Hot tank temperature balancing waterway, method, waterway structure and water treatment equipment

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a hot tank temperature balancing water path, method, water path structure and water treatment equipment, and the hot tank temperature balancing water path comprises a hot tank, a temperature sensor module, a first sub-water path and a second sub-water path; the hot tank is divided into an upper layer area, a middle layer area and a lower layer area in the vertical direction. The temperature sensor module is connected with an upper-layer area of the hot tank and is used for acquiring temperature information of the upper-layer area; the water inlet end of the first sub-waterway is communicated with the lower-layer area of the hot tank, and the water outlet end of the first sub-waterway is communicated with the second sub-waterway; the water inlet end of the second sub-waterway is communicated with the upper-layer area of the hot tank, and the water outlet end of the second sub-waterway is communicated with the lower-layer area of the hot tank. The invention has the beneficial technical effects that the temperature difference in the tank is balanced, and the stability of the outlet water temperature is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of water treatment equipment technology, and in particular to a hot tank temperature balancing water circuit, method, water circuit structure, and water treatment equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Existing hot water tank equipment mostly adopts an overall heating scheme with heating elements installed on the tank wall or in the tank core. This scheme relies on the convection principle of hot water rising naturally and cold water sinking naturally, which easily leads to temperature stratification of hot water at the top and cold water at the bottom during actual operation.

[0003] During the water intake process, uneven mixing of water from different temperature layers can easily cause fluctuations in the outlet water temperature, with measured deviations often exceeding 3°C. In order to ensure that the outlet water temperature at the top layer meets the standard, the system is forced to maintain a relatively high overall temperature, resulting in continuous ineffective heat preservation of the water in the lower area of ​​the hot tank and high energy consumption.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a new type of hot water tank water circuit structure that can actively break down temperature stratification and achieve precise temperature control throughout the entire process. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides a temperature balancing water circuit, method, water circuit structure, and water treatment equipment for a hot tank, to solve the technical problem of high energy consumption due to continuous ineffective heat preservation of the lower layer water in the prior art. To achieve one, some, or all of the above objectives, or other objectives, the present invention proposes a temperature balancing water circuit for a hot tank, comprising: a hot tank, a temperature sensor module, a first sub-water circuit, and a second sub-water circuit; the hot tank is vertically divided into an upper region, a middle region, and a lower region; the temperature sensor module is connected to the upper region of the hot tank to acquire temperature information of the upper region; the inlet of the first sub-water circuit is connected to the lower region of the hot tank, and the outlet of the first sub-water circuit is connected to the second sub-water circuit; the inlet of the second sub-water circuit is connected to the upper region of the hot tank, and the outlet of the second sub-water circuit is connected to the upper region of the hot tank.

[0006] Preferably, it further includes a first heating module, which is connected to the first sub-water passage and is used to heat the water in the first sub-water passage.

[0007] Preferably, the first heating module is an instant heating element.

[0008] Preferably, a first circulation pump is also provided between the inlet and outlet of the first sub-water channel.

[0009] Preferably, a second circulation pump is also provided between the inlet and outlet of the first sub-water channel.

[0010] Preferably, a check valve is also provided between the inlet end of the first sub-water circuit and the second circulating pump, wherein the inlet end of the check valve is connected to the inlet end of the second sub-water circuit, and the outlet end of the check valve is connected to the outlet end of the second sub-water circuit.

[0011] The present invention also provides a waterway structure, wherein the following components are connected sequentially along the water flow direction: The pre-treatment unit is used to filter the raw water; The water outlet path is connected to the pretreatment unit at its inlet end and is used to discharge water at its outlet end. The hot tank unit achieves thermal balance of water through the hot tank temperature balancing water circuit as described above. The hot tank unit is connected to the outlet water circuit and is used to heat the water in the outlet water circuit.

[0012] The present invention also provides a method for balancing the temperature of a hot tank, based on the above-described hot tank temperature balancing water circuit, comprising: The temperature sensor module is used to detect the water temperature in the upper area of ​​the hot tank in real time. Determine whether the regional water temperature in the upper area of ​​the hot tank is lower than a first preset threshold. If the water temperature in the upper region of the hot tank is lower than the first preset threshold, the first heating module is controlled to start heating at the first preset power. Water is pumped into the lower region of the hot tank through the first and second sub-water passages and then returned to the upper region of the hot tank.

[0013] Preferably, after the step of pumping water from the lower region of the hot water tank through the first sub-water passage and the second sub-water passage and returning it to the upper region of the hot water tank, the method further includes: Determine whether the regional water temperature in the middle layer of the hot tank has reached the second preset value; If the water temperature in the middle layer of the hot tank reaches the second preset value, the first preset power of the first heating module will be reduced to the second preset power.

