Flowing water type electric water heater

By introducing the design of the heat exchange module and return water chamber into the electric water heater, combined with the control system and sensor, the problems of scale formation and low hot water utilization in the electric water heater are solved, and efficient and stable hot water supply is achieved to meet users. Long-term water use requirement.

CN222210778UActive Publication Date: 2024-12-20FOSHAN VIOMI ELECTRICAL TECH
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202420894750.7
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-04-26
Publication Date
2024-12-20
Estimated Expiration
2034-04-26

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing electric water heaters are prone to scale during heating, with low hot water utilization rate and unstable water temperature, which cannot meet users' long-term water use needs.

Method used

Design a live water electric water heater, which connects the heat exchange module to the hot water chamber and the cold water pipe for heat exchange. The hot water in the hot water chamber partially enters the return water chamber after heat exchange, and then returns to the hot water through the second heating module. The chamber keeps the temperature stable, achieves efficient utilization of hot water, and regulates the flow and temperature through control systems and sensors.

Benefits of technology

It achieves high utilization rate of hot water and stable water quality, avoids the impact of scale, meets users' long-term water use needs, and provides clean hot water.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The utility model discloses a running water type electric water heater which comprises a hot water cavity and a cold water pipe, a hot water outlet of the hot water cavity is connected with a hot water pipe, the hot water pipe and the cold water pipe are both connected with a heat exchange module so as to achieve heat exchange of cold water and hot water through the heat exchange module, and the cold water pipe is connected with a water outlet pipe through the heat exchange module. The hot water pipe is connected with the shunt pipe and the water return pipe through the heat exchange module, the end, away from the heat exchange module, of the shunt pipe is connected with the hot water cavity, and the end, away from the heat exchange module, of the water return pipe is connected with the water return cavity. The running water type electric water heater has the advantages of being high in hot water utilization rate, stable in outlet water temperature and good in outlet water quality, and can meet the requirement of users for using water for a long time.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electric water heaters, in particular to a running water type electric water heater. Background Art

[0002] With the development of economy and the progress of society, electric water heaters have entered thousands of households as common household appliances. Ordinary electric water heaters are generally single-barrel single-chamber structures, and their working mode is to discharge hot water and take in cold water at the same time. Electric water heaters with this structure have the following defects: First, the continuous introduction and heating of cold water is easy to form scale in the barrel, which makes the quality of hot water flowing out of the electric water heater deteriorate; second, the hot water is discharged and the cold water is taken in at the same time, and the hot water and cold water are mixed in the barrel, and the utilization rate of hot water is low; third, as the use time of the electric water heater increases, a large amount of hot water flows out, the proportion of cold water introduced into the barrel increases, and the water temperature in the barrel is significantly reduced, resulting in unstable water temperature, which cannot meet the user's use requirements. Users need to wait for a long time for the water in the barrel to be heated again before they can use it.

[0003] To this end, Chinese patent CN2381946Y discloses a dual-chamber electric water heater, which is provided with two chambers, which can heat cold water at the same time and use them in turn, shortening the heating time, ensuring the stability of the water temperature during use, improving the utilization rate of hot water, and meeting the needs of various water consumption. However, this technical solution still requires the continuous introduction of cold water into the water heater for heating, which cannot avoid the generation of scale, and the hot water flowing out of the water heater still has the defect of poor water quality. Moreover, after the hot water in the two chambers is used up, it still takes a long time to wait for the introduction of cold water into the electric water heater to heat it.

[0004] Patent KR102066357B1 discloses a direct or indirect heating electric water heater using a PTC heater, which heats the preheated stored water through the PTC heater heating unit, and then heats the cold water in the cold water pipe through heat exchange between the stored water and the cold water pipe. Although it increases the use time of hot water, the stored water temperature will drop significantly after the heat exchange, and it takes a certain amount of time to heat it again to restore it to the temperature required for heat exchange, and it is impossible to continuously heat exchange the cold water. Utility Model Content

[0005] In order to overcome at least one of the defects of the above-mentioned prior art, the utility model provides a running water electric water heater, which has the characteristics of high hot water utilization rate, stable water outlet temperature, good water outlet quality, and can meet the user's long-term water demand.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the utility model to solve the problem is:

[0007] A running water electric water heater comprises: a hot water chamber and a cold water pipe, the hot water outlet of the hot water chamber is connected to the hot water pipe, the hot water pipe and the cold water pipe are both connected to a heat exchange module to achieve heat exchange between cold and hot water through the heat exchange module, and the cold water pipe is connected to a water outlet pipe through the heat exchange module;

[0008] The hot water pipe is connected to the shunt pipe and the return pipe respectively through the heat exchange module. The end of the shunt pipe away from the heat exchange module is connected to the hot water chamber, and the end of the return pipe away from the heat exchange module is connected to the return chamber. The hot water chamber is provided with a first heating module, and the shunt pipe is provided with a second heating module.

