Water tank and heat pump water heater

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model provides a water tank and a heat pump water heater, the water tank comprises an inner container, a protection assembly and an electric heating piece, the protection assembly is provided with an electric heating installation space, the protection assembly is arranged on the outer wall of the inner container, a heating part of the electric heating piece and a wiring part, the heating part extends into the inner container, and the wiring part is located in the electric heating installation space. The water tank provided by the embodiment of the utility model can better prevent the wiring part of the electric heating element from generating condensation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of water heaters, and in particular to a water tank and a heat pump water heater. Background Art

[0002] In the related art, some heat pump water heaters are equipped with electric heating elements for auxiliary heating. The electric heating element generally has a heating part arranged in the inner tank of the heat pump water heater, and a connection terminal is arranged on the outer surface of the inner tank for connection.

[0003] However, when the heat pump water heater is not in operation for a long time, the water temperature inside the water tank decreases. Since the heating part of the electric heating element is in direct contact with the water inside the water tank, the temperature of the wiring terminals on the outer surface of the inner tank is also close to the water temperature inside the water tank. If the external environment is hot and humid, the temperature difference between the wiring terminals and the external environment will cause condensation at the wiring terminals, which makes the heat pump water heater prone to short circuits and abnormal machine faults, and there is also a certain risk of electric shock. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the embodiments of the present application hope to provide a water tank and a heat pump water heater that can better prevent the generation of condensation.

[0005] To achieve the above object, an embodiment of the present application provides a water tank, comprising:

[0006] Liner;

[0007] A protection component having an electric heating installation space, wherein the protection component is arranged on the outer wall of the inner tank;

[0008] The electric heating element comprises a heating portion and a wiring portion, wherein the heating portion extends into the inner container and the wiring portion is located in the electric heating installation space.

[0009] In one embodiment, the protective component includes a protective cover and an insulation layer having a hollow area, and the protective cover is arranged on the side of the insulation layer away from the inner liner, and the protective cover covers the hollow area so that the hollow area forms at least a part of the electric heating installation space.

[0010] In one embodiment, an assembly groove is provided on a side of the thermal insulation layer facing away from the inner tank, the assembly groove surrounds the circumference of the electric heating installation space, and the protective cover is inserted into the assembly groove.

[0011] In one embodiment, the water tank further includes a fastener and a connector arranged on the outer wall of the inner tank, the insulation layer is provided with a first socket, the protective cover is provided with a second socket, the connector is inserted into the first socket and the second socket, and a portion of the connector extends to the outside of the second socket and is threadedly connected to the fastener.

[0012] In one embodiment, a wire passage opening communicating with the electric heating installation space is provided on a side of the thermal insulation layer facing away from the inner tank.

[0013] In one embodiment, the water tank includes a thermostat, the insulation layer has a mounting hole, and the thermostat is arranged on the outer wall of the inner tank and is located in the mounting hole.

[0014] In one embodiment, the protective component includes a buffer layer having an escape opening, the buffer layer is arranged on a side of the thermal insulation layer away from the inner liner, and the escape opening avoids the protective cover and the mounting hole.

[0015] Another embodiment of the present application provides a heat pump water heater, comprising a first temperature measuring element, a second temperature measuring element, a controller and the water tank described above, wherein the first temperature measuring element is used to detect the ambient temperature of the electric heating installation space, the second temperature measuring element is used to detect the water temperature in the inner tank, and the controller is respectively connected to the first temperature measuring element, the second temperature measuring element and the electric heating element by signal to control the electric heating element to turn on according to the detection results of the first temperature measuring element and the second temperature measuring element.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first temperature measuring element is disposed in the electric heating installation space.

[0017] In one embodiment, the protective component includes a protective cover having an installation cavity and an insulation layer having a hollow area. The protective cover is arranged on the side of the insulation layer away from the inner liner, the protective cover covers the hollow area, and the installation cavity and the hollow area together form the electric heating installation space, and the first temperature measuring element is arranged in the installation cavity.

[0018] In one embodiment, the protection assembly further includes a buckle disposed on the protection cover and located in the installation cavity, and the temperature sensing end of the first temperature measuring element is buckled with the buckle.

[0019] In one embodiment, the heat pump water heater further includes an external unit, and the first temperature measuring element is disposed in the external unit.

[0020] In one embodiment, the second temperature measuring element is disposed close to the bottom of the inner container.

