Waterway assembly, waterway control method, and water treatment apparatus

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application discloses a waterway assembly, a waterway control method and a water treatment equipment, wherein the waterway assembly comprises a control unit, an instant heater, a first waterway, a second waterway, a normal-temperature waterway and a water outlet; the water inlet end of the first waterway is communicated with the water outlet end of the instant heater, and the water outlet end of the first waterway is communicated with the water outlet; the second waterway comprises a first sub-waterway and a second sub-waterway; the water inlet end of the first sub-waterway is communicated with the water outlet end of the instant heater, the water outlet end of the first sub-waterway is communicated with the water inlet end of the second sub-waterway, the water inlet end of the second sub-waterway is communicated with the water outlet end of the normal-temperature waterway, and the water outlet end of the second sub-waterway is communicated with the water outlet; a first control valve is further arranged on the first sub-waterway, a second control valve is arranged on the normal-temperature waterway; and the control unit is electrically connected with the first control valve and the second control valve. The present application has the beneficial technical effect that the sum of the flow rates of each branch is stabilized at the required target value by adjusting the first control valve and the second control valve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of water treatment equipment technology, and in particular to a water circuit component, a water circuit control method, and a water treatment device. Background Technology

[0002] Existing water supply devices are prone to fluctuations in water output and flow rate when used to supply water at different temperatures to users. Traditional water circuits are mostly single channels or rely on simple valves for adjustment, making it difficult to maintain a constant water output under different temperature conditions. They also cannot accurately compensate for and distribute hot and cold flow. In particular, existing technologies are insufficient to meet the requirements of hot and cold water mixing, household appliances, and medical applications where water output stability is critical.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a water circuit component that can achieve stable water output at different temperatures in order to realize flow compensation and stable supply. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a water circuit component, a water circuit control method, and a water treatment device to solve the technical problem of easy fluctuations in water output and flow rate in the prior art. To achieve one or more of the above objectives or other objectives, the present invention proposes a water circuit component, comprising: a control unit, an instant water heater, a first water circuit, a second water circuit, a normal temperature water circuit, and a water outlet; The inlet of the first water path is connected to the outlet of the instant water heater, and the outlet of the first water path is connected to the outlet. The second water path includes a first sub-water path and a second sub-water path. The inlet of the first sub-water path is connected to the outlet of the instant water heater. The outlet of the first sub-water path is connected to the inlet of the second sub-water path. The inlet of the second sub-water path is connected to the outlet of the ambient temperature water path. The outlet of the second sub-water path is connected to the water outlet. A first control valve is also provided on the first sub-water circuit, and a second control valve is provided on the ambient temperature water circuit; The control unit is electrically connected to the first control valve and the second control valve, and is used to control the opening degree of the first control valve and the second control valve so that the fluctuation range of the total flow rate after the first water circuit and the second sub-water circuit merge at the outlet is within a preset range.

[0005] Optionally, a booster pump is also provided between the outlet of the instant water heater and the inlet of the first water circuit and the inlet of the first sub-water circuit.

[0006] Optionally, the water circuit assembly further includes a backflow control valve and a backflow water circuit. One end of the backflow control valve is connected to the first water circuit and the second sub-water circuit, respectively. The other end of the backflow control valve is connected to the inlet end of the backflow water circuit, and one end of the backflow control valve is connected to the outlet end of the first water circuit and the outlet end of the second sub-water circuit, respectively.

[0007] Optionally, the instant heater is a thick film heater.

[0008] Optionally, the diameter of the first waterway is smaller than the diameter of the first sub-waterway and smaller than the diameter of the second sub-waterway.

[0009] Optionally, the first waterway is a 2-point pipe, and the first sub-waterway and the second sub-waterway are 3-point pipes.

[0010] The present invention also provides a waterway control method, implemented based on the above-described waterway components, comprising: Obtain the desired outlet water temperature from the user; Based on the preset correspondence, the first operating parameters of the first control valve and the second operating parameters of the second control valve are determined according to the outlet water temperature. The first control valve is controlled to operate with the first operating parameters, and the second control valve is controlled to operate with the second operating parameters.

[0011] Optionally, the step of determining the first operating parameter of the first control valve and the second operating parameter of the second control valve based on the outlet water temperature according to a preset correspondence includes: The mixing ratio of water in the first water path and the second water path, as well as the water flow rate at the outlet, are determined based on the outlet water temperature. The first operating parameters of the first control valve and the second operating parameters of the second control valve are determined based on the mixing ratio and the outlet flow rate.

[0012] The present invention also provides a water treatment device, characterized in that it comprises: As described above, the water system components; and The control unit in the water circuit assembly is configured to execute the water circuit control method as described above.

