Water flow sensor and gas water heater
By introducing a baffle plate with a noise reduction structure into the water flow sensor, the problem of high noise in the water flow sensor is solved, achieving noise reduction and improved user experience.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422834653.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-14
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-11-20
AI Technical Summary
Existing water flow sensors tend to generate loud noise when water flows through the water passage, resulting in a poor user experience.
A noise reduction structure is introduced into the water flow sensor, including a baffle plate. The baffle plate is spaced opposite to the water passage hole. After part of the water flow hits the baffle plate, it flows along the flow gap, while the other part of the water flow flows back to the water passage hole, reducing negative pressure and cavitation, and reducing noise.
It effectively reduces the noise of water flowing through the water passage, thus improving the user experience.
Smart Images
Figure CN223549911U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of heating technology, and in particular to a water flow sensor and a gas water heater. Background Technology
[0002] A water flow sensor is an instrument that detects water flow by sensing water flow and outputting signals (such as current, voltage, etc.). It can be used for water control management and flow calculation.
[0003] In the prior art, a solenoid valve structure is installed on the water flow sensor. The solenoid valve structure includes a housing with an inner cavity having an inlet and an outlet. An annular baffle is installed inside the inner cavity, forming a valve chamber with a main valve port. The valve chamber is also connected to the outlet. A small-flow-rate through-hole is also provided on the annular baffle, which is connected to the inlet. A water pipe is connected to the inner cavity of the housing through the inlet and to the outlet through the small-flow-rate through-hole. The water pipe is also connected to the main valve port through the inlet. The solenoid valve controls the opening and closing of the main valve port. When the solenoid valve is closed, the main valve port is closed, and water can only flow in through the through-hole and out through the outlet. When the solenoid valve is open, the main valve port is open, and water can flow through both the main valve port and the through-hole simultaneously and out through the outlet, thereby increasing the water flow and achieving two-level water flow regulation.
[0004] When the solenoid valve is closed, water enters through the inlet and passes through the water passage. After the fluid passes through the water passage, cavitation is easily generated around the water passage, resulting in a large number of bubbles. The bursting of these bubbles will produce a lot of noise, leading to a poor user experience. Utility Model Content
[0005] One of the technical problems solved by this utility model is to provide a water flow sensor that can effectively solve the problem of high noise when water flows through the water passage.
[0006] The second technical problem solved by this utility model is to provide a gas water heater that can effectively solve the problem of poor user experience caused by high noise.
[0007] The first technical problem mentioned above is solved by the following technical solution:
[0008] A water flow sensor includes a solenoid valve assembly and a housing. The solenoid valve assembly is fixed to the housing. The housing has an inner cavity with an outlet and an inlet. An annular partition is provided inside the inner cavity to form a valve chamber. The valve chamber has a main valve port for the solenoid valve assembly to open or close. The annular partition has a water passage hole communicating with the valve chamber.
[0009] The water flow sensor is also provided with a noise reduction structure, which is located inside the valve cavity. The noise reduction structure includes a baffle plate, which is fixed downstream of the water passage hole. The baffle plate and the water passage hole are spaced apart and opposite to each other. There is a flow gap between the baffle plate and the annular partition.
[0010] The water flow sensor described in this utility model has the following advantages compared with the prior art:
[0011] The baffle plate and the water passage are spaced apart and opposite each other. When the water flows through the water passage, at least part of the water will hit the baffle plate, so that part of the water flows along the baffle plate and passes through the flow gap between the baffle plate and the annular baffle plate and continues to flow towards the outlet. The other part of the water will flow back to the water passage after being hit, thereby reducing the negative pressure at the water passage and reducing the cavitation generated at the water passage when the water flows through the water passage, reducing the number of bubbles generated, thereby reducing noise and achieving the purpose of noise reduction.
[0012] In one embodiment, the distance between the water passage and the perforation is 1mm-5mm.
[0013] In one embodiment, the orthogonal projection of the baffle plate toward the water passage hole covers the water passage hole.
[0014] In one embodiment, the baffle is a conical plate, with the concave surface of the conical plate facing the water passage.
[0015] In one embodiment, the baffle plate has a perforation at its center, and the size of the perforation is smaller than the size of the water passage hole.
