Water heater control method, control device and water heater

Abstract

The application discloses a water heater control method, a control device and a water heater. The water heater has an air inlet fan and an exhaust pipe. The water heater control method comprises the following steps: acquiring the gas content of a key gas in the gas discharged from the exhaust pipe; and controlling the air inlet fan to adjust the air inlet amount so that the gas content is kept within a preset content range when the gas content is out of the preset content range. The application aims to improve the stability of the water heater combustion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of water heaters, and more particularly to a water heater control method, control device, and water heater. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, water heaters, especially gas water heaters, typically adjust the air intake by directly adjusting the fan speed. However, this only provides a rough adjustment of the air intake. Especially in different and complex air environments, relying solely on fan speed to adjust the air intake can lead to unstable combustion of the flame in the gas water heater's combustion chamber, resulting in large fluctuations in water temperature and affecting user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main objective of this application is to provide a water heater control method, control device, and water heater, which are intended to...

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this application proposes a water heater control method, wherein the water heater has an air intake fan and an exhaust pipe, and the water heater control method includes:

[0005] Obtain the gas content of key gases in the gas discharged from the exhaust pipe;

[0006] If the gas content is outside the preset range, the intake fan is controlled to adjust the intake air volume so that the gas content is maintained within the preset range.

[0007] Optionally, the key gas includes at least one of carbon monoxide and oxygen.

[0008] Optionally, controlling the intake fan to adjust the intake air volume to maintain the gas content within the preset content range includes:

[0009] Obtain a first mapping relationship between the gas content and the air intake volume;

[0010] Based on the first mapping relationship and the preset content range, the target air intake range corresponding to the air intake volume is determined;

[0011] The intake fan is controlled to adjust the intake air volume within the target intake air volume range so that the gas content is maintained within the preset content range.

[0012] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0013] Multiple air intake volumes are obtained and used as multiple reference air intake volumes;

[0014] Based on the multiple reference air intake volumes and the gas content of key gases in the gas discharged from the exhaust pipe corresponding to each reference air intake volume, a first mapping relationship between the gas content and the air intake volume is constructed.

[0015] Optionally, controlling the intake fan to adjust the intake air volume within the target intake air volume range includes:

[0016] Obtain the second mapping relationship between the air intake volume and the operating parameters of the air intake fan;

[0017] Based on the second mapping relationship and the target air intake range, the corresponding target operating parameter range is determined, and the air intake fan is controlled to operate according to the target operating parameter range.

[0018] Optionally, the operating parameters include at least one of the intake fan torque and the intake fan speed.

[0019] Optionally, the operating parameters include the torque of the intake fan and the rotational speed of the intake fan;

[0020] The control of the intake fan to operate within the target operating parameter range includes:

[0021] The target current amplitude range is determined based on the target torque range and the FOC control algorithm;

[0022] Determine the target current frequency range based on the target rotational speed range;

[0023] According to the target current frequency range and target current amplitude range, the corresponding drive current is output to the air intake fan to control the air intake fan to operate according to the target operating parameter range.

[0024] Optionally, controlling the intake fan to adjust the intake air volume within the target intake air volume range so that the gas content is maintained within the preset content range further includes:

[0025] If the air intake fan operates within the target operating parameter range and the gas content is not maintained within the preset range, the current target operating parameter range is adjusted according to the second mapping relationship until the gas content is maintained within the preset range.

[0026] This application also proposes a control device, comprising: a memory, a processor, and a control program for a water heater stored in the memory and executable on the processor, the control program being configured to implement the water heater control method as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0027] This application also proposes a water heater, including an air intake fan, an exhaust pipe, and a control device as described above.

[0028] The water heater control method of this application includes first obtaining the gas content of a key gas in the gas discharged from the flue pipe; then, if the gas content is outside a preset range, controlling the intake fan to adjust the air intake volume to keep the gas content within the preset range. It is understandable that for a water heater, if the gas content of the key gas discharged from the flue pipe remains nearly stable, then based on the principle of energy conservation, the combustion situation in the combustion chamber must also be in a stable state. Therefore, the water heater control method of this application uses the key gas discharged from the flue pipe as an outer loop adjustment quantity to adjust the current air intake volume. Compared to existing technologies that only adjust the air intake volume by changing the fan speed, this effectively improves the stability of the combustion situation in the combustion chamber. Furthermore, under stable combustion conditions, it effectively ensures the stability of the outlet water temperature during water heater use, reduces sudden temperature changes, and effectively improves the convenience and comfort of users of this water heater. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the water heater control method of this application;

[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart of another embodiment of the water heater control method of this application;

[0033] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating yet another embodiment of the water heater control method of this application;

[0034] Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart of another embodiment of the water heater control method of this application;

[0035] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of the water heater control method of this application.