[0013] Optionally, the water treatment equipment includes: The pre-treatment unit is used to filter the raw water; The heating tank unit is connected to the pre-treatment unit and is used to heat the purified water after preliminary filtration. As described above, the water circuit assembly includes a first water circuit and a first sub-water circuit for receiving hot water heated by the hot tank unit, and a second sub-water circuit for receiving and mixing the hot water in the first sub-water circuit with the pure water filtered by the pretreatment unit.

[0014] Implementing the embodiments of the present invention will have the following beneficial effects: After adopting the above-mentioned water circuit components, by introducing the instant water outlet into the first water circuit and the second water circuit, which includes the first sub-water circuit and the second sub-water circuit, and by setting the first control valve and the ambient temperature water circuit, the resistance and flow of each branch circuit can be controllably distributed. When the flow of the outlet water heated by the instant water outlet fluctuates due to temperature changes in a single path, the first control valve is adjusted to change the flow ratio from the instant water outlet by compensating for the series and parallel paths of the first sub-water circuit / second sub-water circuit and the ambient temperature water circuit, and the second control valve is adjusted to change the ambient temperature compensation flow, so that the sum of the flow of each branch circuit is stabilized at the required target value. Thus, the fluctuation range of the total flow after the first water circuit and the second sub-water circuit merge at the outlet is within the preset range. Attached Figure Description

[0015] 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.

[0016] in: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a water system component in one embodiment; Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a waterway control method in one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0017] 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.

[0018] Reference Figure 1This invention provides a water circuit assembly, including: a control unit, an instant water heater, a first water circuit, a second water circuit, a normal temperature water circuit, and a water outlet; the inlet of the first water circuit is connected to the outlet of the instant water heater, and the outlet of the first water circuit is connected to the water outlet; the second water circuit includes a first sub-water circuit and a second sub-water circuit, the inlet of the first sub-water circuit is connected to the outlet of the instant water heater, the outlet of the first sub-water circuit is connected to the inlet of the second sub-water circuit, the inlet of the second sub-water circuit is connected to the outlet of the normal temperature water circuit, and the outlet of the second sub-water circuit is connected to the water outlet; a first control valve is also provided on the first sub-water circuit, and a second control valve is provided on the normal temperature water circuit; the control unit is electrically connected to the first control valve and the second control valve, and is used to control the opening degree of the first control valve and the second control valve, so that the fluctuation range of the total flow rate after the first water circuit and the second sub-water circuit merge at the water outlet is within a preset range.

[0019] The control unit is configured to adjust the opening of the first control valve according to the user-set outlet water temperature to control the flow rate of hot water flowing from the instant water heater into the first sub-water circuit, and adjust the opening of the second control valve to control the flow rate of room temperature water flowing from the room temperature water circuit into the second sub-water circuit, so that the fluctuation range of the total flow rate after the first water circuit and the second sub-water circuit merge at the outlet is within a preset range.

[0020] In this embodiment, the prior art typically uses a hot water tank for heating (primary heating), while the instant water heater in this application is used for precise "secondary heating" or "instantaneous compensation heating" of the hot water output from the hot water tank to achieve fine temperature regulation. In a specific implementation, the instant water heater is composed of a multilayer functional film deposited on a ceramic or metal substrate, and includes a heating element, a temperature sensing layer, and inlet and outlet ports connected to an external water source. It is used to perform secondary heating of the water so that the output water temperature is closer to the set ideal value. The first water path is a single-path channel directly led out from the outlet of the instant water heater, responsible for directly transporting a portion of the fluid output from the instant water heater to the final outlet. The second water path consists of two series-connected first and second sub-water paths. The inlet of the first sub-water path is connected to the outlet of the instant water heater, responsible for guiding a portion of the fluid from the instant water heater to the inlet area of ​​the second sub-water path. Its main function is as a diversion and pre-adjustment channel, and specific flow diameters, flow resistances, or throttling components can be set to regulate the flow rate and pressure entering the second sub-water path. The second sub-water circuit is located downstream of the first sub-water circuit. Its inlet end connects not only to the outlet end of the first sub-water circuit but also to the outlet end of the ambient temperature water circuit, forming a fluid confluence point. This allows the hot water from the instant heater to mix and the compensation water from the ambient temperature water circuit to regulate its flow. The outlet end of the second sub-water circuit ultimately connects to the outlet, responsible for delivering the mixed water to the user end. The second water circuit, through its series-parallel connection with the ambient temperature water circuit, achieves bidirectional compensation for temperature and flow: when the instant heater output fluctuates with temperature, the mixing flow rate and target temperature range delivered by the second sub-water circuit can be maintained by adjusting the flow resistance of the two sub-circuits and the amount of ambient temperature water supplied, thus ensuring the final outlet water temperature and flow rate. The ambient temperature water circuit connects to ambient temperature water (unheated water), and its outlet end connects to the inlet end of the second sub-water circuit, providing real-time flow and temperature compensation for the second sub-water circuit. The first control valve is located in the first sub-water circuit and is used to variably regulate the flow rate or pressure of the hot water diverted from the instantaneous heater into the first sub-water circuit. Its function is equivalent to an actuator for distributing and regulating the hot water share. This valve can be electrically, pneumatically, or mechanically spring-loaded, and its opening is precisely controlled based on feedback signals (such as temperature sensors, flow sensors, or controller commands), thereby changing the resistance and flow rate through the first sub-water circuit. By adjusting the opening of the first control valve, the amount of hot water entering the second sub-water circuit can be controlled, thus affecting the final mixing temperature and total flow rate. The second control valve is located in the ambient temperature water circuit and is mainly used to regulate the amount of ambient temperature compensation water supplied to the second sub-water circuit, thereby participating in the control of the mixing ratio and final outlet water temperature of the second sub-water circuit. This valve finely adjusts the instantaneous flow rate of the compensation fluid by changing the flow resistance or opening of the ambient temperature water circuit, working in conjunction with the action of the first control valve to achieve a closed-loop or open-loop control strategy for temperature and flow, keeping it within a preset range (e.g., ±5%).

