Water heater anti-corrosion control method and device and water heater

Abstract

The invention provides a water heater anti-corrosion control method and device and a water heater, and relates to the technical field of water heaters, the water heater anti-corrosion control method comprises the steps that the current first current value of a physical anode is detected, and an electronic anode does not output current in the period of detecting the first current value; determining the working state of the physical anode based on the first current value; if the working state is a consumption normal state, the current value of the electronic anode is controlled, so that the real-time current value of the physical anode tends to a first preset current value; the first preset current value is used for reducing the consumption of the physical anode while the current value of the electronic anode meets the anticorrosion requirement of the inner container. Compared with the prior art, the current output by the electronic anode can be reasonably controlled, and anti-corrosion protection of the inner container of the water heater is achieved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of water heaters, in particular to a water heater corrosion control method, a control device and a water heater. BACKGROUND

[0002] The inner tank of a water heater is in a high-temperature and humid water environment for a long time, which is prone to damage and water leakage due to electrochemical corrosion, which not only shortens the service life of the water heater, but also may cause safety hazards. At present, a physical anode (such as a magnesium rod) is often configured in a water heater to achieve corrosion protection of the inner tank. The physical anode and the inner tank metal have different activities, and the physical anode releases electrons by spontaneous corrosion to inhibit the corrosion of the inner tank. However, the consumption speed of the physical anode is greatly affected by environmental factors such as water quality and water temperature, and needs to be regularly detected and replaced. If the physical anode is not replaced in time, the inner tank will lose protection. The electronic anode is gradually applied to the corrosion protection of the water heater due to its advantages of no self-consumption and low maintenance cost, and realizes the protection of the inner tank through an external current. Therefore, how to reasonably control the current output by the electronic anode to achieve the corrosion protection of the inner tank of the water heater is the focus of attention. SUMMARY

[0003] Therefore, the present application provides a water heater corrosion control method, a control device and a water heater to reasonably control the current value of the electronic anode and realize the corrosion protection of the inner tank of the water heater.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present application provides a water heater corrosion control method applied to a water heater, the water heater comprising an inner tank, an electronic anode and a physical anode, the electronic anode and the physical anode being connected to the inner tank to form two corrosion protection circuits; the method comprising: detecting a first current value of the physical anode, wherein the electronic anode does not output current during the detection of the first current value; determining a working state of the physical anode based on the first current value; if the working state is a normal consumption state, controlling the current value of the electronic anode to make the real-time current value of the physical anode tend to a first preset current value; the first preset current value is used to make the current value of the electronic anode meet the corrosion protection demand of the inner tank while reducing the consumption of the physical anode.

[0005] The water heater corrosion control method provided by the application includes: the electronic anode does not output current during detection of the current first current value of the physical anode, which excludes interference of the electronic anode on the current detection of the physical anode, ensures that the first current value can truly reflect the working state of the physical anode, and improves the accuracy of the working state judgment of the physical anode. Further, in the case that the physical anode is in the normal consumption state, the real-time current value of the physical anode tends to the first preset current value as a control target, the electronic anode is made to bear the main corrosion control task, the consumption of the physical anode is reduced, and the use time of the physical anode is prolonged. The first preset current value is calibrated, that is, the output of the electronic anode is determined by using the physical characteristics of the physical anode, the current value output by the electronic anode can meet the corrosion control requirements of the inner liner of the water heater, and the situation of under-protection or over-protection can be effectively avoided.

[0006] In some optional embodiments, the current value of the electronic anode is controlled so that the real-time current value of the physical anode tends to the first preset current value, including: If the real-time current value of the physical anode is greater than the first preset current value, the current value of the electronic anode is increased; Or, If the real-time current value of the physical anode is less than the first preset current value, the current value of the electronic anode is reduced.

[0007] The water heater corrosion control method provided by the application dynamically adjusts the current value of the electronic anode, so that the real-time current value of the physical anode is stabilized around the first preset current value. When the real-time current value of the physical anode is greater than the first preset current value, the current value of the electronic anode is increased, so that the corrosion control requirements of the inner liner are met, and the physical anode is prevented from being quickly consumed due to excessive current. When the real-time current value of the physical anode is less than the first preset current value, the current value of the electronic anode is timely reduced to prevent over-protection risk. In addition, during the adjustment of the current value of the electronic anode, even if the water quality and water temperature change, the current value of the electronic anode is always adjusted based on the real-time current value of the physical anode, so that the reliability of the corrosion control effect is ensured.

[0008] In some optional embodiments, after the first current value is detected, the method further includes: If the working state is the abnormal consumption state, a second current value is determined according to a preset current control rule; The current value of the electronic anode is controlled to be the second current value.

[0009] The water heater corrosion control method provided by the application determines the second current of the electronic anode through the preset current control rule when the physical anode is excessively consumed and the corrosion control fails, so as to prevent the inner liner from leaking water and other risks due to the lack of corrosion protection.

