Heat pump water heater system and control method
By combining NB-IoT modules with various wireless communication technologies, multi-mode intelligent control of heat pump water heaters in complex network environments has been achieved, solving the problem of limited network coverage and improving the stability of equipment operation and the convenience of user operation.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511720614.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing smart heat pump water heaters rely on Wi-Fi or 4G networks for remote control. However, the network coverage is limited, the signal is unstable in remote areas or complex electromagnetic environments, and there is a lack of redundancy design in the event of a network outage, making it difficult for users to effectively manage the equipment.
A multi-mode control scheme combining NB-IoT module and wireless communication module is adopted, including Bluetooth, 2.4G and LoRa communication, combined with serial communication and SIM card module, to ensure local control via handheld device when the network is unstable, and remote monitoring and command issuance through cloud server.
It enables multi-mode intelligent control of heat pump water heaters in complex network environments, improving equipment operation stability and user operation convenience, and ensuring normal use even when the network is down.
Smart Images

Figure CN121206701A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of heat pump water heater technology, and in particular to a heat pump water heater system and control method. Background Technology
[0002] A heat pump water heater is a new type of water heating device that primarily uses refrigerant as the heating medium. It continuously absorbs low-grade heat energy from the air, converts it into usable high-grade heat energy, and then releases this high-grade heat energy into the water that needs heating, producing domestic hot water. With the rapid development of smart home technology, the remote control methods of traditional home appliances are gradually evolving towards intelligence and networking. Heat pump water heaters are also gradually developing intelligent and personalized functions to meet user needs.
[0003] However, existing smart heat pump water heaters rely on Wi-Fi or 4G networks for remote control, which has limited network coverage. Especially in remote areas or complex electromagnetic environments, unstable signals or connection failures are common, affecting user experience and the reliability of equipment operation. Furthermore, they use a single communication mode and lack redundant design to maintain basic operational capabilities even when the network is down, making it difficult for users to effectively manage the equipment when there is no network. Summary of the Invention
[0004] This invention provides a heat pump water heater system and control method, aiming to solve the problems of small network coverage and single communication mode of traditional water heaters.
[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a heat pump water heater system, comprising: a water storage tank for storing water; a heat pump unit connected to the water storage tank for heating water in conjunction with the water storage tank; a circuit module including a main control module, an NB-IoT module, and a wireless communication module, wherein the main control module is connected to the heat pump unit for controlling the operation of the heat pump unit, and the NB-IoT module and the wireless communication module are both connected to the main control module; a cloud server connected to the NB-IoT module via an NB-IoT network for responding to terminal requests to issue commands to control the circuit module to regulate the heat pump unit; and a handheld device wirelessly connected to the wireless communication module for controlling the main control module to regulate the heat pump unit.
[0006] Furthermore, the wireless communication module includes at least one of a Bluetooth module, a 2.4G communication module, and a LoRa communication module.
[0007] Furthermore, the circuit module also includes a serial communication module, which is connected to the main control module, and the handheld device is connected to the serial communication module via a serial cable.
[0008] Furthermore, the circuit module also includes a sensor module, which is connected to the heat pump unit, the water storage tank, and the main control module. The sensor module is used to detect the temperature of the heat pump unit, the water temperature of the water storage tank, and the leakage status.
[0009] Furthermore, the circuit module also includes a SIM card module, which is connected to the NB-IoT module, wherein the NB-IoT module accesses the NB-IoT network through the SIM card module.
[0010] Furthermore, it also includes an electrochemical component, which is disposed inside the water storage tank and connected to the circuit module, for electrochemical protection of the water storage tank body.
[0011] Furthermore, the circuit module also includes a TTL level conversion module, and the data port of the NB-IoT module is connected to the data port of the main control module through the TTL level conversion module.
[0012] Furthermore, the circuit module also includes a power supply module and a unit drive module. The power supply module is connected to the main control module and the unit drive module. The unit drive module is connected to the heat pump unit and the main control module. The main control module drives the heat pump unit to operate through the unit drive module.
[0013] Furthermore, the power module includes a power protection circuit and a power conversion circuit. The power protection circuit is connected to the power supply and the power conversion circuit is connected to the main control module and the unit drive module.
