circuit diagram of a small water use event of a water heater embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 It is a water circuit diagram of a large water usage event of a water heater embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] The accompanying drawings are as follows: 100. Shell; 101. First energy storage box; 102. Second energy storage box; 103. First heat exchange pipeline; 104. Second heat exchange pipeline; 105. Reversing valve; 106. Constant temperature valve; 107. First heating element; 108. Second heating element; 109. Flow sensor; 110. Temperature control element; 111. Insulation layer; 112. Heat transfer wall. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0020] Reference Figures 1 to 5 As shown, a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of a water heater of the present invention is shown, including: a first water path sequentially from a water inlet to a flow sensor 109, to a first heat exchange pipeline 103, to a reversing valve 105, to a water outlet; and a second water path sequentially from a water inlet to a flow sensor 109, to a first heat exchange pipeline 103, to a reversing valve 105, to a second heat exchange pipeline 104, to a water outlet.

[0021] The first heat exchange pipeline 103 is arranged in the first energy storage box 101, and the second heat exchange pipeline 104 is arranged in the second energy storage box 102; the first energy storage box 101 and / or the second energy storage box 102 are also provided with a phase change energy storage material, and the first water channel and the second water channel are switched by the reversing valve 105.

[0022] In this embodiment, a water heater is proposed, in which a first heat exchange pipeline 103 and a second heat exchange pipeline 104 are respectively arranged in the first energy storage box 101 and the second energy storage box 102, and a phase change energy storage material is arranged in the energy storage box. Through the above structure, water can flow directly in the heat exchange pipeline and exchange heat with the phase change energy storage material. Compared with the indirect energy storage method in which the traditional phase change material cannot be directly heated by the heater, the intermediate link of heat transfer is reduced, the heat transfer efficiency is improved, and thus the overall thermal efficiency is improved.

[0023] It should be noted that compared with traditional water heaters, the traditional water heaters store hot water, keep the hot water warm, release it when needed, and then replenish it; while the present application stores energy through the phase change material in the energy storage box instead of storing water. When it is needed, the first water path and the second water path are switched by the reversing valve 105 according to different water use events.

[0024] When rapid heating is required, the first water path and the second water path can be switched through the reversing valve 105. For example, in a small water use event, since the water consumption is not large, only the first water path can be used, which does not need to be heated for a long time. The first water path only passes through the first energy storage tank 101 to meet the demand for a small amount of water; in a large water use event, the water can first pass through the first heat exchange pipeline 103 to exchange heat with the phase change energy storage material in the first energy storage tank 101, and then switch the reversing valve 105 to allow the water to pass through the second heat exchange pipeline 104 to exchange heat with the phase change energy storage material in the second energy storage tank 102. In this way, the water can obtain heat from the phase change energy storage energy in the first energy storage tank 101 and the second energy storage tank 102 in a short time, instead of relying solely on a single phase change material to slowly release heat, which greatly speeds up the heating speed and solves the problem of slow heat release and insufficient heating rate of the phase change material.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present application, a thermostatic valve 106 is further provided at the water outlet, so that water passes through the thermostatic valve 106 before flowing out of the water outlet; the first heat exchange pipeline 103 is also connected to the thermostatic valve 106 at a position after the flow sensor 109; the first water path and the second water path can be adjusted to a constant temperature water supply through the thermostatic valve 106, wherein the first water path, from the water inlet to the flow sensor 109, to the first heat exchange pipeline 103, to the reversing valve 105, to the thermostatic valve 106, To the water outlet; the second water path, from the water inlet to the flow sensor 109, to the first heat exchange pipeline 103, to the reversing valve 105, to the second heat exchange pipeline 104, to the thermostatic valve 106, to the water outlet; the cold water entering through the water inlet and the hot water output both pass through the thermostatic valve 106 for constant temperature adjustment so that they can output constant temperature. Specifically, when the water supply temperature of the first water path or the second water path is high, the cold water flow rate can be increased or the hot water flow rate can be decreased, or both can be adjusted at the same time so that they can output water at a constant temperature.