[0010] In some optional embodiments, the second current value is determined according to a preset current control rule, including: The sum of the second preset current value and the first current value is determined as the second current value.

[0011] The water heater corrosion control method provided by the application sets the second preset current value as a preset basic supplementary current, which is used to compensate for the deficiency when the physical anode is in the abnormal consumption state. The second current value obtained by adding the first current value and the second preset current value can not only replace the remaining protection capability of the physical anode, but also can compensate for the deficiency of the first current value through the basic supplementary current, so as to ensure that the electronic anode can effectively protect the inner container.

[0012] In some optional embodiments, after detecting the first current value, the method further includes: If the working state is the abnormal consumption state, a prompt information is generated, and the prompt information is used to indicate that the physical anode is replaced; Or, If the working state is the connection abnormal state, an alarm information is generated, and the alarm information is used to indicate that the physical anode is connected abnormally.

[0013] The water heater corrosion control method provided by the application can prompt the user to replace the physical anode in time when the physical anode is in the abnormal consumption state, so as to avoid the risk of water leakage of the inner container caused by the failure of the physical anode. The alarm information in the connection abnormal state can quickly remind the user to handle the physical anode fault, prevent the inner container from being corroded due to no protection, and prolong the service life of the water heater.

[0014] In some optional embodiments, the working state of the physical anode is determined based on the first current value, including: If the first current value is greater than or equal to a first preset threshold value, it is determined that the physical anode is in a normal consumption state; Or, If the first current value is less than the first preset threshold value and greater than a second preset threshold value, it is determined that the physical anode is in an abnormal consumption state; Or, If the first current value is less than or equal to the second preset threshold value, it is determined that the physical anode is in a connection abnormal state.

[0015] The water heater corrosion control method provided by the application constructs a determination interval through the first preset threshold value and the second preset threshold value, which provides a basis for accurately determining the normal consumption state, the abnormal consumption state and the connection abnormal state of the physical anode. The first preset threshold value and the second preset threshold value can be flexibly set according to the characteristics of the physical anode, so as to adapt to different application scenarios.

[0016] In some optional embodiments, after controlling the current value of the electronic anode to make the real-time current value of the physical anode tend to the first preset current value, the method further includes: controlling the electronic anode to continuously output the first preset duration; controlling the electronic anode to stop outputting the current, and completing the control operation of the electronic anode in the current control round; after the second preset duration, entering the control operation of the electronic anode in the next control round, and determining the working state of the physical anode based on the first current value detected in the next control round, and controlling the current value of the electronic anode.

[0017] The water heater corrosion control method provided by the application considers that the consumption of the physical anode is continuously performed, and the first current value is reacquired in each control round to timely find the working state change of the physical anode, for example, from the normal consumption state to the abnormal consumption state, thereby avoiding the situation that the electronic anode output current cannot effectively protect the inner container due to long-term non-detection. In addition, since the water use habit of the user, water quality fluctuation, water temperature change and the like will affect the corrosion protection demand of the inner container, therefore, by re-adjusting the current in each round, the electronic anode output can always adapt to the current working condition, thereby avoiding under-protection or over-protection.

[0018] In a second aspect, the application provides a control device for a water heater corrosion control method, the device comprising: a control module; a current detection circuit having a first end, a second end and an output end; the first end is used to be connected with the physical anode, the second end is used to be grounded through the inner container, and the output end is connected with the control module; an adjustable voltage output circuit having a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a control end; the positive electrode is used to be connected with the electronic anode, the negative electrode is used to be grounded through the inner container, and the control end is connected with the control module.

[0019] In a third aspect, the application provides a water heater, which comprises the above control device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments or the related art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the specific embodiments or the related art description. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the application, and those skilled in the art can also obtain other drawings according to these drawings without creative labor.

[0021] Figure 1 is a flow chart of the water heater corrosion control method according to the embodiment of the application; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the connection relationship among the inner container, the physical anode and the electronic anode of the water heater according to the embodiment of the application; Figure 3is a schematic diagram of the current direction in the anticorrosion protection loop composed of the physical anode and the inner container according to the embodiment of the present application; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the current direction in the anticorrosion protection loop composed of the electronic anode and the inner container according to the embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0023] It can be understood that, before using the technical solutions disclosed in the embodiments of the present application, the type of personal information involved in the present application, the use range, the use scenario and the like should be informed to the user and the authorization of the user should be obtained through appropriate means according to relevant laws and regulations.

[0024] The terms "first", "second" are only for the purpose of description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "multiple" is two or more than two, unless otherwise specifically limited.