[0014] The present invention also provides a water treatment device, comprising: The temperature balancing water circuit for the hot tank as described above; and... The control unit is configured to perform the hot tank temperature balancing method as described above.

[0015] Implementing the embodiments of the present invention will have the following beneficial effects: By monitoring the temperature in different zones using temperature sensor modules, the temperature information of the upper zone can be obtained in real time, enabling the control strategy to be based on the actual temperature gradient. Water is drawn from the lower zone through the first sub-water channel and returned to the upper zone through the second sub-water channel, forming a circulation path. The low-temperature water from the lower zone is transported to the lower zone of the hot tank to participate in the circulation, transferring heat or adjusted water temperature to the lower zone, thereby balancing the temperature difference inside the tank and ensuring the stability of the outlet water temperature. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, 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 the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] in: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the waterway structure in one embodiment; Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a hot tank temperature balancing method in one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] Reference Figure 1 This invention provides a temperature balancing water circuit for a hot water tank, comprising: a hot water tank, a temperature sensor module, a first sub-water circuit, and a second sub-water circuit; the hot water tank is vertically divided into an upper region, a middle region, and a lower region; the temperature sensor module is connected to the upper region of the hot water tank and is used to acquire temperature information of the upper region; the inlet of the first sub-water circuit is connected to the lower region of the hot water tank, and the outlet of the first sub-water circuit is connected to the second sub-water circuit; the inlet of the second sub-water circuit is connected to the upper region of the hot water tank, and the outlet of the second sub-water circuit is connected to the lower region of the hot water tank.

[0020] In this embodiment, due to the natural stratification trend (hot above cold below) caused by temperature differences leading to density variations, the heating tank is vertically divided into an upper, middle, and lower region. The lower region is the starting point for cold water replenishment and basic heating; the middle region is the transition zone for temperature changes and a key monitoring zone; and the upper region is the final maintenance zone for the target water supply temperature and the source of the outlet water. Specifically, this division can be pre-planned, for example, by dividing the tank evenly according to its height. The bottom to one-third of the height is the lower region, one-third to two-thirds is the middle region, and two-thirds to the top is the upper region. This structural division forms the basis of the entire control system logic, enabling subsequent temperature sensing, heating strategies, and water circulation to be set accordingly based on temperature. The heating tank itself, as a pressurized or non-pressurized container, has its material, insulation performance, and capacity designed according to the application scenario.

[0021] The temperature sensor module can acquire the temperature of only the upper area of ​​the heating tank, or it can acquire real-time temperature information of the upper, middle, and lower areas of the heating tank separately. This module constructs a three-dimensional temperature field monitoring network through distributed deployment (such as NTCs {Negative Temperature Coefficient}). Specifically, three NTCs can be set up, each located on the side wall of the heating tank, and then positioned in the middle of each area for detection. The upper-layer sensor directly monitors the final temperature of the water to be discharged, which is the control target. The middle-layer sensor senses the upward transmission of the heating effect and the temperature gradient inside the tank, which is key to judging the heating stage and system stability. The lower-layer sensor monitors the initial water temperature or the water temperature after replenishment, which is the area being heated, enabling the controller to diagnose the severity of the upper-heating and lower-cooling phenomenon, heating efficiency, and energy distribution.

[0022] The heating method for the hot water tank can be either a secondary heating module or direct storage of hot water from other heating channels. The secondary heating module is located in the lower layer of the tank. Its operating logic is to directly target and heat the densest and coldest water at the bottom. The heated water, due to its decreased density, naturally rises, driving slow convection within the tank. This bottom-up heating method has several advantages: First, it conforms to thermodynamic principles, utilizing natural convection to assist heat transfer, resulting in higher efficiency; second, it avoids localized overheating and exacerbated stratification caused by direct heating at the top or middle; finally, it places the main heat source in the low-temperature zone where heat is most needed, reducing energy waste from overheating the entire water body to maintain the upper layer temperature. This module typically takes the form of an electric heating element or heating rod, and its power can be controlled by a controller. It is located in the lower layer and linked to a temperature sensor module.

