Intelligent control method for gas water heater and gas water heater

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of gas water heaters, and particularly discloses an intelligent control method of a gas water heater and the gas water heater, the intelligent control method of the gas water heater comprises a water temperature dynamic control strategy and a bypass ratio dynamic calibration strategy, the water temperature dynamic control strategy inputs processed actual use data of a user into a prediction model, and the bypass ratio dynamic calibration strategy is used for calibrating the bypass ratio. The use habits of the user in each time period in the future are predicted; controlling the gas water heater based on the predicted use habit of the user; the bypass ratio dynamic calibration strategy comprises the steps that when the gas water heater is started for the first time every day or when the difference value of the actual water outlet temperature and the predicted temperature is obtained, a bypass ratio calibration program is triggered, and if not, the current bypass ratio is continuously used. When the gas water heater provided with the intelligent control method for the gas water heater works, in order to avoid the difference value between the actual water outlet temperature and the predicted temperature, the bypass ratio is calibrated, so that the difference value between the actual water outlet temperature and the predicted temperature is obtained.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of gas water heaters, and particularly relates to a gas water heater intelligent control method and a gas water heater. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the rapid development of smart home technology, modern gas water heaters have generally been equipped with intelligent functions, which can learn and analyze user habits, predict user water demand and preheat at appropriate times, thereby improving user experience and energy utilization efficiency. However, in actual application, the existing technology still has significant technical bottlenecks.

[0003] Traditional intelligent gas water heaters mainly rely on preset fixed parameters and simple temperature feedback mechanisms in preheating control. In actual operation, as the use time increases, the internal pipeline system of the water heater will show different degrees of aging phenomena, including pipeline scaling, valve wear and other problems, which will cause the bypass ratio to deviate.

[0004] As a core parameter of gas water heater temperature control, the accuracy of the bypass ratio directly determines the consistency of the actual output water temperature and the preset water temperature. When the bypass ratio cannot be accurately calibrated, even if the water heater can accurately predict user demand and preheat in advance, there will still be a problem that the actual water temperature does not match the predicted temperature, which not only affects the user experience, but also may cause energy waste and equipment efficiency decline.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a gas water heater intelligent control method and a gas water heater, which can solve the problem that the actual water temperature does not match the predicted temperature while achieving user water demand prediction with the existing control method. SUMMARY

[0006] The purpose of the present application is to provide a gas water heater intelligent control method and a gas water heater, which can solve the problem that the actual water temperature does not match the predicted temperature while achieving user water demand prediction with the existing control method.

[0007] In one aspect, the present application provides a gas water heater intelligent control method, which includes a water temperature dynamic control strategy and a bypass ratio dynamic calibration strategy,

[0008] The water temperature dynamic control strategy includes:

[0009] collecting and processing data on actual use of the gas water heater by the user;

[0010] inputting the processed actual use data of the user into a prediction model to predict the user's use habits in future time periods;

[0011] controlling the gas water heater based on the predicted user usage habit;

[0012] The bypass ratio dynamic calibration strategy comprises:

[0013] When the gas water heater is started for the first time each day, or the difference between the actual water outlet temperature and the predicted temperature is greater than a preset value, a bypass ratio calibration program is triggered, otherwise, the current bypass ratio is maintained.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution of the intelligent control method of the gas water heater, the bypass ratio calibration program comprises:

[0015] Closing the water outlet valve of the pipeline in the gas water heater, and injecting a constant flow rate v of water flow into the pipeline;

[0016] When the pipeline is filled, the time used is t;

[0017] The pipeline calculation length is ;

[0018] The corrected bypass ratio is .

[0019] As a preferred technical solution of the intelligent control method of the gas water heater, predicting the user's usage habit in each time period in the future comprises a water usage probability P and a corresponding preheating water temperature T;

[0020] Based on the predicted user usage habit, the gas water heater is controlled, specifically including: when the water usage probability P is greater than a, the gas water heater works in advance for a preset time t, and when the water usage probability P is less than or equal to a, the gas water heater is in a standby state.

[0021] As a preferred technical solution of the intelligent control method of the gas water heater, during the process that the gas water heater works in advance for a preset time t, the preheating temperature T of the gas water heater is T 设 -b, and the internal circulating pump power is c%.

