Electronic anode control conversion circuit and water heater

Abstract

An electronic anode control conversion circuit and a water heater are disclosed. The circuit includes a mains voltage reduction module, a charging module, a rechargeable battery, an electronic anode power switching module, a unidirectional output current limiting module, and an electronic anode potential control module. The electronic anode power switching module is used to disconnect the power supply path between the rechargeable battery and the unidirectional output current limiting module when the mains voltage reduction module has voltage output, and to connect the power supply path between the rechargeable battery and the unidirectional output current limiting module when the mains voltage reduction module has no voltage output. The unidirectional output current limiting module is used to limit the output current from the rechargeable battery to the electronic anode and to limit the current from the electronic anode to the rechargeable battery in reverse.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of water heater technology, specifically to an electronic anode control conversion circuit and a water heater. Background Technology

[0002] Storage-type electric water heaters have become widely used hot water supply equipment in residential life due to their convenient installation, stable water output, and adaptability to various household water use scenarios. In order to improve corrosion resistance and extend the service life of the whole machine, the current mainstream storage-type electric water heaters usually adopt an enamel inner tank structure and are equipped with anti-corrosion protection schemes to reduce the risk of electrochemical corrosion of the inner tank and heating element in long-term high temperature and salt water environment.

[0003] However, the above-mentioned solution is highly dependent on mains power. When users disconnect the water heater during non-heating periods for reasons such as energy saving, safety, or usage habits, the electronic anode system also loses power, causing cathodic protection to fail. This leaves the inner tank and heating element unprotected during power outages, leading to a continuous accumulation of corrosion risks. To avoid such protection interruptions, users often need to keep the water heater powered on for extended periods. However, this not only increases standby energy consumption but also fails to meet the actual usage needs of users who only power on when in use and disconnect from power otherwise, thus hindering the widespread application of the electronic anode solution. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings and deficiencies of existing technologies by providing an electronic anode control conversion circuit, comprising: Mains power step-down module, charging module, rechargeable battery, electronic anode power switching module, unidirectional output current limiting module, and electronic anode potential control module; The output terminal of the mains step-down module is connected to the input terminal of the charging module, the input terminal of the electronic anode power switching module, and the input terminal of the electronic anode potential control module, respectively. The output terminal of the charging module is connected to the rechargeable battery; The output terminal of the rechargeable battery is connected to the input terminal of the electronic anode power switching module, the output terminal of the electronic anode power switching module is connected to the input terminal of the unidirectional output current limiting module, and the output terminal of the unidirectional output current limiting module is connected to the electronic anode. The output terminal of the electronic anode potential control module is connected to the electronic anode; The electronic anode power switching module is used to disconnect the power supply path between the rechargeable battery and the unidirectional output current limiting module when the mains step-down module has voltage output, and to connect the power supply path between the rechargeable battery and the unidirectional output current limiting module when the mains step-down module has no voltage output. The unidirectional output current limiting module is used to limit the output current of the rechargeable battery to the electronic anode and to limit the current from the electronic anode to the rechargeable battery in reverse.

[0005] In one embodiment, the input terminal of the AC step-down module is connected to AC mains power, and the AC step-down module is used to convert the AC voltage of the mains power into a low-voltage DC voltage.

[0006] In one embodiment, the electronic anode power switching module includes a diode D1, a resistor R6, a resistor R7, and a switching transistor U2. The anode of the diode D1 is connected to the output terminal of the charging module, the cathode of the diode D1 is connected to the second terminal of the switching transistor U2, the first terminal of the switching transistor U2 is connected to one end of the resistor R6, the third terminal of the switching transistor U2 is connected to the unidirectional output current limiting module, the other end of the resistor R6 is connected to one end of the resistor R7 and the electronic anode potential control module, and the other end of the resistor R7 is grounded.

[0007] In one embodiment, the unidirectional output current limiting module includes a resistor R10 and a diode D3. One end of the resistor R10 is connected to the electronic anode power switching module, and the other end of the resistor R10 is connected to the anode of the diode D3. The cathode of the diode D3 is connected to the electronic anode and the electronic anode potential control module.

[0008] In one embodiment, the electronic anode potential control module includes an anode potential control unit, which is used to output a protective current to the electronic anode when the mains step-down module has a voltage output.

[0009] In one embodiment, the anode potential control unit includes a power input terminal, a cathode output terminal, and an anode output terminal. The cathode output terminal is grounded, and the anode output terminal is connected to the electronic anode and the output terminal of the unidirectional output current limiting module.