[0025] The inner container of the water heater is in a high-temperature and humid water environment for a long time, which is easy to cause corrosion and damage of the inner wall of the inner container, and further cause water leakage problems. This not only shortens the service life of the water heater, but also may cause safety hazards such as circuit short circuit due to water leakage.

[0026] At present, in order to prevent the corrosion of the inner container of the water heater, a physical anode (such as a magnesium rod or a zinc rod) is usually configured in the water heater. By using the characteristic that the activity of the physical anode metal is much higher than that of the inner container metal, the physical anode metal is consumed by spontaneous corrosion to continuously release electrons to the inner container, so as to form an electron protection layer on the surface of the inner container, thereby inhibiting the oxidation corrosion reaction of the inner container metal. However, during the use of the water heater, the physical anode is gradually consumed. If it is not replaced in time, once the physical anode is consumed, the inner container will lose protection.

[0027] The electronic anode is gradually applied to the water heater anticorrosion due to no self-consumption and low maintenance cost, and the inner container is protected by an external current. However, the difficulty of using the electronic anode to achieve the anticorrosion of the inner container lies in how to control the current value of the electronic anode, so as to prevent overprotection while protecting the inner container from corrosion. In the related technology, the current value of the electronic anode is controlled by detecting the voltage between the electronic anode rod and the inner container and a preset voltage-current relationship table. However, the voltage-current relationship is significantly different for inner containers with different volumes (such as 60L, 80L, and 120L) or different structures (such as vertical and horizontal). Therefore, this method of controlling the current value of the electronic anode has poor universality for different water heaters, and the voltage-current relationship table corresponding to each water heater needs to be obtained.

[0028] Therefore, how to control the current value of the electronic anode to solve the problems of overprotection, underprotection, and poor universality in the process of preventing corrosion of the inner container of the water heater is the focus of the current water heater field.

[0029] In the present embodiment, a water heater anticorrosion control method is provided, Figure 1 is a flowchart of the water heater anticorrosion control method according to the embodiment of the present application. The method is applied to a water heater including an inner container, an electronic anode, and a physical anode. The electronic anode and the physical anode are connected to the inner container to form two anticorrosion protection circuits, respectively.

[0030] Specifically, the physical anode, which can also be referred to as a sacrificial anode, is an anticorrosion component that sacrifices itself by relying on the fact that the metal activity of the physical anode is higher than that of the inner container metal. The physical anode can be a magnesium rod or a zinc rod, for example. The electronic anode is a component that protects the inner container from corrosion by an external current. The material of the electronic anode can be titanium alloy and mixed metal oxide, for example.

[0031] Specifically, the outer wall of the inner container is grounded. In one possible implementation, the electronic anode and the physical anode are both insulated and installed on the inner container, and at least partially extend into the inner container. One end of the electronic anode is connected to the outer wall of the inner container through an adjustable voltage output circuit, and one end of the physical anode is connected to the outer wall of the inner container through a current detection circuit. When the inner container is filled with water, the electronic anode and the physical anode located in the inner container are in contact with the water, thereby forming two anticorrosion protection circuits. The anticorrosion protection circuit refers to the current path formed by the electronic anode and the inner container, and the current path formed by the physical anode and the inner container.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, Figure 1 the flowchart includes the following steps: S101, detecting a first current value of the physical anode.

[0033] In the detection of the first current value, the electronic anode does not output a current.

[0034] Specifically, during the detection of the first current value, the electronic anode did not output current, and the current of the physical anode was entirely the current of natural corrosion, which was not affected by the output current of the electronic anode. Therefore, the current first current value of the physical anode can truly reflect the working state of the physical anode.

[0035] For example, the first current value can be the corrosion current value of the physical anode collected after the current output of the physical anode has stabilized from its initial fluctuations. In this way, the first current value detected after waiting for a period of time to allow the current state to stabilize can truly reflect the natural corrosion state of the physical anode when there is no external interference, avoiding misjudgment of the working state caused by initial fluctuations.

[0036] For example, the first current value can be the average current generated by corrosion of the physical anode over a preset time period prior to the current moment. This avoids sampling errors caused by random factors by using the average current value, thus providing a reliable basis for accurately determining the working state of the physical anode. For instance, the physical anode current is collected two minutes before the current moment, and the calculated average current value is used as the first current value.

[0037] For example, the first current value can also be the rate of change of the current generated by corrosion of the physical anode within a preset time period before the current time, and the rate of change reflects the corrosion stability of the physical anode.

[0038] S102, based on the first current value, determines the operating state of the physical anode.

[0039] Specifically, the working states of the physical anode include, but are not limited to, normal consumption state, abnormal consumption state, and connection abnormal state. The normal consumption state means that the physical anode can provide effective protection for the inner tank. The abnormal consumption state means that the physical anode has been largely consumed and its protective ability for the water heater inner tank is insufficient, requiring replacement of the physical anode. The connection abnormal state means that the corrosion protection circuit formed by the physical anode and the inner tank is broken, such as due to loose wiring or a broken physical anode, resulting in no protection for the water heater inner tank.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the operating state of the physical anode is determined by comparing a first current value with a preset current value.