[0022] As a preferred technical solution of the intelligent control method of the gas water heater, during the process that the gas water heater works in advance for a preset time t, the gas amount .

[0023] As a preferred technical solution of the intelligent control method of the gas water heater, collecting and processing the user's actual usage data specifically comprises:

[0024] Collecting the user's actual usage data;

[0025] Removing abnormal data in the user's actual usage data to obtain effective user's actual usage data;

[0026] Normalizing the effective user's actual usage data.​

[0027] As a preferred technical solution for intelligent control of gas water heaters, the processed actual user data is input into a predictive model to predict the user's usage habits in future time periods. Specifically, this includes:

[0028] The processed actual user data is input into the LSTM prediction model for training;

[0029] Determine if the accuracy of the LSTM prediction model is Pre > d. If so, use the LSTM prediction model to predict the user's usage habits in future time periods. If not, adjust the number of hidden node layers in the LSTM prediction model and return to the previous step to input the processed actual user usage data into the LSTM prediction model for training.

[0030] As a preferred technical solution for intelligent control of gas water heaters, it also includes safety and energy efficiency monitoring strategies, specifically including:

[0031] The gas water heater is not in standby mode and its operating parameters are continuously monitored.

[0032] Determine the ambient temperature T 环 If the value is less than e, increase the gas intake of the gas water heater; otherwise, return to continuously monitor the operating parameters.

[0033] The gas water heater is in standby mode, and the valve of the gas water heater is periodically checked for gas leakage.

[0034] If the valve of the gas water heater leaks gas, the user is notified; if the valve of the gas water heater does not leak gas, the process returns to periodically checking whether the valve of the gas water heater leaks gas.

[0035] As a preferred technical solution for intelligent control of gas water heaters, periodically determining whether the valve of the gas water heater is leaking specifically includes:

[0036] Apply a detection current and measure the valve impedance Z;

[0037] calculate ;

[0038] Determine whether △Z>△Zmax is true. If true, the valve of the gas water heater is leaking. If not true, wait for a preset time f, then return to apply the detection current and measure the valve impedance Z.

[0039] As a preferred technical solution for intelligent control of gas water heaters, the following specific features are provided to users:

[0040] The gas water heater executes a Level 1 alarm, which includes a local audible and visual alarm and / or a push notification to the user's mobile phone.

[0041] The user can choose to execute a Level 2 alarm or a Level 3 alarm. The Level 2 alarm includes closing the valve and maintaining the water pump for heat dissipation, while the Level 3 alarm includes cutting off the power supply and reporting to the emergency platform.

[0042] On the other hand, the present invention provides a gas water heater, including the intelligent control method for gas water heaters in any of the above-mentioned solutions.

[0043] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0044] This invention provides an intelligent control method and a gas water heater. The intelligent control method includes a dynamic water temperature control strategy and a dynamic bypass ratio calibration strategy. The dynamic water temperature control strategy includes: collecting and processing data on actual user usage of the gas water heater; inputting the processed user usage data into a prediction model to predict the user's usage habits in future time periods; and controlling the gas water heater based on the predicted user usage habits. The dynamic bypass ratio calibration strategy includes: triggering a bypass ratio calibration procedure when the gas water heater is started for the first time each day, or when the difference between the actual outlet water temperature and the predicted temperature ΔT > a℃; otherwise, the current bypass ratio is used. When a gas water heater equipped with this intelligent control method is in operation, a predictive model is first established based on the user's usage habits. This model allows for the prediction of the user's usage habits over various time periods. The gas water heater can then be controlled according to these predicted habits to improve the user experience. To avoid a difference of ΔT > a℃ between the actual and predicted water temperatures, a bypass ratio calibration procedure is triggered upon the first start-up of the gas water heater each day, or when the difference ΔT > a℃. This calibrates the bypass ratio to ensure that the difference ΔT ≤ a℃. This setup addresses the problem of existing control methods failing to predict user water demand while simultaneously ensuring that the actual water temperature matches the predicted temperature. Attached Figure Description

[0045] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the dynamic water temperature control strategy in the intelligent control method for gas water heaters in this embodiment of the invention;

[0046] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the bypass ratio dynamic calibration strategy in the intelligent control method for gas water heaters in this embodiment of the invention;

[0047] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the safety and energy efficiency monitoring strategy in the intelligent control method for gas water heaters in this embodiment of the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described 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.

