Water inlet valve and water heater

Abstract

The water inlet valve comprises a shell, a valve element and a sealing piece, a valve hole, a balance cavity, a water inlet cavity and a water outlet cavity are formed in the shell, the water inlet cavity and the water outlet cavity are located at the two ends of the valve hole, the balance cavity is communicated with the water inlet cavity, and the valve element moves in the water inlet cavity and the balance cavity in the vertical direction. And a sealing piece for sealing the valve hole is arranged at the lower end part. When the water tank needs to be supplemented with water, water in the water inlet cavity flows to enable the valve element to move upwards to drive the sealing piece to open the valve hole, and the water inlet valve is opened; when the water tank does not need to be supplemented with water, the pressure of the balance cavity is equal to that of the water inlet cavity, the valve element moves downwards under the action of self gravity to drive the sealing piece to close the valve hole, and the water inlet valve is closed. When the water tank leaks water, the pressure in the water tank is reduced, so that the pressure of the water outlet cavity is reduced, the pressure of the water inlet cavity and the pressure of the balance cavity are not changed, the valve element keeps the state of closing the valve hole under the action of pressure difference, and water supplementing of the water inlet pipe to the water tank is limited.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of water heaters, in particular to a water inlet valve and a water heater. Background Art

[0002] Household appliances such as electric water heaters and heat pump water heaters have a water tank. The water tank's inlet pipe is connected to the tap water network, and the water tank's outlet pipe is connected to a water terminal with an on / off valve, such as a faucet or showerhead. When the on / off valve is opened, the terminal releases water from the tank through the outlet pipe. Since the pressure in the tank decreases and the water pressure in the tap water network is relatively constant, water is replenished into the tank through the inlet pipe. If the water tank leaks, the tap water network will continue to replenish the water tank, causing the tank to remain leaking. Utility Model Content

[0003] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems in the prior art. To this end, the present invention provides a water inlet valve installed on a water inlet pipe, which can limit the water inlet pipe from replenishing water to the water tank after a water tank leaks.

[0004] The utility model also provides a water heater with the water inlet valve.

[0005] The water inlet valve according to the first aspect of the present invention is installed on the water inlet pipe of the water tank, comprising: a shell, which is provided with a valve hole, a balancing chamber, and a water inlet chamber and a water outlet chamber located at both ends of the valve hole, and the balancing chamber is connected to the water inlet chamber; a valve core, which can move in the water inlet chamber and the balancing chamber in the up and down directions; a sealing member, which is provided at the lower end of the valve core, and is used to seal the valve hole; wherein the valve core is configured to be able to move upward when water in the water inlet chamber flows to drive the sealing member to open the valve hole, and to move downward when the pressure in the balancing chamber and the water inlet chamber is equal to that in the water inlet chamber to drive the sealing member to close the valve hole.

[0006] The water inlet valve according to the embodiment of the utility model has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0007] The housing, a valve core, and a sealing member located within the housing are provided. The housing is provided with a valve hole and a balancing chamber, as well as a water inlet chamber and a water outlet chamber located at both ends of the valve hole. The balancing chamber and the water inlet chamber are connected. The valve core moves vertically within the water inlet chamber and the balancing chamber, and a sealing member is provided at the lower end for sealing the valve hole. When the water tank needs to be replenished with water, the flow of water in the water inlet chamber causes the valve core to move upward, driving the sealing member to open the valve hole, thereby opening the water inlet valve and allowing the water tank to be replenished through the water inlet pipe. When the water tank does not need to be replenished with water, the pressure in the balancing chamber and the water inlet chamber is equal, and the valve core moves downward under the action of its own weight, driving the sealing member to close the valve hole, closing the water inlet valve and preventing the water tank from being replenished. When the water tank leaks, the pressure in the water outlet chamber decreases due to the decrease in the pressure inside the water tank, while the pressure in the water inlet chamber and the balance chamber remains unchanged. Therefore, the valve core remains in a closed state under the action of the pressure difference, and the water tank cannot be replenished with water. After the water tank leaks some water, the pressure inside the water tank is balanced with the atmospheric pressure, and the water tank stops leaking, thus effectively suppressing the problem of continuous leakage of the water tank.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present utility model, the valve core includes a float valve, which includes a guide part and an actuating part. The actuating part is connected to the upper end of the guide part and is located in the balancing chamber. The guide part is provided with a flow channel for water to flow into the interior of the float valve. The actuating part is provided at the end of the flow channel. The actuating part is provided with a water outlet hole connecting the flow channel and the balancing chamber on a side wall close to the flow channel.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the starting end of the flow channel is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the float valve, and when the sealing member closes the valve hole, the starting end of the flow channel is located in the water inlet cavity.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, when the valve core is configured to move upward to an end away from the valve hole, the starting end of the flow channel is located in the balance cavity, and the inner wall of the balance cavity is provided with a water hole connected to the water inlet cavity.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, when the valve core is configured to move upward to an end away from the valve hole, the starting end of the flow channel is located in the water inlet cavity.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a groove is provided on a side of the actuating portion facing the flow channel, and the groove is directly opposite to the end of the flow channel.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the flow channel includes a middle section extending in an up-down direction and connected to the end, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the middle section is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the end.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the housing further includes a guide sleeve extending in an up-down direction, the guide sleeve is located in the balance chamber, and the float valve is slidably connected in the guide sleeve.