[0016] In one embodiment, the noise reduction structure includes a support shell and a connecting rib. The support shell is disposed on the annular partition and has a first port, a second port and a third port. The first port is in communication with the water passage hole, the second port is in communication with the water outlet, and the third port is in communication with the main valve port. The baffle plate is fixed to the first port by the connecting rib.
[0017] In one embodiment: a plurality of the connecting ribs are spaced apart circumferentially along the baffle.
[0018] In one embodiment: a current stabilizing core assembly is provided inside the housing, and the current stabilizing core assembly and the housing together clamp and fix the noise reduction structure.
[0019] In one embodiment: the inner wall of the annular partition is provided with a first limiting step, one end of the support shell abuts against the first limiting step, and the other end of the support shell abuts against the current stabilizing core assembly; and / or, the inner wall of the annular partition is further provided with a second limiting step, and the side wall of the support shell is provided with a limiting protrusion that abuts against the second limiting step.
[0020] The second technical problem mentioned above is solved by the following technical solution:
[0021] A gas water heater includes an inlet pipe and a water flow sensor as described above, wherein the inlet pipe is connected to the outlet.
[0022] Compared with the prior art, the gas water heater of this utility model has the following advantages: it can effectively solve the problem of poor user experience caused by high noise through the baffle plate. Attached Figure Description
[0023] Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a water flow sensor provided for an embodiment of this utility model;
[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;
[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the noise reduction structure in the water flow sensor provided in this embodiment of the utility model.
[0026] Label Explanation:
[0027] 1. Housing; 11. Main valve port; 12. Outlet; 13. Inlet;
[0028] 2. Annular baffle; 21. Water passage hole; 22. First limiting step; 23. Valve chamber; 24. Second limiting step;
[0029] 3. Noise reduction structure; 31. Baffle; 311. Perforation; 32. Connecting rib; 33. Support shell; 331. First opening; 332. Second opening; 333. Third opening; 334. Limiting protrusion;
[0030] 4. Solenoid valve assembly;
[0031] 5. Flow gap;
[0032] 6. Current-stabilizing core assembly. Detailed Implementation
[0033] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0034] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.
[0035] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.
[0036] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.
[0037] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this utility model provides a water flow sensor, which includes a solenoid valve assembly 4 and a housing 1. The solenoid valve assembly 4 is fixed on the housing 1. The housing 1 has an inner cavity with an outlet 12 and an inlet 13. An annular partition 2 is provided inside the inner cavity, forming a valve cavity 23. The valve cavity 23 has a main valve port 11 for the solenoid valve assembly 4 to open or close. A water passage hole 21 communicating with the valve cavity 23 is provided on the annular partition 2. The inlet 13 is connected to the water passage hole 21. The water flow sensor also includes a noise reduction structure 3, which is located inside the valve cavity 23. The noise reduction structure 3 includes a baffle plate 31, which is fixed downstream of the water passage hole 21. The upstream and downstream of the water passage hole 21 are based on the direction of water flow through the water passage hole 21. The baffle plate 31 is spaced apart from the water passage hole 21, and there is a flow gap 5 between the baffle plate 31 and the annular partition 2.
[0038] Since the baffle plate 31 and the water passage holes 21 are spaced relatively close together, when the water flows from the inlet 13 to the water passage hole 21 and passes through the water passage hole 21, at least part of the water flow will hit the baffle plate 31, so that part of the water flow will flow along the baffle plate 31 and pass through the flow gap 5 between the baffle plate 31 and the annular baffle plate 2 and continue to flow towards the outlet 12; while the other part of the water flow will flow back to the water passage hole 21 after being hit, thereby reducing the negative pressure at the water passage hole 21, thereby reducing the cavitation generated at the water passage hole 21 when the water flows through the water passage hole 21, reducing the number of bubbles generated, thereby reducing noise and achieving the purpose of noise reduction.
[0039] It should be noted that the water flow sensor mentioned above also includes components such as a rotor assembly, a temperature sensor, and a Hall element. The solenoid valve assembly 4 and the rotor assembly are all existing technologies and will not be described in detail.