[0023] The inlet of the first sub-water circuit is connected to the lower layer of the hot tank, used to extract water from the bottom of the tank where the temperature is relatively lowest. Its outlet is connected to the second sub-water circuit, and the specific connection position is not limited. The purpose is to mix the water in the lower layer of the hot tank with the water extracted from the upper layer in the second sub-water circuit and output it to the lower layer of the hot tank. For example, a T-junction can be set in the middle of the second sub-water circuit, and the outlet of the first sub-water circuit can be connected to the T-junction to achieve mixing of water in the lower and upper layers. In actual systems, this water circuit usually includes a circulation pump as a power source to overcome pipe resistance and actively extract the water from the lower layer. Instead of passively relying on slow natural convection, it directly intervenes in the flow path of the water in the tank through forced circulation. By actively extracting the cold water at the bottom, it provides a stable low-temperature water source for external heat exchange (such as the heat exchanger connected to the second sub-water circuit), improving heat exchange efficiency. It also breaks the stagnant state of the water at the bottom and disrupts the stability of the low-temperature zone at the bottom in the upper-hot-low-cold stratified structure. To avoid excessive interference of forced circulation with natural convection, the controller can dynamically adjust the speed of the first circulation pump according to the current temperature gradient, so that forced circulation and natural convection work together: when the temperature difference is large, the flow rate is lower to assist heat transfer, and when rapid temperature equalization is required, the flow rate is increased to force mixing.

[0024] The second sub-water circuit connects the inlet to the upper area of ​​the hot water tank and the outlet to the lower area. This circuit connects to the first sub-water circuit, with the connection point located in the middle of the second sub-water circuit, forming a circulation loop. In practical applications, the inlet of the second sub-water circuit mixes the water from the first sub-water circuit. The core function of the second sub-water circuit is to directly transport the externally treated, precisely temperature-adjusted water back to the upper area of ​​the tank, injecting temperature-adjusted water into the high-temperature lower area, thus achieving circulation and ensuring that the temperatures of the upper and lower areas are close to the desired temperature. Furthermore, the jet effect of the backflow can disturb the relatively still upper hot water layer, promoting its mixing with the middle layer of water.

[0025] In one embodiment, the system further includes a first heating module connected to the first sub-water passage for heating the water in the first sub-water passage.

[0026] The first heating module is an instant heating element connected in series with the first sub-water circuit. Specifically, it is installed on the first sub-water circuit, usually after the circulation pump, and is used to quickly and accurately reheat the water drawn from the lower layer of the hot tank and flowing in the pipeline. This module can be an instant electric heating tube, a plate electric heater, or other high-efficiency flow channel heating device. By adjusting the power of the first heating module, the instantaneous heat load caused by large water usage or high temperature demand can be quickly compensated, and precise temperature control and rapid response can be achieved in multiple scenarios. The specific water flow path is as follows: The inlet of the first sub-water circuit starts from the lower layer of the hot tank. After the lower temperature water is drawn out, the water first gains power through the circulation pump, and then immediately flows through the first heating module connected in series. That is, the heating module is set after the circulation pump. It should be noted that the first heating module is not connected to the water circuit in the first sub-water circuit, but performs the heating operation outside the water pipe of the water circuit. Here, the water flow is heated to a precise temperature according to the real-time control requirements. After that, this processed water flow (which may selectively continue to flow through an external heat exchanger for further energy exchange or precise temperature adjustment) finally merges into the second sub-water circuit through the outlet of the first sub-water circuit, and is transported back to the upper layer of the hot tank by the second sub-water circuit.

[0027] In one embodiment, the first heating module is an instant heating element.

[0028] The instant heating element can be a thick-film heating module, which is a fluid heating unit made using thick-film technology. Its basic structure consists of a high-temperature resistant insulating substrate (such as an alumina ceramic sheet or a glass-ceramic substrate), a printed metal or alloy conductive / resistive paste layer, a resistance heating layer formed by baking and sintering, and necessary protective coatings and electrode leads. Thick-film heaters are characterized by high power density, fast heating response, good thermal uniformity, small size, and high mechanical strength, making them suitable for rapidly heating flowing water in low-flow pipelines. In this embodiment, the thick-film module can be designed as a plate, ring, or sleeve structure, directly sleeved or clamped onto the outer surface of the cavity or flow channel of the first sub-water passage, or constructed as a flow-through heating channel, allowing the extracted lower-layer water to exchange heat tightly with the heating surface as it passes through the module.

[0029] In one embodiment, a first circulation pump is also provided between the inlet and outlet of the first sub-water passage.

[0030] In this embodiment, the first circulation pump is a power unit arranged in the first sub-water circuit. It is typically a small centrifugal pump or a continuously variable flow pump, designed specifically to provide stable flow and head in a hot water circulation system. The pump's main function is to overcome pipeline resistance, drive the lower water body to flow along the first sub-water circuit, and enter the downstream heating or heat exchange unit, thereby achieving active material transport from the lower to the upper layers. To meet the hygiene, safety, and corrosion resistance requirements of drinking water and circulation systems, the pump body and seals are often made of stainless steel or food-grade engineering plastics. Mechanical seals are used for the shaft seal to prevent leakage, and the motor is equipped with waterproof and dustproof protection. The first circulation pump usually supports variable frequency speed control, allowing the controller to accurately adjust the flow rate and velocity based on feedback from the temperature sensor, achieving low-speed maintenance of circulation or high-speed rapid temperature equalization.