[0014] Secondly, the present invention also provides a control method for a heat pump water heater system, applied to the heat pump water heater system of the first aspect. The method includes: if a system start-up command or a user command is received, acquiring the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank, and uploading the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank to a cloud server; acquiring a unit condition permission result based on the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank; if the unit condition permission result indicates that the conditions are permitted, controlling the operation of the heat pump unit according to the system default command or the user command; if the unit condition permission result indicates that the conditions are not permitted, detecting whether there are fault parameters in the heat pump unit and the water storage tank; if the fault parameters exist, outputting a fault prompt and uploading the fault parameters to the cloud server; if the fault parameters do not exist, executing a shutdown.
[0015] This invention provides a heat pump water heater system and control method. The heat pump water heater system includes: a water storage tank for storing water; a heat pump unit connected to the water storage tank for heating the water; a circuit module including a main control module, an NB-IoT module, and a wireless communication module, wherein the main control module is connected to the heat pump unit for controlling its operation, and both the NB-IoT module and the wireless communication module are connected to the main control module; a cloud server connected to the NB-IoT module via an NB-IoT network for responding to terminal requests and issuing commands to control the circuit module to regulate the heat pump unit; and a handheld device wirelessly connected to the wireless communication module for controlling the main control module to regulate the heat pump unit. This invention's system, by integrating NB-IoT wide area network communication and wireless control technologies, achieves multi-mode intelligent control of the heat pump water heater system in complex network environments, significantly improving the operational stability of the equipment and the ease of user operation. Attached Figure Description
[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the following description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0017] Figure 1 A system block diagram of a heat pump water heater system provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a structural block diagram of a heat pump water heater system provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 A circuit diagram of a TTL level conversion module provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the steps of the method provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the sub-steps of the method provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the sub-steps of the method provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the steps of the method provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure label: 100. Heat pump water heater system; 10. Water storage tank; 20. Heat pump unit; 30. Circuit module; 31. Main control module; 32. NB-IoT module; 33. Wireless communication module; 331. Bluetooth module; 332. 2.4G module; 333. LoRa communication module; 34. Serial communication module; 35. Sensor module; 36. SIM card module; 37. TTL level conversion module; 38. Power supply module; 381. Power protection circuit; 382. Power conversion circuit; 39. Unit drive module; 391. Fan drive circuit; 392. Compressor drive circuit; 40. Handheld device; 50. Cloud server; 60. Electrochemical components. Detailed Implementation
[0018] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0019] It should be understood that, when used in this specification and the appended claims, the terms "comprising" and "including" indicate the presence of the described features, integrals, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components and / or collections thereof.
[0020] It should also be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
[0021] It should also be further understood that the term "and / or" as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, and includes such combinations.
[0022] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "if" may be interpreted, depending on the context, as "when," "once," "in response to determination," or "in response to detection." Similarly, the phrase "if determined" or "if [described condition or event] is detected" may be interpreted, depending on the context, as "once determined," "in response to determination," "once [described condition or event] is detected," or "in response to detection of [described condition or event]."
[0023] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 This invention provides a heat pump water heater system 100, comprising: a water storage tank 10 for storing water; a heat pump unit 20 connected to the water storage tank 10 for heating water in conjunction with the water storage tank 10; a circuit module 30 including a main control module 31, an NB-IoT module 32, and a wireless communication module 33, wherein the main control module 31 is connected to the heat pump unit 20 for controlling the operation of the heat pump unit 20, and the NB-IoT module 32 and the wireless communication module 33 are both connected to the main control module 31; a cloud server 50 connected to the NB-IoT module 32 via an NB-IoT network for responding to terminal requests to issue commands to control the circuit module 30 to regulate the heat pump unit 20; and a handheld device 40 wirelessly connected to the wireless communication module 33 for controlling the main control module 31 to regulate the heat pump unit 20.