[0041] For example, if the first current value is the average current generated by corrosion of the physical anode within a preset time period before the current time, or if the first current value is the current value collected at the current time when the output current of the physical anode is stable, then if the first current value is greater than or equal to the first preset current value, the physical anode is determined to be in a normal consumption state; if the first current value is less than the first preset current value, the physical anode is determined to be in an abnormal consumption state.

[0042] For example, if the first current value is the rate of change of the current generated by corrosion of the physical anode within a preset time period prior to the current time, and the rate of change is less than or equal to a preset rate of change threshold, it indicates that the corrosion current of the physical anode fluctuates very little within the preset time period, the corrosion process is stable, and it is in a normal consumption state. If the rate of change is greater than the preset rate of change threshold, it indicates that the corrosion current of the physical anode fluctuates greatly, the corrosion process is unstable, and it is in an abnormal digestion state.

[0043] It should be noted that the specific implementation method for determining the working state of the physical anode based on the first current value will be described in subsequent embodiments, and will not be elaborated here.

[0044] S103, if the working state is the normal consumption state, control the current value of the electronic anode so that the real-time current value of the physical anode tends to the first preset current value.

[0045] The first preset current value is used to ensure that the current value of the electronic anode meets the corrosion protection requirements of the inner liner while reducing the consumption of the physical anode.

[0046] Specifically, the current value of the electronic anode is the current released by the electronic anode to protect the inner liner, while the real-time current value of the physical anode refers to the instantaneous current value of the physical anode after the electronic anode outputs current. It can be understood that after the electronic anode outputs current, it protects the inner liner, reducing the consumption of the physical anode and thus reducing the current in the circuit containing the physical anode.

[0047] The first preset current value is a pre-set target current value for the physical anode, used to balance the corrosion protection of the inner liner and the consumption of the physical anode. For example, the first preset current value can be 1mA, 0mA, etc., which means that after the electronic anode is activated, the consumption of the physical anode is greatly reduced, and the inner liner mainly relies on the corrosion protection of the electronic anode.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the current value of the electronic anode is determined by comparing the real-time current value of the physical anode with a first preset current value, thereby causing the real-time current value of the physical anode to tend towards the first preset current value. In this way, by comparing the real-time current value of the physical anode with the first preset current value, the deviation between the two values ​​can be accurately and quickly reduced, shortening the response time of the inner liner corrosion protection.

[0049] In another possible implementation, initially, the current output of the electronic anode is gradually increased from a set value until the real-time current value of the physical anode drops to a first preset current value. Subsequently, the current value of the electronic anode is dynamically adjusted based on the real-time current of the physical anode. The preset value is the minimum initial current output of the electronic anode. For example, the preset value is set to 1mA. In this way, the entire process of controlling the current value of the electronic anode is simple and direct, meeting the corrosion protection requirements of the inner liner without complex calculations, while not excessively consuming the physical anode.

[0050] Understandably, during a power outage, the inner tank relies primarily on the physical anode for corrosion protection, which is more comprehensive.

[0051] It should be noted that the specific implementation method for controlling the current value of the electronic anode will be described in subsequent embodiments, and will not be elaborated here.

[0052] In this embodiment of the invention, the electronic anode does not output current during the detection of the current value of the current, eliminating interference from the electronic anode on the detection of the physical anode current. This ensures that the current value accurately reflects the working state of the physical anode, improving the accuracy of the physical anode's working state judgment. Furthermore, when the physical anode is in a normal consumption state, the real-time current value of the physical anode is calibrated to approach a first preset current value as the control target. This allows the electronic anode to undertake the main anti-corrosion task, reducing the consumption of the physical anode and extending its service life. Simultaneously, the calibration of the first preset current value ensures that the current output of the electronic anode precisely meets the anti-corrosion requirements of the water heater's inner tank, effectively avoiding safety hazards such as leakage due to under-protection or hydrogen evolution reaction due to over-protection. Furthermore, during the anti-corrosion control process, the current value of the electronic anode is dynamically controlled based on the real-time current value of the physical anode. This adapts to changes in water quality and temperature and is not dependent on a specific inner tank volume or structure, improving the reliability of the anti-corrosion effect and enhancing the versatility of the method provided by this invention.

[0053] In some embodiments, in S103 above, if the real-time current value of the physical anode is greater than the first preset current value, the current value of the electronic anode is increased.

