Control method of a water heater

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of hot water supply equipment, and provides a control method of a water heater, which comprises the following steps: after the combustion load of the water heater changes, determining the target current of a gas proportional valve and the target rotating speed of a fan according to the current combustion load of the water heater; adjusting the working rotating speed of the fan to the target rotating speed; if the difference between the target rotating speed and the working rotating speed of the fan before adjustment reaches a preset change range, gradually adjusting the working current of the gas proportional valve in the process that the working rotating speed of the fan changes to the target rotating speed until the working current reaches the target current. The embodiment utilizes the characteristic that the response speed of the gas proportional valve is fast, gradually adjusts the working current of the gas proportional valve in the process that the working rotating speed of the fan changes to the target rotating speed, improves the synchronization between the gas proportional valve and the fan, and helps the mixing ratio of gas and air to keep balance when the combustion load of the water heater changes, thereby improving the operation stability of the water heater.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to hot water supply equipment, and more particularly to a control method for a water heater. Background Technology

[0002] In scenarios such as showering and washing dishes, users have different needs for water volume and water temperature, which causes gas water heaters to switch loads, possibly from low load to high load, or vice versa.

[0003] When the water heater switches loads, its main control chip will adjust the opening of the gas proportional valve and the speed of the fan simultaneously according to the load to achieve constant temperature output.

[0004] The gas proportional valve is electromagnetically driven and directly responds to the instructions of the main control chip. It has a fast response speed (millisecond level) and can adjust the gas flow instantly.

[0005] The wind turbine uses a dedicated control chip, which processes the instructions from the main control chip a second time, resulting in a delay. Combined with the mechanical inertia of the wind turbine, this causes a lag in the change of speed (ranging from hundreds of milliseconds to several seconds).

[0006] The difference in response speed between the gas proportional valve and the fan causes an imbalance in the gas-air mixing ratio during switching, affecting the operational stability of the water heater.

[0007] When the load is increased, the gas flow rate increases sharply while the air supply is insufficient. The pressure fluctuation in the combustion chamber causes the whole machine to resonate, generating noise and damaging the structure.

[0008] When the load is reduced, the gas flow rate drops sharply while the fan speed is too high. Excessive air blows out the flame, causing the machine to shut down and creating a safety risk. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The first technical problem solved by this invention is to provide a control method for a water heater that effectively improves the synchronization between the gas proportional valve and the fan.

[0010] The first technical problem mentioned above is solved by the following technical solution:

[0011] A method for controlling a water heater, the water heater including a gas proportional valve and a fan, the method comprising:

[0012] After the combustion load of the water heater changes, the target current of the gas proportional valve and the target speed of the fan are determined based on the current combustion load of the water heater.

[0013] Adjust the operating speed of the fan to the target speed;

[0014] If the difference between the target speed and the operating speed of the fan before adjustment reaches a preset change range, the operating current of the gas proportional valve is gradually adjusted during the process of the fan's operating speed changing to the target speed until the operating current reaches the target current.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the control system of the water heater described in this invention has the following advantages:

[0016] The water heater includes a gas proportional valve and a fan. When the water heater's combustion load changes, the target current for the gas proportional valve and the target speed for the fan are determined based on the current combustion load. The fan's operating speed is then adjusted to the target speed. If the difference between the target speed and the fan's initial operating speed reaches a preset range, the operating current of the gas proportional valve is gradually adjusted as the fan's operating speed changes to the target speed until the target current is reached. This embodiment utilizes the fast response speed of the gas proportional valve, gradually adjusting its operating current as the fan's operating speed changes to the target speed. This reduces the difference between the rate of change of the gas proportional valve's opening and the rate of change of the fan speed, improving the synchronization between the gas proportional valve and the fan. This helps maintain a balanced gas-air mixture ratio when the water heater's combustion load changes, thus improving the water heater's operational stability. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a water heater control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another water heater control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a control device for a water heater provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a water heater provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0023] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "first," "second," "third," "reference," "work," "objective," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0024] The technical solution of the present invention will be illustrated below through specific embodiments.

[0025] Reference Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a control method for a water heater according to an embodiment of the present invention, which may specifically include the following steps:

[0026] Step 101: After the combustion load of the water heater changes, determine the target current of the gas proportional valve and the target speed of the fan based on the current combustion load of the water heater.

[0027] The water heater in this embodiment is a gas water heater (also known as a gas water boiler), including forced draft, balanced, and condensing types. It is a gas appliance that uses gas as fuel and transfers heat to the water flowing through a heat exchanger through combustion to heat the water and prepare hot water.

[0028] Generally, a water heater consists of a gas proportional valve and a fan, which are dynamically linked to maintain the water heater's safety and constant temperature performance.