[0015] The water heater according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a water tank and the water inlet valve described in the above embodiment. The water tank is connected to a water inlet pipe, and the water inlet valve is installed in the water inlet pipe.

[0016] The water heater according to the embodiment of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0017] The water inlet valve of the first embodiment is provided with a housing, a valve core, and a sealing member located within the housing. The housing is provided with a valve hole and a balancing chamber, as well as a water inlet chamber and a water outlet chamber located at both ends of the valve hole. The balancing chamber and the water inlet chamber are connected. The valve core moves vertically within the water inlet chamber and the balancing chamber, and a sealing member is provided at the lower end for sealing the valve hole. When the water tank needs to be replenished with water, water flowing in the water inlet chamber causes the valve core to move upward, driving the sealing member to open the valve hole, thereby opening the water inlet valve and allowing the water tank to be replenished through the water inlet pipe. When the water tank does not need to be replenished with water, the pressure in the balancing chamber and the water inlet chamber is equal, and the valve core moves downward under the action of its own weight, driving the sealing member to close the valve hole, closing the water inlet valve, and preventing the water tank from being replenished. When the water tank leaks, the pressure in the water outlet chamber decreases due to the decrease in the pressure inside the water tank, while the pressure in the water inlet chamber and the balance chamber remains unchanged. Therefore, the valve core remains in a closed state under the action of the pressure difference, and the water tank cannot be replenished with water. After the water tank leaks some water, the pressure inside the water tank is balanced with the atmospheric pressure, and the water tank stops leaking, thereby effectively suppressing the problem of continuous leakage of the water tank of the water heater.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the water heater further includes a water outlet pipe connected to the water tank, a water outlet valve installed in the water outlet pipe, and a connecting pipe, wherein the connecting pipe is used to connect the balancing chamber and the interior of the water outlet valve.

[0019] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following description and will become apparent from the following description or learned through practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of a water inlet valve in a closed state according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of a water inlet valve in an open state according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A magnified view of the structure of the middle valve core;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the utility model showing a water inlet valve in a closed state;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the utility model showing a water inlet valve in an open state;

[0026] Figure 6 for Figure 4 A magnified view of the structure of the middle valve core;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of a water heater according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the switch valve of the water terminal is in a closed state;

[0028] Figure 8 This is a structural diagram of a water heater according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the switch valve of the water terminal is in an open state.

[0029] Figure Number:

[0030] Water tank 100;

[0031] Water inlet pipe 200;

[0032] Water outlet pipe 300; water outlet pipe section 310;

[0033] Water inlet valve 400; housing 410; valve hole 411; balancing chamber 412; water hole 4121; water inlet chamber 413; water outlet chamber 414; guide sleeve 415; upper limit portion 416; valve core 420; float valve 421; flow guide portion 4211; actuator 4212; water outlet hole 4213; groove 4214; convex portion 4215; guide block 4216; sealing member 430; concave portion 431; flow channel 440; intermediate section 441; one-way valve 450; filter screen 460;

[0034] Water outlet valve 500; communicating hole 512;

[0035] Connecting pipe 600;

[0036] Water pipe 700;

[0037] Water use terminal 800; switch valve 810. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The following describes embodiments of the present invention in detail. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended only to explain the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0039] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that descriptions involving orientation, such as the orientation or positional relationship indicated by up, down, etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0040] In the description of this utility model, "a plurality" means more than two. The use of "first" or "second" is solely for the purpose of distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated, or implicitly indicating the order of the technical features indicated.