[0031] In one embodiment, a second circulation pump is also provided between the inlet and outlet of the first sub-water passage.

[0032] The second circulation pump is another independent power unit set within the first sub-water circuit. Its function can be boosting, segmented flow control, or redundancy backup. Specific selections can include small centrifugal pumps, brushless DC inverter pumps, or micro positive displacement pumps. The materials and seals must meet the hygiene requirements of drinking water or circulating water. Compared with the first circulation pump, the second circulation pump can undertake tasks under different operating conditions: it can be used in parallel or series to improve the system's transport capacity when peak water usage or when a larger return flow / higher pressure head is required to overcome the resistance of subsequent heat exchangers, thick film heating modules, or longer pipelines; it can be shut down in low-load or energy-saving mode to reduce energy consumption; and it can serve as a backup during maintenance or single pump failure to ensure uninterrupted circulation.

[0033] In one embodiment, a check valve is further provided between the inlet end of the first sub-water circuit and the second circulating pump. The inlet end of the check valve is connected to the inlet end of the second sub-water circuit, and the outlet end of the check valve is connected to the outlet end of the second sub-water circuit.

[0034] A check valve is a one-way valve used to prevent the reverse flow of a medium. In this embodiment, it plays a crucial role in flow direction protection and safety isolation. Structurally, it can take various forms such as lift type, swing type, spring-loaded micro-opening type, or thin-plate type. Common materials include a stainless steel valve body paired with temperature- and corrosion-resistant elastic seals (such as EPDM rubber or fluororubber) to adapt to circulating hot water environments. Its working principle is that when the pressure at the valve's front end is higher than a certain threshold at the valve's rear end (opening pressure difference or "opening and closing pressure"), the valve disc is opened, allowing fluid to flow in one direction. When the driving force disappears or the pressure at the rear end is higher than at the front end, the valve disc quickly closes with the help of gravity or a spring, blocking backflow.

[0035] A check valve is installed between the inlet of the first sub-water circuit and the second circulating pump, with its inlet connected to the inlet of the second sub-water circuit and its outlet connected to the outlet of the second sub-water circuit. This connection effectively establishes a unidirectional coupling channel between the first and second sub-water circuits: when the system needs to introduce the medium from the second sub-water circuit into the first sub-water circuit or supply water to the second circulating pump in a certain operating mode, the check valve allows the medium to pass in a predetermined direction; however, when the second circulating pump stops, the pressure reverses, or high pressure occurs in the second sub-water circuit, the check valve automatically closes, preventing the medium from flowing back into the second sub-water circuit from the first sub-water circuit or the pump end.

[0036] The present invention also provides a waterway structure, wherein the following components are connected sequentially along the water flow direction: The pre-treatment unit is used to filter the raw water; The water outlet path is connected to the pretreatment unit at its inlet end and is used to discharge water at its outlet end. A hot tank unit, wherein the hot tank unit performs thermal balance of water through a hot tank temperature balancing water circuit as described in any one of claims 1-6, and the hot tank unit is connected to the outlet water circuit for heating the water in the outlet water circuit.

[0037] The water system of a water dispenser is mainly divided into three parts: a pre-treatment unit, namely the RO (Reverse Osmosis) module, a heat exchange + instant heating module, and a faucet module. These modules are connected by pipes and valves, as detailed below: The RO module is used to filter raw water (pretreatment + RO reverse osmosis) to produce pure water, and reduces residual water in the pipeline through a zero-stagnant-water design.

[0038] 1. Raw water inlet path Raw water → pre-PC (pre-treatment filter) → post-CB (activated carbon filter): The raw water first undergoes pre-treatment (such as PP cotton + activated carbon) to remove large particulate impurities and residual chlorine.

[0039] CB → Booster Pump: Pretreated water enters the booster pump, is pressurized, and then sent to the RO membrane.

[0040] 2. RO membrane filtration and water circuit branching Booster pump → RO membrane (R / O): Pressurized water passes through the RO membrane and is separated into pure water (permeate) and concentrated water (wastewater).

[0041] Pure water outlet: The pure water side of the RO membrane is connected to a high-pressure switch (detects pure water pressure and controls the start and stop of water production), and then splits into two paths: Main circuit: High-voltage switch → heat exchanger + instant heating module (as pure water source).

[0042] Zero stagnant water return branch: High pressure switch → Check valve → TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) sensor (detects water quality) → NTC (temperature sensor) → Return to the front end of the RO membrane (reduces stagnant water residue by circulating and flushing the pipes).