[0029] Among them, the gas proportional valve is used to regulate the gas flow rate and realize the dynamic ratio of gas and air. Its internal electromagnetic coil generates corresponding electromagnetic force according to the instructions of the main control chip, drives the valve core displacement, and changes the valve opening. It usually has built-in gas pressure sensor and flow sensor to provide real-time feedback on the actual gas flow rate, forming a closed-loop control, correcting the valve core position, and reducing flow fluctuations.

[0030] The fan has functions such as forced exhaust (exhausting the exhaust gases (such as CO and NOx) produced by combustion to the outside), negative pressure oxygen supply (creating negative pressure in the combustion chamber to draw in air from the outside), and load adaptation (dynamically adjusting the air volume according to the gas flow rate).

[0031] The combustion load of the water heater can be monitored during the process of heating water by burning gas.

[0032] When the combustion load of the water heater changes (i.e., the fluctuation range of the combustion load of the water heater is large), the target current of the gas proportional valve and the target speed of the fan are determined in conjunction with the current combustion load of the water heater.

[0033] The so-called linkage refers to the correlation between the target current of the gas proportional valve and the target speed of the fan, thereby improving the coordination between the gas proportional valve and the fan.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, step 101 may include the following steps:

[0035] Step 1011: Determine the current combustion load range of the water heater.

[0036] In this embodiment, the water heater is controlled by a segmented valve, which can be preset to allow the range of fluctuation of the water heater's combustion load to obtain the load range (also known as segmentation). That is, the water heater has multiple preset load ranges. The load range plays a role in coarse adjustment, while the gas proportional valve plays a role in fine adjustment of flow accuracy. The two work together to achieve the effects of wide load adaptation, optimized constant temperature accuracy, and improved combustion efficiency.

[0037] For example, a water heater may have three preset load ranges (i.e. three segments): segment 1 is 50-120, segment 2 is 100-160, segment 3 is 150-370, and so on, covering water usage scenarios such as low flow rate in summer, medium flow rate in spring and autumn, and high flow rate in winter.

[0038] Then, we can iterate through each load range and compare the current combustion load of the water heater with the magnitude of each load range to determine the load range in which the current combustion load of the water heater is located.

[0039] Step 1012: Query the rated current range of the gas proportional valve and the rated speed range of the fan corresponding to the load range.

[0040] In this embodiment, based on different load ranges, corresponding rated current ranges are set for the gas proportional valve and corresponding rated speed ranges are set for the fan, so that there is a correlation between the load range, the rated current range and the rated speed range.

[0041] The load range includes the maximum load (i.e., the upper limit of the load range) and the minimum load (i.e., the lower limit of the load range).

[0042] The rated speed range includes the maximum speed (i.e., the upper limit of the rated speed range) and the minimum speed (i.e., the lower limit of the rated speed range).

[0043] When determining the current combustion load range of the water heater, the rated current range of the gas proportional valve and the rated speed range of the fan corresponding to that load range can be queried based on this relationship.

[0044] Step 1013: Determine the first relative position of the current combustion load of the water heater within the load range.

[0045] In this embodiment, the first relative position of the current combustion load of the water heater can be located within the load range.

[0046] For example, the load amplitude can be obtained by calculating the difference between the maximum load and the minimum load of the load range.

[0047] The load offset is obtained by calculating the difference between the current combustion load of the water heater and the minimum load in the load range.

[0048] Calculate the first ratio between the load offset and the load amplitude. This first ratio is used to characterize the first relative position of the current combustion load of the water heater within the load range.

[0049] Step 1014: Locate the value at the first relative position within the rated current range to obtain the target current of the gas proportional valve.

[0050] Within the rated current range, the value at the first relative position can be located to obtain the target current of the gas proportional valve, thereby achieving proportional adjustment between the gas proportional valve and the combustion load of the water heater.

[0051] For example, the difference between the maximum current in the rated current range and the minimum current in the rated current range can be calculated to obtain the total current amplitude in the rated current range.

[0052] The first offset current is obtained by calculating the product between the total current amplitude and the first relative position (i.e., the first ratio).

[0053] The target current of the gas proportional valve is obtained by calculating the sum between the first offset current and the minimum current in the rated current range.

[0054] In this example, the target current of the gas proportional valve can be expressed as: Target current of gas proportional valve = (maximum current - minimum current) / (maximum load - minimum load) × (current combustion load - minimum load) + minimum current.

[0055] Step 1015: Locate the value at the first relative position within the rated speed range to obtain the target speed of the fan.

