Water heater inner container and water heater

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a water heater inner container and a water heater. The water heater inner container comprises a shell, and the shell is filled with a phase change material; the heating device is at least partially arranged in the shell; the heat conduction structure is used for storing a heat conduction medium, and the heat conduction structure is arranged in the shell; the heat conducting structure can be used for transferring heat generated by the heating device to the phase change material far away from the heating device through the heat conducting medium; and the heat exchange tube is in contact with the phase change material and is used for heating water flowing through the heat exchange tube by the phase change material. The heat generated by the heating device can be transferred to the phase-change material far away from the heating device, so that the phase-change material close to the heating device and the phase-change material far away from the heating device can be effectively heated, the temperature uniformity of the phase-change material in the shell is improved, overtemperature failure caused by local overheating of the phase-change material is avoided, and the service life of the phase-change material is prolonged. And therefore, the heating efficiency of the to-be-heated water in the heat exchange pipe is improved, long-time waiting of a user is avoided, and the user experience is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of this specification relate to the technical field of water heater liners, and in particular, to a water heater liner and a water heater. Background Art

[0002] Affected by the size of the user's bathroom and the installation environment, the volume of the commonly used electric water heater liner generally does not exceed 100L. For example, the capacity of the household electric water heaters sold on the market is generally 60L. The ability of the electric water heaters with the above capacity to supply hot water is limited. Especially in winter, there are problems such as insufficient hot water volume or long heating time when users take a bath. In addition to ordinary electric heating storage water heaters, there are also some water heaters that are phase change heat exchange water heaters. The phase change water heater heats water by using a heat exchange tube to exchange heat and store energy with a phase change material. Before using water, the phase change material absorbs the heat of the heat source to store energy; when supplying water, the phase change material releases the stored energy to heat the cold water flowing in the heat exchange tube. However, the heat radiation ability of the phase change material is relatively limited, and the heat from the heat source is difficult to be evenly transferred to the phase change materials at different positions in the inner liner, resulting in uneven heating of the phase change materials, low heating efficiency for cold water, and prone to local overheating problems.

[0003] In view of this, the embodiments of this specification aim to provide a water heater liner and a water heater. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Aiming at the above problems of the prior art, the purpose of the embodiments of this specification is to provide a water heater liner and a water heater to solve the problem that the phase change materials near the heating device and the phase change materials far from the heating device in the water heater liner of the prior art are unevenly heated, resulting in low energy storage efficiency of the phase change materials.

[0005] To solve the above technical problems, the specific technical solutions of the embodiments of this specification are as follows:

[0006] In a first aspect, the embodiments of this specification provide a water heater liner, including:

[0007] A housing, in which a phase change material is filled;

[0008] A heating device, at least part of which is disposed in the housing;

[0009] A heat conduction structure for storing a heat conduction medium, which is disposed in the housing;

[0010] The heat conduction structure can be used to transfer the heat generated by the heating device to the phase change material far from the heating device through the heat conduction medium;

[0011] A heat exchange tube, which is in contact with the phase change material and is used to heat the water flowing through the heat exchange tube with the phase change material.

[0012] In some preferred embodiments, the fluidity of the heat-conducting medium is better than that of the phase change material.

[0013] In some preferred embodiments, the heat-conducting medium is in a liquid state within a predetermined temperature range.

[0014] In some preferred embodiments, the predetermined temperature range is greater than the solid-liquid phase change temperature of the phase change material and less than the vaporization temperature of the phase change material.

[0015] In some preferred embodiments, the heat-conducting medium includes water or oil.

[0016] In some preferred embodiments, the heat-conducting structure is in contact with the phase change material.

[0017] In some preferred embodiments, the heat-conducting structure has a receiving cavity, the heat-conducting medium is received in the receiving cavity, and can flow in the receiving cavity of the heat-conducting structure.

[0018] In some preferred embodiments, at least part of the heating device is close to the lower part of the heat-conducting structure, and the heat-conducting medium located in the lower part of the heat-conducting structure can flow upward to the upper part of the heat-conducting structure after being heated, so as to heat the phase change material far from the heating device.

[0019] In some preferred embodiments, the heating device is provided outside the heat-conducting structure, or the heating device is provided inside the heat-conducting structure, or part of the heating device is provided inside the heat-conducting structure and part is provided outside the heat-conducting structure.

[0020] In some preferred embodiments, the heating device includes a heating rod and a sleeve, and at least part of the heating rod extends into the sleeve; the inner cavity of the sleeve is communicated with the receiving cavity of the heat-conducting structure.

[0021] In some preferred embodiments, a first communication part is provided on the sleeve, and the first communication part communicates the inner cavity of the sleeve with the receiving cavity of the heat-conducting structure.

[0022] In some preferred embodiments, part of the sleeve penetrates into the heat-conducting structure and part is outside the heat-conducting structure; the first communication part is provided on the part of the sleeve located inside the heat-conducting structure, and the first communication part communicates the inner cavity of the sleeve and the receiving cavity of the heat-conducting structure.

[0023] In some preferred embodiments, the heating device is disposed through the heat conducting structure; the heat exchange tube is disposed through the heat conducting structure.

[0024] In some preferred embodiments, the heat conducting structure extends along the height and width directions of the housing, and the heat conducting structure has a predetermined thickness along the length direction of the housing; the heating device extends along the length direction of the housing; the heat exchange tube extends along the length direction of the housing.

[0025] In some preferred embodiments, both the heating device and the heat exchange tube pass through the heat conducting structure along the thickness direction of the heat conducting structure.

[0026] In some preferred embodiments, the heat conducting structure includes one or more box-shaped components for the heat conducting medium to flow through.

[0027] In some preferred embodiments, the box-shaped component is enclosed by a metal material.

[0028] In some preferred embodiments, heat conducting fins are provided between any two adjacent box-shaped components.

[0029] In some preferred embodiments, the heating device includes a heating rod and a sleeve, and at least a part of the heating rod extends into the sleeve; the box-shaped component is provided with an opening, and the sleeve is disposed through the opening and is hermetically connected to the opening.

[0030] In some preferred embodiments, a gap is left between the heating rod and the inner wall surface of the sleeve, and the heat conducting medium is filled in the gap.

[0031] In some preferred embodiments, the gap communicates with the inside of the box-shaped component.

[0032] In some preferred embodiments, a first communication portion is provided on the tube wall of the sleeve located inside the box-shaped component.

[0033] In some preferred embodiments, the first communication portion includes a first communication port and a second communication port formed on the tube wall of the sleeve, the first communication port is provided on the upper part of the tube wall of the sleeve, and the second communication port is provided on the lower part of the tube wall of the sleeve.

[0034] In some preferred embodiments, the first communication port and the second communication port are oppositely arranged, and the first communication port is located above the second communication port.

[0035] In some preferred embodiments, a first flanging is provided at the edge of the opening, and the first flanging is welded and sealed to the tube wall of the sleeve.

[0036] In some preferred embodiments, the first flanging faces the inside or the outside of the box-shaped component.

[0037] In some preferred embodiments, a first boss protruding towards the outside of the box-shaped component is provided on the outer shell of the box-shaped component.

[0038] In some preferred embodiments, the opening is provided on the first boss.

[0039] In some preferred embodiments, there are multiple heat exchange tubes, the multiple heat exchange tubes are arranged in parallel, and at least part of the heat exchange tubes penetrate through the box-shaped component.

[0040] In some preferred embodiments, the box-shaped component is provided with an opening, and the heat exchange tube penetrates through the box-shaped component through the opening and is hermetically connected to the box-shaped component.

[0041] In some preferred embodiments, a second flanging is provided at the edge of the opening, and the second flanging is hermetically welded to the tube wall of the heat exchange tube.

[0042] In some preferred embodiments, the second flanging faces the inside or the outside of the box-shaped component.

[0043] In some preferred embodiments, a second boss protruding towards the outside of the box-shaped component is provided on the outer shell of the box-shaped component.

[0044] In some preferred embodiments, the opening is provided on the second boss.

[0045] In some preferred embodiments, a second communication part is provided in the part of the heat exchange tube that penetrates through the box-shaped component and is close to the top of the box-shaped component and is located inside the box-shaped component, and the second communication part communicates the heat exchange tube and the inside of the box-shaped component.

[0046] In some preferred embodiments, a third communication part is provided in the part of another heat exchange tube that penetrates through the box-shaped component and is located inside the box-shaped component, and the third communication part communicates the heat exchange tube and the inside of the box-shaped component.

[0047] In some preferred embodiments, when the heat conduction structure includes multiple box-shaped components, a second communication part is provided in the part of each heat exchange tube that penetrates through the box-shaped component and is close to the top of the box-shaped component and is located inside each box-shaped component.

