Temperature controller for water heating system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a temperature controller for a water heating system, the system is an accessory of a water temperature control circuit, and the controller comprises a thermocouple interface, a communication circuit configured to receive one or more user inputs from one or more family members or enterprise members through a plurality of user devices, mobile phones or computers or other devices, and a temperature controller. Each device contains a water temperature control software application for communication with the thermostat circuitry, an electronic signal, and the controller includes processing circuitry configured to identify one or more requests from the electronic signal for changing the water temperature within the tank.

Description

[0001] This utility model claims priority to U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 18 / 230,648, filed on August 6, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The utility model belongs to the technical field of temperature control, and in particular relates to a temperature controller for a water heating system. Background Art

[0003] Hot water at home or work is essential for showering, cleaning, cooking, and other daily activities that are essential to daily life. Today, hot water needs are met by tank-type water heating systems, which can maintain heat throughout the day, even though this may not be necessary or desirable. Tank-type water heaters have a control circuit that consists of a thermostat that reads the temperature and activates the burner control when the temperature drops below the thermostat setting. The thermostat can be set manually or by the control circuit, and they can be configured on a timer that changes the setting of the thermostat based on the time of day. The thermostat has a set point temperature and is able to activate a pilot light that ignites the main burner that is configured to heat the tank. Tank-type systems may also have controls that control the amount of water within the tank.

[0004] The problem with current tank-based technologies is that they operate on a fixed schedule and cannot adapt to changing needs, which may change from day to day in a home or business, and existing controllers are poorly adaptable. Summary of the invention

[0005] The utility model provides a temperature controller for a water heating system. The temperature controller for a water heating system has better adaptability.

[0006] A temperature controller for a water heating system, configured to control the water temperature of a water tank, comprising,

[0007] a user interface with a display, through which parameters of a water tank control system for increasing or decreasing the temperature of water in the water tank are displayed;

[0008] a communication circuit for receiving one or more inputs from an electronic computing device capable of communicating via a public or private network and having a water temperature control module installed therein, the water temperature module being capable of sending information via the communication circuit;

[0009] A water tank control circuit, the water tank control circuit is used to increase or decrease the temperature of water in the water tank;

[0010] The communication circuit is further configured to send a notification to a user when a parameter of the water tank control circuit has changed;

[0011] a processing circuit for receiving electronic signals from the communication circuit and the sensor, identifying a request signal from the water temperature control module, and activating a water temperature adjustment to the water tank control circuit, the adjustment being from a preset parameter in a memory or based on communication between a user and an input controller;

[0012] The memory is used to record all users with access rights and store all preset parameters and custom parameters.

[0013] In one embodiment, the electronic computing device includes a smart phone, a tablet computer, a smart watch, a laptop computer, or a desktop computer.

[0014] In one embodiment, when a user communicates with the input controller, the communication may be with unique parameters that may or may not be stored in the memory.

[0015] In one embodiment, the temperature controller includes a first controller, a plug-in module, a power line, and a signal output line.

[0016] The plug-in module is inserted into the first controller and electrically connected thereto, the power line is used to supply power to the first controller and the plug-in module, and the signal of the plug-in module is output through the signal output line.

[0017] The utility model proposes a method that does not require a hot water system to have high heat all day long, and instead introduces a system for heating water. The system can communicate with the thermostat circuit only when needed through a new temperature controller with a user interface or an plug-in module of a temperature controller including a user interface. The system allows family members or corporate employees to change system parameters through mobile phones, computers or other electronic devices, the electronic devices are loaded with correct water temperature control software, and the temperature controller includes a communication module, which guides the water tank control circuit. The technical solution uses a device, system and technology for setting temperature parameters at a remote location to control the water tank control circuit to adjust the water temperature.

[0018] A hot water system in a home typically has a water heater, and a business may have one or more water tanks, boilers, and water sources configured to supply hot water via a piping system to one or more water supply valves in a building.

[0019] The pipe system from the hot water tank may include one or more pipes and one or more water supply valves for household appliances and equipment, which may be a shower, a washbasin, a bathtub, a washing machine or possibly a coffee machine and other such equipment.

[0020] The water tank can supply hot water to a water supply valve such as a shower valve via a pipe system, and the temperature of the water stored in the water tank may affect the temperature of the water leaving one or more water supply valves of the pipe system. For the utility model, its temperature controller receives input to change the set point temperature of the water to be less than the lower limit temperature value or greater than the upper limit temperature value.