[0056] In this embodiment, the third relative position of the target current value in the rated current range can be calculated, and the value at the third relative position in the rated speed range can be located to obtain the target speed of the fan, thereby realizing the proportional adjustment between the gas proportional valve and the fan.

[0057] For example, when calculating the third relative position of the target current value in the rated current range, the difference between the maximum current value and the minimum current value in the rated current range can be calculated to obtain the total current amplitude.

[0058] Calculate the difference between the target current value and the minimum current value in the rated current range to obtain the relative current value.

[0059] Calculate the third ratio between the relative current value and the total current amplitude. This third ratio is used to characterize the third relative position of the target current value within the rated current range.

[0060] Furthermore, when locating the value at the third relative position (i.e., the third ratio) within the rated speed range, the difference between the maximum speed and the minimum speed within the rated speed range can be calculated to obtain the speed amplitude.

[0061] The first offset speed value is obtained by calculating the product between the third relative position (i.e., the third ratio) and the speed amplitude.

[0062] The target speed of the fan is obtained by calculating the sum between the first offset speed value and the minimum speed in the rated speed range.

[0063] In this example, the target speed of the fan can be expressed as: Target speed of the fan = (maximum speed - minimum speed) / (maximum current - minimum current) × (target current - minimum current) + minimum speed.

[0064] Furthermore, since the target current value is in the third relative position (i.e., the third ratio) in the rated current range and the current combustion load of the water heater is in the first relative position (i.e., the first ratio) in the load range, the value in the first relative position (i.e., the first ratio) can be located in the rated speed range to obtain the target speed of the fan.

[0065] For example, when locating a value at a first relative position (i.e., a first ratio) within the rated speed range, the difference between the maximum speed and the minimum speed within the rated speed range can be calculated to obtain the speed amplitude.

[0066] The first offset speed is obtained by calculating the product between the first relative position (i.e., the first ratio) and the speed amplitude.

[0067] The target speed of the fan is obtained by calculating the sum between the first offset speed and the minimum speed in the rated speed range.

[0068] Step 102: Adjust the fan's operating speed to the target speed.

[0069] In this embodiment, a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal for the fan can be generated based on the target speed of the fan using methods such as PID (Proportional Integral Derivative). The PWM signal of the fan is then transmitted to the fan to adjust its operating speed to the target speed.

[0070] Step 103: If the difference between the target speed and the operating speed of the fan before adjustment reaches the preset change range, then gradually adjust the working current of the gas proportional valve during the process of the fan's operating speed changing to the target speed until the working current reaches the target current.

[0071] In this embodiment, the difference between the target speed of the fan and the actual operating speed of the fan before adjustment can be calculated by taking the absolute value of the difference between the target speed of the fan and the actual operating speed of the fan before adjustment, or by dividing the absolute value of the difference between the target speed of the fan and the actual operating speed of the fan before adjustment by the target speed of the fan or the actual operating speed of the fan before adjustment.

[0072] Compare the difference between the target speed of the fan and the actual operating speed of the fan before adjustment with the preset change range (such as 20%, 10,000 rpm, etc.).

[0073] If the difference between the target speed and the operating speed of the fan before adjustment reaches (i.e., greater than or equal to) the preset change range, it indicates that the adjustment range is large. In this case, the operating current of the gas proportional valve can be gradually adjusted during the process of the fan's operating speed changing to the target speed, so that the operating current of the gas proportional valve is gradually adjusted to the target current. That is, the adjustment of the operating current of the gas proportional valve is stopped when the operating current of the gas proportional valve reaches the target current.

[0074] In practice, the operating speed of the fan can be obtained in real time, and the operating current of the gas proportional valve can be gradually adjusted according to the real-time operating speed of the fan, so that the actual operating current of the gas proportional valve closely follows the changes in the real-time operating speed of the fan, until the actual operating current of the gas proportional valve reaches the target current, thus maintaining the stability of the water heater operation.

[0075] In one embodiment of the present invention, step 103, which involves gradually adjusting the operating current of the gas proportional valve based on the real-time operating speed of the fan, may include the following steps:

[0076] Step 1031: Determine the current combustion load range of the water heater.

[0077] In practice, the water heater has multiple preset load ranges. It can traverse each load range and compare the current combustion load of the water heater with the load ranges to determine the current load range of the water heater.

[0078] Step 1032: Query the rated current range of the gas proportional valve and the rated speed range of the fan corresponding to the load range.

[0079] In this embodiment, based on different load ranges, corresponding rated current ranges are set for the gas proportional valve and corresponding rated speed ranges are set for the fan, so that there is a correlation between the load range, the rated current range and the rated speed range.

[0080] When determining the current combustion load range of the water heater, the rated current range of the gas proportional valve and the rated speed range of the fan corresponding to that load range can be queried based on this relationship.