[0009] Furthermore, the hot water of the hot water pipe and the cold water of the cold water pipe flow through the heat exchange module in parallel.

[0010] Furthermore, the hot water in the hot water pipe and the cold water in the cold water pipe flow through the heat exchange module in reverse directions.

[0011] Furthermore, the diverter pipe portion is arranged in the water return chamber.

[0012] Furthermore, the second heating module is arranged outside the water return chamber and close to the hot water pipe;

[0013] Alternatively, the second heating module is arranged in the water return chamber.

[0014] Furthermore, the hot water pipe is provided with a driving pump which can make the water in the hot water pipe flow back and forth in two directions.

[0015] Furthermore, the water return chamber (2) is provided with a fourth heating module (20).

[0016] Furthermore, a pressure relief valve is provided at the top of the water return chamber to discharge the steam and / or pressure in the water return chamber.

[0017] Furthermore, the hot water chamber and / or the return water chamber is connected to external cold water through a water supply pipe.

[0018] Furthermore, the electric water heater also includes a control system, the hot water pipe, shunt pipe, return pipe and outlet pipe are all provided with flow regulating valves and flow sensors, the hot water chamber, outlet pipe and shunt pipe are all provided with temperature sensors, the hot water chamber and return water chamber are both provided with water level sensors, the flow regulating valve, flow sensor, temperature sensor, first heating module, second heating module, fourth heating module, water level sensor and drive pump are all electrically connected to the control system.

[0019] In summary, the running water type electric water heater provided by the utility model has the following technical effects:

[0020] 1) The utility model performs heat exchange between the hot water flowing out of the hot water chamber and the cold water in the cold water pipe by setting a heat exchange module, so that the heat of the hot water is transferred to the cold water in the cold water pipe, thereby heating the cold water in the cold water pipe. The hot water used by the final user does not come from the hot water chamber, but directly from the heat-exchanged cold water, thus avoiding the scale in the hot water chamber affecting the water quality of the hot water used by the user, making the hot water used by the user cleaner and more sanitary, and realizing live water washing;

[0021] 2) The hot water used for heat exchange in the utility model comes directly from the hot water chamber. The hot water in the hot water chamber is stably heated by the first heating module. Moreover, after the hot water passes through the heat exchange module and becomes residual temperature water, the unheated part enters the return water chamber and will not return to the hot water chamber. The residual temperature water of the shunt pipe is heated by the second heating module and then returns to the hot water chamber. The temperature of the hot water in the hot water chamber is stable, so the temperature of the cold water in the cold water pipe is also stable, and the user's water temperature will not be unstable, the temperature will drop slowly, or the temperature will drop rapidly.

[0022] 3) After the hot water in the hot water chamber of the utility model passes through the heat exchange module, a part of it is heated by the second heating module of the shunt pipe and then returns to the hot water chamber, so that the hot water in the hot water chamber can maintain a stable temperature while the amount of hot water decreases slowly, and can perform heat exchange with the cold water in the cold water pipe for a long time, which not only has a high hot water utilization rate but also meets the user's long-term water use needs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a running water type electric water heater in an embodiment of the utility model.

[0024] The meanings of the reference numerals are as follows:

[0025] 1. Hot water chamber; 2. Return water chamber; 3. Heat exchange module; 4. Cold water pipe; 5. First heating module; 6. Hot water pipe; 7. Diverter pipe; 8. Return water pipe; 9. Drive pump; 10. First flow regulating valve; 11. Pressure relief valve; 12. Second heating module; 13. Second flow regulating valve; 14. Third flow regulating valve; 15. Fourth flow regulating valve; 16. Fifth flow regulating valve; 17. Water supply pipe; 19. Outlet pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] For better understanding and implementation, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside" and "outside" etc. indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the present invention. The terms used herein in the specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0029] The utility model provides a running water type electric water heater, referring to Figure 1 , including a hot water chamber 1 and a cold water pipe 4, the hot water outlet of the hot water chamber 1 is connected to a hot water pipe 6, the hot water pipe 6 and the cold water pipe 4 are both connected to a heat exchange module 3, so as to realize the heat exchange of hot and cold water through the heat exchange module 3, and the cold water pipe 4 is connected to a water outlet pipe 19 through the heat exchange module 3. The hot water pipe 6 is respectively connected to a shunt pipe 7 and a return pipe 8 through the heat exchange module 3, the end of the shunt pipe 7 away from the heat exchange module 3 is connected to the hot water chamber 1, and the end of the return pipe 8 away from the heat exchange module 3 is connected to the return water chamber 2, the hot water chamber 1 is provided with a first heating module 5, and the shunt pipe 7 is provided with a second heating module 12.

