Thermal relay type electric water heater

Abstract

The utility model discloses a relay type electric water heater which is used for relay type main water heaters to conduct mixed temperature rise and heating heat preservation on gradual cooling water, a hot water circulation system is not needed, the temperature of hot water is maintained in a terminal bathroom, and instant hot water output is achieved. The heat relay type electric water heater comprises a shell, a constant-temperature water mixing valve, a first pipeline, a second pipeline and a heating piece. The shell is provided with a containing cavity; the constant-temperature water mixing valve is arranged in the accommodating cavity; the first pipeline and the second pipeline penetrate into the containing cavity. The output end of the first pipeline is communicated to one input end of the constant-temperature water mixing valve, the input end of the second pipeline is communicated to the output end of the constant-temperature water mixing valve, and the other input end of the constant-temperature water mixing valve is communicated to the containing cavity; the part, located in the containing cavity, of the first pipeline is provided with a plurality of water passing openings, and the water passing openings are used for dividing water of the first pipeline into the containing cavity or sucking water from the containing cavity. The heating piece is arranged in the shell and used for heating water.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Existing residences, especially villas, have multiple bathrooms, and large water heaters such as air source water heaters are generally used to supply hot water to each bathroom. Due to the long distance between the bathroom and the water heater, some of the hot water output by the water heater will be stored in the water pipes when the water is not in use and will cool down and become cold, making it impossible to output hot water immediately when the water is needed. At the same time, some hotels also require that hot water can be output immediately when the water terminal (such as faucet, shower, etc.) is turned on.

[0003] To address these issues and meet industry requirements, hot water circulation systems are typically installed in accordance with relevant hot water supply design specifications and in actual construction projects. These systems automatically or periodically control water temperature fluctuations, circulating the gradually cooled hot water in the pipes (hereinafter referred to as "cold water") back to the hot water tank, where it is continuously replaced with hot water that meets temperature requirements. Existing hot water circulation systems have the following drawbacks:

[0004] (I) Two hot water pipes with insulation function are required, which makes pipe laying difficult and the material cost high;

[0005] (II) It requires power devices and control devices such as water pumps, temperature sensors, and electric control boxes. The electrical devices are expensive, have complex control logic, and consume a lot of energy.

[0006] (III) It is necessary to heat the water intermittently, which consumes electricity and heat energy;

[0007] (IV) The final output hot water temperature is not stable enough, resulting in poor user experience.

[0008] For residences without hot water circulation systems, the solution is to drain the gradually cooling water before enjoying hot water during intermittent water use (especially in scenarios where hot water is urgently needed, such as washing hair and taking a bath). This wastes both the user's time and water, and provides a very poor user experience. Alternatively, high-power water heaters that can meet large water flow demands must be installed in individual bathrooms, which requires additional installation costs and consumes a lot of energy.

[0009] In the existing technology, the low-power hot water device that can instantly heat water at the water-using end is limited to the "small kitchen treasure", which has limited water storage capacity and is generally used in kitchen water use scenarios. Moreover, since hot water cannot be effectively used to replace cold water at the bottom, the power consumption during heating is large, and the power is generally not less than 800W, which cannot be used in bathroom shower scenarios. Utility Model Content

[0010] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a relay electric water heater to solve the problems existing in the prior art. It is used to relay the main water heater to mix, heat and keep the gradually cooling water warm. It does not require a hot water circulation system and can maintain the hot water temperature in the terminal bathroom. It can achieve instant hot water output with relatively low power (generally less than 250W).

[0011] In order to achieve the above objectives, the solution of the present invention is:

[0012] A relay electric water heater comprises a shell, a constant temperature mixing valve, a first pipe, a second pipe and a heating element; the shell has a cavity; the constant temperature mixing valve is arranged in the cavity; the first pipe and the second pipe both penetrate into the cavity; the output end of the first pipe is connected to one input end of the constant temperature mixing valve, the input end of the second pipe is connected to the output end of the constant temperature mixing valve, and the other input end of the constant temperature mixing valve is connected to the cavity; the portion of the first pipe located in the cavity is provided with a plurality of water outlets, the water outlets being used to divert water in the first pipe to the cavity or to draw water from the cavity; the heating element is arranged in the shell and is used to heat water.

[0013] A communicating vessel is installed on the first pipeline, and the communicating vessel includes a communicating shell and a communicating pipe; the water outlet is provided on the surface of the communicating shell; one end of the communicating pipe penetrates into the communicating shell and is provided with a necking; the outlet of the communicating shell and the inlet of the other end of the communicating pipe are connected to the first pipeline; the water outlet is provided on the bottom surface of the communicating shell and is arranged at equal angles around the communicating pipe.

