Zero cold water and hot water control method and system and integrated one-way water mixing valve element

Abstract

A zero cold water and hot water control system comprises a water heater (1) and a water mixing valve (2), and is characterized in that an integrated intelligent pipeline valve group (6) is arranged at an outlet of the water heater and comprises an automatic exhaust valve (6a) and a normally closed electromagnetic valve (6c); a self-adaptive intelligent hydraulic control terminal (5) is arranged between the hot water end and the cold water end of the water mixing valve and comprises a normally open electromagnetic valve (5e), a high-pressure water pump (5i) and a sensor group; and the water mixing valve core is a one-way water mixing valve core (3). A water sensor (5g) senses that water exists in a circulation pipeline (5h), a temperature sensor (5f) detects that the water temperature is lower than a set value, the water pressure of a cold water pipe network is reduced due to the fact that other water using devices (8) use water, a pressure sensor (5a) triggers a high-pressure water pump (5i) to be started, and residual water in a hot water pipeline is pumped into the water supplying device (8) of the cold water pipe network. When the hand of a user gets close to the water mixing valve, the signal transmitter (5c) transmits a signal to the controller (6e), the controller opens the electromagnetic valve (6c), and zero cold water output of the water heater is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of household hot water equipment technology, specifically to a control method and system for zero-cold-water hot water, and an integrated one-way mixing valve core for the system. Background Technology

[0002] Existing zero-cold-water solutions mostly use return pipe circulation, which is energy-intensive and cannot recover residual water in the pipes after the water is turned off. Solutions without return pipes often face problems such as incomplete preheating, cold water in the initial output, and low efficiency in recovering residual water in remote branches. How to efficiently and reliably recover residual water in hot water pipes is the key technical bottleneck to achieving a truly "zero-cold-water" experience. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to solve the above problems and provide an intelligent and efficient zero-cold-water solution. Its core lies in a unique control logic and a highly integrated hardware innovation - a mixing valve core with a built-in cantilever diaphragm check valve. Beneficial effects

[0004] High-efficiency recycling: By equipping the hot water terminal mixing valve (2) with the integrated one-way mixing valve core (3) and setting an automatic air vent valve (6a) at the hot water outlet of the water heater, a low-resistance return path is provided for the high-pressure water pump (5i) to recycle the residual water in the hot water pipe (9), ensuring that the residual water in the dead corner of the pipeline can be effectively pumped back, thus solving the problem of remote recycling in traditional solutions.

[0005] Ultimate user experience: Preheated water is pumped into the household tap water network by a high-pressure water pump (5i) through the circulation pipe (5h), and then circulates into the running water heater (1). Only when the temperature sensor (5f) detects that the water temperature meets the usage requirements can it flow out from the mixing pipe (4), achieving the ultimate effect of "no cold water at the outlet".

[0006] High integration and convenience: The one-way valve function is directly integrated into the standard mixing valve core. Users do not need to install additional tees and one-way valves on existing pipelines. They can upgrade the system simply by replacing the valve core, which greatly reduces the installation threshold and complexity.

[0007] Reliable and durable: The cantilever diaphragm check valve has a simple structure, sensitive response, and is fixed by mechanical clamping, avoiding the risk of adhesive aging, resulting in a long service life and high reliability.