[0030] The working principle of the running water type electric water heater of the utility model is as follows:

[0031] 1) Before use, the hot water chamber 1 is filled with water. The specific amount of water in the hot water chamber 1 can be determined by the user. In order to ensure that the cold water in the cold water pipe 4 can be heat-exchanged for a long time, it is recommended that the hot water chamber 1 has a large amount of water, but it should not be filled to the brim, so as to avoid the first heating module 5 heating the water in the hot water chamber 1, and the pressure in the hot water chamber 1 increases, causing explosion and other dangerous accidents.

[0032] 2) According to the heat exchange performance of the heat exchange module 3, the water temperature and water flow rate of the hot water required by the user, and taking into account factors such as the cooling of the hot water in the hot water chamber 1 when passing through the hot water pipe 6 (it is impossible to accurately calculate in actual application, and slight deviations are inevitable and can be selectively ignored), the heating temperature of the water in the hot water chamber 1 by the first heating module 5 is set to ensure that the outlet water temperature of the water outlet pipe 19 after heat exchange by the heat exchange module 3 meets the user's usage requirements.

[0033] 3) After the hot water in the hot water chamber 1 reaches the required temperature, the hot water in the hot water chamber 1 flows out through the hot water pipe 6, and cold water is also introduced into the cold water pipe 4. When the hot water and the cold water reach the heat exchange module 3 at the same time, the heat exchange module 3 performs heat exchange on the hot water and the cold water, transferring the heat of the hot water to the cold water, so as to heat the cold water for the user.

[0034] 4) After the hot water in the hot water pipe 6 passes through the heat exchange module 3, the temperature drops. Part of it enters the return water chamber 2 through the return pipe 8, and the other part is heated by the second heating module 12 of the diversion pipe 7 and then flows back to the hot water chamber.

[0035] It should be noted that after heat exchange, not all the hot water in the hot water pipe 6 is heated by the second heating module 12 of the shunt pipe 7 and then flows back to the hot water chamber 1. This is a setting made in combination with actual conditions. Ideally, the user certainly hopes that all the hot water after heat exchange can return to the hot water chamber 1, so that the amount of water in the hot water chamber 1 decreases extremely slowly, and the duration of heat exchange with the cold water in the cold water pipe 4 is greatly extended, which greatly improves the utilization rate of hot water. However, the actual situation is that the hot water after heat exchange passes through the shunt pipe 7 quickly, and the heating area is small. It is impossible to heat all the hot water after heat exchange by the second heating module 12 to a temperature substantially the same as that of the hot water in the hot water chamber 1 in a short time. Therefore, only part of the hot water after heat exchange can return to the hot water chamber 1 through the shunt pipe 7. Of course, the specific water volume ratio flowing through the shunt pipe 7 and the return pipe 8 is still set in combination with the heating power of the second heating module 12, the diameter of the shunt pipe 7, the diameter of the return pipe 8, the temperature and flow rate of the hot water after heat exchange, and there is no unified requirement.

[0036] Furthermore, considering the errors in practical applications, the temperature of the hot water in the hot water chamber 1 and the temperature of the water heated by the second heating module 12 are not necessarily completely equal, and may have a small deviation. The specific deviation is considered based on not affecting the temperature of the hot water in the hot water chamber 1.

[0037] 5) When the user has finished using the water, or the user has used the water for a long time, the amount of hot water in the hot water chamber 1 is insufficient for heat exchange, and the electric water heater is turned off. If the amount of water in the hot water chamber 1 is significantly reduced, the hot water chamber 1 may be replenished.

[0038] Therefore, the running water type electric water heater of the utility model has the following advantages:

[0039] 1) The utility model performs heat exchange between the hot water flowing out of the hot water chamber 1 and the cold water in the cold water pipe 4 by setting a heat exchange module 3, so that the heat of the hot water is transferred to the cold water in the cold water pipe 4, thereby heating the cold water in the cold water pipe 4. The hot water used by the final user does not come from the hot water chamber 1, but directly comes from the heat-exchanged cold water, thus avoiding the scale in the hot water chamber 1 affecting the water quality of the hot water used by the user, making the hot water used by the user cleaner and more sanitary, and realizing live water washing;

[0040] 2) The hot water used for heat exchange in the utility model comes directly from the hot water chamber 1. The hot water in the hot water chamber 1 is stably heated by the first heating module 5. Moreover, after the hot water passes through the heat exchange module 3 and becomes residual warm water, the unheated part enters the return water chamber 2 and will not return to the hot water chamber 1. The residual warm water passing through the shunt pipe 7 is heated by the second heating module 12 and then returns to the hot water chamber 1. The temperature of the hot water in the hot water chamber 1 is stable, so the temperature of the cold water in the cold water pipe 4 is also stable, and the user's water temperature will not be unstable, the temperature will drop slowly, or the temperature will drop rapidly.