[0049] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. The terms "first position" and "second position" refer to two different positions. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the first feature in relation to the second feature includes the first feature directly above and diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "under," and "below" the first feature in relation to the second feature includes the first feature directly below and diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0050] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0051] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0052] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, this embodiment provides an intelligent control method for gas water heaters. This method includes a dynamic water temperature control strategy and a dynamic bypass ratio calibration strategy. The dynamic water temperature control strategy includes: collecting and processing data on actual user usage of the gas water heater; inputting the processed user usage data into a prediction model to predict the user's usage habits for future time periods; and controlling the gas water heater based on the predicted user usage habits. The dynamic bypass ratio calibration strategy includes: triggering a bypass ratio calibration procedure when the gas water heater is started for the first time each day, or when the difference between the actual outlet water temperature and the predicted temperature ΔT > a℃; otherwise, the current bypass ratio is used. When a gas water heater equipped with this intelligent control method is in operation, a predictive model is first established based on the user's usage habits. This predictive model can predict the user's usage habits for various time periods in the future. The gas water heater can then be controlled according to the predicted user habits to improve the user experience. To avoid the difference between the actual outlet water temperature and the predicted temperature ΔT > a℃, a bypass ratio calibration procedure is triggered when the gas water heater is first started each day, or when the difference between the actual outlet water temperature and the predicted temperature ΔT > a℃. This calibrates the bypass ratio so that the difference between the actual outlet water temperature and the predicted temperature ΔT ≤ a℃.

[0053] Optionally, data on the actual use of the gas water heater by the user is collected by measuring water flow sensors, temperature sensors, and clock chips to collect relevant water usage time, water flow rate, and set temperature.

[0054] Optionally, the bypass ratio calibration procedure includes:

[0055] Close the outlet valve of the gas water heater's pipe and inject water into the pipe at a constant flow rate v;

[0056] The time taken for the pipeline to be filled is t;

[0057] The calculated length of the pipeline is ;

[0058] Corrected bypass ratio is .

[0059] In the above steps, due to long-term use of gas water heaters, some scale will accumulate inside the pipes. Therefore, the calculated L is the calculated length of the pipe, not the actual length. Additionally, R0 is the value before bypass ratio adjustment, and L0 is the calculated length of the pipe corresponding to R0. By correcting the bypass ratio, the difference ΔT between the actual outlet water temperature and the predicted temperature can be significantly reduced.

[0060] Optionally, predicting the user's future usage habits for different time periods includes the probability of water usage P and the corresponding preheated water temperature T. Controlling the gas water heater based on the predicted user habits specifically includes: when the probability of water usage P > a, the gas water heater starts operating a preset time t; when the probability of water usage P ≤ a, the gas water heater is in standby mode. In the above steps, when the probability of water usage P > a, it indicates that the user is highly likely to use the gas water heater at this time. Therefore, the water heater is started a preset time t in advance to heat the water inside the water heater to the preset value T. The value of a is 60%~80%, preferably 70%.

[0061] Optionally, if a user does not use water for g consecutive times during the same preheating period, the power of the gas water heater's pump will be reduced to 20%~40%. Specifically, g is a value between 3 and 5, preferably 3.

[0062] Optionally, during the pre-set working time t of the gas water heater, the preheating temperature T = T 设 -b, the internal circulation pump power is c%. In this embodiment, considering energy saving, when the gas water heater is in the preheating state, the preheating value of the water is T=T 设 -b, the internal circulation pump power is c%, this setting allows users to quickly raise the water temperature from T to T when using water. 设 Meanwhile, the power of the internal circulation pump has also been increased accordingly. This avoids long waiting times for users and thus improves the user experience.

[0063] Optionally, the value of b is 3℃~10℃, preferably 5℃.

[0064] Optionally, the value of c is 50% to 100%, preferably 80%.

[0065] Optionally, during the pre-set operating time t of the gas water heater, the gas volume... In this embodiment, The set temperature for the gas water heater. The temperature of the water entering the gas water heater. K represents the water output temperature of the gas water heater, where K is a constant coefficient. This refers to the water flow velocity entering the gas water heater. The gas consumption of the gas water heater at any given time can be calculated using the formula above.