[0008] Simple structure and wide applicability: The residual water recycling does not require a water storage container, the structure is simple and the cost is low. This invention can be configured to upgrade all existing ordinary water heaters, is easy to promote, and creates huge social benefits. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the zero-cold-water hot water system structure of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 1 In the middle: 1-Water heater, 2-Mixing valve, 3-Integrated one-way mixing valve core, 4-Mixing link, 5-Adaptive intelligent hydraulic control terminal: 5a-Pressure transmitter, 5b-One-way valve, 5c-Signal transmitter, 5d-Controller, 5e-Solenoid valve, 5f-Temperature sensor, 5g-Water sensor, 5h-Circulation pipeline, 5i-High-pressure water pump, 5j-Automatic air vent valve, 6-Integrated intelligent pipeline valve group: 6a-Automatic air vent valve, 6b-Pressure transmitter, 6c-Solenoid valve, 6d-Temperature sensor, 6e-Controller, 7-Water supply branch, 8-Normal temperature water heater, 9-Hot water main pipeline, 10-Water supply main pipeline, 11-Water supply branch.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the main steps of the zero cold water and hot water control method of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 In the system: S100 - System initialization and monitoring, S200 - Residual water recovery judgment and execution, S300 - Response to hot water requests and preheating, S400 - Preheating hot water circulation, S500 - Normal hot water supply, S600 - End of water usage process, S700 - Whole house multi-user zero cold water process.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a partially enlarged exploded view of the integrated one-way mixing valve core cantilever diaphragm one-way valve structure of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 3 In the middle: 7-base, 8-sealing ring, 7a-elastic diaphragm, 7b-elastic pressure plate, 7c-hot water chamber, 7d-base body, 7e-micropore, 7f-mixing water chamber, 7g-cold water chamber, 7h-elastic diaphragm cantilever. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1 Appendix Figure 2 The technical solutions protected by the claims of this invention will be described in detail below.

[0016] After the system is powered on, the controller (5d), (6e), and signal transmitter (5c) are all in standby mode. The mixing valve (2) is in the closed state, the solenoid valve (6c) is in the normally closed state, and the solenoid valve (5e) is in the normally open state.

[0017] The signal transmitter (5c) has dual-output control. When not triggered, it uses a normally closed contact to output, connecting the automatic closed-loop control circuit for residual water recovery in the hot water link (hot water shutdown mode); when triggered, it uses a normally open contact to output, the normally open contact closes and achieves self-locking, connecting the hot water usage mode control circuit.

[0018] When hot water is not in use, the controller (5d) operates in the normally closed output control circuit of the signal transmitter (5c) to realize the closed-loop automatic control process of residual water recovery in the pipeline: the adaptive intelligent hydraulic control terminal (5) monitors the water pressure, water temperature and residual water status in the circulating pipeline (5h). If other normal temperature water appliances (8) (such as washing machines, toilets, etc.) connected in parallel to the main water supply pipeline (10) use cold water, the water pressure at the outlet of the one-way valve (5b) set on the circulating pipeline (5h) drops, the pressure transmitter (5a) is triggered, and when the water temperature is lower than the set temperature of the temperature sensor (5f), such as 37°C, and the water sensor (5g) detects the presence of residual water in the circulating pipeline, the controller (5d) starts the high-pressure water pump (5i).

[0019] The hot water main pipeline (9) is connected to the mixing link (4) through the mixing valve (2). The outlet of the mixing link (4) is open to the atmosphere. An integrated intelligent pipeline valve group (6) is provided at the connection between the hot water main pipeline (9) and the water heater (1), which integrates an automatic air vent valve (6a). The valve core of the mixing valve (2) is an integrated one-way mixing valve core (3). When the controller (5d) starts the high-pressure water pump (5i) to rotate, the circulation pipeline (5h) generates negative pressure, which causes the automatic air vent valve (6a) to open and be open to the atmosphere. The integrated one-way mixing valve core (3) opens and is open to the atmosphere, making the entire hot water main pipeline (9) and the mixing link (4) a low suction resistance pipeline. The residual water in it is pumped into the tap water branch (11) by the started high-pressure water pump (5i) through the one-way valve (5b), and then used by the normal temperature water heater (8) through the tap water main pipeline (10). The adaptive intelligent hydraulic control terminal (5) starts and stops according to the water usage of the room temperature water heater (8) until the water sensor (5g) detects that there is no water in the circulation pipeline (5h) and enters the closed loop control, ensuring that the hot water main pipeline (9) and the mixing link (4) are in the state of emptying residual water and ready for use, so as to achieve zero cold water discharge.