[0081] Step 1033: Determine the second relative position of the real-time operating speed of the fan within the rated speed range.

[0082] Within the rated speed range, the operating speed of the fan can be obtained in real time, thereby allowing the fan to be located in its second relative position at its real-time operating speed.

[0083] For example, the rated speed range includes the maximum speed and the minimum speed.

[0084] Then, calculate the difference between the maximum speed and the minimum speed to obtain the speed amplitude.

[0085] The difference between the real-time operating speed and the minimum speed of the fan is calculated in real time to obtain the second offset speed.

[0086] Calculate the second ratio between the second offset speed and the speed amplitude. The second ratio is used to characterize the second relative position of the real-time operating speed of the fan within the rated speed range.

[0087] Step 1034: Locate the value at the second relative position within the rated current range to obtain the adjustment current of the gas proportional valve.

[0088] In this embodiment, the value at the second relative position can be located within the rated current range to obtain the adjustment current of the gas proportional valve, which can be used as a candidate adjustment target for the working current of the gas proportional valve.

[0089] In practice, the difference between the maximum current and the minimum current can be calculated to obtain the total current amplitude.

[0090] A phased fine-tuning operation mode is formed based on the synergistic characteristics between the fan and the gas proportional valve. In the first stage, the second offset current is obtained based on the product between the total current amplitude and the second relative position (i.e., the second ratio). In the second stage, the adjustment current of the gas proportional valve is obtained based on the sum of the second offset current and the minimum current. Fine-tuning can be performed in both the first and second stages based on the synergistic characteristics between the fan and the gas proportional valve, thereby improving the accuracy of the adjustment current of the gas proportional valve.

[0091] In one fine-tuning method, the first stage is fine-tuned by calculating the product between the total current amplitude and the second relative position (i.e., the second ratio) and amplifying the product between the total current amplitude and the second relative position (i.e., the second ratio) to obtain the second offset current. The second stage remains unchanged, that is, the sum between the second offset current and the minimum current is calculated to obtain the adjustment current of the gas proportional valve.

[0092] During amplification, the second offset current can be obtained by multiplying the product of the total current amplitude and the second ratio by a preset first amplification factor, wherein the first amplification factor is greater than 1, such as 120%.

[0093] Therefore, the adjustment current of the gas proportional valve can be expressed as: Adjustment current of gas proportional valve = (maximum current - minimum current) / (maximum speed - minimum speed) × (real-time operating speed - minimum speed) × first amplification factor + minimum current.

[0094] In another fine-tuning method, the first stage remains unchanged, that is, the product between the total current amplitude and the second relative position (i.e., the second ratio) is calculated to obtain the second offset current. The second stage is then fine-tuned by calculating the sum between the second offset current and the minimum current, and amplifying the sum between the second offset current and the minimum current to obtain the adjustment current of the gas proportional valve.

[0095] During amplification, the adjustment current of the gas proportional valve can be obtained by multiplying the sum of the second offset current and the minimum current by a preset second amplification factor, wherein the second amplification factor is greater than 1, such as 105%.

[0096] In comparison, the first amplification factor is greater than the second amplification factor.

[0097] In both of these fine-tuning methods, the current of the gas proportional valve is amplified, allowing its operating current to reach the target current more quickly and achieve constant temperature more rapidly.

[0098] Step 1035: Adjust the operating current to the set current, provided that the set current is not greater than the target current.

[0099] In this embodiment, the adjusting current of the gas proportional valve can be compared with the target current of the gas proportional valve.

[0100] When the adjustment current is not greater than (i.e. less than or equal to) the target current, adjust the operating current of the gas proportional valve to the adjustment current of the gas proportional valve.

[0101] If the adjusting current is greater than the target current, stop adjusting the operating current of the gas proportional valve.

[0102] This process is repeated, adjusting the working current of the gas proportional valve based on the real-time operating speed of the fan during the adjustment process, until the working current of the gas proportional valve reaches the target current.

[0103] In this embodiment, the water heater includes a gas proportional valve and a fan. After the combustion load of the water heater changes, the target current of the gas proportional valve and the target speed of the fan are determined based on the current combustion load. The fan's operating speed is adjusted to the target speed. If the difference between the target speed and the fan's operating speed before adjustment reaches a preset range, the operating current of the gas proportional valve is gradually adjusted as the fan's operating speed changes to the target speed until the operating current reaches the target current. This embodiment utilizes the fast response speed of the gas proportional valve to gradually adjust its operating current as the fan's operating speed changes to the target speed. This reduces the difference between the rate of change of the gas proportional valve opening and the rate of change of the fan speed, improving the synchronization between the gas proportional valve and the fan. This helps maintain a balanced gas-air mixture ratio when the water heater's combustion load changes, thus improving the water heater's operational stability.