[0021] In one embodiment, a booster pump is also provided between the water outlet of the instant water heater and the water inlet of the first water circuit and the water inlet of the first sub-water circuit.

[0022] In this embodiment, the booster pump is installed between the outlet of the instant water heater and the inlet of the first water circuit and the first sub-water circuit. Its function is to increase and stabilize the instantaneous water pressure coming out of the instant water heater, so as to overcome the flow resistance differences at the branch point and downstream circuits and ensure the stability of the water coming out of the instant water heater.

[0023] In one embodiment, the water circuit assembly further includes a backflow control valve and a backflow water circuit, one end of the backflow control valve being connected to the first water circuit and the second sub-water circuit respectively, and the other end of the backflow control valve being connected to the inlet end of the backflow water circuit.

[0024] In this embodiment, since the remaining water in the first water path and the second sub-water path is not continuously heated during use, this water will affect the temperature of the outlet. Therefore, a return water path needs to be set up to return this water. Specifically, the return water path refers to guiding the medium (usually water or cold / hot carrier liquid) returning from the first water path or the second sub-water path back to the collection, storage, or reprocessing unit. The return control valve is an actuator used to selectively open or close the return path from the first water path and the second sub-water path. Its functions include not only on / off control, but also flow distribution, return priority setting, pressure relief protection, and reverse protection. Structurally, it is commonly a three-way or multi-way valve body (one inlet and two outlets or two inlets and one outlet). Internally, it can use valve cores, valve discs, or gates as control components. The driving method can be a solenoid (solenoid valve), pneumatic (cylinder driven), or electric actuator driven regulating valve. Based on the system's operating mode or sensor feedback, switching or modal adjustment signals are issued to switch the valve between "allowing backflow," "restricting backflow," or "completely shutting off." In multi-path backflow scenarios, the valve can be configured to achieve pilot backflow (prioritizing backflow from a certain path) or parallel backflow (proportional allocation). The backflow water path is not a simple "residual water backflow," but rather it is connected to the inlet of the hot water tank or the cold water side of the heat exchanger to form a "preheating" cycle. The backflow hot water is used to preheat the cold water entering the hot water tank, thereby achieving energy saving.

[0025] In one embodiment, one end of the reflux control valve is connected to the outlet of the first water path and the outlet of the second sub-water path, respectively.

[0026] In this embodiment, by connecting one end of the reflux control valve to the outlet of the first water path and the outlet of the second sub-water path respectively, that is, performing a reflux operation at the outlet, the water in the first water path and the second sub-water path can be refluxed cleanly to avoid residue, thereby improving the accuracy of reflux and allowing users to receive water at the set temperature immediately, further improving the user experience.

[0027] In one embodiment, the diameter of the first waterway is smaller than the diameter of the first sub-waterway and smaller than the diameter of the second sub-waterway.

[0028] Because the diameter of the first water circuit is small, it is suitable for transporting water at higher temperatures. Specifically, since the heating efficiency of the instant water heater is limited, when the user needs water at a higher temperature (e.g., 95°C), the first control valve can be closed. The first water circuit is normally open. Therefore, the small pipe diameter design is to limit the maximum flow rate in the high-temperature outlet mode (when the first control valve is closed), thereby ensuring that the instant water heater has enough heating time to heat the water to the target high temperature. That is, with a smaller pipe diameter, the water heating efficiency will be better while the flow rate per unit cross-section remains basically constant. In other words, the water flow rate at the outlet will be smaller. The pipe diameters of the first and second sub-water circuits are set to be larger to facilitate water mixing. In addition, when the user needs water at a moderate temperature (e.g., 45°C), more room temperature water can be mixed in, allowing the water heated by the instant water heater to mix quickly and cool to the user's required temperature.

[0029] In one embodiment, the first waterway is a 2-point pipe, and the first sub-waterway and the second sub-waterway are 3-point pipes.

