Water heater and control method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a water heater and a control method thereof. The water heater comprises an inner container used for containing water; the heating element is used for heating water in the inner container; the water inlet pipe and the water outlet pipe extend into the inner container; the water heater is provided with a water inlet, a water outlet and a water outlet; the water outlet can be communicated with a water outlet pipe; the water outlet can be communicated with a water outlet pipe; the valve element is used for controlling the communicating state of the water outlet and the water outlet pipe and has a first state for communicating the water outlet and the water outlet pipe and a second state for blocking the water outlet and the water outlet pipe, and when the valve element is in the first state, water in the inner container is discharged out of the water heater through the water outlet pipe and the water outlet; water in the water supply pipeline enters the inner container through the water inlet and the water inlet pipe. According to the application, the convenience and the intelligent degree of updating the water in the inner container can be improved, and the use experience of a user is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of water heaters, and particularly to a water heater and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Existing water heaters mainly include: gas water heaters, heat pump water heaters, solar water heaters, electric water heaters, etc. Among them, a water heater provided with a water tank (or called an inner tank) having a certain water storage capacity is a storage water heater.

[0003] For a storage water heater, users may not use it for a long time due to certain special reasons (such as business trips, vacations, vacant houses, etc.). When the water in the inner tank is not used for a long time, it is in a static state without flow, and problems such as bacteria breeding and odor generation are likely to occur. After a long period of not using water, users need to drain the water in the inner tank before using water again to update the water in the tank.

[0004] Currently, the existing method for draining the water in the inner tank is mainly achieved by operating a drain valve provided on the inner tank. Specifically, when operating the drain valve, first, the user needs to remove the maintenance cover outside the drain valve, then connect the drain valve to the corresponding drain pipe, and finally open the drain valve for drainage. The whole process requires manual operation by the user, which is time-consuming and laborious, and the user experience is poor.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to propose a water heater and a control method thereof to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Aiming at the defects existing in the prior art, the embodiments of the present invention provide a water heater and a control method thereof, which can at least improve the convenience and intelligence of updating the water in the inner tank and improve the user experience.

[0007] The specific technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention is as follows:

[0008] A water heater, the water heater comprising: an inner tank for containing water; a heating element provided on the inner tank for heating the water in the inner tank; an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe provided on the inner tank and extending into the inner tank; the water heater having a water inlet, a water outlet, and a drain outlet, the water inlet being used for allowing the water in the water supply pipeline to enter the water heater, the water outlet being used for outputting the water in the inner tank to a water usage point, and the drain outlet being used for draining the water in the inner tank to the outside of the water heater; the water inlet being communicated with the inlet pipe; the water outlet being capable of being communicated with the outlet pipe; the drain outlet being capable of being communicated with the outlet pipe; a valve element for controlling the communication state between the drain outlet and the outlet pipe, the valve element having a first state in which the drain outlet is communicated with the outlet pipe and a second state in which the drain outlet is blocked from the outlet pipe, when the valve element is in the first state, the water in the inner tank is drained to the outside of the water heater through the outlet pipe and the drain outlet, and the water in the water supply pipeline enters the inner tank through the water inlet and the inlet pipe.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the water heater has a drain channel, the drain outlet is communicated with the drain channel or the drain outlet is provided at the end of the drain channel.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the inlet of the drain channel is communicated with the outlet pipe, and the valve element is a switching valve provided on the drain channel.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the inlet of the drain channel is connected to a first channel between the outlet pipe and the water outlet.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the valve element is a switching valve provided on the first channel between the outlet pipe and the water outlet, when the switching valve is in the first state, the drain channel is communicated with the outlet pipe, and when the switching valve is in the second state, the drain channel is blocked from the outlet pipe.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the switching valve is a three-way switching valve, the three-way switching valve having a first interface communicated with the outlet pipe and receiving the water flowing out of the outlet pipe, a second interface communicated with the water outlet and delivering water to the water outlet, and a third interface communicated with the drain channel and delivering water to the drain channel; when the switching valve is in the first state, the first interface and the third interface are communicated, and when the switching valve is in the second state, the first interface and the second interface are communicated.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the water heater further has a three-way pressure relief valve disposed between the water inlet and the water inlet pipe. The pressure relief valve has a water inlet passage and a pressure relief passage. The pressure relief passage has a discharge port. The water inlet passage is used to connect the water inlet and the water inlet pipe. The pressure relief passage is used to connect the water inlet pipe and the discharge port when the pressure in the inner tank is greater than a preset pressure. The drain port is connected to the discharge port, or the drain port can be connected to the discharge port.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the water heater further includes a scale inhibitor unit and / or a filtration unit, and the scale inhibitor unit and / or the filtration unit are used to purify the water flowing out of the water inlet pipe.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the scale inhibitor unit and / or the filtration unit are disposed on the water inlet pipe and inside the inner tank, and at least part of the water flowing out of the water inlet pipe enters the inner tank through the scale inhibitor unit and / or the filtration unit.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the water heater further includes a filtration structure, and the filtration structure is disposed on the flow path between the water outlet pipe and the drain port.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the water heater further includes a water circuit module, and both the valve element and the drain channel are integrally disposed on the water circuit module.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the water heater further includes a controller, and a detection unit electrically connected to the controller. The detection unit includes any one or a combination of the following: a temperature detection element, a flow rate detection element, and a pressure detection element.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the water heater further includes a controller and a communication module electrically connected to the controller. The controller can transmit signals to the user's APP through the communication module.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the inner tank includes a first inner tank and a second inner tank sequentially arranged along the height direction. The first inner tank is communicated with the second inner tank. The water inlet pipe is provided with a first water inlet and a first water outlet. The water outlet pipe is provided with a second water inlet and a second water outlet. The water outlet pipe passes through the first inner tank and extends into the second inner tank. The first water outlet is located in the first inner tank, and the second water inlet is located in the second inner tank.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the water heater has a normal water usage mode and a live water mode. In the normal water usage mode, the outlet pipe is in communication with the water outlet, and the drain port is in a blocked state with respect to the outlet pipe. Water entering from the water inlet passes through the inlet pipe and enters the inner tank. The water in the inner tank flows through the outlet pipe and the water outlet to the water usage point. In the live water mode, the outlet pipe is in communication with the drain port. Water entering from the water inlet passes through the inlet pipe and enters the inner tank, and the water in the inner tank is discharged to the outside of the water heater through the outlet pipe and the drain port.

[0023] A control method for a water heater, the water heater including the water heater described in any one of the above. The control method includes: when a preset condition is satisfied, controlling the valve element to be in a first state so that the water in the inner tank is discharged to the outside of the water heater through the outlet pipe and the drain port, and the water in the water supply pipeline enters the inner tank through the water inlet and the inlet pipe.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the preset condition includes any one or a combination of the following: receiving a control instruction from the user to turn on the live water function, the water in the inner tank has not been used for a preset time or longer, and the water quality in the inner tank meets the condition for replacement.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the control method further includes: after the drain port has drained for a preset duration, controlling the valve element to be in a second state, where the preset duration is determined based on the volume of the inner tank and the flow rate of the drainage.

[0026] A water heater, the water heater comprising: an inner tank for containing water; a heating element provided on the inner tank for heating the water in the inner tank; an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe provided on the inner tank and extending into the inner tank; the water heater having a water inlet, a water outlet, and a drain outlet, the water inlet being used for allowing the water in the water supply pipeline to enter the water heater, the water outlet being used for outputting the water in the inner tank to a water-using point, and the drain outlet being used for draining the water in the inner tank to the outside of the water heater; the water inlet being capable of communicating with the outlet pipe; the drain outlet being capable of communicating with the inlet pipe; a first valve element for controlling the communication state between the drain outlet and the inlet pipe, and a second valve element for controlling the communication state between the water inlet and the outlet pipe, the first valve element having a first state in which the drain outlet is communicated with the inlet pipe and a second state in which the drain outlet is blocked from the inlet pipe, the second valve element having a third state in which the water inlet is communicated with the outlet pipe and a fourth state in which the water inlet is blocked from the outlet pipe, when the first valve element is in the first state and the second valve element is in the third state, the water in the inner tank is drained to the outside of the water heater through the inlet pipe and the drain outlet, and the water in the water supply pipeline enters the inner tank through the water inlet and the outlet pipe.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the water heater has a drain channel, the drain outlet is communicated with the drain channel or the drain outlet is provided at the end of the drain channel.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the inlet of the drain channel is communicated with the inlet pipe, and the first valve element is a first switching valve provided on the drain channel.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the inlet of the drain channel is connected to a second channel between the inlet pipe and the water inlet.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the first valve element is a first switching valve provided on the second channel between the inlet pipe and the water inlet, when the first switching valve is in the first state, the drain channel is communicated with the inlet pipe, and when the first switching valve is in the second state, the drain channel is blocked from the inlet pipe.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the first switching valve is a three-way switching valve. The three-way switching valve has a first interface that communicates with the water inlet pipe and receives the water flowing out of the water inlet pipe, a second interface that communicates with the water inlet and receives the water flowing into the water inlet, and a third interface that communicates with the drainage channel and conveys water to the drainage channel. When the first switching valve is in the first state, the first interface and the third interface are in communication, and the first interface and the second interface are in a blocked state. When the first switching valve is in the second state, the first interface and the second interface are in communication.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the water heater further has a three-way pressure relief valve disposed between the water inlet and the water inlet pipe. The pressure relief valve has a water inlet channel and a pressure relief channel. The pressure relief channel has a discharge port. The water inlet channel is used to communicate the water inlet and the water inlet pipe. The pressure relief channel is used to communicate the water inlet pipe with the discharge port when the pressure in the inner tank is greater than a preset pressure. The drain port is connected to the discharge port, or the drain port can be connected to the discharge port.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, a bypass flow channel is provided on the water heater to connect the water inlet and the water outlet pipe. One end of the bypass flow channel is connected to a second channel between the water inlet and the water inlet pipe, and the other end of the bypass flow channel is connected to a first channel between the water outlet and the water outlet pipe.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the second valve element is a second switching valve provided on the bypass flow channel. When the second switching valve is in a closed third state, the water inlet and the water outlet pipe are in communication. When the second switching valve is in an open fourth state, the water inlet and the water outlet pipe are in a blocked state.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the second valve element is a second switching valve provided on a second channel between the water inlet pipe and the water inlet. When the second switching valve is in the third state, the water inlet and the water outlet pipe are connected. When the second switching valve is in the fourth state, the water inlet and the water outlet pipe are blocked.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the second switching valve is a three-way switching valve, which has a first communication port communicating with the water inlet and receiving the water flowing out of the water supply pipeline, a second communication port communicating with the water inlet pipe and conveying water to the water inlet pipe, and a third communication port communicating with the bypass channel and conveying water to the bypass channel; when the second switching valve is in the third state, the first communication port and the third communication port are in communication, and the first communication port and the second communication port are in a blocked state; when the second switching valve is in the fourth state, the first communication port and the second communication port are in communication.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the second valve element is a second switching valve arranged on the first channel between the water outlet pipe and the water outlet. The water heater further includes a third valve element for controlling the communication state between the water inlet and the inner tank. When the second switching valve is in the third state, the water inlet is in communication with the water outlet pipe, and the third valve element is in an open state, and the water inlet is not in communication with the inner tank; when the second switching valve is in the fourth state, the water inlet is blocked from the water outlet pipe, and the third valve element is in a closed state, and the water inlet is in communication with the inner tank.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the second switching valve is a three-way switching valve, which has a first communication port communicating with the water outlet pipe and conveying water to the water outlet pipe, a second communication port communicating with the water outlet and conveying water to the water outlet, and a third communication port communicating with the bypass channel and receiving the water flowing out of the bypass channel; when the second switching valve is in the third state, the first communication port and the third communication port are in communication, and the first communication port and the second communication port are in a blocked state, and when the second switching valve is in the fourth state, the first communication port and the second communication port are in communication.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the water heater has a normal water use mode and a live water mode. In the normal water use mode, the water outlet pipe is in communication with the water outlet, the drain port is blocked from the water outlet pipe, the water entering from the water inlet enters the inner tank through the water inlet pipe, and the water in the inner tank flows to the water use point through the water outlet pipe and the water outlet; in the live water mode, the water inlet pipe is in communication with the drain port, the water entering from the water inlet enters the inner tank through the water outlet pipe, and the water in the inner tank is discharged to the outside of the water heater through the water inlet pipe and the drain port.