[0041] 3) After the hot water in the hot water chamber 1 of the utility model passes through the heat exchange module 3, a part of it is heated by the second heating module 12 of the diversion pipe 7 and then returns to the hot water chamber 1, so that the hot water in the hot water chamber 1 can maintain a stable temperature while the amount of hot water decreases slowly, and can perform heat exchange with the cold water in the cold water pipe 4 for a long time, which not only has a high hot water utilization rate but also meets the user's long-term water use needs.

[0042] Through the above description, the simplest structure of the running water electric water heater of the utility model is: the hot water chamber 1 is nearly full of water, the interface between the hot water pipe 6 and the hot water chamber 1 is located at the upper part of the hot water chamber 1, the heat exchange module 3 is located below the interface (the "below" is not "directly below", but also includes "diagonally below"), the shunt pipe 7 and the return pipe 8 are located below the heat exchange module 3 (similarly, the "below" is not "directly below", but also includes "diagonally below"), the interface between the shunt pipe 7 and the hot water pipe 1 and the return chamber 2 are all located below the heat exchange module 3 (similarly, the "below" is not "directly below", but also includes "diagonally below"). As a result, the flow path of hot water in the hot water chamber 1 can be realized without a valve body or a drive mechanism.

[0043] However, the above structure is only a simple solution and is not recommended in practical applications. This is because the hot water chamber 1 cannot store water, and the water will flow out while being heated. The amount of hot water that can reach the heat exchange temperature is very small, which can only meet the user's water requirements for a short time, and the stability of the hot water temperature in the hot water chamber 1 cannot be guaranteed, and the hot water utilization rate is extremely low.

[0044] Therefore, the running water type electric water heater provided by the utility model is also provided with a driving pump 9, a flow regulating valve, a flow sensor, and a temperature sensor. At the same time, the electric water heater also includes a control system, and the flow regulating valve, flow sensor, temperature sensor, first heating module 5, second heating module 12 and driving pump 9 are all electrically connected to the control system.

[0045] Specifically, the hot water pipe 6 is provided with a driving pump 9. In the present utility model, the driving pump 9 is arranged between the hot water chamber 1 and the heat exchange module 3. Of course, the driving pump 9 can also be arranged between the heat exchange module 3 and the return pipe 8. Driven by the driving pump 9, the hot water in the hot water chamber 1 flows out to the hot water pipe 6, and then is divided into two parts after passing through the heat exchange module 3. One part is heated by the second heating module 12 of the diversion pipe 7 and then returns to the hot water chamber 1, and the other part enters the return water chamber 2 through the return pipe 8.

[0046] Of course, the driving pump 9 may not be electrically connected to the control system and may be directly turned on manually by the user, which only increases the user's workload and makes the steps more complicated when using water.

[0047] The hot water pipe 6, the shunt pipe 7, the return pipe 8 and the outlet pipe 19 are all provided with flow regulating valves and flow sensors. Specifically, the hot water pipe 6 is provided with a first flow regulating valve 10 and a first flow sensor, the shunt pipe 7 is provided with a second flow regulating valve 13 and a second flow sensor, the return pipe 8 is provided with a third flow regulating valve 14 and a third flow sensor, the outlet pipe 19 is provided with a fourth flow regulating valve 15 and a fourth flow sensor, and the first flow regulating valve 10, the second flow regulating valve 13, the third flow regulating valve 14, the fourth flow regulating valve 15, the first flow sensor, the second flow sensor, the third flow sensor and the fourth flow sensor are all electrically connected to the control system. Thus, the user can adjust the water outlet flow rate of the hot water chamber 1 through the control system via the first flow regulating valve 10, and transmit the water outlet flow rate of the hot water chamber 1 to the control system via the first flow sensor, adjust the water flow rate flowing through the diversion pipe 7 via the second flow regulating valve 13, and transmit the water flow rate of the diversion pipe 7 to the control system via the second flow sensor, adjust the water flow rate entering the return pipe 8 via the third flow regulating valve 14, and transmit the water flow rate of the return pipe 8 to the control system via the third flow sensor, and adjust the water flow rate of the water outlet pipe 19 via the fourth flow regulating valve 15, indirectly adjust the water flow rate of the cold water pipe 4, and transmit the water flow rates of the cold water pipe 4 and the water outlet pipe 19 to the control system via the fourth flow sensor, so as to achieve the purpose that the water outlet of the water outlet pipe 19 meets the user's needs and the water temperature heated by the second heating module 12 meets the needs of the hot water chamber 1.

[0048] In one embodiment, the first flow regulating valve 10, the second flow regulating valve 13, the third flow regulating valve 14 and the fourth flow regulating valve 15 may not be electrically connected to the control system. According to the data fed back to the control system by the first flow sensor, the second flow sensor, the third flow sensor and the fourth flow sensor, the water flow rate of the hot water chamber 1, the water flow rate of the diversion pipe 7, the water flow rate of the return pipe 8 and the water flow rate of the outlet pipe 19 are directly adjusted manually by the user to meet the user's usage requirements. However, it has the disadvantages of long adjustment time and slow speed.