[0014] The relay electric water heater further comprises a temperature sensor arranged in the cavity; the temperature sensor is electrically connected to a single chip microcomputer, and the single chip microcomputer is used to control the opening and closing of the heating element.

[0015] The relay electric water heater also includes a temperature-sensitive diverter valve arranged in the cavity. The temperature-sensitive diverter valve is arranged on the first pipe and is provided with a hot water diverter port that opens and closes according to a preset temperature threshold. The hot water diverter port is connected to the cavity.

[0016] Preferably, the temperature-sensitive diverter valve includes a diverter valve body, a valve stem and a temperature-sensitive component; the diverter valve body is provided with a hot water diverter port, a water inlet and a water outlet, and the water inlet is connected with the hot water diverter port and the water outlet at the same time; the valve stem is arranged in the diverter valve body, and is used to block the connection between the water inlet and one of the hot water diverter port and the water outlet; the temperature-sensitive component is arranged in the diverter valve body and acts on the valve stem, and is used to drive the valve stem through expansion and contraction due to thermal expansion when the temperature changes.

[0017] Preferably, a diverter channel is provided in the diverter valve body; the diverter channel is connected to the water inlet, and its side is connected to the water outlet through a connecting port; the hot water diverter port is located on the side of the diverter channel and is arranged opposite to the connecting port; the valve stem is simultaneously passed through the hot water diverter port and the connecting port, and a diaphragm for sealing the hot water diverter port and the connecting port is respectively provided at both ends; the temperature sensitive component is arranged in the diverter channel.

[0018] Preferably, the valve stem is loosely matched with the inner walls of the hot water diversion port and the connecting port; at least one water flow groove is provided on the circumference of the valve stem; a limit plate is provided on the middle circumference of the valve stem; the temperature-sensitive component is provided between the limit plate and the connecting port, and its two ends are relatively fixed to the inner wall of the diversion channel and the limit plate; the diaphragms at both ends of the valve stem are respectively located at the output ends of the hot water diversion port and the connecting port.

[0019] The relay electric water heater also includes a return pipe, a circulation component and a check valve; the return pipe penetrates the cavity; the circulation component is arranged outside the shell, and includes three connecting ports, which are interconnected in pairs, two of which are respectively connected to the output end of the second pipe and the first end of the return pipe, and the other connecting port is used to connect to the water terminal; the second end of the return pipe is located in the cavity and is equipped with the check valve.

[0020] Preferably, the check valve includes a check valve body, a valve plate and a metal rod; the input end of the check valve body is connected to the return pipe; the valve plate is arranged at the output end of the check valve body, and is used to movably block the output end of the check valve body; one end of the metal rod is fixedly connected to the valve plate, and the other end thereof is movably connected to the check valve body so that the valve plate opens and closes the output end of the check valve body; the periphery of the valve plate is provided with a sleeve movably mounted on the output end of the check valve body, and the circumferential surface of the sleeve is provided with a plurality of water holes.

[0021] Preferably, the circulation part includes two symmetrical elbows, the upper ends of the two elbows are connected as a whole and serve as connection ports connected to the water terminal, and the lower ends of the two elbows serve as connection ports connected to the second pipeline and the return pipeline respectively.

[0022] After adopting the above technical solution, the utility model has the following technical effects:

[0023] The utility model can produce a low-power relay-heating electric water heater, which can be used in terminal bathrooms to relay high-power water heaters in residences and hotels to achieve mixed heating of gradually cooling water and keep it warm when there is no water consumption. It no longer requires a hot water circulation system to meet the user's demand for instant hot water output when using water. It has the following specific advantages:

[0024] ① The housing cavity can ensure a certain amount of hot water storage, which can meet the water needs of washing hands while also meeting the needs of large-scale water use such as washing hair and taking a bath. When using water, the first pipe is continuously replenished, and the actual water supply is relatively large;

[0025] ② The water in the first pipe is gradually cooled water from various high-power water heaters and has a certain temperature. When the gradually cooled water enters the chamber, it is first mixed and heated. The heating element only needs to run intermittently at a low power to heat it to maintain the water temperature in the chamber, thereby controlling the energy consumption of the entire relay electric water heater at a low level and reducing electricity costs. In actual application scenarios, the power of the heating element can be controlled below 250W.

[0026] ③ The hot water in the chamber is mixed with the gradually cooling water in the first pipe through the thermostatic mixing valve and then output, which can stably control the output water temperature. For example, the temperature of the hand washing function is set at around 35°C, and the temperature of the shower function is set at around 45°C;

[0027] ④ The shell can be designed as a fully enclosed structure, with only the first and second pipes connected to the outside world. No organic material seals are required, and all parts of the relay electric water heater can be made of metal materials, which has a long service life. The thermostatic mixing valve is located inside the cavity, without pressure difference, and has stable operation, high durability and long service life.