[0054] Specifically, if the real-time current value of the physical anode is greater than the first preset current value, it indicates that the physical anode is still corroding relatively quickly. It is necessary to increase the current value of the electronic anode to further lower the potential of the inner liner, making it easier for the inner liner surface to acquire electrons, thereby replacing the protective function of the physical anode. As a result, the physical anode no longer needs to release electrons through a large amount of corrosion, and the real-time current value of the physical anode naturally decreases, thereby reducing the consumption of the physical anode. At the same time, the increased current of the electronic anode can ensure that the inner liner is still under effective anti-corrosion protection.

[0055] In one possible implementation, based on the deviation between the real-time current value and a first preset current value, a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control algorithm is used to increase the current value of the electronic anode. After increasing the current value of the electronic anode, the real-time current value of the physical anode is continuously monitored. If the real-time current value of the physical anode is still greater than the first preset current value, the current value of the electronic anode is further increased based on the deviation between the real-time current value and the first preset current value, using the PID algorithm.

[0056] Optionally, the proportional term (P) is used to output a corresponding adjustment amount in the positive direction based on the deviation between the real-time physical anode current and the first preset current (i.e., the larger the deviation, the larger the increase); the integral term (I) is used to continuously accumulate the historical deviation between the real-time physical anode current and the first preset current (if the deviation exists for a long time, the integral value will gradually increase), and to offset this long-term small deviation (i.e., static error) by outputting an additional adjustment amount, ensuring that the physical anode current eventually stabilizes near the first preset value; the derivative term (D) is used to output a reverse adjustment amount based on the rate of change of the deviation between the real-time physical anode current and the first preset current (e.g., the deviation rapidly decreases from 3mA to 1mA, or rapidly increases from 0.5mA to 1.5mA) (the faster the rate of change of deviation, the larger the reverse adjustment amount), suppressing rapid fluctuations in deviation and preventing excessive adjustment of the electronic anode current. By calculating the total increase after the superposition of the three terms in real time, the current value of the electronic anode is dynamically adjusted until the deviation between the real-time current value of the physical anode and the first preset current value approaches 0. In this way, based on the change in deviation, the current of the physical anode is precisely controlled near the first preset current value, avoiding over-protection or under-protection of the water heater tank's corrosion protection.

[0057] In one possible implementation, based on the deviation between the real-time current value and the first preset current value, pulse width modulation technology is used to control the voltage output to the electronic anode by the adjustable voltage circuit, thereby achieving the adjustment of the current value of the electronic anode.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the current value of the electronic anode is gradually increased through a preset step adjustment strategy.

[0059] Optionally, the current value of the electronic anode can be increased based on a preset current increment step. For example, when the real-time current of the physical anode is detected to be greater than a first preset current value, the current value of the electronic anode is gradually increased according to a fixed current increment step until the real-time current value of the physical anode approaches the first preset current value. For example, if the first preset current value is 1mA and the current increment step is 0.5mA, in the first adjustment, the current value of the electronic anode is increased from 3mA to 3.5mA, and the real-time current value of the physical anode decreases to 1.8mA, which is still greater than the first preset current value. In the second adjustment, the current value of the electronic anode is increased from 3.5mA to 4mA, and the physical anode current decreases to 1.3mA. The above process is repeated until the physical anode current approaches the first preset current value. In this way, without the need for complex algorithms, the dynamic adjustment of the electronic anode current value can be achieved simply by setting a preset current increment step.

[0060] Optionally, the growth rate of the electronic anode current value can be determined by the deviation between the real-time current value and the first preset current value, as well as the mapping relationship between the deviation and the current amplification step size.

[0061] For example, if the deviation is greater than 2mA, the increase is 2mA; if the deviation is less than 2mA, the increase is 0.5mA. This allows for rapid adjustment when the deviation is large and fine adjustment when the deviation is small, balancing adjustment efficiency and accuracy.

[0062] In this embodiment of the invention, a high real-time current of the physical anode indicates that it is in a state of rapid corrosion and consumption. By increasing the current value of the electronic anode, the electronic anode will replace the physical anode in undertaking more of the inner liner's anti-corrosion function. That is, the electronic anode provides sufficient electrons to the inner liner's metal matrix by outputting more current, reducing the corrosion caused by the physical anode needing to release electrons to protect the inner liner, thereby effectively inhibiting the consumption of the physical anode. In this way, the anti-corrosion requirements of the inner liner are met, and the increased current of the electronic anode reduces the consumption of the physical anode.

[0063] In some other embodiments, in S103 above, if the real-time current value of the physical anode is less than the first preset current value, the current value of the electronic anode is reduced.

[0064] Specifically, if the real-time current value of the physical anode is less than the first preset current value, it indicates that the current value of the electronic anode is too high, which may lead to overprotection and trigger the hydrogen evolution reaction during water electrolysis, posing a safety hazard. In this case, it is necessary to reduce the current value of the electronic anode, thereby reducing the substitution protection strength of the electronic anode for the physical anode, so that the real-time current value returns to the first preset current value. This effectively avoids the risk of overprotection and prevents excessive consumption of the physical anode, thus meeting the corrosion prevention requirements of the water heater's inner tank.