[0024] In specific implementation, the heat pump water heater system 100 mainly includes a water storage tank 10, a heat pump unit 20, a circuit module 30, a cloud server 50, and a handheld device 40. The water storage tank 10 is primarily used for water storage and is equipped with an inlet and outlet for connecting to the user's water pipes, valves, and other components. The heat pump unit 20 and the circuit module 30 are typically integrated into a single outdoor unit (e.g., Figure 2As shown, the heat pump unit 20 is mainly connected to the water storage tank 10 through condenser pipes and electrical connection lines to heat the water in the water storage tank 10. Specifically, the heat pump unit 20 mainly includes components such as a fan and a compressor. The compressor drives the refrigerant to circulate, and the heat released by the refrigerant is transferred to the water storage tank 10 through the condenser pipes, thereby heating the water in the water storage tank 10. The circuit module 30 is the scheduling center of the entire system. The circuit module 30 includes a main control module 31, an NB-IoT module 32, and a wireless communication module 33. Among them, the main control module 31 is the control center of the heat pump unit 20. The main control module 31 is connected to the heat pump unit 20 and is used to control the operation of the heat pump unit 20. The main control module 31 can be a MCU module. Both the NB-IoT module 32 and the wireless communication module 33 are connected to the main control module 31. The NB-IoT module 32 is a narrowband IoT communication module based on cellular networks, designed for low-power, wide-coverage IoT devices. Its NB-IoT (Narrow Band Internet of Things) network has a wider coverage, a standby time of up to 10 years, lower power consumption, and stronger adaptability to changes in the external environment. Moreover, the NB-IoT network does not require hardware upgrades and is fully compatible with 4G networks and other communication systems. The wireless communication module 33 is a module that enables short-range or long-range wireless communication. Short-range wireless communication methods can include Bluetooth wireless communication, 2.4GHz ISM (2.4GHz Industry Science Medicine) wireless communication, etc., while long-range communication can use LoRa (Long Range Radio) communication. The cloud server 50 connects to the NB-IoT module 32 via an NB-IoT network. It can respond to terminal requests and issue commands to control the circuit module 30 to regulate the heat pump unit 20. Regulation of the heat pump unit 20 includes setting heating modes, temperature settings, etc. Users can log in to and connect to the cloud server 50 on their terminals to view system data and perform remote control. The handheld controller 40 is a device for manual operation. The handheld controller 40 can be set to touch operation or button operation. It regulates the heat pump unit 20 via the wireless communication module 33 and the main control module 31. Specifically, the handheld controller 40 has a corresponding communication module for wireless connection. Users input commands through the handheld controller 40 to set water temperature parameters and operating modes, etc.
[0025] In practical applications, the NB-IoT module 32, based on the NB-IoT network's "online mode," can remotely monitor the water tank 10 and heating module in real time via the cloud server 50, and can adjust parameters. It can obtain equipment operation data without on-site debugging, significantly reducing maintenance costs and improving fault response efficiency. On the other hand, when the network is interrupted, the system can seamlessly switch to offline mode, that is, the wireless communication module 33 connects to the handheld device 40, and the system can be controlled through the handheld device 40. It maintains local control functions through short-range communication technology, ensuring that users can still use the equipment normally in the event of a network outage, avoiding interruption of use due to network fluctuations.
[0026] In one embodiment, reference is made to Figure 1 The wireless communication module 33 includes at least one of a Bluetooth module 331, a 2.4G communication module, and a LoRa communication module 333.
[0027] Specifically, the wireless communication module 33 includes at least one of a Bluetooth module 331, a 2.4G communication module, and a LoRa communication module 333. When the wireless communication module 33 is configured as a Bluetooth module 331, it pairs and connects with the handheld device 40 via Bluetooth, enabling data and command transmission between the handheld device 40 and the main control module 31. Alternatively, the wireless communication module 33 can be configured as a 2.4G communication module, connecting and matching with the handheld device 40 via the 2.4GHz frequency band to achieve data and command transmission. Finally, the wireless communication module 33 can be configured as a LoRa communication module 333, enabling data and command transmission between the handheld device 40 and the main control module 31 via LoRa communication. The LoRa module is a low-power wide-area network wireless communication module 33 based on LoRa technology, enabling long-distance, low-power data transmission.
[0028] In one embodiment, reference is made to Figure 1 The circuit module 30 also includes a serial communication module 34, which is connected to the main control module 31. The handheld device 40 is connected to the serial communication module 34 via a serial cable.
[0029] In specific implementation, circuit module 30 also includes a serial communication module 34, which is connected to the main control module 31 and communicates with it. The handheld device 40 is connected to the serial communication module 34 via a serial cable, allowing the handheld device 40 to directly communicate with the main control module 31, transmitting data or issuing commands. The serial communication module 34 can use RS485 serial communication, or other common communication methods such as USB, I2C, RS232, and RS422. In practical applications, when the network is interrupted or the wireless communication module 33 malfunctions, the handheld device 40 can directly interact with the main control module 31 via the serial cable to perform localized control, regulating the operation of the heat pump unit 20, giving the system more controllability and meeting diverse user control needs.
[0030] In one embodiment, reference is made to Figure 1 The circuit module 30 also includes a sensor module 35, which is connected to the heat pump unit 20, the water storage tank 10 and the main control module 31. The sensor module 35 is used to detect the temperature of the heat pump unit 20, the water temperature of the water storage tank 10 and the leakage status.
