Constant-temperature valve, constant-temperature waterway device of water heater and water heater

Abstract

The invention relates to the related technical field of water heaters, and provides a thermostatic valve, a thermostatic waterway device of a water heater and the water heater, the thermostatic valve comprises a valve shell, a valve core body, a flow guide sleeve and a thermosensitive element, the valve core body can slide relative to the valve shell, and a cold water flow path and a hot water flow path are formed between the valve core body and the valve shell; a flow guide cavity is formed between the flow guide sleeve and the valve element body, a water outlet cavity is formed in the flow guide sleeve, and the flow guide cavity is used for mixing hot water of the hot water flow path and cold water of the cold water flow path on the upstream of the water outlet cavity. The thermosensitive element is suitable for driving the flow guide sleeve and the valve element body to move under the condition that water temperature changes in the water outlet cavity are sensed, so that the flow of the cold water flow path and the flow of the hot water flow path are changed, cold water and hot water are mixed before flowing to the water outlet cavity, namely the upstream position, through the flow guide cavity of the flow guide sleeve, superposition of additional parts is avoided, and the service life of the valve element is prolonged. The system complexity and the assembly cost are reduced, the water outlet temperature fluctuation caused by uneven mixing is avoided, and the structural compactness is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field related to water heaters, and in particular to a thermostatic valve, a thermostatic waterway device for a water heater, and a water heater. Background Art

[0002] As people's living standards continue to improve, their demands for quality of life are also increasing. Currently, most residents use water heaters as a source of domestic hot water. However, due to energy storage requirements, water heaters usually heat the water in the tank to 65°C or even higher, which can easily cause burns to users. To avoid such accidents, related technologies usually install a thermostatic valve on the water heater to limit the water outlet temperature.

[0003] However, the water mixing structure of the thermostatic valve in the related art has the following problems: it mostly adopts a decentralized design with multiple components spliced ​​together, and the water mixing channel is composed of a combination of multiple independent parts. This not only leads to cumbersome assembly procedures and high structural complexity, but also due to the discontinuity of the flow channel at the joints of the components, problems such as insufficient local contact and the mixing ratio being easily affected by flow fluctuations may occur during the mixing of cold and hot water, which ultimately manifests as poor stability of the outlet water temperature. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the related art. To this end, the present invention provides a thermostatic valve, which has a simple structure and improves mixing uniformity and temperature stability.

[0005] The present invention also provides a constant temperature water channel device for a water heater.

[0006] The present invention also provides a water heater.

[0007] A thermostatic valve according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention comprises: valve housing; a valve core body, the valve core body being slidable relative to the valve housing, and forming a cold water flow path and a hot water flow path between the valve core body and the valve housing; A guide sleeve is installed in the valve housing, a guide cavity is formed between the guide sleeve and the valve core body, and a water outlet cavity is formed in the guide sleeve, and the guide cavity is used to mix the hot water in the hot water flow path and the cold water in the cold water flow path upstream of the water outlet cavity; The thermosensitive element is installed in the water outlet cavity and is suitable for driving the guide sleeve and the valve core body to move when sensing the change of water temperature in the water outlet cavity, so as to change the flow rate of the cold water flow path and the flow rate of the hot water flow path.

[0008] According to the thermostatic valve of the embodiment of the present invention, a guide sleeve is provided in the valve housing of the thermostatic valve, which cooperates with the thermal element. This allows cold water and hot water to mix upstream before flowing into the water outlet chamber through the guide sleeve's guide cavity. The guide sleeve, as a single component, guides hot water and cold water from the corresponding hot water flow path and cold water flow path, forcing the two to contact, avoiding the superposition of additional components and reducing system complexity and assembly costs. Upstream mixing advances the contact time of hot and cold water, avoiding fluctuations in the outlet water temperature caused by uneven mixing, and allowing the thermal element to sense the correct mixed water temperature. In addition, compared to complex flow channels spliced ​​together by multiple components, the single-component flow channel design of the present invention can reduce flow resistance. At the same time, the compactness of the structure is improved, making it easier to adapt to small space installation requirements.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide sleeve is formed with a guide surface, the inner wall of the valve core body is formed with a guide slope corresponding to the guide sleeve, and the guide cavity is formed between the guide surface and the guide slope.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the angle between the guide surface and the central axis of the guide sleeve is a, the angle between the guide slope and the central axis of the guide sleeve is b, and the angle a>the angle b.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a hot water inlet chamber and a cold water inlet chamber are formed inside the valve core body, the hot water inlet chamber is connected to the hot water flow path, the cold water inlet chamber is connected to the cold water flow path, and one of the hot water inlet chamber and the cold water inlet chamber is provided with the guide slope.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a connecting pipe connecting the hot water inlet chamber and the cold water inlet chamber is formed inside the valve core body, and the connecting pipe has a flared section facing the guide surface, and the angle between the flared section and the central axis of the guide sleeve is c, and the angle a>angle c.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide sleeve includes: The installation portion has the water outlet cavity formed therein; A flow guide platform is connected to the mounting portion and is located on a side of the mounting portion facing the valve core body, wherein the outer periphery of the flow guide platform forms a flow guide surface; The guide plates are distributed on the outer periphery of the guide platform, the ends of the guide plates abut against the valve core body, and the guide plates are used to divide the guide cavity into a plurality of guide channels.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide plate protrudes from the end surface of the guide platform away from the mounting portion; A slot is formed at one end of the guide platform facing the mounting portion. The thermosensitive element is a memory alloy spring. The end of the memory alloy spring is fixed to the slot. A mixing chamber is formed inside the guide platform.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the thermostatic valve further comprises: The mounting base is threadedly connected to the valve housing and is used to be fixed to the first end of the bias spring. The second end of the bias spring is used to be connected to the valve core body.

[0016] The constant temperature water circuit device of a water heater according to the second embodiment of the present invention comprises: a cold water pipe, formed with a first cold water inlet, a first cold water outlet, and a second cold water outlet, wherein the first cold water inlet is used to connect to a water source, and the first cold water outlet is used to connect to the second cold water inlet of the inner tank of the water heater; A thermostatic assembly comprising an outer tube and a thermostatic valve located within the outer tube, wherein the outer tube is formed with a third cold water inlet, a hot water inlet, and a mixed water outlet, the hot water inlet being connected to the hot water outlet of the inner tank of the water heater, and the thermostatic valve being the thermostatic valve described in the embodiment of the first aspect above; The switching valve includes an operating part and a switching valve core. The switching valve core is located in the cold water pipe. The operating part is suitable for driving the switching valve core to switch between a water injection position and a constant temperature position. In the water injection position, the third cold water inlet and the second cold water outlet are disconnected. In the constant temperature position, the third cold water inlet and the first cold water inlet are connected through the second cold water outlet.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the outer wall of the valve housing is provided with at least three sealing grooves, a sealing ring is fixed in each of the sealing grooves, the sealing ring and the inner wall of the outer tube are sealed to form a first annular cavity and a second annular cavity between adjacent sealing rings, the first annular cavity is used to connect the hot water inlet and the hot water flow path, and the second annular cavity is used to connect the third cold water inlet and the cold water flow path.