[0020] When a user wants to use hot water, they bring their hand close to the mixing valve (2) adjustment handle. The signal transmitter (5c) is triggered, sending a hot water use signal to the controller (6e). The controller (6e) receives the signal and opens the solenoid valve (6c). Under the action of the tap water network pressure, the cold water sealed in the coil inside the water heater (1) flows along the empty hot water main pipe (9), carrying air from the empty pipe, towards the mixing valve (2). At the same time, the water flow switch signal turns on the water heater to heat up, forming preheated hot water. The user rotates the mixing valve (2) adjustment handle to the hot water end and lifts it open. The hot water main pipe (9) is connected to the mixing link (4) and directly to the atmosphere. The air at the front end of the preheated hot water is discharged from the pipe, and the air mixed with the preheated hot water in the circulation pipe (5h) is discharged from the automatic air vent (5j).

[0021] The water sensor (5g) senses that there is water in the circulation pipe (5h), triggers the controller (5d) to close the solenoid valve (5e), ​​and starts the high-pressure pump (5i) to pump the preheated water into the tap water branch (11) through the check valve (5b), and then into the water heater (1) through the tap water main pipe (10) for circulation. When the temperature sensor (5f) detects that the preheated water temperature meets the set value, such as 40°C, the controller (5d) is triggered to close the high-pressure water pump (5i) and reset the solenoid valve (5e). The hot water flows out from the mixing link (4) for the user to use, realizing zero cold water output.

[0022] During normal hot water use, when the temperature sensor (6d) detects that the water temperature flowing through the hot water main pipe (9) meets the set value, such as 48°C, the signal receiving circuit of the controller (6e) is cut off, and the controller no longer receives water usage signals from other hot water usage points throughout the house. The user can then open the valve to use hot water. (Because of the automatic closed-loop control function for residual water recovery in the pipeline of this invention, when any one hot water usage point in the house is triggered, the other hot water branches configured with this invention are in a hot water standby state, which will not be elaborated here.) When multiple users in the house use hot water, when the last user closes the mixing valve, the water pressure in the hot water main pipe (9) increases, the pressure sensor (6b) is triggered, and the controller (6e) closes the solenoid valve (6c) and enters a standby state.

[0023] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 3 , attached Figure 1 The technical solution of claim 3 of this invention will be described in detail below.

[0024] The base (7) is made of plastic and has a mixing chamber (7f), a hot water chamber (7c), and a cold water chamber (7g). A microhole (7e) of, for example, 1.5 mm is machined at the geometric center of the flow channel wall of the hot water chamber and the mixing chamber to connect the hot water chamber and the mixing chamber. An elastic diaphragm (7a) covering the opening of the microhole (7e) on the inner wall of the hot water chamber (7c) adopts a cantilever (7h) structure with one end fixed and the other end free; its fixed end is fixed to the flow channel wall by a spring fastener (7b), and its free end covers the microhole (7e).

[0025] After the integrated one-way mixing valve core (3) replaces the ordinary valve core of the mixing valve (2), the mixing valve has the function of a one-way valve. One side of the mixing chamber (7f) is directly open to the atmosphere, and the one-way valve cantilever diaphragm (7a) closes the micro-orifice (7e) under the action of residual water pressure on the hot water chamber (7c). When the high-pressure water pump (5i) is working, a negative pressure is generated on the hot water chamber (7c). Under the action of atmospheric pressure, the residual water on the mixing chamber (7f) will open the one-way valve cantilever diaphragm (7a) and enter the hot water chamber (7c) through the micro-orifice (7e). It will be sucked back by the high-pressure water pump (5i) and pumped into the tap water branch (11), thereby achieving the purpose of draining the residual cold water in the front-end mixing link (4), ensuring that the system completely achieves zero cold water output, and greatly improving the user's hot water experience.