[0030] In a specific embodiment, i.e., in a home setting, the first water line is a 2-point pipe, and the first sub-water line and the second sub-water line are 3-point pipes. Here, 1 point in the 2-point pipe is equal to 1 / 8 inch, so the 2-point pipe is a water pipe with a diameter of 1 / 4 inch, and the 3-point pipe is a water pipe with a diameter of 3 / 8 inch.

[0031] In one embodiment, the outlet connected to the first water path and the second sub-water path is a hot water outlet. The water path assembly also includes a third water path and a normal temperature outlet. The inlet of the third water path is connected to the outlet of the instant water heater, and the outlet of the third water path is connected to the normal temperature outlet. Furthermore, a third control valve and a check valve are provided between the inlet of the third water path and the outlet of the instant water heater.

[0032] In this embodiment, "room temperature water" generally refers to water at room temperature. However, in some areas, due to lower temperatures, room temperature water is not suitable for direct consumption. Therefore, a third water circuit can be added to transport the medium from the instant water heater outlet to the room temperature outlet. This circuit typically provides a transport channel for water at room temperature without heat mixing or after temperature regulation. Structurally, the third water circuit includes an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, valves, a filter, flow / temperature / pressure sensors, and necessary support and insulation or heat insulation layers (depending on the operating conditions). The material should be selected based on the medium's temperature and chemical properties, such as stainless steel, copper, or engineering plastics. Interfaces often use flanges or welding to ensure sealing and pressure resistance. The hydraulic design needs to consider pressure differential matching with the instant water heater outlet to ensure that back pressure does not cause backflow at the instant water heater under different operating conditions, while maintaining a stable outlet flow rate and temperature. The third water circuit is usually linked to a third control valve, with its opening adjusted by the upper-level controller according to water demand or temperature priority. It also needs to work in conjunction with the hot water circuit to prevent cross-influence. Safety measures include installing pressure gauges and overpressure protection at critical points, installing check valves near the user end to prevent downstream backflow, and installing buffer tanks or pressure stabilizing devices when necessary to reduce the impact of instantaneous flow fluctuations on downstream equipment.

[0033] Ambient temperature water outlets refer to the terminal outlets in a system that provide water at ambient temperature (or low temperature), directly supplying water to users or process equipment. Their function differs from hot water outlets. Ambient temperature outlets require the medium to be close to ambient temperature or maintained within the user's required non-heated temperature range, suitable for drinking, flushing, or temperature-sensitive process applications. The structure includes a terminal valve, a spout, a possible mixer or throttling device, and backflow prevention facilities (such as check valves) at the outlet. Piping for ambient temperature outlets typically requires insulation or anti-condensation treatment to prevent the influence of external temperatures. However, in some scenarios, it is also necessary to prevent microbial growth due to prolonged stagnation; therefore, the design should facilitate regular flushing and disinfection. It is recommended to equip the outlet with a temperature sensor or electronic thermostat for real-time system monitoring and automatic switching to a safety mode in case of abnormal temperature rises.

[0034] The third control valve is an actuator installed in the circuit to regulate the flow rate of the third water path or to close / open the third channel. It is typically placed between the inlet of the third water path and the outlet of the instantaneous heater (as described by the user). Its functions include precisely controlling the water supply to the third water path according to a set flow rate or opening degree, participating in the coordinated regulation of other valves to achieve overall outlet water temperature control, and cutting off the flow path to protect downstream equipment in abnormal situations. The structure can be an electric regulating valve, a pneumatic regulating valve, or a solenoid valve, equipped with position feedback (valve position indication), actuation limit, and an optional flow meter closed-loop control interface. Valve selection must match the pipe diameter, maximum flow rate, allowable operating differential pressure, and media characteristics, and should consider the valve's flow characteristics (equal percentage, linear, or fast-opening) to optimize closed-loop control performance. To reduce water hammer and temperature shock, the control valve's operation should support rate limiting and ramp control, and must coordinate with pump speed or other valve operations. A bypass or manual bypass should be provided during installation for manual control or maintenance in case of actuator failure.

[0035] This is a unidirectional flow protection device installed on the pipeline between the inlet of the third water circuit and the outlet of the instant heater. It prevents backflow from the third water circuit or downstream to the instant heater module or other heat source ends, protecting the source-end equipment from unwanted pressure backflow. The working principle of a check valve is that the valve opens when the fluid flows in the designed direction, and automatically closes when the flow direction reverses or the pressure falls below the valve's reseating pressure. Types include lift check valves, swing check valves, and spring check valves. When selecting a check valve, the flow rate, medium characteristics, allowable pressure drop, and required opening (reseating) pressure must be considered.

[0036] The present invention also provides a water circuit assembly, which includes, in sequence along the water flow direction: a pre-treatment unit for filtering raw water; a heating tank unit connected to the pre-treatment unit for heating the pre-filtered pure water; and as described above, the first water circuit and the first sub-water circuit are used to receive the hot water heated by the heating tank unit, and the second sub-water circuit is used to receive and mix the hot water in the first sub-water circuit and the pure water filtered by the pre-treatment unit.