[0021] The embodiment of the present application provides a water tank and a heat pump water heater, wherein the water tank is provided with an electric heating installation space and the temperature of the electric heating installation space is detected by a first temperature measuring element, and then the wiring part of the electric heating element is arranged in the electric heating installation space to isolate the environment around the wiring part from the external environment as much as possible, thereby enabling the humidity change near the wiring part to be kept within a controllable range, and then the real-time dew point temperature can be calculated using the maximum change value of the humidity and the temperature detection result of the electric heating installation space, and at the same time, the temperature of the electric heating element can be determined by detecting the water temperature in the inner tank by a second temperature measuring element. When the controller determines that the temperature of the electric heating element drops to the calculated dew point temperature or below the dew point temperature according to the detection result of the second temperature measuring element, the electric heating element can be controlled to start preheating, thereby better preventing condensation from occurring at the wiring part, and then improving the reliability of the heat pump water heater. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 A partial structural schematic diagram of a heat pump water heater according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the structure of the protective component shown is hidden behind the protective cover;

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the connection structure between the protective cover and the first temperature measuring element is shown.

[0025] Description of Reference Numerals

[0026] 100, water tank; 10, liner; 20, protective component; 20a, electric heating installation space; 21, insulation layer; 21a, hollow area; 21b, assembly sink; 21c, first plug hole; 21d, wire port; 21e, installation hole; 22, protective cover; 22a, second plug hole; 22b, installation cavity; 23, buckle; 30, electric heating element; 31, wiring part; 40, connector; 50, thermostat; 60, buffer layer; 60a, avoidance port; 200, first temperature measuring element; 300, second temperature measuring element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The present application embodiment provides a water tank 100, see Figure 1 The water tank 100 includes an inner tank 10, a protective component 20 and an electric heating element 30.

[0028] The protection assembly 20 has an electric heating installation space 20a, and the protection assembly 20 is arranged on the outer wall of the inner pot 10, that is, the protection assembly 20 is located on the outer surface of the inner pot 10. The electric heating element 30 includes a heating portion and a wiring portion 31, the heating portion extends into the inner pot 10, and the wiring portion 31 is located in the electric heating installation space 20a.

[0029] The inner pot 10 is a water storage component of the water tank 100, and the electric heating element 30 is mainly used to auxiliary heat the water in the inner pot 10. The electric heating element 30 includes but is not limited to an electric heating tube.

[0030] The heating portion of the electric heating element 30 extends into the inner pot 10 to heat the water stored in the inner pot 10 . The electric heating element 30 is connected to the power supply circuit through the wiring portion 31 .

[0031] The electric heating installation space 20a is a space for accommodating the wiring portion 31, that is, the wiring portion 31 is located in a relatively closed space.

[0032] The electric heating element 30 has good thermal conductivity, so the temperature of the electric heating element 30 when not in operation is close to the water temperature in the inner tank 10. If the heat pump water heater is not in operation for a long time, the water temperature in the inner tank 10 will drop, and the temperature of the connection part 31 will also drop along with the water temperature. When the external environment is in a state of high temperature and high humidity, the temperature difference between the electric heating element 30 and the external environment will cause condensation to form on the connection part 31.

[0033] Another embodiment of the present application provides a heat pump water heater. Figures 1 to 3 The heat pump water heater includes a first temperature measuring element 200, a second temperature measuring element 300, a controller and a water tank 100 provided in any embodiment of the present application.

[0034] The first temperature measuring element 200 is used to detect the ambient temperature of the electric heating installation space 20a, and the second temperature measuring element 300 is used to detect the water temperature in the inner pot 10. The controller is respectively connected to the first temperature measuring element 200, the second temperature measuring element 300 and the electric heating element 30 for signal connection to control the electric heating element 30 to turn on according to the detection results of the first temperature measuring element 200 and the second temperature measuring element 30.

[0035] Specifically, whether condensation occurs at the connection portion 31 can be determined based on the dew point temperature. The dew point temperature is the temperature at which the air is cooled to saturation when the water vapor content in the air remains unchanged and the air pressure remains constant. In fact, it is the temperature at which water vapor and water reach a state of equilibrium. When the temperature of the electric heating element 30 drops to the dew point temperature or below the dew point temperature, the water vapor around the connection portion 31 meets the condition of being liquefied into water when cooled, thereby causing condensation to occur at the connection portion 31 of the electric heating element 30.