[0028] ⑤ Compared with the high-power water heaters that output hot water to each bathroom, the relay electric water heater of the utility model can be directly installed below the washbasin in the terminal bathroom due to its low cost and small size, so that the output end of the second pipe is directly connected to the water terminal, and there is almost no heat energy loss caused by pipeline transportation in the middle, ensuring that the hot water of the corresponding temperature output by the constant temperature mixing valve is directly delivered to the water terminal for use, so that users can immediately enjoy the set temperature hot water, and the user experience is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the first embodiment of the utility model;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a communicating vessel according to the first embodiment of the present utility model;

[0031] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the second embodiment of the present utility model;

[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the waterway status of the temperature-sensitive diverter valve in the second embodiment of the utility model. Figure 1 ;

[0033] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the waterway status of the temperature-sensitive diverter valve in the second embodiment of the utility model. Figure 2 ;

[0034] Figure 6 for Figure 4 Cross-sectional view in the AA direction;

[0035] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the third embodiment of the present utility model;

[0036] Figure 8 The structure of the check valve of the third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 1 ;

[0037] Figure 9 The structure of the check valve of the third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 2 ( Figure 7 Cross-section in the middle BB direction);

[0038] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the fourth embodiment of the present utility model;

[0039] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the phase change ball structure of the fourth embodiment of the present utility model;

[0040] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the fifth embodiment of the present utility model;

[0041] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0042] 1-shell; 1a-liner; 1b-outer shell; 1c-insulation layer; 11-cavity;

[0043] 2-Thermostatic mixing valve;

[0044] 3-First pipeline;

[0045] 4- Second pipeline;

[0046] 5- heating element;

[0047] 6-magnesium rod;

[0048] 7- Temperature sensor;

[0049] 8 - Temperature-sensitive diverter valve; 81 - Diverter valve body; 811 - Hot water diverter port; 812 - Water inlet; 813 - Water outlet; 814 - Diverter channel; 815 - Connecting port; 82 - Valve stem; 821 - Water channel; 83 - Temperature-sensitive component; 84 - Diaphragm; 85 - Limit plate;

[0050] 9-Return pipe;

[0051] 10-circulation part; 10a-elbow; 101-connection port; 102-connection end;

[0052] 20-check valve; 201-check valve body; 2011-thread; 202-valve plate; 2021-sleeve; 2022-water hole; 203-metal rod; 2031-movable hole; 204-latch;

[0053] 30-phase change ball; 301-ball shell; 302-paraffin; 303-sealing cover;

[0054] 40-connecting vessel; 401-connecting shell; 4011-water outlet; 4012-export; 402-connecting pipe; 4021-narrowing; 4022-inlet;

[0055] 50-Microcontroller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] In order to further explain the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below through specific embodiments.

[0057] refer to Figure 1-12 As shown, the utility model discloses a relay type electric water heater, comprising a housing 1, a constant temperature water mixing valve 2, a first pipe 3, a second pipe 4 and a heating element 5;

[0058] The housing 1 has a cavity 11; the thermostatic mixing valve 2 is disposed in the cavity 11; the first pipe 3 and the second pipe 4 both penetrate into the cavity 11;

[0059] The input end of the first pipe 3 is connected to a water source (i.e., a high-power water heater that supplies gradually cooled water), and the output end of the second pipe 4 is connected to a water terminal (such as a faucet, shower, etc.). The output end of the first pipe 3 is connected to one input end of the thermostatic mixing valve 2, and the input end of the second pipe 4 is connected to the output end of the thermostatic mixing valve 2. The other input end of the thermostatic mixing valve 2 is connected to the chamber 11.

[0060] The portion of the first pipe 3 located in the cavity 11 is provided with a plurality of water outlets 4011 , which are used to divert water from the first pipe 3 to the cavity 11 or to draw water from the cavity 11 ;

[0061] The heating element 5 is disposed in the housing 1 and is used to heat water.