[0026] In one embodiment of the present application, a water heater includes: a first energy storage tank 101 and a second energy storage tank 102; a first heat exchange pipeline 103 and a first heating element 107 are provided in the first energy storage tank 101; a second heat exchange pipeline 104 is provided in the second energy storage tank 102; a phase change energy storage material is also provided in the first energy storage tank 101 and / or the second energy storage tank 102; the first end of the first heat exchange pipeline 103 is connected to the first end of the second heat exchange pipeline 104 and the first end of the straight pipeline through a reversing valve 105; the second end of the second heat exchange pipeline 104 and the second end of the straight pipeline are connected to the water outlet; the second end of the first heat exchange pipeline 103 is connected to the water inlet through a flow sensor 109. A second heating element 108 is also provided between the thermostatic valve 106 and the water outlet. Thereby, the output positions of the first water path and the second water path can be heated again, wherein the first water path, such as Figure 4 As shown, from the water inlet to the flow sensor 109, to the first heat exchange pipeline 103, to the reversing valve 105, to the thermostatic valve 106, to the second heating element 108, to the water outlet; the second water path, as shown Figure 5 As shown, from the water inlet to the flow sensor 109, to the first heat exchange pipeline 103, to the reversing valve 105, to the second heat exchange pipeline 104, to the thermostatic valve 106, to the second heating element 108, to the water outlet, the temperature of the output water circuit can be further guaranteed.

[0027] It should be noted that the energy storage boxes in the present application can be arranged in multiples according to usage requirements. For example, in some application scenarios with higher water consumption, more energy storage boxes can be arranged in parallel, and the energy storage materials of multiple energy storage boxes can be used to heat the heat exchange pipeline, so that it can quickly and continuously provide a large amount of heat.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present application, the first energy storage box 101 and the second energy storage box 102 are both provided with an insulation layer 111. The insulation layer 111 prevents the energy of the first energy storage box 101 and the second energy storage box 102 from escaping to the outside, so that the energy storage material in the energy storage box maintains a high temperature.

[0029] Furthermore, the first energy storage box 101 and the second energy storage box 102 are arranged side by side inside the shell 100; the shell is used to provide protection for the energy storage box, and the shell can be made of metal material or plastic material, such as glass fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) material, which is also called GFRP, i.e. fiber reinforced plastic. In addition, the insulation layer 111 can be combined with the shell 100, such as the insulation layer 111 can be used as an interlayer in the shell 100, or can be arranged on the outer layer of the shell 100, or can be arranged on the inner layer of the shell.

[0030] It should be noted that FRP is a composite material, generally refers to reinforced plastics with glass fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester, epoxy resin and phenolic resin matrix, with glass fiber or its products as reinforcing materials, called glass fiber reinforced plastics, or FRP, which is different from tempered glass.

[0031] In one embodiment of the present application, the first energy storage box 101 and the second energy storage box 102 are arranged in close proximity, and a heat-conducting wall 112 is provided between the two. The heat-conducting wall 112 may be made of a heat-conducting phase change material (PC), which is a heat-enhanced polymer, and may conduct the heat of the first energy storage box 101 to the second energy storage box 102.

[0032] Furthermore, a temperature control element 110 is provided inside the first energy storage box 101, and the heating condition inside the first energy storage box 101 is controlled by the temperature control element 110. When the temperature inside the first energy storage box 101 reaches a preset temperature, the heating can be stopped. For example, the heating temperature can be set to 65°C to 90°C, preferably 85°C, etc. The phase change energy storage material is a liquid high calorific value material, including water, oils, and esters. In the present application, water can be preferably used as the energy storage material of the first energy storage box 101.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present application, a water heater and a control method are also disclosed. The control method is used to control the water heater to switch the water path according to the water use event, such as Figure 6 As shown, the control method comprises: Obtaining a single water consumption according to a preset flow sensor 109; By comparing the single water consumption with the preset threshold, it is determined whether it is a large water consumption event; If it is a large water usage event, the reversing valve 105 will switch from the first water path to the second water path consisting of the water inlet to the flow sensor 109, to the first heat exchange pipeline 103, to the reversing valve 105, to the second heat exchange pipeline 104, and to the water outlet.

[0034] It also includes that if it is a small water use event, the first water path is maintained through the reversing valve 105, and the first water path includes sequentially from the water inlet to the flow sensor 109, to the first heat exchange pipeline 103, to the reversing valve 105, to the water outlet.

