Liquid pipe for heater and heater
By designing a liquid pipeline structure with alternating hot and cold pipe sections, combined with spiral arrangement and die-casting process, the problems of leakage and uneven heating in the heater's liquid pipeline were solved, achieving efficient and safe heating and a compact structure.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520516247.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-10
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-03-24
AI Technical Summary
Existing heaters suffer from leakage and uneven heating in their liquid pipelines, and their traditional structural design results in low heating efficiency and insufficient safety.
Design a liquid pipeline structure including a hot pipe section, a cold pipe section and an intermediate pipe section. The hot pipe section and the cold pipe section are spaced apart to accommodate heating elements and are arranged in a spiral to achieve bidirectional heating. Combined with the die casting process, they form an integrated structure to avoid welding gaps.
It improves heating efficiency and safety, achieves uniform heating, reduces energy consumption, extends equipment life, and has a compact structure that is easy to install and maintain.
Smart Images
Figure CN223896265U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of heater technology, specifically to a liquid pipe and a heater for use in a heater. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, the heaters mainly use cast aluminum heaters, which are heaters formed by die-casting electric heating elements and metal aluminum together. They have good leak-proof performance and high heating efficiency. However, the internal liquid pipes are mostly integrally die-cast, which has the problem of leakage. Although there are also structures with independent liquid pipes, there are still problems such as unreasonable flow channel design and uneven liquid heating.
[0003] Therefore, how to design and optimize the liquid pipeline of the heater to improve leakage and uneven heating, and at the same time design and optimize the heater structure to adapt to the liquid pipeline, thereby improving the heating efficiency and safety stability of the heater, is an urgent problem to be solved in this field. Utility Model Content
[0004] This invention aims to address one of the technical problems in related technologies to a certain extent. Therefore, this invention provides a liquid pipe for a heater and a heater.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model discloses a liquid pipe for a heater. The liquid pipe includes an outlet, an inlet, and a conduit. The inlet is spaced apart along the length of the outlet. The conduit is located between the outlet and the inlet, and the inlet and outlet are connected by the conduit. The conduit includes a hot section, a cold section, and an intermediate section. The hot section includes a first inlet and a first outlet. The cold section includes a second inlet and a second outlet. The two ends of the intermediate section are connected to the first inlet and the second outlet, respectively. The first outlet is connected to the outlet, and the second inlet is connected to the inlet. The cold section and the hot section are spaced apart along a predetermined direction. The spaced apart accommodates the heating element of the heater, so that the heating element heats the hot section and the cold section respectively along both sides of the predetermined direction.
[0006] Optionally, both the hot pipe section and the cold pipe section are spirally arranged along the set direction, so that the heating element can heat both the hot pipe section and the cold pipe section simultaneously.
[0007] Optionally, the length of the pipe is between 500 mm and 800 mm.
[0008] Optionally, the pipe diameter is between 3 mm and 5 mm, and the pipe wall thickness is between 0.3 mm and 1 mm.
[0009] Optionally, the inlet and outlet of the liquid pipe face opposite directions.
[0010] Optionally, the liquid tube may be made of stainless steel.
[0011] As a second aspect of this application, a heater is disclosed, the heater comprising a heating body, the heating body comprising a heating substrate and a heating element and a liquid pipe disposed in the heating substrate, the liquid pipe being the liquid pipe described above, and the heating element being disposed in the interval.
[0012] Optionally, the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are arranged opposite each other on both sides of the heating body.
[0013] Optionally, the heating element includes two terminals, both of which are disposed on the surface of the heating body near the liquid inlet.
[0014] Optionally, the heating element includes two straight arms and an arcuate portion connected to one end of the two straight arms;
[0015] The two straight arms are arranged at a distance from each other in the space between the liquid tubes, and the arc-shaped part is arranged on the side of the space near the outlet of the liquid tube.
[0016] The liquid tube technology solution for heaters provided in this application has advantages such as high heat transfer efficiency, uniform heating, compact structure, and energy saving and environmental protection, and can be widely applied to various liquid circulation systems that require high-efficiency heating. The one-piece molded liquid tube can be die-cast and integrated into the heater later, which not only ensures the optimal layout of the heat conduction path, but also realizes the compact design of the equipment structure, while avoiding the leakage risk of traditional welded liquid tubes in the heater. The liquid pipe, with its separate inlet and outlet sections, features both hot and cold sections. This design allows the fluid to flow from the inlet section into the cold section for preheating, and then from the cold section into the hot section for further heating, enhancing heating efficiency. The three-dimensional arrangement of the hot and cold sections accommodates heating elements, allowing them to heat both sections simultaneously. This significantly improves the utilization efficiency of the heating elements, increases the heating area, and greatly expands the heat exchange area and flow path length within the pipe. Combined with the bidirectional heat transfer structure of the interlayer heating elements, this creates a reverse heat exchange effect between adjacent channels, significantly improving thermal efficiency. Furthermore, this pipe structure ensures a more uniform temperature distribution, effectively eliminating local overheating or underheating, thus improving heating response speed while reducing energy consumption.