[0031] In specific implementation, the circuit module 30 also includes a sensor module 35. The sensor module 35 can be installed in the heat pump unit 20 and the water storage tank 10, and is connected to the main control module 31. The sensor module 35 is used to detect the temperature of the heat pump unit 20, the water temperature of the water storage tank 10, and the leakage status. Specifically, the sensor module 35 can be composed of multiple sensors, some of which are installed in the heat pump unit 20 and others in the water storage tank 10. The sensors installed in the heat pump unit 20 may include temperature sensors to detect the temperature data of the heat pump unit 20, such as the temperature of the condenser tube and the surface temperature of the compressor. The sensors installed in the water storage tank 10 may include an upper temperature sensor installed at the top of the water storage tank 10, a lower temperature sensor installed at the bottom of the water storage tank 10, and related sensors installed in the leakage detection tank at the bottom of the water storage tank 10. The upper / lower temperature sensors can monitor the water temperature gradient distribution in the water storage tank 10 in real time. The leakage detection tank is located at the bottom of the tank and uses corresponding sensors to sense changes in water level and provide feedback on the leakage status. The sensor module 35 forms a data acquisition network. The main control module 31 can monitor and acquire real-time data of the heat pump unit 20 and the water storage tank 10 through the sensor module 35, execute corresponding control strategies based on the data, and upload the data to the cloud server 50, etc.
[0032] In one embodiment, reference is made to Figure 1The circuit module 30 also includes a SIM card module 36, which is connected to the NB-IoT module 32. The NB-IoT module 32 accesses the NB-IoT network through the SIM card module 36.
[0033] In a specific implementation, the circuit module 30 also includes a SIM card module 36, which is connected to the NB-IoT module 32. The NB-IoT module 32 accesses the NB-IoT network through the SIM card module 36. Specifically, the SIM card module 36 has a SIM card slot. By inserting a SIM data card into the SIM card slot, it can access the NB-IoT network and realize encrypted data transmission with the cloud server 50.
[0034] In one embodiment, reference is made to Figure 2 It also includes an electrochemical component 60, which is disposed inside the water storage tank 10 and connected to the circuit module 30, for electrochemical protection of the tank body of the water storage tank 10.
[0035] In specific implementation, the heat pump water heater system 100 also includes an electrochemical component 60, which is mainly composed of one or more electrodes. The electrodes are placed in the internal space of the water storage tank 10 and can be in direct contact with the water in the water storage tank 10. The electrodes serve as electrochemical anodes, and the water storage tank 10 serves as electrochemical cathodes. The electrochemical anodes are subjected to cathodic protection to inhibit the electrochemical corrosion of the water storage tank 10, thereby improving the service life of the water storage tank 10.
[0036] In one embodiment, reference is made to Figure 3 The circuit module 30 also includes a TTL level conversion module 37, and the data port of the NB-IoT module 32 is connected to the data port of the main control module 31 through the TTL level conversion module 37.
[0037] In specific implementation, circuit module 30 also includes a TTL level conversion module 37. The data port of NB-IoT module 32 is connected to the data port of main control module 31 through TTL level conversion module 37. That is, TTL level conversion module 37 is connected between the data port of NB-IoT module 32 and the data port of main control module 31. The data ports are mainly TX (Transmit) port and RX (Receive) port. Specifically, if the chip of NB-IoT module 32 is directly connected to the chip of main control module 31 for communication, when the user adds high-power communication equipment, the antenna of NB-IoT module 32 is prone to coupling with its negative power line and generating oscillation, which will lead to abnormal communication between the chip of main control module 31 and the chip of NB-IoT module 32. Even with differential routing, it is still susceptible to radiation interference. At the same time, when main control module 31 and NB-IoT module 32 communicate, the TX and RX signal levels may be affected by induced current, resulting in abnormal communication levels, leading to packet loss, distortion, or even miscommunication. Therefore, in this embodiment, the data port of the NB-IoT module 32 is connected to the data port of the main control module 31 through the TTL level conversion module 37. TTL level conversion during communication reduces voltage peaks, protects the chip from ESD damage, and ensures proper signal level conversion. When there is no radiated oscillation, Figure 1 The circuit diagram shows the TTL level conversion module 37, which includes transistors Q5 and Q6, resistors R17, R18, and R22, and capacitors C26 and C28. The base of transistor Q5 is connected to a 3.3V power supply through resistor R17, the collector is connected to the RX signal port of the NB-IoT module 32, and the emitter is connected to the TX signal port of the main control module 31. Capacitor C26 is connected in parallel across resistor R17, and the collector of transistor Q5 is connected to a 3.3V power supply through resistor R18. Similarly, the base of transistor Q6 is connected to a 3.3V power supply through resistor R22, the collector is connected to the RX signal port of the main control module 31, and the emitter is connected to the TX signal port of the NB-IoT module 32. Capacitor C28 is connected in parallel across resistor R22, and the collector of transistor Q6 is connected to a 3.3V power supply through resistor R22. TXD and RXD represent signals from the main control module 31, while NB_RXD and NB_TXD represent signals from the NB-IoT module 32. The bases of transistors Q5 and Q6 are always on, allowing the communication current signal from the TX port to flow to the RX port. When the ground is radiated and oscillates, the 3.3V will also oscillate. In this case, the filter capacitors C26 and C28 of transistors Q5 and Q6 will filter out some of the ripple, while the pull-up resistors R18 and R22 ensure a stable high-level reference, reducing the impact of ground oscillations. The TTL level conversion circuit helps prevent electrical interference and data contamination, improving the overall system's communication reliability and security.