[0010] In one embodiment, the device further includes an electrode interface CN2 and a transient suppression diode TVS2. A first end of the electrode interface CN2 is connected to the anode output terminal, a second end of the electrode interface CN2 is connected to one end of the transient suppression diode TVS2, and the other end of the transient suppression diode TVS2 is connected to the unidirectional output current limiting module and the anode output terminal.

[0011] In one embodiment, the switching transistor U2 is a MOSFET or a bipolar transistor.

[0012] On the other hand, the present invention provides a water heater including the electronic anode control conversion circuit described above.

[0013] This invention, through the inclusion of a mains power step-down module, a charging module, a rechargeable battery, an electronic anode power switching module, a unidirectional output current limiting module, and an electronic anode potential control module, provides a power supply for the electronic anode. The output of the mains power step-down module is connected to both the charging module and the electronic anode potential control module. The output of the charging module is connected to the rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery is connected to the electronic anode via the electronic anode power switching module and the unidirectional output current limiting module. The output of the electronic anode potential control module is also connected to the electronic anode. This allows the mains power step-down module to supply power to the electronic anode potential control module and the charging module to charge the rechargeable battery when the mains power is normal. When the mains power step-down module has no output voltage, the electronic anode power switching module connects the rechargeable battery to the unidirectional output current limiting module, allowing the rechargeable battery to continue supplying current to the electronic anode. This ensures that power is maintained on the electronic anode side even after the mains power is disconnected, preventing the electronic anode system from losing power during non-heating periods. This reduces the risk of corrosion to the inner tank and heating element due to cathodic protection interruption during power outages, better meeting the user's need for power-on during use and power-off during normal times.

[0014] In addition, the unidirectional output current limiting module is used to limit the output current from the rechargeable battery to the electronic anode, which helps to improve the stability of the output on the electronic anode side under power failure and power supply recovery conditions. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a circuit structure block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a circuit diagram of a switching module of part of the structure of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another switching module circuit principle of part of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit principle of a part of the structure of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit principle of the display module of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit principle of the AC step-down module interface of the present invention.

[0017] Figure label: 100. Mains power step-down module; 200. Charging module; 300, rechargeable battery; 400. Electronic anode power supply switching module; 500. Unidirectional output current limiting module; 600. Electronic anode potential control module; 700, Electronic Anode. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] This specific embodiment is merely an explanation of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. After reading this specification, those skilled in the art can make modifications to this embodiment without contributing any inventive element, but such modifications are protected by patent law as long as they fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention. Reference Figures 1-6 The present invention provides an electronic anode control conversion circuit, comprising: Mains power step-down module, charging module, rechargeable battery, electronic anode power switching module, unidirectional output current limiting module, and electronic anode potential control module; The output terminal of the mains power step-down module is connected to the input terminal of the charging module, the input terminal of the electronic anode power switching module, and the input terminal of the electronic anode potential control module, respectively. The output terminal of the charging module is connected to the rechargeable battery; The output terminal of the rechargeable battery is connected to the input terminal of the electronic anode power switching module, the output terminal of the electronic anode power switching module is connected to the input terminal of the unidirectional output current limiting module, and the output terminal of the unidirectional output current limiting module is connected to the electronic anode. The output terminal of the electronic anode potential control module is connected to the electronic anode; The electronic anode power switching module is used to disconnect the power supply path between the rechargeable battery and the unidirectional output current limiting module when the mains step-down module has voltage output, and to connect the power supply path between the rechargeable battery and the unidirectional output current limiting module when the mains step-down module has no voltage output. The unidirectional output current limiting module is used to limit the output current of the rechargeable battery to the electronic anode and to limit the current from the electronic anode to the rechargeable battery in reverse.

[0021] This invention, through the inclusion of a mains power step-down module, a charging module, a rechargeable battery, an electronic anode power switching module, a unidirectional output current limiting module, and an electronic anode potential control module, provides a power supply for the electronic anode. The output of the mains power step-down module is connected to both the charging module and the electronic anode potential control module. The output of the charging module is connected to the rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery is connected to the electronic anode via the electronic anode power switching module and the unidirectional output current limiting module. The output of the electronic anode potential control module is also connected to the electronic anode. This allows the mains power step-down module to supply power to the electronic anode potential control module and the charging module to charge the rechargeable battery when the mains power is normal. When the mains power step-down module has no output voltage, the electronic anode power switching module connects the rechargeable battery to the unidirectional output current limiting module, allowing the rechargeable battery to continue supplying current to the electronic anode. This ensures that power is maintained on the electronic anode side even after the mains power is disconnected, preventing the electronic anode system from losing power during non-heating periods. This reduces the risk of corrosion to the inner tank and heating element due to cathodic protection interruption during power outages, better meeting the user's need for power-on during use and power-off during normal times.