[0041] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined, terms such as setting, installing, and connecting should be understood in a broad sense, and technicians in the relevant technical field can reasonably determine the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific content of the technical solution.

[0042] Water heaters include heat pump water heaters, air energy water heaters, electric water heaters, and other types. Water heaters are commonly used to provide hot water for daily use such as showers and kitchens. They can also be used for heating, such as floor heating and heated towel racks. The water heater has a water tank 100. The water inlet of the water tank 100 is connected to the municipal water network through an inlet pipe 200. The water outlet of the water tank 100 is connected to a water terminal 800 through an outlet pipe 300. The water terminal 800 is generally a faucet, shower head, etc. The water terminal 800 has a switch valve 810. When the switch valve 810 is opened, the water terminal 800 releases the water in the water tank 100 through the outlet pipe 300. Since the pressure in the water tank 100 decreases and the water pressure in the water network is basically constant, water is replenished into the water tank 100 through the inlet pipe 200.

[0043] When the water tank 100 leaks, the water pipe network will continue to replenish water to the water tank 100, causing the water tank 100 to be in a leaking state. In order to solve the problem of continuous water leakage of the water tank 100, the embodiment of the utility model provides a water inlet valve 400 installed on the water inlet pipe 200, which can limit the water inlet pipe 200 from replenishing water to the water tank 100 after the water tank 100 leaks. Figure 1As shown, the water inlet valve 400 of this embodiment includes a housing 410, a valve core 420 and a sealing member 430. The housing 410 can be connected to the water inlet pipe 200 through pipe threads. The valve core 420 and the sealing member 430 are located in the housing 410.

[0044] The housing 410 is internally provided with a valve hole 411 and a balancing chamber 412. Furthermore, the housing 410 is internally provided with a water inlet chamber 413 and a water outlet chamber 414 located at opposite ends of the valve hole 411. The valve core 420 moves vertically within the water inlet chamber 413 and the balancing chamber 412. The valve hole 411 and the balancing chamber 412 are located on opposite sides of the water inlet chamber 413. The balancing chamber 412 can be formed by an outward protrusion from the sidewall of the housing 410. The balancing chamber 412 is in communication with the water inlet chamber 413. The balancing chamber 412 can be in direct communication with the water inlet chamber 413, or indirectly through other components of the water inlet valve 400.

[0045] The sealing member 430 is provided at the lower end portion of the valve core 420 and is used to seal the valve hole 411. Figure 1 As shown, when the valve core 420 moves downward to the lower limit position, the sealing member 430 seals the valve hole 411, thereby closing the water inlet valve 400; Figure 2 As shown, when the valve core 420 moves upward, the sealing member 430 is separated from the valve hole 411, thereby opening the water inlet valve 400. It is understood that the sealing member 430 can be a sealing plug or a sealing ring, and the sealing member 430 can be made of sealing materials such as rubber and silicone.

[0046] When water in the water inlet chamber 413 flows, the valve core 420 can move upward to drive the sealing member 430 to open the valve hole 411. When the pressure in the balance chamber 412 and the water inlet chamber 413 is equal, the valve core 420 can move downward to drive the sealing member 430 to close the valve hole 411.

[0047] Therefore, when the water tank 100 needs to be replenished with water, the water flow in the water inlet chamber 413 enables the valve core 420 to move upward to drive the seal 430 to open the valve hole 411, the water inlet valve 400 is opened, and the water tank 100 is replenished with water through the water inlet pipe 200; when the water tank 100 does not need to be replenished with water, the pressure in the balance chamber 412 and the water inlet chamber 413 is equal, and the valve core 420 moves downward under the action of its own gravity to drive the seal 430 to close the valve hole 411, the water inlet valve 400 is closed, and the water tank 100 cannot be replenished with water. When water tank 100 leaks, the pressure in water outlet chamber 414 decreases due to the decrease in pressure within water tank 100, while the pressure in water inlet chamber 413 and balance chamber 412 remains unchanged. Consequently, valve core 420 remains closed to valve hole 411 due to the pressure differential, preventing water from being refilled. Furthermore, as the pressure differential between water outlet chamber 414 and water inlet chamber 413 increases (i.e., the pressure differential across valve hole 411 increases), seal 430 provides a more effective squeeze seal on valve hole 411. After some water leaks from water tank 100, the pressure within tank 100 equalizes with atmospheric pressure, and the leak ceases. This effectively prevents continued leakage in water tank 100.