[0018] A water heater according to an embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention comprises: Cabinet assembly, including liner; The constant temperature water circuit device of the water heater according to the embodiment of the second aspect; Wherein, the first cold water outlet and the hot water inlet are located on the same side of the constant temperature water channel device, and the first cold water inlet and the mixed water outlet are located on the same side of the constant temperature water channel device.

[0019] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description which follows, or may be learned by practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the present invention or the prior art, a brief introduction is given below to the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0021] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the constant temperature water channel device provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the area where the switching valve is installed of the constant temperature water channel device provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional diagram of the switching valve and cold water pipe.

[0024] Figure 4 It is a structural diagram of the switching valve.

[0025] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional diagram of the switching valve.

[0026] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the constant temperature component area of ​​the constant temperature water channel device provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a thermostatic valve.

[0028] Figure 8 It is a structural diagram of a thermostatic valve.

[0029] Figure 9 It is a structural diagram of the guide sleeve.

[0030] Figure 10 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the guide sleeve.

[0031] Reference numerals: 100, cold water pipe; 110, first cold water inlet; 120, first cold water outlet; 130, second cold water outlet; 200, thermostat assembly; 210, outer pipe; 211, third cold water inlet; 212, hot water inlet; 213, mixed water outlet; 220, thermostat valve; 221, bias spring; 222, temperature adjustment component; 223, valve housing; 2231, sealing groove; 2232, mounting seal ring; 223a, first housing; 223a1, water outlet channel; 223b, second housing; 223c, third housing body; 224, valve core body; 2241, guide slope; 2242, hot water inlet chamber; 2243, cold water inlet chamber; 2244, connecting pipe; 22441, flared section; 225, guide sleeve; 2251, water outlet chamber; 2252, guide surface; 2253, mixing chamber; 226, guide chamber; 227, thermal element; 228, mounting base; 2254, mounting portion; 22541, annular protrusion; 2255, guide platform; 2256, guide plate; 2257, guide channel; 22551, slot; 300, switching valve; 310, operating unit; 311, knob; 3111, logo; 320, switching valve core; 321, pipe section; 3211, through hole; 3212, water outlet; 330, sealing section; 340, elastic sealing ring; 410. First sealing ring; 420. Second sealing ring; 430. Third sealing ring; A. Cold water flow path; B. Hot water flow path; C. First annular cavity; D. Second annular cavity; O. Center axis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following embodiments of the present invention are described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate the present invention but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0033] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0034] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "connected" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; mechanical connections, electrical connections; and direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediary. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0035] In the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, a first feature being "above," "above," or "above" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. A first feature being "below," "below," or "below" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a lower level than the second feature.

[0036] In the description of this specification, the reference terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" mean that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiment of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and combine different embodiments or examples described in this specification and features of different embodiments or examples without contradiction.

[0037] The following combination Figures 1-10 The thermostatic valve, the thermostatic waterway device of the water heater and the water heater according to the embodiment of the present invention are described. It is understood that the water heater includes a tank assembly and the thermostatic waterway device, and the tank assembly includes an inner tank.

[0038] It is understandable that, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some examples of the present invention, the constant temperature water circuit device of the water heater includes a cold water pipe 100 , a constant temperature component 200 and a switching valve 300 .

[0039] Reference Figures 1 to 3In this embodiment, the cold water pipe 100 is formed with a first cold water inlet 110, a first cold water outlet 120, and a second cold water outlet 130. The first cold water inlet 110 is used to connect to a water source. The inner tank is provided with a second cold water inlet, and the first cold water outlet 120 and the second cold water inlet can be connected by a pipeline.

[0040] It should be noted that the cold water pipe 100 is formed by integrally forming a first cold water inlet 110, a first cold water outlet 120 and a second cold water outlet 130; the water source externally connected to the first cold water inlet 110 is a municipal water supply, a water pump, etc.

[0041] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The thermostatic assembly 200 includes an outer tube 210 and a thermostatic valve 220 located inside the outer tube 210 . A third cold water inlet 211 , a hot water inlet 212 and a mixed water outlet 213 are formed on the outer tube 210 .

[0042] The inner tank is also provided with a hot water outlet, and the hot water inlet 212 and the hot water outlet can be connected by a pipeline.

[0043] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The switching valve 300 includes an operating part 310 and a switching valve core 320. The switching valve core 320 is located in the cold water pipe 100. The operating part 310 is suitable for driving the switching valve core 320 to switch between the water injection position and the constant temperature position. In the water injection position, the third cold water inlet 211 and the second cold water outlet 130 are disconnected. In the constant temperature position, the third cold water inlet 211 and the first cold water inlet 110 are connected through the second cold water outlet 130.

[0044] It should be noted that, in some examples of the present invention, the switching valve core 320 can be movably inserted into the cold water pipe 100 . It can be understood that the movement modes of the switching valve core 320 include rotation, sliding, etc.

[0045] By providing the switching valve 300, the user operates the operating portion 310 to move the switching valve core 320 to switch its working position. During water filling, the switching valve core 320 moves to the water filling position, disconnecting the third cold water inlet 211 and the second cold water outlet 130, thereby cutting off the pipeline leading to the thermostatic valve 220 and physically blocking the path for cold water to flow directly to the thermostatic valve 220. After the water tank of the water heater is filled with water, the user can use the operating portion 310 to drive the switching valve core 320 to the constant temperature position. At this time, the third cold water inlet 211 and the first cold water inlet 110 are connected through the second cold water outlet 130. Cold water enters the thermostatic valve 220 through the third cold water inlet 211, and hot water enters the thermostatic valve 220 through the hot water inlet 212. After mixing to a preset temperature, the mixed water is discharged through the mixed water outlet 213, meeting normal use. Through the design of the switching valve 300 structure, mechanical isolation and reconstruction of the water path are achieved, which is conducive to preventing user misjudgment, thereby avoiding the risk of dry burning when the user powers on for the first time, and the operation is relatively convenient.

[0046] It is understandable that, referring to Figure 3 In some examples of the present invention, the switching valve core 320 is rotatably located within the cold water pipe 100. The operating portion 310 is moved to drive the switching valve core 320 to rotate, thereby switching between the water injection position and the constant temperature position. Mechanically operating the switching valve core 320 to rotate allows for rapid switching between the water injection mode and the constant temperature mode, balancing efficiency and comfort.

[0047] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some examples of the present invention, the operating portion 310 includes a knob 311 , and marks 3111 corresponding to the water filling position and the constant temperature position are respectively provided on opposite sides of the knob 311 .

[0048] The above configuration significantly improves the intuitiveness and accuracy of user operations. Through visual guidance (e.g., text, icons, or color grading), users can quickly identify the current mode and avoid misoperation. Furthermore, the symmetrically distributed markings 3111 combined with the physical positioning of the knob 311 (e.g., the "click" feedback when fully rotated) ensure precise and reliable mode switching.

[0049] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some examples of the present invention, the angle difference between the corresponding knobs 311 of the water filling position and the constant temperature position is 180 degrees. The above-mentioned water filling position mark 3111 and the constant temperature position mark 3111 can be arranged in parallel and symmetrically, and the combination can be switched by rotating 180 degrees. Of course, in other examples, the water filling position mark 3111 and the constant temperature position mark 3111 can also be arranged at a 30-degree angle, etc., which is not limited here.

