Electric heater, water heater water tank and water heater

Abstract

The utility model provides an electric heater, a water heater water tank and a water heater. The electric heater comprises a mounting connecting part, an electric heating element and a wire; the wire is connected between the electric heating element and the mounting connecting part; the electric heating device further comprises a deformable part, the deformable part comprises a first part and a second part, the first part is connected with the mounting connecting part, and the electric heating element is connected with the second part; the deformable part is made of two-way memory alloy, the deformable part in the low-temperature phase shape is in a contraction state, a first distance is formed between the first part and the second part, the deformable part in the high-temperature phase shape is in an extension state, a second distance is formed between the first part and the second part, and the second distance is larger than the first distance. The water heater water tank comprises a tank body and an electric heater, and the water heater comprises the water heater water tank. The height of the electric heating element of the electric heater can be automatically adjusted along with water temperature changes, the layering problem caused by uneven water temperature is solved, and the heating efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Depending on the water demand, water heater models are divided into pure heat pump models and models with electric auxiliary heating. Compared with pure heat pump models, models with electric auxiliary heating have an electric heater installed in the water tank. They can be used in a wider area and can adapt to colder climate conditions.

[0003] An electric heater consists of a mounting connection, a heating element, and wires. The wires connect the heating element to the mounting connection, and the mounting connection is used to secure the heater to the tank. When powered on, the heating element generates heat, heating the water in the tank. Typically, the heating element is located at the bottom of the tank, along with the basic heat exchanger. When these two elements are operating, they primarily heat the water stored in the lower part of the tank, causing the water in the tank to stratify, resulting in higher temperatures in the lower part and lower temperatures in the upper part, slowing the heating process. Utility Model Content

[0004] The first object of the present invention is to provide an electric heater that can expand and contract according to temperature.

[0005] The second object of the present utility model is to provide a water heater tank which can automatically adjust the height of the electric heating element according to the water temperature in the tank.

[0006] The third object of the present invention is to provide a water heater that solves the water stratification phenomenon and improves heating efficiency.

[0007] The electric heater provided by the first purpose of the present utility model includes an installation connection part, an electric heating element and a wire, and the wire is connected between the electric heating element and the installation connection part; it also includes a deformable part, the deformable part includes a first part and a second part, the first part is connected to the installation connection part, and the electric heating element is connected to the second part; the deformable part is made of a two-way memory alloy, the deformable part in the low-temperature phase shape is in a contracted form and the first part and the second part are at a first distance, and the deformable part in the high-temperature phase shape is in an extended form and the first part and the second part are at a second distance, and the second distance is greater than the first distance.

[0008] It can be seen from the above scheme that under this setting, the electric heater is set at the lower part of the water tank of the water heater. As the water temperature rises, the deformable part of the electric heater gradually changes from the low-temperature phase shape to the high-temperature phase shape. During the process, the second part and the electric heating element on the second part gradually move away from the first part and toward the upper part of the water tank. In the process of the electric heating element moving upward, the water in the lower, middle and upper parts of the water tank are heated in turn, thereby solving the problem of uneven water temperature stratification.

[0009] A further solution is that the deformable part includes a folding structure, which includes at least two folding parts connected by bending. In the contracted form, the internal angle between the two folding parts connected by bending is a first angle. In the extended form, the internal angle between the two folding parts connected by bending is a second angle, and the second angle is greater than the first angle.

[0010] As can be seen from the above, compared with the curved structure, the folded structure has a smaller volume in the contracted state, allowing the electric heater to be installed more easily inside the water tank. For example, the folded structure has a smaller volume and the electric heater can be installed from the interface of the tank.

[0011] A further solution is that the folding structure includes multiple folding parts connected by bending end to end; in the contracted form, the multiple folding parts overlap each other; in the extended form, the multiple folding parts are continuously bent in a zigzag shape.

[0012] As can be seen from the above, since the electric water heater needs to be installed in a water tank and its size is limited by the water tank, the continuous folding setting can make the folding structure shorter in length but have a larger extension height, which meets the installation requirements of the box body and the functional requirements of moving from the lower part of the water tank to the upper part of the water tank.

[0013] A further solution is that the first part includes two connected bending segments; in the contracted state, the internal angle between the two bending segments forms a third angle; in the extended state, the internal angle between the two bending segments forms a fourth angle; the fourth angle is smaller than the third angle.