[0035] It should be noted that the first water path and the second water path may further include a thermostatic valve 106 and a second heating element 108. Figure 7 As shown, the second waterway is as follows Figure 8 shown.

[0036] As an example, Figures 1 to 4As shown, the water heater is mainly composed of a first energy storage box 101, a second energy storage box 102, a reversing valve 105, a shell 100, a thermostatic valve 106, a first heating element 107, and a second heating element 108.

[0037] The first energy storage box 101 and the second energy storage box 102 are arranged closely together so that heat can be transferred between the first energy storage box 101 and the second energy storage box 102. Naturally, the two can be arranged horizontally side by side or stacked up and down; the energy storage boxes are provided with a thermal insulation layer 111 on the outside to reduce heat loss and save energy.

[0038] The first energy storage box 101 also includes a first heating element 107 and a temperature control element 110. The energy storage box is filled with energy storage materials, such as liquid high calorific value materials, such as water, oils, and esters. In this article, water is preferably used as the energy storage material of the first energy storage box 101.

[0039] The heating element is disposed inside the first energy storage box 101, with the effective heating portion close to the bottom, for heating the energy storage material of the first energy storage box 101 and improving the heating efficiency.

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, the temperature control element 110 is used to control the temperature of the first energy storage box 101. When the first heating element 107 heats, the temperature of the energy storage material in the first energy storage box 101 continues to rise. When the temperature reaches the set value T0 of the temperature control element 110, the temperature control element 110 disconnects the power supply, prompting the first heating element 107 to stop heating; when the temperature of the energy storage material drops to the set value T0 of the temperature control element 110 minus the hysteresis temperature TX, the temperature control element 110 connects the power supply, prompting the first heating element 107 to start heating again, and so on. Among them, the set value T0 of the temperature control element 110 is generally set to 65°C~90°C, and the hysteresis temperature TX is generally set to 3°C~12°C.

[0041] In a specific embodiment, in order to save costs, the heating element and the circulation pump are eliminated from the interior of the second energy storage box 102, and another energy storage material, such as a phase change material with a high calorific value, is installed in the second energy storage box 102. The heat storage of this material relies on the first heating element 107 of the first energy storage box 101 to perform indirect heat transfer and energy storage.

[0042] like Figure 3 As shown, because the first energy storage box 101 and the second energy storage box 102 are closely arranged, the heat between the two will be transferred to each other through the heat transfer wall. When the temperature of the energy storage material in the first energy storage box 101 increases, the heat will be transferred to the energy storage material in the second energy storage box 102, so that the temperature of the energy storage material in the second energy storage box 102 is also increased, thereby achieving the common energy storage of the two energy storage boxes by relying on the first heating element 107.

[0043] like Figure 4 As shown, a first heat exchange pipeline 103 is provided in the first energy storage tank 101, a second heat exchange pipeline 104 is provided in the second energy storage tank 102, and a reversing valve 105 is provided between the first heat exchange pipeline 103 and the second heat exchange pipeline 104. In the initial state of the reversing valve 105, the water does not flow through the second energy storage tank 102, but only flows through the first energy storage tank 101. A flow sensor 109 is provided on the water inlet waterway, and the water consumption is read according to the flow sensor, and the single cumulative metering is reset after the single water consumption stops. A thermostatic valve 106 is provided at the end of the heat exchange pipeline (i.e., the outlet end) to mix the cold water and hot water flowing into it to the required temperature. A second heating element 108 is provided at the rear end of the thermostatic valve 106 to heat the water flowing through it.

[0044] like Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, a small water consumption event: for example, when a user washes his hands, the water consumption is small (water consumption ≤ threshold V0), at this time, the reversing valve 105 does not act and maintains the initial state, and the first water path is as follows Figure 7 The water flows in from the water inlet, passes through the flow sensor 109, part of the cold water enters the thermostatic valve 106, and part of the cold water enters the first heat exchange pipeline 103. The water entering the first heat exchange pipeline 103 becomes hot water after heat exchange, and enters the thermostatic valve 106 through the reversing valve. The cold and hot water entering the thermostatic valve 106 are mixed, and the mixed water reaching the specified temperature flows out of the thermostatic valve 106 and flows into the second heating element 108, so that the temperature of the mixed water rises again to the bathing temperature.