[0040] The technical solution of the present invention has the following remarkable beneficial effects:

[0041] In the embodiments provided by the present application, the water heater is provided with a valve element for controlling the communication state between the drain port and the water outlet pipe. Among them, the valve element has a first state in which the drain port is communicated with the water outlet pipe and a second state in which the drain port is blocked from the water outlet pipe. When the valve element is in the first state, the water in the inner tank is discharged to the outside of the water heater through the water outlet pipe and the drain port, and the water in the water supply pipeline enters the inner tank through the water inlet and the water inlet pipe, thereby updating the water in the inner tank of the water heater. The entire updating process only needs to switch the valve element from the second state in which the drain port is blocked from the water outlet pipe to the first state in which the drain port is communicated with the water outlet. This switching process is simple to operate and can be achieved through automatic control or by manually triggering the corresponding function keys. There is no need to disassemble and assemble the mechanical structure of the valve element, etc. Overall, the convenience and intelligence of updating the water in the inner tank are improved, and the user experience is enhanced.

[0042] 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 thereby in scope. Within the spirit and terms of the appended claims, the embodiments of the present invention include many variations, modifications, and equivalents. Features described and / or illustrated for one embodiment can be used in the same or similar way in one or more other embodiments, combined with the features in other embodiments, or substituted for the features in other embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure of the present invention in any way. Additionally, the shapes and proportional dimensions of the components in the drawings are only schematic and are used to assist in understanding the present invention, rather than specifically defining 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.

[0044] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the first water heater provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 2A It is a schematic structural diagram of the second water heater provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Figure 2B For Figure 2A It is a partial enlarged schematic diagram at position E in

[0047] Figure 3A It is a schematic structural diagram of the third water heater provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Figure 3B is Figure 3A a schematic structural diagram of a water circuit module of a water heater provided in

[0049] Figure 4 a schematic structural diagram of a fourth water heater provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 5 a schematic structural diagram of a fifth water heater provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Figure 6 a schematic structural diagram of a sixth water heater provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Figure 7 a schematic structural diagram of a seventh water heater provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Figure 8 a schematic structural diagram of an eighth water heater provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] Figure 9 a schematic structural diagram of a ninth water heater provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] Figure 10 a schematic structural diagram of a tenth water heater provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Figure 11 a schematic structural diagram of an eleventh water heater provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Figure 12 a schematic structural diagram of a twelfth water heater provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Figure 13 a schematic structural diagram of a thirteenth water heater provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] Figure 14 a schematic structural diagram of a fourteenth water heater provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] Figure 15 a step flowchart of a control method for a water heater provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0061] Explanation of reference numerals in the accompanying drawings of the present application specification:

[0062] 1, inner tank;

[0063] 11, first inner tank;

[0064] 12, second inner tank;

[0065] 2, heating element;

[0066] 3. Inlet pipe;

[0067] 31. First water inlet;

[0068] 32. First water outlet;

[0069] 4. Outlet pipe;

[0070] 41. Second water inlet;

[0071] 42. Second water outlet;

[0072] 51. Water inlet;

[0073] 52. Water outlet;

[0074] 53. Drain outlet;

[0075] 54. First channel;

[0076] 55. Second channel;

[0077] 61. On-off valve;

[0078] 62. Three-way switching valve;

[0079] 621. First interface;

[0080] 622. Second interface;

[0081] 623. Third interface;

[0082] 63. Pressure relief valve;

[0083] 632. Pressure relief channel;

[0084] 6320. Discharge port;

[0085] 7. Drainage channel;

[0086] 8. Water treatment component

[0087] 81. Filter structure;

[0088] 9. Waterway module;

[0089] 91. Inlet interface;

[0090] 92. Outlet interface;

[0091] 64. First valve element;

[0092] 65. Second valve element;

[0093] 66. Third valve element;

[0094] 71. Bypass flow path. Detailed implementation manners

[0095] The technical solutions of the present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and not to limit the scope of the present invention. After reading the present invention, those skilled in the art will fall within the scope defined by the appended claims of this application for various equivalent modifications of the present invention.

[0096] 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 "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation manner.

[0097] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field to which this application belongs. The terms used in the specification of this application herein are only for the purpose of describing specific implementation manners and are not intended to limit this application. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0098] The present invention provides a water heater and its control method, which can improve the convenience and intelligence of updating the water in the inner tank and improve the user experience.

[0099] Please refer to comprehensively Figures 1 to 9, in the embodiment of the specification of this application, a water heater is provided. The water heater may include: an inner tank 1 for containing water; a heating element 2 provided on the inner tank 1 for heating the water in the inner tank 1; an inlet pipe 3 and an outlet pipe 4 provided on the inner tank 1 and extending into the inner tank 1; the water heater has a water inlet 51, a water outlet 52, and a drain outlet 53. The water inlet 51 is used to allow the water in the water supply pipeline to enter the water heater. The water outlet 52 is used to output the water in the inner tank 1 to the water usage point. The drain outlet 53 is used to drain the water in the inner tank 1 to the outside of the water heater; the water inlet 51 is communicated with the inlet pipe 3; the water outlet 52 can be communicated with the outlet pipe 4; the drain outlet 53 can be communicated with the outlet pipe 4; a valve element for controlling the communication state between the drain outlet 53 and the outlet pipe 4. The valve element has a first state in which the drain outlet 53 is communicated with the outlet pipe 4 and a second state in which the drain outlet 53 is blocked from the outlet pipe 4. When the valve element is in the first state, the water in the inner tank 1 is drained to the outside of the water heater through the outlet pipe 4 and the drain outlet 53, and the water in the water supply pipeline enters the inner tank 1 through the water inlet 51 and the inlet pipe 3.

[0100] Among them, the water heater provided in the embodiment of this application mainly includes: an inner tank 1, a heating element 2, an inlet pipe 3, an outlet pipe 4, a water inlet 51, a water outlet 52, a drain outlet 53, a valve element, etc.

[0101] In this embodiment, the water heater is a storage water heater provided with an inner tank 1. Among them, the specific form of the storage water heater may include any one of the following: an electric water heater, a heat pump water heater, a solar water heater, etc. In the embodiment of this application, the storage water heater mainly takes an electric water heater as an example for illustration. Other forms of storage water heaters can refer to the description of the embodiment of this application, and this application will not elaborate on them one by one here.

[0102] The inner tank 1 can be a hollow thin-walled structure, and an inner cavity for storing water is formed inside the inner tank 1. The volume of the inner cavity corresponds to the capacity of the water heater, and the volume of the inner cavity can specifically be 40 liters, 60 liters, 80 liters, 100 liters, etc. Among them, the number of the inner tanks 1 can be one, two, or even more. For example Figures 1 to 6 , mainly shows an embodiment including one inner tank. For example Figures 7 to 9 , mainly shows an embodiment including two inner tanks (a first inner tank 11 and a second inner tank 12).

[0103] The heating element 2 can be arranged on the inner tank 1 for heating the water in the inner tank 1. When the storage water heater is an electric water heater, the heating element 2 of the storage water heater can be in the form of at least one electric heating rod. Of course, the specific form of the heating element 2 is not limited to the above examples, and it can also be in other forms.

[0104] A water inlet pipe 3 and a water outlet pipe 4 are penetrated through the inner tank 1. The water inlet pipe 3 and the water outlet pipe 4 can be respectively penetrated through the inner tank 1, and the water inlet pipe 3 and the water outlet pipe 4 can be located at different positions; or, the water inlet pipe 3 and the water outlet pipe 4 can also be penetrated through the inner tank 1 in a way of being sleeved inside and outside, and the positions where the water inlet pipe 3 and the water outlet pipe 4 are installed on the inner tank 1 have an overlapping part. In the attached drawings provided by the present application, mainly the example where the water inlet pipe 3 and the water outlet pipe 4 are respectively penetrated through the inner tank 1 is taken for illustration.