[0050] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some examples, the switching valve core 320 includes a pipe section 321 that is adapted to the inner wall of the cold water pipe 100. The pipe section 321 is formed with a pair of through holes 3211 that penetrate opposite side walls of the pipe section 321. The through holes 3211 are connected to the first cold water outlet 120. The side wall of the pipe section 321 is also formed with a water outlet hole 3212. In the constant temperature position, the first cold water inlet 110, the water outlet hole 3212, the second cold water outlet 130 and the third cold water inlet 211 are connected in sequence.

[0051] It can be understood that referring to Figure 2 The pipe section 321 of the switching valve core 320 is rotatably provided on the inner wall of the cold water pipe 100. In the water filling position, the through hole 3211 is connected to the first cold water outlet 120. At this time, the water outlet hole 3212 is staggered with the second cold water outlet 130. The second cold water outlet 130 is in a closed state. At this time, only water is filled into the inner tank. After the water in the inner tank of the water heater is filled, the user can use the operating part 310 to drive the switching valve core 320 to move to the constant temperature position. The first cold water inlet 110, the water outlet hole 3212, the second cold water outlet 130 and the third cold water inlet 211 are connected in sequence, so that hot water and cold water are mixed and flow out through the mixed water outlet 213.

[0052] The water outlet 3212 of the pipe section 321 becomes a key channel when in the constant temperature position, so that after the cold water enters from the first cold water inlet 110, it flows through the water outlet 3212 and the second cold water outlet 130 in sequence, and finally flows to the target position, the third cold water inlet 211, to ensure constant temperature water flow. The design structure is clear and effectively guides the cold water to flow along the predetermined path, ensuring that the cold water is delivered to the intended destination in the constant temperature mode.

[0053] A pair of through holes 3211 on the pipe section 321 provides a main and direct flow path for cold water. They are connected to the first cold water outlet 120, which means that after the cold water enters the switching valve core 320 from the first cold water inlet 110, it will flow directly to the first cold water outlet 120 through the pair of through holes 3211; in addition, it helps the water flow symmetrically through the switching valve core 320, reducing eccentric wear and ensuring smooth movement.

[0054] Reference Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some examples of the present invention, along the outer circumference of the pipe section 321, the angle between the through hole 3211 and the water outlet hole 3212 is ninety degrees. Specifically, the axis of the water outlet hole 3212 is perpendicular to the axis of the pair of through holes 3211. The pair of through holes 3211 and the water outlet hole 3212 are conducive to ensuring that regardless of whether the water is injected or the constant temperature state, a portion of the cold water will always enter the inner tank through the first cold water outlet 120, which is conducive to achieving multi-path distribution of the flow.

[0055] Reference Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some examples of the present invention, the water outlet hole 3212 is located closer to the first cold water inlet 110 than the through hole 3211. That is, the water outlet hole 3212 is located between the through hole 3211 and the first cold water inlet 110. Cold water flows from the first cold water inlet 110 into the inner wall of the cold water pipe 100. When the switching valve 300 is in the constant temperature position, part of the cold water enters the third cold water inlet 211 of the thermostatic valve 220 through the water outlet hole 3212 and the second cold water outlet 130, and the other part of the cold water enters the inner tank along the first cold water outlet 120 through the through hole 3211, which can effectively balance the pressure fluctuations in the cold water pipe 100. At the same time, because the two water flows have the same direction and are both away from the location of the first cold water inlet 110, the setting of pipeline interfaces is reduced, thereby extending the service life of the system.

[0056] Because outlet 3212 is closer to first cold water inlet 110, the cold water entering thermostatic valve 220 is "original cold water" (the temperature is the same as first cold water inlet 110), unheated by the inner tank. This avoids the "warm water backflow" issue that occurs when cold water enters the inner tank first and then becomes heated in conventional designs. By mixing this low-temperature cold water with hot water (or other heat source), thermostatic valve 220 can precisely adjust based on a more realistic initial temperature, reducing temperature control errors caused by water temperature fluctuations or secondary heating, and improving the accuracy of achieving the target temperature.

[0057] Furthermore, the short-path design of water outlet 3212, closer to first cold water inlet 110, shortens the time it takes for cold water to reach thermostatic valve 220 (compared to a route through the longer cold water pipe 100 to through-hole 3211). When the system detects a water temperature deviation requiring adjustment, thermostatic valve 220 can more quickly obtain cold water and initiate mixing adjustments, reducing the delay of waiting for cold water to arrive and improving temperature control response speed (e.g., the time from sensing temperature to delivering qualified water is shortened).

[0058] Of course, in other examples, the through hole 3211 may also be located between the water outlet hole 3212 and the first cold water inlet 110 , that is, the through hole 3211 is closer to the first cold water inlet 110 than the water outlet hole 3212 .

[0059] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the inner wall of the cold water pipe 100 forms an adaptor structure with the corresponding pipe section 321. When the water outlet 3212 and the second cold water outlet 130 are misaligned, it is difficult for cold water to flow into the second cold water outlet 130 through the small gap between the inner wall of the cold water pipe 100 and the pipe section 321. It is worth noting that this state is not an absolute seal, but rather a relative barrier formed by factors such as gap size and fluid pressure. The existence of the gap theoretically still allows a very small amount of fluid to seep through, but the flow rate is extremely low and the flow rate is very slow. In practical applications, it can be considered a basic blockage.

[0060] Of course, in some other examples, a seal may be provided at the water outlet 3212 of the pipe section 321. When the seal is provided, when the water outlet 3212 and the second cold water outlet 130 are in a misaligned state, the seal blocks the connection between the water outlet 3212 and the second cold water outlet 130.

[0061] It is understandable that, referring to Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some examples of the present invention, the switching valve 300 further includes a sealing section 330 located between the operating portion 310 and the pipe section 321 , and an elastic sealing ring 340 is provided between the sealing section 330 and the inner wall of the cold water pipe 100 .

[0062] The switching valve 300 mentioned above has an additional sealing section 330 between the operating portion 310 and the pipe section 321, and an elastic sealing ring 340 is provided at the contact interface between the sealing section 330 and the inner wall of the cold water pipe 100. This structural design effectively bridges the tiny fitting gap between the sealing section 330 and the inner wall of the cold water pipe 100 through the radial extrusion deformation characteristics of the elastic sealing ring 340. When a gap appears during valve assembly or operation due to factors such as tolerance accumulation and slight deformation of the pipe, the elastic sealing ring 340 can adaptively deform due to its own high resilience, tightly fitting the contact surface to form a multi-dimensional, dead-angle-free sealing barrier. Compared with traditional rigid sealing structures, its advantage is that it can not only statically block cold water leakage, but also cope with dynamic working conditions such as vibration impact and system pressure fluctuations when the operating portion 310 of the switching valve 300 is operated, and continuously maintain a reliable sealing state. This design can significantly reduce the risk of cold water leakage, avoiding unnecessary loss of water resources and preventing problems such as pipeline moisture and component corrosion caused by leakage, effectively improving the overall sealing reliability and long-term operation stability of the switching valve 300.