[0062] Through the above scheme, the utility model can produce a low-power relay-heating electric water heater, which can be used in terminal bathrooms to relay high-power water heaters in residences and hotels to achieve mixed heating of gradually cooling water and keep it warm when there is no water consumption. It no longer requires a hot water circulation system to meet the user's demand for instant hot water output when using water. Specifically, it has the following advantages:

[0063] ① The cavity 11 of the housing 1 can ensure a certain amount of hot water storage, which can meet the water needs of washing hands while ensuring that it can meet the needs of large-scale water use such as washing hair and taking a bath. When using water, it is continuously replenished by the first pipe 3, and the actual water supply is relatively large;

[0064] ② The water in the first pipe 3 is gradually cooled water from various high-power water heaters and has a certain temperature. When the gradually cooled water enters the chamber 11, it is first mixed and heated. The heating element 5 only needs to operate continuously at a relatively low power to maintain the water temperature in the chamber 11, thereby keeping the energy consumption of the entire relay electric water heater at a low level and reducing electricity costs. In actual application scenarios, the power of the heating element can be controlled below 250W.

[0065] ③ The hot water in the chamber 11 is mixed with the gradually cooling water in the first pipe 3 by the thermostatic mixing valve 2 and then output. The output water temperature can be stably controlled. For example, the temperature of the hand washing function is set at about 35°C and the temperature of the shower function is set at about 45°C.

[0066] ④ The housing 1 can be designed as a fully enclosed structure, with only the first pipe 3 and the second pipe 4 communicating with the outside world. No organic material seals are required, and all components of the relay electric water heater can be made of metal materials, which have a long service life. The thermostatic mixing valve 2 is located inside the cavity 11, without pressure difference, and has stable operation, high durability, and a long service life.

[0067] ⑤ Compared with the high-power water heaters that output hot water to each bathroom, the relay electric water heater of the present invention can be directly installed below the washbasin in the terminal bathroom due to its low cost and small size, so that the output end of the second pipe 4 is directly connected to the water terminal, and there is almost no heat energy loss caused by pipeline transportation in the middle, ensuring that the hot water of the corresponding temperature output by the constant temperature mixing valve 2 is directly delivered to the water terminal for use, so that users can immediately enjoy the hot water of the set temperature, and the user experience is improved.

[0068] See also Figure 1-2 , shows the first embodiment of the utility model.

[0069] In the first embodiment, the housing 1 includes an inner liner 1a, an outer shell 1b, and an insulation layer 1c located between the inner liner 1a and the outer shell 1b. The insulation layer 1c is made of an insulation material to improve the insulation performance of the housing 1 and further reduce energy consumption. The insulation material may be polyurethane foam, ordinary foam, asbestos, etc.

[0070] In the first embodiment, the input end of the first pipe 3 and the output end of the second pipe 4 are both located on the upper surface of the shell 1 , meeting the installation requirement of leading the pipes out from the top of the shell 1 .

[0071] In the first embodiment, the thermostatic mixing valve 2 is a heat-sensitive thermostatic mixing valve, particularly one that utilizes a liquid heat-sensitive material. This thermostatic mixing valve 2 utilizes a heat-sensitive material, resulting in a relatively simple structure and a purely mechanical design that requires no circuitry. This better meets the present invention's requirements for simplified structure, reduced costs, and reduced energy consumption.

[0072] In the first embodiment, the thermostatic mixing valve 2 is located at the upper portion of the chamber 11 to ensure that hot water is input to its other input end. The thermostatic mixing valve 2 can be fixed relative to the inner wall of the chamber 11 via accessories such as a second pipe 4, a bracket, or a rod.

[0073] In the first embodiment, a manifold 40 is mounted on the first pipe 3. The manifold 40 comprises a communication housing 401 and a communication pipe 402. The surface of the communication housing 401 is provided with the aforementioned water inlet 4011. One end of the communication pipe 402 penetrates the communication housing 401 and is provided with a constricted opening 4021. The outlet 4012 of the communication housing 401 and the inlet 4022 at the other end of the communication pipe 402 are connected to the first pipe 3. It will be appreciated that the first pipe 3 is divided into multiple sections, each connected to the outlet 4012 and the inlet 4022.

[0074] In the first embodiment, the heating element 5 is an electric heating wire, and the electric heating wire is located at the bottom of the cavity 11, which has the advantages of simple structure and low cost. Its positive and negative poles can pass through the shell 1 and be connected to the power supply through wires.

[0075] In the first embodiment, a magnesium rod 6 is further provided in the cavity 11 to play an anti-corrosion and protective role, thereby extending the service life of the housing 1 and other metal components.

[0076] In the first embodiment, a temperature sensor 7 is further provided in the cavity 11 for monitoring the water temperature in the cavity 11. The temperature sensor 7 can also be used in combination with the heating element 5. Through programming and circuit design, the power supply to the heating element 5 can be automatically turned on and off. The heating element 5 is only turned on to heat the water when the water temperature in the cavity 11 is lower than a set threshold, eliminating the need for continuous heating and further reducing energy consumption.