[0049] In another embodiment, the first flow regulating valve 10, the second flow regulating valve 13, the third flow regulating valve 14 and the fourth flow regulating valve 15 may not be electrically connected to the control system, and the first flow sensor, the second flow sensor, the third flow sensor and the fourth flow sensor are not provided. The user manually adjusts the water flow rate of the hot water chamber 1, the water flow rate of the diversion pipe 7, the water flow rate of the return pipe 8 and the water flow rate of the outlet pipe 19 by groping to meet the user's usage requirements, which has the disadvantages of long adjustment time, slow speed and poor accuracy.

[0050] The hot water chamber 1, the water outlet pipe 19, and the shunt pipe 7 are all provided with temperature sensors. Specifically, the hot water chamber 1 is provided with a first temperature sensor, the water outlet pipe 19 is provided with a second temperature sensor, and the shunt pipe 7 is provided with a third temperature sensor. The first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, and the third temperature sensor are all electrically connected to the control system. Therefore, after the user sets the water flow rate, temperature, and other requirements, the control system controls the first heating module 5 to heat the water in the hot water chamber 1 to a specified temperature, and the first temperature sensor feeds back the water temperature in the hot water chamber 1 to the control system, so as to continuously monitor the water temperature in the hot water chamber 1 for a long time. The control system allocates the water ratio and water flow rate of the shunt pipe 7 and the return pipe 8 according to the performance of the second heating module 12, and controls the second heating module 12 to heat the water in the shunt pipe 7 to the water temperature required by the hot water chamber 1, and at the same time, the third temperature sensor feeds back the water temperature of the shunt pipe 7 to the control system. The second temperature sensor can feed back the water temperature of the water outlet pipe 19 to the control system, so that the control system can determine whether the outlet water temperature of the water outlet pipe 19 meets the user's needs. If it does not meet the needs, the control system will coordinately adjust the water temperature of the hot water chamber 1, the flow rate of the hot water pipe 6, and the flow rate of the water outlet pipe 19. These program adjustments are all programmed and designed by software engineers, and are automatically completed by the control system alone. The user only needs to set the outlet water temperature of the water outlet pipe 19, which is simple and efficient.

[0051] In addition, water level sensors may be provided in the hot water chamber 1 and the return water chamber 2 of the utility model, and the water level sensors are electrically connected to the control system.

[0052] Specifically, a first water level sensor is provided in the hot water chamber 1, so as to feed back the water level in the hot water chamber 1 to the control system in real time through the first water level sensor. When the water level in the hot water chamber 1 is low, the control system can timely add water to the hot water chamber 1 through the timely feedback of the first water level sensor, and when adding water to the hot water chamber 1, the first water level sensor can transmit the water level data in the hot water chamber 1 to the control system in real time to prevent the hot water chamber 1 from being overfilled or overflowing. It can be seen that the hot water chamber 1 can be connected to external cold water through the water supply pipe 17 to facilitate the water supply to the hot water chamber 1.

[0053] A second water level sensor is provided in the water return chamber 2 to feed back the water level in the water return chamber 2 to the control system in real time through the second water level sensor. When the water level in the water return chamber 2 is too high, the second water level sensor can feed back the information to the control system in time to avoid inputting water into the water return chamber 2 to prevent water overflow.

[0054] Through the above description, a possible structure of the running water electric water heater of the utility model is: the positions of the hot water chamber 1 and the return water chamber 2 are not limited, and they can be two separate chambers, or a large chamber can be divided into two chambers. In order to facilitate the flow of water, the hot water pipe 6 is generally designed at the lower part of the hot water chamber 1, or even the bottom, and the heat exchange module 3 is designed below the hot water chamber 1 (the "below" is not "directly below", but also includes "obliquely below"). The return water pipe 8 can be designed at the bottom, lower part or upper part of the return water chamber 2, and it is generally recommended to be designed at the bottom or lower part of the return water chamber 2. The outlet of the diverter pipe 7 is generally located at the upper part of the hot water chamber 1. The hot water flowing into the hot water chamber 1 needs a period of time to mix before it can reach the bottom of the hot water chamber 1, which basically does not affect the water outlet temperature at the bottom of the hot water chamber 1. This can avoid the influence of the hot water temperature of the diverter pipe 7 on the water outlet temperature of the hot water chamber 1.

[0055] According to the structure of the hot water chamber 1 and the return water chamber 2 stated above, preferably, the hot water chamber 1 and the return water chamber 2 are simultaneously arranged in a large chamber to save space. However, this structure needs to ensure that there is no heat transfer between the hot water chamber 1 and the return water chamber 2, so as to prevent the heat of the hot water chamber 1 from being transferred to the return water chamber 2 and affecting the outlet water temperature of the hot water chamber 1. Therefore, the hot water chamber 1 and the return water chamber 2 can be arranged at intervals or close to each other, but an insulating material is arranged between the hot water chamber 1 and the return water chamber 2. Specifically, the insulating material can be selected from materials commonly used in water heaters on the market, which is a prior art and is not described in detail here.