[0036] The purpose, features, and advantages of this application will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0037] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the technical solutions of this application and are not intended to limit this application.

[0038] To better understand the technical solutions of this application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0039] It should be noted that all directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of this application are only used to explain the relative positional relationships and movement of the components in a specific posture (as shown in the attached figures). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly. It should be understood that although the steps in the flowcharts of the embodiments of this application are shown sequentially according to the arrows, these steps are not necessarily executed in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless explicitly stated herein, there is no strict order restriction on the execution of these steps, and they can be executed in other orders.

[0040] Currently, water heaters, especially gas water heaters, typically adjust the air intake by directly adjusting the fan speed. However, this only provides a rough adjustment of the air intake. Especially in different and complex air environments, relying solely on fan speed to adjust the air intake can lead to unstable combustion of the flame in the gas water heater's combustion chamber, resulting in large fluctuations in water temperature and affecting user experience.

[0041] Therefore, this application proposes a water heater control method, wherein the water heater has an intake fan and an exhaust pipe. It should be understood that, for water heaters, especially gas water heaters, during operation, the intake fan draws in outside air into the combustion chamber to provide the necessary air for combustion. Then, the exhaust gas produced after combustion is discharged through the exhaust pipe. The water heater control method of this application can be stored in the memory of a control device and executed by a processor in the control device. The control device can be implemented using a controller, such as an MCU, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), PLC, or SOC (System on Chip).

[0042] In one embodiment of this application, reference is made to Figure 1 The water heater control method includes:

[0043] Step S100: Obtain the gas content of key gases in the gas discharged from the exhaust pipe;

[0044] In this embodiment, optionally, the key gas includes at least one of carbon monoxide and oxygen. For example, the preset content range includes a preset carbon monoxide content range and a preset oxygen content range. When adjusting the air intake volume as described below, it is necessary to ensure that the carbon monoxide content meets the preset carbon monoxide content range and that the oxygen content meets the preset oxygen content range.

[0045] A gas concentration sensor corresponding to the critical gas, such as an electrochemical gas concentration sensor or a semiconductor gas concentration sensor, can be placed at the exhaust pipe of the water heater to detect the content of the critical gas in the exhaust gas. The gas concentration sensor is electrically connected to a control device and is used to detect the content of the critical gas in the exhaust gas, outputting a corresponding gas concentration detection signal to the control device so that the control device can determine the current content of the critical gas. For example, if the critical gas includes carbon monoxide, a carbon monoxide concentration sensor can be installed inside and / or at the outlet of the exhaust pipe and connected to the control device to feed back the detected carbon monoxide concentration in the exhaust gas to the control device, allowing the control device to determine the carbon monoxide content.

[0046] Step S200: When the gas content is outside the preset content range, control the air intake fan to adjust the air intake volume so that the gas content is maintained within the preset content range.

[0047] In this embodiment, optionally, the preset content range can be obtained by researchers through multiple tests during the research and development period and stored in the memory of the control device. This preset content range represents the content required to meet the current operating needs of the gas water heater. For example, when the gas content is within the preset range, the heat generated per unit time in the combustion chamber can meet the current water temperature requirement. The minimum and maximum values ​​within the preset content range can be equal or unequal, or the preset content range can be a fluctuation range close to a preset content value. For example, if the preset content value is A, the preset content range is A ± 5%. Optionally, researchers can also set a corresponding preset content range for each required heating temperature. In one example, after obtaining the current outlet water temperature requirement, the control device determines the required heating temperature based on the inlet water temperature and then retrieves the preset content range corresponding to the current required heating temperature from the memory.

[0048] The water heater can be equipped with a drive circuit for driving the fan. The control device can adjust the parameters of the electrical signal output from the drive circuit to the fan, thereby adjusting the operating parameters of the air intake fan, such as torque and speed, and thus adjusting the current air intake volume.