[0077] Furthermore, the temperature sensor 7 is arranged opposite to the water outlet 4011 and is mainly used to monitor the temperature of the gradually cooling water diverted from the first pipe 3. When the temperature of the gradually cooling water input into the first pipe 3 meets the use requirements, there is no need to activate the heating element 5 to heat it.

[0078] The working principle of the first embodiment is:

[0079] a. When no water is used, due to the heat preservation performance of the housing 1, the water temperature in the cavity 11 drops very slowly, and the heating element 5 can maintain the water temperature in the cavity 11 by running intermittently at very low power;

[0080] b. When using water, the hot water in the cavity 11 and the gradually cooling water in the first pipe 3 are mixed into warm water (or hot water) of the set temperature through the constant temperature mixing valve 2 and then output through the second pipe 4; at this time, the amount of water in the cavity 11 is reduced and is replenished by the water outlet 4011 on the first pipe 3. The gradually cooling water flowing out of the water outlet 4011 flows to the bottom of the cavity 11, waiting to be heated into hot water by the heating element 5.

[0081] See also Figure 3-6 , shows the second embodiment of the present invention, which is mainly different from the first embodiment in that:

[0082] In the second embodiment, a temperature-sensitive diverter valve 8 is further included, which is arranged in the cavity 11. The temperature-sensitive diverter valve 8 is arranged on the first pipe 3 and is provided with a hot water diverter port 811 that opens and closes according to a preset temperature threshold. The hot water diverter port 811 is connected to the cavity 11. After the temperature-sensitive diverter valve 8 is set: when the first pipe 3 contains gradually cooling water, the hot water diverter port 811 is in a closed state. When the temperature of the gradually cooling water is lower than the preset temperature, it flows directly to the bottom of the cavity 11 and the thermostatic mixing valve 2, thereby replenishing the water in the cavity 11. The water is mixed with the hot water in the cavity 11 through the thermostatic mixing valve 2 and then output. When the gradually cooling water in the first pipe 3 is used up, the hot water output by the high-power main water heater flows inside. At this time, the hot water diverter port 811 of the temperature-sensitive diverter valve 8 is opened, and the hot water is directly replenished into the cavity 11. As described above, by providing the temperature-sensitive diverter valve 8, the gradually cooling water accumulated at the bottom of the chamber 11 can be preferentially consumed when the relay electric water heater is operating, and the hot water output by the high-power main water heater can be used to directly replenish the water loss in the chamber 11, without the need for heating using the heater 5, thereby further reducing the energy consumption of the present invention. When water is used, the thermostatic mixing valve 2 begins to take in water, and the water in the first pipe 3 begins to flow. The constriction 4021 of the connecting pipe 402 can accelerate the outflowing water to flow to the outlet 4012 to flow into the first pipe 3 connected to the thermostatic mixing valve 2. At this time, a negative pressure will be generated around the constriction 4021, thereby sucking the water in the chamber 11 into the connecting vessel 40 to flow into the first pipe 3, ensuring that the water with a slightly lower temperature at the bottom of the chamber 11 is sucked away.

[0083] Furthermore, the above-mentioned water outlet 4011 is arranged on the bottom surface of the connecting shell 401 (that is, the surface facing the bottom of the cavity 11), and is arranged at equal angles around the connecting pipe 402. When the connecting vessel 40 realizes the diversion function, the gradually cooling water in the first pipe 3 can be evenly accumulated at the bottom of the cavity 11, and when the suction function is realized, the gradually cooling water at the bottom of the cavity 11 can be sucked away as much as possible.

[0084] In some embodiments of the temperature-sensitive diverter valve 8, the temperature-sensitive diverter valve 8 is located at the upper part of the cavity 11. When hot water flows into the first pipe 3, the hot water diverter port 811 is opened, and the water flows preferentially to the upper part of the cavity 11, and the water in the lower part of the cavity 11 is squeezed into the water port 4011 to be input into the constant temperature mixing valve 2 through the rear section of the first pipe 3, thereby replacing the cold water in the cavity 11 with hot water, thereby saving the energy consumption of heating the cold water into hot water.

[0085] Furthermore, in the scheme in which a temperature sensor 7 is provided, a single-chip microcomputer 50 (generally provided on the outside of the housing 1) electrically connected to the temperature sensor 7 is also included; the single-chip microcomputer 50 is provided with a delay program for controlling the opening and closing of the heating element 5. When the temperature sensor 7 detects that the water temperature at its surrounding position is lower than the set threshold, a signal is first sent to the single-chip microcomputer 50 for judgment. If the detected temperature is still lower than the threshold after several seconds (such as 10 seconds), the heating element 5 is started; otherwise, the heating element 5 is not started (indicating that the cavity 11 has been replenished with hot water from a high-power water heater and does not need to be heated again). In this way, the temperature-sensitive diverter valve 8 can be used to replace hot and cold water, and then whether to start the heating element 5 is determined according to the situation, thereby further reducing the energy consumption of the present invention and achieving energy-saving effects.