[0065] In one possible implementation, based on the deviation between the real-time current value and a first preset current value, a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control algorithm is used to reduce the current value of the electronic anode. After reducing the current value of the electronic anode, the real-time current value of the physical anode is continuously monitored. If the real-time current value of the physical anode is still less than the first preset current value, the current value of the electronic anode is further reduced using the PID algorithm based on the deviation between the real-time current value and the first preset current value.

[0066] In one possible implementation, the current value of the electron anode is gradually reduced through a preset step-by-step adjustment strategy. Similar to increasing the current value of the electron anode, the specific implementation methods for increasing the electron anode current value described above can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0067] In this embodiment of the invention, a low real-time current value of the physical anode indicates that the current value of the electronic anode is too high, which may indicate an over-protection state. In this case, reducing the current output of the electronic anode can effectively avoid the safety hazards caused by over-protection.

[0068] In this invention, the current value of the electronic anode is dynamically adjusted to stabilize the real-time current value of the physical anode near a first preset current value. When the real-time current value of the physical anode exceeds the first preset current value, the current value of the electronic anode is increased. This satisfies the corrosion protection requirements of the inner tank while preventing the physical anode from being rapidly consumed due to excessive current. Conversely, when the real-time current value of the physical anode falls below the first preset current value, the current value of the electronic anode is promptly reduced to prevent over-protection risks. Furthermore, during the adjustment of the electronic anode current value, even if water quality or temperature changes, the current value of the electronic anode is always adjusted based on the real-time current value of the physical anode, ensuring the reliability of the corrosion protection effect.

[0069] In some embodiments, after detecting the first current value, the method provided by the present invention further includes the following: First, if the operating state is an abnormal consumption state, then the second current value is determined according to the preset current control rules.

[0070] Specifically, an abnormal consumption state of the physical anode refers to a situation where the physical anode, due to long-term and significant consumption, has severely insufficient anti-corrosion protection for the water heater's inner tank. In this case, the electronic anode needs to output current to meet the anti-corrosion protection requirements of the inner tank. The preset current control rules are electronic anode control logic that has been experimentally verified or adapted to the operating conditions in advance. This ensures that the electronic anode can both compensate for the deficiencies of the physical anode and avoid over-protection caused by excessively high current values ​​from the electronic anode.

[0071] In one possible implementation, the sum of the second preset current value and the first current value is determined as the second current value.

[0072] Specifically, the second preset current value serves as a preset basic supplementary current to compensate for the deficiencies of the physical anode when it is in an abnormal digestion state. The second current value, obtained by adding the first current value and the second preset current value, can both replace the remaining protection capability of the physical anode and fill the deficiency of the first current value through the basic supplementary current, thereby ensuring that the electronic anode can effectively protect the inner liner.

[0073] In another possible implementation, the third preset current value is determined as the second current value.

[0074] The third preset current value is a fixed current value preset for when the physical anode is abnormally consumed. In this way, there is no need to calculate, and the third preset current value can be directly used as the second current value, simplifying the control logic and making it suitable for large-scale mass production scenarios of the same model of water heater.

[0075] Then, the current value of the electronic anode is controlled to be the second current value.

[0076] Of course, the real-time voltage between the electronic anode and the inner tank can also be detected. Based on the real-time voltage and the preset mapping relationship between voltage and current values, a second current value is determined. The preset mapping relationship between voltage and current values ​​can be a voltage-current relationship table or a voltage-current function calibrated through experiments. Thus, a high voltage means the inner tank metal is prone to losing electrons, potentially leading to corrosion; a low voltage means the inner tank is over-polarized, indicating over-protection. By controlling the output of the electronic anode through the preset mapping relationship between voltage and current, corrosion protection for the water heater's inner tank can be achieved.

[0077] In this embodiment of the invention, when the physical anode is excessively consumed and the corrosion protection fails, the second current of the electronic anode is determined by a preset current control rule to prevent the risk of water leakage in the inner liner due to the lack of corrosion protection.

[0078] In some embodiments, after detecting the first current value, the method provided in this application further includes the following: If the working status is in an abnormal consumption state, a prompt message will be generated to indicate the replacement of the physical anode; or, If the operating status is a connection error, an alarm message is generated to indicate a physical anode connection error.

[0079] Specifically, an abnormal connection of the physical anode means that the physical anode and the inner liner cannot form a corrosion protection circuit. For example, the physical anode may be broken, the connection end may be oxidized, or the wiring may be loose.

[0080] In this embodiment of the invention, when the physical anode is abnormally worn, the user is prompted to replace it in time, which can avoid the risk of water leakage in the inner tank caused by the failure of the physical anode. The alarm information when the connection is abnormal can quickly remind the user to deal with the physical anode fault, prevent the inner tank from corroding due to lack of protection, and extend the service life of the water heater.