[0037] In one specific embodiment, the preprocessing unit, namely Figure 1 The RO module, which is the pretreatment and pure water preparation unit of the system, mainly includes the following water path: Raw water inlet path: External raw water first enters the pre-treatment PC (pre-filter), and after preliminary filtration, it is divided into two streams: The water flows directly to the rear CB (post-activated carbon filter) for deep purification. Another path enters the RO (Reverse Osmosis) membrane module (R / O) through a one-way valve. After filtration by the RO membrane, pure water is produced. The concentrate side of the RO membrane module is connected to a parallel wastewater valve (400+1100). The wastewater ratio is controlled by adjusting the valve. The concentrate is finally discharged after passing through a high-pressure switch.

[0038] The pure water output of the RO membrane module is divided into two paths: One path leads to the CB filter cartridge via a one-way valve, where it merges with the pretreated raw water to form purified water. The other path connects to a 2000-cc normally closed wastewater valve for wastewater recirculation or discharge control in the zero-stagnant-water function. Before entering the RO membrane, the raw water is pressurized by a booster pump to ensure RO membrane filtration efficiency. The system is equipped with a TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) sensor and an NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) to monitor the pure water quality and temperature in real time, and the data is fed back to the control system.

[0039] The pure water output from the RO module enters the hot tank unit through the following path: after passing through the pure water valve, the pure water from the RO module is divided into two paths. One path flows directly to the cold water side of the heat exchanger (cold water 0-2 dark flow) as a cold water source; the other path enters the hot tank through the constant flow valve (constant flow 1 / 2) to replenish the hot tank.

[0040] The RO module is equipped with a domestic water valve, through which pretreated raw water can be directly delivered to the external domestic water pipeline (connected to the domestic water pipeline of the subsequent faucet module).

[0041] The hot tank unit includes a hot tank, a heat exchanger, an instant heating component, and a circulation loop: The hot tank is equipped with a liquid level sensor and an NTC (temperature sensor) to monitor the liquid level and water temperature in real time. The bottom of the hot tank is connected to a heater to heat the water inside; the top is equipped with an air inlet valve and an air outlet valve to balance the pressure inside the tank.

[0042] The circulating pump drives the hot water in the hot tank to enter the hot water side of the heat exchanger, where it exchanges heat with the pure water on the cold water side. The heated cold water is then output through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has two hot water outlets: The water flows through the instant heating channel into the water circuit component, undergoes secondary heating, and is then delivered to the outlet of the faucet module. Another path returns to the hot tank, forming a circulating heating loop.

[0043] The temperature and pressure control heat exchanger outlet is equipped with an NTC (temperature sensor) to monitor the outlet water temperature; a heat tank drain valve is installed at the bottom of the heat tank for regular drainage and maintenance; the system uses a booster pump (small impeller pump) to increase the water pressure to ensure stable hot water delivery.

[0044] The hot water output from the heat exchanger is delivered to the outlet of the faucet module through a hot water pipe. The cold water (unheated) from the RO module is directly delivered to the outlet of the faucet module through the drinking water pipe; The domestic water from the RO module is delivered to the outlet of the faucet module through the domestic water pipe to meet the needs of non-drinking domestic water.

[0045] The faucet module is equipped with a return pipe, which is connected to the return end of the heat exchange + instant heating module to realize cold water return heating in the pipeline (zero stagnant water function). The faucet module is equipped with an NTC (temperature sensor) to monitor the outlet water temperature in real time and feed it back to the control system to adjust the heating power.

[0046] NTC temperature sensors are distributed at the pure water outlet of the RO module, the hot water tank, the instant heater, the heat exchanger outlet, and the faucet module for monitoring water temperature throughout the entire process. Liquid level sensor: Located inside the hot tank, it controls the opening and closing of the water supply valve to maintain the liquid level in the hot tank; TDS sensor: Monitors the pure water quality of the RO module to ensure that the output water meets the standards; One-way valves and valve assemblies: control the direction of water flow (such as RO concentrate discharge, pure water delivery, reflux path switching, etc.) to avoid crossflow or backflow contamination.

[0047] The instant water heater is used to heat the water input to it to a set temperature. In one application scenario, the instant water heater can be used in conjunction with a hot water tank unit to reheat the hot water output from the hot water tank, thereby achieving a wider range of temperature regulation and faster temperature response.

[0048] In one embodiment, the reflux control valve and reflux water path are used to achieve the "zero stagnant water" function. When water output stops, the control unit can open the reflux control valve to discharge the residual, cooled water in the first water path and the second sub-water path back to the hot water tank or wastewater end through the reflux water path, ensuring that the water temperature reaches the standard immediately when water is output next.