[0105] The water heater has a water inlet 51, a water outlet 52, and a drain port 53. Among them, the water inlet 51 is communicated with the water inlet pipe 3, and the water in the water supply pipeline can flow into the inner tank 1 through the water inlet 51 and the water inlet pipe 3. The water outlet 52 can be communicated with the water outlet pipe 4, and the water in the inner tank 1 can be output to the water usage point through the water outlet pipe 4 and the water outlet 52. The drain port 53 can also be communicated with the water outlet pipe 4. When the water heater needs to update the water in the inner tank 1, the drain port 53 is communicated with the water outlet pipe 4, so as to discharge the water in the inner tank 1 outwards through the drain port 53.

[0106] In the embodiment of the present application, a valve element is used to control the communication state between the drain port 53 and the water outlet pipe 4. The valve element has a first state of communicating the drain port 53 with the water outlet pipe 4 and a second state of blocking the drain port 53 from the water outlet pipe 4. When the valve element is in the first state, the water in the inner tank 1 is discharged to the outside of the water heater through the water outlet pipe 4 and the drain port 53, and the water in the water supply pipeline enters the inner tank 1 through the water inlet 51 and the water inlet pipe 3, so as to update the water in the inner tank 1 of the water heater. The whole updating process only needs to switch the valve element from the second state of blocking the drain port 53 from the water outlet pipe 4 to the first state of communicating the drain port 53 with the water outlet pipe 4. This switching process is simple to operate and can be realized through automatic control or by manually triggering the corresponding function key, without disassembling and assembling the mechanical structure of the valve element, etc. Overall, the convenience and intelligence of updating the water in the inner tank 1 are improved, and the user experience is enhanced.

[0107] The present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with specific drawings and embodiments.

[0108] Please refer to Figure 1 or Figure 2A, in some embodiments, the water heater has a drainage channel 7, and the drain port 53 is in communication with the drainage channel 7 or the drain port 53 is provided at the end of the drainage channel 7.

[0109] In this embodiment, the water heater may be provided with a drainage channel 7, which is mainly used to drain the water to be discharged in the inner tank 1 to a designated position, such as a sewer pipe, a floor drain, etc. The drain port 53 may be an opening (not shown in the figure) on the first channel 54 between the outlet pipe 4 and the water outlet 52. Among them, the drainage channel 7 may be in communication with the drain port 53 of the water heater. The drainage channel 7 may be a detachable pipe. Along the water flow direction, an inlet is formed at the head end of the drainage channel 7, and the inlet may be connected to the drain port 53 of the water heater. An outlet is formed at the end of the drainage channel 7, and the position of the outlet may be installed according to the position where the user can drain water.

[0110] Or, as Figure 1 shown, the drainage channel 7 may be maintained in a connected state with the water heater. Among them, the drain port 53 may be provided at the end of the drainage channel 7. When the water in the inner tank 1 needs to be updated, the water in the inner tank 1 can pass through the outlet pipe 4 and the drainage channel 7 and be discharged out through the drain port 53.

[0111] As Figure 1 shown, in the first embodiment, the inlet of the drainage channel 7 is in communication with the outlet pipe 4, and the valve element is a switch valve 61 provided on the drainage channel 7.

[0112] In this embodiment, the valve element may specifically be in the form of a switch valve 61. The switch valve 61 may specifically be a normally closed solenoid valve, or the switch valve 61 may also be in other forms.

[0113] When the water in the inner tank 1 needs to be updated, the switch valve 61 is switched from the off state to the closed state, so as to be able to connect the drain port 53 with the outlet pipe 4, and further enable the water in the inner tank 1 to be discharged out through the outlet pipe 4, the drainage channel 7, and the drain port 53.

[0114] Among them, the water heater may be provided with a controller. The switch valve 61 may be electrically connected to the controller. When the water in the inner tank 1 needs to be updated, a corresponding control instruction is sent to the switch valve 61 through the controller to change the state of the switch valve 61, that is, to switch the switch valve 61 from the off state to the closed state, so as to realize the update of the water in the inner tank 1. Overall, the operation is convenient and is conducive to improving the user experience.

[0115] Furthermore, the inlet of the drainage channel 7 is connected to the first channel 54 between the outlet pipe 4 and the water outlet 52.

[0116] In this embodiment, a first channel 54 is provided outside the inner container 1. The water outlet pipe 4 and the water outlet 52 can be connected through the first channel 54. Specifically, the first channel 54 can be in the form of a hollow pipeline, or it can be in the form of a flow channel provided inside the waterway module 9. Of course, the specific form of the first channel 54 is not limited to the above examples, and those skilled in the art do not make specific limitations here.

[0117] As Figure 2A shown, in the second embodiment, the valve element is a switching valve provided on the first channel 54 between the water outlet pipe 4 and the water outlet 52. When the switching valve is in the first state, the drainage channel 7 is connected to the water outlet pipe 4, and when the switching valve is in the second state, the drainage channel 7 is blocked from the water outlet pipe 4.

[0118] In this embodiment, a switching valve can be provided on the first channel 54. The switching valve has at least two states (the first state and the second state). When the switching valve is in the first state, the drainage channel 7 can be connected to the water outlet pipe 4, and the water to be updated in the inner container 1 can be discharged outward through the water outlet pipe 4 and the drainage channel 7. When the switching valve is in the second state, the drainage channel 7 can be blocked from the water outlet pipe 4 to ensure that the water in the inner container 1 can be output outward through the water outlet pipe 4 and the water outlet 52 for the user.

[0119] Please refer to Figure 2B , specifically, the switching valve can be a three-way switching valve. When the switching valve is a three-way switching valve, the three-way switching valve has a first interface 621 that is connected to the water outlet pipe 4 and receives the water flowing out of the water outlet pipe 4, a second interface 622 that is connected to the water outlet 52 and conveys water to the water outlet 52, and a third interface 623 that is connected to the drainage channel 7 and conveys water to the drainage channel 7. When the switching valve is in the first state, the first interface 621 and the third interface 623 are connected, and when the switching valve is in the second state, the first interface 621 is connected to the second interface 622.

[0120] In this embodiment, the switching valve can be a three-way switching valve. When the switching valve is a three-way switching valve, it can include a first interface 621, a second interface 622, and a third interface 623. Of course, the switching valve can also be in the form of a multi-way switching valve with more interfaces. Specifically, the form of the switching valve can be different according to the different positions of the pipelines where it is specifically installed. Under the inspiration of the technical essence of this application, other changes may also be made, but as long as the functions and effects it realizes are the same or similar to those of this application, they should all be covered within the protection scope of this application. In the embodiment of this application, the three-way switching valve is taken as an example for elaboration.

[0121] In the direction of the water flow, the first interface 621 of the three-way switching valve can be located downstream of the water outlet pipe 4. The first interface 621 is communicated with the water outlet pipe 4 and is used to receive the water flowing out of the inner tank 1 through the water outlet pipe 4 for supplying to the user.

[0122] In the direction of the water flow, the second interface 622 of the three-way switching valve can be located upstream of the water outlet 52. The second interface 622 is communicated with the water outlet 52 and is used to output to the water outlet 52 the water flowing out of the inner tank 1 through the water outlet pipe 4 for supplying to the user.

[0123] In the direction of the water flow channel, the third interface 623 of the three-way switching valve can be located upstream of the drainage channel 7 and is used to receive the water to be updated flowing out of the inner tank 1 through the water outlet pipe 4.

[0124] The three-way switching valve includes a first state and a second state. When the three-way switching valve is in the first state, the first interface 621 and the third interface 623 are communicated, and the water to be updated in the inner tank 1 can flow through the water outlet pipe 4 and the drainage channel 7 and then be discharged outwards.

[0125] When the three-way switching valve is in the second state, the first interface 621 is communicated with the second interface 622, and the water in the inner tank 1 flows through the water outlet pipe 4, the first channel 54, and the water outlet 52 to supply the user.

[0126] Please refer to Figure 1 , in some embodiments, the water heater further has a three-way pressure relief valve 63 disposed between the water inlet 51 and the water inlet pipe 3. The pressure relief valve 63 has a water inlet channel and a pressure relief channel 632. The pressure relief channel 632 has a discharge port 6320. The water inlet channel is used to communicate the water inlet 51 and the water inlet pipe 3. The pressure relief channel 632 is used to communicate the water inlet pipe 3 and the discharge port 6320 when the pressure in the inner tank 1 is greater than a preset pressure. The drain port 53 is communicated with the discharge port 6320, or the drain port 53 can be communicated with the discharge port 6320.

[0127] For the water heater, its inner tank 1 is in a pressure-bearing state during the working state. When the pressure in the inner tank 1 exceeds the preset pressure, the pressure in the inner tank 1 can be discharged outwards through the pressure relief valve 63. Wherein, the preset pressure is the standard pressure to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the inner tank 1.

[0128] In the embodiments of the present application, the structure of the pressure relief valve 63 can be utilized to realize the operation of updating the water in the inner tank 1 by using the pressure relief channel 632 of the pressure relief valve 63.

[0129] Specifically, the pressure relief valve 63 can be a three-way pressure relief valve 63 disposed between the water inlet 51 and the water inlet pipe 3. The pressure relief valve 63 has a water inlet passage and a pressure relief passage 632. Among them, the water inlet passage is used to connect the water inlet 51 and the water inlet pipe 3 to ensure that the water flowing into the water inlet 51 can be supplied into the inner tank 1 through the water inlet pipe 3. In the direction of the water flow, the end of the pressure relief passage 632 can be a discharge port 6320. When the pressure in the inner tank 1 is greater than the preset pressure, the water inlet pipe 3 can be connected to the discharge port 6320, so that the excessive pressure in the inner tank 1 can be discharged outward through the discharge port 6320.

[0130] As Figure 1 shown, for the embodiment in which the drain port 53 is disposed at the end of the drain passage 7, the drain port 53 can be directly connected to the pressure relief passage 632, as Figure 3A shown, so that the drain port 53 is always connected to the discharge port 6320.