[0036] Therefore, in order to avoid condensation at the connection part 31 as much as possible, the temperature of the electric heating element 30 needs to be greater than the dew point temperature. Among them, since the temperature of the electric heating element 30 when not in operation is close to the water temperature in the inner pot 10, the second temperature measuring element 300 can be used to detect the water temperature in the inner pot 10 to indirectly obtain the temperature of the electric heating element 30. When the controller determines that the temperature of the electric heating element 30 drops to the dew point temperature or below the dew point temperature according to the detection result of the second temperature measuring element 300, the controller can control the electric heating element 30 to turn on, so as to avoid condensation at the connection part 31 as much as possible by heating the electric heating element 30 to increase the temperature.

[0037] The main function of the electric heating installation space 20a is to isolate the environment around the wiring part 31 from the external environment as much as possible, so that the environment around the wiring part 31 is not affected by the humidity of the external environment as much as possible, so that the humidity change near the wiring part 31 can be kept within a controllable range, and then the real-time dew point temperature can be calculated using the maximum change value of the humidity in the electric heating installation space 20a and the detection result of the first temperature measuring element 200.

[0038] Specifically, before the heat pump water heater leaves the factory, the relative humidity value RH inside the electric heating installation space 20a can be determined according to the humidity of the production environment at that time, and the relative humidity value RH is added to the maximum change value ΔRH of the humidity in the electric heating installation space 20a (i.e. RH+ΔRH) to obtain the maximum value of the relative humidity of the electric heating installation space 20a. Then, the following formula can be used to determine the real-time dew point temperature of the electric heating element 30:

[0039] T 露 =(237.7×(ln((RH+ΔRH) / 100)+((17.27×TK) / (237.7+TK)))) /

[0040] (17.27-(ln((RH+ΔRH) / 100)+((17.27×TK) / (237.7+TK))))

[0041] Among them, T 露 is the dew point temperature, and TK is the ambient temperature of the electric heating installation space 20a detected by the first temperature measuring element 200.

[0042] That is to say, the water tank 100 of the embodiment of the present application can isolate the environment around the wiring part 31 from the external environment as much as possible by providing a protective component 20 with an electric heating installation space 20a, and providing the wiring part 31 of the electric heating element 30 in the electric heating installation space 20a. Therefore, the humidity in the electric heating installation space 20a can be controlled within an appropriate range to determine the maximum change value of the humidity in the electric heating installation space 20a. The maximum change value of the humidity is added to the relative humidity value RH in the electric heating installation space 20a determined before the heat pump water heater leaves the factory, so as to obtain the maximum value of the relative humidity of the electric heating installation space 20a. The maximum value of the relative humidity is combined with the ambient temperature TK of the electric heating installation space 20a detected by the first temperature measuring element 200, so as to calculate the real-time dew point temperature. At the same time, the water temperature in the inner tank 10 is detected by the second temperature measuring element 300, so as to determine the temperature of the electric heating element 30. When the controller determines that the temperature of the electric heating element 30 drops to the calculated dew point temperature or below the dew point temperature based on the detection result of the second temperature measuring element 300, the electric heating element 30 can be controlled to start preheating, thereby better preventing condensation from occurring at the wiring portion 31, thereby improving the reliability of the heat pump water heater.

[0043] In addition, according to design requirements, a reserved margin can be added to the maximum change value ΔRH to appropriately increase the calculated value of the dew point temperature so that the electric heating element 30 can be turned on in advance before the actual dew point temperature is reached, so as to prevent various calculation errors in actual situations from causing delays in the start-up timing of the electric heating element 30, thereby better avoiding condensation at the wiring portion 31.

[0044] In one embodiment, the first temperature measuring element 200 may be disposed in the electric heating installation space 20 a to more accurately detect the internal temperature of the electric heating installation space 20 a .

[0045] In other embodiments, the first temperature measuring element 200 can also be set in the external unit of the heat pump water heater. When the first temperature measuring element 200 is set in the external unit, the first temperature measuring element 200 detects the external ambient temperature, that is, the ambient temperature around the electric heating element 30 is replaced by the external ambient temperature.

[0046] When the external environment heats up, the external ambient temperature is generally greater than the ambient temperature around the electric heating element 30. Therefore, this detection method will cause the measured value of the ambient temperature around the electric heating element 30 to be larger than the actual value, and the calculated value of the dew point temperature will increase accordingly. The electric heating element 30 will respond in advance before the actual dew point temperature is reached, thereby achieving a better anti-condensation effect.