Claims

1. A method for controlling hot and cold water simultaneously, applied to a system including a hot water main pipeline (9), a mixing link (4), and a circulation pipeline (5h), characterized in that, Includes the following steps: When hot water is not in use, monitor the water temperature, water pressure and residual water status of the circulation pipeline (5h). When the residual water temperature in the circulation pipeline is lower than the temperature t1±△t℃ set by the temperature sensor (5f), and the water sensor (5g) senses that there is water in the circulation pipeline, and other room temperature water appliances (8) (such as washing machines, toilets, etc.) connected in parallel to the household tap water main pipeline (10) use cold water, the household tap water network is depressurized, and the pressure transmitter (5a) triggers the controller (5d) to start the high-pressure water pump (5i), which pumps the residual cold water in the hot water main pipeline (9) and the residual cold water in the mixing link (4) into the tap water branch (11) through the check valve (5b) and into the tap water main pipeline (10) for use by the room temperature water appliances (8), until the water sensor senses that there is no water in the circulation pipeline. The hot water terminal is a mixing valve (2) with a low-suction one-way valve function. Its valve core is an integrated one-way mixing valve core (3) as described in claim 3. The integrated one-way mixing valve core can replace the original standard valve core of the ordinary mixing valve. The integrated intelligent pipeline valve group (6) set at the hot water outlet of the water heater (1) is equipped with an automatic air vent (6a), so that the entire hot water pipeline, including the hot water main pipeline (9) to the mixing pipeline (4), becomes a low-suction pipeline, which is conducive to the high-pressure water pump (5i) emptying the residual water in the entire hot water pipeline. When the water sensor (5g) detects that there is no water in the circulation pipeline (5h), it indicates that the residual water in the entire hot water pipeline has been emptied (the empty pipe of the entire hot water pipeline is filled with air) and is ready for use. When a user wants to use hot water, they bring their hand close to the mixing valve (2) adjustment handle. The signal transmitter (5c) sends a hot water use signal to the controller (6e). The controller immediately opens the solenoid valve (6c). Under the water pressure of the household tap water network, the cold water in the coil inside the water heater (1) flows along the empty hot water main pipe (9), carrying air from the empty pipe, towards the mixing valve (2). At the same time, the water flow switch signal turns on the water heater to heat up, forming preheated hot water. When the user rotates the mixing valve (2) adjustment handle to the hot water end and lifts it open, the hot water main pipe (9) connects to the mixing link (4) and is directly open to the atmosphere. The air at the front end of the preheated hot water is discharged from the pipe. When the water sensor (5g) senses the preheated water, the controller (5d) immediately closes the solenoid valve (5e) and starts the high-pressure water pump (5i). When the temperature sensor (5f) detects that the water temperature reaches the set temperature t2±△t℃, the high-pressure water pump is closed and the solenoid valve (5e) is reset. The hot water flows out from the mixing link (4) through the mixing valve (2) for the user to use.