[0049] In another embodiment, the return water path can be connected to the inlet of the hot water tank to form a preheating cycle. When the system is in standby or a specific mode, the return control valve can be partially opened to allow hot water in the first water path or the second sub-water path to flow back to the inlet of the hot water tank, preheating the cold water entering the hot water tank, thereby achieving energy saving.

[0050] In one embodiment, the first water passage is used to limit the maximum flow rate through it in a high-temperature water outlet mode, ensuring that the instant water heater has sufficient heating time to heat the water to the target high temperature. To achieve this flow restriction, the first water passage is not limited to using a smaller diameter pipe. Specifically, as an alternative implementation, a dedicated flow-limiting element, such as a throttling orifice plate or a throttling valve, can be installed on the first water passage. The throttling orifice plate can be embedded inside the first water passage, precisely controlling the maximum flow area through a preset orifice diameter, thereby limiting the flow rate without changing the overall pipe diameter. As another alternative implementation, the first water passage can also use a high-flow-resistance pipe, for example, by designing the pipe as a spiral, increasing the pipe length, or using a material with a higher internal friction coefficient to increase the frictional resistance when water flows through, achieving the same effect of limiting the maximum flow rate. In this embodiment, by employing the aforementioned flow-limiting element or high-flow-resistance piping, independent and precise control of the flow rate of the first water path can be achieved without changing the relative pipe diameters of the first and second water paths (first sub-water path and second sub-water path), providing greater flexibility for system design. Compared to fixed-diameter solutions, this type of flow-limiting structure is easier to adapt and adjust according to different instant heater power and outlet water flow requirements.

[0051] Reference Figure 2 The present invention also provides a waterway control method, implemented based on the above-described waterway components, comprising: S1: Obtain the water temperature required by the user; S2: Based on the preset correspondence, determine the first operating parameters of the first control valve and the second operating parameters of the second control valve according to the outlet water temperature; S3: Control the first control valve to operate with the first operating parameters, and control the second control valve to operate with the second operating parameters.

[0052] As described in step S1 above, the user inputs the desired temperature, which can be provided via a mobile app or a timed program. The target temperature value can be input through a human-machine interface, mobile terminal, or remote management platform. The controller (such as a programmable logic controller or building control system) receives the value and performs validity verification (e.g., checking if it is within the system's allowed temperature range). Furthermore, the system supports multiple input formats (Celsius, Fahrenheit, preset settings such as "bath" or "kitchen") and maps these settings to specific temperature targets.

[0053] As described in step S2 above, based on the preset correspondence, the first operating parameters of the first control valve and the second operating parameters of the second control valve are determined according to the outlet water temperature. The operating parameters of the first and second control valves include opening percentage, target flow rate, or target flow rate ratio. The preset correspondence can be specifically a lookup table, a mathematical model, or an online identification model: the lookup table is obtained during the system debugging phase or based on experiments / simulations, mapping the target temperature to valve opening combinations; the mathematical model calculates the required hot and cold water flow combinations based on heat balance and hydraulic equations; the adaptive model can continuously correct the mapping relationship through parameter identification using historical operating data. When implementing this, it is necessary to consider the differences in pipe diameter (e.g., the first water path is a 2-point pipe and the sub-water path is a 3-point pipe), the flow-opening characteristics of different pipes, the flow coefficient of valves, the static pressure of the system and the characteristics of pumps. All of these will affect the conversion of opening to actual flow. Therefore, the corresponding relationship usually includes valve characteristic curves and system resistance curves. In terms of calculation, a feedforward plus feedback strategy can be adopted: first, calculate the initial opening according to the preset relationship (feedforward), and then adjust the opening of the two valves according to the outlet water temperature error using PID or fuzzy control during operation (feedback). A graded priority strategy can also be adopted (e.g., giving priority to using a certain path to save energy or protect small-diameter pipelines).

[0054] As described in step S3 above, the first control valve is controlled to operate with the first working parameters, and the second control valve is controlled to operate with the second working parameters. The calculated working parameters are sent to the valve actuators, and the execution results are monitored in real time. This involves using the target opening or target flow rate as a setpoint, sending it to the electric / pneumatic actuator via fieldbus or analog signal, and simultaneously activating a position closed-loop (position feedback) or flow closed-loop (flowmeter feedback) control loop to ensure execution accuracy. To avoid water hammer or temperature fluctuations caused by sudden actions, the valve opening should employ ramp limiting (rate limiting), soft start / soft shut-off strategies, and be coordinated with pump speed control. During operation, various sensors (outlet water temperature, flow rate of each branch, pressure, valve position feedback) should be read in real time and compared with the target. Fine-tuning should be performed using algorithms such as PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative), fuzzy or model predictive control (MPC), and the allocation strategy of the two valves should be adjusted when necessary (e.g., when one side's flow is saturated or the pressure is abnormal, the other side compensates).