[0086] In some embodiments of the temperature-sensitive diverter valve 8, the temperature-sensitive diverter valve 8 includes a diverter valve body 81, a valve stem 82 and a temperature-sensitive component 83; the diverter valve body 81 is provided with a hot water diverter port 811, a water inlet 812 and a water outlet 813, and the water inlet 812 is connected to the hot water diverter port 811 and the water outlet 813 at the same time; the valve stem 82 is arranged in the diverter valve body 81, and is used to block the connection between the water inlet 812 and one of the hot water diverter port 811 and the water outlet 813; the temperature-sensitive component 83 is arranged in the diverter valve body 81 and acts on the valve stem 82, and is used to drive the valve stem 82 through expansion and contraction due to thermal expansion when the temperature changes.

[0087] Furthermore, a diverter channel 814 is provided within the diverter valve body 81. The diverter channel 814 is connected to the water inlet 812, and its side is connected to the water outlet 813 via the connecting port 815. The hot water diverter port 811 is located on the side of the diverter channel 814 and is arranged opposite the connecting port 815. The valve stem 82 is simultaneously inserted through the hot water diverter port 811 and the connecting port 815, and its two ends are respectively provided with diaphragms 84 for sealing the hot water diverter port 811 and the connecting port 815. The temperature-sensitive component 83 is disposed within the diverter channel 814. Under the action of the temperature-sensitive component 83, the valve stem 82 can move along the axial direction of the hot water diverter port 811 / the connecting port 815, so that the diaphragm 84 at its end blocks one of the hot water diverter port 811 and the connecting port 815, thereby ensuring that the water inlet 812 can only communicate with one of the hot water diverter port 811 and the water outlet 813.

[0088] Secondly, the above-mentioned valve stem 82 is matched with the inner wall clearance of the hot water diversion port 811 and the connecting port 815, that is, the hot water diversion port 811 and the connecting port 815 have the same or extremely similar caliber, and the outer diameter of the valve stem 82 is slightly smaller than the caliber of the two, so that the valve stem 82 can move axially within the two and minimize shaking as much as possible to ensure that the diaphragm 84 can accurately seal the corresponding water outlet; at least one water groove 821 is provided on the circumferential surface of the valve stem 82, and the water groove 821 allows water to flow out of the hot water diversion port 811 or the connecting port 815 when the hot water diversion port 811 or the connecting port 815 is not blocked by the diaphragm 84.

[0089] At the same time, a limit plate 85 is provided on the middle circumference of the above-mentioned valve stem 82; the temperature-sensitive component 83 is arranged between the limit plate 85 and the connecting port 815, and its two ends are relatively fixed to the inner wall of the diversion channel 814 and the limit plate 85; the diaphragms 84 at both ends of the valve stem 82 are respectively located at the output ends of the hot water diversion port 811 and the connecting port 815, so that when the temperature-sensitive component 83 expands due to heat, it will push the valve stem 82 to open the hot water diversion port 811 and close the connecting port 815, that is, when hot water enters the diversion valve body 81, the hot water diversion port 811 is opened, and when gradually cooling water enters, the water outlet 813 is opened.

[0090] In some embodiments of the temperature-sensitive diverter valve 8 , the temperature-sensitive component 83 is a bimetallic disc assembly.

[0091] In some embodiments of the temperature-sensitive diverter valve 8, the water inlet 812 and the water outlet 813 are coaxially arranged to facilitate connection with the front and rear sections of the first pipe 3 without changing the direction of the first pipe 3. Of course, the diverter valve body 81 can also be provided without the water outlet 813, that is, the communication port 815 can be directly connected to the first pipe 3.

[0092] See also Figure 7-9 , shows the third embodiment of the present utility model, which is mainly different from the second embodiment in that:

[0093] In the third embodiment, a return pipe 9, a circulation element 10, and a check valve 20 are also included. The return pipe 9 penetrates the chamber 11. The circulation element 10 is disposed outside the housing 1 and includes three connecting ports 101, each of which is interconnected. Two of the connecting ports 101 are connected to the output end of the second pipe 4 and the first end of the return pipe 9, respectively, and the other connecting port 101 is used to connect to the water terminal. The second end of the return pipe 9 is located within the chamber 11 and is equipped with a check valve 20. By providing the return pipe 9 and the circulation element 10, the temperature of the water within the circulation element 10 is lowered due to heat exchange, becoming lower than the temperature of the water within the chamber 11. This allows the difference in specific gravity between hot and cold water to achieve microcirculation of water between the chamber 11 and the circulation element 10. The greater the temperature difference, the faster the water circulates, thereby maintaining the water temperature at the water inlet end (i.e., the base) of the water terminal connected to the circulation element 10, particularly in severe cold environments.