[0014] As can be seen from the above, since the first part of the folding structure needs to be fixedly connected to the installation connection part, if the folding structure is arranged in a "Z"-shaped continuous folding manner, the horizontally extending, straight-line first part uses memory alloy materials, but it does not produce a practical effect for increasing deformation. Under this arrangement, the material used for the first part is wasted. For this reason, the present invention considers setting the above-mentioned horizontally extending first part into two bending sections. In the contracted form, the two bending sections extend along the straight line to maximize the folding effect. At this time, the internal angle between the two bending sections is 180 degrees; and in the extended form, after deformation, the second bending section bends upward relative to the first bending section. At this time, the internal angle between the two bending sections is less than 180 degrees and greater than 90 degrees. In this way, the material originally used for the first part can also achieve a certain degree of deformation-increasing effect, avoiding material waste.

[0015] Another further solution is that the wire is attached to the deformable member, and the wire changes flexibility as the shape of the deformable member changes.

[0016] A further solution is that the wire passes through each folded portion in sequence.

[0017] As can be seen above, since the electric heater is installed inside the water tank, if the wire is freely installed within the tank, it may be affected by the kinetic energy of the water and move erratically, which may easily cause damage. Attaching the wire to the deformable member, especially attaching the wire to the deformable member from beginning to end and passing through each folded portion in sequence, can control the movement of the wire without being affected by the kinetic energy of the water. It also makes it easier to install waterproof measures on the deformable member to protect the wire, improving durability and safety.

[0018] Another further solution is that the installation connection part includes a connection seat, a cylindrical surface is provided on the outer periphery of the connection seat, and an external thread is provided on the cylindrical surface; the first part is connected to the connection seat along the center line direction of the cylindrical surface.

[0019] As can be seen from the above, previous electric heaters required a specific mounting connection structure for installation. During production and installation, it might involve replacing welding tools or assembly tools, resulting in low production efficiency. The present invention configures the connection seat of the mounting connection portion into an externally threaded cylindrical structure that is compatible with the water pipe structure. This externally threaded cylindrical structure is a universal water pipe joint part, eliminating the need for special joints and bolt and nut structure fixation, thereby improving production efficiency. At the same time, since the connection seat adopts a universal water pipe joint part, the production cost is also reduced to a certain extent.

[0020] The second purpose of the present utility model provides a water heater tank including a tank body and an electric heater, which is arranged in the tank body; the electric heater adopts the above-mentioned electric heater; when the deformable part is in a contracted form, the electric heating element is located at a first height; when the deformable part is in an extended form, the electric heating element is located at a second height higher than the first height.

[0021] A further solution is that when the deformable member is in the contracted state, the electric heating element is located at the lower part of the box; when the deformable member is in the extended state, the electric heating element is located at the upper part of the box.

[0022] It can be seen from the above scheme that as the water temperature rises, the deformable part of the electric heater gradually changes from the low-temperature phase shape to the high-temperature phase shape. During the process, the second part and the electric heating element on the second part gradually move away from the first part and toward the upper part of the water tank. In the process of the electric heating element moving upward, the water in the lower, middle and upper parts of the water tank are heated in turn, thereby solving the problem of uneven water temperature stratification.

[0023] The third object of the present invention is to provide a water heater comprising the above-mentioned water heater tank. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of an embodiment of the electric heater of the present utility model.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of an electric heater embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the installation connection part of an electric heater embodiment of the present utility model.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the electric heater embodiment of the present invention in a contracted state.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the electric heater of the present invention in an extended state.

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the first state of the water tank of the electric heater embodiment of the utility model.

[0031] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the water heater tank in the second state of the electric heater embodiment of the present utility model.

[0032] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the third state of the water tank of the electric heater embodiment of the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] See also Figure 1 The electric heater of this embodiment includes a mounting connection portion 1, a wire 2, a deformable member 3 and an electric heating element 4. Figures 2 to 4 The mounting connection portion 1 includes a connection base 10, a hexagonal nut 12, a wire outlet tube 28, and a terminal 29. A cylindrical surface 101 is provided on the outer periphery of the connection base 10, and an external thread 11 is provided on the cylindrical surface 101. Along the centerline of the cylindrical surface 101, one end of the connection base 10 is provided with a hexagonal nut 12 and a terminal 29, with the hexagonal nut 12 located on the centerline of the cylindrical surface 101. The wire outlet tube 28 is fixedly mounted within the connection base 10 and extends along the centerline of the cylindrical surface 101. One end of the wire outlet tube 28 is connected to the terminal 29, while the other end protrudes out of the connection base 10 along the centerline. The wire 2 extends from the protruding end of the wire outlet tube 28.