[0081] In some embodiments, in S102 above, the operating state of the physical anode is determined based on the first current value in the following manner: If the first current value is greater than or equal to the first preset threshold, then the physical anode is determined to be in a normal consumption state. or, If the first current value is less than the first preset threshold and greater than the second preset threshold, then the physical anode is determined to be in an abnormal consumption state. or, If the first current value is less than or equal to the second preset threshold, then the physical anode is determined to be in an abnormal connection state.

[0082] Specifically, the first preset threshold is a pre-set boundary value used to distinguish between normal and abnormal physical anode consumption. It serves as a standard for whether the physical anode can effectively protect the inner liner. If the first current value is greater than or equal to the first preset threshold, it indicates that the physical anode still has sufficient anti-corrosion protection capability. The first preset threshold can be determined through experience or experimentation. For example, for a 10mm diameter magnesium rod, experiments have determined that the minimum current required to effectively protect the inner liner is 3mA; therefore, the first preset threshold can be set to 3mA.

[0083] The second preset threshold is a pre-set boundary value used to distinguish between abnormal physical anode consumption and abnormal connection. It serves as the standard for the continuity of the anti-corrosion protection circuit between the physical anode and the inner liner. If the first current value is less than or equal to the second preset threshold, it indicates that no current flows through the physical anode, the anti-corrosion protection circuit between the physical anode and the inner liner is broken, and the physical anode has no anti-corrosion protection capability for the inner liner. For example, the second preset threshold is set to 0mA.

[0084] In this embodiment of the invention, a judgment interval is constructed by a first preset threshold and a second preset threshold, providing a basis for accurately determining the normal consumption state, abnormal consumption state, and abnormal connection state of the physical anode. The first preset threshold and the second preset threshold can be flexibly set according to the characteristics of the physical anode, thereby adapting to different application scenarios.

[0085] In some embodiments, after controlling the current value of the electronic anode to make the real-time current value of the physical anode tend towards a first preset current value, the method provided by the embodiments of the present invention further includes the following: First, control the electronic anode to continuously output for a first preset duration.

[0086] Then, control the electronic anode to stop outputting current, completing the control operation of the electronic anode in the current control cycle.

[0087] Finally, after the second preset time period, the control operation of the electronic anode is entered into the next control round to determine the working state of the physical anode based on the first current value detected in the next control round, and to control the current value of the electronic anode.

[0088] Specifically, the next control cycle refers to a cyclic control process with the same logic as the current control cycle. By re-acquiring the first current value of the physical anode, determining the working state, and then controlling the output of the electronic anode again, a closed-loop control of periodic detection and dynamic adjustment is achieved.

[0089] The second preset duration is to prevent the current value of the electronic anode in the current control cycle from interfering with the first current value of the physical anode in the next control cycle. This is because when the electronic anode is working, it outputs current, providing electrons to the inner liner through the corrosion protection circuit. This process inhibits the natural corrosion of the physical anode, meaning the electronic anode has taken over the corrosion protection of the inner liner, and the physical anode no longer needs to release electrons through extensive corrosion. Its current will then approach the first preset current value. If the second preset duration is not set, and the first current value of the physical anode is detected immediately after the electronic anode stops outputting, the corrosion state of the physical anode is still affected by the output of the electronic anode in the previous control cycle. That is, the physical anode has not yet recovered to its natural corrosion state, and the detected first current value differs significantly from the true value. By setting the second preset duration, the physical anode has sufficient time to recover to a natural corrosion state without external interference after the electronic anode stops outputting. Only the first current value collected after the second preset duration can truly reflect the actual consumption of the physical anode, providing an accurate basis for determining the working state of the physical anode in the next control cycle.

[0090] In this embodiment of the invention, considering that the consumption of the physical anode is continuous, re-collecting the first current value in each control cycle can promptly detect changes in the working state of the physical anode, such as a change from a normal consumption state to an abnormal consumption state. This avoids situations where the electronic anode output current cannot effectively protect the inner tank due to long-term lack of monitoring. Furthermore, since user water usage habits, water quality fluctuations, and water temperature changes all affect the corrosion resistance requirements of the inner tank, readjusting the current in each cycle ensures that the electronic anode output always adapts to the current operating conditions, effectively avoiding insufficient or over-protection.

[0091] This embodiment also provides a control device for the above-described water heater corrosion prevention control method, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the device includes: Control module 1; The current detection circuit 2 has a first terminal, a second terminal, and an output terminal; the first terminal is used to connect to the physical anode, the second terminal is used to ground through the inner liner, and the output terminal is connected to the control module 1. The adjustable voltage output circuit 3 has a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and a control terminal; the positive terminal is used to connect to the electronic anode, the negative terminal is used to ground through the inner liner, and the control terminal is connected to the control module 1.