[0045] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, a large water consumption event: for example, when a user takes a shower, the water consumption is large (water consumption > threshold V0), at this time, the reversing valve 105 is activated, and the second heat exchange pipeline 104 is connected to the water circuit. Figure 7 The water flows in from the water inlet, passes through the flow sensor 109, and part of the cold water enters the thermostatic valve 106, and part of the cold water enters the first heat exchange pipeline 103. The water entering the first heat exchange pipeline 103 becomes hot water after heat exchange, passes through the reversing valve 105 to the second heat exchange pipeline 104, and then enters the thermostatic valve 106. The cold and hot water entering the thermostatic valve 106 are mixed, and the mixed water reaching the specified temperature flows out of the thermostatic valve 106 and flows into the second heating element 108, so that the temperature of the mixed water rises again to the bathing temperature.

[0046] The beneficial effects of the present invention include: the present invention provides a heat exchange electric water heater capable of realizing multi-energy storage, which can not only increase the heat energy release of the water heater and improve the bathing comfort of users, but also reduce the number of phase changes of phase change materials and improve the life of the product. Not only does it utilize phase change materials for high calorific value energy storage, but it also solves the life problem caused by frequent phase change energy storage and release of phase change materials. Through the solution of the present application, the water used for bathing is no longer traditional stored water, but fresh and clean water, which improves the bathing comfort of users. By combining the heating element and water tank energy storage at the end, the product's ability to produce hot water is greatly improved.

[0047] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referenced to each other.

[0048] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art may make additional changes and modifications to these embodiments once they have learned the basic creative concept. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments and all changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0049] Finally, it should be noted that, in this article, relational terms such as first and second, etc. are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or terminal device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or terminal device. In the absence of further restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "comprise a ..." do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or terminal device including the elements.

[0050] The water heater and control method provided by the present invention are introduced in detail above. Specific examples are used in this article to illustrate the principle and implementation mode of the present invention. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method of the present invention and its core idea. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, according to the idea of ​​the present invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation mode and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

Claims

1. A water heater, characterized in that: include: Sequentially from the water inlet to the flow sensor, to the first heat exchange pipeline, to the reversing valve, to the first water path of the water outlet; A second water path is formed from the water inlet to the flow sensor, to the first heat exchange pipeline, to the reversing valve, to the second heat exchange pipeline, and to the water outlet in sequence; The first heat exchange pipeline is arranged in the first energy storage box, and the second heat exchange pipeline is arranged in the second energy storage box; Phase change energy storage material is also provided in the first energy storage box and / or the second energy storage box; The first water channel and the second water channel are switched by the reversing valve.

2. The water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that: A thermostatic valve is also provided at the water outlet; The first heat exchange pipeline is also connected to the thermostatic valve at a position after the flow sensor.

3. The water heater according to claim 2, characterized in that: A second heating element is also provided between the thermostatic valve and the water outlet.

4. The water heater according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that: The first energy storage box and the second energy storage box are both provided with a thermal insulation layer on the outside.

5. The water heater according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that: The first energy storage box and the second energy storage box are arranged side by side inside the shell.

6. The water heater according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first energy storage box and the second energy storage box are arranged in close proximity, and a heat-conducting wall is provided between the two.

7. The water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that: A temperature control element is also provided inside the first energy storage box.

8. The water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that: The phase change energy storage material is a liquid high calorific value material, including water, oil or ester.

9. A method for controlling a water heater, characterized in that: include: Obtain single water consumption based on the preset flow sensor; By comparing the single water consumption with the preset threshold, it is determined whether it is a large water consumption event; If there is a large water usage event, the reversing valve will switch from the first water path to the second water path consisting of a water inlet to a flow sensor, a first heat exchange pipeline, a reversing valve, a second heat exchange pipeline, and a water outlet.

10. The control method according to claim 9, characterized in that: It also includes that if it is a small water usage event, the first water path is maintained through the reversing valve, and the first water path includes sequentially from the water inlet to the flow sensor, to the first heat exchange pipeline, to the reversing valve, to the water outlet.

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