[0034] The deformable part 3 is a folding structure made of a two-way memory alloy. The folding structure is a continuously bent spring sheet. The deformable part 3 includes multiple folding parts 32 that are bent and connected to each other. The starting end and the end end of the deformable part 3 are respectively the first part 31 and the second part 39. The first part 31 and the second part 39 are both folding parts 32. The folding part 32 is rectangular, and the multiple folding parts 32 are connected to each other in the length direction.

[0035] The first portion 31 is fixedly connected to the outlet tube 28; the electric heating element 4 is a heating tube, and the second portion 39 is fixedly connected to the electric heating element 4. The wire 2 is led out of the outlet tube 28 and attached to the deformable member 3. Furthermore, the wire 2 sequentially extends along the surface of each folded portion 32, including the first portion 31 and the second portion 39, and ultimately electrically connects to the electric heating element 4. The wire 2 changes its flexibility as the deformable member 3 changes shape.

[0036] Recombination Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the deformable member 3 is made of a two-way memory alloy, the deformable member 3 in the low temperature phase shape is in a contracted shape, and the deformable member 3 in the high temperature phase shape is in an extended shape; Figure 5 As shown, in the contracted state, the multiple folded portions 32 overlap each other; Figure 6 As shown, in the extended state, the plurality of folded portions 32 are continuously bent in a zigzag shape.

[0037] Further, if Figure 5 As shown, in the contracted state, the two adjacent folded portions 32 overlap each other, and the inner angle a of the two folded portions 32 connected by bending is a first angle, the first angle is 0 degrees, and the first portion 31 and the second portion 39 are at a first distance d1; Figure 6 As shown, in the extended state, the inner angle a of the two folding portions 32 connected by bending forms a second angle, which is greater than the first angle. At this time, a second distance d2 is formed between the first portion 31 and the second portion 39. Obviously, the second distance d2 is much greater than the first distance d1.

[0038] In order to further increase the extension height under the same amount of memory metal material, in this embodiment, the first portion 31 includes two connected bending sections 311. Figure 5 In the contracted state shown, the two bent sections 311 are horizontal to each other and the inner angle between them forms a third angle, which is 180 degrees. Figure 6 In the extended state shown, the inner angle between the two bending segments 311 forms a fourth angle, which is smaller than the third angle.

[0039] Comparison Figure 5 and Figure 6 When the deformable member 3 is in different states, the distance between the electric heating element 4 and the first portion 31 changes significantly. The water heater includes a water tank, which includes a tank body 9 and an electric heater of this embodiment. The electric heater is disposed in the tank body 9 and is located at the lower portion of the tank body 9.

[0040] Among them, combined Figure 4The connecting seat 10 of the mounting connecting part 1 is configured as a cylindrical structure with an external thread 11 that is compatible with the water pipe structure. The cylindrical structure with an external thread 11 is a universal water pipe mouth joint part. It is screwed with the help of a hexagonal nut 12. No special joint is required and no bolt and nut structure is required for fixing. The production efficiency is improved. At the same time, since the connecting seat 10 adopts a universal water pipe mouth joint part, the production cost is also reduced to a certain extent.

[0041] See also Figures 7 to 9 The deformable element 3 deforms vertically. Changes in water temperature cause the deformable element 3 to deform, which in turn changes the height of the electric heating element 4 within the housing 9. The housing 9 comprises, vertically from bottom to top, a first region 901, a second region 902, and a third region 903. When cold water enters the housing 9, the water temperature within the housing falls below the deformation condition of the deformable element 3, causing the deformable element 3 to contract. At this point, the electric heating element 4 is in the first region 901 and at a first height H1, heating the water.

[0042] When the water temperature reaches the deformation condition temperature of the deformable element 3, the deformable element 3 extends upward and reaches the middle height H3 of the second region 902. However, since the water temperature in the second region 902 has not yet reached the deformation condition temperature of the deformable element 3, the deformable element 3 stops extending, and the electric heating element 4 stops in the second region 902 and heats the water in the second region 902.

