Hot water heating apparatus and control method for hot water heating apparatus

Abstract

The application discloses a control method of a hot water heating device, and relates to the technical field of device control. The hot water heating device comprises a controller configured to: acquire a first heating rate of a heating assembly in a non-reservation mode; calculate a second heating rate corresponding to a second heating power of the heating assembly in a reservation mode based on the first heating power and the first heating rate in the non-reservation mode; determine a plurality of theoretical heating rates of the heating power being the second heating power in a preset heating rate relationship table, and determine a theoretical heating rate closest to the second heating rate from the plurality of theoretical heating rates as a third heating rate; calculate an estimated heating duration for heating a current water temperature in a water storage cavity to a reservation water temperature according to the third heating rate; determine a reservation starting time based on the estimated heating duration, and control the heating assembly to start and stop. The hot water heating device can reasonably determine the reservation starting time, and improve the reliability of reservation heating control.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of equipment control technology, and in particular to a control method for a hot water heating device. Background Technology

[0002] Hot water heating equipment (such as storage-type electric water heaters) is generally equipped with a scheduled heating function, allowing users to set the water usage time in advance. The hot water heating equipment calculates the heating time based on the current water temperature, the scheduled water temperature, and the heating rate, and starts heating in advance. Therefore, the accuracy of the heating rate calculation directly affects the usage effect, which can easily lead to problems such as prolonged heat preservation and power consumption after preheating, or the water temperature not reaching the target when the scheduled time arrives.

[0003] Currently, the actual heating rate of storage-type electric water heaters is affected by various factors such as model specifications, inlet water temperature, ambient temperature, inner tank insulation status, and user water usage habits. Fixed preset heating rate parameters are difficult to adapt to all actual usage scenarios. Therefore, existing technologies mostly adopt a general program to measure the heating rate through short-term heating before scheduling.

[0004] However, this method is easily affected by on-site operating conditions such as user water usage, water temperature stratification in the inner tank, differences in machine volume, and switching of operating power, resulting in a large error in the measured heating rate, which ultimately leads to inaccurate calculation of the scheduled heating time and poor reliability of scheduled heating control. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a control method for a hot water heating device, which can solve the problems of inaccurate calculation of the scheduled heating time and poor reliability of scheduled heating control in the prior art.

[0006] In a first aspect, a hot water heating device is provided, comprising: Water storage cavity; A temperature sensor is configured to collect the water temperature in the water storage chamber. The heating element is configured to heat the water in the water storage chamber; The controller is configured as follows: Obtain the first heating rate of the heating component in non-reservation mode; Based on the first heating power and first heating rate in non-reservation mode, calculate the second heating rate corresponding to the second heating power of the heating component in reservation mode; In a preset heating rate relationship table, multiple theoretical heating rates with the second heating power are determined, and from these multiple theoretical heating rates, the theoretical heating rate that is closest to the second heating rate is determined as the third heating rate; the heating rate relationship table is used to describe the theoretical heating rates corresponding to different specifications of water storage chamber volumes under different heating powers. The estimated heating time to heat the current water temperature in the water storage chamber to the predetermined water temperature is calculated based on the third heating rate. The scheduled start time is determined based on the expected heating duration, and the heating components are controlled to start and stop.

[0007] In the above technical solution, the first heating rate of the heating component in non-reservation mode is obtained, and the second heating rate in reservation mode is calculated by combining the correspondence between the first heating power and the second heating power. This method eliminates the need to pre-determine the volume specifications of the water storage cavity when the hot water heating equipment leaves the factory, and can adapt to application scenarios where hot water heating equipment is sold independently and the cavity volume is unknown at the factory, effectively improving the versatility of the control program. Then, by pre-storing multiple theoretical heating rates corresponding to different volume storage cavities under the second heating power in a preset heating rate relationship table, all possible volume scenarios can be covered without adding additional volume detection hardware or steps. Furthermore, by comparing the second heating rate calculated in non-reservation mode with each theoretical heating rate under that power, the closest theoretical heating rate is selected as the third heating rate. This achieves reverse adaptation to the actual water storage cavity volume, avoiding the problem of heating rate mismatch caused by unknown volume, and without relying on actual on-site measurements, improving the accuracy of heating rate calculation. Finally, based on the accurate third heating rate, the estimated heating time is calculated, the scheduled start time is reasonably determined, and the start and stop of the heating components are controlled. On the one hand, this avoids the waste of electricity caused by prolonged heat preservation after heating is completed, and on the other hand, it ensures that the water temperature meets the standard at the scheduled water usage time, thereby improving the reliability of the scheduled heating control.

[0008] In one embodiment, the controller acquires a first heating rate of the heating component in non-reservation mode, and is configured to: Obtain the candidate heating rates corresponding to multiple heating periods of the heating component in non-reservation mode, as well as the first water usage status of each heating period; Delete the candidate heating rate corresponding to the first water use state characterization when water use behavior exists, and delete the candidate heating rate that is not within the preset heating rate range corresponding to the first heating power; The first heating rate is calculated based on the remaining candidate heating rates.

[0009] In the above technical solution, candidate heating rates and the first water usage status for each heating period in non-reservation mode are collected. Sampling across multiple heating periods expands the data sample and reduces the randomness of data from a single operating period. Then, candidate heating rates corresponding to water usage behavior indicated by the first water usage status are removed to avoid data distortion caused by cold water replenishment or water mixing. Simultaneously, candidate heating rates exceeding the preset heating rate range corresponding to the first heating power are deleted, and abnormal values ​​caused by factors such as abnormal temperature sensor sampling and sudden changes in ambient temperature are filtered out, completing data cleaning and purification. Finally, the first heating rate is calculated based on the remaining candidate heating rates after filtering. This ensures that the final obtained first heating rate accurately reflects the heating capacity of the equipment under steady-state operating conditions, improving the accuracy of basic parameter calculations.

[0010] In one embodiment, the preset heating rate range is divided into multiple categories; the controller calculates a first heating rate based on the remaining multiple candidate heating rates, and is configured as follows: Determine the preset weights corresponding to the preset heating rate ranges in which multiple candidate heating rates fall; The first heating rate is obtained by weighting and summing multiple candidate heating rates with their respective preset weights.

[0011] In the above technical solution, the remaining candidate heating rates are divided into preset multi-level heating rate ranges, and a corresponding preset weight is determined for each candidate heating rate level. The final first heating rate is calculated by weighted summation. This can assign differentiated importance based on the data characteristics of different heating rate ranges, reduce the impact of single data deviations or local operating condition fluctuations on the calculation results, and improve the accuracy and stability of the first heating rate measurement.

[0012] In one embodiment, the controller is further configured to: If the first heating rate of the heating component in non-reservation mode is not obtained, the minimum value among multiple theoretical heating rates is determined as the third heating rate.

[0013] In the above technical solutions, selecting the minimum theoretical heating rate results in the slowest heating rate and the longest calculated heating time. In this case, the water storage chamber of the hot water heating equipment has a smaller volume and a faster heating rate, leading to a shorter actual heating time than calculated. This allows the heating process to complete ahead of schedule and enter the heat preservation state. While this method incurs a small amount of power consumption for heat preservation, it ensures that the water temperature reaches the user's desired temperature at the scheduled time, avoiding problems with untimely heating.

[0014] In one embodiment, the controller, based on the first heating power and the first heating rate in the non-reservation mode, calculates the second heating rate corresponding to the second heating power of the heating component in the reservation mode, and is further configured to: Calculate the ratio of the second heating power to the first heating power; The product of the ratio and the first heating rate is determined as the second heating rate.

[0015] In the above technical solution, the second heating rate is obtained by multiplying the ratio of the second heating power to the first heating power by the first heating rate. The calculation logic is simple, the amount of computation is small, and the requirements for the computing power of the controller are low. At the same time, this conversion process is based on the first heating rate measured in the non-reservation mode of the hot water heating equipment, which can avoid the deviation caused by preset fixed parameters, so that the obtained second heating rate can truly reflect the operating characteristics of the equipment.