[0022] In addition, the unidirectional output current limiting module is used to limit the output current from the rechargeable battery to the electronic anode, which helps to improve the stability of the output on the electronic anode side under power failure and power supply recovery conditions.

[0023] In one embodiment, the input terminal of the mains step-down module is connected to a first voltage source, which may be AC ​​mains power, and the mains step-down module is used to convert the first voltage generated by the first voltage source into a second voltage. In one embodiment, the charging module includes a charging management unit, resistors R1, R2, and R4, capacitors C2, C3, C4, and EC1, and a battery interface CN1. A first port of the charging management unit is connected to one end of resistor R2 and one end of resistor R4. The other end of resistor R2 is connected to the output terminal of the AC step-down module. The other end of resistor R4 is connected to the second terminal of the battery interface CN1. A third terminal of the battery interface CN1 is connected to one end of capacitor C3, one end of capacitor C4, a fifth port of the charging management unit, an eighth port of the charging management unit, and the electronic anode power switching module. The other end of capacitor C3 is connected to the other end of capacitor C4, the first terminal of the battery interface CN1, one end of capacitor C2, one end of capacitor EC1, one end of resistor R1, the third port of the charging management unit, and a ground terminal. The other end of resistor R1 is connected to the second port of the charging management unit. The fourth port of the charging management unit is connected to the other end of capacitor EC1, the other end of capacitor C2, and the output terminal of the AC step-down module. The charging management unit can be used to control the charging process of the rechargeable battery. Resistor R2 can be used to connect the output terminal of the AC step-down module to the first port of the charging management unit. Resistor R4 can be used to connect the first port of the charging management unit to the second terminal of the battery interface CN1. The second terminal of the battery interface CN1 is connected to the battery temperature sensor (NTC). The battery temperature information is transmitted to the first port of the charging management unit through the voltage divider of resistors R2, R4, and the NTC to manage the battery charging, prevent charging the battery under abnormal temperature conditions, avoid accidents, and ensure charging safety. The fourth port of the charging management unit and capacitors C2 and EC1 are connected to the output side of the AC step-down module to introduce the voltage output by the AC step-down module into the charging management unit. At the same time, capacitors C2 and EC1 are used to filter and stabilize the input voltage to improve the power supply stability of the charging management unit during operation. Capacitors C3 and C4 can be connected to the battery interface CN1 to filter the battery-side voltage, thereby helping to reduce voltage fluctuations during the charging process. The resistor R1 is connected to the charging management unit and can be used to cooperate with the charging management unit to set corresponding charging parameters or detect status. With the above structural configuration, the charging module can charge the rechargeable battery connected via the battery interface CN1 when the mains power step-down module output voltage is available, and provide energy reserves for the rechargeable battery to supply power to the electron anode when the mains power is disconnected.

[0024] In one embodiment, the electronic anode power switching module includes a diode D1, a resistor R6, a resistor R7, and a switching transistor U2. The anode of the diode D1 is connected to the positive terminal of the rechargeable battery, the cathode of the diode D1 is connected to the second terminal of the switching transistor U2, the first terminal of the switching transistor U2 is connected to one end of the resistor R6, the third terminal of the switching transistor U2 is connected to the unidirectional output current limiting module, the other end of the resistor R6 is connected to one end of the resistor R7 and the output terminal of the mains step-down module, and the other end of the resistor R7 is grounded.

[0025] The diode D1 is used to introduce the voltage of the positive terminal of the rechargeable battery into the control branch of the switching transistor U2 and to isolate the current direction. Resistors R6 and R7 together form a bias branch that works in conjunction with the switching transistor U2. Resistor R6 connects the first terminal of the switching transistor U2 to the output terminal of the mains step-down module, and resistor R7 is connected to the ground terminal, allowing the switching transistor U2 to switch between on and off states based on changes in the potential of relevant nodes. When there is voltage at the output terminal of the mains step-down module, the voltage at the first terminal of the switching transistor U2 is higher than its second terminal voltage, keeping the switching transistor U2 in the off state and thus cutting off the power supply path to the unidirectional output current limiting module. When there is no voltage or the voltage at the output terminal of the mains step-down module is reduced, under the bias formed by resistors R6 and R7, the voltage at the second terminal of the switching transistor U2 is higher than its first terminal voltage, switching the switching transistor U2 to the on state, thereby connecting the power supply path to the unidirectional output current limiting module so that current can be output from the rechargeable battery to the electron anode side.