[0056] On the basis of the above structure, the water replenishment of the hot water chamber 1 can be directly connected to the external cold water through the water replenishment pipe 17. Alternatively, since a part of the hot water with residual temperature enters the return water chamber 2 after the outlet water of the hot water chamber 1 passes through the heat exchange module 3, the hot water with residual temperature in the return water chamber 2 can be led back to the hot water chamber 1 when the hot water chamber 1 is short of water or the water level of the return water chamber 2 is too high. Note that the user needs to stop using water at this time to avoid affecting the outlet water temperature of the hot water chamber 1.

[0057] Furthermore, the water diversion from the return water chamber 2 to the hot water chamber 1 can be realized through a single pipeline and a driving pump 9. Preferably, the driving pump 9 of the hot water pipe 6 of the utility model is a bidirectional pump that can rotate forward and reverse, and it can make the water in the hot water pipe 6 reciprocate under the control of the control system. When the return water chamber 2 needs to divert water to the hot water chamber 1, the second flow regulating valve of the shunt pipe 7 is closed to make the driving pump 9 move in the reverse direction, so that the water in the return water chamber 2 can be diverted back to the hot water chamber 1. This arrangement not only achieves the highest utilization rate of hot water, but also has a simple structure and is easy to operate.

[0058] On this basis, the outside of the hot water chamber 1 and the return water chamber 2 are both provided with heat insulation materials. On the one hand, the heat insulation materials can prevent the heat loss in the hot water chamber 1 and reduce the energy consumption of the first heating module 5. On the other hand, the heat insulation materials can prevent the heat loss in the return water chamber 2, so that the water temperature in the return water chamber 2 decreases slowly. When the water is led back to the hot water chamber 1, the first heating module 5 can heat it to the required temperature at a lower power, thereby extending the service life of the first heating module 5.

[0059] In addition, since the water entering the water return chamber 2 has residual temperature and is accompanied by steam, the pressure of the water return chamber 2 increases. Therefore, a pressure relief valve 11 is provided at the top of the water return chamber 2, so that the pressure and / or steam in the water return chamber 2 can be discharged.

[0060] Since the discharge of steam will gradually reduce the amount of water in the return water chamber 2, after the water heater has been used for a long time, the amount of water in the return water chamber 2 is not enough for the hot water chamber 1. To solve this problem, the return water chamber 2 is provided with a water supply pipe 17, and the return water chamber 2 is connected to external cold water through the water supply pipe 17. This connection to external cold water can be directly connected to the cold water source through the water supply pipe 17, or it can be connected to the inlet end of the cold water pipe 4 through the water supply pipe 17 to connect to external cold water. Thus, water can be replenished to the return water chamber 2 through the water supply pipe 17 and led back to the hot water chamber 1. Under this structure, the hot water chamber 1 does not need to be provided with a water supply pipe 17. After the external cold water is mixed with the water in the return water chamber 2, it has a certain temperature. After being led back to the hot water chamber 1 for heating, the generation of scale in the hot water chamber 1 can be reduced.

[0061] The water supply pipe 17 can be opened manually by the user to supply water. Preferably, the water supply pipe 17 is provided with a fifth flow regulating valve 16, and the fifth flow regulating valve 16 is electrically connected to the control system. When the water levels of the return water chamber 2 and the hot water chamber 1 are both low, the first water level sensor and the second water level sensor feed back information to the control system, and the control system adjusts to open the fifth flow regulating valve 16 to supply water to the return water chamber 2. When the highest water level set in the return water chamber 2 is reached, the second water level sensor feeds back information to the control system, and the control system closes the fifth flow regulating valve 16 and stops the water supply.

[0062] Preferably, the return water chamber 2 is provided with a fourth heating module 20. When the residual warm water enters the return water chamber 2 through the return water pipe 8 and cold water is added to the return water chamber 2, the water in the return water chamber 2 can be heated to the same temperature as the water in the hot water chamber 1 through the fourth heating module 20. When the amount of water in the hot water chamber 1 is small, the driving pump 9 can be directly reversed to lead the hot water in the return water chamber 2 back to the hot water chamber 1 without stopping the user's water use.

[0063] See also Figure 1 In the utility model, the hot water chamber 1 and the return water chamber 2 are preferably arranged closely. On this basis, the shunt pipe 7 can be directly connected to the hot water chamber 1 without passing through the return water chamber 2. Preferably, the shunt pipe 7 is partially arranged in the return water chamber 2, and the shunt pipe 7 is made of a heat-transferring material. Since the shunt pipe 7 is provided with a second heating module 12, the water in the shunt pipe 7 can be heated, and the shunt pipe 7 is partially arranged in the return water chamber 2, so that the water in the shunt pipe 7 can be heat-exchanged with the water in the return water chamber 2, so that the water temperature in the return water chamber 2 is increased. When the water in the return water chamber 2 is led back to the hot water chamber 1, the heating power of the first heating module 5 can be reduced, and the service life of the first heating module 5 can be further extended. When the fourth heating module 20 is provided in the return water chamber 2, the return water chamber 2 can transfer heat to the shunt pipe 7 to increase the water temperature in the shunt pipe 7, thereby reducing the output power of the second heating module 12.