[0043] Concentrate outlet: The RO membrane concentrate side is connected to a parallel wastewater valve (400+1100) (to adjust the wastewater ratio). Part of the concentrate passes through a 2000cc normally closed wastewater valve, and the excess concentrate is discharged in the end.

[0044] 3. Domestic water branch line Before entering the pre-PC, the raw water is diverted through the domestic water valve and directly delivered to the faucet module (as unfiltered domestic water).

[0045] II. Heat Exchange + Instant Heating Module – Pure Water Heating and Temperature Control Unit Function: Receives pure water from the RO module, heats it (including storage and instant heating dual modes), and controls the water temperature and flow.

[0046] 1. Pure water inlet and heat storage circulation RO module pure water → heat exchange inlet valve → water replenishment constant flow valve: Pure water enters the heat tank (heat storage tank) through the water replenishment valve. The heat tank is equipped with a liquid level sensor (to control the water level) and an air vent valve (to remove air).

[0047] Bottom of the hot tank → Circulation pump → Heat exchanger → Top of the hot tank: A heat storage cycle is formed. The circulation pump drives water through the heat exchanger to maintain the water temperature in the hot tank (NTC monitors the temperature in real time).

[0048] 2. Instantaneous heating branch Bottom of hot tank → Instantaneous flow valve (0.7 / 1.5 / 2) → Heat exchanger (instantaneous module) → NTC: When instantaneous heating is required, water enters the heat exchanger (such as an electric heating element) through the instantaneous flow valve and heats up rapidly. The temperature is monitored by the NTC, and then the flow is split into two paths: Hot water output: via one-way valve → faucet module (hot water pipe).

[0049] Circulation return: Some hot water flows back to the hot tank through the return valve to avoid cold water remaining in the pipes (zero stagnant water auxiliary function).

[0050] 3. Cold water and drainage Hot tank cold water outlet: The upper part of the hot tank is connected to the cold water 0-2 nozzle seat, which can directly output cold water to the faucet module (cold water pipe).

[0051] Drain valve: A drain valve is provided at the bottom of the hot tank for draining water during emptying or cleaning.

[0052] III. Faucet Module – Water Circuit Terminal and Water Outflow Control Function: Integrates domestic water, cold water, and hot water pipes, and enables multiple water output modes through the faucet.

[0053] 1. Pipeline connection Domestic water pipe: The domestic water valve comes directly from the RO module, providing unfiltered domestic water.

[0054] Cold water pipe: Cold water 0-2 nozzle from the heat exchange module provides room temperature pure water.

[0055] Hot water pipe: The instant heating branch from the heat exchange module provides high-temperature pure water (NTC monitors the outlet water temperature in real time).

[0056] Return water pipe: The return valve connects the faucet and the heat exchange module, and is used for the return of residual water in the hot water pipe (zero stagnant water function).

[0057] 2. Leading Enterprise Integration All pipes (domestic water, cold water, hot water, and return flow) converge at the faucet module, and the switching and water output of different water sources (such as room temperature, hot water, and domestic water selection) are controlled by the valves inside the faucet.

[0058] RO module reflux: After passing through the TDS sensor and NTC, pure water is refluxed back to the front end of the RO membrane to prevent pure water from stagnating and deteriorating in the pipeline when the machine is shut down.

[0059] Hot water circulation: After the water is heated, part of it flows back to the hot water tank to ensure that hot water is available from the tap immediately and there is no cold water residue.

[0060] Pressure and temperature control: The high-pressure switch (RO module), NTC (temperature monitoring), and liquid level sensor (hot tank water level) work together to control water production, heating, and safety protection.

[0061] Compared to existing technologies, this invention divides the heated tank vertically into three independent monitoring zones—upper, middle, and lower—and deploys temperature sensors in each zone, constructing a three-dimensional temperature field monitoring network. This allows the control strategy to make accurate decisions based on the actual temperature gradient, avoiding control lag and misjudgments caused by traditional single-point temperature measurement. Placing the XX sensor in the lower zone enables targeted heating from bottom to top, overcoming the drawback of traditional overall heating that exacerbates stratification. Heat directly acts on the low-temperature zone, significantly reducing the ineffective energy consumption caused by overheating the entire tank to maintain the upper temperature. Furthermore, by actively extracting low-temperature water from the lower zone through a first sub-water path and precisely returning it to the lower zone through a second sub-water path, a forced circulation path is formed. This actively breaks the natural stratification phenomenon of "hot at the top and cold at the bottom," significantly reducing the temperature difference within the tank. The fluctuation of the terminal outlet water temperature is optimized from over ±3℃ in existing technologies to within ±1℃, reducing heating energy consumption by approximately 15%. Meanwhile, the first heating module can provide instant heat replenishment in the circulation path, further improving the temperature response speed and temperature control accuracy in multi-water scenarios, and meeting the diverse needs of different water use scenarios for flow and temperature.