[0131] For the embodiment in which the drain port 53 is disposed at the opening of the first passage 54 between the water outlet pipe 4 and the water outlet 52 (not shown in the figure), when the valve element is in the first state, the drain port 53 is connected to the discharge port 6320.

[0132] As Figure 3A shown, in the third embodiment, the end of the drain passage 7 can be connected to the pressure relief passage 632. When the valve element is in the first state, the drain passage 7 is in a connected state, and the drain port 53 is connected to the discharge port 6320. The water that needs to be updated in the inner tank 1 can be discharged outward through the water outlet pipe 4, the drain passage 7, and the pressure relief passage 632.

[0133] In this embodiment, since the drain passage 7 borrows the current pressure relief passage 632 of the water heater, the overall structure of the machine can be made compact. Moreover, since the pressure relief passage 632 itself is connected to the sewer, floor drain, etc., there is no need to additionally provide pipelines connecting to the drain pipe, floor drain, etc. This can not only reduce costs, but also be integrated with the pressure relief valve 63, pressure relief passage 632, etc.

[0134] Please refer to Figure 3B , in some embodiments, the water heater may further include a water circuit module 9, and the valve element and the drain passage 7 are both integrally disposed on the water circuit module 9.

[0135] Specifically, the waterway module 9 can be integrated with valve elements and a drainage channel 7. In addition, the waterway module 9 can also be integrated with a pressure relief valve 63, a pressure relief channel 632, a first channel 54 disposed between the water outlet pipe 4 and the water outlet 52, a second channel 55 disposed between the water inlet 51 and the water inlet pipe 3, a water inlet 51, and a water outlet 52. By highly integrating the above-mentioned valve elements, drainage channel 7, pressure relief valve 63, pressure relief channel 632, first channel 54, and second channel 55, not only can the normal pressure relief and drainage functions of the waterway be ensured, but also the components outside the inner tank 1 can be miniaturized and concentrated in a housing with a relatively small volume.

[0136] By providing the waterway module 9, the installation convenience of the water heater can also be improved. The waterway module 9 is provided with a water inlet interface 91 and a water outlet interface 92. When installing the waterway module 9, it is only necessary to connect the water inlet interface 91 to the water inlet pipe 3 and the water outlet interface 92 to the water outlet pipe 4 respectively, and connect the integrally provided water inlet 51 to the water supply pipeline and the water outlet 52 to the water using pipeline.

[0137] In addition, a controller for controlling the opening and closing state of the valve element and a communication module for communicating with the outside can be independently provided in the waterway module 9.

[0138] A function key for one-key flushing can be provided outside the waterway module 9. When it is necessary to update the water in the inner tank 1, the valve element can be made to be in a first state by operating the function key, so that the water in the inner tank 1 is discharged to the outside of the water heater through the water outlet pipe 4, the drainage channel 7, and the pressure relief channel 632, and the water in the water supply pipeline enters the inner tank 1 through the water inlet 51 and the water inlet pipe 3.

[0139] Alternatively, the waterway module 9 can also be provided with a communication module. The controller can communicate with the user's APP through the communication module. When the user sends a control instruction for opening the flushing function to the controller through the APP, the controller can control the valve element to be in a first state, so that the water in the inner tank 1 is discharged to the outside of the water heater through the water outlet pipe 4, the drainage channel 7, and the pressure relief channel 632, and the water in the water supply pipeline enters the inner tank 1 through the water inlet 51 and the water inlet pipe 3.

[0140] Alternatively, a control program for switching the working state of the valve element is also stored in the controller. When the preset conditions stored in the control program are met, the valve element is controlled to be in a first state, so that the water in the inner tank 1 is discharged to the outside of the water heater through the water outlet pipe 4 and the drain port 53, and the water in the water supply pipeline enters the inner tank 1 through the water inlet 51 and the water inlet pipe 3.

[0141] Please refer toFigure 4 , in the fourth embodiment, the water heater may further include a water treatment component 8, which is used to purify the water flowing out of the water inlet pipe 3, that is, to purify the water flowing into the inner tank 1. Specifically, the water treatment component 8 may include at least one of a scale inhibitor unit and a filtration unit. Specifically, the scale inhibitor unit and / or the filtration unit are arranged on the water inlet pipe 3 and inside the inner tank 1, and at least part of the water flowing out of the water inlet pipe 3 enters the inner tank 1 through the scale inhibitor unit and / or the filtration unit. Of course, the water treatment unit may also include other forms capable of purifying water.

[0142] As Figure 4 shown, taking the water treatment component 8 including a scale inhibitor unit and a filtration unit as an example for illustration, in other embodiments, for example, the water treatment component 8 may only include a scale inhibitor unit, or may only include a filtration unit, or may also include other forms of embodiments, which can refer to the embodiments listed in the specification of the present application, and the present application will not be described in detail here one by one.

[0143] Specifically, the scale inhibitor unit and the filtration unit are arranged on the water inlet pipe 3 and inside the inner tank 1, and at least part of the water flowing out of the water inlet pipe 3 enters the inner tank 1 through the scale inhibitor unit and the filtration unit.

[0144] Since the water may contain calcium, magnesium and other ions, scale will be formed during use. Especially in the field of water heaters, since the water needs to be heated during use, scale is more likely to be formed. In order to prevent water from scaling, scale inhibitors are usually used to treat the water. Among them, the scale inhibitor unit may specifically be in the form of scale inhibitor particles. A cavity for installing the scale inhibitor particles may be provided at the position of the water inlet pipe 3 inside the inner tank 1. The cavity is provided with flow holes, and the water flowing from the water inlet pipe 3 into the inner tank 1 can flow through the cavity containing the scale inhibitor particles and then into the inner tank 1, so as to use the scale inhibitor unit to perform scale inhibition treatment on the water flowing out of the water inlet pipe 3 and prevent calcium ions and magnesium ions from reacting with CO3 2- reacting.

[0145] The filtration unit may specifically be a filter screen or various filter element forms. When the filtration unit is in the form of a filter screen, the filter screen can be used to intercept particulate impurities and prevent them from entering the inner tank 1. In addition, when the filtration unit is in the form of various filter elements, different functions can be realized according to the specific form of the filter element. For example, the filtration unit may include a filter element prepared from one or more composite layers of ultrafiltration membranes, nanofiltration membranes, reverse osmosis membranes, and PP cotton. When water flows through the filtration unit, it can be purified.

[0146] Of course, the specific form of the filtering unit may also be other ways and is not limited to the above description. Those skilled in the art may make other changes under the inspiration of the technical essence of this application. However, as long as the functions and effects achieved are the same as or similar to those of this application, they should all be covered by the protection scope of this application.

[0147] Please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 . In the fifth to sixth embodiments, the water heater further includes a filtering structure 81. The filtering structure 81 can be arranged on the flow path between the water outlet pipe 4 and the valve element, and the filtering structure 81 is used to filter the water to be updated in the inner tank 1, especially to prevent impurities from entering the valve element and affecting the reliability of the valve element.

[0148] As Figure 5 shown, in the fifth embodiment, the water heater further includes a filtering structure 81. The filtering structure 81 can be arranged on the drainage channel 7, and the filtering structure 81 is used to filter the water to be updated in the inner tank 1, especially to prevent impurities from entering the valve element and affecting the reliability of the valve element. Specifically, the filtering structure 81 can be in the form of a detachable filter screen. The filter screen can intercept particulate impurities in the water to be updated flowing out of the inner tank 1, preventing the particulate impurities from entering the valve element and causing fouling of the valve element. When the filtering structure 81 is in the form of a detachable filter screen, it can be conveniently replaced after being used for a period of time.

[0149] As Figure 6 shown, in the sixth embodiment, the filtering structure 81 can also be arranged on the first channel 54 between the water outlet pipe 4 and the drainage channel 7. The specific form of the filtering structure 81 can refer to the specific description of the fifth embodiment above. In addition, since the filtering structure 81 is arranged on the first channel 54, it can also intercept impurities in the water output from the inner tank 1 to the water outlet 52 when the water heater is supplying water normally.

[0150] In some embodiments, the water heater may further include a controller, and a detection unit electrically connected to the controller. The detection unit includes any one or a combination of the following: a temperature detection element, a flow detection element, and a pressure detection element.

[0151] In this embodiment, the water heater can include a controller and a detection unit electrically connected to the controller, and the state switching of the valve element is controlled by using the signals detected by the detection unit.

[0152] Specifically, the detection unit may include at least one of a temperature detector, a flow detector, and a pressure detector. Among them, the temperature detector is used to detect the water temperature in the inner tank 1. The number of the temperature detectors may be one or more. When there are multiple temperature detectors, they may be distributed at intervals along the height direction in the inner tank 1, so as to detect the water temperature at different water levels in the inner tank 1, and then accurately obtain the water temperature in the inner tank 1.

[0153] The flow detector is used to detect whether the water in the inner tank 1 is output outward. Specifically, the flow detector may be arranged at any position capable of detecting whether the water in the inner tank 1 is output outward. For example, the flow detector may be arranged at the water outlet 52.

[0154] The pressure detector is used to detect the pressure fluctuation in the inner tank 1. For example, the pressure detector can be used to ensure that the inner tank 1 is maintained within a safe pressure range. When it is detected by the pressure detector that the pressure in the inner tank 1 is greater than the preset pressure, the pressure relief valve 63 can be opened for pressure relief. In addition, the pressure detector can also be used to detect whether the water in the inner tank 1 is output outward. Because when the water in the inner tank 1 is output outward, the pressure in the inner tank 1 will fluctuate, and the pressure fluctuation signal detected by the pressure detector can identify whether the water in the inner tank 1 is output outward.

[0155] Of course, the specific form of the detection unit is not limited to the above description. Those skilled in the art may make other changes under the inspiration of the technical essence of this application, but as long as the functions and effects achieved are the same or similar to those of this application, they should be covered within the protection scope of this application.

[0156] When the detection unit is any one or a combination of a temperature detector, a flow detector, and a pressure detector, the detection unit can utilize the existing temperature detector, flow detector, and pressure detector in the water heater without additional setting.