[0063] It should be noted that the elastic sealing ring 340 may be a pure rubber type, a metal and rubber composite type, etc. The elastic sealing ring 340 may be an O-ring, a lip sealing ring, etc.

[0064] It should also be noted that the operating part 310 and the pipe section 321 of the switching valve core 320 are an integrally molded structure, for example, they are formed in one step through injection molding, casting or molding technology, and the operating part 310 and the pipe section 321 of the switching valve core 320 are an integrally molded structure, eliminating the assembly interface, and significantly improving the overall structural strength and anti-fatigue reliability; precision molding of the mold ensures the accuracy of the mating surface, effectively optimizes the sealing performance, and reduces the risk of leakage; at the same time, it simplifies the production process, reduces assembly costs, and supports the functional integration of the operating part 310 and the switching valve core 320 (such as limit design, etc.), enhancing operational stability and user experience.

[0065] Of course, in other examples, the operating portion 310 and the pipe section 321 of the switching valve core 320 are of a split structure, that is, they are independently processed and then assembled, for example, by a threaded connection, a snap connection, etc. The split structure design can improve design flexibility and maintenance convenience, and components can be replaced separately.

[0066] Reference Figure 1 In some examples of the present invention, the pipe section 321 of the above-mentioned switching valve core 320 is provided with an anti-detachment groove, and the cold water pipe 100 is provided with an anti-detachment strip and a fixed hook. The anti-detachment strip is detachably inserted into the interior of the cold water pipe 100 and is clamped in the anti-detachment groove to limit the axial movement of the switching valve core 320 from the cold water pipe 100. The fixed hook is located outside the cold water pipe 100 and is clamped to the side wall of the positioning anti-detachment strip to fix the anti-detachment strip. If disassembly is required, the anti-detachment strip can be separated from the fixed hook and pulled out of the cold water pipe 100, and the switching valve core 320 can be removed. The structure is simple and the operation is convenient.

[0067] It is understandable that, referring to Figure 1 、 Figure 6 and Figure 7 In some examples of the present invention, the thermostatic valve 220 includes a bias spring 221 , a temperature regulating component 222 , a valve housing 223 , a valve core body 224 , and a guide sleeve 225 .

[0068] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 In some examples of the present invention, the bias spring 221 is located inside the outer tube 210, the temperature regulating component 222 is at least partially connected to the outer tube 210, and the temperature regulating component 222 is used to adjust the compression amount of the bias spring 221 to adjust the water outlet temperature of the thermostatic component 200.

[0069] When the user operates the external temperature adjustment component 222, it will change the compression amount of the bias spring 221 in the outer tube 210, thereby adjusting the preload force of the bias spring 221. The increase or decrease in the preload force of the bias spring 221 will act on the thermostatic component 200, so that the internal components of the thermostatic component 200 will change, thereby achieving water outlet temperature adjustment, that is, achieving precise control of the ratio of hot and cold water in the thermostatic component 200.

[0070] It should be noted that in an embodiment of the present invention, the temperature adjustment component 222 is at least partially connected to the outer tube 210 by rotation, using a threaded transmission. The outer wall of the temperature adjustment component 222 is provided with threads, and the inner wall of the outer tube 210 is machined with matching threads. When a user rotates the temperature adjustment component 222 axially along the outer tube 210 (clockwise / counterclockwise), the displacement is controlled by the pitch of the threads, directly compressing or releasing the bias spring 221. For example, when the temperature adjustment component 222 is screwed into the outer tube 210, the spring compression increases; when it is screwed out, the spring rebounds, reducing the compression, thereby meeting the requirements of operational convenience and structural sealing. It should be noted that in some examples, the inner wall of the temperature adjustment component 222 can also be provided with threads, and the outer wall of the outer tube 210 can be machined with matching threads.

[0071] Of course, in other examples, the temperature adjustment component 222 is a slider or paddle, with an elongated guide groove (or through-hole) defined on the surface of the outer tube 210. The user pushes or pulls the slider axially along the outer tube 210, connecting it to the internal bias spring 221 via the guide groove, thereby compressing or releasing the bias spring 221. For example, pulling the slider outward compresses the bias spring 221, while pushing it inward releases it, making operation intuitive. Alternatively, the temperature adjustment component 222 can utilize a rotary lever or a wrench-type transmission to cooperate with the outer tube 210 to drive the bias spring 221. In either case, the core principle is to convert the user's operating force into a change in the compression of the bias spring 221 through the mechanical action of the external component (rotation, pushing, pulling, pressing, etc.), ultimately achieving control of the water outlet temperature of the thermostat assembly 200.

[0072] Specifically, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 6 In some examples of the present invention, the temperature regulating component 222 and the switching valve 300 are located on the same side of the constant temperature waterway device.

[0073] The above design, with its centralized layout on the same side, can reduce the overall volume, avoid redundant piping caused by separating them on both sides (such as hot and cold water pipes and signal lines requiring cross-side connections), reduce the complexity of the water / circuit circuits, improve the internal space utilization of the device, reduce space redundancy, and enhance compactness.

[0074] During mold opening, parting surface design is simplified, reducing mold complexity. Assemblers can complete the assembly of the temperature control component 222 and the switching valve 300 on the same side, eliminating the need to flip the device or operate across multiple sides, reducing assembly steps and time. Assembly is more convenient and calibration is more efficient. During operation, user-friendly functions are intuitive and easier to use, improving both space utilization and user experience, while also enhancing calibration consistency.

[0075] Of course, in some other examples, the temperature regulating component 222 and the switching valve 300 may also be located on different sides of the constant temperature waterway device.

[0076] It is understandable that, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 6 In some examples of the present invention, the first cold water outlet 120 and the hot water inlet 212 are located on the same side of the constant temperature waterway device, and the first cold water inlet 110 and the mixed water outlet 213 are located on the same side of the constant temperature waterway device.

[0077] The hot water end of the inner tank is connected to the hot water inlet 212, and the third cold water inlet 211 of the inner tank is connected to the first cold water outlet 120. Since the first cold water outlet 120 and the hot water inlet 212 are located on the same side, they are both arranged close to the inner tank. The structure shortens the water path length, reduces the cross-redundancy of the pipes, and improves the compactness. During assembly, the operations are concentrated on the same side, which facilitates the quick connection of water pipes / components and improves the assembly efficiency. During operation, users can inspect or use the interface more easily, which improves the convenience of use.

[0078] The external water source is connected to the first cold water inlet 110, and the mixed water outlet 213 is connected to the external water-using components (such as a shower head, etc.). The first cold water inlet 110 and the mixed water outlet 213 are located on the same side, which structurally shortens the water path, reduces pipe cross-redundancy, and improves internal compactness. During assembly, the water pipes are connected centrally, which facilitates quick installation and fixation, reducing the difficulty of assembly. During operation, the user only needs to connect the water source or water-using components (such as a shower head) on the same side, reducing the number of moving steps and making it more convenient to use.

[0079] Specifically, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 6 In some examples of the present invention, the first cold water outlet 120 and the hot water inlet 212 are located on the upper side of the constant temperature waterway device, and the first cold water inlet 110 and the mixed water outlet 213 are located on the lower side of the constant temperature waterway device.