[0038] In one embodiment, reference is made to Figure 1 The circuit module 30 also includes a power supply module 38 and a unit drive module 39. The power supply module 38 is connected to the main control module 31 and the unit drive module 39. The unit drive module 39 is connected to the heat pump unit 20 and the main control module 31. The main control module 31 drives the heat pump unit 20 to operate through the unit drive module 39.
[0039] In specific implementation, refer to Figure 1 The circuit module 30 also includes a power supply module 38 and a unit drive module 39. The power supply module 38 is connected to the main control module 31 and the unit drive module 39. The power supply module 38 is used to supply power to various electrical components in the system, providing a safe and stable voltage to the system. The input of the power supply module 38 is typically 220V AC mains power, and the output is DC power. The unit drive module 39 is connected to the heat pump unit 20 and the main control module 31. The unit drive module 39 may include circuits such as a fan drive circuit 391 for driving the fan and a compressor drive circuit 392 for driving the compressor. The main control module 31 drives the heat pump unit 20 through the unit drive module 39, thereby realizing real-time control of the heat pump unit 20 and achieving load start / stop and dynamic power matching.
[0040] In one embodiment, reference is made to Figure 1 The power module 38 includes a power protection circuit 381 and a power conversion circuit 382. The power protection circuit 381 is connected to the power supply and the power conversion circuit 382. The power conversion circuit 382 is connected to the main control module 31 and the unit drive module 39.
[0041] In practical implementation, the power module 38 includes a power protection circuit 381 and a power conversion circuit 382. The power protection circuit 381 is connected to a power source, typically a 220V AC input, and the output is connected to the power conversion circuit 382. The power protection circuit 381 is mainly used for overcurrent / overvoltage protection to ensure system safety. The power conversion circuit 382 is connected to the main control module 31 and the unit drive module 39. The power module 38 is used for AC / DC conversion, converting AC power into a stable DC output to provide a stable operating current for various parts of the system.
[0042] In summary, the heat pump water heater system of the present invention, by integrating NB-IoT wide area network communication and wireless control technology, realizes multi-mode intelligent control of the heat pump water heater system in complex network environments, significantly improving the operational stability of the equipment and the convenience of user operation.
[0043] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 4This is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a heat pump water heater system control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The heat pump water heater system applied to the above embodiments has been described in detail above, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here. The control method for the heat pump water heater system will now be described in detail. Figure 4 As shown, the heat pump water heater system control method includes the following steps: S110-S150.
[0044] S110. If a system power-on command or user command is received, the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank are obtained, and the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank are uploaded to the cloud server. In practice, the main control module acts as the system's execution entity. Upon receiving a system power-on command or user command, the main control module acquires the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the water storage tank. The system power-on command is automatically issued by the program after the system completes initialization upon power-up. User commands are issued by the cloud server or a handheld device. Users connect to the cloud server via a terminal and can send requests. After responding to the terminal's request, the cloud server sends user commands to the circuit modules of the heat pump water heater system. The function of the user command corresponds to the terminal's request; for example, if the cloud server responds to the terminal's temperature adjustment request, the issued user command will be a temperature adjustment command. Users can also directly issue user commands via buttons or a touch interface on the handheld device. The current parameters of the heat pump unit include, but are not limited to, condenser temperature, compressor operating mode, unit ambient temperature, and fan speed. The current parameters of the water storage tank include, but are not limited to, water temperature and leakage status. These parameters can be detected by sensor modules installed in the heat pump unit and the water storage tank. After obtaining the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the water storage tank, the system uploads these parameters to the cloud server for users to view remotely.