[0104] Reference Figure 2 The diagram illustrates another water heater control method provided by an embodiment of the present invention, which may specifically include the following steps:

[0105] Step 201: Calculate the combustion load of the water heater when it heats water by burning gas.

[0106] When the water heater is in combustion mode, that is, when the water heater heats the water by burning gas, the combustion load of the water heater can be detected at regular intervals (such as 10ms) to monitor whether the combustion load of the water heater has changed.

[0107] In practice, a first temperature sensor is installed at the water inlet pipe of the water heater, a second temperature sensor is installed at the water outlet pipe of the water heater, and a water flow sensor is installed at the water inlet pipe, water outlet pipe, condensate return pipe, and other locations of the water heater.

[0108] Multiple sampling times were determined when the water heater heated water by burning gas.

[0109] At each moment, the first temperature value of water flowing into the water heater (i.e., inlet water temperature) is collected by the first temperature sensor, the second temperature value of water flowing out of the water heater (i.e., outlet water temperature) is collected by the second temperature sensor, and the flow rate of water is collected by the water flow sensor.

[0110] For the same moment, the temperature rise of the water is obtained by subtracting the first temperature value from the second temperature value. The product of the temperature rise and the flow rate is calculated to obtain the combustion load of the water heater at each moment.

[0111] Therefore, the combustion load of the water heater can be expressed as: Combustion load = (Second temperature value - First temperature value) × Flow rate.

[0112] Step 202: Calculate the difference between the current combustion load and the previous combustion load to obtain the load change value.

[0113] In this embodiment, the difference between the combustion load at the calculation time and the combustion load at the previous time can be obtained by taking the absolute value of the difference between the combustion load at the current time and the combustion load at the previous time, or by dividing the absolute value of the difference between the combustion load at the current time and the combustion load at the previous time by the combustion load at the current time or the combustion load at the previous time, thus obtaining the load change value.

[0114] Step 203: If the load change value is greater than or equal to the load threshold, then it is determined that the combustion load of the water heater has changed.

[0115] In this embodiment, a load threshold for measuring whether the combustion load of the water heater changes can be determined.

[0116] In one scenario, the load threshold is a default empirical value.

[0117] In another scenario, the load threshold is a dynamically generated value to improve its accuracy.

[0118] In this case, the current water flow rate can be mapped to a load threshold using either a linear or nonlinear method. The load threshold is positively correlated with the current water flow rate; that is, the higher the current water flow rate, the greater the combustion load provided by the water heater to maintain a constant temperature, and thus the higher the load threshold. Conversely, the lower the current water flow rate, the smaller the combustion load provided by the water heater to maintain a constant temperature, and thus the lower the load threshold.

[0119] For example, the load threshold is 1K × flow rate. In this example, the condition for determining whether the combustion load of the water heater has changed can be expressed as: (second temperature value - first temperature value) × flow rate ≥ 1K × flow rate. At this time, when the change between the outlet water temperature and the inlet water temperature is ≥ 1K (i.e. 1℃), the change in the heat load of the water heater has reached the critical value for the linkage adjustment of the gas proportional valve and the fan.

[0120] Step 204: After the combustion load of the water heater changes, determine the target current of the gas proportional valve and the target speed of the fan based on the current combustion load of the water heater.

[0121] Step 205: Adjust the fan's operating speed to the target speed.

[0122] Step 206: If the difference between the target speed and the operating speed of the blower before adjustment is less than the preset change range, then adjust the operating current of the gas proportional valve to the target current.

[0123] If the difference between the target speed and the operating speed of the fan before adjustment is less than the preset change range, it means that the adjustment range is small. In this case, PID or other methods can be used to generate a PWM signal for the gas proportional valve based on the target current of the gas proportional valve. The PWM signal of the gas proportional valve is then transmitted to the gas proportional valve so that its current actual operating current is adjusted to the target current.

[0124] It should be noted that the sequence number of each step in the above embodiments does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0125] Reference Figure 3 The diagram shows a control device for a water heater according to an embodiment of the present invention. The water heater includes a gas proportional valve and a fan. The device may specifically include the following modules:

[0126] The collaborative target determination module 301 is used to determine the target current of the gas proportional valve and the target speed of the fan based on the current combustion load of the water heater after the combustion load of the water heater changes.

[0127] The fan adjustment module 302 is used to adjust the operating speed of the fan to the target speed.

[0128] The gas proportional valve synchronous adjustment module 303 is used to gradually adjust the working current of the gas proportional valve during the process of the fan's working speed changing to the target speed if the difference between the target speed and the fan's working speed before adjustment reaches a preset change range, until the working current reaches the target current.