[0049] Optionally, the water heater can control the air intake volume through negative feedback based on the gas content detection feedback obtained above. For example, if the key gas is carbon monoxide, and the control device determines that the current carbon monoxide gas content is greater than the maximum value of the preset content range based on the feedback from the carbon monoxide concentration sensor, the control device will control the air intake fan to gradually increase the air intake volume until the carbon monoxide gas content returns to the preset content range.

[0050] Optionally, the water heater can also determine the corresponding air intake range based on the mapping relationship between the gas content and air intake of the key gas stored in it, and then control the air intake fan to adjust the current air intake to the air intake range.

[0051] It is understandable that for a water heater, if the content of the key gas discharged from the flue pipe remains nearly stable, then based on the principle of energy conservation, the combustion situation in the combustion chamber must also be in a stable state. Therefore, the water heater control method of this application uses the key gas discharged from the flue pipe as the outer loop adjustment quantity to adjust the current air intake volume. Compared with the existing technology that only adjusts the air intake volume by changing the fan speed, this effectively improves the stability of the combustion situation in the combustion chamber. Consequently, under stable combustion conditions, it effectively ensures the stability of the outlet water temperature during the use of the water heater, reduces sudden changes in water temperature, and effectively improves the convenience and comfort of users using the water heater of this application.

[0052] refer to Figure 2 In one embodiment of this application, controlling the intake fan to adjust the intake air volume so that the gas content is maintained within the preset content range includes:

[0053] Step S210: Obtain the first mapping relationship between the gas content and the air intake volume;

[0054] In this embodiment, optionally, the first mapping relationship can be a mathematical relationship, such as a transfer function, a fitting function relationship, a mapping table, or a gas content-airflow model.

[0055] Optionally, the first mapping relationship can be obtained by the control device from the back-end of the water heater manufacturer or pre-stored in the control device by the R&D personnel after testing during the R&D period.

[0056] Optionally, refer to Figure 3 In another embodiment, to ensure that the first mapping relationship matches the working environment of the water heater, the method further includes:

[0057] Step S300: Obtain multiple air intake volumes and use them as multiple reference air intake volumes;

[0058] Step S400: Based on the multiple reference air intake volumes and the gas content of key gases in the gas discharged from the exhaust pipe corresponding to each reference air intake volume, construct a first mapping relationship between the gas content and the air intake volume.

[0059] In this embodiment, a gas flow sensor can be installed in the air intake channel of the water heater to detect the airflow rate and feed the detection result back to the control device as the air intake volume. During the operation of the water heater, the control device sets multiple air intake volumes as reference air intake volumes, and simultaneously determines the gas content of the key gas corresponding to each reference air intake volume based on the feedback from the gas concentration sensor of the corresponding key gas in the exhaust pipe.

[0060] Optionally, the control device can automatically generate a corresponding mathematical relationship based on multiple reference air intake volumes and the gas content corresponding to each reference air intake volume. This relationship could be a fitting function or a transfer function, and used as the first mapping relationship. Alternatively, the control device can also upload the multiple reference air intake volumes and the gas content corresponding to each reference air intake volume to the water heater manufacturer's backend, such as a cloud server. The water heater manufacturer's backend can generate and distribute the corresponding first mapping relationship based on the aforementioned multiple sets of data. For example, the cloud server can substitute the aforementioned data into the digital twin model corresponding to the water heater and construct the first mapping relationship between the current gas content and the air intake volume based on the simulation of the digital twin model.

[0061] Step S220: Based on the first mapping relationship and the preset content range, determine the target air intake range corresponding to the air intake volume;

[0062] Step S230: Control the air intake fan to adjust the air intake volume within the target air intake volume range so that the gas content is maintained within the preset content range.

[0063] In this embodiment, when the control device obtains the first mapping relationship through the above process, it determines the target air intake range based on the first mapping relationship and the preset content range. For example, the control device substitutes the boundary values ​​of the preset content range into the first mapping relationship to determine the boundary values ​​of the corresponding target air intake range. Then, the control device controls the intake fan to operate so that the air intake is within the target air intake range. For example, the control device determines the current air intake based on the feedback from the gas flow sensor in the air intake path, and then controls the intake fan to operate so that the air intake is adjusted to the target air intake range.

[0064] Thus, through the above settings, when the content of the key gas is outside the preset range, the air intake can be quickly adjusted according to the first mapping relationship, thereby rapidly adjusting the gas content and reducing water temperature fluctuations during the adjustment process. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, generating the corresponding first mapping relationship based on the air intake and gas content obtained under the current operating conditions effectively improves the matching degree between the water heater's air intake adjustment and the local working environment, enabling the water heater to automatically adapt to different working environments.