[0055] In one specific embodiment, the diameter of the first water path is smaller than the diameter of the first sub-water path, and the diameter of the first water path is smaller than the diameter of the second sub-water path. If the user's required water temperature reaches a preset value, i.e., 95°C, the second control valve is directly closed, allowing hot water to flow out from the smaller diameter first water path. If the user's required water temperature is warm water, such as 45°C, the opening of the second control valve and the first control valve is controlled by corresponding parameters to make the combined temperature close to 45°C and achieve a large flow rate. The opening of the second control valve and the first control valve is controlled to ensure that the water flow rate can reach 2-3L.

[0056] In one embodiment, step S2, which determines the first operating parameter of the first control valve and the second operating parameter of the second control valve based on the outlet water temperature according to a preset correspondence, includes: S201: Determine the mixing ratio of water in the first water path and the second water path, and the water flow rate at the outlet, based on the outlet water temperature; S202: Determine the first operating parameters of the first control valve and the second operating parameters of the second control valve based on the mixing ratio and the outlet flow rate.

[0057] As described in step S201 above, the mixing ratio of water in the first and second water circuits, as well as the outlet flow rate, are determined based on the outlet water temperature. This means converting the user's desired outlet water temperature into the flow rate relationship between the two water supply lines and the required total flow rate. First, several real-time measurements need to be obtained: the inlet temperature T1 of the first water circuit, the inlet temperature T2 of the second water circuit (if there are cold and hot circuits), and possible limiting information on-site, such as the maximum / minimum allowable flow rates Q1_max and Q2_max for each circuit, the total flow rate Q_total_max that the system can provide, and the current supply pressure. Based on the heat balance equation, the mixing ratio can be determined using the mass conservation and energy conservation relationships: Let the target outlet water temperature be Tout, and the target total flow rate be Qout (if the user simultaneously specifies the flow rate or it is determined by the demand of the water-using equipment). According to heat balance and mass conservation, the following condition must be met: T_target = (Q_hot * T_hot + Q_cold * T_cold) / (Q_hot + Q_cold), where T_target is the target outlet water temperature required by the user, T_hot is the real-time water temperature at the inlet of the first water path (hot water path), T_cold is the temperature of the ambient temperature water from the ambient temperature water path in the second water path (mixing path), Q_hot is the flow rate of hot water flowing through the first water path, and Q_cold is the flow rate of ambient temperature water flowing through the ambient temperature water path. Furthermore, the target total flow rate Q_total satisfies Q_total = Q_hot + Q_cold. If the user only specifies the temperature and not the flow rate, then Qout must be determined by the system strategy (e.g., estimated based on commonly used settings, historical consumption, or determined by downstream load demand), taking into account the water supply system capacity. This can be implemented using analytical solutions (direct algebraic solutions) or lookup / interpolation methods (pre-establishing a temperature-flow mapping table for quick lookup). In addition, this step must perform a constraint check: if the calculated Q1 or Q2 exceeds the physical capacity of each path (such as the maximum safe flow rate of the 2-point pipe or the maximum Kv {SI flow coefficient} of the valve), then saturation processing (limiting to the allowable range) must be triggered and the adjusted mixing ratio must be returned. At the same time, it should be marked that the target temperature needs to be met through a second stage of adjustment (such as changing the total flow rate, enabling the recirculation path, or adjusting the pump speed) or the user should be prompted that the target cannot be fully met.

[0058] As described in step S202 above, the first operating parameters of the first control valve and the second operating parameters of the second control valve are determined based on the mixing ratio and the effluent flow rate. The determined Q1 and Q2 (or mixing ratio and total flow rate) are mapped to executable valve operating parameters (such as valve opening percentage, target position, or target flow control quantity). This requires understanding the static characteristics of the valves and the system: the flow characteristic curves of each valve (opening f → valve flow coefficient Kv or Cv {flow coefficient in imperial units}), the system resistance curve of the pipeline (head loss versus flow rate), pump characteristics, and the available pressure difference Δp across the valve. A commonly used formula is Q = Kv(opening) * sqrt(Δp / ρ), or in actual control, an empirically fitted curve Q = g(opening, Δp) is used. Based on the required Q1, Q2, and the measured or estimated Δp (which may be determined jointly by pump characteristics and system operating conditions), the required opening values ​​open1 and open2 for each valve are calculated. If the valve opening (Δp) in the system varies significantly with the valve opening, the solution becomes a coupled problem, typically solved using iterative methods or lookup table methods (a multidimensional mapping table is pre-established in the controller: given the target flow rate and the measured pressure difference, the corresponding opening is directly looked up). Furthermore, by monitoring the deviation between the actual flow rate and the outlet water temperature in real time, the valve opening-flow mapping can be continuously revised to improve long-term accuracy and robustness.

[0059] The present invention also provides a water treatment device, comprising: The water circuit component as described above; and the control unit in the water circuit component are configured to perform the water circuit control method as described above.