[0157] Please refer to Figure 7 、 Figure 8 and Figure 9 In the seventh to ninth embodiments, in the inner tank 1, a first inner tank 11 and a second inner tank 12 are sequentially arranged along the height direction, the first inner tank 11 is communicated with the second inner tank 12, the water inlet pipe 3 is provided with a first water inlet 31 and a first water outlet 32, the water outlet pipe 4 is provided with a second water inlet 41 and a second water outlet 42, the water outlet pipe 4 passes through the first inner tank 11 and extends into the second inner tank 12, the first water outlet 32 is located in the first inner tank 11, and the second water inlet 41 is located in the second inner tank 12.

[0158] In these embodiments, the inner container 1 includes a first inner container 11 and a second inner container 12 arranged in sequence along the height direction. Among them, the second inner container 12 can be located above the first inner container 11. The first inner container 11 and the second inner container 12 can be horizontally placed inner containers. The first inner container 11 and the second inner container 12 can be connected and communicated through a connecting pipe arranged between the two. Among them, at least one of the first inner container 11 and the second inner container 12 is provided with a heating element 2. As Figures 7 to 9 shown, heating elements 2 can be respectively provided in the first inner container 11 and the second inner container 12.

[0159] The water inlet pipe 3 can be a hollow pipe body, which has a first water inlet 31 and a first water outlet 32. Among them, the first water outlet 32 is located in the first inner container 11, and the first water inlet 31 can be connected to the second channel 55.

[0160] The water outlet pipe 4 can be a hollow pipe body, which has a second water inlet 41 and a second water outlet 42. The water outlet pipe 4 passes through the first inner container 11 and extends into the second inner container 12, and the second water inlet 41 is located in the second inner container 12.

[0161] For the specific settings such as the water circuit, valve elements and water circuit connection relationship outside the first inner container 11, reference can be made to the above-described embodiments with one inner container.

[0162] As Figure 7 shown, in the seventh embodiment, for the specific settings such as the water circuit, valve elements and water circuit connection relationship outside the first inner container 11, reference can be made to the specific descriptions of the first embodiment or the second embodiment, and the present application will not elaborate here.

[0163] As Figure 8 shown, in the eighth embodiment, for the specific settings such as the water circuit, valve elements and water circuit connection relationship outside the first inner container 11, reference can be made to the specific description of the third embodiment, and the present application will not elaborate here.

[0164] As Figure 9 shown, in the ninth embodiment, for the specific settings such as the water circuit, valve elements and water circuit connection relationship outside the first inner container 11, reference can be made to the specific description of the third embodiment, and the present application will not elaborate here.

[0165] In addition, the water heater can further include a water treatment component 8, such as at least one of a scale inhibition unit and a filtration unit. The scale inhibition unit and / or the filtration unit are used to purify the water flowing out of the water inlet pipe 3. Specifically, for the water treatment component 8, reference can be made to the specific description of the fourth embodiment, and the present application will not elaborate here.

[0166] In some embodiments of the present application, the water heater has a normal water usage mode and a live water mode. In the normal water usage mode, the outlet pipe 4 is in communication with the water outlet 52, and the drain port 53 is in a blocked state with respect to the outlet pipe 4. Water entering from the water inlet 51 enters the inner tank 1 through the inlet pipe 3, and the water in the inner tank 1 flows to the water usage point through the outlet pipe 4 and the water outlet 52. In the live water mode, the outlet pipe 4 is in communication with the drain port 53. Water entering from the water inlet 51 enters the inner tank 1 through the inlet pipe 3, and the water in the inner tank 1 is discharged to the outside of the water heater through the outlet pipe 4 and the drain port 53.

[0167] In this embodiment, the water heater includes a normal water usage mode and a live water mode. The live water mode is set for the scenario where the water in the inner tank 1 needs to be updated. When the water in the inner tank 1 needs to be updated, the water heater can be made to enter the live water mode, thereby automatically updating the water in the inner tank 1, and further improving the convenience and intelligence of updating the water in the inner tank 1, and enhancing the user experience.

[0168] Specifically, in the normal water usage mode, the outlet pipe 4 is in communication with the water outlet 52, and the drain port 53 is in a blocked state with respect to the outlet pipe 4. Water entering from the water inlet 51 enters the inner tank 1 through the inlet pipe 3, and the water in the inner tank 1 flows to the water usage point through the outlet pipe 4 and the water outlet 52.

[0169] In the live water mode, the outlet pipe 4 is in communication with the drain port 53. Water entering from the water inlet 51 enters the inner tank 1 through the inlet pipe 3, and the water in the inner tank 1 is discharged to the outside of the water heater through the outlet pipe 4 and the drain port 53, thereby realizing the update of the water in the inner tank 1, preventing the water in the inner tank 1 from standing still for a long time, breeding bacteria, and generating odors.

[0170] Please refer to Figure 15 , in the embodiments of the present application, a control method for a water heater is further provided. The water heater includes the water heater described in any of the above, and the control method may include:

[0171] Step S10: When a preset condition is met, control the valve element to be in the first state, so that the water in the inner tank 1 is discharged to the outside of the water heater through the outlet pipe 4 and the drain port 53, and the water in the water supply pipeline enters the inner tank 1 through the water inlet 51 and the inlet pipe 3.

[0172] Among them, the preset conditions may include any one or a combination of the following: receiving a control instruction for the user to turn on the live water function, or the water in the inner tank 1 has not been used for more than or equal to a preset time, or the water quality in the inner tank 1 meets the condition for replacement.

[0173] When the preset condition includes receiving a control instruction for the user to turn on the live water function, for the water heater, it can be provided with a function key capable of turning on the live water function. When the user triggers this function key, a control instruction for turning on the live water function can be sent to the controller. Specifically, the way to trigger this function key can be achieved by touching the function key, or by pressing the function key, or by remote control, or by the user operating the APP.

[0174] Of course, the way to trigger this function key can also be other ways, not limited to the above description. Those skilled in the art may make other changes under the inspiration of the technical essence of this application, but as long as the functions and effects achieved are the same or similar to those of this application, they should all be covered within the protection scope of this application.

[0175] When the preset condition includes that the water in the inner tank 1 has reached the preset time without being used, the time when the water in the inner tank 1 has not been used can be judged separately or comprehensively through signals such as the on / off status of the water heater, the temperature, flow rate, and pressure in the water heater.

[0176] The duration of the water in the inner tank 1 not being used has different judgment principles according to different judgment conditions.

[0177] For example, when judging based on the flow rate, when the duration of no flow signal being detected at the water outlet 52 reaches the preset duration, it can indicate that the water in the inner tank 1 has not been used for more than the preset duration.

[0178] For example, when judging based on the pressure, when no pressure fluctuation reaching the preset pressure fluctuation signal is detected in the inner tank 1 within the preset duration, it can indicate that the water in the inner tank 1 has not been used for more than the preset time.

[0179] For example, when making a judgment based on the water temperature, take the case where the water heater is in the on state. When the water heater is in the on state, the heating element 2 is in the energized state. Under normal circumstances, the water temperature in the inner tank 1 first continuously rises. When the water temperature in the water heater reaches the set outlet water temperature of the user, the water in the inner tank 1 is in the heat preservation state. Generally, the temperature fluctuation range of the water in the heat preservation state is within a predetermined temperature range. If the set outlet water temperature of the user is T, then when the water in the inner tank 1 drops to T - A, the heating element 2 will be started to heat the water in the inner tank 1. Overall, the water temperature in the inner tank 1 fluctuates between T - A and T. Among them, the value of A can also be a preset value, for example, it can be 4 degrees Celsius, 5 degrees Celsius, etc. Of course, the specific value setting of A is not specifically limited in this application. If it is detected that the water temperature in the inner tank 1 has been maintained between T - A and T for more than a predetermined time, it can indicate that the water in the inner tank 1 has not been used for more than a predetermined time.

[0180] Take the case where the water heater is in the off state. When the water heater is in the off state, if the user does not use water, the water temperature in the water heater will slowly drop at a predetermined rate of decrease. If it is detected that the water temperature in the inner tank 1 has been slowly dropping at a predetermined rate of decrease for more than a predetermined time and there is no sudden drop, it can indicate that the water in the inner tank 1 has not been used for more than a predetermined time.

[0181] When the preset condition includes that the water quality in the inner tank 1 meets the condition that needs to be replaced, a water quality detection unit for detecting the water quality can be provided in the inner tank 1. When the water quality detection unit detects that the water quality in the inner tank 1 has exceeded the standard, for example, the amount of bacteria has reached the preset value, the control valve element can be made to be in the first state so that the water in the inner tank 1 is discharged to the outside of the water heater through the water outlet pipe 4 and the drain port 53, and the water in the water supply pipeline enters the inner tank 1 through the water inlet 51 and the water inlet pipe 3.

[0182] Among them, the preset value corresponding to the water quality, for example, the preset value of the amount of bacteria, can be data pre - stored in the controller, and its specific value is not specifically limited in this application. In addition, the preset value can be adjusted accordingly according to the needs of the user.

[0183] Overall, the control method of the water heater provided by this application can automatically update the water in the inner tank 1 by monitoring the usage situation of the water in the inner tank 1, the water quality conditions in the inner tank 1, etc., avoiding the user using stale water with excessive bacteria and strange smells when forgetting to update. In addition, by adjusting the judgment conditions, the water quality situation in the inner tank 1 can be reasonably controlled to prevent excessive bacteria growth in the water in the inner tank 1, which may cause pollution to the inner tank 1 and require a large amount of water to flush the inner tank 1 during subsequent updates.

[0184] Further, the control method may further include:

[0185] Step S12: After the drainage at the drain port 53 reaches a preset duration, control the valve element to be in the second state, where the preset duration is determined according to the volume of the inner tank 1 and the drainage flow rate.

[0186] In this embodiment, when the drainage at the drain port 53 reaches the preset duration, it can indicate that the water in the current inner tank 1 has been updated. At this time, the valve element can be controlled to be in the second state, and the drain port 53 is blocked from the water outlet pipe 4. Among them, the preset duration can be determined according to the volume of the inner tank 1 and the drainage flow rate. Since the volume of the inner tank 1 is a known quantity, the drainage flow rate can be detected by a flow detection component. At this time, based on the above two known quantities, the duration required to update the water in one tank can be roughly calculated.