[0047] In one embodiment, the second temperature measuring element 300 can be set close to the bottom of the inner tank 10. The water temperature at the bottom of the inner tank 10 is the lowest. When the second temperature measuring element 300 is set close to the bottom of the inner tank 10, the detected temperature of the electric heating element 30 is lower than the actual temperature. The electric heating element 30 will respond in advance before the temperature drops to the dew point, thereby achieving an anti-condensation effect.

[0048] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The protective component 20 includes a protective cover 22 and an insulation layer 21 having a hollow area 21a. The protective cover 22 is arranged on the side of the insulation layer 21 away from the inner liner 10. The protective cover 22 blocks the hollow area 21a so that the hollow area 21a forms at least a part of the electric heating installation space 20a.

[0049] The main function of the heat-insulating layer 21 is to keep the water in the inner liner 10 warm. The heat-insulating layer 21 can be made of heat-insulating materials such as heat-insulating foam.

[0050] The hollow area 21a on the insulation layer 21 can be used as the electric heating installation space 20a, which is equivalent to the hollow area 21a being the electric heating installation space 20a. The hollow area 21a can also be just a part of the electric heating installation space 20a, which is equivalent to the hollow area 21a and other areas together forming the electric heating installation space 20a.

[0051] The main function of the protective cover 22 is to close the hollow area 21a as much as possible to improve the isolation between the electric heating installation space 20a and the external environment, so that the humidity of the electric heating installation space 20a can be better maintained within a controllable range. Thereby, the measurement accuracy of the dew point temperature can be improved, and then it can be more accurately determined whether the temperature of the electric heating element 30 drops to the dew point temperature or below the dew point temperature.

[0052] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 An assembly groove 21b can be opened on the side of the insulation layer 21 away from the inner tank 10, and the assembly groove 21b surrounds the peripheral side of the electric heating installation space 20a, and the protective cover 22 is inserted into the assembly groove 21b, that is, the edge of the protective cover 22 is located in the groove 21b, thereby effectively increasing the contact area between the protective cover 22 and the insulation layer 21, improving the sealing of the connection between the protective cover 22 and the insulation layer 21, and further being more conducive to reducing the influence of the humidity of the external environment on the internal humidity of the electric heating installation space 20a.

[0053] In one embodiment, please refer to Figures 1 to 3The water tank 100 also includes a fastener and a connector 40 arranged on the outer wall of the inner tank 10, the insulation layer 21 is provided with a first socket 21c, the protective cover 22 is provided with a second socket 22a, the connector 40 is inserted into the first socket 21c and the second socket 22a, and a part of the connector 40 extends to the outside of the second socket 22a and is threadedly connected to the fastener.

[0054] When installing the protective cover 22, the protective cover 22 can be first inserted into the assembly groove 21b so that the connecting member 40 is inserted into the first hole 21c and the second hole 22a, and then the fastener is threadedly connected to the portion of the connecting member 40 extending out of the second hole 22a.

[0055] Exemplarily, the fastener may be a nut or a screw, and the connecting member 40 is provided with a corresponding external thread or internal thread.

[0056] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 A wire opening 21d connected to the electric heating installation space 20a is provided on the side of the insulation layer 21 away from the inner tank 10. The wiring portion 31 of the electric heating element 30 is connected to the power supply circuit through the wire opening 21d, thereby improving the convenience of wiring the wiring portion 31.

[0057] In one embodiment, please refer to Figures 1 to 3 The protective cover 22 may be provided with an installation cavity 22b. When the protective cover 22 is provided on the side of the thermal insulation layer 21 away from the inner liner 10, the installation cavity 22b and the hollow area 21a together form an electric heating installation space 20a.

[0058] For the first temperature measuring element 200 disposed in the electric heating installation space 20a, the first temperature measuring element 200 may be disposed in the installation cavity 22b.

[0059] Please continue reading Figure 3 The protection component 20 may further include a buckle 23 disposed on the protection cover 22 and located in the installation cavity 22b, and the temperature sensing end of the first temperature measuring element 200 is snapped with the buckle 23, so that the temperature measuring element is installed in the installation cavity 22b through the buckle 23.

[0060] In other embodiments, the first temperature measuring element 200 may also be disposed in the hollow area 21 a.