[0048] In some preferred embodiments, when the heat conduction structure includes a plurality of box-shaped components, a third communication portion is provided in a portion of another heat exchange tube passing through each box-shaped component and located inside each box-shaped component.

[0049] In some preferred embodiments, the second communication portion is used to discharge the gas inside the box-shaped component, the third communication portion is used to inject water into the box-shaped component, the second communication portion is located inside the housing and near the top of the housing, and the second communication portion is located above the third communication portion.

[0050] In some preferred embodiments, the third communication portion is located upstream of the second communication portion along the water flow direction in the heat exchange tube.

[0051] In some preferred embodiments, the second communication portion includes a third communication opening formed in the tube wall of the heat exchange tube, the third communication portion includes a fourth communication opening formed in the tube wall of the heat exchange tube, the third communication opening is located in the upper part of the heat exchange tube or above the liquid level of the box-shaped component.

[0052] In some preferred embodiments, the number of the heating devices is one or more.

[0053] In some preferred embodiments, the water heater inner tank further includes a first communication structure for communicating the heat exchange tubes.

[0054] In some preferred embodiments, the first communication structure is a U-shaped tube and / or a water collecting box.

[0055] In some preferred embodiments, the first communication structure is disposed inside or outside the housing.

[0056] In some preferred embodiments, the heating device extends into the accommodation cavity of the heat conduction structure, and the heat exchange tube does not penetrate the heat conduction structure.

[0057] In some preferred embodiments, the heat conduction structure includes one or more box-shaped components for the heat conduction medium to flow through.

[0058] In some preferred embodiments, when the heat conduction structure includes a plurality of box-shaped components, at least two of the box-shaped components are interconnected.

[0059] In some preferred embodiments, the heating device extends into at least one of the box-shaped components.

[0060] In some preferred embodiments, the heating device extends into one of the box-shaped components.

[0061] In some preferred embodiments, the box-shaped component extends along the height and length directions of the housing, and the box-shaped component has a predetermined thickness along the width direction of the housing; the heating device extends along the length direction of the housing; the heat exchange tube extends along the length direction of the housing.

[0062] In some preferred embodiments, the water heater inner tank further includes a first communication structure for communicating the heat exchange tubes.

[0063] In some preferred embodiments, the first communication structure is a U-shaped tube and / or a water collecting box.

[0064] In some preferred embodiments, the first communication structure is disposed inside or outside the housing.

[0065] In some preferred embodiments, the water heater inner tank further includes a second communication structure, which is disposed inside or outside the housing, and the second communication structure is used for communicating at least two box-shaped components.

[0066] In some preferred embodiments, the second communication structure includes an upper-side communication structure and a lower-side communication structure. The upper-side communication structure connects the upper sides of any two box-shaped components, and the lower-side communication structure connects the lower sides of any two box-shaped components.

[0067] In some preferred embodiments, the water heater inner tank further includes a third communication structure, which is disposed inside or outside the housing; the third communication structure is used for communicating the box-shaped component and the heat exchange tube.

[0068] In some preferred embodiments, the heat exchange tube and the box-shaped component are connected in series along the water flow direction to form a series flow path. The series flow path has a water inlet and a water outlet. When water is injected into the series flow path through the water inlet, the gas in the heat exchange tube and the box-shaped component is discharged from the water outlet.

[0069] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present specification provide a water heater, including any one of the water heater inner tanks provided by the above technical solutions.

[0070] In some preferred embodiments, the water heater further includes a water tank for holding water, and the water tank is connected in series and / or in parallel with the water heater inner tank.

[0071] With the above technical solution, a water heater inner tank and a water heater provided by the embodiments of the present specification can transfer the heat generated by the heating device to the phase change material far away from the heating device, so that the phase change materials near and far away from the heating device can be effectively heated, improving the temperature uniformity of the phase change material in the shell and avoiding over-temperature failure caused by local overheating of the phase change material; furthermore, it is beneficial to improve the heating efficiency of the water to be heated in the heat exchange tube and avoid long waiting times for users; in addition, the hot water output of the water heater is greatly increased; and the user experience is improved.

[0072] To make the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the embodiments of the present specification more obvious and understandable, the following specifically gives preferred embodiments and, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, makes a detailed description as follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present specification or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present specification. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0074] Figure 1 Shows a schematic structural diagram of a water heater inner tank provided by the embodiments of the present specification;

[0075] Figure 2 is Figure 1 The enlarged structural diagram at position A in;

[0076] Figure 3 Shows a schematic structural diagram of another water heater inner tank provided by the embodiments of the present specification;

[0077] Figure 4 is Figure 3 The enlarged structural diagram at position B in;

[0078] Figure 5 Shows a schematic structural diagram of a box-shaped component provided by the embodiments of the present specification;

[0079] Figure 6 Shows a schematic structural diagram of the disassembled box-shaped component;

[0080] Figure 7 Shows a schematic structural diagram of a water heater inner tank equipped with heat conducting fins provided by the embodiments of the present specification;

[0081] Figure 8 Shows a schematic structural diagram of a box-shaped component equipped with a sleeve and a heat exchange tube;

[0082] Figure 9For Figure 8 The enlarged structural schematic diagram at position C in

[0083] Figure 10 The structural schematic diagram showing the third communication port provided on the heat exchange tube near the top of the box-shaped component;

[0084] Figure 11 For Figure 10 The sectional structural schematic diagram at position D in

[0085] Figure 12 The structural schematic diagram showing another inner tank of the water heater provided by the embodiment of the present specification;

[0086] Figure 13 The structural schematic diagram showing the second communication structure located on one side of the housing;

[0087] Figure 14 The structural schematic diagram showing the second communication structure located on the other side of the housing;

[0088] Figure 15 The schematic diagram showing the series flow path formed by the series connection of the heat exchange tube and the box-shaped component along the water flow direction;

[0089] Figure 16 The structural schematic diagram showing another inner tank of the water heater equipped with heat conducting fins according to the embodiment of the present specification.

[0090] Explanation of the reference numerals in the drawings:

[0091] 10. Housing;

[0092] 20. Heating device;

[0093] 21. Heating rod;

[0094] 22. Sleeve;

[0095] 23. First communication port;

[0096] 24. Second communication port;

[0097] 30. Heat conducting structure;

[0098] 31, 31A, 31B, 31C. Box-shaped components;

[0099] 32. Opening;

[0100] 33. First flanging;

[0101] 34. First boss;

[0102] 35. Opening;

[0103] 36. Second flanging;

[0104] 37. Second boss

[0105] 40. Heat exchange tube

[0106] 41. Third communication port

[0107] 42. Water inlet

[0108] 43. Water outlet

[0109] 44. Fourth communication port

[0110] 50. Heat conducting fin

[0111] 60. First communication structure

[0112] 70, 70A, 70B, Second communication structure

[0113] 71, 71A, 71B, Upper side communication structure

[0114] 72, 72A, 72B, Lower side communication structure

[0115] 80. Third communication structure Detailed implementation manners

[0116] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this specification will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this specification. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this specification, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this specification, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of this specification.

[0117] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in this specification, the claims and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and do not necessarily have to be used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances so that the embodiments of this specification described here can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described here. In addition, the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, device, product or equipment that includes a series of steps or units does not necessarily have to be limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or are inherent to these processes, methods, products or equipment.

[0118] To solve the above problems, the embodiments of this specification provide a water heater inner tank, which can solve the problem that the phase change materials near the heating device and those far from the heating device in the water heater inner tank in the prior art are unevenly heated, resulting in low energy storage efficiency of the phase change materials.Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a water heater inner tank provided by an embodiment of this specification. Specifically, as Figure 1 shown, the water heater inner tank may include:

[0119] A housing 10, with a phase change material (not shown in the figure) filled inside the housing 10;

[0120] A heating device 20, with at least part of the heating device 20 disposed inside the housing 10;

[0121] A heat conduction structure 30, which is used to store a heat conduction medium (not shown in the figure), and the heat conduction structure 30 is disposed inside the housing 10;

[0122] The heat conduction structure 30 can be used to transfer the heat generated by the heating device 20 to the phase change material far from the heating device through the heat conduction medium;

[0123] A heat exchange tube 40, which is in contact with the phase change material and is used to heat the water flowing through the heat exchange tube 40 by the phase change material.

[0124] It should be noted that in the embodiment of this specification, being far from the heating device means the area outside the heating radiation range of the heating device, which is opposite to the area close to the heating device, and does not merely refer to the farthest area from the heating device inside the housing. The phase change material is a material whose physical state will change. Specifically, when the phase change material changes from a solid state to a liquid state, it absorbs heat and stores energy; when the phase change material changes from a liquid state to a solid state, it releases energy.