[0065] It's important to understand that from a user's perspective, different users will purchase water heaters for use in different regions, especially those located in different areas. However, the airflow and environment vary significantly from region to region. In other words, even with the same air intake fan and operating parameters, the actual airflow volume for the water heater may differ depending on the location.

[0066] Therefore, refer to Figure 4 In one embodiment of this application, controlling the intake fan to adjust the intake air volume within the target intake air volume range includes:

[0067] Step S231: Obtain the second mapping relationship between the air intake volume and the operating parameters of the air intake fan;

[0068] In this embodiment, optionally, the operating parameters of the intake fan are operating parameters that can affect the intake air volume, such as at least one of the intake fan torque and the intake fan speed.

[0069] Optionally, the control device can obtain the second mapping relationship from the backend of the water heater manufacturer, or it can be pre-stored in the control device by the R&D personnel after testing in multiple locations during the R&D period, in the same way as the embodiment described above for obtaining the first mapping relationship.

[0070] Optionally, the second mapping relationship can also be obtained based on the air intake data collected during the operation of the water heater and the corresponding operating parameters. In one example, the control device uploads multiple air intake volumes and corresponding operating parameters for each air intake volume to the water heater manufacturer's backend during normal operation, so that the manufacturer can construct and generate the second mapping relationship based on the data, such as by substituting the data into a corresponding cloud-based digital twin model. In another example, the control device can also automatically generate the second mapping relationship based on the multiple air intake volumes and corresponding operating parameters. For example, if the operating parameters include fan torque and fan speed, the control device will generate a fitting function of air intake volume minus fan torque and fan speed based on the data.

[0071] Step S232: Based on the second mapping relationship and the target air intake range, determine the corresponding target operating parameter range, and control the air intake fan to work according to the target operating parameter range.

[0072] In this embodiment, after the control device confirms the target air intake volume range through the process described in the above embodiment, it will obtain the corresponding target operating parameter range according to the second mapping relationship. For example, it will substitute the boundary value of the target air intake volume range into the second mapping relationship to obtain the boundary value of the corresponding target operating parameter range, and then control the air intake fan to work according to the target operating parameter range.

[0073] In one embodiment, reference Figure 5 The operating parameters include the torque and rotational speed of the intake fan;

[0074] The control of the intake fan to operate within the target operating parameter range includes:

[0075] Step S2321: Determine the target current amplitude range based on the target torque range and the FOC control algorithm;

[0076] Step S2322: Determine the target current frequency range based on the target rotational speed range;

[0077] Step S2323: According to the target current frequency range and target current amplitude range, output the corresponding drive current to the air intake fan to control the air intake fan to work according to the target operating parameter range.

[0078] In this embodiment, after determining the target speed range and target torque range based on the process described in the above embodiment, the control device simultaneously calculates the target current amplitude range that meets the target torque range according to the target torque range and the surface-mounted FOC control algorithm, and determines the target current frequency range according to the target speed range and the preset speed range-current frequency mapping table stored therein (preset by the R&D personnel). Then, the control device controls the drive circuit used to drive the intake fan to output a drive current whose amplitude and frequency meet the target current amplitude range and target current frequency range, so that the intake fan can operate according to the target operating parameter range, thereby keeping the intake air volume within the target intake air volume range, and thus keeping the gas content of the key gas within the preset content range.

[0079] Thus, through the above-described configuration, the water heater of this application can quickly adjust the operating parameters of the intake fan according to the second mapping relationship, thereby achieving rapid adjustment of the intake air volume and further achieving rapid adjustment of the gas content, thereby further reducing water temperature fluctuations during the adjustment process. Simultaneously, in the above embodiments, generating the second mapping relationship based on the intake air volume and operating parameters obtained under the current operating conditions can effectively improve the matching degree between the water heater's intake air volume adjustment and the local air environment, enabling the water heater to automatically adapt to different working environments.

[0080] It is important to understand that in practice, due to aging of internal components of the water heater or under certain circumstances, the air intake fan may operate within the target operating parameter range, but the content of the key gas may still not meet the preset content range.

[0081] Therefore, in one embodiment of this application, controlling the intake fan to adjust the intake air volume within the target intake air volume range so as to maintain the gas content within the preset content range further includes:

[0082] If the air intake fan operates within the target operating parameter range and the gas content is not maintained within the preset range, the current target operating parameter range is adjusted according to the second mapping relationship until the gas content is maintained within the preset range.