[0045] S120. Obtain the unit condition permission result based on the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank.
[0046] After the main control module of the system obtains the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the status of the water tank, it determines the unit's condition permitting result based on these parameters. This result can be either "condition permitting" or "condition disallowing." If the condition permitting result is "condition permitting," it means that the current status parameters of the heat pump unit meet the user's heating requirements. If the result is "condition disallowing," it means that the current status parameters of the heat pump unit cannot meet the user's heating requirements. For example, if the user's instruction is to heat the water to 60°C within a predetermined time, and the current water temperature in the water tank is detected to be above 20°C, according to the algorithm, the water can be heated to 60°C within the predetermined time, provided that the compressor, fan, and other loads operate at maximum power without damage. This is considered "condition permitting." However, if the water temperature in the water tank is low due to weather conditions, below 10°C, even if the compressor, fan, and other loads operate at maximum power without damage, the water cannot be heated to 60°C within the predetermined time. This is considered "condition disallowing."
[0047] In one embodiment, such as Figure 5 As shown, step S120, which obtains the unit condition permitting result based on the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank, includes steps S121-S124.
[0048] S121. Compare the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank with preset condition parameters; S122. Determine whether the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank meet the preset condition parameters. S123. If the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank meet the preset condition parameters, then the condition of the unit is determined to be condition-permitted. S124. If the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank do not meet the preset condition parameters, then the condition of the unit is determined to be not allowed.
[0049] In practice, after obtaining the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the water storage tank, the system compares these parameters with preset condition parameters to determine whether they meet the preset conditions. These preset conditions are the system-defined values that allow the heat pump unit to operate. If the system determines that the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the water storage tank meet the preset conditions, the system determines the condition is permissible; if the system determines that the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the water storage tank do not meet the preset conditions, the system determines the condition is not permissible.
[0050] S130. If the unit condition permission result is "conditions permitted", then control the heat pump unit to operate according to the system default instruction or the user instruction.
[0051] In practice, if the system determines that the unit's conditions are permissible, it means that the heat pump unit's various state parameters meet the heating requirements. The system then controls the heat pump unit's operation according to either the system's default command or the user's command. Specifically, if the system has just been powered on and has not received any user commands, it controls the heat pump unit's operation according to the system's default command. For example, the system's default command could be to control the water temperature to 60℃. After the system powers on and determines that the unit's conditions are permissible, the main control module controls the heat pump unit to heat the water to 60℃ according to the program. When the system receives user commands after powering on, it controls the heat pump unit's operation according to the user commands. For example, if the system powers on and receives a user command to heat the water to 60℃ within a predetermined time, and the system determines that the unit's conditions are permissible, it controls the heat pump unit to operate, ensuring that the heat pump unit heats the water to 60℃ within the predetermined time, meeting the user's water needs.
[0052] In one embodiment, such as Figure 6 As shown, controlling the operation of the heat pump unit according to the system default instruction or the user instruction includes steps S131-S136.
[0053] S131. Start the fan and check the operating parameters of the fan.
[0054] In practice, the heat pump unit mainly consists of a fan and a compressor. The system controls the fan and compressor according to system default instructions or user instructions. Specifically, after receiving power-on or a user instruction, the system first starts the fan and detects its operating parameters, which may include the fan's current and speed.
[0055] S132. Determine whether the operating parameters of the fan are normal.
[0056] In practice, the system detects the operating parameters of the fan and determines whether the operating parameters are normal, such as whether the fan current and speed are normal. Only when the fan's operating parameters are normal can the next step of control be carried out.
[0057] S133. If the operating parameters of the fan are normal, start the compressor and check the operating parameters of the compressor.
[0058] In practice, when the system determines that the fan's operating parameters are normal, it means that the fan has not malfunctioned and the next step of control can be carried out. The system starts the compressor and detects the compressor's operating parameters, which may include detecting the compressor's current, frequency, pipeline temperature, etc.
[0059] S134. If the operating parameters of the fan are abnormal, stop starting the fan and send a fan fault alert to the cloud server. In practice, if the system determines that the fan's operating parameters are abnormal, it indicates that the fan may be malfunctioning, such as a short circuit in the fan motor or blade jamming. At this point, the system stops starting the fan and sends a fan malfunction alert to the cloud server. Users can then view the alert on their terminals and troubleshoot the fan.