[0016] In one embodiment, the controller calculates the estimated heating time to heat the current water temperature in the water storage chamber to a predetermined water temperature based on a third heating rate, and is configured as follows: Obtain the current operating status of the hot water heating equipment; the current operating status describes the working scenario of the hot water heating equipment in reservation mode. Determine the correction factor corresponding to the current operating condition; The fourth heating rate is obtained by multiplying the correction factor by the third heating rate. Calculate the first temperature difference between the scheduled water temperature and the current water temperature; The ratio of the first temperature difference to the fourth heating rate is determined as the expected heating time.

[0017] In the above technical solution, when calculating the estimated heating time, the current operating conditions describing the hot water heating equipment in the reservation mode are first obtained, and the third heating rate is corrected by matching the corresponding correction factor. This yields a fourth heating rate that closely matches the actual site conditions, compensating for the deviation between standard theoretical parameters and real-world usage scenarios. Subsequently, the first temperature difference between the reserved water temperature and the current water temperature is calculated. The ratio of this first temperature difference to the fourth heating rate yields the estimated heating time, improving the accuracy of the estimated heating time calculation and avoiding problems such as untimely heating or substandard water temperature caused by operating condition deviations.

[0018] In one embodiment, the current operating condition includes seasonal operating condition, second water usage status during the scheduled water usage period, and temperature stratification status of the water storage chamber; the controller determines the correction factor corresponding to the current operating condition, which is configured as follows: Determine the sub-correction factors corresponding to seasonal operating conditions, second water use conditions, and temperature stratification of the water storage cavity, respectively. The correction factor is obtained by multiplying the products of the sub-correction factors.

[0019] In the above technical solution, the current operating condition is broken down into three independent dimensions: seasonal operating condition, secondary water use during scheduled water use periods, and temperature stratification of the water storage chamber. Sub-correction factors are determined for each dimension, and the overall correction factor is obtained by multiplying these sub-correction factors. This allows for the differentiation and superimposed compensation of the impacts of different operating conditions, accurately reproducing the actual heating state under the combined effects of multiple real-world environments. Furthermore, it improves the rationality and calculation accuracy of the correction factor.

[0020] In one embodiment, the controller determines the scheduled start time based on the expected heating duration and controls the heating component to start and stop, and is configured as follows: At the scheduled start time, the heating component is controlled to heat the water in the water storage chamber with the second heating power; A temperature-time curve is generated based on the third heating rate to show the rise from the current water temperature to the predetermined water temperature. The actual water temperature in the water storage chamber at multiple moments during the heating process is obtained, as well as the target water temperature in the temperature-time curve at the corresponding moments; For any given moment, calculate the second temperature difference between the actual water temperature and the target water temperature. The second heating power is adjusted based on the second temperature difference; The water in the storage chamber is heated based on the adjusted second heating power until the actual water temperature reaches the preset water temperature.

[0021] In the above technical solution, the heating component is controlled to start heating at a preset scheduled start time with a second heating power. Simultaneously, a temperature-time curve is generated based on a third heating rate as a standard temperature rise reference. During the heating process, the actual water temperature at multiple moments and the target water temperature at corresponding nodes on the curve are continuously collected. The second temperature difference between the two is calculated, and the second heating power is dynamically adjusted based on this. Heating continues at the adjusted power until the actual water temperature reaches the preset temperature. Based on this method, a closed-loop dynamic control mechanism is formed, which can identify the deviation between the actual heating progress and the theoretical progress in real time, and promptly offset interference from various operating conditions such as environmental heat dissipation, temporary water use, and temperature stratification in the water storage chamber. Therefore, it can not only effectively avoid insufficient water temperature during scheduled water use due to delayed heating progress, but also prevent excessively rapid heating leading to excessive water temperature and unnecessary energy consumption, improving the temperature control accuracy and adaptability of scheduled heating.

[0022] In one embodiment, the controller adjusts the second heating power based on the second temperature difference, and is configured to: If the second temperature difference is greater than or equal to the first preset deviation threshold, then reduce the second heating power; If the second temperature difference is less than or equal to the second preset deviation threshold, then increase the second heating power; If the second temperature difference is between the second preset deviation threshold and the first preset deviation threshold, then the second heating power is maintained.

[0023] In the above technical solution, by setting a first preset deviation threshold and a second preset deviation threshold as judgment boundaries, the second heating power is adjusted in stages according to the range of the second temperature difference. When the second temperature difference is greater than or equal to the first preset deviation threshold, the second heating power is reduced, which slows down the heating rate and effectively prevents the water temperature from becoming too high and causing energy waste. When the second temperature difference is less than or equal to the second preset deviation threshold, the second heating power is increased, which can accelerate the heating rhythm and ensure that the water temperature reaches the standard during the scheduled water usage period. When the second temperature difference is between the first and second preset deviation thresholds, the second heating power is kept constant, which can avoid water temperature fluctuations and frequent equipment operation caused by frequent power switching. Therefore, the above method can improve the stability and heating accuracy of temperature control throughout the process and adapt to various temperature deviation scenarios that occur during the heating process.

[0024] Secondly, a control method for a hot water heating device is provided, applied to the hot water heating device of the first aspect, the hot water heating device including a heating component, and the control method for the hot water heating device including: Obtain the first heating rate of the heating component in non-reservation mode; Based on the first heating power and first heating rate in non-reservation mode, calculate the second heating rate corresponding to the second heating power of the heating component in reservation mode; In a preset heating rate relationship table, multiple theoretical heating rates with the second heating power are determined, and from these multiple theoretical heating rates, the theoretical heating rate that is closest to the second heating rate is determined as the third heating rate; the heating rate relationship table is used to describe the theoretical heating rates corresponding to different specifications of water storage chamber volumes under different heating powers. The estimated heating time to heat the current water temperature in the water storage chamber to the predetermined water temperature is calculated based on the third heating rate. The scheduled start time is determined based on the expected heating duration, and the heating components are controlled to start and stop.

[0025] Thirdly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program that, when run by a hot water heating device, causes the hot water heating device to perform the control method for the hot water heating device described in the second aspect.

[0026] Fourthly, a computer program product is provided, comprising: a computer program that, when run by a hot water heating device, causes the hot water heating device to execute the control method for the hot water heating device described in the second aspect.

[0027] It is understood that the beneficial effects of the second to fourth aspects mentioned above can be found in the relevant descriptions in the first aspect mentioned above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a timing interaction diagram of a control method for a hot water heating device according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a hot water heating device according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating one implementation of the control method for a hot water heating device according to an embodiment of this application, which calculates the first heating rate. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating one implementation of calculating the first heating rate in a control method for a hot water heating device provided in another embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating one implementation of a control method for a hot water heating device according to an embodiment of this application, which determines the expected heating time. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating one implementation of the control method for a hot water heating device according to an embodiment of this application, which involves starting and stopping the heating component. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating one implementation of starting and stopping the heating component in a control method for a hot water heating device provided in another embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " means "or," for example, A / B can mean A or B; "and / or" in this text is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" refers to two or more than two.

[0030] Hereinafter, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first," "second," or "third" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature.

[0031] Specific details, such as particular system architectures and techniques, are set forth for illustrative purposes and not for limitation, to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of this application. However, those skilled in the art will understand that this application can be implemented in other embodiments without these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known systems, apparatuses, circuits, and methods are omitted to avoid unnecessary detail that could obscure the description of this application.

[0032] Storage-type electric water heaters heat and store water through a storage chamber. To enhance the user experience and save electricity, most models are equipped with a scheduled heating function. Users can preset the water usage time, and the device calculates the heating time based on the current water temperature, target water temperature, and heating rate, and starts heating in advance to ensure that hot water is prepared at the scheduled time.

[0033] The accuracy of the heating rate directly affects the reservation effect and energy consumption: if the heating rate is calculated too fast, the equipment will end heating prematurely and keep the water warm for a long time, resulting in wasted electricity; if the heating rate is calculated too slow, the water temperature will not meet the standard when the water is reserved, affecting normal use. Therefore, the accurate calculation of the heating rate is particularly important.

[0034] Electric water heaters of the same series but with different capacities (40L, 50L, 60L, 80L, 100L) mostly use a uniform heating power. However, due to the influence of water storage capacity, the actual heating rate varies among models with different capacities. Currently, the industry mainly addresses this issue through three methods, but their shortcomings are also quite prominent: Firstly, each volume is equipped with a dedicated control program. Independent programs are developed for water storage chambers of different volumes to match their corresponding heating rate characteristics. In this mode, the control board cannot be universally used across different volume models, resulting in poor product versatility, high R&D and material costs, and a tendency for program-volume mismatch issues to occur during production.