[0048] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, a water inlet valve 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a valve core 420 including a float valve 421, which is in the shape of a strip extending in the vertical direction. The float valve 421 comprises a flow guide portion 4211 and an actuator portion 4212, which are arranged in the vertical direction. The actuator portion 4212 is connected to the upper end of the flow guide portion 4211 and is located within the balancing chamber 412.

[0049] The flow guide portion 4211 is provided with a flow channel 440, which allows water to flow into the interior of the float valve 421. Through the flow channel 440, water in the water inlet chamber 413 can enter the balance chamber 412. The flow channel 440 has a middle section 441 extending in the vertical direction. The middle section 441 is connected to the end of the flow channel 440. The beginning of the flow channel 440 can be configured to penetrate the outer peripheral wall of the flow guide portion 4211, thereby guiding the water in the water inlet chamber 413 to the middle section 441.

[0050] The actuator 4212 is located at the end of the flow channel 440. After the water flows through the intermediate section 441, it impacts the actuator 4212 at the end of the flow channel 440, providing a force for the float valve 421 to move upward. The actuator 4212 has a water outlet 4213 on the sidewall near the flow channel 440. The water outlet 4213 connects the flow channel 440 with the balancing chamber 412. The water outlet 4213 allows the water flow from the flow channel 440 to be discharged along the outer peripheral wall of the actuator 4212 into the balancing chamber 412. It is understood that multiple water outlets 4213 may be provided, and the multiple water outlets 4213 are evenly distributed along the circumference of the actuator 4212 to facilitate force balance on the float valve 421.

[0051] A groove 4214 is provided on the side of the actuator 4212 facing the flow channel 440, and the groove 4214 is opposite to the end of the flow channel 440. Water flows into the groove 4214 and then flows out through the water outlet 4213, which can concentrate the force of the water flow on the actuator 4212 and make the force on the float valve 421 more uniform.

[0052] It is understood that a passage is provided between the balancing chamber 412 and the water outlet pipe 300. When the passage is open and the on-off valve 810 is also open, water in the water inlet chamber 413 flows under negative pressure, entering the flow channel 440 and driving the valve core 420 upward. When the passage is closed, the water pressure in the water inlet chamber 413 and the water in the balancing chamber 412 is balanced, and the valve core 420 moves downward under its own weight.

[0053] Reference Figure 3 As shown, the cross-sectional area of ​​the middle section 441 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the end of the flow channel 440 . The reduction in the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel 440 is beneficial to increasing the impact force of the water flow at the end of the flow channel 440 , thereby increasing the upward movement speed of the valve core 420 .

[0054] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in a water inlet valve 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the valve hole 411 is located at the lower end of the movement path of the float valve 421. Correspondingly, the balancing chamber 412 can be located at the upper end of the movement path of the float valve 421. A sealing member 430 is provided at one end of the float valve 421 near the valve hole 411. Therefore, when the float valve 421 moves downward to the lower limit, the valve hole 411 can be sealed and closed by the sealing member 430. It is understood that the sealing member 430 is annular and has a radially recessed recess 431 on its inner side. The bottom of the float valve 421 is provided with a radially outwardly protruding protrusion 4215. The protrusion 4215 and the recess 431 cooperate to ensure that the sealing member 430 wraps around the float valve 421 and maintains a stable connection.

[0055] The beginning of the flow channel 440 is located on the outer wall of the float valve 421. When the sealing member 430 closes the valve hole 411, the beginning of the flow channel 440 is located within the water inlet chamber 413. Therefore, when water flows in the water inlet chamber 413, the water can quickly enter the flow channel 440, thereby driving the float valve 421 upward, thereby opening the valve hole 411.