[0080] The first cold water outlet 120 and the hot water inlet 212 are arranged on the upper side, and the first cold water inlet 110 and the mixed water outlet 213 are designed to be divided into zones on the lower side. The water channels in the structure are orderly, cross-redundancy is reduced, and internal compactness is improved. When opening the mold, since the interfaces are concentrated on the upper and lower sides, symmetrical parting surfaces can be designed to simplify the mold structure and reduce manufacturing difficulty. During assembly, the operation is divided into upper and lower areas, and the steps are clear and easy to execute, which improves assembly efficiency. During operation, the user's connection to the water source (lower side) and use of mixed water (lower side), as well as the connection to hot water (upper side) and the auxiliary interface (upper side) are clearly divided, which is intuitive and reduces the risk of misconnection.

[0081] More specifically, refer to Figure 2In some examples of the present invention, the cold water pipe 100 includes a first pipe section, a second pipe section, and a third pipe section that are integrally formed and connected. The axis of the first pipe section is perpendicular to the axes of the second pipe section and the third pipe section, respectively. The first pipe section has a second cold water outlet 130, the first cold water inlet 110 is the lower port of the second pipe section, and the first cold water outlet 120 is the upper port of the third pipe section. The first pipe section is centrally arranged, and the second pipe section and the third pipe section extend downward and upward, respectively (when arranged vertically). This makes the overall height space utilization of the cold water pipe 100 more efficient and reduces redundant dimensions in the vertical direction of the device.

[0082] Of course, in other examples, the axes of the first pipe section, the second pipe section, and the third pipe section can be arranged at an angle of 30 degrees, 120 degrees, or even coaxially. It can be understood that the pipe section 321 of the switching valve core 320 is rotatably inserted into the first pipe section, and the length of the pipe section 321 within the first pipe section is shorter than that of the first pipe section to avoid communication between the second pipe section and the first pipe section.

[0083] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the first pipe section is positioned in the middle of the vertical length of the cold water pipe 100, thereby avoiding excessive circuitous water flow, shortening the overall length of the cold water pipe 100, simplifying the internal flow channel structure, and reducing water resistance and pressure loss. The centrally positioned first pipe section is highly symmetrical, ensuring uniform force in all directions during demolding, thus avoiding mold jamming caused by complex local structures and improving production efficiency. Furthermore, the central positioning of the first pipe section facilitates quick positioning of the switching valve 300 during installation, eliminating the need for additional vertical alignment adjustments and simplifying the assembly process. The pipe section 321 of the switching valve core 320 is inserted into the first pipe section. Its central position ensures a balanced operating lever arm for the switching valve core 320, making rotation and insertion less labor-intensive.

[0084] It should also be noted that, referring to Figure 1 The first pipe section is provided with a connecting pipe corresponding to the second cold water outlet 130, and the connecting pipe is plugged into the third cold water inlet 211 of the outer pipe 210. Specifically, the above-mentioned connecting pipe is provided with a positioning groove, and the cold water pipe 100 is provided with a positioning card strip and a positioning hook. The positioning card strip is detachably inserted into the outer pipe 210 and is engaged with the positioning groove to limit the axial movement of the connecting pipe from the outer pipe 210. The positioning hook is located outside the outer pipe 210 and is engaged with the side wall of the positioning card strip to fix the positioning card strip. If disassembly is required, the positioning card strip can be separated from the positioning hook and pulled out of the outer pipe 210, and the connecting pipe can be removed. The structure is simple and the operation is convenient.

[0085] It is understandable that, referring to Figure 6 and Figure 7In some examples of the present invention, the valve housing 223 is fixed to the outer tube 210; the valve core body 224 can slide relative to the valve housing 223, forming a cold water flow path A and a hot water flow path B between the valve core body 224 and the valve housing 223. The relative movement of the sliding valve core body 224 and the valve housing 223 directly separates the cold water flow path A and the hot water flow path B, eliminating the need for additional independent pipes or complex joints. This simplifies the water path structure, achieves linear regulation of water flow, and improves the accuracy of temperature control.

[0086] Specifically, refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 In this embodiment, the bias spring 221 abuts against the valve core body 224 to limit the position of the valve core body 224 in the initial state.

[0087] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 In some examples of the present invention, the guide sleeve 225 is installed in the valve housing 223, and a guide chamber 226 is formed between the guide sleeve 225 and the valve core body 224. A water outlet chamber 2251 is formed between the guide sleeve 225 and the valve housing 223. The water outlet chamber 2251 and the mixed water outlet 213 are connected in sequence. The guide chamber 226 is used to mix the hot water flow path B and the cold water flow path A upstream of the water outlet chamber 2251.

[0088] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 In some examples of the present invention, the thermistor 227 is installed in the water outlet chamber 2251, and is suitable for driving the guide sleeve 225 and the valve core body 224 to move when sensing the change of water temperature in the water outlet chamber 2251, so as to change the flow rate of the cold water flow path A and the flow rate of the hot water flow path B.

[0089] The thermistor 227 is installed in the water outlet chamber 2251 of the guide sleeve 225. It can sense the changes in the outlet water temperature in real time and convert them into mechanical driving force. By driving the guide sleeve 225 to work in conjunction with the valve core body 224, it dynamically adjusts the flow ratio of the cold water flow path A and the hot water flow path B, thereby quickly responding to water temperature fluctuations, automatically maintaining the stability of the outlet water temperature, avoiding overcooling or overheating, and realizing intelligent constant temperature control.

[0090] The valve housing 223 of the thermostatic valve 220 is equipped with a guide sleeve 225 that cooperates with the thermosensitive element 227. This allows cold water and hot water to mix upstream of the guide sleeve 225's guide cavity 226 before flowing into the water outlet cavity 2251. The guide sleeve 225, as a single component, guides hot water and cold water from the corresponding hot water flow path B and cold water flow path A, forcing the two to contact each other, avoiding the addition of additional components and reducing system complexity and assembly costs. Upstream mixing advances the timing of contact between hot and cold water, avoiding outlet water temperature fluctuations caused by uneven mixing, and allowing the thermosensitive element 227 to sense the correct mixed water temperature. Furthermore, compared to complex flow paths spliced ​​together from multiple components, the single-component flow path design of the present invention reduces flow resistance. At the same time, the structure is more compact, making it easier to adapt to small space installation requirements.

[0091] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present invention, the thermal element 227 is a memory alloy spring. Since the memory alloy spring is a metal temperature-sensing component, it can sense temperature quickly and perform actions quickly. Of course, in some examples, the thermal element 227 can also be other, which is not limited here.

[0092] It is understandable that, referring to Figure 6 and Figure 7 In some examples of the present invention, the guide sleeve 225 is formed with a guide surface 2252, the inner wall of the valve core body 224 is formed with a guide inclined surface 2241 corresponding to the guide sleeve 225, and the guide cavity 226 is formed between the guide inclined surface 2241 and the guide surface 2252 of the guide sleeve 225.

[0093] The guide slope 2241 on the inner wall of the above-mentioned valve core body 224 can not only guide the guide sleeve 225 to accurately position or move smoothly, but also the guide cavity 226 formed by it and the guide surface 2252 of the guide sleeve 225 optimizes the liquid flow path, so that the liquids flowing into the cold water flow path A and the hot water flow path B are fully offset and mixed, reducing flow resistance and improving the stability of flow control, thereby enhancing the accuracy and response efficiency of the valve core body 224 in regulating the flow of hot and cold water.