[0092] Specifically, in the current detection circuit 2, the first end is connected to the physical anode, and the second end is grounded through the inner tank of the water heater to form a closed loop for current detection, so as to detect the current first current value of the physical anode; the output end is connected to the control module 1 to transmit the first current value to the control module 1.

[0093] The control module 1 is used to receive the first current value detected by the current detection circuit 2, determine the working state of the physical anode based on the first current value, and when the working state is the normal consumption state, send a control command to the adjustable voltage output circuit 3 to adjust the output voltage of the adjustable voltage output circuit 3 to change the current value of the electronic anode, thereby making the current value of the physical anode tend to the first preset current value.

[0094] The adjustable voltage output circuit 3 outputs an adjustable voltage based on the instructions from the control module 1, thereby adjusting the current value of the electronic anode. The positive terminal is connected to the electronic anode, providing it with its operating voltage, while the negative terminal is grounded through the inner tank of the water heater, forming a complete current output loop. The control terminal is connected to the control module 1, receives control instructions from the control module 1, and adjusts its own output voltage based on these instructions.

[0095] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the direction of current in the corrosion protection circuit composed of the physical anode and the inner liner. Figure 3 In the process, the physical anode generates current through its own corrosion, and the current flows from the physical anode to the inner liner to the current detection circuit 2. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the current direction in the corrosion protection circuit composed of the electronic anode and the inner liner. When the physical anode is in a normal consumption state, the control module 1 sends a control command to the adjustable voltage output circuit 3, causing the adjustable voltage output circuit 3 to output voltage to adjust the current value of the electronic anode. The current flow direction is adjustable voltage output circuit 3 - electronic anode - inner liner, thereby achieving corrosion protection for the inner liner.

[0096] Although embodiments of the invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and such modifications and variations all fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for corrosion prevention control of water heaters, characterized in that, The method is applied to a water heater, which includes an inner tank, an electronic anode, and a physical anode, wherein the electronic anode and the physical anode are respectively connected to the inner tank to form two anti-corrosion protection circuits; the method includes: The first current value of the physical anode is detected, wherein the electronic anode does not output current during the detection of the first current value; Based on the first current value, the operating state of the physical anode is determined; If the working state is the normal consumption state, the current value of the electronic anode is controlled so that the real-time current value of the physical anode tends to the first preset current value; the first preset current value is used to reduce the consumption of the physical anode while meeting the corrosion protection requirements of the inner liner.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Controlling the current value of the electronic anode to make the real-time current value of the physical anode tend towards a first preset current value includes: If the real-time current value of the physical anode is greater than the first preset current value, then the current value of the electronic anode is increased. or, If the real-time current value of the physical anode is less than the first preset current value, then the current value of the electronic anode is reduced.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, After detecting the first current value, the method further includes: If the operating state is an abnormal consumption state, then the second current value is determined according to the preset current control rules; The current value of the electronic anode is controlled to be the second current value.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The step of determining the second current value according to the preset current control rules includes: The sum of the second preset current value and the first current value is determined as the second current value.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, After detecting the first current value, the method further includes: If the operating status is an abnormal consumption status, a prompt message is generated, which is used to indicate the replacement of the physical anode; or, If the operating state is a connection abnormality state, an alarm message is generated, which is used to indicate that the physical anode connection is abnormal.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, Determining the operating state of the physical anode based on the first current value includes: If the first current value is greater than or equal to the first preset threshold, then it is determined that the physical anode is in a normal consumption state; or, If the first current value is less than the first preset threshold and greater than the second preset threshold, then the physical anode is determined to be in an abnormal consumption state. or, If the first current value is less than or equal to the second preset threshold, then the physical anode is determined to be in an abnormal connection state.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, After controlling the current value of the electronic anode to make the real-time current value of the physical anode tend towards a first preset current value, the method further includes: The electronic anode is controlled to continuously output for a first preset duration; Control the electronic anode to stop outputting current, completing the control operation on the electronic anode in the current control cycle; After a second preset time period, the control operation of the electronic anode is entered into the next control round to determine the working state of the physical anode based on the first current value detected in the next control round, and to control the current value of the electronic anode.

8. A control device applicable to the water heater corrosion prevention control method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, include: Control module; The current detection circuit has a first terminal, a second terminal, and an output terminal; the first terminal is used to connect to the physical anode, the second terminal is used to ground through the inner liner, and the output terminal is connected to the control module. An adjustable voltage output circuit has a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and a control terminal; the positive terminal is used to connect to the electronic anode, the negative terminal is used to ground through the inner liner, and the control terminal is connected to the control module.

9. A water heater, characterized in that, Includes the control device as described in claim 8.

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