[0062] In another exemplary embodiment, based on the above-described hot tank temperature balancing water path, the control unit of the present invention is configured to execute the following precise temperature control strategy: First, temperature data for each zone is collected in real time using temperature sensors (e.g., NTC thermistors) installed in the upper, middle, and lower zones of the heating tank. The temperature in the upper zone serves as the monitoring point for the target outlet water temperature, the temperature in the middle zone serves as the transition monitoring point for the heating process, and the temperature in the lower zone serves as the reference point for the initial water temperature or the replenishment water temperature.

[0063] After acquiring the aforementioned temperature data, the controller determines whether the water temperature in the upper region is below a first preset threshold (e.g., 55°C). If it is determined to be below the first preset threshold, the controller activates the circulation pump located in the first sub-water circuit to extract the low-temperature water from the lower region, transport it through the first sub-water circuit to the second sub-water circuit, and finally return it to the lower region of the heating tank. During this process, heating is provided by a first heating module (e.g., a thick-film heater). The controller can also dynamically adjust the output power of the first heating module according to the temperature change rate of the upper region or the target outlet water temperature requirement, to provide immediate supplemental heating to the circulating water flow, thereby quickly responding to the temperature requirements of the upper region.

[0064] Furthermore, during the startup and operation of the circulating pump, the controller continuously monitors the water temperature in the middle layer area. When the water temperature in the middle layer area reaches the second preset value (e.g., 50°C), it indicates that heat has been effectively transferred from bottom to top to the middle of the tank. At this time, the controller reduces the output power of the first heating module from the first preset power to the second preset power (e.g., 2.5kW or 50% of the rated power), and enters the heat preservation or slow rise mode to avoid heat overshoot and energy waste.

[0065] In a water dispensing scenario, when a user requests hot water through the faucet module, the system can use the faucet's NTC sensor, located at the end of the water outlet, to calibrate the water temperature in real time. Based on the user's selected water usage scenario (e.g., high-flow tea brewing, low-flow drinking), the system dynamically allocates the flow rate in the replenishment, hot water exchange, and cold water pipelines by adjusting the opening of the instant heating constant flow valve. This ensures that the water temperature quickly reaches the set value and remains stable under different usage conditions. Simultaneously, by returning a portion of the hot water from the instant heating branch to the hot water tank via a return valve, the system avoids the impact of residual cold water in the pipes on the temperature of the next dispensing, further improving the temperature stability of the first cup of water dispensed.

[0066] Through the above-mentioned three-layer temperature monitoring and multi-level coordinated control of lower layer heating, middle layer power reduction and circulation reflux, the present invention realizes active intervention and precise balance of the internal temperature field of the hot tank, which significantly improves the stability of the outlet water temperature and the energy utilization efficiency of the system.

[0067] Reference Figure 2 The present invention also provides a method for balancing the temperature of a hot tank, based on the aforementioned hot tank temperature balancing water circuit, comprising: S1: The temperature of the upper area of ​​the hot tank is detected in real time by the temperature sensor module; S2: Determine whether the regional water temperature in the upper area of ​​the hot tank is lower than a first preset threshold. S3: If the water temperature in the upper region of the hot tank is lower than the first preset threshold, then control the first heating module to start heating with the first preset power; S4: Pump water from the lower region of the hot tank into the tank through the first and second sub-water passages and return it to the upper region of the hot tank.

[0068] As described in step S1 above, a temperature sensor (such as an NTC thermistor or a digital temperature sensor) is arranged in the upper area of ​​the hot tank to detect temperature values ​​in real time. This includes specifications for sensor sampling frequency, filtering, and data verification. For example, the temperature value is read at a certain period (tens of milliseconds to several seconds depending on the control accuracy). Moving average or low-pass filtering is used to eliminate short-term noise, and fault detection (open circuit, short circuit, drift exceeding limits, etc.) and redundancy comparison are performed.

[0069] As described in step S2 above, it is determined whether the regional water temperature of the upper area of ​​the hot water tank is lower than the first preset threshold. After obtaining the real-time temperature of the upper sensor, the controller makes a logical judgment based on the predetermined first preset threshold (e.g., the lower limit of the target temperature to ensure safe and comfortable water output). Hysteresis or debounce can be used to avoid frequent heating triggered by instantaneous fluctuations. For example, it is stipulated that the temperature is lower than the threshold and lasts for more than t seconds to be considered a valid low temperature event. At the same time, cross-validation should be performed by combining the temperature information of the middle and lower layers to determine whether it is a true overall low temperature or only a local sensor error. In addition, this step needs to be linked with the safety strategy: when the sensor fails, communication is abnormal, or the threshold detection is repeatedly abnormal, the fault mode or degraded control (such as entering safe heating or alarm) is triggered to prevent incorrect judgment from causing uncontrolled heating or energy waste.