[0125] A water heater inner tank provided by an embodiment of this specification can transfer the heat generated by the heating device to the phase change material far from the heating device through the internally provided heat conduction structure, so that the phase change material close to the heating device and the phase change material far from the heating device can both be effectively heated, improving the temperature uniformity of the phase change material inside the housing and avoiding over-temperature failure caused by local overheating of the phase change material; furthermore, it is beneficial to improve the heating efficiency of the water to be heated in the heat exchange tube and avoid long waiting times for users; in addition, it also greatly increases the hot water output of the water heater; it is beneficial to improve the user experience.

[0126] Preferably, in the embodiment of this specification, the fluidity of the heat conduction medium is better than that of the phase change material.

[0127] In the embodiments of this specification, since the fluidity of the heat-conducting medium is better than that of the phase-change material, after the heat-conducting medium near the heating device in the heat-conducting structure is heated, it can flow in the heat-conducting structure and flow to a position far from the heating device. Thus, the heat-conducting structure transfers heat to the phase-change material far from the heating device by means of contact heat transfer. This overcomes the defects of poor fluidity and easy local overheating of the phase-change material, greatly improves the temperature uniformity of the phase-change material at different positions in the shell, is conducive to increasing the heating rate of the phase-change material, and improves the heating efficiency of the water to be heated in the heat exchange tube.

[0128] The heat-conducting medium is in a liquid state within a predetermined temperature range.

[0129] When the heat-conducting medium is in a liquid state, it can flow within the heat-conducting structure, improving the heat transfer efficiency between the heat-conducting medium and the phase-change material.

[0130] The predetermined temperature range is greater than the solid-liquid phase change temperature of the phase-change material and less than the vaporization temperature of the phase-change material.

[0131] In some feasible embodiments, the solid-liquid phase change temperature of the phase-change material can be 35 °C, and the vaporization temperature can be 120 °C. Then the predetermined temperature range is greater than 35 °C and less than 120 °C, making the heat-conducting medium in a liquid state with fluidity. The heat-conducting medium can cause the phase-change material to change from a solid state to a liquid state and absorb heat for energy storage by means of heat convection heat transfer within the predetermined temperature range, and will not cause the vaporization of the phase-change material, avoiding the vaporization failure or damage of the phase-change material.

[0132] The heat-conducting medium includes water or oil.

[0133] In the embodiments of this specification, when the heat-conducting structure is not connected to the heat exchange tube 40, that is, the heat-conducting structure is a closed structure, the heat-conducting medium inside the heat-conducting structure can be water or oil; and when the heat-conducting structure is connected to the heat exchange tube 40, the heat-conducting medium inside the heat-conducting structure is water. After the water in the heat exchange tube flows into the heat-conducting structure, the heating device heats the water in the heat-conducting structure, and a heat cycle is formed in the water in the heat-conducting structure, thereby realizing the heating of the phase-change material in contact with the outer surface of the heat-conducting structure.

[0134] The heat-conducting structure 30 is in contact with the phase-change material.

[0135] In the embodiments of this specification, the heated heat-conducting medium in the heat-conducting structure can transfer heat to the phase-change material in contact with the heat-conducting structure by means of contact heat transfer, realizing the heating of the phase-change material at different positions in the shell, being able to improve the heating effect on the phase-change material, and reducing heat loss.

[0136] The heat conduction structure 30 has a receiving cavity, and the heat conduction medium is received in the receiving cavity and can flow in the receiving cavity of the heat conduction structure 30.

[0137] In the embodiment of the present specification, the heat conduction structure is a closed structure with a receiving cavity formed inside. The heat conduction medium flows in the receiving cavity inside it without overflowing into the water heater inner tank housing, ensuring that the phase change material in the housing is not damaged by the overflowing heat conduction medium, and also ensuring the heat transfer effect of the heat conduction medium on the phase change material when it is in the heat conduction structure.

[0138] As Figure 1 shown, at least part of the heating device 20 is close to the lower part of the heat conduction structure 30. The heat conduction medium located at the lower part of the heat conduction structure 30 can flow upward after being heated to heat the phase change material far from the heating device 20.

[0139] The lower part refers to the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow H. The heat conduction medium located at the lower part of the heat conduction structure has a reduced density after being heated and flows upward to the upper part of the heat conduction structure; the heat conduction medium located at the upper part of the heat conduction structure has a higher density than the heat conduction medium located at the lower part of the heat conduction structure due to its lower temperature and will flow downward to the lower part of the heat conduction structure; thus, a heat cycle is formed inside the heat conduction structure. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present specification, setting at least part of the heating device below the heat conduction structure is beneficial to improving the utilization efficiency of the heat generated by the heating device and increasing the heating rate of the heat conduction medium.

[0140] In some feasible embodiments, the heating device can be arranged outside the heat conduction structure. For example, the heating device is in contact with the heat conduction structure, and the heat generated by the heating device is transferred to the heat conduction medium in the heat conduction structure by means of contact heat transfer. The heating device located outside the heat conduction structure can heat the phase change material in contact with it.

[0141] In some other feasible embodiments, the heating device can also be arranged inside the heat conduction structure. At this time, the heating device can be in contact with the heat conduction medium to directly heat the heat conduction medium, which is beneficial to reducing heat loss and improving the heating efficiency of the heat conduction medium, and further improving the heating efficiency of the phase change material in the housing.

[0142] In some other feasible embodiments, part of the heating device 20 can also be arranged inside the heat conduction structure 30 and part can be arranged outside the heat conduction structure 30 (as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown).

[0143] The partial heating device 20 located inside the heat conduction structure 30 can directly heat the heat conduction medium in the heat conduction structure 30, while the partial heating device 20 located outside the heat conduction structure 30 is in contact with the phase change material in the housing 10 and can directly heat the phase change material, ultimately improving the heating efficiency of the water to be heated in the heat exchange tube, increasing the outlet water temperature of the water heater and the hot water output of the water heater, and enhancing the user experience.

[0144] In some preferred embodiments, the heating device 20 includes a heating rod 21 and a sleeve 22 (as Figure 1 shown), and at least a part of the heating rod 21 extends into the sleeve 22; the inner cavity of the sleeve 22 communicates with the accommodation cavity of the heat conduction structure 30.

[0145] The sleeve 22 and the heat conduction structure 30 together form a cavity for the heat conduction medium to flow through, and ensure that the heat conduction medium will not overflow into the phase change material; the heat conduction medium located in the inner cavity of the sleeve and the accommodation cavity can be directly heated by the heating rod 21, which is beneficial to improving the heating rate of the heat conduction medium and at the same time beneficial to reducing the heat loss of the heating rod.

[0146] A first communication part is provided on the sleeve 22, and the first communication part connects the inner cavity of the sleeve 22 with the accommodation cavity of the heat conduction structure 30.

[0147] The inner cavity of the sleeve and the accommodation cavity are connected through the first communication part, and the heat conduction medium can flow in the inner cavity of the sleeve and the accommodation cavity. The first communication part can be provided on the part of the sleeve located inside the heat conduction structure or on the part of the sleeve located outside the heat conduction structure.

[0148] Further preferably, as Figure 1 shown, a part of the sleeve 22 penetrates into the heat conduction structure 30 and a part is outside the heat conduction structure 30; the first communication part is provided on the part of the sleeve 22 located inside the heat conduction structure 30, and the first communication part connects the inner cavity of the sleeve 22 with the accommodation cavity of the heat conduction structure 30.

[0149] The first communication part connects the inner cavity of the sleeve with the heat conduction cavity from the inside of the heat conduction structure, so that the first communication part does not need to occupy the space inside the housing and is convenient for arranging other components (such as fins) inside the housing.

[0150] As Figure 1 shown, the heating device 20 penetrates through the heat conduction structure 30; the heat exchange tube 40 penetrates through the heat conduction structure 30.

[0151] That is, the heating device 20 penetrates through the heat conduction structure 30 and heats the heat conduction medium in the heat conduction structure 30 through which it penetrates.

[0152] As shown Figure 1 in the embodiments of this specification, the heat conduction structure 30 extends along the height and width directions of the housing 10, and the heat conduction structure 30 has a predetermined thickness along the length direction of the housing 10; the heating device 20 extends along the length direction of the housing 10; the heat exchange tube 40 extends along the length direction of the housing 10.