[0129] In one embodiment of the present invention, it further includes:

[0130] The combustion load calculation module is used to calculate the combustion load of the water heater when it heats water by burning gas.

[0131] The load change value calculation module is used to calculate the difference between the combustion load at the current moment and the combustion load at the previous moment, and obtain the load change value;

[0132] The combustion load change determination module is used to determine that the combustion load of the water heater has changed if the load change value is greater than or equal to the load threshold.

[0133] In one embodiment of the present invention, the combustion load calculation module includes:

[0134] The sampling time determination module is used to determine multiple sampling times when the water heater heats water by burning gas;

[0135] The data acquisition module is used to collect the first temperature value of the water flowing into the water heater, the second temperature value of the water flowing out of the water heater, and the flow rate of the water at various times.

[0136] The temperature rise calculation module is used to subtract the first temperature value from the second temperature value to obtain the temperature rise value of the water body.

[0137] The combustion load acquisition module is used to calculate the product between the temperature rise value and the flow rate to obtain the combustion load of the water heater at various times.

[0138] In one embodiment of the present invention, it further includes:

[0139] The load threshold mapping module is used to map the flow rate of the water body at the current moment to a load threshold; the load threshold is positively correlated with the flow rate of the water body at the current moment.

[0140] In one embodiment of the present invention, the water heater is preset with multiple load ranges; the cooperative target determination module 301 includes:

[0141] The load range determination module is used to determine the load range in which the current combustion load of the water heater is located;

[0142] The rated range query module is used to query the rated current range of the gas proportional valve and the rated speed range of the fan corresponding to the load range;

[0143] The first relative position determination module is used to determine the first relative position of the current combustion load of the water heater in the load range;

[0144] The target current positioning module is used to locate the value at the first relative position in the rated current range to obtain the target current of the gas proportional valve.

[0145] The target speed positioning module is used to locate the value at the first relative position within the rated speed range to obtain the target speed of the fan.

[0146] In one embodiment of the present invention, the load range includes the maximum load and the minimum load;

[0147] The first relative position determination module includes:

[0148] The load amplitude calculation module is used to calculate the difference between the maximum load and the minimum load to obtain the load amplitude;

[0149] The load offset calculation module is used to calculate the difference between the current combustion load of the water heater and the minimum load to obtain the load offset;

[0150] The first relative position calculation module is used to calculate a first ratio between the load offset and the load amplitude, the first ratio being used to characterize the first relative position.

[0151] In one embodiment of the present invention, the rated current range includes the maximum current and the minimum current, and the rated speed range includes the maximum speed and the minimum speed;

[0152] The target current location module includes:

[0153] The total current amplitude calculation module is used to calculate the difference between the maximum current and the minimum current to obtain the total current amplitude;

[0154] The first offset current calculation module is used to calculate the product between the total current amplitude and the first ratio to obtain the first offset current.

[0155] The target current calculation module is used to calculate the sum between the first offset current and the minimum current to obtain the target current of the gas proportional valve.

[0156] The target rotation speed positioning module includes:

[0157] The speed amplitude calculation module is used to calculate the difference between the maximum speed and the minimum speed to obtain the speed amplitude;

[0158] The first offset rotation speed calculation module is used to calculate the product between the first relative position and the rotation speed amplitude to obtain the first offset rotation speed.

[0159] The target speed calculation module is used to calculate the sum between the first offset speed and the minimum speed to obtain the target speed of the fan.

[0160] In one embodiment of the present invention, the gas proportional valve synchronization adjustment module 303 includes:

[0161] The real-time operating speed acquisition module is used to acquire the operating speed of the fan in real time.

[0162] The working current adjustment module is used to gradually adjust the working current of the gas proportional valve according to the real-time operating speed of the fan.

[0163] In one embodiment of the present invention, the working current coordinated adjustment module includes:

[0164] The load range determination module is used to determine the load range in which the current combustion load of the water heater is located;

[0165] The rated range query module is used to query the rated current range of the gas proportional valve and the rated speed range of the fan corresponding to the load range;

[0166] The second relative position determination module is used to determine the second relative position of the real-time operating speed of the fan in the rated speed range.

[0167] The adjustment current generation module is used to obtain the adjustment current of the gas proportional valve by measuring the value at the second relative position within the rated current range.

[0168] The operating current adjustment module is used to adjust the operating current to the adjustment current when the adjustment current is not greater than the target current.