[0094] Furthermore, the check valve 20 comprises a check valve body 201, a valve plate 202, and a metal rod 203. The input end of the check valve body 201 is connected to the return pipe 9. The valve plate 202 is disposed at the output end of the check valve body 201 and is used to flexibly block the output end of the check valve body 201. One end of the metal rod 203 is fixedly connected to the valve plate 202, and the other end is flexibly connected within the check valve body 201, allowing the valve plate 202 to open and close the output end of the check valve body 201. The metal rod 203 maintains the valve plate 202 in a position near the output end of the check valve body 201. When the water terminal is not using water, the circulation element 10 circulates naturally, and water flows into the return pipe 9. The valve plate 202 is pushed open by its own weight and the water flow. When the water terminal is using water, the circulation stops and water no longer flows into the return pipe 9. The valve plate 202 blocks the output end of the check valve body 201 due to the pressure difference between the chamber 11 and the return pipe 9. In this embodiment, the input end of the above-mentioned check valve body 201 is provided with a thread 2011 (either external thread or internal thread is acceptable, and is designed according to product requirements) for convenient pipeline connection; a movable hole 2031 is provided at one end of the metal rod 203, and a pin 204 is provided in the check valve body 201 for the movable hole 2031 to be sleeved. The length of the movable hole 2031 is sufficient to allow the metal rod 203 to move relative to the pin 204 to drive the valve plate 202 to moveably open and close the output end of the check valve body 201; the periphery of the valve plate 202 is provided with a sleeve 2021 that is movably sleeved on the output end of the check valve body 201, and the circumferential surface of the sleeve 2021 is provided with a plurality of water holes 2022. By designing the sleeve 2021, the movement of the valve plate 202 can be guided and tilted can be prevented, while the water holes 2022 can ensure water flow. When the valve plate 202 is opened, the water in the check valve body 201 can flow out through the water holes 2022.

[0095] Meanwhile, the circulation member 10 is a herringbone-shaped pipe fitting comprising two symmetrical elbows 10a. The upper ends of the two elbows 10a are connected together and serve as a connection port 101 for the water terminal. The lower ends of the two elbows 10a serve as connection ports 101 for the second pipe 4 and the return pipe 9, respectively. In this embodiment, the elbows 10a are made of a thermal insulation material or coated with a thermal insulation material to further enhance thermal insulation and antifreeze properties.

[0096] In addition, the connection ports 101 are all integrally formed with connection ends 102 for easy assembly and disassembly with the pipeline.

[0097] See also Figure 10-11 , shows the fourth embodiment of the present utility model, which is mainly different from the second embodiment in that:

[0098] In the fourth embodiment, a plurality of phase change balls 30 are further included in the chamber 11, which utilize phase change materials to store and release thermal energy. When the heating element 5 is heating or hot water is input into the first pipe 3, a portion of the thermal energy can be stored and released when the water temperature in the chamber 11 decreases to maintain the water temperature in the chamber 11. The provision of the phase change balls 30 can further reduce the energy consumption of the relay electric water heater. In this embodiment, the phase change balls 30 include a spherical shell 301, paraffin 302 disposed in the spherical shell 301, and a sealing cover 303 for movably opening and closing the spherical shell 301.

[0099] See also Figure 12 , shows the fifth embodiment of the present utility model, which is mainly different from the second embodiment in that:

[0100] The input end of the first pipe 3 and the output end of the second pipe 4 are respectively located on the two side surfaces of the housing 1, meeting the installation requirement of leading the pipes from the side of the housing 1. Of course, according to other installation requirements, the input end of the first pipe 3 and the output end of the second pipe 4 can be located on the same side surface of the housing 1.

[0101] Furthermore, it is understood that the second, third, and fourth embodiments are based on the second embodiment and have corresponding additional components added to achieve better technical effects. In other embodiments, one of these additional components (temperature-sensitive diverter valve 8, natural circulation mechanism, phase change ball 30) may be used alone with the first embodiment, or at least two of them may be used in combination with the first embodiment.