[0153] The height direction is as Figure 1 indicated by the arrow H in the figure, and the direction of the arrow H is the upper part of the height direction; the width direction is as Figure 1 indicated by the arrow W in the figure; the length direction is Figure 1 indicated by the arrow L in the figure. The water heater inner tank includes a plurality of heat conduction structures 30, and the plurality of heat conduction structures 30 are all adapted to the cross-sectional dimensions of the housing 10 perpendicular to its length direction. The plurality of heat conduction structures 30 are arranged at intervals in sequence along the length direction of the housing 10 to heat the phase change materials at different positions inside the housing 10. In the embodiments of this specification, the predetermined thickness of the heat conduction structure 30 along the length direction of the housing 10 enables the accommodation cavity formed in the heat conduction structure 30 to have a certain thickness, so that a certain volume of heat conduction medium can be accommodated, and the heating efficiency of the phase change material can be ensured.

[0154] The heating device 20 and the heat exchange tube 40 extend along the length direction of the housing 10 and pass through a plurality of heat conduction structures 30 arranged at intervals in sequence. The length of the heating device 20 can be adapted to the length of the housing 10 to heat the heat conduction medium and the phase change material in the heat conduction structures 30 at various positions along the length direction inside the housing 10, and improve the heat exchange efficiency.

[0155] The heating device 20 and the heat exchange tube 40 both pass through the heat conduction structure 30 along the thickness direction of the heat conduction structure 30.

[0156] That is, as Figure 1 shown in the figure, the heating device 20 and the heat exchange tube 40 penetrate through each heat conduction structure 30, that is, the heating device 20 and the heat exchange tube 40 penetrate into one side of each heat conduction structure 30 and penetrate out from the other side of each heat conduction structure 30.

[0157] As Figure 3 shown in the figure, the heat conduction structure 30 includes one or more box-shaped components 31, and the box-shaped components 31 are for the heat conduction medium to flow.

[0158] The box-shaped component 31 has a certain capacity so as to be able to accommodate a certain volume of heat-conducting medium, thereby realizing heating of the phase change material at different positions along the length direction of the housing, so as to improve the uniformity when the temperature of the phase change material in the housing rises. The box-shaped component is a sealed structure, and the heat-conducting medium flows in the box-shaped component without leaking to the phase change material in the housing.

[0159] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this specification, there is a gap between the box-shaped component and the inner wall of the housing. This gap can be used to improve the assembly performance when placing the box-shaped component in the housing; it can also make the space inside the housing penetrate, increasing the exhaust space and the overflow space of the phase change material during the filling of the phase change material, and improving the filling efficiency of the phase change material.

[0160] The box-shaped component 31 is enclosed by a metal material.

[0161] As Figure 6 shown, the box-shaped component 31 can be enclosed by two symmetrical metal materials. After the butt joints of the two metal materials are sealed and welded, the box-shaped component with an accommodating cavity inside is formed. The box-shaped component is made of a metal material, and the metal material has better heat conductivity, which is beneficial to the heat-conducting medium transferring heat to the phase change material through the box-shaped component after being heated. At the same time, the metal material has high structural strength, is not easy to deform or damage, and is beneficial to improving the service life of the box-shaped component.

[0162] As Figure 7 shown, a heat-conducting fin 50 is arranged between any two adjacent box-shaped components 31.

[0163] During the energy storage stage of the phase change material, the heat-conducting fin 50 can be used to transfer the heat from the heating device 20 to the phase change material in contact with the heat-conducting fin 50, improving the heating efficiency and the uniformity when the temperature of the phase change material in the housing rises; during the stage of the phase change material releasing heat energy, the phase change material heats the water flowing in the heat exchange tube 40, and the heat-conducting fin 50 can uniformly transfer the heat energy stored in the phase change material to the heat exchange tube, ultimately increasing the water temperature in the heat exchange tube 40 and the hot water output.

[0164] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this specification, the number of heat-conducting fins 50 between any two adjacent box-shaped components 31 can be one or more, and the number of heat-conducting fins 50 between any two adjacent box-shaped components 31 can be equal or unequal. The embodiments of this specification do not specifically limit the number of heat-conducting fins arranged between any two adjacent box-shaped components, and the number can be adapted to the distance between any two adjacent box-shaped components.

[0165] In some preferred embodiments, multiple box-shaped components 31 are distributed in parallel, and the heat-conducting fins 50 between any two adjacent box-shaped components 31 are distributed in parallel with the box-shaped components 31, so as to make more full use of the space inside the housing 10, increase the number of heat-conducting fins 50 arranged between two adjacent box-shaped components 31, and transfer the heat from the heating device to the phase-change material between any two adjacent box-shaped components 31 more evenly; on the other hand, it is also beneficial to improve the heat exchange efficiency between the phase-change material and the water to be heated in the heat exchange tube and improve the heating efficiency of the water to be heated in the heat exchange tube.

[0166] Further illustration is that, as Figure 7 shown, in the embodiments of this specification, one or more heat-conducting fins 50 may also be provided between the box-shaped components 31 near the two ends of the housing 10 and the opposite ends of the housing 10, so that the heat-conducting fins 50 can be arranged along the heating device 20 until the two ends of the housing 10, making the heating of the phase-change material at different positions inside the housing 10 more sufficient and more uniform, and further improving the heat exchange efficiency between the phase-change material and the water to be heated in the heat exchange tube.

[0167] The heating device 20 includes a heating rod 21 and a sleeve 22, and at least a part of the heating rod 21 extends into the sleeve 22; the box-shaped component 31 is provided with an opening 32 (as Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown), and the sleeve 22 passes through the opening 32 and is hermetically connected to the opening 32 (as Figure 8 shown).

[0168] Through the sleeve 22, the connection between the heating device 20 and the box-shaped component 31 can be realized and the stability of the connection can be ensured, so as to ensure the heating effect of the heating rod 21 on the heat-conducting medium inside the box-shaped component 31. And the sleeve 22 can play a role in protecting the heating rod 21 and improving the convenience when the heating rod 21 is passed through the opening 32 into each box-shaped component 31.

[0169] A gap is left between the heating rod 21 and the inner wall surface of the sleeve 22, and the heat-conducting medium is filled in the gap.

[0170] That is, the heat of the heating rod is transferred to the heat-conducting medium in the box-shaped component sleeved outside the sleeve and the phase-change material in contact with the sleeve outside the box-shaped component through the heat-conducting medium flowing in the gap. The gap facilitates passing the heating rod through the sleeve; and can allow the heat-conducting medium to flow to improve the temperature uniformity of the heat-conducting medium in the heating device, avoid the direct contact between the phase-change material and the relatively high-temperature heating rod, which may cause local overheating of the phase-change material at the contact position; and improve the heating efficiency of the heat-conducting medium in the box-shaped component and the phase-change material between the box-shaped components of the heating device.

[0171] The gap communicates with the interior of the box-shaped component 31.

[0172] After the interior of the box-shaped component communicates with the gap, the heat-conducting medium can flow in the interior of the box-shaped component and the gap. Then, the heat-conducting medium heated by the heating rod at the gap can flow into the interior of the box-shaped component to transfer heat to the phase-change material far from the heating rod, improving the heating efficiency of the phase-change material in the shell.

[0173] Moreover, the sleeve and the box-shaped component jointly form a sealed cavity for the heat-conducting medium to flow through, so that the heat-conducting medium will not overflow into the phase-change material; the heat-conducting medium located at the gap can be directly heated by the heating rod, which is beneficial to improving the heating rate of the heat-conducting medium and at the same time beneficial to reducing the heat loss of the heating rod.

[0174] In the embodiment of this specification, a first communication part is provided on the pipe wall of the sleeve 22 located inside the box-shaped component 31.

[0175] The first communication part is arranged on the pipe wall of the sleeve inside the box-shaped component, so that the first communication part can connect the sleeve and the box-shaped component from the inside of the box-shaped component, without occupying the layout space of other components in the inner shell of the water heater.

[0176] Such as Figure 4 and Figure 8 As shown, the first communication part includes a first communication port 23 and a second communication port 24 opened on the pipe wall of the sleeve 22. The first communication port 23 is arranged on the upper part of the pipe wall of the sleeve 22, and the second communication port 24 is arranged on the lower part of the pipe wall of the sleeve 22.

[0177] The upper part refers to the direction towards which the arrow H points, and the lower part is the direction opposite to the upper part. The heat-conducting medium at the gap between the heating rod and the inner wall surface of the sleeve expands when heated by the heating rod, and will flow upward and pass through the first communication port 23 to flow into the interior of the box-shaped component 31 to transfer heat to the heat-conducting medium far from the heating rod; while the heat-conducting medium originally far from the heating rod will flow downward because its temperature is lower than that of the heat-conducting medium near the heating rod, and will flow through the second communication port 24 to the position near the heating rod to be heated by the heating rod.