[0026] In one embodiment, the unidirectional output current limiting module includes a resistor R10 and a diode D3. One end of the resistor R10 is connected to the electronic anode power switching module, and the other end of the resistor R10 is connected to the anode of the diode D3. The cathode of the diode D3 is connected to the electronic anode and the electronic anode potential control module. The resistor R10 can be positioned between the electronic anode power switching module and the diode D3 to limit the current flowing to the electronic anode, thereby preventing excessive output current. The anode of the diode D3 is connected to the resistor R10, and the cathode is connected to the electronic anode and the electronic anode potential control module, so that the current output from the electronic anode power switching module is delivered to the electronic anode after passing through the resistor R10 and the diode D3. By setting the diode D3, the direction of current conduction can be limited, allowing current to flow from the electronic anode power switching module to the electronic anode, while restricting the reverse flow of current from the electronic anode side back to the electronic anode power switching module and the rechargeable battery.

[0027] It should be noted that the connection order of resistor R10 and diode D3 in the unidirectional output current limiting module can be interchanged. That is, resistor R10 can be placed between the electronic anode power switching module and diode D3, or between diode D3 and the electronic anode. As long as resistor R10 and diode D3 are connected in series between the electronic anode power switching module and the electronic anode, and the conduction direction of diode D3 is from the electronic anode power switching module to the electronic anode, the current limiting of the output current and the prevention of reverse current flow from the electronic anode side back to the electronic anode power switching module can be achieved.

[0028] More specifically, it can be as follows: Figure 2 and Figure 3 The circuit diagram for the switching module shown is illustrated. The connection order of R10 and D3 can be reversed, and they will still serve the same purpose. When D1 is present in the circuit, even without D3, unidirectional output can still be achieved, preventing the current output from the electronic anode potential control module from flowing back into the battery and continuously charging it, which could lead to a battery explosion.

[0029] In one embodiment, the electronic anode potential control module includes an anode potential control unit, which is used to output a protective current to the electronic anode when the mains step-down module has a voltage output.

[0030] In one embodiment, the anode potential control unit includes a power input terminal, a cathode output terminal, and an anode output terminal. The power input terminal is connected to the output terminal of the mains step-down module, the cathode output terminal is grounded, and the anode output terminal is connected to the electronic anode and the output terminal of the unidirectional output current limiting module.

[0031] The anode potential control unit can provide a protective current to the electronic anode when the mains step-down module has a voltage output, so that the protected component is maintained in the corresponding cathodic protection state. The power input terminal is connected to the output terminal of the mains step-down module and the electronic anode power switching module, thereby obtaining the input voltage related to the power supply state. The cathode output terminal is grounded to form a corresponding current loop reference terminal. The anode output terminal is connected to the electronic anode and the output terminal of the unidirectional output current limiting module, and is used to apply the protective current output by the anode potential control unit to the electronic anode side. With the above settings, when the external power supply is normal, the anode potential control unit can continuously output a protective current to the electronic anode; when the power supply state changes, the electronic anode side can also maintain the corresponding current output path through the connection with the unidirectional output current limiting module, thereby coordinating the switching of the power supply and protection state of the electronic anode side.

[0032] In one embodiment, the system further includes an electrode interface CN2 and a transient voltage suppressor diode TVS2. A first end of the electrode interface CN2 is connected to the anode output terminal, a second end of the electrode interface CN2 is connected to one end of the transient voltage suppressor diode TVS2, and the other end of the transient voltage suppressor diode TVS2 is connected to the unidirectional output current limiting module and the anode output terminal. By providing the electrode interface CN2, the connection between the electronic anode control conversion circuit and external electrodes can be easily achieved. Furthermore, by providing the transient voltage suppressor diode TVS2, voltage clamping protection can be provided when transient overvoltages occur at relevant nodes, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the electronic anode control conversion circuit.

[0033] In one embodiment, the switching transistor U2 is a MOSFET or a bipolar transistor. MOSFETs have characteristics such as high input impedance, low drive power consumption, and fast switching response, making them suitable as switching devices in the electronic anode power switching module in this embodiment. By using a MOSFET as the switching transistor U2, the switching between the on and off states can be achieved according to the change in the control terminal potential, thereby cooperating to connect or disconnect the power supply path between the rechargeable battery and the unidirectional output current limiting module. Bipolar transistors have characteristics such as simple structure, low cost, and mature drive control methods, and can also be used as switching devices in the electronic anode power switching module. They can control the conduction or cutoff between the collector and emitter according to the base drive current to achieve switching control of the rechargeable battery output path.