[0066] Optionally, the collection and processing of user actual usage data specifically includes:

[0067] Collect user data on actual usage.

[0068] In this step, the actual user usage data collected includes water usage time, water flow rate, and set temperature.

[0069] Remove abnormal data from the actual user usage data to obtain valid actual user usage data;

[0070] In this step, abnormal user data includes situations such as temporary overtime or temporary business trips. By removing abnormal data, the effectiveness of actual user usage data can be further improved.

[0071] Normalize the valid actual user usage data.

[0072] The purpose of this step is to transform data of different dimensions and orders of magnitude into a preprocessing method within a unified standard range. This can eliminate the differences in dimensions between data, unify the range of data values, improve the convergence speed and stability of the algorithm, and prevent certain features from dominating model training due to excessively large values.

[0073] Optionally, the processed actual user usage data is input into the prediction model to predict users' usage habits in future time periods, specifically including:

[0074] The processed actual user data is input into the LSTM prediction model for training;

[0075] Determine if the accuracy of the LSTM prediction model is Pre > d. If so, use the LSTM prediction model to predict the user's usage habits in future time periods. If not, adjust the number of hidden node layers in the LSTM prediction model and return to the previous step to input the processed actual user usage data into the LSTM prediction model for training.

[0076] In this step, when the accuracy Pre of the LSTM prediction model is less than or equal to d, the reliability of the LSTM prediction model is poor. Therefore, by hiding the number of node layers, the accuracy Pre of the LSTM prediction model can be improved.

[0077] like Figure 3 As shown, optionally, the intelligent control method for gas water heaters also includes safety and energy efficiency monitoring strategies, specifically including:

[0078] The gas water heater is not in standby mode; its operating parameters are continuously monitored.

[0079] Determine the ambient temperature T 环 If the gas volume is less than e, increase the gas intake of the gas water heater; otherwise, return to continuously monitor the operating parameters.

[0080] In this step, when determining the ambient temperature T 环 When the value is less than e, it is determined that the current environment is not conducive to the efficient combustion of gas in the gas water heater, and therefore it is necessary to increase the gas intake of the gas water heater to improve the combustion efficiency of the gas.

[0081] For example, when the ambient temperature drops to 5°C, the air intake volume increases by 12%; heat exchange efficiency is improved, and gas consumption is reduced by 8%.

[0082] In other embodiments, optionally, when the ambient temperature T 环 When the value is ≥e, reduce the power of the circulating pump by 5%~10% based on the original operating power of the circulating pump.

[0083] When the gas water heater is in standby mode, periodically check whether there is a gas leak in the gas water heater valve;

[0084] If the gas water heater valve leaks, the user will be notified. If the gas water heater valve does not leak, the process will return to periodically check whether the gas water heater valve is leaking.

[0085] In this step, when the gas water heater is in standby mode, in order to prevent gas leakage, it is necessary to check whether there is any gas leakage in the gas water heater valve. By periodically checking whether there is any gas leakage in the gas water heater valve, the safety of using the gas water heater can be improved.

[0086] Optionally, the value of e is 5℃~15℃, preferably 10℃.

[0087] Optionally, the gas intake volume of the enlarged gas water heater is 10% to 20% larger than that of the original gas water heater.

[0088] Optionally, periodically checking for gas leaks in the gas water heater valve specifically includes:

[0089] Apply a detection current and measure the valve impedance Z;

[0090] calculate ;

[0091] In this step. and The values ​​are the valve impedance Z measured in two adjacent cycles.

[0092] Determine if △Z>△Zmax is true. If true, the gas water heater valve is leaking. If not true, wait for a preset time f, then return to apply the detection current and measure the valve impedance Z.

[0093] Optionally, the valve circulation test cycle f of the gas water heater is 20 min to 60 min. Preferably, it is 30 min.

[0094] Optionally, informing the user specifically includes:

[0095] The gas water heater will trigger a Level 1 alarm, which includes a local audible and visual alarm and / or a push notification to the user's mobile phone.

[0096] In this step, if the user is near the gas water heater, an audible and visual alarm will alert the user that the gas water heater is under Level 1 alarm. If the user is not near the gas water heater, a Level 1 alarm will be pushed to the user's mobile phone via the mobile app.