[0094] It should be understood that in this embodiment, based on the position of the diversion chamber 226 corresponding to the water outlet end of the third cold water inlet 211, it can be understood that the diversion chamber 226 corresponds to the cold water flow path A. Through the coordinated movement of the valve core body 224 and the diversion sleeve 225, the flow rate of the cold water flow path A is regulated. This can be understood as adjusting the gap, cross-sectional area, etc. between the valve housing 223 and the valve core body 224 corresponding to the cold water flow path A. Of course, in some examples, the diversion chamber 226 can also correspond to the position of the hot water inlet 212. It can also be understood that the diversion chamber 226 is connected to the hot water flow path B, which is not limited here.

[0095] It is understandable that, referring to Figure 6 、 Figure 7 and Figure 10 In some examples of the present invention, a mixing chamber 2253 is further formed in the guide sleeve 225 , and the mixing chamber 2253 is located upstream of the water outlet chamber 2251 .

[0096] It can be understood that mixing chamber 2253 is formed by a section of guide sleeve 225 that separates thermosensitive element 227. Guide sleeve 225 communicates with guide chamber 226, which guides the converging flow of cold water path A and hot water path B to mixing chamber 2253, ensuring thorough mixing of the cold and hot water. This prevents thermosensitive element 227 from prematurely contacting unmixed water, potentially causing malfunction and resulting in water temperature fluctuations.

[0097] Specifically, refer to Figure 6 、 Figure 7 and Figure 10 In this embodiment, the mixing chamber 2253 is a straight, hollow structure with two open ends and a circular cross-section, which facilitates mold processing. Of course, in some examples, the mixing chamber 2253 can be a curved structure, and the inner wall of the mixing chamber 2253 can also be provided with a slow flow arc surface, a flow-disrupting boss, and other structures.

[0098] Specifically, in this embodiment, thermistor 227 is fixed to the water outlet of mixing chamber 2253. The flow rate at the water outlet of mixing chamber 2253 is relatively stable, and thermistor 227 can quickly detect water temperature fluctuations and convert them into mechanical driving force, driving valve core body 224 to promptly adjust the hot and cold water flow ratio. This forms a closed-loop control mechanism of "precise detection - rapid response - dynamic balance", significantly improving the accuracy and reliability of constant temperature regulation and effectively preventing the problem of fluctuating outlet water temperature.

[0099] It is understandable that, referring to Figure 6 、 Figure 7 and Figure 10 In some examples of the present invention, the angle between the guide surface 2252 and the central axis O of the guide sleeve 225 is a, the angle between the guide slope 2241 and the central axis O of the guide sleeve 225 is b, and the angle a>angle b.

[0100] With this arrangement, a reasonable gradient difference exists between the angle a formed by the guide surface 2252 and the central axis O of the guide sleeve 225, and the angle b formed by the guide slope 2241 and the central axis O of the guide sleeve 225. This creates an effective counter-mixing mechanism for the cold and hot water before they enter the mixing chamber 2253. Despite the significant temperature difference between the two liquids, the differences in flow direction and velocity gradient create a strong shear disturbance at the intersection, increasing the contact area and mass transfer efficiency of the two-phase fluids. This pre-established structured counter-mixing mechanism allows the hot and cold water to achieve initial temperature homogenization through momentum exchange before entering the mixing chamber 2253, establishing a uniform initial state for subsequent deep mixing and effectively improving overall heat exchange efficiency and mixing uniformity. This multi-stage synergistic mechanism of "initial mixing in the guide chamber 226 and deep homogenization in the mixing chamber 2253" is formed, effectively reducing local temperature gradients and ensuring a more uniform temperature distribution of the water entering the outlet chamber 2251, providing a more stable fluid foundation for subsequent constant temperature control.

[0101] It is understandable that, referring to Figure 6 and Figure 7 In some examples of the present invention, a hot water inlet chamber 2242 and a cold water inlet chamber 2243 are formed inside the valve core body 224. The hot water inlet chamber 2242 is connected to the hot water flow path B, and the cold water inlet chamber 2243 is connected to the cold water flow path A. That is, the hot water inlet chamber 2242 is connected to the hot water inlet 212 through the hot water flow path B, and the cold water inlet chamber 2243 is connected to the third cold water inlet 211 through the cold water flow path A.

[0102] In some examples, the cold water inlet chamber 2243 is provided with a guide slope 2241 . It can be understood that the cold water is guided along the guide chamber 226 formed by the guide slope 2241 and the guide surface 2252 to flow into the mixing chamber 2253 .

[0103] The valve core body 224 employs a split-chamber design, housing a hot water inlet chamber 2242 and a cold water inlet chamber 2243. These chambers connect to hot water flow path B and cold water flow path A, respectively, through independent flow passage systems, forming precise channels for the input of hot and cold media. The inner wall of the cold water inlet chamber 2243 (selected based on the system's flow resistance requirements) is specially designed with a guide ramp 2241, extending axially at a specific angle, creating a seamless transition with the wall. This fluid-guiding action of the guide ramp 2241 effectively optimizes the flow of hot and cold water before they enter the mixing chamber 2253.

[0104] Of course, in some other examples, the hot water inlet chamber 2242 is provided with a guide slope 2241, which is not limited here.

[0105] Specifically, refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7In this embodiment, a connecting pipe 2244 connecting the hot water inlet chamber 2242 and the cold water inlet chamber 2243 is formed inside the valve core body 224. The connecting pipe 2244 has a flared section 22441 facing the guide surface 2252. The angle between the flared section 22441 and the central axis O of the guide sleeve 225 is c, and the angle a>angle c.

[0106] The angle a formed between the guide surface 2252 and the central axis O of the guide sleeve 225 guides the cold water into the connecting pipe 2244 with a larger radial component, while the hot water flows along the gentle straight section of the connecting pipe 2244 to the flared section 22441. The angle c formed between the flared section 22441 and the central axis O of the guide sleeve 225 promotes the full interweaving of the cold and hot water in the axial direction, thereby enhancing the hybrid power.

[0107] It can be understood that in some examples, the angle b and the angle c can be equal, or the angle b can be smaller than the angle c, or the angle c can be smaller than the angle b, which is not limited here.

[0108] Specifically, in this embodiment, the edge of the downstream end of the expansion section 22441 can cover the edge of the downstream end of the guide surface 2252, thereby ensuring that water can flow from the connecting pipe 2244 to the guide surface 2252, and the water between the connecting pipe 2244 and the guide surface 2252 can be fully mixed.

[0109] It is understandable that, referring to Figure 6 、 Figure 7 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 In some examples of the present invention, the guide sleeve 225 includes a mounting portion 2254, a guide platform 2255 and a guide plate 2256. The interior of the mounting portion 2254 forms a water outlet cavity 2251. The guide platform 2255 is connected to the mounting portion 2254 and is located on the side of the mounting portion 2254 facing the valve core body 224. The outer periphery of the guide platform 2255 forms a guide surface 2252. The guide plates 2256 are distributed on the outer periphery of the guide platform 2255. The ends of the guide plates 2256 abut against the valve core body 224, and the guide plates 2256 are used to divide the guide cavity 226 into multiple guide channels 2257.