[0035] Secondly, all models use the same program, with volume parameters set for each machine individually at the factory. While this reduces program development costs, it requires manual parameter configuration based on the actual volume of each machine before it leaves the production line, adding an extra production step. This not only complicates the production process but also reduces production efficiency.

[0036] Third, a general procedure is used to measure the heating rate by short-term heating before scheduled heating is started. This method does not require differentiation of volume or factory calibration, but the actual measurement process is easily affected by external factors such as user water usage, water temperature stratification in the inner tank, and environmental interference, resulting in a large error in the measured heating rate, which cannot meet the accuracy requirements of scheduled control.

[0037] Therefore, in order to solve the above technical problems, please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1This is a timing interaction diagram of a control method for a hot water heating device according to an embodiment of this application, as shown below. Figure 1 As shown, a water storage chamber; a temperature sensor configured to collect the water temperature in the water storage chamber; and a heating component configured to heat the water in the water storage chamber.

[0038] In one embodiment, the hot water heating device can be the storage-type electric water heater described above, or a split-type hot water device, or other device capable of heating water in a storage chamber; there is no limitation on this.

[0039] The water storage chamber is used to hold and store both the cold water to be heated and the hot water after heating. The water storage chambers are available in various volumes, including 40L, 50L, 60L, 80L, and 100L, with no specific limit. Under the same heating power, different volumes of water storage chambers correspond to different theoretical heating rates. Therefore, a temperature sensor can be installed inside or on the side wall of the water storage chamber to specifically collect the real-time temperature of the water within it.

[0040] The aforementioned heating component is a heating actuator used to receive control commands from the controller and electrically heat the water inside the storage chamber. This heating component supports multiple power levels and can switch between a first heating power for non-reservation mode and a second heating power for reservation mode. That is, the heating component can continuously output heat energy according to the set power to increase the temperature of the water inside the storage chamber. For example, the heating component can be a heating element, a heat pump heat exchange coil, or other similar equipment.

[0041] As an example, refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a hot water heating device according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 As shown, the outermost layer of the equipment is the outer shell 1, which serves as an overall protective casing. Insulation material can be filled between the outer shell and the internal water storage chamber (inner tank) 2 to reduce heat loss and lower insulation energy consumption. The water storage chamber 2 is the pressure-bearing water storage component of the equipment, made of corrosion-resistant material, and is used to hold both cold water to be heated and hot water that has been heated. Multiple functional components can be fixedly installed on the side walls and bottom of the water storage chamber 2.

[0042] For example, the heating component 4 extends into the water storage cavity 2 from the side wall of the cavity, directly contacting the water inside the cavity. When energized, it converts electrical energy into heat energy to heat the water. The temperature sensor 3 is a closed metal sleeve, also fixed to the side wall of the water storage cavity 2, indirectly contacting the water through the sleeve to collect the water temperature inside the cavity in real time. The inlet 5 and outlet 6 are respectively located at the bottom of the water storage cavity 2. The inlet 5 is connected to an external cold water supply pipeline to replenish cold water in the cavity, and the outlet is connected to the user's water supply pipeline to output the heated hot water.

[0043] Based on the above structure, after cold water enters the water storage chamber 2 through the inlet 5, the controller can collect the real-time water temperature of the water storage chamber 2 through the temperature sensor 3, and heat the water in the water storage chamber 2 through the heating component 4. Finally, the heated hot water is supplied to the user through the outlet 6.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown; the controller is configured to perform the following steps: S101. Obtain the first heating rate of the heating component in non-reservation mode.

[0045] In one embodiment, the aforementioned non-reservation mode is the default normal water use mode of the hot water heating equipment, which is an independent operating condition from the reservation heating mode. In non-reservation mode, users do not need to set parameters such as planned water use time or water use period in advance; the hot water heating equipment operates autonomously in full response to immediate water demand.

[0046] For example, in non-reservation mode, the controller can monitor the water temperature in the storage chamber in real time through a temperature sensor. When the water temperature is lower than the preset normal temperature preservation threshold, the controller can control the heating component to start heating at the first heating power. When the water temperature rises to the set upper limit temperature, the controller can control the heating component to stop working, thereby cyclically maintaining the water temperature in the storage chamber.

[0047] In non-reservation mode, the heating component can be fixed at the first heating power level. The start-up, shutdown and heating status of the equipment are determined solely by the real-time water temperature and the user's immediate water usage behavior, and are not subject to the timed reservation logic.

[0048] The aforementioned first heating rate is the temperature rise of the water in the water storage chamber per unit time under the premise that the heating component is operating stably with the first heating power. It can intuitively characterize the operating parameters of heating speed under this working condition.

[0049] It should be noted that the first heating rate usually reflects the actual heating rate of the hot water heating equipment in combination with the comprehensive on-site conditions such as its own water storage chamber volume, ambient temperature, water temperature stratification in the inner tank, and instantaneous water use, which is different from the standard theoretical heating rate preset in the heating rate relationship table.

[0050] As an example, when the heating element is heating normally at the first heating power, the controller can continuously collect water temperature data at different times in the water storage chamber at fixed time intervals, and simultaneously record the heating duration corresponding to each set of water temperatures. Then, the controller can use the water temperature difference and time interval between two adjacent sampling nodes to calculate the water temperature rise per unit time, thus obtaining the first heating rate.

[0051] Alternatively, the controller can store heating logs for non-scheduled modes, containing information such as the starting and ending water temperatures and total heating time for each heating cycle. The controller retrieves multiple historical heating records from memory, calculates the corresponding heating rates for each record, and then averages the results to determine the final average as the primary heating rate for the current operating condition.

[0052] Based on the above explanation, the first heating rate can be considered as a value that can be updated.

[0053] In this embodiment, the method for obtaining the first heating rate is not limited.

[0054] S102. Based on the first heating power and the first heating rate in the non-reservation mode, calculate the second heating rate corresponding to the second heating power of the heating component in the reservation mode.

[0055] In one embodiment, the second heating power is the working output power of the heating component when the device is operating in the reservation mode. The controller controls the gear switching according to the reservation heating logic, which corresponds to and is distinguished from the first heating power in the non-reservation mode.

[0056] From a hardware perspective, the same heating component can flexibly switch between a first heating power and a second heating power through multiple combinations of heating tube on / off switching, silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) power adjustment, and power module adjustment. These are different output states of the same heating element; the device body, water storage chamber, and water circuit structure remain unchanged, only the heating output power differs. This is the fundamental premise for the mutual conversion between power and heating rate.

[0057] Furthermore, the second heating rate refers to the temperature rise of the water in the water storage chamber per unit time when the heating component is operating stably at the second heating power in the reservation mode, and is used to characterize the theoretical heating speed at this power level.

[0058] The second heating rate is not obtained directly through real-time temperature measurement on-site. Instead, it is derived from the first heating power and first heating rate measured in non-reservation mode, combined with the power correspondence, as an equivalent intermediate parameter. Therefore, the second heating rate can be considered to inherit the actual operating characteristics of the current equipment's water storage chamber, basic environment, and conventional water temperature stratification, which is different from the theoretical heating rate under ideal operating conditions in the preset table.

[0059] Under the premise of fixed water storage chamber volume, no continuous cold water supply, and relatively stable environmental conditions, the output power of the heating component is positively correlated with the water heating rate. This is also the core principle for realizing the conversion between the two types of heating rates.

[0060] In one embodiment, since the water storage chamber, pipelines, and equipment casing always have a fixed natural heat loss, not all the power output by the heating component is used to heat the water. Based on this, and assuming a linear relationship between heating power and heating rate, the inherent heat dissipation power of the equipment can be introduced for compensation and correction. Specifically, the constant heat loss value and effective heating capacity of the equipment can be deduced using the first heating power and first heating rate in the non-reservation mode. Then, by subtracting the fixed heat loss from the second heating power, the corresponding second heating rate can be calculated.