[0040] Continue as Figure 1 As shown, it can be understood that the baffle 31 can be either a flat plate or a conical plate. When it is a conical plate, the concave surface of the conical plate faces the water passage hole 21, and the cone angle of the conical plate is 90°. It can be understood that when it is a flat plate, the opening angle is 180°. In the current embodiment, the baffle 31 is a conical plate, which has a better backflow effect than a flat plate. In addition, the minimum distance between the water passage hole 21 and the baffle 31 is 1mm-5mm, thereby avoiding the baffle 31 and the water passage hole 21 being too close, causing all the water to flow back to the water passage hole 21, affecting the water intake through the water passage hole 21, and the two being too close can easily increase noise; in addition, it also avoids the two being too far apart, causing the water to hit the baffle 31 and not be able to flow to the water passage hole 21.
[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, in order to ensure that all the water flowing from the water passage 21 to the baffle 31 can impact the baffle 31 and avoid the phenomenon of directly passing over the baffle 31, in some embodiments, the orthographic projection of the baffle 31 towards the water passage 21 covers the water passage 21, ensuring that all the water flow can impact the baffle 31. For example, the cross-sectional area of the water passage 21 is A, and the area of the projected coverage of the baffle 31 is E, where 1.5A < E < 10A.
[0042] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, in some embodiments, a perforation 311 is provided at the center of the baffle 31. The size of the perforation 311 is smaller than the size of the water passage 21, allowing the water flow impacting the center of the baffle 31 to pass through the perforation 311. This prevents the water flow from only passing through the outer edge of the baffle 31 and impacting other water flows, thus avoiding turbulence and reducing noise. Specifically, the cross-sectional area of the perforation 311 is B, where B < A.
[0043] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, to facilitate the smooth installation of the baffle plate 31, in some embodiments, the noise reduction structure 3 further includes a support shell 33 and a connecting rib 32. The support shell 33 is disposed on the annular partition 2 and inserted into the annular partition 2. The support shell 33 has a first port 331, a second port 332, and a third port 333. The first port 331 is in communication with the water passage 21, the second port 332 is in communication with the water outlet 12, and the third port 333 is in communication with the main valve port 11. The baffle plate 31 is fixed to the first port 331 by the connecting rib 32, so that the baffle plate 31 is in communication with the water passage 21. Thus, when the water flows over the baffle plate 31, it can flow out through the second port 332 to the water outlet 12. The second port 332 is in communication with the main valve port 11 of the shell 1. Thus, when the solenoid valve assembly 4 of the water flow sensor is opened, the water flow can enter through the third port 333 and flow out through the second port 332 to the water outlet 12. To ensure stability, in the current embodiment, the connecting rib 32, the support shell 33, and the baffle 31 are integrally formed.
[0044] It should be noted that in some embodiments, the first port 331 and the third port 333 can be coaxially arranged, and the second port 332 and the third port 333 are set at an angle; in other embodiments, the second port 332 and the third port 333 can be coaxially arranged, and the first port 331 and the third port 333 are set at an angle; thus forming water flow sensors with different structures and expanding the scope of application.
[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the connecting ribs 32 are spaced apart circumferentially along the baffle plate 31, thereby supporting the baffle plate 31 and forming a flow gap 5. This ensures that the baffle plate 31 is evenly stressed when impacted by water flow, thus guaranteeing the stability of the baffle plate 31. For example, there can be three or four connecting ribs 32, which minimizes the number of connecting ribs 32 while ensuring stability, preventing excessive obstruction of water flow along the edge of the baffle plate 31 due to an excessive number of connecting ribs 32.
[0046] like Figure 3As shown, in some embodiments, the connecting rib 32 is located inside the support shell 33, which means that the baffle 31 does not protrude from the support shell 33, facilitating the installation of the noise reduction structure 3; at the same time, it also allows the support shell 33 to directly contact the shell 1, ensuring stable installation. Meanwhile, in some embodiments, such as... Figures 1 to 3 As shown, a flow stabilizing core assembly 6 is provided inside the housing 1. The flow stabilizing core assembly 6 and the housing 1 together fix the noise reduction structure 3. The flow stabilizing core assembly 6 is existing technology, and its specific structure will not be described in detail. In the current embodiment, the flow stabilizing core assembly 6 is located at the water outlet 12, and the flow stabilizing core assembly 6 abuts against the second outlet 332 end, so that the third outlet 333 end is pressed tightly against the housing 1.