[0064] Due to the heat exchange between the diverter pipe 7 and the return water chamber 2, when the heat of the diverter pipe 7 is transferred to the return water chamber 2, the temperature of the water in the diverter pipe 7 after heating is slightly reduced. Therefore, the heating temperature of the water in the diverter pipe 7 by the second heating module 12 should be slightly higher than the water temperature in the hot water chamber 1.

[0065] Preferably, the second heating module 12 is disposed in the water return chamber 2 to facilitate heat exchange between the diversion pipe 7 and the water return chamber 2 .

[0066] More preferably, the second heating module 12 is arranged outside the water return chamber 2 and close to the hot water pipe 6, which prolongs the heat exchange time between the shunt pipe 7 and the water return chamber 2, so that the water temperature in the water return chamber 2 is further increased. On this basis, the water temperature in the shunt pipe 7 is greatly reduced, so it is necessary to increase the heating power of the second heating module 12 to increase the water temperature in the shunt pipe 7 before the heat exchange.

[0067] In addition, since the water in the hot water pipe 6 and the water in the cold water pipe 7 are heat exchanged through the heat exchange module 3, theoretically, as long as the hot water pipe 6 and the cold water pipe 7 pass through the heat exchange module 3, heat exchange can be achieved without considering the positions of the hot water pipe 6 and the cold water pipe 7.

[0068] Preferably, the hot water in the hot water pipe 6 and the cold water in the cold water pipe 4 flow through the heat exchange module 3 in parallel, so that the heat exchange area is greatly increased, thereby greatly improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0069] More preferably, on the basis of the above structure, the hot water in the hot water pipe 6 and the cold water in the cold water pipe 4 flow through the heat exchange module 3 in the opposite direction, which not only greatly increases the heat exchange area, but also follows the flow direction of the cold water, which always corresponds to the hot water with the highest temperature, thereby further increasing the temperature of the cold water and further improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0070] It is worth noting that the first flow regulating valve 10, the second flow regulating valve 13, the third flow regulating valve 14 and the fourth flow regulating valve 15 in the utility model are common flow regulating valves on the market. The first flow sensor, the second flow sensor, the third flow sensor and the fourth flow sensor in the utility model are common flow sensors on the market. The first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor and the third temperature sensor in the utility model are all common temperature sensors on the market. The first water level sensor and the second water level sensor of the utility model are all common water level sensors on the market. The driving pump 9 of the utility model is a common water pump on the market. The first heating module 5 and the second heating module 12 are common heaters for common water heaters on the market. That is, the components described in this section are all common components in the field, and those skilled in the art are clearly aware of their structures, functions and methods of use, and will not be illustrated one by one here.

[0071] The heat exchange module 3 of the utility model can be a common plate heat exchanger, fin heat exchanger, etc. on the market. The hot water of the hot water pipe 6 and the cold water of the cold water pipe 4 flow through the heat exchange module 3 for heat exchange. In this case, the cold water pipe 4 and the outlet pipe 19 are two pipes. The heat exchange module 3 can also be a container containing a heat transfer medium. The hot water pipe 6 and the cold water pipe 4 pass through the heat exchange module 3, so that the heat transfer medium covers the hot water pipe 6 and the cold water pipe 4 to achieve heat exchange. In this case, the cold water pipe 4 and the outlet pipe 19 can be one pipe.

[0072] Therefore, the working principle of the optimal solution of the running water type electric water heater of the utility model is:

[0073] 1) Before the electric water heater leaves the factory, software engineers program it to achieve automated operation.

[0074] 2) Before use, the user adjusts the opening of the fifth flow valve 16 through the control system, and adds cold water to the return water chamber 2 through the water supply pipe 17. When the water level reaches the maximum water level defined by the return water chamber 2, the second water level sensor feeds back to the control system, and the control system closes the fifth flow regulating valve 16, and reversely starts the drive pump 9, the opening of the first flow regulating valve 10 and the opening of the third flow regulating valve 14, and introduces the cold water in the return water chamber 2 into the hot water chamber 1. When the first water level sensor detects that the water level in the hot water chamber 1 reaches the maximum water level defined by the hot water chamber 1, the first water level sensor feeds back to the control system, and the control system closes the drive pump 9, the first flow regulating valve 10 and the third flow regulating valve 14. At this time, the second flow regulating valve 13 and the fourth flow regulating valve 15 are closed.