[0056] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, in a water inlet valve 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the valve core 420 is configured such that when the valve core 420 moves upward to the end away from the valve hole 411, the starting point of the flow channel 440 is located within the water inlet chamber 413. That is, when the float valve 421 is on any movement path, the flow channel 440 always connects the water inlet chamber 413 and the balancing chamber 412. When the float valve 421 moves upward to the upper limit position and the passage between the balancing chamber 412 and the water outlet pipe 300 is in an open state, the sealing member 430 abuts the upper wall of the water inlet chamber 413, the starting point of the flow channel 440 connects to the water inlet chamber 413, and a portion of the water in the water inlet chamber 413 flows through the flow channel 440 and the balancing chamber 412 into the water outlet pipe 300. When the passage between the balancing chamber 412 and the water outlet pipe 300 is in a closed state, water enters the water inlet chamber 413 through the flow channel 440 until the pressure is balanced with that of the balancing chamber 412 . At this time, the float valve 421 moves downward under the action of gravity and closes the valve hole 411 .

[0057] Reference Figure 1 As shown, a water inlet valve 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 410 that further includes a guide sleeve 415. The guide sleeve 415 is positioned within the balancing chamber 412 and extends in the vertical direction. A float valve 421 is slidably connected within the guide sleeve 415. The guide sleeve 415 guides and limits the vertical movement of the float valve 421, thereby improving the movement stability of the float valve 421. A guide block 4216 is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the float valve 421. The guide block 4216 slidably engages with the inner wall of the guide sleeve 415 to improve the movement reliability of the float valve 421.

[0058] The shell 410 also includes an upper limit portion 416. When the valve core 420 moves upward to one end away from the valve hole 411, the seal 430 abuts against the upper limit portion 416, which helps prevent the bottom of the valve core 420 from colliding with the shell 410 and causing damage, resulting in a worse sealing effect on the valve hole 411.

[0059] Reference Figure 4 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the structure of the water inlet valve 400 of another embodiment of the present invention is basically the same as that of the water inlet valve 400 of the previous embodiment. This structure can be understood by referring to the previous embodiment. To avoid repetition, it will not be described here. The difference between the water inlet valve 400 of another embodiment of the present invention is that when the valve core 420 moves upward to the end away from the valve hole 411, the starting end of the flow channel 440 is located within the balancing chamber 412, that is, the flow channel 440 cannot connect the water inlet chamber 413 and the balancing chamber 412. Therefore, in order to connect the water inlet chamber 413 and the balancing chamber 412, the inner wall of the balancing chamber 412 is provided with a water hole 4121, which is used to maintain the connection between the water inlet chamber 413 and the balancing chamber 412. When the valve core 420 moves upward to the upper limit and the passage between the balancing chamber 412 and the water outlet pipe 300 is in an open state, the sealing member 430 abuts against the upper wall of the water inlet chamber 413, and part of the water in the water inlet chamber 413 flows through the water hole 4121 and the balancing chamber 412 into the water outlet pipe 300. When the passage between the balancing chamber 412 and the water outlet pipe 300 is in a closed state, water flows into the water inlet chamber 413 through the water hole 4121 until the pressure in the water inlet chamber 413 reaches equilibrium with that in the balancing chamber 412. At this time, the valve core 420 moves downward under the action of gravity and closes the valve hole 411.

[0060] Reference Figure 4 As shown, another embodiment of the water heater of the present invention further includes a one-way valve 450. The one-way valve 450 is configured to allow water to flow from the water inlet valve 400 to the water tank 100 while preventing water from flowing from the water tank 100 to the water inlet valve 400. The one-way valve 450 is installed within the water inlet valve 400, for example, within the water outlet chamber 414. This effectively prevents the water inlet pipe 200 on the side of the water tank 100 from impacting the water inlet valve 400. Furthermore, integrating the one-way valve 450 into the water inlet valve 400 facilitates installation. Alternatively, the one-way valve 450 may be installed within the water inlet pipe 200, for example, between the water tank 100 and the water inlet valve 400.

[0061] Reference Figure 4 As shown, another embodiment of the water heater of the present invention further includes a filter 460. Filter 460 is used to filter tap water entering the water inlet valve 400 and water tank 100, thereby increasing the service life of the water inlet valve 400 and water tank 100. Filter 460 is located within the water inlet chamber 413. Integrating filter 460 with the water inlet valve 400 facilitates installation. Alternatively, filter 460 can be installed within the water inlet pipe 200 near the water inlet end of the water inlet valve 400.