[0083] In this embodiment, if the control device controls the air intake fan to operate within the target operating parameter range as described in the above embodiment, and the gas content is not maintained within the preset content range, the control device will adjust the current target operating parameter range according to the change trend represented by the second mapping relationship, such as the inverse or direct proportional relationship between operating parameters and air intake volume, according to a preset adjustment amount (set by the R&D personnel), until the gas content is maintained within the preset content range. Thus, through the above settings, the water heater of this application can not only adaptively and autonomously adjust the current operating parameters of the air intake fan according to its own operating conditions or sudden changes in the external environment to ensure that the gas content remains stable within the preset content, but also, based on the above process of obtaining the first and second mapping relationships from multiple data points, if similar situations requiring additional adjustment of the target operating parameter range occur multiple times, the control device can record them to optimize the first and / or second mapping relationships, further improving the autonomous adaptability and intelligence of the water heater, thereby ensuring the stability of combustion in the combustion chamber under different conditions.

[0084] This application also proposes a control device, comprising: a memory, a processor, and a control program for a water heater stored in the memory and executable on the processor, the control program being configured to implement the water heater control method as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0085] It is worth noting that, since the control device of this application includes the aforementioned water heater control method, the control device of this application encompasses all the technical solutions of the water heater control method and possesses at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0086] This application also proposes a water heater, including an air intake fan, an exhaust pipe, and a control device as described above.

[0087] It is worth noting that, since the water heater of this application includes the aforementioned control device, all technical solutions of the water heater of this application that include the control device also possess at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0088] The above description is only a part of the embodiments of this application and does not limit the patent scope of this application. All equivalent structural transformations made under the technical concept of this application and using the contents of the specification and drawings of this application, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included in the patent protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A water heater control method, characterized in that, The water heater has an air intake fan and an exhaust pipe, and the water heater control method includes: Obtain the gas content of key gases in the gas discharged from the exhaust pipe; If the gas content is outside the preset range, the intake fan is controlled to adjust the intake air volume so that the gas content is maintained within the preset range.

2. The water heater control method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The key gas includes at least one of carbon monoxide and oxygen.

3. The water heater control method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The step of controlling the intake fan to adjust the intake air volume so that the gas content is maintained within the preset content range includes: Obtain a first mapping relationship between the gas content and the air intake volume; Based on the first mapping relationship and the preset content range, the target air intake range corresponding to the air intake volume is determined; The intake fan is controlled to adjust the intake air volume within the target intake air volume range so that the gas content is maintained within the preset content range.

4. The water heater control method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Multiple air intake volumes are obtained and used as multiple reference air intake volumes; Based on the multiple reference air intake volumes and the gas content of key gases in the gas discharged from the exhaust pipe corresponding to each reference air intake volume, a first mapping relationship between the gas content and the air intake volume is constructed.

5. The water heater control method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The step of controlling the intake fan to adjust the intake air volume within the target intake air volume range includes: Obtain the second mapping relationship between the air intake volume and the operating parameters of the air intake fan; Based on the second mapping relationship and the target air intake range, the corresponding target operating parameter range is determined, and the air intake fan is controlled to operate according to the target operating parameter range.

6. The water heater control method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The operating parameters include at least one of the intake fan torque and the intake fan speed.

7. The water heater control method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The operating parameters include the torque and speed of the intake fan; The control of the intake fan to operate within the target operating parameter range includes: The target current amplitude range is determined based on the target torque range and the FOC control algorithm; Determine the target current frequency range based on the target rotational speed range; According to the target current frequency range and target current amplitude range, the corresponding drive current is output to the air intake fan to control the air intake fan to operate according to the target operating parameter range.

8. The water heater control method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The step of controlling the intake fan to adjust the intake air volume within the target intake air volume range so as to keep the gas content within the preset content range further includes: If the air intake fan operates within the target operating parameter range and the gas content is not maintained within the preset range, the current target operating parameter range is adjusted according to the second mapping relationship until the gas content is maintained within the preset range.

9. A control device, characterized in that, include: A memory, a processor, and a control program for a water heater stored in the memory and executable on the processor, the control program being configured to implement the water heater control method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A water heater, characterized in that, It includes an air intake fan, a smoke exhaust pipe, and the control device as described in claim 9.

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