2. A zero-cold-water hot water system for implementing the control method of claim 1, characterized in that, Mainly includes: Water heater (1), integrated intelligent pipe valve assembly (6), adaptive intelligent hydraulic control terminal (5), mixing valve (2). Water heater (1) needs to have its own flow switch to control its own heating function. The integrated intelligent pipe valve assembly (6) is installed at the hot water outlet of water heater (1) and integrates: automatic air vent valve (6a), pressure transmitter (6b), normally closed solenoid valve (6c), temperature sensor (6d), and controller (6e). The automatic air vent valve (6a) has a dual function: to make the hot water main pipeline (9) a low suction resistance pipeline, serving the high-pressure water pump (5i) to suck up the hot water main pipeline; when the preheated hot water initially flows into the emptied hot water main pipeline (9), it discharges some of the air in the pipe to avoid air mixing into the water and impacting the household pipe network. The pressure transmitter (6b) has the following functions: For household hot water pipe networks, there are usually three hot water usage points, including bathing, washing in the sink, and washing in the kitchen. When the present invention is installed at multiple points, there is a sequence for closing the mixing valve after multiple users use hot water at the same time. After the user closes the mixing valve, the water pressure in the main hot water pipe (9) returns to the pressure of the household tap water network, triggering the controller (6e) to close the solenoid valve (6c), the water heater (1) stops heating, and the system cuts off the hot water supply. The solenoid valve (6c) is a normally closed solenoid valve, and the valve body can be integrated into the integrated intelligent pipe valve group (6). The temperature sensor (6d) has the following functions: after any hot water usage point in the household triggers the water heater (1) to supply hot water, when the temperature flowing through the integrated intelligent pipe valve group (6) reaches the normal operating temperature t3±△t℃ set by the temperature sensor (6d), it automatically cuts off the signal receiving circuit of the controller (6e), and is not affected by the proximity induction trigger signal of other hot water usage points. The user can then open the mixing valve to enjoy hot water. The input voltage of the controller (6e) adopts a safe low-voltage DC voltage with electrical isolation, and is equipped with a signal receiving circuit and a control circuit. An adaptive intelligent hydraulic control terminal (5) is installed between the hot and cold water ends of the mixing valve (2) and integrates: a pressure transmitter (5a), a check valve (5b), a signal transmitter (5c), a controller (5d), a solenoid valve (5e), ​​a temperature sensor (5f), a water sensor (5g), a circulation pipeline (5h), and a high-pressure water pump (5i). The pressure transmitter (5a) is used to sense changes in the pressure of the household tap water network. When the household water heater (8) uses cold water, the water pressure of the tap water network drops, triggering the pressure transmitter to send a signal to the controller (5d). The signal transmitter (5c) is triggered by a near-field hand-sweeping pulse signal. It can be integrated into the adaptive intelligent hydraulic control terminal (5) or separately arranged near the handle of the mixing valve (2) to be suitable for various mixing valves for bathing, washing, and cleaning. It is only triggered when the user manually opens the handle of the mixing valve to avoid system malfunction. The signal transmitter (5c) has dual-channel (normally open, normally closed) output control.When not triggered, the normally closed contact output is used to connect the hot water link residual water recovery automatic closed-loop control (hot water shutdown condition) circuit; when triggered, the normally open contact output is used, the normally open contact closes and achieves self-locking, connecting the hot water usage condition control circuit. The controller (5d) input voltage adopts a safe low-voltage DC voltage with electrical isolation. The high-pressure water pump (5i) is preferably a small displacement high-pressure diaphragm pump. When the water pressure in the household tap water network drops due to the use of cold water by the normal temperature water heater (8), the high-pressure water pump (5i) can overcome the pressure load, including the one-way valve (5b), and pump the residual water in the hot water main line (9) into the tap water branch line (11), so as to empty the residual cold water in the hot water main line (9) and the mixing link (4). The automatic air vent (5j) is set between the inlet of the one-way valve (5b) and the outlet of the high-pressure water pump (5i) to discharge the air that may be mixed in during the preheating of the water, so as to eliminate the harm caused by the air mixing into the tap water network. The mixing valve (2) has an integrated one-way mixing valve core (3), which can replace the original standard valve core of the ordinary mixing valve.

3. According to claim 2, an integrated one-way mixing valve core for replacing a conventional mixing valve core is characterized in that, include: The integrated one-way mixing valve core base (7) is made of plastic and has a hot water chamber (7c), a cold water chamber (7g), and a mixing chamber (7f). The one-way valve structure is located on the flow channel wall between the hot water chamber (7c) and the mixing chamber (7f) of the base (7). The structure includes a microhole (7e) penetrating the flow channel wall, the diameter of which is 0.5mm to 2mm. An elastic diaphragm (7a) covering the opening of the microhole (7e) on the inner wall of the hot water chamber (7c) adopts a cantilever (7h) structure with one end fixed and the other end free. Its fixed end is fixed to the flow channel wall by a fastener, and its free end covers the microhole (7e). The fastener is a C-shaped ring elastic pressure plate (7b) with a notch, the circumference of which covers the fixed area of ​​the elastic diaphragm (7a) is 50% to 80% of the complete circumference. The elastic diaphragm (7a) is made of hot water resistant silicone rubber or fluororubber.

Images