[0034] On the other hand, the present invention provides a water heater including the electronic anode control conversion circuit described above.

[0035] Furthermore, the water heater also includes an inner tank, an electronic anode, and a heating element. The electronic anode control conversion circuit is connected to the electronic anode and is used to output a protective current to the electronic anode to protect the inner tank and / or the heating element from corrosion. By setting the electronic anode control conversion circuit as described above, when the external power supply is normal, the electronic anode potential control module can output a protective current to the electronic anode; when the external power supply is interrupted, the rechargeable battery can output current to the electronic anode through the electronic anode power switching module and the unidirectional output current limiting module. This helps to reduce the risk of corrosion of the inner tank and / or the heating element when the water heater is powered off, thereby improving the reliability and service life of the water heater.

[0036] The above is only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention and is not intended to limit it. Any other modifications or equivalent substitutions made by those skilled in the art to the technical solution of the present invention, as long as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic anode control conversion circuit, characterized by, include: Mains power step-down module, charging module, rechargeable battery, electronic anode power switching module, unidirectional output current limiting module, and electronic anode potential control module; The output terminal of the mains power step-down module is connected to the input terminal of the charging module, the input terminal of the electronic anode power switching module, and the input terminal of the electronic anode potential control module, respectively. The output terminal of the charging module is connected to the rechargeable battery; The output terminal of the rechargeable battery is connected to the input terminal of the electronic anode power switching module, the output terminal of the electronic anode power switching module is connected to the input terminal of the unidirectional output current limiting module, and the output terminal of the unidirectional output current limiting module is connected to the electronic anode. The output terminal of the electronic anode potential control module is connected to the electronic anode; The electronic anode power switching module is used to disconnect the power supply path between the rechargeable battery and the unidirectional output current limiting module when the mains step-down module has voltage output, and to connect the power supply path between the rechargeable battery and the unidirectional output current limiting module when the mains step-down module has no voltage output. The unidirectional output current limiting module is used to limit the output current of the rechargeable battery to the electronic anode and to limit the current from the electronic anode to the rechargeable battery in reverse.

2. The electronic anode control conversion circuit of claim 1, wherein, The input terminal of the AC mains step-down module is connected to AC mains power, and the AC mains step-down module is used to convert the AC mains power into a low-voltage DC voltage to power the electronic anode control conversion circuit.

3. The electronic anode control conversion circuit of claim 2, wherein, The electronic anode power switching module includes resistors R6 and R7 and a switching transistor U2. The positive terminal of the rechargeable battery is connected to the second terminal of the switching transistor U2. The first terminal of the switching transistor U2 is connected to one terminal of resistor R6. The third terminal of the switching transistor U2 is connected to the unidirectional output current limiting module. The other terminal of resistor R6 is connected to one terminal of resistor R7 and the output terminal of the mains step-down module. The other terminal of resistor R7 is grounded.

4. The electronic anode control conversion circuit of claim 3, wherein, The electronic anode power switching module also includes a diode D1, the anode of which is connected to the positive terminal of the rechargeable battery, and the cathode of which is connected to the second terminal of the switching transistor U2.

5. The electronic anode control switching circuit of claim 3, wherein, The unidirectional output current limiting module includes a resistor R10 and a diode D3. One end of the resistor R10 is connected to the electronic anode power switching module, and the other end of the resistor R10 is connected to the anode of the diode D3. The cathode of the diode D3 is connected to the electronic anode and the electronic anode potential control module.

6. The electronic anode control switching circuit of claim 4, wherein, The electronic anode potential control module includes an anode potential control unit, which is used to output a protective current to the electronic anode when the mains step-down module has a voltage output.

7. The electronic anode control switching circuit of claim 5, wherein, The anode potential control unit includes a power input terminal, a cathode output terminal, and an anode output terminal. The power input terminal is connected to the output terminal of the mains step-down module, the cathode output terminal is grounded, and the anode output terminal is connected to the electronic anode and the output terminal of the unidirectional output current limiting module.

8. The electronic anode control switching circuit of claim 6, wherein, It also includes an electrode interface CN2 and a transient suppression diode TVS2. The first end of the electrode interface CN2 is connected to the anode output terminal, the second end of the electrode interface is connected to one end of the transient suppression diode TVS2, and the other end of the transient suppression diode TVS2 is connected to the unidirectional output current limiting module and the anode output terminal.

9. The electronic anode control switching circuit of claim 4, wherein, The switching transistor U2 is a MOSFET or a bipolar transistor.

10. A water heater, characterized by Includes the electronic anode control conversion circuit as described in any one of claims 1-8.

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