[0178] In the embodiments of this specification, by providing the first communication port 23 in the upper part of the sleeve pipe wall and the second communication port 24 in the lower part of the sleeve pipe wall, in the cavity jointly formed by the sleeve 22 and the box-shaped component 31, the heat-conducting medium can form a thermal convection, greatly improving the heating efficiency of the heating rod for the heat-conducting medium, thereby facilitating the improvement of the heating efficiency of the phase change material in the shell, and ultimately improving the heating efficiency of the water to be heated flowing in the heat exchange pipe, and avoiding long waiting times for users.

[0179] It should be noted that the number of the first communication ports 23 can be one or more, and the number of the second communication ports 24 can also be one or more; the number of the first communication ports 23 and the number of the second communication ports 24 can be equal or unequal. In the embodiments of this specification, the specific number of the first communication ports 23 and the second communication ports 24 is not specifically limited.

[0180] In some feasible embodiments, the first communication port 23 and the second communication port 24 are oppositely arranged, and the first communication port 23 is located above the second communication port 24.

[0181] By arranging the first communication port 23 and the second communication port 24 oppositely and making the first communication port 23 located above the second communication port 24, it is convenient for the heat-conducting medium in the sleeve 22 and the box-shaped component 31 to form a thermal convection.

[0182] As Figure 4 shown, a first flanging 33 is provided at the edge of the opening 32, and the first flanging 33 is welded and sealed to the pipe wall of the sleeve 22.

[0183] The first flanging 33 can facilitate the welding of the box-shaped component 31 to the pipe wall of the sleeve 22 and ensure the firmness of the welding.

[0184] The first flanging 33 faces the interior of the box-shaped component 31 or faces the exterior of the box-shaped component 31.

[0185] As Figure 4As shown, the first flanging 33 faces the interior of each box-shaped component 31.

[0186] In some other feasible embodiments, the first flanging can also face the outside of each box-shaped component, so as to improve the convenience of welding the first flanging and the box-shaped component.

[0187] On the outer shell of the box-shaped component 31, there is a first boss 34 protruding towards the outside of the box-shaped component 31.

[0188] That is, as Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the first bosses 34 are symmetrically arranged on two side faces of the box-shaped component 31 along the length direction of the housing 10.

[0189] The opening 32 is arranged on the first boss 34.

[0190] That is, as Figure 4 shown, the sleeve 22 of the heating device penetrates through the box-shaped component 31 from the opening on the first boss 34. The first boss 34 can increase the heat exchange contact area between the sleeve 22 and the box-shaped component 31; on this basis, the aperture of the first communication port 23 and the second communication port 24 on at least part of the tube wall of the sleeve located within the first boss can also be increased, or the number of the first communication port 23 and the second communication port 24 can be increased, so as to improve the heat convection effect of the heat transfer medium within the sleeve 22 and within the box-shaped component 31.

[0191] As Figure 1 and Figure 3 shown, the heat exchange tubes 40 include multiple ones, and the multiple heat exchange tubes 40 are arranged in parallel, and at least part of the heat exchange tubes 40 penetrate through the box-shaped component 31.

[0192] In the embodiments of this specification, arranging the multiple heat exchange tubes 40 in parallel can increase the number of heat exchange tubes arranged within the housing 10, can increase the amount of water to be heated stored, and can also extend the length of the flow path of the water to be heated within the inner shell of the water heater, making the heat exchange of the water to be heated more sufficient.

[0193] The box-shaped component 31 is provided with an opening 35 (as Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown), and the heat exchange tubes 40 penetrate through the box-shaped component 31 through the opening 35 and are hermetically connected to the box-shaped component 31 (as Figure 8 shown).

[0194] By sealing and connecting the heat exchange tube 40 with the opening 35, the stability of the connection between the heat exchange tube 40 and the box-shaped component 31 can be ensured.

[0195] As Figure 9 shown, a second flanging 36 is provided at the edge of the opening 35, and the second flanging 36 is seal-welded to the tube wall of the heat exchange tube 40.

[0196] The second flanging 36 can facilitate the welding of the box-shaped component 31 and the heat exchange tube 40 and ensure the firmness of the welding.

[0197] The second flanging 36 faces the inside of the box-shaped component 31 (as Figure 9 shown), or faces the outside of the box-shaped component 31.

[0198] When the second flanging faces the outside of each box-shaped component, the convenience of welding the second flanging and the tube wall of the heat exchange tube can be improved.

[0199] A second boss 37 protruding towards the outside of the box-shaped component 31 is provided on the outer shell of the box-shaped component 31.

[0200] That is, the second boss 37 is provided on two side surfaces of the box-shaped component 31 along the length direction of the housing 10.

[0201] The opening 35 is provided on the second boss 37.

[0202] That is, the heat exchange tube 40 passes through the box-shaped component 31 from the opening on the second boss 37. The heat-conducting medium in the box-shaped component 31 can not only transfer heat to the phase-change material in contact with the box-shaped component 31, but also transfer heat to the water to be heated in the heat exchange tube 40 through the part of the heat exchange tube 40 passing through the second boss 37. The second boss 37 can increase the heat exchange contact area between the heat exchange tube 40 and the box-shaped component 31, and finally improve the heating efficiency of the water to be heated in the heat exchange tube 40.

[0203] A second communication part is provided on the part of the heat exchange tube 40 passing through the box-shaped component 31 and close to the top of the box-shaped component 31, and the second communication part connects the heat exchange tube 40 and the inside of the box-shaped component 31.

[0204] The second communication part can connect the heat exchange tube close to the top of the box-shaped component with the box-shaped component from the inside of the box-shaped component, so as to avoid occupying the layout space of other components in the inner shell of the water heater.

[0205] Another heat exchange tube passing through the box-shaped component has a third communication part formed in the part located inside the box-shaped component, and the third communication part communicates the heat exchange tube with the inside of the box-shaped component.

[0206] Similar to the second communication part, the third communication part can connect another heat exchange tube with the box-shaped component from the inside of the box-shaped component without occupying the layout space of other components in the inner shell of the water heater.

[0207] When the heat conduction structure 30 includes a plurality of box-shaped components 31, the heat exchange tubes 40 passing through the box-shaped components 31 and close to the tops of the box-shaped components 31 are each provided with a second communication part in the part located inside each box-shaped component 31.

[0208] That is, the heat exchange tubes close to the tops of the box-shaped components are connected to each box-shaped component.

[0209] When the heat conduction structure includes a plurality of box-shaped components, the other heat exchange tubes passing through the box-shaped components are each provided with a third communication part in the part located inside each box-shaped component.

[0210] That is, an heat exchange tube other than the heat exchange tubes close to the tops of the box-shaped components is connected to each box-shaped component.

[0211] The second communication part is used to discharge the gas inside the box-shaped component, the third communication part is used to inject water into the box-shaped component, the second communication part is located inside the shell and close to the top of the shell, and the second communication part is located above the third communication part.

[0212] In the embodiments of this specification, by providing the second communication part and the third communication part, water can be injected into the box-shaped component as a heat conduction medium after the inner shell of the water heater is installed at the user's home or during the first use. The problems that the box-shaped component is pre-filled with a heat conduction medium, resulting in a large overall weight of the inner shell of the water heater and high transportation costs can be avoided; and, the problems that the heat conduction medium pre-filled in the box-shaped component freezes under cold weather conditions, resulting in the heating device needing to thaw the heat conduction medium before hot water can be output for use can be avoided, and the problems that the volume of the box-shaped component is increased and damaged due to the freezing of the heat conduction medium can also be avoided.

[0213] In the embodiments of this specification, by providing that the other heat exchange tube passing through the box-shaped component is provided with third communication parts in the portions located inside each box-shaped component, the injection efficiency of injecting water from the heat exchange tube into each box-shaped component is greatly improved. Moreover, by providing that the heat exchange tube near the top of the box-shaped component is provided with second communication parts in the portions located inside each box-shaped component, the effect of discharging gas from each box-shaped component is ensured, so that the heat-conducting medium fills each box-shaped component, thereby improving the heating effect on the phase change material.

[0214] Specifically, the third communication part is located upstream of the second communication part along the water flow direction of the water in the heat exchange tube 40.

[0215] In the embodiments of this specification, by providing that the second communication part for discharging gas from each box-shaped component is located upstream of the third communication part for injecting water into each box-shaped component, the discharging effect of discharging gas from each box-shaped component is improved, and the gas content remaining in each box-shaped component is reduced.

[0216] The second communication part includes a third communication port 41 opened on the wall of the heat exchange tube 40 (as Figure 10 shown), the third communication part includes a fourth communication port 44 opened on the wall of the heat exchange tube (as Figure 11 shown), the third communication port 41 is located in the upper part of the heat exchange tube 40 or above the liquid level of the box-shaped component 31.

[0217] In some specific embodiments, by providing that the third communication port is located in the upper part of the heat exchange tube or above the liquid level of the box-shaped component, the gas content remaining in each box-shaped component can be reduced, thereby improving the heating efficiency of the heating device for heating the phase change material through the heat-conducting medium in the box-shaped component.