[0021] Preferably, the temperature controller of the present invention outputs a control signal in response to receiving an input signal, wherein the control signal indicates that the set point temperature is changed to be less than a lower limit temperature value or greater than an upper limit temperature value, and the user device then displays a notification of attempting to change the set point temperature.

[0022] The temperature controller is configured to control the temperature of water in the water tank, wherein the temperature controller includes a communication module for receiving one or more user input indications to thereby change the water temperature of the water heater. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is the first block diagram of the water heating system described in the embodiment of the utility model;

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a temperature controller with a user interface connected to wires for indicator lights, main controls, and thermocouples;

[0025] Figure 3 is a second block diagram of the water heating system according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a module with additional features in the present invention attached to an existing temperature controller;

[0027] Description of reference numerals:

[0028] 1A. The first user terminal;

[0029] 1B-1M. Multiple user terminals;

[0030] 1N. Nth user terminal;

[0031] 2. Network;

[0032] 3. Water temperature controller;

[0033] 4. Controller;

[0034] 5. Water tank control circuit;

[0035] 6. Indicator light igniter;

[0036] 7. Indicator light;

[0037] 8. Main burner;

[0038] 9. Water heater tank;

[0039] 10. Pipeline system;

[0040] 11. Temperature controller with user interface;

[0041] 12. Lines to indicator light system;

[0042] 13. Wires to main burner controls;

[0043] 14. Thermocouples and wiring;

[0044] 15. Water temperature controller;

[0045] 16. Processing circuit;

[0046] 17. Communication circuit;

[0047] 18. Memory;

[0048] 19. Sensor;

[0049] 20. User interface;

[0050] 21. Display;

[0051] 22. Power cord;

[0052] 23. Existing temperature controller;

[0053] 24. Plug-in module;

[0054] 25.Signal output line. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] The utility model describes a device, system and technology for enabling or disabling the use of a temperature controller to control the set point temperature of water stored in a water tank using a water heating system. In some examples, the temperature controller can be close to the water tank and can include any one or a combination of an analog user interface (e.g., a dial) or a digital interface (e.g., a touch screen), and the above interface is configured to receive a user input indicating an attempt to change the set point temperature. In this embodiment, the temperature controller is configured to communicate with one or more user devices, and the user device may include a mobile phone, a computer or other electronic device, which already has water temperature control software that allows the user to communicate with the temperature controller and display a user interface on the electronic device. The user electronic device (mobile phone, computer or other) can receive a notification of an attempt to change the set point temperature of the water stored in the water tank using a temperature controller close to the water tank.

[0056] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a water heating system for controlling the ability to vary the set point temperature of water stored in a water heater tank 9 using a temperature controller 3 .

[0057] like Figure 1 As shown, the water heating system includes user devices 1A-1N (collectively referred to as "user devices 1"), a network 2 (which may include the Internet, a mobile phone network), and an existing water tank control circuit 5 and a controller 4, which includes an indicator light 6, an indicator light 7, a main burner 8, a water heater tank 9, and a pipe system 10. In some cases, the water temperature controller 3 may be partially located in a building, in any one or more of a group of buildings, near a building or a group of buildings, or any combination thereof. The controller 4 is an existing temperature controller with an add-on module having additional control elements.

[0058] User devices 1A-1N (where 1N is the last user device) can be any suitable communication or computing device, such as a traditional telephone, a landline telephone, or a mobile, non-mobile, wearable and / or non-wearable computing device capable of communicating via network 2; for example: a smartphone, a tablet computer, a smart watch, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or any combination thereof.

[0059] Figure 2 The structure of a temperature controller 11 with a user interface is shown. The user interface and the controller may have a module attached to the components described in this embodiment, or the controller may be a temperature controller with all the features of this embodiment. From the temperature controller 11, a line 12 to the indicator light system, a line 13 to the main burner, and a line 14 to the thermocouple are led out.

[0060] Figure 3 It is shown that in this embodiment, the Figure 1 Block diagram of a water heating system with the controller shown.

[0061] like Figure 3 As shown, the water heating system includes user devices 1A-1N, a communication network 1, a temperature controller 15 and a water tank control circuit 5; the temperature controller 15 includes a processing circuit 16, a memory 18, a communication circuit 17, a sensor 19, a user interface 20 and a display 21. Among them, the temperature controller 15 is a temperature controller with additional features of this embodiment, and the sensor 19 includes a thermocouple.