[0061] Alternatively, by using long-term stored data from non-reservation mode operation, a power-rate relationship curve specific to the hot water heating equipment can be fitted. Then, the second heating power is substituted into the above relationship curve to obtain the second heating rate.

[0062] In another embodiment, assuming negligible heat loss and steady-state operation, the heating power and heating rate are linearly proportional. Based on this, the controller can also calculate the ratio of the second heating power to the first heating power. Finally, the product of this ratio and the first heating rate is determined as the second heating rate.

[0063] In this embodiment, the second heating rate is obtained by multiplying the ratio of the second heating power to the first heating power by the first heating rate. The calculation logic is simple, the amount of computation is small, and the requirements for the controller's computing power are low. At the same time, this conversion process is based on the first heating rate actually measured in the non-reservation mode of the hot water heating equipment, which can avoid the deviation caused by preset fixed parameters, so that the obtained second heating rate can truly reflect the operating characteristics of the equipment.

[0064] In this embodiment, the method for calculating the second heating rate is not limited.

[0065] It should be noted that the steps S101-S102 described above are based on the assumption that a single first heating power is set in the non-reservation mode. However, in actual products, to adapt to different heat preservation needs, power consumption strategies, and noise reduction requirements, the non-reservation mode is often configured with multiple first heating power levels (e.g., low-power constant temperature heat preservation mode, medium-power regular supplementary heating mode, etc.). Based on this, the hot water heating equipment can collect water temperature data for each stable first heating power level and calculate the corresponding first heating rate, forming multiple sets of valid datasets of "first heating power - first heating rate". Then, step S102 is executed based on these multiple sets of valid datasets.

[0066] For example, the controller can: select any set of "first heating power - first heating rate" and calculate the second heating rate separately; or, calculate based on multiple sets of "first heating power - first heating rate" data to obtain multiple independent initial second heating rates, and then average the multiple initial second heating rates and use the calculation result as the final second heating rate.

[0067] S103. Determine multiple theoretical heating rates with heating power equal to the second heating power from the preset heating rate relationship table, and determine the theoretical heating rate that is closest to the second heating rate from the multiple theoretical heating rates as the third heating rate.

[0068] The heating rate relationship table describes the theoretical heating rate corresponding to different water storage chamber volumes under different heating powers.

[0069] In one embodiment, the aforementioned heating rate relationship table is a standard parameter data table pre-installed in the controller's storage area. This data table stores parameters corresponding to all product models, organized by heating power and water storage chamber volume. For example, for each heating power level, the theoretical heating rate corresponding to different specifications of water storage chambers such as 40L, 50L, 60L, 80L, and 100L is recorded one by one.

[0070] It should be noted that all data in the heating rate relationship table has been uniformly calibrated under standard laboratory conditions, pre-covering all cavity volumes and commonly used heating power levels for the same series of products. This eliminates the need for manual parameter settings, volume calibration, or program rewriting for the actual cavity volume of a single device. During the parameter matching process, the controller can quickly retrieve the theoretical heating rate set corresponding to all volumes at the currently determined second heating power.

[0071] The theoretical heating rate mentioned above is the standard temperature rise rate of the water in a water storage chamber per unit time under artificially set standard ideal operating conditions, with a specific volume of water storage chamber operating at a fixed heating power. This parameter can be calibrated in a laboratory environment. The theoretical heating rate can be considered a standardized reference value after eliminating all random interference, primarily serving as a comparison benchmark.

[0072] The aforementioned third heating rate is the final reference heating rate obtained after data comparison and screening. The controller can first use the second heating power as the search condition to retrieve all theoretical heating rates corresponding to that power from the heating rate relationship table, and then compare these theoretical values ​​with the second heating rate one by one. The controller will then select the theoretical heating rate that is closest to the second heating rate and determine it as the third heating rate.

[0073] It should be noted that the third heating rate combines the advantages of the actual operating characteristics of the equipment with the standard calibration data. It not only relies on the measured data of the non-reservation mode to reflect the true working status of the machine, but also relies on the preset standard theoretical value to avoid the defects of traditional short-term measured data that are easily affected by water usage and water temperature stratification.

[0074] As an example, the heating rate relationship table can be shown in Table 1 below: Table 1:

[0075] For example, if the hot water heating device operates at a first heating power of 1500W in non-reservation mode, and the first heating rate is measured to be 0.35℃ / min through water temperature sampling, it will switch to a second heating power of 3200W in reservation mode. The controller can first multiply the ratio of the second heating power to the first heating power by the first heating rate to calculate a second heating rate of approximately 0.747℃ / min. Subsequently, in a preset heating rate relationship table, all theoretical heating rates corresponding to different water storage chambers at 3200W power are extracted. Then, 0.747℃ / min is compared with these theoretical values ​​one by one to find the difference. Finally, the 0.77℃ / min corresponding to the 60L chamber with the smallest difference is selected as the third heating rate, providing benchmark data for the subsequent calculation of reservation heating time.

[0076] It's important to note that because the universal control program for hot water heating equipment is pre-programmed at the factory, different capacity models (40L / 50L / 60L, etc.) share the same program. However, the program doesn't know which water storage chamber the unit will ultimately be equipped with; without this "capacity" information, it cannot be used as an index for direct table lookup. Therefore, to directly look up the third heating rate, different programs would need to be programmed for each capacity model, with each program storing only the heating rate for that capacity. However, this approach leads to non-universal control boards, high R&D and material costs, and a high risk of program-capacity mismatch. Alternatively, a universal program could be used for all models, but the capacity parameters would be manually calibrated for each unit at the factory. However, this adds an extra production step, making the process complex, inefficient, and prone to errors during manual calibration.

[0077] Based on this, the corresponding third heating rate can be determined without looking up a table, and different programs do not need to be burned separately.

[0078] S104. Calculate the estimated heating time to heat the current water temperature in the water storage chamber to the predetermined water temperature based on the third heating rate.

[0079] In one embodiment, the aforementioned scheduled water temperature is the target water temperature set by the user in the scheduled mode. This temperature can be manually set by the user according to actual water usage needs (such as bathing, kitchen water use, etc.), and is generally a set value higher than the current water temperature in the storage chamber.

[0080] The above-mentioned estimated heating time is the theoretical working time required to heat the water in the water storage chamber from the current water temperature to the reserved water temperature when the heating component is working stably at the second heating power in the reservation mode, based on the current operating conditions calculated by the controller.

[0081] As an example, the controller can first calculate the temperature rise by the difference between the scheduled water temperature and the current water temperature, and then divide the temperature rise by the third heating rate to obtain the expected heating time.

[0082] S105. Determine the scheduled start time based on the expected heating duration and control the start and stop of the heating components.

[0083] In one embodiment, the controller can combine the user-set scheduled water usage time with the estimated heating time to obtain the start-up time of the heating component, ensuring that the water reaches the target temperature at the scheduled water usage time. This avoids energy waste caused by prolonged heat preservation after preheating and also prevents the problem of water temperature not meeting the standard due to untimely heating.

[0084] In this embodiment, the first heating rate of the heating component in non-reservation mode is first obtained, and then, based on the correspondence between the first heating power and the second heating power, the second heating rate in reservation mode is calculated. This method eliminates the need to pre-determine the volume specifications of the water storage cavity when the hot water heating equipment leaves the factory, adapting to application scenarios where hot water heating equipment is sold independently and the cavity volume is unknown at the factory, effectively improving the versatility of the control program. Then, by pre-storing multiple theoretical heating rates corresponding to different volume storage cavities under the second heating power in a preset heating rate relationship table, all possible volume scenarios can be covered without adding additional volume detection hardware or steps. Furthermore, by comparing the second heating rate obtained from the non-reservation mode with each theoretical heating rate under that power, the closest theoretical heating rate is selected as the third heating rate. This achieves reverse adaptation to the actual water storage cavity volume, avoiding the problem of heating rate mismatch caused by unknown volume, and without relying on actual on-site measurements, improving the accuracy of heating rate calculation. Finally, based on the accurate third heating rate, the estimated heating time is calculated, the scheduled start time is reasonably determined, and the start and stop of the heating components are controlled. On the one hand, this avoids the waste of electricity caused by prolonged heat preservation after heating is completed, and on the other hand, it ensures that the water temperature meets the standard at the scheduled water usage time, thereby improving the reliability of the scheduled heating control.