[0060] S135. Determine whether the operating parameters of the compressor are normal.
[0061] In practice, the system detects the compressor's operating parameters to determine whether they are normal, such as whether the compressor's current, frequency, and pipe temperature are normal. Heating can only be achieved when the compressor's operating parameters are normal.
[0062] S136. If the operating parameters of the compressor are abnormal, stop starting the compressor and send a compressor fault alert to the cloud server.
[0063] In practice, if the system determines that the compressor's operating parameters are abnormal, it indicates that the compressor may be malfunctioning, such as a short circuit or pipe rupture. At this point, the system stops starting the compressor and sends a compressor fault alert to the cloud server. Users can then view the alert on their terminals and troubleshoot the compressor.
[0064] S140. If the condition of the unit is not allowed, then check whether there are fault parameters in the heat pump unit and the water storage tank.
[0065] In practice, if the system determines that the unit's conditions are permissible but not permissible, it means that the heat pump unit's various status parameters cannot meet the heating requirements. At this time, the system checks whether there are fault parameters in the heat pump unit and the water storage tank. Fault parameters include, but are not limited to, water storage tank leakage, abnormal compressor current, abnormal fan speed, etc. The presence of these fault parameters will cause the heat pump unit to fail to heat normally, and may even pose a safety hazard.
[0066] S150. If the fault parameter exists, output a fault message and upload the fault parameter to the cloud server; if the fault parameter does not exist, perform a shutdown.
[0067] In practice, if the system detects a fault parameter, it outputs a fault prompt and uploads the fault parameter to the cloud server. Specifically, the fault prompt is output to the handheld device, and may be displayed on the device's interface, illuminated by an LED, or accompanied by a buzzer alarm. The fault parameter uploaded to the cloud server can be viewed by the user through the terminal, facilitating maintenance of the heat pump unit. If the system determines that no fault parameter exists, it means that the heat pump unit's conditions are simply insufficient to meet the user's heating needs, and there are no safety hazards involved. In this case, the system will shut down to save electricity.
[0068] In one embodiment, such as Figure 7 As shown, the user instructions include cloud server instructions and handheld device instructions, and the method further includes steps S160-S210.
[0069] S160. If the cloud server instruction is received, proceed to the step of obtaining the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank. S170. If the handheld device instruction is received, determine whether there is a user instruction being executed. S180. If there is no user instruction being executed, proceed to the step of obtaining the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank. S190. If there is a user instruction being executed, then determine that the user instruction is either a cloud server instruction or a handheld device instruction. S200. If the user instruction is the handheld device instruction, then proceed to the step of obtaining the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank. S210. If the user instruction is a cloud server instruction, then the handheld device instruction is ignored.
[0070] In practice, user commands include cloud server commands and handheld device commands. Cloud server commands are issued by the cloud server in response to user terminal requests, while handheld device commands are issued directly by the user via the handheld device. The main control module reads the operation information according to the communication protocol to determine whether the received command is a cloud server command or a handheld device command. To avoid command conflicts, cloud server commands have higher priority than handheld device commands. When the system's main control module receives a cloud server command, it directly proceeds to the step of obtaining the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the water storage tank. If the system receives a handheld device command, it first checks if there are any user commands being executed. If the system determines that no user commands are being executed, it means that the system is not currently executing any commands, and the system proceeds to the next step of obtaining the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the water storage tank. If the system determines that a user command is being executed, it means that the system is currently executing the corresponding command. At this point, the system determines whether the executing user command is a cloud server command or a handheld device command. If the system determines that the executing user command is a handheld device command, since commands of the same priority are updated according to the newly received command, the system proceeds to the next step, obtaining the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the water storage tank. If the system determines that the executing user command is a cloud server command, since cloud server commands have higher priority than handheld device commands, the system will ignore the handheld device command. By setting command priorities, command conflicts are avoided, and system stability is improved.
[0071] In one embodiment, the method further includes: acquiring heat pump unit parameters and water storage tank status parameters at a first preset time interval and uploading the heat pump unit parameters and water storage tank status parameters to a cloud server for storage.
[0072] In practice, the system is configured with a timed data upload mechanism. The system acquires heat pump unit parameters and water tank status parameters at a first preset time interval, which can be set to 5 minutes. Heat pump unit parameters include, but are not limited to, condenser temperature and ambient temperature. Water tank status parameters include, but are not limited to, water temperature and leakage status. The system periodically uploads these parameters to a cloud server, allowing users to remotely monitor water temperature distribution, equipment status, and leakage warnings via their terminals.