[0070] As described in step S3 above, if the water temperature in the upper region of the hot tank is lower than a first preset threshold, the first heating module is controlled to start heating at a first preset power. When it is determined that the upper temperature is lower than the first preset threshold (e.g., set to 55℃) and passes the jitter and redundancy check, the controller issues a command to make the first heating module power on at the first preset power (the rated power of the heating module, e.g., 5kW). In practice, power control can use solid-state relays, phase control, or pulse width modulation to achieve precise power output, and a start-up slope can be set to avoid current surges or local overheating; at the same time, the heater temperature, operating current, and tank temperature feedback are monitored to achieve closed-loop or open-loop control. By rapidly raising the baseline of the tank's thermal energy through lower-level heating, heat is transported to the upper layer from bottom to top through natural convection or passive recirculation. The control strategy can include multi-level logic: initially, the temperature is rapidly increased at the first preset power, and after reaching a certain standby threshold in the middle or upper layer, it enters a power reduction or maintenance mode to improve energy efficiency and prevent overshoot.

[0071] As described in step S4 above, water from the lower region of the hot water tank is pumped in through the first and second sub-water channels and then returned to the upper region of the hot water tank. The controller starts the circulation pump (or multiple pumps working in coordination) arranged in the first sub-water channel to draw water from the lower layer of the hot water tank into the first sub-water channel. The drawn water can first pass through parallel or series heat treatment units (such as the first heating module or heat exchanger), and after temperature adjustment, it is returned to the lower layer of the hot water tank through the second sub-water channel connected to it. The middle static layer is disturbed by mechanical jetting, turbulence, or direct mixing to promote heat exchange with the upper layer, thereby quickly stabilizing the temperature difference in the tank. In addition, excessive flow may cause instantaneous temperature fluctuations in the upper layer, while insufficient flow will result in poor mixing effect; therefore, a variable frequency pump is used in conjunction with a flow / pressure sensor to dynamically adjust the speed and return temperature according to the three-layer temperature profile. At the same time, a check valve, a backflow preventer, and a safety sensor are configured to prevent backflow, water hammer, or pump dry running. The entire loop forms a closed loop of extraction, temperature regulation, and reinjection, which helps to actively break the stable stratification of hot water at the top and cold water at the bottom and improve the stability of the effluent and the system response speed.

[0072] In one embodiment, after the step of pumping water from the lower region of the hot water tank through the first sub-water passage and the second sub-water passage and returning it to the upper region of the hot water tank, the method further includes: S501: Detect whether the regional water temperature in the middle layer area of ​​the hot tank has reached the second preset value; S502: If the water temperature in the middle layer of the hot tank reaches the second preset value, then the first preset power of the first heating module is reduced to the second preset power.

[0073] As described in step S501 above, after completing the circulation and temperature adjustment operation of drawing water from the lower layer through the first sub-water channel and returning it to the upper layer, the system needs to continuously monitor the middle layer temperature to determine whether the heating process has reached the expected transition level. The controller continuously receives real-time data from the middle layer NTC or digital temperature sensor, usually performs noise reduction processing on the raw data (such as moving average or low-pass filtering), and performs fault detection (including sensor short circuit, open circuit, drift exceeding limits, etc.). The judgment condition is: the middle layer temperature, after filtering and possibly verified by a time window, reaches or exceeds a pre-set second preset value (e.g., 50°C). This condition generally requires the temperature to remain above the threshold for a minimum holding time t_hold (e.g., several seconds to tens of seconds, depending on the system inertia and anti-jitter requirements) to avoid accidental triggering by instantaneous pulses or measurement noise.