[0169] In one embodiment of the present invention, the rated current range includes the maximum current and the minimum current, and the rated speed range includes the maximum speed and the minimum speed;

[0170] The second relative position determination module includes:

[0171] The speed amplitude calculation module is used to calculate the difference between the maximum speed and the minimum speed to obtain the speed amplitude;

[0172] The second offset speed calculation module is used to calculate the difference between the operating speed of the fan and the minimum speed in real time to obtain the second offset speed;

[0173] The second relative position calculation module is used to calculate a second ratio between the second offset rotational speed and the rotational speed amplitude, the second ratio being used to characterize the second relative position.

[0174] In one embodiment of the present invention, the adjusting current generation module includes:

[0175] The total current amplitude calculation module is used to calculate the difference between the maximum current and the minimum current to obtain the total current amplitude;

[0176] The second offset current obtaining module is used to obtain the second offset current based on the product between the total current amplitude and the second ratio;

[0177] The adjustment current obtaining module is used to obtain the adjustment current of the gas proportional valve based on the sum of the second offset current and the minimum current.

[0178] In one embodiment of the present invention, the total current amplitude calculation module includes:

[0179] The first amplification processing module is used to calculate the product between the total current amplitude and the second ratio, and amplify the product to obtain the second offset current; or

[0180] The second offset current obtaining module includes:

[0181] The second amplification processing module is used to calculate the sum between the second offset current and the minimum current, and amplify the sum to obtain the adjustment current.

[0182] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first amplification processing module includes:

[0183] The first amplification factor multiplication module is used to multiply the product between the total current amplitude and the second ratio by a preset first amplification factor to obtain the second offset current.

[0184] The second amplification processing module includes:

[0185] The adjustment current is obtained by multiplying the sum of the second offset current and the minimum current by a preset second amplification factor.

[0186] Wherein, the first amplification factor is greater than the second amplification factor.

[0187] In one embodiment of the present invention, it further includes:

[0188] The operating current adjustment module is used to adjust the operating current of the gas proportional valve to the target current if the difference between the target speed and the operating speed of the fan before adjustment is less than a preset change range.

[0189] The present invention provides a control device for a water heater, which can be used to implement the steps in the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0190] It should be noted that the module division in the control devices of various water heaters provided in the above embodiments is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may also be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this invention can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0191] If the integrated module is implemented as a software functional module and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, all or part of the technical solution of the embodiments of the present invention can be embodied in the form of a computer program product, which is stored in a computer storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a water heater or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods in the various embodiments of the present invention. The aforementioned computer storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0192] Furthermore, the control device for the water heater provided in the above embodiments and the control method for the water heater belong to the same concept. For details of its implementation process, please refer to the method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0193] Reference Figure 4 The diagram illustrates a water heater according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 As shown, the water heater in this embodiment of the invention includes: a processor, a memory, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor. When the processor executes the computer program, it implements the steps in the above-described water heater control method embodiment. Alternatively, when the processor executes the computer program, it implements the functions of each module in the above-described water heater control device embodiment.

[0194] For example, the computer program may be divided into one or more modules, which are stored in the memory and executed by the processor to complete this application. The one or more modules may be a series of computer program instruction segments capable of performing a specific function, which can be used to describe the execution process of the computer program in the water heater.

[0195] The water heater can be a desktop computer, cloud server, or other computing device. The water heater may include, but is not limited to, a processor and memory. Those skilled in the art will understand that... Figure 4 This is merely one example of a water heater and does not constitute a limitation on the water heater. It may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or different components. For example, the water heater may also include input / output devices, network access devices, buses, etc.

[0196] The processor can be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0197] The memory can be an internal storage unit of the water heater, such as its hard drive or RAM. Alternatively, it can be an external storage device, such as a plug-in hard drive, Smart Media Card (SMC), Secure Digital (SD) card, Flash Card, etc. Furthermore, the memory can include both internal and external storage units. The memory is used to store the computer program and other programs and data required by the water heater. It can also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or will be output.

[0198] This invention also discloses a water heater, including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor. When the processor executes the computer program, it implements the water heater control method as described in the foregoing embodiments.

[0199] This invention also discloses a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the water heater control method described in the foregoing embodiments.

[0200] This invention also discloses a computer program product that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the water heater control method described in the foregoing embodiments.