[0075] 3) The user sets the electric water heater, including the temperature and flow of the hot water used by the user. After receiving the user's setting information, the control system performs data analysis and adjusts the heating temperature of the first heating module 5, the heating temperature of the second heating module 12, the opening of the first flow regulating valve 10, the opening of the second flow regulating valve 13, the opening of the third flow regulating valve 14, and the opening of the fourth flow regulating valve 15, so that the outlet water temperature and flow of the outlet pipe 19 meet the user's requirements for user use. In addition, the first flow sensor monitors the flow of the hot water pipe 6 in real time and feeds back to the control system, the second flow sensor monitors the flow of the diverter pipe 7 in real time and feeds back to the control system, the third flow sensor monitors the flow of the return pipe 8 in real time and feeds back to the control system, the fourth flow sensor monitors the flow of the outlet pipe 19 in real time and feeds back to the control system, the first water level sensor monitors the water level of the hot water chamber 1 in real time and feeds back to the control system, and the second water level sensor monitors the water level in the return water chamber 2 in real time and feeds back to the control system.

[0076] 4) After the user finishes using the device, the control system turns off the first heating module 5 , the second heating module 12 , the first flow regulating valve 10 , the second flow regulating valve 13 , the third flow regulating valve 14 , and the fourth flow regulating valve 15 .

[0077] 5) If the first water level sensor reports that the water level in the hot water chamber 1 is too low due to long-term use by the user, the control system reversely starts the drive pump 9 and adjusts the opening of the first flow regulating valve 10 and the opening of the third flow regulating valve 14 to guide the water in the return water chamber 2 back to the hot water chamber 1.

[0078] 6) If the first water level sensor feeds back that the water level in the hot water chamber 1 is too low, and the second water level sensor feeds back that the water level in the return water chamber 2 is too low, the control system reversely starts the drive pump 9, and adjusts the opening of the first flow regulating valve 10, the opening of the third flow regulating valve 14 and the opening of the fifth flow regulating valve, replenishes cold water into the return water chamber 2 and introduces it into the hot water chamber 1 for heating.

[0079] The live water electric water heater of the utility model can realize automatic and visualized live water washing. The hot water used by the user comes directly from the heat exchange of cold water, which avoids scale formation and is clean and hygienic. The hot water utilization rate is high and the water temperature is stable. It can also meet the user's needs for long-term use of hot water and has broad application prospects.

[0080] The technical means disclosed in the solution of the utility model are not limited to the technical means disclosed in the above-mentioned implementation mode, but also include technical solutions composed of any combination of the above technical features. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the utility model, and these improvements and modifications are also regarded as the protection scope of the utility model.

Claims

1. A running water electric water heater, characterized in that: include: A hot water chamber and a cold water pipe, the hot water outlet of the hot water chamber is connected to a hot water pipe, the hot water pipe and the cold water pipe are both connected to a heat exchange module to achieve heat exchange between hot and cold water through the heat exchange module, and the cold water pipe is connected to a water outlet pipe through the heat exchange module; The hot water pipe is connected to the shunt pipe and the return pipe respectively through the heat exchange module, the end of the shunt pipe away from the heat exchange module is connected to the hot water chamber, the end of the return pipe away from the heat exchange module is connected to the return chamber, the hot water chamber is provided with a first heating module, and the shunt pipe is provided with a second heating module.

2. A running water type electric water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hot water in the hot water pipe and the cold water in the cold water pipe flow through the heat exchange module in parallel.

3. A running water type electric water heater according to claim 2, characterized in that: The hot water in the hot water pipe and the cold water in the cold water pipe flow through the heat exchange module in reverse directions.

4. A running water type electric water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that: The diverter pipe portion is arranged in the water return chamber.

5. A running water type electric water heater according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second heating module is arranged outside the water return chamber and close to the hot water pipe; Alternatively, the second heating module is disposed in the water return chamber.

6. A running water type electric water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hot water pipe is provided with a driving pump which can make the water in the hot water pipe flow back and forth in two directions.

7. A running water type electric water heater according to claim 6, characterized in that: The water return chamber is provided with a fourth heating module.

8. A running water type electric water heater according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that: A pressure relief valve is provided at the top of the water return chamber to discharge the steam and / or pressure in the water return chamber.

9. A running water type electric water heater according to claim 8, characterized in that: The hot water chamber and / or the return water chamber are connected to external cold water through a water supply pipe.

10. A running water type electric water heater according to claim 7, characterized in that: The electric water heater also includes a control system. The hot water pipe, the diverter pipe, the return pipe and the outlet pipe are all provided with flow regulating valves and flow sensors. The hot water chamber, the outlet pipe and the diverter pipe are all provided with temperature sensors. The hot water chamber and the return water chamber are both provided with water level sensors. The flow regulating valve, the flow sensor, the temperature sensor, the first heating module, the second heating module, the fourth heating module, the water level sensor and the driving pump are all electrically connected to the control system.