[0218] The number of the heating devices 20 is one or more.

[0219] As Figure 1 and Figure 5 described, in the embodiments of this specification, two heating devices 20 are provided, and the two heating devices 20 are arranged side by side below the housing 10.

[0220] In the embodiments of this specification, the number of the heating devices is not specifically limited, and the number of the heating devices can be set according to actual use conditions. When multiple heating devices are provided, not only can the heating efficiency be improved, but also the heating devices can be placed at different positions in the housing to heat the phase change material at different positions in the housing, thereby improving the heating uniformity.

[0221] The water heater inner tank further includes a first connection structure 60 for connecting the heat exchange tubes 40.

[0222] A plurality of first connection structures 60 are provided, and the first connection structures 60 are used to connect the ends of multiple heat exchange tubes 40 on the same side. In some feasible embodiments, the first connection structure can connect multiple heat exchange tubes in series to form a pipeline; in other feasible embodiments, the first connection structure can also connect the heat exchange tubes into multiple pipelines, and then these multiple pipelines output hot water in parallel.

[0223] As Figure 3 and Figure 7 shown, the first connection structure 60 is a U-shaped tube and / or a water collecting box.

[0224] Both ends of the U-shaped tube are respectively connected to the ends of two heat exchange tubes on the same side of the housing. The U-shaped tube has a smooth transition, which is beneficial to improving the smoothness of the water to be heated when flowing through it.

[0225] The water collecting box is in the shape of a convex hull. The water collecting box can cover at least two ends of the heat exchange tubes on the same side of the housing, so that at least two heat exchange tubes covered by the same water collecting box are connected in the water collecting box, and the water in the heat exchange tubes can flow under the action of water pressure.

[0226] The first connection structure 60 is arranged inside or outside the housing 10.

[0227] When the first connection structure is arranged outside the housing, as Figure 3 and Figure 7 shown, both ends of each heat exchange tube can respectively abut against the two ends of the housing, increasing the length of the heat exchange tube, thereby increasing the storage capacity of the water to be heated and the heat exchange contact area between the water to be heated and the phase change material, and being able to make full use of the heat stored in the phase change material at the end of the housing to improve the heat exchange efficiency.

[0228] And since only multiple heat exchange tubes arranged in parallel remain in the housing, the fins and the box-shaped components can be arranged along the heat exchange tubes until the two ends of the housing, so that the heating of the phase change material in the housing is more sufficient and uniform, which is beneficial to improving the heat exchange efficiency. In addition, by arranging the first connection structure outside the housing, the convenience of connecting the first connection part to each heat exchange tube can also be improved.

[0229] As Figures 12 to 16 shown, an embodiment of the present specification provides another water heater inner tank, where the heating device 20 extends into the accommodation cavity of the heat conduction structure 30, and the heat exchange tube 40 does not penetrate the heat conduction structure.

[0230] That is, the heat exchange tube can be in non-contact with the heat conduction structure. After the heat conduction medium in the accommodating cavity of the heat conduction structure is heated, it can transfer heat to the phase change material far from the heating device, which can improve the uniformity of the temperature rise and the temperature rise rate of the phase change material in the shell; then the phase change material heats the water to be heated in the heat exchange tube. Since the heating device extends into the accommodating cavity of the heat conduction structure to directly heat the heat conduction medium, the utilization rate of the heat generated by the heating device can be improved.

[0231] The heat conduction structure 30 includes one or more box-shaped components 31 for the heat conduction medium to flow through.

[0232] The box-shaped component has a certain capacity so as to be able to accommodate a certain volume of the heat conduction medium. The box-shaped component is a sealed structure, and the heat conduction medium will not leak to the phase change material in the shell when flowing in the box-shaped component. As Figures 12 to 15 shown, in the embodiment of the present specification, three box-shaped components are provided.

[0233] In some feasible embodiments, when the heat conduction structure 30 includes a plurality of box-shaped components 31, at least two of the box-shaped components 31 communicate with each other. Thus, the heat conduction media in the respective box-shaped components can flow through each other.

[0234] The heating device 20 extends into at least one of the box-shaped components 31.

[0235] As Figure 12 shown, the heating device 20 can correspond to the box-shaped component 31 one by one, that is, one heating device 20 is inserted into each box-shaped component 31 respectively, which can improve the heating rate of the heat conduction medium in each box-shaped component 31.

[0236] In other feasible embodiments, as Figure 13 shown, when at least two of the plurality of box-shaped components 31 communicate with each other, only one heating device 20 may be provided, and the heating device 20 extends into any one of the plurality of box-shaped components 31. Thus, the number of heating devices can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the water heater inner tank can be lowered.

[0237] Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present specification, as Figure 12 and Figure 13As shown, the heating device 20 extends into the lower part (i.e., the direction opposite to the direction of arrow H) within the box-shaped component 31. After the heat-conducting medium located in the lower part of the box-shaped component 31 is heated by the heating device 20, it can flow upward in the box-shaped component 31 to heat the phase change material far from the heating device 20, which is beneficial to improving the heating rate of the heat-conducting medium in the box-shaped component 31 by the heating device 20.

[0238] As Figure 12 shown, the box-shaped component 31 extends along the height and length directions of the housing 10, and the box-shaped component 31 has a predetermined thickness along the width direction of the housing 10; the heating device 20 extends along the length direction of the housing 10; the heat exchange tube 40 extends along the length direction of the housing 10.

[0239] The height direction is as Figure 12 indicated by arrow H in Figure 12 ; the width direction is as Figure 1 indicated by arrow W in ; and the length direction is

[0240]

[0241] indicated by arrow L in. The box-shaped component extending along the height and length directions of the housing can facilitate the heat-conducting medium in each box-shaped component to transfer the heat of the heating device to the phase change materials at different positions within the housing. The predetermined thickness of the box-shaped component along the width direction of the housing means that the accommodation cavity formed within the box-shaped component for the heat-conducting medium to flow has a certain thickness, so as to be able to accommodate a certain volume of heat-conducting medium and ensure the heating effect on the phase change material.

[0242] In some feasible embodiments, the first connection structure can connect the ends of multiple heat exchange tubes on the same side in series to form a pipeline; in some other feasible embodiments, the first connection structure can also be to connect the heat exchange tubes into multiple pipelines, and then these multiple pipelines output hot water in parallel.

[0243] The first connection structure 60 is a U-shaped tube and / or a water collecting box.

[0244] Both ends of the U-shaped tube are respectively connected to the ends of two heat exchange tubes on the same side of the housing, and the U-shaped tube has a smooth transition, which is beneficial to improving the smoothness of the water to be heated when flowing through it.

[0245] The water collecting box is in the shape of a convex hull, and the water collecting box can cover the ends of at least two heat exchange tubes on the same side of the housing, so that at least two heat exchange tubes covered by the same water collecting box are connected in the water collecting box, and the water in the heat exchange tubes can flow under the action of water pressure.

[0246] The first communication structure 60 is arranged inside or outside the housing 10.

[0247] When the first communication structure is arranged outside the housing, as Figure 12 and Figure 13 shown, the heat exchange tubes in the housing can be arranged up to both ends of the housing, which can increase the length of the heat exchange tubes, thereby increasing the storage capacity of the water to be heated and increasing the heat exchange contact area between the water to be heated and the phase change material, and can make full use of the heat stored in the phase change material at the ends of the housing to improve the heat exchange efficiency.

[0248] The water heater inner tank further includes a second communication structure 70 (as Figure 16 shown), the second communication structure 70 is arranged inside the housing 10 or outside the housing 10, and the second communication structure 70 is used to connect at least two box-shaped components 31.

[0249] Exemplarily, in the embodiment of the present specification, the water heater inner tank includes three box-shaped components, as Figure 13 shown, which is a schematic structural diagram of the second communication structure on one side of the housing. The three box-shaped components are respectively denoted as 31A, 31B, and 31C from left to right; as Figure 14 shown, which is a schematic structural diagram of the second communication structure on the other side of the housing, then the three box-shaped components are 31C, 31B, and 31A from left to right. Then the second communication structure 70A connects the box-shaped component 31B and the box-shaped component 31C, and the second communication structure 70B connects the box-shaped component 31A and the box-shaped component 31B.

[0250] The second communication structure can be arranged outside the housing and together with the first communication structure at both ends of the housing, which is convenient for integrating the first communication structure and the second communication structure at both ends of the housing. When the second communication structure is located outside the housing, the box-shaped component can be adapted to the length of the housing, which can increase the size of the box-shaped component along the length direction of the housing, so as to transfer the heat of the heating device to the phase change material at various positions along the length direction of the housing and improve the heating efficiency of the phase change material.