[0047] Specifically, the inner wall of the annular partition 2 is provided with a first limiting step 22, and the third opening 333 end of the support shell 33 abuts against the first limiting step 22, while the other end of the support shell 33 abuts against the current stabilizing core assembly 6, thereby clamping and fixing it. In some embodiments, the inner wall of the annular partition 2 is also provided with a second limiting step 24, and the side wall of the support shell 33 is provided with a limiting protrusion 334 corresponding to the second limiting step 24 abutting against it, so that when the current stabilizing core assembly 6 abuts against the support shell 33, the second limiting step 24 abuts against the limiting protrusion 334, thereby clamping and fixing it; of course, it can be understood that the first limiting step 22 and the second limiting step 24 can coexist to form a more stable limiting.
[0048] This utility model also provides a gas water heater, which includes an inlet pipe and the aforementioned water flow sensor. The inlet pipe is connected to the outlet 12, thereby reducing the noise generated by the water flow through the water hole 21 through the baffle plate 31, thus improving the user experience.
[0049] In the specific implementation of the above embodiments, the technical features can be combined in any non-contradictory way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the above technical features are described. However, as long as the combination of these technical features is not contradictory, it should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.
[0050] The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of this utility model, and while the descriptions are detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent should be determined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A water flow sensor, comprising a solenoid valve assembly (4) and a housing (1), wherein the solenoid valve assembly (4) is fixed to the housing (1), the housing (1) is provided with an inner cavity, the inner cavity having an outlet (12) and an inlet (13), an annular partition (2) is provided inside the inner cavity, the annular partition (2) forming a valve cavity (23), the valve cavity (23) having a main valve port (11) for the solenoid valve assembly (4) to open or close, and the annular partition (2) having a water passage hole (21) communicating with the valve cavity (23), characterized in that, The water flow sensor is also provided with a noise reduction structure (3), which is located in the valve cavity (23). The noise reduction structure (3) includes a baffle plate (31), which is fixed downstream of the water passage hole (21). The baffle plate (31) and the water passage hole (21) are spaced apart and opposite to each other. There is a flow gap (5) between the baffle plate (31) and the annular partition (2).
2. The water flow sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The minimum distance between the water passage hole (21) and the baffle plate (31) is 1mm-5mm.
3. The water flow sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The orthographic projection of the baffle plate (31) toward the water passage hole (21) covers the water passage hole (21).
4. The water flow sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The baffle plate (31) has a perforation (311) in the center, and the size of the perforation (311) is smaller than the size of the water passage hole (21).
5. The water flow sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The baffle plate (31) is a conical plate, and the concave surface of the conical plate faces the water passage hole (21).
6. The water flow sensor according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The noise reduction structure (3) further includes a support shell (33) and a connecting rib (32). The support shell (33) is disposed on the annular partition (2). The support shell (33) is provided with a first port (331), a second port (332) and a third port (333). The first port (331) is in communication with the water passage (21), the second port (332) is in communication with the water outlet (12), and the third port (333) is in communication with the main valve port (11). The baffle plate (31) is fixed to the first port (331) by the connecting rib (32).
7. The water flow sensor according to claim 6, characterized in that, The multiple connecting ribs (32) are arranged at circumferential intervals along the baffle plate (31).
8. The water flow sensor according to claim 6, characterized in that, The housing (1) is provided with a current stabilizing core assembly (6), and the current stabilizing core assembly (6) and the housing (1) together clamp and fix the noise reduction structure (3).
9. The water flow sensor according to claim 8, characterized in that, The inner wall of the annular partition (2) is provided with a first limiting step (22), one end of the support shell (33) abuts against the first limiting step (22), and the other end of the support shell (33) abuts against the current stabilizing core assembly (6); and / or, the inner wall of the annular partition (2) is also provided with a second limiting step (24), and the side wall of the support shell (33) is provided with a limiting protrusion (334) that abuts against the second limiting step (24).
10. A gas-fired water heater, including an inlet pipe, characterized in that, It also includes a water flow sensor as described in any one of claims 1-9, wherein the inlet pipe is connected to the outlet (12).