[0085] In another embodiment, the controller can also be based on, for example... Figure 3 The steps S301-S303 shown are for calculating the first heating rate. Details are as follows: S301. Obtain the candidate heating rates corresponding to multiple heating periods of the heating component in non-reservation mode, and the first water usage status of each heating period.

[0086] In one embodiment, the heating period is a continuous time interval during which the heating components are powered on and heating, as identified or divided by the controller when the hot water heating device is operating in non-reservation mode. These periods can be a single complete heating start-stop cycle (the entire process from heating start to stopping due to water temperature reaching the target), or multiple sub-periods divided during a single heating process to increase data sampling density, or different heating segments during multiple independent heating processes; there is no limitation on this.

[0087] It should be noted that each heating period is an independent data acquisition unit, corresponding to a complete set of water temperature change data and the first water usage state.

[0088] The aforementioned candidate heating rate is the rate of temperature rise per unit time of the water in the storage chamber calculated by the controller for each heating period based on the initial water temperature, the ending water temperature, and the duration of the period.

[0089] It should be noted that the candidate heating rate can directly reflect how fast the equipment heats up under the current actual operating conditions during a specific heating period. However, since it has not been screened for effectiveness under operating conditions, it may contain deviations caused by interference factors such as water usage and water temperature stratification.

[0090] The first water usage state mentioned above refers to the working condition of whether the water storage chamber is in use by users and whether cold water is continuously replenished during the corresponding heating period. It can usually be divided into categories such as "no water usage state", "low flow water usage state", and "high flow water usage state", without any limitation.

[0091] It should be noted that if the heating period is in a "low flow water state" or "high flow water state", the addition of cold water will lower the water temperature, and the measured candidate heating rate will deviate from the actual heating performance of the equipment. Furthermore, the candidate heating rate under "no water use state" can reflect the actual heating capacity of the equipment under steady-state operating conditions.

[0092] In one embodiment, the controller can monitor the water flow signal in the pipeline in real time using a water flow sensor installed in the inlet or outlet pipeline of the equipment. If a continuous water flow pulse or flow signal is detected, it is determined that there is user water usage during the heating period, indicating a water usage state. Furthermore, it can determine whether the water usage state is "low flow" or "high flow" based on the water flow rate per unit time. If there is no water flow signal, it is determined that there is no water usage.

[0093] In another embodiment, the controller can also make a judgment based on existing temperature sensor data by monitoring the water temperature change trend during the heating period. Under the premise that the heating component is working normally, if the water temperature does not rise as expected, but instead drops, stagnates, or the rate of temperature rise is significantly lower than the inherent level of the equipment, it is determined that cold water is being added, indicating a water usage state. The "low flow water usage state" or "high flow water usage state" can be determined based on the magnitude of the drop, stagnation, or temperature rise rate. If the water temperature rises steadily and the rate of temperature rise is in line with normal operating conditions, it is determined that no water is being used. This method does not require additional hardware and can be achieved solely through existing temperature data.

[0094] S302, delete the candidate heating rate corresponding to the first water use state characterization when water use behavior exists, and delete the candidate heating rate that is not within the preset heating rate range corresponding to the first heating power.

[0095] In one embodiment, as explained above, when the first water usage state characterizes the presence of water usage, the addition of cold water will cause the water temperature to drop, and the measured candidate heating rate will deviate from the actual heating performance of the device. Therefore, the candidate heating rate corresponding to this part can be deleted.

[0096] In one embodiment, the aforementioned preset heating rate range can be a reasonable numerical range pre-defined under standard stable operating conditions, combining the first heating power and all specifications of water storage chambers in the same series, representing the normal fluctuation range of the heating rate when the equipment is operating normally at that power.

[0097] Therefore, if a candidate heating rate is not within the preset heating rate range corresponding to the first heating power, it can be considered that it is usually caused by occasional interference factors such as abnormal temperature sensor sampling, drastic fluctuations in ambient temperature, severe local water temperature stratification in the inner tank, or abnormal instantaneous operating conditions of the equipment. Furthermore, this candidate heating rate also fails to reflect the true heating characteristics of the equipment. Therefore, the corresponding candidate heating rates also need to be eliminated.

[0098] S303. Calculate the first heating rate based on the remaining multiple candidate heating rates.

[0099] In one embodiment, the controller may calculate the first heating rate by averaging the remaining multiple candidate heating rates.

[0100] In this embodiment, candidate heating rates and the first water usage status for each heating period in non-reservation mode are collected. Sampling across multiple heating periods expands the data sample and reduces the randomness of data from a single operating period. Then, candidate heating rates corresponding to water usage behavior indicated by the first water usage status are removed to avoid data distortion caused by cold water replenishment or water mixing. Simultaneously, candidate heating rates exceeding the preset heating rate range corresponding to the first heating power are deleted, and abnormal values ​​caused by factors such as abnormal temperature sensor sampling and sudden changes in ambient temperature are filtered out, completing data cleaning and purification. Finally, the first heating rate is calculated based on the remaining candidate heating rates after filtering. This ensures that the final obtained first heating rate accurately reflects the heating capacity of the equipment under steady-state operating conditions, improving the accuracy of basic parameter calculations.

[0101] In another embodiment, the preset heating rate range is divided into multiple ranges; the controller can also adjust the range according to, for example... Figure 4 The steps S401-S402 shown are for calculating the first heating rate. Details are as follows: S401. Determine the preset weights corresponding to the preset heating rate ranges in which the multiple candidate heating rates are located.

[0102] S402. The first heating rate is obtained by weighting and summing the multiple candidate heating rates with their respective preset weights.

[0103] In one embodiment, the preset weight is a weighting coefficient pre-set for different preset heating rate ranges, used to perform weighted calculations on multiple candidate heating rates after screening to obtain a first heating rate.

[0104] As an example, taking a first heating power of 3200W as an example, the controller can divide the preset heating rate range corresponding to 3200W into 3 levels, with the heating rates from high to low as follows: Level 1: 0.9~1.11℃ / min (highest heating rate); Level 2: 0.69~0.9℃ / min (middle level); Level 3: 0.45~0.69℃ / min (lowest heating rate). The weights corresponding to each preset heating rate range can be: Level 1 weight 0.6; Level 2 weight 0.3; Level 3 weight 0.1.

[0105] Taking the five remaining candidate heating rates after screening as an example, they are 1.02℃ / min, 0.95℃ / min, 0.82℃ / min, 0.75℃ / min, and 0.55℃ / min. The calculation process is as follows: Heating rate settings: Determine the heating rate setting for each candidate heating rate. 1.02℃ / min and 0.95℃ / min are in the first gear (0.9~1.11); 0.82℃ / min and 0.75℃ / min are in the second gear (0.69~0.9); 0.55℃ / min is in the third gear (0.45~0.69).

[0106] Next, we can calculate the average value for level 1: (1.02 + 0.95) ÷ 2 = 0.985℃ / min; the average value for level 2: (0.82 + 0.75) ÷ 2 = 0.785℃ / min; and the average value for level 3: 0.55℃ / min (only one data point). Finally, the weighted average value is calculated to obtain the first heating rate: 0.985 × 0.6 + 0.785 × 0.3 + 0.55 × 0.1 = 0.8815℃ / min.

[0107] By using the above method, the final first heating rate can be closer to the actual heating capacity of the equipment, reducing the impact of interference data on the results.

[0108] In this embodiment, the remaining candidate heating rates are divided into preset multi-level heating rate ranges, and a corresponding preset weight is determined for each candidate heating rate level. The final first heating rate is calculated by weighted summation. This approach can assign differentiated importance based on the data characteristics of different heating rate ranges, reduce the impact of single data deviations or local operating condition fluctuations on the calculation results, and improve the accuracy and stability of the first heating rate measurement.

[0109] In another embodiment, when the hot water heating device is first powered on, or first run after restoring factory settings, or restarted after a long period of inactivity, a complete heating cycle has not yet been completed in non-reservation mode, and the controller does not collect any valid water temperature change data. Therefore, the first heating rate in non-reservation mode cannot be calculated.

[0110] Based on this, in the above scenario, when the first heating rate of the heating component in the non-reservation mode is not obtained, the controller can also determine the minimum value among multiple theoretical heating rates as the third heating rate.