[0251] Further, as Figure 16As shown, in the embodiments of the present specification, the second communication structure 70 includes an upper communication structure 71 and a lower communication structure 72. The upper communication structure 71 connects the upper sides of any two box-shaped components 31, and the lower communication structure 72 connects the lower sides of any two box-shaped components 31.

[0252] In a specific embodiment, the second communication structure 70A includes an upper communication structure 71A and a lower communication structure 72A. The upper side of the second communication structure 70B includes an upper communication structure 71B and a lower communication structure 72B. The upper communication structure 71A and the lower communication structure 72A respectively connect the upper and lower sides of the box-shaped component 31B to the upper and lower sides of the box-shaped component 31C, and the upper communication structure 71B and the lower communication structure 72B respectively connect the upper and lower sides of the box-shaped component 31A and the upper and lower sides of the box-shaped component 31B.

[0253] After being connected by the upper communication structure and the lower communication structure, when the heat-conducting medium near the heating device 20 in the box-shaped component 31B (where the heating device 20 extends into the box-shaped component 31B) is heated by the heating device 20, it can flow upward in the box-shaped component 31B and flow through the upper communication structure (71A and 71B) to the upper parts of the other two box-shaped components (i.e., the box-shaped component 31A and the box-shaped component 31C); the heat-conducting medium far from the heating device 20 in the original box-shaped components (31A, 31B, and 31C) will flow downward due to the lower temperature, and flow through the lower communication structure (72A and 72B) to the position near the heating device 20 to be heated by the heating device. Through the upper communication structure and the lower communication structure, the heat-conducting medium in the three box-shaped components (31A, 31B, and 31C) forms a heat convection, improving the heating rate of the heating device to the heat-conducting medium. And by only setting one heating device, it is also possible to quickly heat the heat-conducting medium flowing in multiple box-shaped components.

[0254] In some preferred embodiments, the water heater inner tank further includes a third communication structure 80 (as Figure 15 and Figure 16 shown), and the third communication structure 80 is arranged inside the housing 10 or outside the housing 10; the third communication structure 80 is used to connect the box-shaped component 31 and the heat exchange tube 40.

[0255] It should be noted that when the box-shaped component is connected to the heat exchange tube, the heat-conducting medium in the box-shaped component is water. Thus, the water in the box-shaped component can be output together with the water that heats the phase change material in the heat exchange tube, increasing the hot water output.

[0256] Meanwhile, since the box-shaped component is in communication with the heat exchange tube, water can be injected into the box-shaped component as a heat conduction medium after the water heater inner tank is installed at the user's home or during the first use. This can avoid the problems that the box-shaped component is pre-filled with a heat conduction medium, resulting in a relatively large overall weight of the water heater inner tank and high transportation costs; and, avoid the problem that the heat conduction medium pre-filled in the box-shaped component freezes under cold weather conditions, causing the heating device to first thaw the heat conduction medium before hot water can be output; it can also avoid the problem that the volume of the heat conduction medium increases due to freezing, causing deformation and damage to the box-shaped component.

[0257] And since the heating device is arranged in the box-shaped component and directly heats the water in the box-shaped component, therefore, for a water heater inner tank provided in an embodiment of this specification, during the phase change material energy storage process, the heating of the water in the box-shaped component by the heating device can realize the heating of the phase change material, and ultimately realize the heating of the water in the heat exchange tube; during the water discharging process, when the temperature of the water in the heat exchange tube decreases, the heating device can heat the water in the box-shaped component to realize the supplementary heating of the overall discharged water, which is beneficial to improving the temperature of the water output from the water heater inner tank and the hot water output volume, and is beneficial to improving the user experience; the heating device can not only heat the phase change material, but also supplement the heat of the overall discharged water composed of the box-shaped component and the heat exchange tube, and there is no need to set up an additional heating device to supplement the heat of the discharged water, making the structure of the water heater inner tank simpler and beneficial to reducing the overall cost of the water heater.

[0258] As Figure 15 shown, the heat exchange tube 40 is connected in series with the box-shaped component 31 along the water flow direction to form a series flow path. The series flow path has a water inlet 42 and a water outlet 43. When water is injected into the series flow path through the water inlet 42, the gas in the heat exchange tube 40 and the box-shaped component 31 is discharged from the water outlet 43.

[0259] That is, the gas in the box-shaped component can be discharged from the water outlet when water is injected into the series flow path through the water inlet. Therefore, at this time, there is no need to design an additional exhaust structure for the box-shaped component, reducing the process manufacturing difficulty and manufacturing cost of the box-shaped component.

[0260] It should be noted that Figure 15 the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 15 is the flow direction of the water in the first communication structure, the second communication structure and the third communication structure 80; and as

[0261] shown in Figure 16As shown in the figure, a water heater inner tank provided by an embodiment of the present specification further includes a heat conduction fin 50, and the heat conduction fin 50 is sleeved outside the heating device 20 and the heat exchange tube 40. In the phase change material energy storage stage, the heat conduction fin 50 can transfer the heat from the heating device 20 to the phase change material in contact with the heat conduction fin 50, thereby improving the heating efficiency of the phase change material in the shell and the uniformity when the temperature rises; in the stage of the phase change material releasing thermal energy, the phase change material heats the water flowing in the heat exchange tube, and the heat conduction fin 50 can evenly transfer the thermal energy of the phase change material to the heat exchange tube, ultimately increasing the water temperature in the heat exchange tube and increasing the hot water output.

[0262] An embodiment of the present specification also provides a water heater, including the water heater inner tank described in the above technical solution.

[0263] Further, the water heater further includes a water tank for containing water (not shown in the figure), and the water tank is arranged in series and / or in parallel with the water heater inner tank.

[0264] The beneficial effects obtained by the water heater provided by the embodiment of the present specification are consistent with the beneficial effects obtained by the above-provided water heater inner tank, and will not be elaborated here.

[0265] In the embodiments of the present specification, the term "substantially consisting of..." describing a combination should include the determined elements, components, parts or steps and other elements, components, parts or steps that do not substantially affect the basic novel features of the combination. Using the term "comprising" or "including" to describe the combination of elements, components, parts or steps here also contemplates an embodiment substantially consisting of these elements, components, parts or steps. Here, by using the term "may", it is intended to illustrate that any attribute described as "may" included is optional. Multiple elements, components, parts or steps can be provided by a single integrated element, component, part or step. Alternatively, a single integrated element, component, part or step can be divided into multiple separate elements, components, parts or steps. The disclosure of "a" or "an" used to describe an element, component, part or step does not mean to exclude other elements, components, parts or steps.

[0266] Each embodiment in the present specification is described in a progressive manner. Each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments, and the same or similar parts between the embodiments can be referred to each other. The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of the present invention, and the purpose is to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of the present invention and implement it accordingly, and cannot be used to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any equivalent changes or modifications made according to the spirit and essence of the present invention should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water heater inner tank, characterized in that: including, a housing, in which a phase change material is filled; a heating device, at least part of which is disposed in the housing; a heat conduction structure for storing a heat conduction medium, which is disposed in the housing; the heat conduction structure can be used to transfer the heat generated by the heating device to the phase change material far from the heating device through the heat conduction medium; a heat exchange tube, which is in contact with the phase change material and is used to heat the water flowing through the heat exchange tube by the phase change material.

2. The water heater inner tank according to claim 1, wherein The fluidity of the heat conduction medium is better than that of the phase change material.

3. The water heater inner tank according to claim 1, wherein, The heat conduction medium is in a liquid state within a predetermined temperature range.

4. The water heater inner tank according to claim 3, characterized in that, The predetermined temperature range is greater than the solid-liquid phase change temperature of the phase change material and less than the vaporization temperature of the phase change material.

5. The water heater inner tank according to claim 4, characterized in that, The heat conduction medium includes water or oil.

6. The water heater inner tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat conduction structure is in contact with the phase change material.

7. The water heater inner tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat conduction structure has a receiving cavity, in which the heat conduction medium is received and can flow in the receiving cavity of the heat conduction structure.

8. The water heater inner tank according to claim 7, characterized in that, At least part of the heating device is close to the lower part of the heat conduction structure, and the heat conduction medium located in the lower part of the heat conduction structure can flow upward to the upper part of the heat conduction structure to heat the phase change material far from the heating device after being heated.

9. The water heater inner tank according to claim 8, characterized in that, The heating device is disposed outside the heat conduction structure, or the heating device is disposed inside the heat conduction structure, or part of the heating device is disposed inside the heat conduction structure and part is disposed outside the heat conduction structure.

10. The water heater inner tank according to claim 8, wherein The heating device includes a heating rod and a sleeve, at least part of the heating rod extends into the sleeve; the inner cavity of the sleeve is communicated with the receiving cavity of the heat conduction structure.