[0187] Taking the first to sixth embodiments of the present application as an example, the external new water is supplied into the inner tank 1 through the water inlet pipe 3, and the old water to be discharged in the inner tank 1 is discharged through the water outlet pipe 4. Since the first water outlet 32 of the water inlet pipe 3 is arranged near the bottom wall of the inner tank 1, and the second water outlet 42 of the water outlet pipe 4 is arranged near the bottom wall of the inner tank 1, when updating the water in the inner tank 1, the new water supplied by the lower water inlet pipe 3 can push the upper old water out of the inner tank 1 through the water outlet pipe 4. Overall, the amount of water required to update the inner tank 1 is close to the volume of the inner tank 1.

[0188] In addition, for the seventh to ninth embodiments of the present application, which include connecting the first inner tank 11 and the second inner tank 12, when determining the drainage time, the connected first inner tank 11 and second inner tank 12 can be equivalently regarded as a whole inner tank, and thus the method for determining the drainage time in the above first to sixth embodiments can be referred to.

[0189] Please refer to Figures 10 to 14, in some embodiments of the present application, a water heater is further provided. The water heater may include: an inner tank 1 for containing water; a heating element 2 disposed on the inner tank 1 for heating the water in the inner tank 1; a water inlet pipe 3 and a water outlet pipe 4 extending into the inner tank 1 on the inner tank 1; the water heater has a water inlet 51, a water outlet 52, and a drain port 53. The water inlet 51 is used to allow the water in the water supply pipeline to enter the water heater. The water outlet 52 is used to output the water in the inner tank 1 to the water usage point. The drain port 53 is used to drain the water in the inner tank 1 to the outside of the water heater; the water inlet 51 can be communicated with the water outlet pipe 4; the drain port 53 can be communicated with the water inlet pipe 3; a first valve element 64 for controlling the communication state between the drain port 53 and the water inlet pipe 3, and a second valve element 65 for controlling the communication state between the water inlet 51 and the water outlet pipe 4. The first valve element 64 has a first state in which the drain port 53 is communicated with the water inlet pipe 3 and a second state in which the drain port 53 is blocked from the water inlet pipe 3. The second valve element 65 has a third state in which the water inlet 51 is communicated with the water outlet pipe 4 and a fourth state in which the water inlet 51 is blocked from the water outlet pipe 4. When the first valve element 64 is in the first state and the second valve element 65 is in the third state, the water in the inner tank 1 is drained to the outside of the water heater through the water inlet pipe 3 and the drain port 53, and the water in the water supply pipeline enters the inner tank 1 through the water inlet 51 and the water outlet pipe 4.

[0190] Among them, the water heater provided in the embodiments of the present application mainly includes: an inner tank 1, a heating element 2, a water inlet pipe 3, a water outlet pipe 4, a water inlet 51, a water outlet 52, a drain port 53, a first valve element 64, a second valve element 65, etc.

[0191] In these embodiments, the specific functions and structures of the inner tank 1, the heating element 2, the water inlet pipe 3, the water outlet pipe 4, the water inlet 51, the water outlet 52, the drain port 53, etc. can be referred to Figures 1 to 9 For the specific descriptions corresponding to the above first to ninth embodiments, the present application will not elaborate herein.

[0192] The main difference from the above embodiments is that: when updating the water in the inner tank 1, the connection relationship of the water circuit is different from that of the above embodiments.

[0193] In the embodiments of the present application, the water heater is provided with a first valve element 64 and a second valve element 65. When updating the water in the inner tank 1, the new water flowing in from the water inlet 51 enters the inner tank 1 through the water outlet pipe 4, and then is discharged outwards through the water inlet pipe 3 and the drain port 53.

[0194] Specifically, the water inlet 51 can be connected to the outlet pipe 4; the drain outlet 53 can be connected to the inlet pipe 3. The first valve element 64 is used to control the connection state between the drain outlet 53 and the inlet pipe 3. The second valve element 65 is used to control the connection state between the water inlet 51 and the outlet pipe 4. The first valve element 64 has a first state in which the drain outlet 53 is connected to the inlet pipe 3 and a second state in which the drain outlet 53 is blocked from the inlet pipe 3. The second valve element 65 has a third state in which the water inlet 51 is connected to the outlet pipe 4 and a fourth state in which the water inlet 51 is blocked from the outlet pipe 4. When the first valve element 64 is in the first state and the second valve element 65 is in the third state, the water in the inner tank 1 is discharged to the outside of the water heater through the inlet pipe 3 and the drain outlet 53, and the water in the water supply pipeline enters the inner tank 1 through the water inlet 51 and the outlet pipe 4.

[0195] In one embodiment, the water heater has a drainage channel 7, and the drain outlet 53 is connected to the drainage channel 7 or the drain outlet 53 is provided at the end of the drainage channel 7.

[0196] In this embodiment, the water heater may have a drainage channel 7, which is mainly used to drain the water to be discharged in the inner tank 1 to a designated position, such as a sewer pipe, a floor drain, etc. The drain outlet 53 may be an opening (not shown in the figure) provided on the second channel 55 between the inlet pipe 3 and the water inlet 51. Wherein, the drainage channel 7 may be connected to the drain outlet 53 of the water heater. The drainage channel 7 may be a detachable pipe. In the water flow direction, an inlet is formed at the head end of the drainage channel 7, and the inlet may be connected to the drain outlet 53 of the water heater. An outlet is formed at the end of the drainage channel 7, and the position of the outlet may be correspondingly positioned according to the position where the user can drain water.

[0197] Or, as Figure 10 shown, the drainage channel 7 may be maintained in a connected state with the water heater, wherein the drain outlet 53 may be provided at the end of the drainage channel 7. When the water in the inner tank 1 needs to be updated, the water in the inner tank 1 can pass through the outlet pipe 4 and the drainage channel 7 and be discharged out through the drain outlet 53.

[0198] Please refer to Figure 10 、 Figure 11 or Figure 13 , in some embodiments, the inlet of the drainage channel 7 is connected to the inlet pipe 3, and the first valve element 64 may be a first on-off valve provided on the drainage channel 7.

[0199] In this embodiment, the first valve element 64 may specifically be in the form of a switching valve, which may specifically be a normally closed solenoid valve, or the switching valve may also be in other forms.

[0200] For the case where the drain port 53 is provided at the end of the drain channel 7, when the water in the inner tank 1 needs to be updated, the first switching valve switches from the open state to the closed state, so that the drain port 53 can be communicated with the water inlet pipe 3, and then the water in the inner tank 1 can be discharged outwards through the water inlet pipe 3, the drain channel 7, and the drain port 53.

[0201] Wherein, the water heater may be provided with a controller, and the first switching valve may be electrically connected to the controller. When it is necessary to update the water in the inner tank 1, a corresponding control instruction is sent to the switching valve 61 through the controller to change the state of the first switching valve, that is, the first switching valve is switched from the open state to the closed state, and at the same time, the second valve element 65 is controlled to communicate the water inlet 51 with the water outlet pipe 4, so that the water in the water supply pipeline can be supplied into the inner tank 1 through the water inlet 51 and the water outlet pipe 4, and the update of the water in the inner tank 1 can be realized. Overall, the operation is convenient, which is beneficial to improving the user experience.

[0202] Further, the inlet of the drain channel 7 is connected to the second channel 55 between the water inlet pipe 3 and the water inlet 51.

[0203] In this embodiment, a second channel 55 is provided outside the inner tank 1, and the water inlet pipe 3 and the water inlet 51 can be connected through the second channel 55. Specifically, the second channel 55 may be in the form of a hollow pipeline, or it may be in the form of a flow channel provided inside the waterway module 9. Of course, the specific form of the second channel 55 is not limited to the above examples, and those skilled in the art do not make specific limitations here.

[0204] As Figure 12 shown, in the twelfth embodiment, the first valve element 64 is a first switching valve provided on the second channel 55 between the water inlet pipe 3 and the water inlet 51. When the first switching valve is in the first state, the drain channel 7 is communicated with the water inlet pipe 3. When the first switching valve is in the second state, the drain channel 7 is blocked from the water inlet pipe 3.

[0205] In this embodiment, a first switching valve may be provided on the second channel 55. The first switching valve has at least two states (a first state and a second state). When the first switching valve is in the first state, the drainage channel 7 can be connected to the water inlet pipe 3, and the water to be updated in the inner tank 1 can be discharged outward through the water inlet pipe 3 and the drainage channel 7. When the first switching valve is in the second state, the drainage channel 7 can be blocked from the water outlet pipe 4, ensuring that the water in the inner tank 1 can be supplied to the user through the water outlet pipe 4 and the water outlet 52.

[0206] Specifically, the first switching valve may be a three-way switching valve. The three-way switching valve has a first interface connected to the water inlet pipe 3 and receiving the water flowing out of the water inlet pipe 3, a second interface connected to the water inlet 51 and receiving the water flowing into the water inlet 51, and a third interface connected to the drainage channel 7 and conveying water to the drainage channel 7. When the first switching valve is in the first state, the first interface and the third interface are connected, and the first interface and the second interface are in a blocked state. When the first switching valve is in the second state, the first interface and the second interface are connected.

[0207] Among them, the specific structural setting of the three-way switching valve can refer to the Figure 2B specific description of the three-way switching valve in the second embodiment above, and the present application will not elaborate here.

[0208] As Figures 10 to 13 shown, in some embodiments, the water heater further has a three-way pressure relief valve provided between the water inlet 51 and the water inlet pipe 3. The pressure relief valve 63 has a water inlet channel and a pressure relief channel 632. The pressure relief channel 632 has a discharge port 6320. The water inlet channel is used to connect the water inlet 51 and the water inlet pipe 3. The pressure relief channel 632 is used to connect the water inlet pipe 3 and the discharge port 6320 when the pressure in the inner tank 1 is greater than a preset pressure. The drain port 53 is connected to the discharge port 6320, or the drain port 53 can be connected to the discharge port 6320.

[0209] For the water heater, its inner tank 1 is in a pressurized state during the working state. When the pressure in the inner tank 1 exceeds the preset pressure, the pressure in the inner tank 1 can be discharged outward through the pressure relief valve 63. Among them, the preset pressure is the standard pressure to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the inner tank 1.