[0111] For example, taking the second heating power selected in the reservation mode as 3200W, the controller can extract the theoretical heating rates corresponding to all specifications of water storage chambers under 3200W power from the preset heating rate relationship table: 40L: 1.11℃ / min; 50L: 0.91℃ / min; 60L: 0.77℃ / min; 80L: 0.56℃ / min; 100L: 0.45℃ / min. At this time, the controller can directly determine the minimum value (0.45℃ / min) among the above theoretical values ​​as the third heating rate.

[0112] It should be noted that when the minimum theoretical heating rate is selected, the equipment's heating rate is the slowest, resulting in the longest calculated heating time. In this case, the water storage chamber of the hot water heating equipment has a smaller volume and a faster heating rate, so the actual heating time will be shorter than calculated, and it will eventually complete heating and enter the heat preservation state ahead of schedule. However, although this method incurs a small amount of power consumption for heat preservation, it ensures that the water temperature reaches the user's desired temperature at the scheduled time, avoiding problems with untimely heating.

[0113] In another embodiment, the controller can also be based on, for example... Figure 5 The steps S501-S505 shown are for calculating the expected heating rate. Details are as follows: S501. Obtain the current operating status of the hot water heating equipment.

[0114] S502. Determine the correction factor corresponding to the current operating condition.

[0115] The current operating condition describes the working scenario of the hot water heating equipment in reservation mode.

[0116] In one embodiment, the aforementioned current operating conditions include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: seasonal operating conditions, second water usage status during scheduled water usage periods, and temperature stratification status of the water storage chamber; there is no limitation on these.

[0117] Among them, seasonal operating conditions can be identified by obtaining the current month through the device's built-in real-time clock module and matching it with the preset seasonal range (e.g., December to February is winter, June to August is summer); or by collecting the real-time temperature of the device's installation environment through an external ambient temperature sensor and combining it with preset threshold ranges (e.g., ambient temperature <10℃ is determined to be winter operating conditions, >25℃ is determined to be summer operating conditions), without any limitation on this.

[0118] The second water usage state is similar to the first water usage state mentioned above, and can also be divided into categories such as "no water usage state", "low flow water usage state", and "high flow water usage state", which will not be explained further.

[0119] The temperature stratification status of the aforementioned water storage cavity can be determined by calculating the water temperature difference at different locations (top, middle, and bottom) using multiple temperature sensors installed in different positions within the cavity (e.g., a temperature difference >10℃ indicates severe stratification, and <3℃ indicates slight stratification). Alternatively, it can be determined by observing the rate of temperature rise at different stages of the heating process. If the temperature rise is rapid in the early stages and slows down significantly in the later stages, then severe temperature stratification is identified.

[0120] The aforementioned correction factor is a dimensionless coefficient used to quantify the impact of the current operating conditions on the actual heating rate of the equipment. Its function is to compensate and correct the expected heating time calculated based on the third heating rate.

[0121] For example, when the current operating conditions are unfavorable for heating (such as high heat loss due to low temperatures in winter, continuous water use during the scheduled heating phase, or severe temperature stratification in the water storage chamber), the actual heating rate of the equipment will be lower than the theoretical value. In this case, the correction factor is greater than 1, and the expected heating time needs to be extended. When the current operating conditions are favorable for heating (such as high ambient temperature in summer, no water use interference, and uniform water temperature), the actual heating rate may be higher than the theoretical value. In this case, the correction factor can be less than 1, and the expected heating time can be appropriately shortened, so that the corrected expected heating time is closer to the actual operating conditions.

[0122] The controller can pre-establish a mapping table between different operating conditions and their corresponding correction factors, and read the correction factor corresponding to the current operating condition from the mapping table. For example, the correction factor for winter water-use conditions can be preset to 1.15, and the correction factor for summer water-free conditions can be preset to 0.95.

[0123] S503. Calculate the product of the correction factor and the third heating rate to obtain the fourth heating rate.

[0124] S504. Calculate the first temperature difference between the reserved water temperature and the current water temperature.

[0125] S505, The ratio of the first temperature difference to the fourth heating rate is determined as the expected heating time.

[0126] In one embodiment, the third heating rate is a theoretical heating rate obtained by looking up a table based on standard operating conditions. It only reflects the inherent heating characteristics corresponding to the water storage chamber volume and heating power, and does not consider on-site interference factors such as seasonal environment, water usage during scheduled periods, and temperature stratification of the inner tank. However, the correction factor can quantify the impact of various actual operating conditions on heating efficiency.

[0127] Therefore, the fourth heating rate is obtained by multiplying the correction factor by the third heating rate, which can combine the standard heating performance of the equipment with the current actual operating conditions, thereby improving the accuracy of the fourth heating rate.

[0128] The aforementioned first temperature difference is the difference between the preset water temperature and the current water temperature. This difference directly reflects the total temperature rise required for this heating process. Combined with the fourth heating rate, the ratio of the first temperature difference to the fourth heating rate can be determined as the estimated heating time.

[0129] It should be noted that in normal usage scenarios, if the scheduled water temperature is higher than the current water temperature, the first temperature difference is a positive number, which means that heating needs to be performed; if the current water temperature has reached or even exceeded the scheduled water temperature, the first temperature difference is less than or equal to zero, then it can be determined that the scheduled heating process does not need to be started.

[0130] In this embodiment, when calculating the estimated heating time, the current operating conditions describing the hot water heating equipment in the reservation mode are first obtained, and the third heating rate is corrected by matching the corresponding correction factor. This yields a fourth heating rate that closely matches the actual on-site conditions, compensating for the deviation between standard theoretical parameters and real-world usage scenarios. Then, the first temperature difference between the reserved water temperature and the current water temperature is calculated. The first temperature difference is compared with the fourth heating rate to obtain the estimated heating time, which improves the accuracy of the estimated heating time calculation and avoids problems such as untimely heating and substandard water temperature caused by operating condition deviations.

[0131] In another embodiment, taking the current operating conditions including seasonal conditions, the second water usage state during the scheduled water usage period, and the temperature stratification state of the water storage chamber as an example, the controller can determine the sub-correction factors corresponding to the seasonal conditions, the second water usage state, and the temperature stratification state of the water storage chamber, respectively. Finally, the product of each sub-correction factor is calculated to obtain the correction factor.

[0132] The second water usage status can be determined based on historical water usage patterns. For example, the controller can store water usage logs and flow records for each time period of the day. For the user-defined scheduled water usage period, it can retrieve historical water usage data for the same time period over several days, summarize water usage patterns, and then infer the second water usage status for the current scheduled period.

[0133] For example, if a user sets a scheduled water usage period of 8:00 PM to 8:30 PM daily, the controller can retrieve the flow and usage records from the past week / half a month for each day from 8:00 PM to 8:30 PM. If the historical data shows that continuous water flow and frequent water usage are detected almost every day during this period, the device infers that the second water usage status for this scheduled water usage period is a water usage status, specifically a "high flow water usage status." If water flow is rarely detected during the same period in history, it is considered a "low flow water usage status." And, if no water flow is detected, it can be considered a "no water usage status."

[0134] Among them, the sub-correction factors are independent correction coefficients corresponding to three single operating conditions: seasonal operating conditions, secondary water use conditions, and temperature stratification of the water storage chamber. They are used to quantify the impact of a specific operating condition on the equipment's heating efficiency and temperature rise rate. The controller can first identify the specific type of each operating condition, and then match the corresponding sub-correction factors for each dimension according to preset rules. Finally, it can integrate multiple sub-correction factors into an overall correction factor through calculation, thereby achieving refined compensation and correction for multiple types of interference factors.

[0135] For example, the controller can pre-store multiple mapping tables of operating conditions and sub-correction factors, with each type of operating condition corresponding to a separate mapping table. These tables are pre-matched with fixed sub-correction coefficients for different operating condition levels based on experimental calibration results. Therefore, after determining the current operating condition, the controller can retrieve the mapping tables corresponding to each of the above operating conditions to obtain the sub-correction factor for that single current operating condition.