[0201] In the specific implementation of the above embodiments, the technical features can be combined in any non-contradictory way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the above technical features are described. However, as long as the combination of these technical features is not contradictory, it should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0202] The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of this patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a water heater, characterized in that, The water heater includes a gas proportional valve and a fan, and the method includes: After the combustion load of the water heater changes, the target current of the gas proportional valve and the target speed of the fan are determined based on the current combustion load of the water heater. Adjust the operating speed of the fan to the target speed; If the difference between the target speed and the operating speed of the fan before adjustment reaches a preset change range, the operating current of the gas proportional valve is gradually adjusted during the process of the fan's operating speed changing to the target speed until the operating current reaches the target current. The water heater is preset with multiple load ranges; determining the target current of the gas proportional valve and the target speed of the fan based on the current combustion load of the water heater includes: Determine the current combustion load range of the water heater; Query the rated current range of the gas proportional valve and the rated speed range of the fan corresponding to the load range; Determine the first relative position of the current combustion load of the water heater within the load range; The target current of the gas proportional valve is obtained by locating the value at the first relative position within the rated current range. The target speed of the fan is obtained by locating the value at the first relative position within the rated speed range; The gradual adjustment of the operating current of the gas proportional valve includes: Real-time acquisition of the fan's operating speed; The operating current of the gas proportional valve is gradually adjusted according to the real-time operating speed of the fan. The step of gradually adjusting the operating current of the gas proportional valve based on the real-time operating speed of the fan includes: Determine the current combustion load range of the water heater; Query the rated current range of the gas proportional valve and the rated speed range of the fan corresponding to the load range; The second relative position of the real-time operating speed of the fan within the rated speed range is determined in real time. The adjustment current of the gas proportional valve is obtained by locating the value at the second relative position within the rated current range. If the adjustment current is not greater than the target current, adjust the operating current to the adjustment current; The rated current range includes the maximum current and the minimum current, and the rated speed range includes the maximum speed and the minimum speed. The real-time determination of the second relative position of the real-time operating speed of the fan within the rated speed range includes: Calculate the difference between the maximum speed and the minimum speed to obtain the speed amplitude; The difference between the operating speed of the fan and the minimum speed is calculated in real time to obtain the second offset speed; Calculate a second ratio between the second offset rotational speed and the rotational speed amplitude, the second ratio being used to characterize the second relative position; The step of determining the adjustment current of the gas proportional valve by locating the value at the second relative position within the rated current range includes: Calculate the difference between the maximum current and the minimum current to obtain the total current amplitude; The second offset current is obtained by multiplying the total current amplitude by the second ratio. The adjustment current of the gas proportional valve is obtained based on the sum of the second offset current and the minimum current. The step of obtaining the second offset current based on the product of the total current amplitude and the second ratio includes: Calculate the product between the total current amplitude and the second ratio, and amplify the product to obtain the second offset current; or The step of obtaining the adjustment current of the gas proportional valve based on the sum of the second offset current and the minimum current includes: Calculate the sum between the second offset current and the minimum current, and amplify the sum to obtain the adjustment current.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Calculate the combustion load of the water heater when it heats water by burning gas; Calculate the difference between the current combustion load and the previous combustion load to obtain the load change value; If the load change value is greater than or equal to the load threshold, then it is determined that the combustion load of the water heater has changed.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The calculation of the combustion load of the water heater when heating water by burning gas includes: Multiple sampling times were determined when the water heater heated water by burning gas; The first temperature value of the water flowing into the water heater, the second temperature value of the water flowing out of the water heater, and the flow rate of the water are collected at various times. Subtracting the first temperature value from the second temperature value yields the temperature rise of the water body. The product of the temperature rise and the flow rate is calculated to obtain the combustion load of the water heater at each moment.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Also includes: The flow rate of the water body at the current moment is mapped to a load threshold; the load threshold is positively correlated with the flow rate of the water body at the current moment.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The load range includes the maximum load and the minimum load; Determining the first relative position of the current combustion load of the water heater within the load range includes: Calculate the difference between the maximum load and the minimum load to obtain the load amplitude; Calculate the difference between the current combustion load of the water heater and the minimum load to obtain the load offset; Calculate a first ratio between the load offset and the load amplitude, the first ratio being used to characterize the first relative position.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The rated current range includes the maximum current and the minimum current, and the rated speed range includes the maximum speed and the minimum speed. The step of locating the value at the first relative position within the rated current range to obtain the target current of the gas proportional valve includes: Calculate the difference between the maximum current and the minimum current to obtain the total current amplitude; The first offset current is obtained by calculating the product between the total current amplitude and the first ratio; Calculate the sum between the first offset current and the minimum current to obtain the target current of the gas proportional valve; The step of determining the target speed of the fan by locating the value at the first relative position within the rated speed range includes: Calculate the difference between the maximum speed and the minimum speed to obtain the speed amplitude; Calculate the product of the first ratio and the rotational speed amplitude to obtain the first offset rotational speed; The target speed of the fan is obtained by calculating the sum between the first offset speed and the minimum speed.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, Also includes: If the difference between the target speed and the operating speed of the fan before adjustment is less than the preset change range, then the operating current of the gas proportional valve is adjusted to the target current.

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