11. The water heater inner tank according to claim 10, characterized in that, A first communication part is provided on the sleeve, and the first communication part communicates the inner cavity of the sleeve with the receiving cavity of the heat conduction structure.

12. The water heater inner tank according to claim 11, wherein, Part of the sleeve penetrates into the heat conduction structure and part is outside the heat conduction structure; the first communication part is provided on the part of the sleeve located inside the heat conduction structure, and the first communication part communicates the inner cavity of the sleeve and the receiving cavity of the heat conduction structure.

13. The water heater inner tank according to claim 1, wherein, The heating device penetrates through the heat conduction structure; the heat exchange tube penetrates through the heat conduction structure.

14. The water heater inner tank according to claim 13, wherein, The heat conduction structure extends along the height and width directions of the housing, and the heat conduction structure has a predetermined thickness along the length direction of the housing; the heating device extends along the length direction of the housing; the heat exchange tube extends along the length direction of the housing.

15. The water heater inner tank according to claim 14, characterized in that, Both the heating device and the heat exchange tube penetrate through the heat conduction structure along the thickness direction of the heat conduction structure.

16. The water heater inner tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat conduction structure includes one or more box-shaped components for the heat conduction medium to flow.

17. The water heater inner tank according to claim 16, characterized in that, The box-shaped component is enclosed by a metal material.

18. The water heater inner tank according to claim 16, characterized in that, Heat conduction fins are provided between any two adjacent box-shaped components.

19. The water heater inner tank according to claim 16, wherein, The heating device includes a heating rod and a sleeve, at least part of the heating rod extends into the sleeve; an opening is provided on the box-shaped component, and the sleeve penetrates through the opening and is hermetically connected to the opening.

20. The water heater inner tank according to claim 19, characterized in that, A gap is left between the heating rod and the inner wall surface of the sleeve, and the gap is filled with the heat conduction medium.

21. The water heater inner tank according to claim 20, characterized in that, The gap communicates with the interior of the box-shaped component.

22. The water heater inner container according to claim 21, wherein, A first communication portion is provided on the tube wall of the sleeve located inside the box-shaped component.

23. The water heater inner tank according to claim 22, wherein, The first communication portion includes a first communication port and a second communication port provided on the tube wall of the sleeve. The first communication port is provided at the upper part of the tube wall of the sleeve, and the second communication port is provided at the lower part of the tube wall of the sleeve.

24. The water heater inner tank according to claim 23, characterized in that, The first communication port and the second communication port are arranged opposite to each other, and the first communication port is located above the second communication port.

25. The water heater inner tank according to claim 19, characterized in that, A first flanging is provided at the edge of the opening, and the first flanging is welded and sealed to the tube wall of the sleeve.

26. The water heater inner tank according to claim 25, characterized in that, The first flanging faces the interior of the box-shaped component or faces the exterior of the box-shaped component.

27. The water heater inner tank according to claim 26, wherein, A first boss protruding towards the exterior of the box-shaped component is provided on the outer shell of the box-shaped component.

28. The water heater inner tank according to claim 27, wherein The opening is provided on the first boss.

29. The water heater inner tank according to claim 16, characterized in that, The heat exchange tubes include a plurality of tubes arranged in parallel, and at least part of the heat exchange tubes penetrate through the box-shaped component.

30. The water heater inner tank according to claim 29, characterized in that, The box-shaped component is provided with an opening, and the heat exchange tube penetrates through the box-shaped component through the opening and is hermetically connected to the box-shaped component.

31. The water heater inner tank according to claim 30, wherein, A second flanging is provided at the edge of the opening, and the second flanging is hermetically welded to the tube wall of the heat exchange tube.

32. The water heater inner tank according to claim 31, characterized in that, The second flanging faces the interior of the box-shaped component or faces the exterior of the box-shaped component.

33. The water heater inner tank according to claim 32, characterized in that, A second boss protruding towards the exterior of the box-shaped component is provided on the outer shell of the box-shaped component.

34. The water heater inner tank according to claim 33, characterized in that, The opening is provided on the second boss.

35. The water heater inner tank according to claim 29, characterized in that, The part of the heat exchange tube that penetrates through the box-shaped component and is close to the top of the box-shaped component is provided with a second communication portion inside the box-shaped component, and the second communication portion communicates the heat exchange tube and the interior of the box-shaped component.

36. The water heater inner tank according to claim 35, characterized in that, The part of another heat exchange tube that penetrates through the box-shaped component is provided with a third communication portion inside the box-shaped component, and the third communication portion communicates the heat exchange tube and the interior of the box-shaped component.

37. The water heater inner tank according to claim 35, characterized in that, When the heat conduction structure includes a plurality of box-shaped components, the part of the heat exchange tube that penetrates through the box-shaped component and is close to the top of the box-shaped component is provided with a second communication portion in each of the box-shaped components.

38. The water heater inner tank according to claim 36, wherein, When the heat conduction structure includes a plurality of box-shaped components, the part of another heat exchange tube that penetrates through the box-shaped component is provided with a third communication portion in each of the box-shaped components.

39. The water heater inner tank according to claim 36, wherein, The second communication portion is used to discharge the gas inside the box-shaped component, the third communication portion is used to inject water into the box-shaped component, the second communication portion is located inside the housing and close to the top of the housing, and the second communication portion is located above the third communication portion.

40. The water heater inner tank according to claim 39, characterized in that, The third communication portion is located upstream of the second communication portion along the water flow direction of the water in the heat exchange tube.

41. The water heater inner tank according to claim 39, characterized in that, The second communication portion includes a third communication port provided on the tube wall of the heat exchange tube, the third communication portion includes a fourth communication port provided on the tube wall of the heat exchange tube, and the third communication port is located at the upper part of the heat exchange tube or at the upper part of the liquid level of the box-shaped component.

42. The water heater inner tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of the heating devices is one or more.

43. The water heater inner tank according to claim 1, wherein, The water heater inner tank further includes a first communication structure for communicating with the heat exchange tube.

44. The water heater inner tank according to claim 43, wherein, The first communication structure is a U-shaped tube and / or a water collecting box.

45. The water heater inner tank according to claim 44, characterized in that, The first communication structure is disposed inside or outside the housing.

46. The water heater inner tank according to claim 8, wherein, The heating device extends into the accommodating cavity of the heat conducting structure, and the heat exchange tube does not penetrate through the heat conducting structure.

47. The water heater inner tank according to claim 46, wherein, The heat conducting structure includes one or more box-shaped components for the heat conducting medium to flow through.

48. The water heater inner tank according to claim 47, characterized in that, When the heat conducting structure includes multiple box-shaped components, at least two of the box-shaped components communicate with each other.

49. The water heater inner tank according to claim 47 or 48, characterized in that, The heating device extends into at least one of the box-shaped components. The water heater inner tank according to claim 48, characterized in that, The heating device extends into one of the box-shaped components.

51. The water heater inner tank according to claim 49, characterized in that, The box-shaped component extends along the height and length directions of the housing, and has a predetermined thickness along the width direction of the housing; the heating device extends along the length direction of the housing; the heat exchange tube extends along the length direction of the housing.

52. The water heater inner tank according to claim 51, characterized in that, The water heater inner tank further includes a first communication structure for communicating with the heat exchange tube.

53. The water heater inner tank according to claim 52, characterized in that, The first communication structure is a U-shaped tube and / or a water collecting box.

54. The water heater inner container according to claim 53, characterized in that, The first communication structure is disposed inside or outside the housing.

55. The water heater inner tank according to claim 48, characterized in that, The water heater inner tank further includes a second communication structure disposed inside or outside the housing for communicating at least two box-shaped components.

56. The water heater inner tank according to claim 55, characterized in that, The second communication structure includes an upper-side communication structure and a lower-side communication structure. The upper-side communication structure connects the upper sides of any two box-shaped components, and the lower-side communication structure connects the lower sides of any two box-shaped components.

57. The water heater inner tank according to claim 56, wherein, The water heater inner tank further includes a third communication structure disposed inside or outside the housing; the third communication structure is used for communicating the box-shaped component and the heat exchange tube.

58. The water heater inner tank according to claim 57, characterized in that, The heat exchange tube and the box-shaped component are connected in series along the water flow direction to form a series flow path with an inlet and an outlet. When water is injected into the series flow path through the inlet, the gas in the heat exchange tube and the box-shaped component is discharged from the outlet.

59. A water heater, characterized in that, Including the water heater inner tank according to any one of claims 1 to 58.

60. The water heater according to claim 59, characterized in that, It further includes a water tank for containing water, and the water tank is connected in series and / or in parallel with the water heater inner tank.

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