[0110] The guide vanes 2256 divide the flow chamber 226 into multiple independent flow channels 2257. By controlling the number, angle, and spacing of the guide vanes 2256 (e.g., symmetrical or gradient distribution), the flow area of ​​each channel can be precisely controlled. In this embodiment, for example, cold water is guided through multiple flow channels 2257 and then mixed in the valve body 224. This avoids localized turbulence or stratification caused by uneven flow rates in a single channel, significantly improving the contact area and mixing uniformity between the hot and cold water, ensuring even circumferential distribution of the water flow and eliminating temperature deviations caused by "biased flow."

[0111] The guide surface 2252 on the outer periphery of the guide platform 2255 and the end of the guide plate 2256 abutting the valve core body 224 form a "step-type" guide structure. The guide plate 2256 serves as a diversion boundary to limit the radial diffusion range of the water flow; the guide surface 2252 further converges the water flow diverted by the guide plate 2256 and adjusts the flow direction, such as from radial to axial, so that the water flow completes the "diversion-rectification" transition before entering the water outlet chamber 2251, avoiding pressure fluctuations caused by sudden changes in the flow channel.

[0112] The end of guide vane 2256 directly abuts valve core body 224, forming a "mechanical stop" structure. This not only secures the position of guide vane 2256 (preventing channel dimensional changes due to water flow impact), but also enhances sealing (reducing the risk of water leakage) through close contact with valve core body 224. Furthermore, mounting portion 2254 acts as a "rigid support body," providing a stable mounting base for guide platform 2255 and guide vane 2256. This prevents structural deformation caused by external vibration or pressure fluctuations, ensuring the long-term dimensional accuracy and performance consistency of guide channel 2257.

[0113] Reference Figure 6 、 Figure 7 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 In some examples of the present invention, guide vane 2256 protrudes from the end surface of guide platform 2255 away from mounting portion 2254. Guide vane 2256 protrudes from the end surface of guide platform 2255 away from mounting portion 2254, extending guide surface 2252 to enhance multi-directional flow diversion, adjust flow velocity distribution to suppress turbulence, enhance structural limitation and sealing, and optimize water outlet direction to promote uniform mixing, ultimately improving temperature control accuracy and operational stability.

[0114] It should be noted that, referring to Figure 6 and Figure 10 In this embodiment, a slot 22551 is formed at one end of the guide platform 2255 facing the mounting portion 2254, and the end of the memory alloy spring is fixed to the slot 22551. It can be understood that in this embodiment, the slot 22551 is arranged around the mixing chamber 2253, and the memory alloy spring is inserted into the slot 22551 and surrounds the mixing chamber 2253.

[0115] The slot 22551 provides a clear installation positioning point for the memory alloy spring (for example, the shape of the slot body matches that of the end of the memory alloy spring), preventing the memory alloy spring from radially deflecting, twisting, or falling off due to water flow impact or vibration, ensuring that the memory alloy spring always expands and contracts along the designed direction (such as the axial direction), and ensuring that its elastic force is stably transmitted to the guide sleeve 225 and the valve core body 224. At the same time, it improves assembly consistency and structural reliability, and ultimately enhances the long-term performance of the device.

[0116] It can be understood that the above-mentioned thermal element 227, i.e., the memory alloy spring, is detachably mounted on the guide sleeve 225. Of course, in some examples, the above-mentioned thermal element 227, i.e., the memory alloy spring, can also be embedded in an integrally formed manner and fixedly matched with the guide sleeve 225.

[0117] It is understandable that, referring to Figure 6 and Figure 7 In some examples of the present invention, the bias spring 221 has a first end and a second end, and the thermostatic valve 220 also includes a mounting base 228, which is used to be fixed to the first end of the bias spring 221, and the mounting base 228 and the valve housing 223 are threadedly connected, and the second end of the bias spring 221 is used to be connected to the valve core body 224.

[0118] By rotating the mounting base 228, its relative position with the valve housing 223 can be precisely adjusted, thereby controlling the initial compression or extension of the bias spring 221, ensuring that the valve core body 224 obtains accurate preload or displacement reference in the initial state, so as to facilitate the control of the water outlet temperature.

[0119] This design reduces the sensitivity to position errors during installation. Even if there are slight installation deviations (such as machining tolerances or assembly clearances of the valve housing 223), they can be compensated by fine-tuning the mounting base 228 to achieve precise positioning of the initial position of the valve core body 224, thereby avoiding adjustment failure or temperature deviation due to inaccurate positioning.

[0120] Specifically, refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 In this embodiment, the outer wall of mounting base 228 is threaded, and matching threads are machined on the inner wall of valve housing 223. When a user rotates mounting base 228, it moves axially (clockwise or counterclockwise) along valve housing 223. The pitch of the threads controls the displacement, directly compressing or releasing bias spring 221.

[0121] It should be noted that, referring to Figure 6 、 Figure 7 and Figure 8 In some examples of the present invention, the temperature adjustment component 222 serves as the system's coarse adjustment actuator, while the mounting base 228 performs fine adjustment. Specifically, when the temperature adjustment component 222 is rotated, its mechanical motion simultaneously drives the valve housing 223's components, the bias spring 221, and the mounting base 228 through the transmission structure. However, when the mounting base 228 is rotated alone, its motion acts only on the bias spring 221, enabling more precise adjustment.

[0122] More specifically, in some examples, the temperature adjustment component 222 is a sleeve that is externally mounted on a portion of the valve housing 223 and push-fitted thereto. This portion of the valve housing 223 is externally mounted on the mounting base 228. The temperature adjustment component 222 utilizes a sleeve structure design, serving as a core adjustment unit that is externally mounted on a specific functional section (e.g., the adjustment section) of the valve housing 223. The two components achieve motion transmission through a push-fitting arrangement. Furthermore, this functional section of the valve housing 223 is externally mounted on the mounting base 228 in a sleeve-fitted manner, forming a hierarchical sleeve-valve housing 223 adjustment section-mounting base 228 structure.

[0123] Reference Figure 6 、 Figure 7 and Figure 8 In some examples of the present invention, the outer wall of the valve housing 223 is provided with at least three sealing grooves 2231, and a mounting sealing ring 2232 is fixed in each sealing groove 2231. The mounting sealing ring 2232 and the inner wall of the outer tube 210 are sealed to form a first annular cavity C and a second annular cavity D between adjacent mounting sealing rings 2232. The first annular cavity C is used to connect the hot water inlet 212 and the hot water flow path B, and the second annular cavity D is used to connect the third cold water inlet 211 and the cold water flow path A.

[0124] The axial arrangement of the first annular cavity C and the second annular cavity D (forming a cavity between adjacent sealing rings 2232) allows hot and cold water to enter the valve body 224 more evenly along its circumference. This separate chamber diversion mode avoids cross-interference between multiple flow paths, ensuring that hot and cold water enter the mixing chamber 2253 in a stable manner according to a preset ratio, significantly improving the control accuracy of the final water outlet temperature.