[0061] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1The water tank 100 includes a thermostat 50. The insulation layer 21 has a mounting hole 21e. The thermostat 50 is disposed on the outer wall of the inner tank 10 and is located in the mounting hole 21e. The main function of the thermostat 50 is to prevent the electric heating element 30 from drying out. The thermostat 50 is electrically connected to the second temperature measuring element 300. The second temperature measuring element 300 transmits the detection data of the internal temperature of the inner tank 10 to the thermostat 50. When the temperature in the inner tank 10 is too high, the thermostat 50 responds to control the electric heating element 30 to turn off.

[0062] Please continue reading Figure 1 and Figure 2 The protection component 20 may be provided with a buffer layer 60 having an escape opening 60a. The buffer layer 60 is provided on a side of the thermal insulation layer 21 away from the inner liner 10. The escape opening 60a avoids the protection cover 22 and the mounting hole 21e.

[0063] The buffer layer 60 is actually located between the outer shell of the water tank 100 and the heat-insulating layer 21 , so as to provide a shock-proof and buffering effect for the inner tank 10 .

[0064] For example, the buffer layer 60 may be a flexible structure such as a sponge, so as to be in closer contact with the outer shell of the water tank 100 .

[0065] In the description of the present application, the description with reference to the terms "in one embodiment", "in some embodiments", "in other embodiments", "in yet other embodiments", or "exemplary" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiments of the present application. In the present application, the schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine the different embodiments or examples described in the present application and the features of the different embodiments or examples without contradiction.

[0066] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application are included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A water tank, characterized in that: include: Liner; A protective component having an electric heating installation space, wherein the protective component is arranged on the outer wall of the inner container; The electric heating element comprises a heating portion and a wiring portion, wherein the heating portion extends into the inner pot, and the wiring portion is located in the electric heating installation space.

2. The water tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protective component includes a protective cover and an insulation layer having a hollow area. The protective cover is arranged on a side of the insulation layer away from the inner tank. The protective cover covers the hollow area so that the hollow area forms at least a part of the electric heating installation space.

3. The water tank according to claim 2, characterized in that: An assembly groove is provided on one side of the heat-insulating layer away from the inner container. The assembly groove surrounds the peripheral side of the electric heating installation space, and the protective cover is inserted into the assembly groove.

4. The water tank according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The water tank also includes a fastener and a connector arranged on the outer wall of the inner tank, the insulation layer is provided with a first socket, the protective cover is provided with a second socket, the connector is inserted into the first socket and the second socket, and a part of the connector extends to the outside of the second socket and is threadedly connected to the fastener.

5. The water tank according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: A wire passage opening communicating with the electric heating installation space is provided on a side of the heat-insulating layer away from the inner container.

6. The water tank according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The water tank comprises a thermostat, the heat-insulating layer has a mounting hole, and the thermostat is arranged on the outer wall of the inner tank and is located in the mounting hole.

7. The water tank according to claim 6, characterized in that The protection component includes a buffer layer with an escape opening, the buffer layer is arranged on a side of the heat-insulating layer away from the inner liner, and the escape opening avoids the protection cover and the mounting hole.

8. A heat pump water heater, characterized in that: The water tank comprises a first temperature measuring element, a second temperature measuring element, a controller and the water tank according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first temperature measuring element is used to detect the ambient temperature of the electric heating installation space, the second temperature measuring element is used to detect the water temperature in the inner tank, and the controller is respectively connected to the first temperature measuring element, the second temperature measuring element and the electric heating element by signal to control the electric heating element to turn on according to the detection results of the first temperature measuring element and the second temperature measuring element.

9. The heat pump water heater according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first temperature measuring element is arranged in the electric heating installation space.

10. The heat pump water heater according to claim 9, characterized in that: The protective component includes a protective cover with an installation cavity and an insulation layer with a hollow area. The protective cover is arranged on the side of the insulation layer away from the inner liner. The protective cover covers the hollow area, and the installation cavity and the hollow area together form the electric heating installation space. The first temperature measuring element is arranged in the installation cavity.

11. The heat pump water heater according to claim 10, characterized in that: The protection assembly also includes a buckle arranged on the protection cover and located in the installation cavity, and the temperature sensing end of the first temperature measuring element is buckled with the buckle.

12. The heat pump water heater according to claim 8, characterized in that: The heat pump water heater further comprises an external unit, and the first temperature measuring element is arranged on the external unit.

13. The heat pump water heater according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that: The second temperature measuring element is disposed close to the bottom of the inner container.

Images