[0097] Users can choose to execute a Level 2 or Level 3 alarm. A Level 2 alarm includes shutting off valves and maintaining water pump cooling, while a Level 3 alarm includes cutting off power and reporting to the emergency platform.

[0098] In this step, the user must inspect the gas water heater on-site before determining whether it needs to be upgraded to a level two or level three alarm.

[0099] This embodiment also provides a gas water heater, which is implemented using the intelligent control method for gas water heaters described above.

[0100] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method of intelligent control of a gas water heater, characterized in that, The water temperature dynamic control strategy and the bypass ratio dynamic calibration strategy are included, The water temperature dynamic control strategy includes: collecting and processing user actual use data of the gas water heater; inputting the processed user actual use data into a prediction model to predict user use habits in future time periods; controlling the gas water heater based on the predicted user use habits; The bypass ratio dynamic calibration strategy includes: When the gas water heater is first started each day, or the difference between the actual outlet water temperature and the predicted temperature is greater than a threshold value the bypass ratio calibration procedure is triggered, otherwise the current bypass ratio is maintained.

2. The intelligent control method of the gas water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bypass ratio calibration procedure includes: closing a water outlet valve of a pipeline in the gas water heater, and injecting a water flow with a constant flow rate v into the pipeline; when the pipeline is filled, the time used is t; The pipe calculation length is ; The corrected bypass ratio is .

3. The intelligent control method of the gas water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that, predicting user use habits in future time periods includes a water use probability P and a corresponding preheating water temperature T; controlling the gas water heater based on the predicted user use habits specifically includes: when the water use probability P > a, the gas water heater works in advance for a preset time t, and when the water use probability P ≤ a, the gas water heater is in a standby state.

4. The intelligent control method of the gas water heater according to claim 3, characterized in that, The gas water heater works in advance for a preset time t, and the preheating temperature T=T 设 -b, and the internal circulating pump power is c%.

5. The intelligent control method of the gas water heater according to claim 3, characterized in that, The gas water heater works in advance for a preset time t, and the gas quantity .

6. The intelligent control method of the gas water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that, The collecting and processing of user actual use data specifically includes: collecting user actual use data; removing abnormal data in the user actual use data to obtain valid user actual use data; normalizing the valid user actual use data.

7. The intelligent control method of the gas water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that, Inputting the processed user actual use data into a prediction model to predict user use habits in future time periods specifically includes: inputting the processed user actual use data into an LSTM prediction model for training; judging whether the precision Pre of the LSTM prediction model is greater than d, if yes, predicting user use habits in future time periods by the LSTM prediction model, and if no, adjusting the number of hidden node layers of the LSTM prediction model, and returning to input the processed user actual use data into the LSTM prediction model for training.

8. The intelligent control method of the gas water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a safety and energy efficiency monitoring strategy, specifically including: continuously monitoring operating parameters when the gas water heater is not in a standby state; Determine the ambient temperature T 环 If the value is less than e, increase the gas intake of the gas water heater; otherwise, return to continuously monitor the operating parameters. periodically judging whether the valve of the gas water heater leaks when the gas water heater is in a standby state; if the valve of the gas water heater leaks, informing the user, and if the valve of the gas water heater does not leak, returning to periodically judge whether the valve of the gas water heater leaks.

9. The intelligent control method of the gas water heater according to claim 8, characterized in that, Periodically judging whether the valve of the gas water heater leaks specifically includes: applying a detection current to measure the impedance Z of the valve; Computing ; judging whether ΔZ > ΔZmax is true, if true, the valve of the gas water heater leaks, and if not true, waiting for a preset time f and returning to apply a detection current to measure the impedance Z of the valve.

10. The intelligent control method of the gas water heater according to claim 8, characterized in that, Informing the user specifically includes: the gas water heater executes a first-level alarm, the first-level alarm includes local audible and light alarms, and / or pushes the user by a mobile phone; the user selects to execute a second-level alarm or a third-level alarm, the second-level alarm includes closing the valve and maintaining water pump cooling, and the third-level alarm includes cutting off power supply and reporting to an emergency platform.

11. A gas water heater characterised by, The intelligent control method of the gas water heater is implemented by using any one of claims 1-10.

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