[0060] The water circuit component and its control method provided by this invention achieve coordinated decoupled control of water flow rate and temperature by constructing a specific flow path structure consisting of a first water circuit (small diameter) and a second water circuit (large diameter) connected in parallel, with room temperature water introduced into the second water circuit for compensation. This is achieved in conjunction with control valves located at key nodes. Specifically, this solution can dynamically adjust the opening of the first and second control valves according to the user-set target temperature to precisely distribute the high-temperature water flow through the first water circuit and the compensated water flow through the room temperature water circuit. This stabilizes the total water flow rate within a preset target range (e.g., 2-3 liters / minute) over a wide temperature range (e.g., from room temperature to 95°C). For high-temperature water output scenarios (e.g., 95℃), the system can independently utilize the first water path with a small diameter as the sole outlet path. Leveraging its physical flow-limiting characteristics, it ensures sufficient heating time for the instant water heater while outputting a small flow rate of high-temperature, stable hot water. For medium-temperature water output (e.g., 45℃) with a large flow rate requirement, the system can simultaneously activate the first and second water paths. This allows the hot water from the instant water heater to fully mix with the room-temperature water in the second sub-path before merging and outputting, achieving a large flow rate of constant-temperature water. Furthermore, by placing the control valve near the outlet end and incorporating a reflux design, residual cooling water in the pipes can be effectively drained or preheated during usage intervals. This ensures that when the user restarts the system, the outlet immediately outputs water at the set temperature, completely solving the problem of the initial water temperature not meeting the standard. In summary, this invention, through its ingenious water path topology and precise flow distribution strategy, not only meets the demand for stable, high-flow water output at different temperatures but also significantly improves the instantaneous response speed of the outlet temperature and the user experience.

[0061] 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 waterway component, characterized in that, include: Control unit, instant water heater, first water circuit, second water circuit, normal temperature water circuit and water outlet; The inlet of the first water path is connected to the outlet of the instant water heater, and the outlet of the first water path is connected to the outlet. The second water path includes a first sub-water path and a second sub-water path. The inlet of the first sub-water path is connected to the outlet of the instant water heater. The outlet of the first sub-water path is connected to the inlet of the second sub-water path. The inlet of the second sub-water path is connected to the outlet of the ambient temperature water path. The outlet of the second sub-water path is connected to the water outlet. A first control valve is also provided on the first sub-water circuit, and a second control valve is provided on the ambient temperature water circuit; The control unit is electrically connected to the first control valve and the second control valve, and is used to control the opening degree of the first control valve and the second control valve so that the fluctuation range of the total flow rate after the first water circuit and the second sub-water circuit merge at the outlet is within a preset range.

2. The water system component as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A booster pump is also provided between the outlet of the instant water heater and the inlet of the first water circuit and the inlet of the first sub-water circuit.

3. The water system component as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The water circuit assembly further includes a reflux control valve and a reflux water circuit. One end of the reflux control valve is connected to the first water circuit and the second sub-water circuit respectively, and the other end of the reflux control valve is connected to the inlet end of the reflux water circuit. One end of the reflux control valve is connected to the outlet end of the first water circuit and the outlet end of the second sub-water circuit respectively.

4. The water system component as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The instant heater is a thick film heater.

5. The water system component as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the first waterway is smaller than the diameter of the first sub-waterway, and the diameter of the first waterway is smaller than the diameter of the second sub-waterway.

6. The waterway assembly as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The first waterway is a 2-point pipe, and the first sub-waterway and the second sub-waterway are 3-point pipes.

7. A waterway control method, implemented based on the waterway component according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, include: Obtain the desired outlet water temperature from the user; Based on the preset correspondence, the first operating parameters of the first control valve and the second operating parameters of the second control valve are determined according to the outlet water temperature. The first control valve is controlled to operate with the first operating parameters, and the second control valve is controlled to operate with the second operating parameters.

8. The waterway control method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The step of determining the first operating parameters of the first control valve and the second operating parameters of the second control valve based on the outlet water temperature according to a preset correspondence includes: The mixing ratio of water in the first water path and the second water path, as well as the water flow rate at the outlet, are determined based on the outlet water temperature. The first operating parameters of the first control valve and the second operating parameters of the second control valve are determined based on the mixing ratio and the outlet flow rate.

9. A water treatment device, characterized in that, include: The waterway assembly as described in any one of claims 1-6; as well as The control unit in the water circuit assembly is configured to perform the water circuit control method as described in claim 7 or 8.

10. The water treatment equipment as described in claim 9, characterized in that, include: The pre-treatment unit is used to filter the raw water; The heating tank unit is connected to the pre-treatment unit and is used to heat the purified water after preliminary filtration. The waterway assembly as described in any one of claims 1-6, wherein, The first water path and the first sub-water path are used to receive hot water heated by the hot tank unit, and the second sub-water path is used to receive and mix the hot water in the first sub-water path and the pure water filtered by the pretreatment unit.

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