[0062] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, the water heater of the present invention includes a water tank 100 and a water inlet valve 400 of the above embodiment. The water tank 100 is connected to a water inlet pipe 200 and a water outlet pipe 300. One end of the water inlet pipe 200 is connected to a tap water pipe 700, and the other end of the water inlet pipe 200 is connected to the interior of the water tank 100. The end of the water inlet pipe 200 near the tap water pipe 700 has a certain water pressure, and the tap water pipe 700 replenishes water to the water tank 100 through the water inlet pipe 200. One end of the water outlet pipe 300 is connected to a water terminal 800, and the other end of the water outlet pipe 300 is connected to the interior of the water tank 100. Water in the water tank 100 is discharged to the water terminal 800 through the water outlet pipe 300. The water in the water tank 100 is installed in the water inlet pipe 200.

[0063] According to the water heater of the embodiment of the present invention, the water inlet valve 400 of the above embodiment is adopted. The water inlet valve 400 is provided with a shell 410 and a valve core 420 and a sealing member 430 located in the shell 410. The shell 410 is provided with a valve hole 411 and a balancing chamber 412, as well as a water inlet chamber 413 and a water outlet chamber 414 located at both ends of the valve hole 411. The balancing chamber 412 and the water inlet chamber 413 are connected. The valve core 420 moves in the water inlet chamber 413 and the balancing chamber 412 in the up and down directions, and the lower end is provided with a sealing member 430 for sealing the valve hole 411. When the water tank 100 needs to be replenished with water, the water flow in the water inlet chamber 413 enables the valve core 420 to move upward to drive the seal 430 to open the valve hole 411, the water inlet valve 400 is opened, and the water tank 100 is replenished with water through the water inlet pipe 200; when the water tank 100 does not need to be replenished with water, the pressure in the balance chamber 412 and the water inlet chamber 413 is equal, the valve core 420 moves downward under the action of its own gravity to drive the seal 430 to close the valve hole 411, the water inlet valve 400 is closed, and the water tank 100 cannot be replenished with water. When the water tank 100 leaks, the pressure in the water outlet chamber 414 decreases due to the decrease in the pressure inside the water tank 100, while the pressure in the water inlet chamber 413 and the balance chamber 412 remains unchanged. Therefore, the valve core 420 remains in a closed state of the valve hole 411 under the action of the pressure difference, and the water tank 100 cannot be replenished with water; and after the water tank 100 leaks some water, the pressure inside the water tank 100 is balanced with the atmospheric pressure, and the water tank 100 stops leaking, thereby effectively suppressing the problem of continuous leakage of the water tank 100 of the water heater.

[0064] Since the water heater of the embodiment of the present utility model adopts all the technical solutions of the water inlet valve 400 of the above embodiment, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought by the technical solutions of the above embodiment, which will not be described in detail here.

[0065] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, the water heater of the present invention includes a water inlet valve 400, a water outlet valve 500, and a connecting pipe 600. The water inlet valve 400 is installed in the water inlet pipe 200, and one end of the water inlet valve 400 can be installed in the water inlet pipe 200 via a pipe thread. In this embodiment, one end of the water inlet pipe 200 is inserted into the water tank 100, and the other end of the water inlet pipe 200 extends outward from the water tank 100. One end of the water inlet valve 400 is connected to the other end of the water inlet pipe 200, and the other end of the water inlet valve 400 is connected to the tap water pipe 700. Alternatively, the water inlet pipe 200 can also include multiple water inlet pipe 200 sections, with the water inlet valve 400 installed between two water inlet pipe 200 sections. The water outlet valve 500 is installed in the water outlet pipe 300, and the water outlet valve 500 can be installed in the water outlet pipe 300 via a pipe thread. In this embodiment, the outlet pipe 300 comprises multiple sections. One section is inserted into the water tank 100 and extends outwardly. Another section is connected to the water terminal 800. The outlet valve 500 is installed between the two sections. A connecting pipe 600 is connected between the water inlet valve 400 and the outlet valve 500. The connecting pipe 600 can be a rigid pipe or a flexible pipe.