[0210] In the embodiment of the present application, the structure of the pressure relief valve 63 can be utilized to realize the operation of updating the water in the inner tank 1 by using the pressure relief channel 632 of the pressure relief valve 63.

[0211] Specifically, the pressure relief valve 63 can be a three-way pressure relief valve disposed between the water inlet 51 and the water inlet pipe 3. The pressure relief valve 63 has a water inlet passage and a pressure relief passage 632. Among them, the water inlet passage is used to connect the water inlet 51 and the water inlet pipe 3 to ensure that the water flowing into the water inlet 51 can be supplied into the inner tank 1 through the water inlet pipe 3. In the direction of the water flow, the end of the pressure relief passage 632 can be a discharge port 6320. When the pressure in the inner tank 1 is greater than the preset pressure, the water inlet pipe 3 can be connected to the drain port 53, so as to discharge the excessive pressure in the inner tank 1 through the drain port 53 to the outside.

[0212] As Figure 10 shown, for the embodiment in which the drain port 53 is disposed at the end of the drain passage 7, the drain port 53 can be directly connected to the pressure relief passage 632, as Figure 11 shown, so that the drain port 53 is always connected to the discharge port 6320.

[0213] For the embodiment in which the drain port 53 can be an opening disposed on the second passage 55 (not shown in the figure), when the first valve element 64 is in the first state, the drain port 53 is connected to the discharge port 6320.

[0214] The first valve element 64 can be electrically connected to the controller. When it is necessary to update the water in the inner tank 1, the controller can control the first valve element 64 to be in the first state.

[0215] In some embodiments, a bypass flow channel 71 is provided on the water heater to connect the water inlet 51 and the water outlet pipe 4. One end of the bypass flow channel 71 is connected to the second channel 55 between the water inlet 51 and the water inlet pipe 3, and the other end of the bypass flow channel 71 is connected to the first channel 54 between the water outlet 52 and the water outlet pipe 4.

[0216] The bypass flow channel 71 can specifically be in the form of a hollow pipe body. Of course, the bypass flow channel 71 can also be a hollow flow channel integrally provided in the water circuit module 9. The bypass flow channel 71 can be used to connect the first channel 54 and the second channel 55.

[0217] Please refer to Figure 14 , in the fourteenth embodiment, the second valve element 65 can be a second on-off valve disposed on the bypass flow channel 71. When the second on-off valve is in the closed third state, the water inlet 51 is connected to the water outlet pipe 4. When the second on-off valve is in the open fourth state, the water inlet 51 and the water outlet pipe 4 are in a blocked state.

[0218] When the second valve element 65 is in the form of a second switching valve, the second switching valve may specifically be a normally closed solenoid valve, or the second switching valve may also be in other forms.

[0219] When the water in the inner tank 1 needs to be updated, the second switching valve is switched from the open state to the closed state, so that the water inlet 51 can be communicated with the water outlet pipe 4, and further the water supplied from the outside to the water inlet 51 can be supplied into the inner tank 1 through the bypass flow channel 71 and the water outlet pipe 4.

[0220] Among them, the water heater may be provided with a controller, and the first valve element and the second switching valve can both be electrically connected to the controller. When the water in the inner tank 1 needs to be updated, corresponding control instructions are sent to the first valve element and the second switching valve through the controller to control the first valve element to make the water inlet 51 communicate with the water outlet pipe 4, and at the same time switch the state of the second switching valve, that is, switch the second switching valve from the open state to the closed state, so as to realize the update of the water in the inner tank 1. The overall operation is convenient and is beneficial to improving the user experience.

[0221] As Figure 12 shown, in the twelfth embodiment, the second valve element 65 is a second switching valve provided on a second channel 55 between the water inlet pipe 3 and the water inlet 51. When the second switching valve is in the third state, the water inlet 51 is communicated with the water outlet pipe 4, and when the second switching valve is in the fourth state, the water inlet 51 is blocked from the water outlet pipe 4.

[0222] Specifically, the second switching valve may be a three-way switching valve. The three-way switching valve has a first communication port that communicates with the water inlet 51 and receives the water flowing out of the water supply pipeline, a second communication port that communicates with the water inlet pipe 3 and conveys water to the water inlet pipe 3, and a third communication port that communicates with the bypass flow channel 71 and conveys water to the bypass flow channel 71. When the second switching valve is in the third state, the first communication port and the third communication port are communicated, and the first communication port and the second communication port are in a blocked state. When the second switching valve is in the fourth state, the first communication port and the second communication port are communicated.

[0223] As Figure 13As shown, in the thirteenth embodiment, the second valve element 65 is a second switching valve disposed on the first passage 54 between the water outlet pipe 4 and the water outlet 52. The water heater further includes a third valve element 66 for controlling the communication state between the water inlet 51 and the inner tank 1. When the second switching valve is in the third state, the water inlet 51 is in communication with the water outlet pipe 4, and the third valve element 66 is in an open state, and the water inlet 51 is not in communication with the inner tank 1; when the second switching valve is in the fourth state, the water inlet 51 is blocked from the water outlet pipe 4, and the third valve element 66 is in a closed state, and the water inlet 51 is in communication with the inner tank 1.

[0224] Wherein, when the third valve element 66 can be in the form of a switching valve, the third valve element 66 can specifically be a normally open solenoid valve, or the third valve element 66 can also be in other forms.

[0225] Wherein, the second switching valve can be a three-way switching valve. The three-way switching valve has a first communication port in communication with the water outlet pipe 4 and delivering water to the water outlet pipe 4, a second communication port in communication with the water outlet 52 and delivering water to the water outlet 52, and a third communication port in communication with the bypass channel 71 and receiving water flowing out of the bypass channel 71; when the second switching valve is in the third state, the first communication port and the third communication port are in communication, and the first communication port and the second communication port are in a blocked state. When the second switching valve is in the fourth state, the first communication port and the second communication port are in communication.

[0226] Wherein, the specific structural setting of the three-way switching valve can refer to the Figure 2B specific description of the three-way switching valve in the above second embodiment, and the present application will not elaborate herein.

[0227] Both the third valve element 66 and the second valve element 65 can be electrically connected to the controller. When it is necessary to update the water in the inner tank 1, the controller can control the second valve element 65 to be in the third state and control the third valve element 66 to be in an open state.

[0228] In some embodiments of the present application, the water heater has a normal water usage mode and a live water mode. In the normal water usage mode, the outlet pipe 4 is in communication with the water outlet 52, and the drain port 53 is in a blocked state with respect to the outlet pipe 4. The water entering from the water inlet 51 enters the inner tank 1 through the inlet pipe 3, and the water in the inner tank 1 flows to the water usage point through the outlet pipe 4 and the water outlet 52. In the live water mode, the inlet pipe 3 is in communication with the drain port 53. The water entering from the water inlet 51 enters the inner tank 1 through the outlet pipe 4, and the water in the inner tank 1 is discharged to the outside of the water heater through the inlet pipe 3 and the drain port 53.

[0229] In this embodiment, the water heater includes a normal water usage mode and a live water mode. The live water mode is set for the scenario where the water in the inner tank 1 needs to be updated. When the water in the inner tank 1 needs to be updated, the water heater can be switched to the live water mode, so as to automatically update the water in the inner tank 1, thereby improving the convenience and intelligence of updating the water in the inner tank 1 and enhancing the user experience.

[0230] Specifically, in the normal water usage mode, the outlet pipe 4 is in communication with the water outlet 52, and the drain port 53 is in a blocked state with respect to the outlet pipe 4. The water entering from the water inlet 51 enters the inner tank 1 through the inlet pipe 3, and the water in the inner tank 1 flows to the water usage point through the outlet pipe 4 and the water outlet 52.

[0231] In the live water mode, the inlet pipe 3 is in communication with the drain port 53. The water entering from the water inlet 51 enters the inner tank 1 through the outlet pipe 4, and the water in the inner tank 1 is discharged to the outside of the water heater through the inlet pipe 3 and the drain port 53, thereby realizing the update of the water in the inner tank 1 and preventing the water in the inner tank 1 from standing for a long time, breeding bacteria, and generating odors.

[0232] It should be noted that in the description of the present application, the terms "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and to distinguish similar objects, and there is no sequence between them, nor can they be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. In addition, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more.

[0233] The above embodiments in this specification are all described in a progressive manner. The same or similar parts between the embodiments can be referred to each other, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments.

[0234] The above are only several embodiments of the present invention. Although the disclosed embodiments of the present invention are as above, the content is only the embodiments adopted for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, rather than for limiting the present invention. Any person skilled in the art belonging to the technical field of the present invention may make any modifications and changes in the form and details of the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed by the present invention. However, the scope of patent protection of the present invention shall still be subject to the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A water heater, characterized in that, The water heater includes: An inner tank for containing water; A heating element provided on the inner tank for heating the water in the inner tank; An inlet pipe and an outlet pipe extending into the inner tank are provided on the inner tank; The water heater has a water inlet, a water outlet, and a drain outlet. The water inlet is used to allow the water in the water supply pipeline to enter the water heater. The water outlet is used to output the water in the inner tank to the water usage point. The drain outlet is used to drain the water in the inner tank to the outside of the water heater; The water inlet is communicated with the inlet pipe; The water outlet can be communicated with the outlet pipe; The drain outlet can be communicated with the outlet pipe; A valve element for controlling the communication state between the drain outlet and the outlet pipe. The valve element has a first state in which the drain outlet is communicated with the outlet pipe and a second state in which the drain outlet is blocked from the outlet pipe. When the valve element is in the first state, the water in the inner tank is drained to the outside of the water heater through the outlet pipe and the drain outlet, and the water in the water supply pipeline enters the inner tank through the water inlet and the inlet pipe.

2. The water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water heater has a drain channel, and the drain outlet is communicated with the drain channel or the drain outlet is provided at the end of the drain channel.

3. The water heater according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inlet of the drain channel is communicated with the outlet pipe, and the valve element is a switching valve provided on the drain channel.