[0073] In summary, the method of this application upgrades the passive control of traditional water heaters to active intelligent management through cloud interconnection, intelligent judgment, and active diagnosis, thereby achieving significant improvements in safety, reliability, convenience, and energy efficiency.
[0074] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A heat pump water heater system, characterized in that, include: Water storage tank, used for storing water; A heat pump unit, connected to the water storage tank, is used to heat water in conjunction with the water storage tank; The circuit module includes a main control module, an NB-IoT module, and a wireless communication module. The main control module is connected to the heat pump unit and is used to control the operation of the heat pump unit. The NB-IoT module and the wireless communication module are both connected to the main control module. A cloud server, connected to the NB-IoT module via an NB-IoT network, is used to respond to terminal requests and issue commands to control the circuit module to regulate the heat pump unit. A handheld device is wirelessly connected to the wireless communication module and is used to control the main control module to regulate the heat pump unit.
2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wireless communication module includes at least one of a Bluetooth module, a 2.4G communication module, and a LoRa communication module.
3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circuit module also includes a serial communication module, which is connected to the main control module, and the handheld device is connected to the serial communication module via a serial cable.
4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circuit module also includes a sensor module, which is connected to the heat pump unit, the water storage tank, and the main control module. The sensor module is used to detect the temperature of the heat pump unit, the water temperature of the water storage tank, and the leakage status.
5. The system according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The circuit module also includes a SIM card module, which is connected to the NB-IoT module. The NB-IoT module accesses the NB-IoT network through the SIM card module.
6. The system according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, It also includes an electrochemical component, which is located inside the water storage tank and connected to the circuit module, for electrochemical protection of the water storage tank.
7. The system according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The circuit module also includes a TTL level conversion module, and the data port of the NB-IoT module is connected to the data port of the main control module through the TTL level conversion module.
8. The system according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The circuit module further includes a power supply module and a unit drive module. The power supply module is connected to the main control module and the unit drive module. The unit drive module is connected to the heat pump unit and the main control module. The main control module drives the heat pump unit to operate through the unit drive module.
9. The system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The power module includes a power protection circuit and a power conversion circuit. The power protection circuit is connected to the power supply and the power conversion circuit is connected to the main control module and the unit drive module.
10. A control method for a heat pump water heater system, characterized in that, Applied to the heat pump water heater system according to any one of claims 1-9, the method comprises: If a system power-on command or user command is received, the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank are obtained and uploaded to the cloud server. The unit condition permitting result is obtained based on the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank; If the unit condition permitting result is that the condition permits, then the heat pump unit is controlled to operate according to the system default instruction or the user instruction; If the condition of the unit is deemed permissible but not permissible, then check whether there are fault parameters in the heat pump unit and the water storage tank. If the fault parameter exists, a fault message will be output and the fault parameter will be uploaded to the cloud server; if the fault parameter does not exist, the system will be shut down.
11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The user commands include cloud server commands and handheld device commands, and the method further includes: If the cloud server instruction is received, proceed to the step of obtaining the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank; If the handheld device command is received, determine whether there is a user command being executed. If no user instruction is being executed, proceed to the step of obtaining the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank; If there is a user instruction being executed, then the user instruction is determined to be either a cloud server instruction or a handheld device instruction; If the user instruction is the handheld device instruction, then proceed to the step of obtaining the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank; If the user instruction is a cloud server instruction, then the handheld device instruction is ignored.
12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The control of the heat pump unit according to the system default command or the user command includes: Start the fan and check its operating parameters; Determine whether the operating parameters of the fan are normal; If the operating parameters of the fan are normal, start the compressor and check the operating parameters of the compressor; If the operating parameters of the wind turbine are abnormal, the wind turbine will be stopped from starting and a wind turbine fault alert will be sent to the cloud server. Determine whether the operating parameters of the compressor are normal; If the compressor's operating parameters are abnormal, the compressor will stop starting and a compressor fault alert will be sent to the cloud server.
13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: At each first preset time interval, the parameters of the heat pump unit and the status parameters of the water storage tank are acquired and uploaded to the cloud server for storage.
14. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The step of obtaining the unit condition permitting result based on the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank includes: Compare the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank with preset condition parameters; Determine whether the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank meet the preset condition parameters; If the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank meet the preset condition parameters, then the condition of the unit is determined to be condition-permitted. If the current parameters of the heat pump unit and the current parameters of the water storage tank do not meet the preset condition parameters, then the condition of the unit is determined to be not allowed.
Citation Information
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