[0074] S502: If the water temperature in the middle layer of the hot water tank reaches a second preset value, the first preset power of the first heating module is reduced to the second preset power. Once it is determined that the middle layer temperature has stably reached or exceeded the second preset value and passed the time window and redundancy check, the controller performs a power degradation action to enter the heat preservation or slow-rise stage. Specifically, the controller sends a power reduction command to the first heating module, switching it from the initial first preset power (for rapid heating) to a lower second preset power (e.g., 50% of the first preset power or other predetermined proportions). This power reduction strategy aims to prevent overshoot, reduce energy consumption, and maintain a steady-state temperature inside the tank. Technically, PWM modulation can be achieved through a solid-state relay (SSR), or the average power of the heater can be precisely adjusted through phase control / phase shift triggering to ensure smooth switching and avoid current surges. This step also includes several protection and coordination points: First, before reducing power, it is necessary to confirm that the circulating pump or the first heating module is in normal working condition to ensure that heat can be effectively transferred to the upper layer; otherwise, power reduction should not be carried out blindly. Second, after reducing power, the temperatures of the upper, middle, and lower layers must continue to be monitored. If the temperature drops and reaches the rebound trigger threshold (considering hysteresis), the system should allow it to return to the first preset power. Third, to avoid frequent start-stop or frequent power changes leading to a decrease in equipment lifespan, the power reduction action should be constrained by the minimum holding time and the minimum switching interval. This power switching can also be linked with scene modes: in energy-saving mode, the second preset power can be set lower to prioritize energy saving; in fast response mode, a higher second preset power is retained to improve response speed. In addition, this step helps to reduce overall energy consumption because once the middle layer reaches the set value, continuing to maintain high power will lead to overheating and heat loss; after reducing power, combined with the circulation and reinjection of the first and second sub-water circuits, the temperature of the upper, middle, and lower layers in the heat tank can be kept stable and the temperature difference reduced, thereby protecting the equipment and improving energy utilization efficiency.

[0075] A water treatment device, comprising: The water circuit structure as described above; and the control unit, configured to perform the heating method as described above.

[0076] The above description discloses only preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Therefore, equivalent variations made in accordance with the claims of the present invention are still within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A temperature balancing water circuit for a hot tank, characterized in that, include: Hot water tank, temperature sensor module, first sub-water circuit and second sub-water circuit; The hot tank is divided into an upper region, a middle region, and a lower region along the vertical direction; The temperature sensor module is connected to the upper region of the hot tank and is used to acquire the temperature information of the upper region. The inlet of the first sub-water passage is connected to the lower area of ​​the hot tank, and the outlet of the first sub-water passage is connected to the second sub-water passage. The inlet of the second sub-water passage is connected to the upper region of the hot tank, and the outlet of the second sub-water passage is connected to the upper region of the hot tank, so as to return the water drawn through the first sub-water passage to the lower region of the hot tank.

2. The temperature balancing water circuit for the hot tank as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a first heating module, which is connected to the first sub-water channel and is used to heat the water in the first sub-water channel.

3. The temperature balancing water circuit for the hot tank as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first heating module is an instant heating element.

4. The temperature balancing water circuit for the hot tank as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A first circulation pump is also installed between the inlet and outlet of the first sub-water channel.

5. The temperature balancing water circuit for the hot tank as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A second circulation pump is also installed between the inlet and outlet of the first sub-water channel.

6. The temperature balancing water circuit for the hot tank as described in claim 5, characterized in that, A check valve is also provided between the inlet end of the first sub-water circuit and the second circulating pump. The inlet end of the check valve is connected to the inlet end of the second sub-water circuit, and the outlet end of the check valve is connected to the outlet end of the second sub-water circuit.

7. A waterway structure, characterized in that, Connected sequentially along the direction of water flow are: The pre-treatment unit is used to filter the raw water; The water outlet path is connected to the pre-treatment unit at its inlet end and is used to discharge water at its outlet end. A hot tank unit, wherein the hot tank unit performs thermal balance of water through a hot tank temperature balancing water circuit as described in any one of claims 1-6, and the hot tank unit is connected to the outlet water circuit for heating the water in the outlet water circuit.

8. A method for balancing the temperature of a hot tank, implemented based on the hot tank temperature balancing water circuit described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, include: The temperature sensor module is used to detect the water temperature in the upper area of ​​the hot tank in real time. Determine whether the regional water temperature in the upper area of ​​the hot tank is lower than a first preset threshold. If the water temperature in the upper region of the hot tank is lower than the first preset threshold, the first heating module is controlled to start heating at the first preset power. Water is pumped into the lower region of the hot tank through the first and second sub-water passages and then returned to the upper region of the hot tank.

9. The hot tank temperature balancing method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, After the step of pumping water from the lower region of the hot water tank through the first sub-water passage and the second sub-water passage, and then returning it to the upper region of the hot water tank, the method further includes: Detect whether the regional water temperature in the middle layer area of ​​the hot tank has reached the second preset value; If the water temperature in the middle layer of the hot tank reaches the second preset value, the first preset power of the first heating module will be reduced to the second preset power.

10. A water treatment device, characterized in that, include: The hot tank temperature balancing water circuit as described in any one of claims 1-6; as well as, The control unit is configured to perform the hot tank temperature balancing method as described in claim 8 or 9.

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