4. The water heater according to claim 3, wherein, The inlet of the drain channel is connected to a first channel between the outlet pipe and the water outlet.

5. The water heater according to claim 2, wherein The valve element is a switching valve provided on the first channel between the outlet pipe and the water outlet. When the switching valve is in the first state, the drain channel is communicated with the outlet pipe. When the switching valve is in the second state, the drain channel is blocked from the outlet pipe.

6. The water heater according to claim 5, characterized in that, The switching valve is a three-way switching valve. The three-way switching valve has a first interface communicated with the outlet pipe and receiving the water flowing out of the outlet pipe, a second interface communicated with the water outlet and delivering water to the water outlet, and a third interface communicated with the drain channel and delivering water to the drain channel. When the switching valve is in the first state, the first interface and the third interface are communicated. When the switching valve is in the second state, the first interface is communicated with the second interface.

7. The water heater according to claim 2, characterized in that, The water heater further has a three-way pressure relief valve provided between the water inlet and the inlet pipe. The pressure relief valve has a water inlet channel and a pressure relief channel. The pressure relief channel has a discharge port. The water inlet channel is used to communicate the water inlet and the inlet pipe. The pressure relief channel is used to communicate the inlet pipe with the discharge port when the pressure in the inner tank is greater than a preset pressure. The drain outlet is connected to the discharge port, or the drain outlet can be connected to the discharge port.

8. The water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water heater further includes a scale inhibitor unit and / or a filtration unit for purifying the water flowing out of the inlet pipe.

9. The water heater according to claim 8, characterized in that, The scale inhibitor unit and / or the filtration unit is provided on the inlet pipe and inside the inner tank, and at least part of the water flowing out of the inlet pipe enters the inner tank through the scale inhibitor unit and / or the filtration unit.

10. The water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water heater further includes a filtering structure, and the filtering structure is arranged on the flow path between the water outlet pipe and the valve element.

11. The water heater according to claim 2, wherein, The water heater further includes a water circuit module, and both the valve element and the drain channel are integrally arranged on the water circuit module.

12. The water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water heater further includes a controller, and a detection unit electrically connected to the controller. The detection unit includes any one or a combination of the following: a temperature detection element, a flow rate detection element, and a pressure detection element.

13. The water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that The water heater further includes a controller and a communication module electrically connected to the controller. The controller can transmit signals to the user's APP through the communication module.

14. The water heater according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that, The inner tank includes a first inner tank and a second inner tank arranged in sequence along the height direction. The first inner tank is communicated with the second inner tank. The water inlet pipe is provided with a first water inlet and a first water outlet. The water outlet pipe is provided with a second water inlet and a second water outlet. The water outlet pipe passes through the first inner tank and extends into the second inner tank. The first water outlet is located in the first inner tank, and the second water inlet is located in the second inner tank.

15. The water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water heater has a normal water use mode and a live water mode. In the normal water use mode, the water outlet pipe is in a communicating state with the water outlet, and the drain port is in a blocking state with the water outlet pipe. The water entering from the water inlet passes through the water inlet pipe and enters the inner tank. The water in the inner tank flows to the water use point through the water outlet pipe and the water outlet. In the live water mode, the water outlet pipe is in a communicating state with the drain port. The water entering from the water inlet passes through the water inlet pipe and enters the inner tank. The water in the inner tank is discharged to the outside of the water heater through the water outlet pipe and the drain port.

16. A control method for a water heater, characterized in that, The water heater includes the water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 15, and the control method includes: When preset conditions are met, control the valve element to be in a first state so that the water in the inner tank is discharged to the outside of the water heater through the water outlet pipe and the drain port, and the water in the water supply pipeline enters the inner tank through the water inlet and the water inlet pipe.

17. The control method of the water heater according to claim 16, characterized in that, The preset conditions include any one or a combination of the following: Receiving a control instruction for turning on the live water function by the user, the water in the inner tank has not been used for a preset time or more, and the water quality in the inner tank meets the condition for replacement.

18. The control method of the water heater according to claim 17, characterized in that, The control method further includes: after the drain port has drained for a preset duration, control the valve element to be in a second state, and the preset duration is determined according to the volume of the inner tank and the drainage flow rate.

19. A water heater, characterized in that, The water heater includes: An inner tank for containing water; A heating element arranged on the inner tank for heating the water in the inner tank; The inner tank is provided with a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe extending into the inner tank; The water heater has a water inlet, a water outlet, and a drain port. The water inlet is used for the water in the water supply pipeline to enter the water heater. The water outlet is used for outputting the water in the inner tank to the water use point. The drain port is used for discharging the water in the inner tank to the outside of the water heater; The water inlet can be communicated with the water outlet pipe; The drain port can be communicated with the water inlet pipe; The first valve element for controlling the communication state between the drain port and the water inlet pipe, The second valve element for controlling the communication state between the water inlet and the water outlet pipe, The first valve element has a first state in which the drain port is communicated with the water inlet pipe and a second state in which the drain port is blocked from the water inlet pipe, The second valve element has a third state in which the water inlet is communicated with the water outlet pipe and a fourth state in which the water inlet is blocked from the water outlet pipe, When the first valve element is in the first state and the second valve element is in the third state, the water in the inner tank is discharged to the outside of the water heater through the water inlet pipe and the drain port, and the water in the water supply pipeline enters the inner tank through the water inlet and the water outlet pipe.

20. The water heater according to claim 19, wherein: The water heater has a drainage channel, and the drain port is communicated with the drainage channel or the drain port is arranged at the end of the drainage channel.

21. The water heater according to claim 20, characterized in that: The inlet of the drainage channel is communicated with the water inlet pipe, and the first valve element is a first switching valve arranged on the drainage channel.

22. The water heater according to claim 21, wherein, The inlet of the drainage channel is connected to a second channel between the water inlet pipe and the water inlet.

23. The water heater according to claim 20, characterized in that, The first valve element is a first switching valve arranged on the second channel between the water inlet pipe and the water inlet. When the first switching valve is in the first state, the drainage channel is communicated with the water inlet pipe. When the first switching valve is in the second state, the drainage channel is blocked from the water inlet pipe.

24. The water heater according to claim 23, characterized in that, The first switching valve is a three-way switching valve. The three-way switching valve has a first interface communicated with the water inlet pipe and receiving the water flowing out of the water inlet pipe, a second interface communicated with the water inlet and receiving the water flowing into the water inlet, and a third interface communicated with the drainage channel and conveying water to the drainage channel. When the first switching valve is in the first state, the first interface and the third interface are communicated, and the first interface and the second interface are in a blocked state. When the first switching valve is in the second state, the first interface and the second interface are communicated.

25. The water heater according to claim 20, wherein, The water heater further has a three-way pressure relief valve arranged between the water inlet and the water inlet pipe. The pressure relief valve has a water inlet channel and a pressure relief channel. The pressure relief channel has a discharge port. The water inlet channel is used for communicating the water inlet and the water inlet pipe. The pressure relief channel is used for communicating the water inlet pipe with the discharge port when the pressure in the inner tank is greater than a preset pressure. The drain port is connected to the discharge port, or the drain port can be connected to the discharge port.

26. The water heater according to claim 20, characterized in that, A bypass flow channel for communicating the water inlet and the water outlet pipe is arranged on the water heater. One end of the bypass flow channel is connected to a second channel between the water inlet and the water inlet pipe, and the other end of the bypass flow channel is connected to a first channel between the water outlet and the water outlet pipe.

27. The water heater according to claim 26, wherein The second valve element is a second switching valve arranged on the bypass flow channel. When the second switching valve is in the closed third state, the water inlet is communicated with the water outlet pipe. When the second switching valve is in the open fourth state, the water inlet is blocked from the water outlet pipe.

28. The water heater according to claim 26, characterized in that, The second valve element is a second switching valve disposed on a second passage between the water inlet pipe and the water inlet, when the second switching valve is in a third state, the water inlet is in communication with the water outlet pipe, and when the second switching valve is in a fourth state, the water inlet is blocked from the water outlet pipe.

29. The water heater according to claim 28, wherein The second switching valve is a three-way switching valve, the three-way switching valve has a first communication port that communicates with the water inlet and receives water flowing out of the water supply pipeline, a second communication port that communicates with the water inlet pipe and conveys water to the water inlet pipe, and a third communication port that communicates with the bypass passage and conveys water to the bypass passage; when the second switching valve is in the third state, the first communication port and the third communication port are in communication, and the first communication port and the second communication port are in a blocked state; when the second switching valve is in the fourth state, the first communication port and the second communication port are in communication.

30. The water heater according to claim 26, wherein, The second valve element is a second switching valve disposed on a first passage between the water outlet pipe and the water outlet, and the water heater further includes a third valve element for controlling the communication state between the water inlet and the inner tank, when the second switching valve is in the third state, the water inlet is in communication with the water outlet pipe, the third valve element is in an open state, and the water inlet is not in communication with the inner tank; when the second switching valve is in the fourth state, the water inlet is blocked from the water outlet pipe, the third valve element is in a closed state, and the water inlet is in communication with the inner tank.

31. The water heater according to claim 30, wherein, The second switching valve is a three-way switching valve, the three-way switching valve has a first communication port that communicates with the water outlet pipe and conveys water to the water outlet pipe, a second communication port that communicates with the water outlet and conveys water to the water outlet, and a third communication port that communicates with the bypass passage and receives water flowing out of the bypass passage; when the second switching valve is in the third state, the first communication port and the third communication port are in communication, and the first communication port and the second communication port are in a blocked state, when the second switching valve is in the fourth state, the first communication port and the second communication port are in communication.

32. The water heater according to claim 19, wherein, The water heater has a normal water usage mode and a live water mode. In the normal water usage mode, the water outlet pipe is in communication with the water outlet, the drain port is blocked from the water outlet pipe, water entering from the water inlet passes through the water inlet pipe and enters the inner tank, and the water in the inner tank flows through the water outlet pipe and the water outlet to the water usage point; in the live water mode, the water inlet pipe is in communication with the drain port, water entering from the water inlet passes through the water outlet pipe and enters the inner tank, and the water in the inner tank is discharged to the outside of the water heater through the water inlet pipe and the drain port.

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