[0043] Until the water temperature in the second area 902 reaches the deformation condition temperature of the deformable part 3, the deformable part 3 continues to stretch and move to the third area 903 until it reaches the stretched state and stops. At this time, the maximum height of the deformable part 3 is reached, and the electric heating element 4 reaches the second height H2 and stops in the highest third area 903 and heats the water until the hot water in this temperature range is heated to the water temperature required by the user.

[0044] As the user uses the device, cold water enters from the bottom water inlet of the box 9, and the water temperature in the first area 901 decreases, gradually falling below the deformation condition temperature of the deformable part 3. The deformable part 3 begins to shrink and pulls the electric heating element 4 back to the first area 901, and the heating process is cycled again.

[0045] The utility model utilizes the characteristics of the two-way memory alloy and combines the characteristics of the water temperature change law of the water tank to realize automatic adjustment of the height position of the electric heating element 4, effectively solves the stratification problem of uneven water temperature, and improves heating efficiency.

[0046] The dual-way memory alloy of this embodiment is a nickel-titanium alloy. The crystal structure of the nickel-titanium alloy is different at temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius and below 40 degrees Celsius. When the temperature fluctuates around 40 degrees Celsius, the alloy will contract or expand, causing the shape to change.

[0047] In other embodiments, the deformable member may be configured as a telescopic structure other than a folding structure.

[0048] In other embodiments, the first portion extends along a straight line without including two bent sections connected by a bend, and the first portion itself will not deform with temperature.

[0049] In other embodiments, the first portion is directly fixedly connected to the connecting base.

[0050] Finally, it should be emphasized that the above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various changes and modifications. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electric heater comprising a mounting connection portion, an electric heating element, and a wire, wherein the wire is connected between the electric heating element and the mounting connection portion; Its characteristics are: It also includes a deformable member, the deformable member includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is connected to the installation connection portion, and the electric heating element is connected to the second portion; The deformable member is made of a two-way memory alloy. In the low-temperature phase, the deformable member is in a contracted state so that a first distance is formed between the first portion and the second portion. In the high-temperature phase, the deformable member is in an extended state so that a second distance is formed between the first portion and the second portion. The second distance is greater than the first distance.

2. The electric heater according to claim 1, characterized in that: The deformable part includes a folding structure, which includes at least two folding parts connected by bending. In the contracted form, the internal angle between the two folding parts connected by bending forms a first angle. In the extended form, the internal angle between the two folding parts connected by bending forms a second angle, and the second angle is greater than the first angle.

3. The electric heater according to claim 2, characterized in that: The folding structure includes a plurality of folding parts connected by bending end to end; In the contracted state, the plurality of folded portions overlap each other; In the extended state, the plurality of folded portions are continuously bent in a zigzag shape.

4. The electric heater according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first portion includes two connected bending segments; In the contracted state, the inner angle between the two bent segments forms a third angle; In the extended state, the inner angle between the two bent segments forms a fourth angle; The fourth angle is smaller than the third angle.

5. The electric heater according to claim 2, characterized in that: The wire is attached to the deformable element and its flexibility changes as the shape of the deformable element changes.

6. The electric heater according to claim 5, characterized in that: The conductive wire passes through each of the folded portions in sequence.

7. The electric heater according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The mounting connection portion includes a connection seat, the outer periphery of the connection seat is provided with a cylindrical surface, and the cylindrical surface is provided with an external thread; The first portion is connected to the connecting seat along the center line direction of the cylindrical surface.

8. A water heater tank, comprising a tank body and an electric heater, wherein the electric heater is disposed in the tank body; Its characteristics are: The electric heater is an electric heater according to any one of claims 1 to 7; When the deformable member is in the contracted state, the electric heating element is located at a first height; When the deformable member is in the extended state, the electric heating element is located at a second height higher than the first height.

9. The water heater tank according to claim 8, characterized in that: When the deformable member is in the contracted state, the electric heating element is located at the lower part of the box; When the deformable member is in the extended state, the electric heating element is located at the upper part of the box.

10. A water heater, characterized in that The water heater tank comprises the water heater tank according to claim 8 or 9.

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