[0102] The above embodiments and drawings do not limit the product form and style of the present invention. Any appropriate changes or modifications made by ordinary technicians in the relevant technical field should be deemed to be within the patent scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A relay electric water heater, characterized in that: It includes a shell, a thermostatic water mixing valve, a first pipe, a second pipe and a heating element; The housing has a cavity; the thermostatic mixing valve is arranged in the cavity; the first pipe and the second pipe both penetrate into the cavity; The output end of the first pipe is connected to one input end of the thermostatic water mixing valve, the input end of the second pipe is connected to the output end of the thermostatic water mixing valve, and the other input end of the thermostatic water mixing valve is connected to the cavity; The portion of the first pipe located in the cavity is provided with a plurality of water outlets, the water outlets being used to divert water from the first pipe to the cavity or to draw water from the cavity; The heating element is arranged in the shell and is used for heating water.

2. The relay electric water heater according to claim 1, wherein: A communicating vessel is installed on the first pipeline, and the communicating vessel includes a communicating shell and a communicating pipe; the water outlet is provided on the surface of the communicating shell; one end of the communicating pipe penetrates into the communicating shell and is provided with a necking; the outlet of the communicating shell and the inlet of the other end of the communicating pipe are connected to the first pipeline; the water outlet is provided on the bottom surface of the communicating shell and is arranged at equal angles around the communicating pipe.

3. The relay electric water heater according to claim 1, wherein: It also includes a temperature sensor arranged in the cavity; the temperature sensor is electrically connected to the single-chip microcomputer, and the single-chip microcomputer is used to control the opening and closing of the heating element.

4. The relay electric water heater according to claim 1, wherein: It also includes a temperature-sensitive diverter valve arranged in the cavity, which is arranged on the first pipeline and is provided with a hot water diverter port that opens and closes according to a preset temperature threshold, and the hot water diverter port is connected to the cavity.

5. The relay electric water heater according to claim 4, wherein: The temperature-sensitive diverter valve includes a diverter valve body, a valve stem and a temperature-sensitive component; the diverter valve body is provided with a hot water diverter port, a water inlet and a water outlet, and the water inlet is connected to the hot water diverter port and the water outlet at the same time; the valve stem is arranged in the diverter valve body and is used to block the connection between the water inlet and one of the hot water diverter port and the water outlet; the temperature-sensitive component is arranged in the diverter valve body and acts on the valve stem, and is used to drive the valve stem through expansion and contraction due to thermal expansion when the temperature changes.

6. The relay electric water heater according to claim 5, wherein: A diversion channel is provided in the diversion valve body; the diversion channel is connected to the water inlet, and its side is connected to the water outlet through a connecting port; the hot water diversion port is located on the side of the diversion channel and is arranged opposite to the connecting port; the valve stem is simultaneously passed through the hot water diversion port and the connecting port, and a diaphragm for sealing the hot water diversion port and the connecting port is respectively provided at both ends; the temperature sensitive component is arranged in the diversion channel.

7. The relay electric water heater according to claim 6, wherein: The valve stem is loosely fitted with the inner walls of the hot water diversion port and the connecting port; at least one water flow groove is provided on the circumference of the valve stem; a limit plate is provided on the middle circumference of the valve stem; the temperature-sensitive component is provided between the limit plate and the connecting port, and its two ends are relatively fixed to the inner wall of the diversion channel and the limit plate; the diaphragms at both ends of the valve stem are respectively located at the output ends of the hot water diversion port and the connecting port.

8. The relay electric water heater according to claim 1, wherein: It also includes a return pipe, a circulation part and a check valve; the return pipe penetrates the cavity; the circulation part is arranged outside the shell, and includes three connecting ports, which are interconnected in pairs, two of which are respectively connected to the output end of the second pipe and the first end of the return pipe, and the other connecting port is used to connect to the water terminal; the second end of the return pipe is located in the cavity and is equipped with the check valve.

9. The relay electric water heater according to claim 8, wherein: The check valve includes a check valve body, a valve plate and a metal rod; the input end of the check valve body is connected to the return pipe; the valve plate is arranged at the output end of the check valve body, and is used to movably block the output end of the check valve body; one end of the metal rod is fixedly connected to the valve plate, and the other end thereof is movably connected to the check valve body so that the valve plate opens and closes the output end of the check valve body; the periphery of the valve plate is provided with a sleeve movably mounted on the output end of the check valve body, and the circumferential surface of the sleeve is provided with a plurality of water holes.

10. The relay electric water heater according to claim 8, wherein: The circulation part includes two symmetrical elbows, the upper ends of the two elbows are connected as a whole and serve as a connection port connected to the water terminal, and the lower ends of the two elbows serve as connection ports connected to the second pipeline and the return pipeline respectively.

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