[0066] Reference Figure 7 As shown, in this embodiment of the present invention, the connecting pipe 600 is used to connect the balancing chamber 412 and the communication hole 512 of the water outlet valve 500, thereby connecting the balancing chamber 412 and the water outlet valve 500. When the on-off valve 810 of the water terminal 800 is in the closed state, the water outlet valve 500 is filled with water but the water does not flow. The water outlet valve 500 remains in the closed state of the communication hole 512, and the balancing chamber 412 is connected to the water inlet chamber 413, so that the pressure in the housing 410 is balanced. Therefore, the valve core 420 moves downward and remains in the closed state of the valve hole 411, that is, the water inlet valve 400 is in the closed state. When water tank 100 leaks, the pressure within tank 100 decreases, reducing the pressure in water outlet chamber 414. However, the pressure in water inlet chamber 413 and balance chamber 412 remains unchanged. Therefore, valve core 420 remains closed to valve hole 411 under the action of water pressure. Furthermore, due to the increased pressure differential between water outlet chamber 414 and water inlet chamber 413 (i.e., the increased pressure differential across valve hole 411), seal 430 provides a more effective squeeze seal on valve hole 411. Because inlet valve 400 is closed, water tank 100 cannot be replenished through inlet pipe 200. When water tank 100 loses some water, the pressure within tank 100 equalizes with atmospheric pressure. This means that the pressure inside and outside the leaking hole in tank 100 becomes equal, preventing water from escaping through the hole. At this point, leakage ceases. Therefore, the water heater of this embodiment effectively prevents persistent water leakage in tank 100.

[0067] Reference Figure 8As shown, in the water heater of the embodiment of the present invention, when the switch valve 810 of the water terminal 800 is opened, water flows out of the water outlet pipe 300, the water flow in the water outlet valve 500 is driven to flow, the connecting hole 512 is opened, the water in the balancing chamber 412 flows into the water outlet valve 500, and the water flow in the water inlet chamber 413 enables the valve core 420 to move upward to open the valve hole 411, that is, the water inlet valve 400 is in the open state, and water is replenished into the water tank 100 through the water inlet valve 400.

[0068] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes can be made within the scope of knowledge possessed by ordinary technicians in the relevant technical field without departing from the purpose of the present invention.

Claims

1. Water inlet valve, installed on the water inlet pipe of the water tank, characterized by: include: The housing is provided with a valve hole, a balancing chamber, and a water inlet chamber and a water outlet chamber located at both ends of the valve hole, wherein the balancing chamber is in communication with the water inlet chamber; A valve core capable of moving in the water inlet chamber and the balance chamber in an up-and-down direction; a sealing member, provided at the lower end portion of the valve core, the sealing member being used to seal the valve hole; The valve core is configured to move upward when water in the water inlet chamber flows to drive the seal to open the valve hole, and to move downward when the pressure in the balance chamber and the water inlet chamber are equal to drive the seal to close the valve hole.

2. The water inlet valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve core includes a float valve, which includes a guide part and an actuating part. The actuating part is connected to the upper end of the guide part and is located in the balancing chamber. The guide part is provided with a flow channel for water to flow into the interior of the float valve. The actuating part is provided at the end of the flow channel. The actuating part is provided with a water outlet hole connecting the flow channel and the balancing chamber on a side wall close to the flow channel.

3. The water inlet valve according to claim 2, characterized in that: The starting end of the flow channel is arranged on the outer peripheral wall of the float valve. When the sealing member closes the valve hole, the starting end of the flow channel is located in the water inlet cavity.

4. The water inlet valve according to claim 2, characterized in that: The valve core is configured such that when it moves upward to an end away from the valve hole, the starting end of the flow channel is located in the balancing cavity, and the inner wall of the balancing cavity is provided with a water hole communicating with the water inlet cavity.

5. The water inlet valve according to claim 2, characterized in that: The valve core is configured such that when it moves upward to an end away from the valve hole, the starting end of the flow channel is located in the water inlet cavity.

6. The water inlet valve according to claim 2, characterized in that: A groove is provided on a side of the actuating portion facing the flow channel, and the groove is directly opposite to the end of the flow channel.

7. The water inlet valve according to claim 2, characterized in that: The flow channel includes a middle section extending in an up-down direction and connected to an end, and a cross-sectional area of ​​the middle section is larger than a cross-sectional area of ​​the end.

8. The water inlet valve according to claim 2, characterized in that: The housing further comprises a guide sleeve extending in an up-down direction, the guide sleeve being located in the balance cavity, and the float valve being slidably connected in the guide sleeve.

9. A water heater, characterized in that: include: a water tank connected to a water inlet pipe; The water inlet valve according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is installed in the water inlet pipe.

10. The water heater according to claim 9, characterized in that: The water heater further includes a water outlet pipe connected to the water tank, a water outlet valve installed in the water outlet pipe, and a connecting pipe for connecting the balancing chamber and the interior of the water outlet valve.

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