[0136] In this embodiment, the current operating condition is broken down into three independent dimensions: seasonal operating condition, second water usage state during scheduled water usage periods, and temperature stratification state of the water storage chamber. Sub-correction factors are determined for each dimension, and the overall correction factor is obtained by multiplying these sub-correction factors. This allows for the differentiation and superimposed compensation of the impacts of different operating conditions, accurately reproducing the actual heating state under the combined effects of multiple real-world environments. Furthermore, this improves the rationality and calculation accuracy of the correction factor.

[0137] In another embodiment, the controller can also be based on, for example... Figure 6 The steps S601-S606 shown control the start and stop of the heating assembly. Details are as follows: S601. At the scheduled start time, control the heating component to heat the water in the water storage chamber with the second heating power.

[0138] In one embodiment, the aforementioned scheduled start time is the time point at which the heating component starts heating, calculated by the controller based on the user-set scheduled water usage time and the expected heating duration.

[0139] For example, if a user sets the scheduled water usage time to 20:30, and the estimated heating time calculated after working condition correction is 30 minutes, then the scheduled start time is 20:00.

[0140] S602. Generate a temperature-time curve from the current water temperature to the predetermined water temperature based on the third heating rate.

[0141] In one embodiment, the temperature-time curve can be considered as a relationship curve plotted with heating duration as the horizontal axis and water temperature in the storage chamber as the vertical axis. It is used to intuitively reflect the entire process of water temperature gradually rising from the initial current water temperature to the target predetermined water temperature when the third heating rate is the standard heating speed. It is a visual representation curve for quantifying the heating process and predicting the heating progress.

[0142] It should be noted that since the third heating rate is a fixed temperature rise per unit time, under standard ideal operating conditions, the water temperature rises at a uniform rate, and the curve can be considered as a sloping straight line with a slope equal to the third heating rate.

[0143] S603. Obtain the actual water temperature in the water storage chamber at multiple moments during the heating process, as well as the target water temperature in the temperature-time curve at the corresponding moment.

[0144] In one embodiment, the aforementioned actual water temperature is the real temperature collected in real time at various preset sampling moments during the heating operation of the device. This value reflects the most accurate water temperature state at the moment of heating and is affected by on-site factors such as environmental heat dissipation, water usage behavior during scheduled periods, temperature stratification of the water storage chamber, and minor sensor errors.

[0145] The target water temperature corresponds one-to-one with the sampling time, and the theoretical water temperature value is obtained from the temperature-time curve. The target water temperature can be considered as the water temperature that should be reached at that time point under standard ideal operating conditions and according to a predetermined heating rate; it serves only as a reference and is not affected by external interference factors.

[0146] S604. For any given moment, calculate the second temperature difference between the actual water temperature and the target water temperature.

[0147] In one embodiment, the second temperature difference is the difference between the actual water temperature measured by the device and the target water temperature at the same sampling moment during the scheduled heating process. The second temperature difference can intuitively reflect the degree of deviation between the current actual heating progress and the theoretical heating progress.

[0148] Specifically, when the second temperature difference is negative, it indicates that the actual heating rate is slower than the theoretical rate, which is likely affected by factors such as environmental heat dissipation, sporadic water use, and water temperature stratification, resulting in a lag in heating progress; when the second temperature difference is equal to 0, it indicates that the actual water temperature is completely consistent with the target water temperature, the equipment is heating steadily at the preset rate, the current operating condition is normal, and there is no obvious interference; when the second temperature difference is positive, it indicates that the actual heating rate is faster than the theoretical rate, the operating conditions are better than the preset standard, and the heating progress is ahead of schedule.

[0149] S605, Adjust the second heating power based on the second temperature difference.

[0150] S606. The water in the water storage chamber is heated based on the adjusted second heating power until the actual water temperature reaches the preset water temperature.

[0151] In one embodiment, the controller can adjust the second heating power through PID dynamic adjustment.

[0152] It should be noted that during the entire scheduled heating process, the controller can continuously collect the actual water temperature at different times according to preset intervals and calculate the second temperature difference one by one. Furthermore, due to dynamic interferences such as temporary water use, environmental heat dissipation fluctuations, and temperature stratification changes in the water storage chamber during heating, the deviation between the actual water temperature and the target water temperature will continuously change. Therefore, the controller can dynamically adjust the second heating power multiple times based on the real-time updated second temperature difference and continue heating at the adjusted power until the actual water temperature reaches the scheduled water temperature.

[0153] In this embodiment, the heating component is controlled to start heating at a preset scheduled start time with a second heating power. Simultaneously, a temperature-time curve is generated based on a third heating rate as a standard temperature rise reference. During the heating process, the actual water temperature at multiple moments and the target water temperature at corresponding nodes on the curve are continuously collected. The second temperature difference between the two is calculated, and the second heating power is dynamically adjusted based on this. Heating continues at the adjusted power until the actual water temperature reaches the scheduled temperature. Based on this method, a closed-loop dynamic control mechanism is formed, which can identify the deviation between the actual heating progress and the theoretical progress in real time, and promptly offset interference from various operating conditions such as environmental heat dissipation, temporary water use, and temperature stratification in the water storage chamber. Therefore, it can not only effectively avoid insufficient water temperature during scheduled water use due to delayed heating progress, but also prevent excessively rapid heating leading to water temperature exceeding the standard and unnecessary energy consumption, improving the temperature control accuracy and operating condition adaptability of scheduled heating.

[0154] In another embodiment, the controller can also be based on, for example... Figure 7 The steps S701-S708 shown control the start and stop of the heating assembly. Details are as follows: S701. At the scheduled start time, control the heating component to heat the water in the water storage chamber with the second heating power.

[0155] S702. Generate a temperature-time curve from the current water temperature to the predetermined water temperature based on the third heating rate.

[0156] S703. Obtain the actual water temperature in the water storage cavity at multiple times during the heating process, and the target water temperature in the temperature-time curve at the corresponding times.

[0157] S704. For any given moment, calculate the second temperature difference between the actual water temperature and the target water temperature.

[0158] Steps S701-S704 are similar to steps S601-S604 above, and will not be described further.

[0159] S705. If the second temperature difference is greater than or equal to the first preset deviation threshold, then reduce the second heating power.

[0160] S706. If the second temperature difference is less than or equal to the second preset deviation threshold, then increase the second heating power.

[0161] S707. If the second temperature difference is between the second preset deviation threshold and the first preset deviation threshold, then maintain the second heating power.

[0162] In one embodiment, the aforementioned first preset deviation threshold is a positive temperature deviation judgment threshold pre-fixed by the controller, and its value is a positive number used to determine whether the heating progress is ahead of schedule. When the calculated second temperature difference at any time is greater than or equal to the threshold, it indicates that the current actual water temperature is significantly higher than the corresponding target water temperature, the water temperature rises too quickly, and the progress exceeds the theoretical expectation. At this time, it is determined that the second heating power needs to be reduced to slow down the heating pace and prevent the final water temperature from exceeding the standard and generating excess energy consumption.

[0163] Furthermore, the second preset deviation threshold is a negative temperature deviation judgment threshold pre-set by the controller, and its value is negative. It is used to determine whether the heating progress is lagging. When the second temperature difference calculated at any time is less than or equal to this threshold, it indicates that the current actual water temperature is significantly lower than the target water temperature at the corresponding time. Due to factors such as heat dissipation, temporary water use, and water temperature stratification, the heating rate is slow. At this time, it is determined that the second heating power needs to be increased to speed up the heating rate and ensure that the target water temperature can be reached before the scheduled water use time.

[0164] Furthermore, when the second temperature difference is between the second preset deviation threshold and the first preset deviation threshold, it indicates that the current actual water temperature is close to the target water temperature at the corresponding time, and therefore, no adjustment is required.

[0165] The second heating power can be adjusted by a fixed range. Taking an initial second heating power of 3000W as an example, the preset single increase or decrease range is 300W. If the second heating power needs to be reduced, the adjusted second heating power will be 2700W; if the second heating power needs to be increased, the adjusted second heating power will be 3300W.

[0166] Alternatively, the adjustment range can be dynamically adjusted based on the degree to which the second temperature difference deviates from the threshold. The greater the deviation of the second temperature difference from the corresponding preset deviation threshold, the greater the temperature rise deviation, and the greater the power adjustment range; the smaller the deviation, the smaller the adjustment range.