[0062] Processing circuitry 16 may include one or more processors configured to implement functionality and / or process instructions for execution within temperature controller 15 , for example, processing circuitry 16 may be capable of processing instructions stored in memory 18 .

[0063] The communication circuit 17 may include any suitable hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof for communicating with another device, such as the user device 1A-1N or the water tank control circuit 5. Under the control of the processing circuit 16, the communication circuit 17 may receive downlink telemetry signals from the user device 1A-1N, the water tank control circuit 5, or another device and send uplink telemetry signals to them. The communication circuit 17 may include any combination of Bluetooth, radio, electronic oscillators, frequency modulation circuits, frequency demodulation circuits, amplifier circuits, and power switches, such as metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs), bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), junction field effect transistors (JFETs), or another element that uses voltage or current for control.

[0064] In some examples, processing circuit 16 communicates with sensor 19; sensor 19 may include any one or a combination of a temperature sensor, an accelerometer touch sensor, a motion sensor, or a dial rotation sensor. Sensor 19 may generate a signal corresponding to the operation of one or both of temperature controller 15 or tank control circuit 5.

[0065] In some examples, user interface 20 may include one or more components configured to receive information indicative of one or more user inputs; for example, user interface 20 may include a dial up or down button or a touch screen.

[0066] The display 21 may display information indicating one or more parameter values; such as information about one or more temperature set point values ​​of the water held in the tank. Additionally or alternatively, the display 21 may display information about the current temperature of the water held in the tank. The display 21 of the temperature controller 15 may be an output device using any one or more display devices, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a dot matrix display, a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, electronic ink, or a similar monochrome or color display capable of outputting visible information to a user.

[0067] The memory 18 may be configured to store data of one or more control parameter values ​​of the system. For example, the one or more control parameter values ​​may include one or more temperature set point values ​​of water stored in the water tank.

[0068] Figure 41 is a basic flow chart showing an insert module 24 having the features of the present embodiment and located behind an existing temperature controller 23. In some cases, the insert module 24 will be located in front of the existing temperature controller, with a power line 22 entering the existing temperature controller 23 and a signal output line 25 from the insert module 24. The insert module 24 sends or receives signals to the indicator light 5, the indicator light 7, the main burner 8, the thermocouple and other sensing devices.

[0069] The solution of this embodiment is that the water temperature controller can be remotely adjusted through one or more mobile phones and one or more computer monitors, which can be at home, business or remote location. The key to this embodiment is that the intelligent temperature controller already exists, and the communication module and power controller can be easily added to the system.

[0070] The above embodiments are not exhaustive enumerations based on the present invention, and there may be multiple other implementations not listed. Any replacement and improvement made without violating the concept of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A temperature controller for a water heating system, characterized in that: A device configured to control the water temperature of a water tank, comprising, a user interface with a display, through which parameters of a water tank control system for increasing or decreasing the temperature of water in the water tank are displayed; a communication circuit for receiving one or more inputs from an electronic computing device capable of communicating via a public or private network and having a water temperature control module installed therein, the water temperature module being capable of sending information via the communication circuit; A water tank control circuit, the water tank control circuit is used to increase or decrease the temperature of water in the water tank; The communication circuit is further configured to send a notification to a user when a parameter of the water tank control circuit has changed; a processing circuit for receiving electronic signals from the communication circuit and the sensor, identifying a request signal from the water temperature control module, and activating a water temperature adjustment to the water tank control circuit, the adjustment being from a preset parameter in a memory or based on communication between a user and an input controller; The memory is used to record all users with access rights and store all preset parameters and custom parameters.

2. The temperature controller for a water heating system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electronic computing device includes a smartphone, tablet computer, smart watch, laptop computer or desktop computer.

3. The temperature controller for a water heating system according to claim 1, characterized in that: When a user communicates with the input controller, the communication may be with unique parameters that may or may not be stored in memory.

4. The temperature controller for a water heating system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature controller includes a first controller, a plug-in module, a power line, and a signal output line. The plug-in module is inserted into the first controller and electrically connected thereto, the power line is used to supply power to the first controller and the plug-in module, and the signal of the plug-in module is output through the signal output line.

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