[0125] More specifically, refer to Figure 6 、 Figure 7 and Figure 8 In some examples of the present invention, the above-mentioned valve housing 223 includes a first shell 223a, a second shell 223b and a third shell 223c, the second shell 223b is located between the first shell 223a and the third shell 223c, the first shell 223a corresponds to the outer shell guide sleeve 225, the second shell 223b is outermost on the valve core body 224, and the third shell 223c is outermost on the mounting base 228 and the bias spring 221.

[0126] It is understandable that, referring to Figure 9 and Figure 10In this example, a plurality of annular protrusions 22541 are provided on the outer periphery of the mounting portion 2254 of the guide sleeve 225, and the plurality of annular protrusions 22541 abut against the inner wall of the first shell 223a, thereby reducing the friction between the guide sleeve 225 and the first shell 223a, increasing the water resistance, and reducing the overflow of unmixed water; a first sealing ring 410 is provided between the second shell 223b and the valve core body 224, for further blocking the mixing of the hot water flow path B and the cold water flow path A on the outer periphery of the valve core body 224, thereby improving the sealing performance.

[0127] In this example, the valve housing 223 , ie, the first housing, is provided with a plurality of water outlet channels 223 a 1 at the water outlet cavity 2251 of the guide sleeve 225 . The water outlet channels 223 a 1 communicate with the water outlet cavity 2251 and the mixed water outlet 213 .

[0128] It should be noted that, referring to Figure 6 、 Figure 7 and Figure 8 In this example, the third shell 223c includes a third outer shell and a third inner shell partially located inside the third outer shell. The third outer shell and the third inner shell are connected by threads for easy disassembly and maintenance, and the second sealing ring 420 is used to seal between the two to prevent liquid leakage, and the part of the third inner shell located outside the third outer shell is used to adapt to the installation of the temperature adjustment component 222.

[0129] It should also be noted that, referring to Figure 6 and Figure 7 In this embodiment, the third inner shell is externally mounted on the mounting base 228 and is threadedly connected. The displacement is controlled by the pitch of the thread, directly compressing or releasing the bias spring 221. The mounting base 228 is provided with two mounting grooves along its circumference, and a third sealing ring 430 is provided in each mounting groove to seal the fitting gap between the third inner shell and the mounting base 228 bracket. Of course, the number of mounting grooves is not limited to two and can be determined according to actual sealing requirements. It should be understood that the position of the above-mentioned mounting groove is between the threaded fitting point between the third inner shell and the mounting base 228 and the limit fitting point between the bias spring 221 and the mounting base 228. The coordinated structure of the thread pitch control and the precise design of the position of the third sealing ring 430 realizes the linear adjustment of the displacement of the third inner shell, multi-dimensional sealing protection and dynamic anti-vibration function, significantly improving the adjustment accuracy, sealing reliability and long-term operation stability of the device.

[0130] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A thermostatic valve, characterized in that: include: valve housing; a valve core body, the valve core body being slidable relative to the valve housing, and forming a cold water flow path and a hot water flow path between the valve core body and the valve housing; A guide sleeve is installed in the valve housing, a guide cavity is formed between the guide sleeve and the valve core body, and a water outlet cavity is formed in the guide sleeve, and the guide cavity is used to mix the hot water in the hot water flow path and the cold water in the cold water flow path upstream of the water outlet cavity; a thermal element installed in the water outlet chamber, adapted to drive the guide sleeve and the valve core body to move when sensing a change in water temperature in the water outlet chamber, so as to change the flow rate of the cold water flow path and the flow rate of the hot water flow path; The guide sleeve is formed with a guide surface, the inner wall of the valve core body is formed with a guide inclined surface corresponding to the guide sleeve, and the guide cavity is formed between the guide surface and the guide inclined surface.

2. The thermostatic valve according to claim 1, characterized in that The included angle between the guide surface and the central axis of the guide sleeve is a, the included angle between the guide inclined surface and the central axis of the guide sleeve is b, and the included angle a>the included angle b.

3. The thermostatic valve according to claim 1, characterized in that A hot water inlet chamber and a cold water inlet chamber are formed inside the valve core body. The hot water inlet chamber is connected to the hot water flow path, and the cold water inlet chamber is connected to the cold water flow path. One of the hot water inlet chamber and the cold water inlet chamber is provided with the guide slope.

4. The thermostatic valve according to claim 3, characterized in that A connecting pipe connecting the hot water inlet chamber and the cold water inlet chamber is formed inside the valve core body. The connecting pipe has a flared section facing the guide surface. The angle between the flared section and the central axis of the guide sleeve is c, and the angle a>angle c.

5. The thermostatic valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The guide sleeve comprises: The installation portion has the water outlet cavity formed therein; A flow guide platform is connected to the mounting portion and is located on a side of the mounting portion facing the valve core body, wherein the outer periphery of the flow guide platform forms a flow guide surface; The guide plates are distributed on the outer periphery of the guide platform, the ends of the guide plates abut against the valve core body, and the guide plates are used to divide the guide cavity into a plurality of guide channels.

6. The thermostatic valve according to claim 5, characterized in that The guide plate protrudes from the end surface of the guide platform away from the mounting portion; A slot is formed at one end of the guide platform facing the mounting portion. The thermosensitive element is a memory alloy spring. The end of the memory alloy spring is fixed to the slot. A mixing chamber is formed inside the guide platform.

7. The thermostatic valve according to claim 1, characterized in that The thermostatic valve further comprises: The mounting base is threadedly connected to the valve housing and is used to be fixed to the first end of the bias spring. The second end of the bias spring is used to be connected to the valve core body.

8. A constant temperature waterway device for a water heater, characterized in that: include: a cold water pipe, formed with a first cold water inlet, a first cold water outlet, and a second cold water outlet, wherein the first cold water inlet is used to connect to a water source, and the first cold water outlet is used to connect to the second cold water inlet of the inner tank of the water heater; A thermostatic assembly comprising an outer tube and a thermostatic valve located inside the outer tube, wherein the outer tube is formed with a third cold water inlet, a hot water inlet, and a mixed water outlet, wherein the hot water inlet is connected to the hot water outlet of the inner tank of the water heater, and the thermostatic valve is the thermostatic valve according to any one of claims 1 to 7; The switching valve includes an operating part and a switching valve core. The switching valve core is located in the cold water pipe. The operating part is suitable for driving the switching valve core to switch between a water injection position and a constant temperature position. In the water injection position, the third cold water inlet and the second cold water outlet are disconnected. In the constant temperature position, the third cold water inlet and the first cold water inlet are connected through the second cold water outlet.

9. The constant temperature water channel device of the water heater according to claim 8, characterized in that: The outer wall of the valve housing is provided with at least three sealing grooves, and a sealing ring is fixed in each of the sealing grooves. The sealing ring and the inner wall of the outer tube are sealed to form a first annular cavity and a second annular cavity between adjacent sealing rings. The first annular cavity is used to connect the hot water inlet and the hot water flow path, and the second annular cavity is used to connect the third cold water inlet and the cold water flow path.

10. A water heater, characterized in that: include: Cabinet assembly, including liner; The constant temperature water channel device of the water heater according to any one of claims 8 to 9; Wherein, the first cold water outlet and the hot water inlet are located on the same side of the constant temperature water channel device, and the first cold water inlet and the mixed water outlet are located on the same side of the constant temperature water channel device.

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