[0167] In this embodiment, the method of adjusting the second heating power is not limited.

[0168] S708. The water in the water storage chamber is heated based on the adjusted second heating power until the actual water temperature reaches the predetermined water temperature.

[0169] Step S708 is similar to step S606 above, and will not be described further.

[0170] In this embodiment, by setting a first preset deviation threshold and a second preset deviation threshold as judgment boundaries, the second heating power is adjusted in stages according to the range of the second temperature difference. When the second temperature difference is greater than or equal to the first preset deviation threshold, the second heating power is reduced to slow down the heating rate and effectively prevent the water temperature from becoming too high, thus avoiding energy waste. When the second temperature difference is less than or equal to the second preset deviation threshold, the second heating power is increased to accelerate the heating process and ensure that the water temperature reaches the standard during the scheduled water usage period. When the second temperature difference is between the first and second preset deviation thresholds, the second heating power is kept constant to avoid water temperature fluctuations and frequent equipment operation caused by frequent power switching. Therefore, the above method can improve the stability and heating accuracy of temperature control throughout the process and adapt to various temperature deviation scenarios that occur during the heating process.

[0171] It should be understood that the sequence number of each step in the above embodiments does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0172] In another embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the hot water heating device can be used to implement the control method of the hot water heating device described in the above method embodiments.

[0173] The hot water heating device may include one or more memories storing programs that can be run by a controller to generate instructions, causing the controller to execute the control method for the hot water heating device described in the above method embodiments according to the instructions.

[0174] Optionally, the memory may also store data. Optionally, the controller may also read data stored in the memory, which may be stored at the same memory address as the program, or the data may be stored at a different memory address than the program.

[0175] The controller and memory can be set up separately or integrated together; for example, integrated on the system on chip (SOC) of the terminal device.

[0176] This application also provides a computer program product that, when executed by a controller, implements the control method of a hot water heating device according to any method embodiment of this application.

[0177] The computer program product can be stored in memory, for example, as a program. The program is eventually converted into an executable object file that can be executed by the controller after processes such as preprocessing, compilation, assembly, and linking.

[0178] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program thereon, which, when executed by a computer, implements the control method of the hot water heating device in any of the method embodiments of this application. The computer program may be a high-level language program or an executable object program.

[0179] The computer-readable storage medium is, for example, memory. Memory can be volatile or non-volatile, or it can include both volatile and non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which serves as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0180] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of a single item or a plurality of items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be a single item or multiple items.

[0181] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0182] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the modules and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0183] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and modules described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0184] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for example, the division of modules is merely a logical functional division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation; for example, multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or modules may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0185] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. Similarly, the components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules; they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment, depending on actual needs.

[0186] In addition, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing module, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module.

[0187] The above are merely specific embodiments of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A hot water heating device, characterized in that, include: Water storage cavity; A temperature sensor is configured to collect the water temperature in the water storage chamber; The heating component is configured to heat the water in the water storage chamber; The controller is configured as follows: Obtain the first heating rate of the heating component in non-reservation mode; Based on the first heating power and the first heating rate in the non-reservation mode, calculate the second heating rate corresponding to the second heating power of the heating component in the reservation mode; In a preset heating rate relationship table, multiple theoretical heating rates with heating power equal to the second heating power are determined, and from the multiple theoretical heating rates, the theoretical heating rate closest to the second heating rate is determined as the third heating rate; the heating rate relationship table is used to describe the theoretical heating rates corresponding to different specifications of water storage chamber volumes under different heating powers. The estimated heating time to heat the current water temperature in the water storage chamber to the predetermined water temperature is calculated based on the third heating rate. The scheduled start time is determined based on the estimated heating duration, and the heating components are controlled to start and stop. The controller, based on the first heating power and the first heating rate in the non-reservation mode, calculates the second heating rate corresponding to the second heating power of the heating component in the reservation mode, and is further configured to: Calculate the ratio of the second heating power to the first heating power; The product of the ratio and the first heating rate is determined as the second heating rate.

2. The hot water heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller acquires the first heating rate of the heating component in non-reservation mode and is configured as follows: Obtain candidate heating rates for multiple heating periods of the heating component in the non-reservation mode, and the first water usage status for each heating period; Delete the candidate heating rate corresponding to the first water usage state characterization when water usage behavior exists, and delete the candidate heating rate that is not within the preset heating rate range corresponding to the first heating power; The first heating rate is calculated based on the remaining candidate heating rates.

3. The hot water heating device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The preset heating rate range is divided into multiple ranges; the controller calculates the first heating rate based on the remaining multiple candidate heating rates, and is configured as follows: Determine the preset weights corresponding to the preset heating rate ranges in which the multiple candidate heating rates are located; The first heating rate is obtained by weighting and summing the multiple candidate heating rates with their corresponding preset weights.

4. The hot water heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller is also configured to: If the first heating rate of the heating component in the non-reservation mode is not obtained, the minimum value among the multiple theoretical heating rates is determined as the third heating rate.

5. The hot water heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller calculates the estimated heating time for heating the current water temperature in the water storage chamber to the predetermined water temperature based on the third heating rate, and is configured as follows: The current operating status of the hot water heating equipment is obtained; the current operating status is used to describe the working scenario of the hot water heating equipment in the reservation mode. Determine the correction factor corresponding to the current operating condition; The fourth heating rate is obtained by multiplying the correction factor by the third heating rate. Calculate the first temperature difference between the reserved water temperature and the current water temperature; The ratio of the first temperature difference to the fourth heating rate is determined as the expected heating time.

6. The hot water heating device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The current operating conditions include seasonal conditions, the second water usage status during the scheduled water usage period, and the temperature stratification status of the water storage chamber; the controller determines the correction factor corresponding to the current operating conditions and configures it as follows: Determine the sub-correction factors corresponding to the seasonal operating conditions, the second water usage state, and the temperature stratification state of the water storage cavity, respectively. The correction factor is obtained by multiplying the products of the sub-correction factors.

7. The hot water heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller determines the scheduled start time based on the estimated heating duration and controls the start and stop of the heating component, and is configured as follows: At the scheduled start time, the heating component is controlled to heat the water in the water storage chamber with the second heating power; A temperature-time curve is generated based on the third heating rate, showing the rise from the current water temperature to the predetermined water temperature. The actual water temperature in the water storage chamber at multiple moments during the heating process is obtained, as well as the target water temperature in the temperature-time curve at the corresponding moments; For any given moment, calculate the second temperature difference between the actual water temperature and the target water temperature; The second heating power is adjusted based on the second temperature difference; The water in the water storage chamber is heated based on the adjusted second heating power until the actual water temperature reaches the preset water temperature.

8. The hot water heating device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The controller adjusts the second heating power based on the second temperature difference and is configured as follows: If the second temperature difference is greater than or equal to the first preset deviation threshold, then the second heating power is reduced; If the second temperature difference is less than or equal to the second preset deviation threshold, then the second heating power is increased; If the second temperature difference is between the second preset deviation threshold and the first preset deviation threshold, then the second heating power is maintained.

9. A control method for a hot water heating device, characterized in that, A method for controlling a hot water heating device, the hot water heating device including a heating component, is provided, comprising: Obtain the first heating rate of the heating component in non-reservation mode; Based on the first heating power and the first heating rate in the non-reservation mode, calculate the second heating rate corresponding to the second heating power of the heating component in the reservation mode; In a preset heating rate relationship table, multiple theoretical heating rates with heating power equal to the second heating power are determined, and from the multiple theoretical heating rates, the theoretical heating rate closest to the second heating rate is determined as the third heating rate; the heating rate relationship table is used to describe the theoretical heating rates corresponding to different specifications of water storage chamber volumes under different heating powers. The estimated heating time to heat the current water temperature in the water storage chamber to the predetermined water temperature is calculated based on the third heating rate. The scheduled start time is determined based on the estimated heating duration, and the heating components are controlled to start and stop. The step of calculating the second heating rate corresponding to the second heating power of the heating component in the reservation mode based on the first heating power and the first heating rate in the non-reservation mode includes: Calculate the ratio of the second heating power to the first heating power; The product of the ratio and the first heating rate is determined as the second heating rate.

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