[0017] These features and advantages of this utility model will be disclosed in detail in the following specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. The preferred embodiments or means of this utility model will be shown in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, but are not intended to limit the technical solutions of this utility model. In addition, each of these features, elements and components appearing in the following text and drawings is multiple and is labeled with different symbols or numbers for convenience, but all represent parts with the same or similar structure or function. Attached Figure Description
[0018] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings:
[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of one embodiment of the liquid tube provided by this utility model;
[0020] Figure 2 This is a side view of one embodiment of the liquid tube provided by this utility model;
[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the heater provided by this utility model;
[0022] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of one embodiment of the heater provided by this utility model;
[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the heating element in the heater provided by this utility model;
[0024] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the heater provided by this utility model.
[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures
[0026] 1: Heater; 10: Heater body; 20: Thermostat; 30: Mounting foot; 40: Fuse;
[0027] 11: Heating element; 111: Wiring terminal;
[0028] 12: Liquid pipe; 121a: Liquid outlet; 121b: Liquid inlet; 122a: Hot pipe section; 122b: Cold pipe section; 123: Intermediate pipe section. Detailed Implementation
[0029] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described are intended to explain this utility model and should not be construed as limiting it.
[0030] The terms "an embodiment," "example," or "example" used in this specification refer to a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment itself that may be included in at least one embodiment disclosed in this application. The phrase "in an embodiment" appearing in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
[0031] As a first aspect of this application, the present invention discloses a liquid tube 12 for a heater, such as... Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the liquid pipe 12 includes an outlet 121a, an inlet 121b, and a conduit. The inlet 121b is spaced apart along the length of the outlet 121a. The conduit is located between the outlet 121a and the inlet 121b, and the inlet 121b and the outlet 121a are connected by the conduit. The conduit includes a hot pipe section 122a, a cold pipe section 122b, and an intermediate pipe section 123. The hot pipe section includes a first inlet and a first outlet. The cold pipe section 122b includes a second inlet and a second outlet. The two ends of the intermediate pipe section 123 are connected to the first inlet and the second outlet, respectively. The first outlet is connected to the outlet 121a, and the second inlet is connected to the inlet 121b. The cold pipe section 122b and the hot pipe section 122a are spaced apart along a set direction. The space is used to accommodate the heating element of the heater, so that the heating element heats the hot pipe section 122a and the cold pipe section 122b respectively along both sides of the set direction.
[0032] The liquid tube technology solution for heaters provided in this application has advantages such as high heat transfer efficiency, uniform heating, compact structure, and energy saving and environmental protection, and can be widely applied to various liquid circulation systems that require high-efficiency heating. The one-piece molded liquid tube can be die-cast and integrated into the heater later, which not only ensures the optimal layout of the heat conduction path, but also realizes the compact design of the equipment structure, while avoiding the leakage risk of traditional welded liquid tubes in the heater. The liquid pipe, with its separate inlet and outlet sections, features both hot and cold sections. This design allows the fluid to flow from the inlet section into the cold section for preheating, and then from the cold section into the hot section for further heating, enhancing heating efficiency. The three-dimensional arrangement of the hot and cold sections accommodates heating elements, allowing them to heat both sections simultaneously. This significantly improves the utilization efficiency of the heating elements, increases the heating area, and greatly expands the heat exchange area and flow path length within the pipe. Combined with the bidirectional heat transfer structure of the interlayer heating elements, this creates a reverse heat exchange effect between adjacent channels, significantly improving thermal efficiency. Furthermore, this pipe structure ensures a more uniform temperature distribution, effectively eliminating local overheating or underheating, thus improving heating response speed while reducing energy consumption.
[0033] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the liquid pipe 12 has an inlet 121b and an outlet 121a. The liquid pipe 12 includes a hot pipe section 122a and a cold pipe section 122b. The hot pipe section 122a is connected to the outlet 121a, and the cold pipe section 122b is connected to the inlet 121b. The cold fluid first enters the cold pipe section 122b from the inlet 121b, where it is preheated. Then it enters the hot pipe section 122a for further heating and finally flows out from the outlet 121a. This achieves multi-stage energy efficiency through "preheating + heating," reducing peak energy consumption. The separate design of the hot pipe section 122a and the cold pipe section 122b helps to achieve stratified temperature control. The cold pipe section 122b is used to preheat the liquid to a temperature close to the set temperature before it enters the hot pipe section 122a for further heating, thereby achieving more precise temperature control. By preheating the liquid, the time and energy consumption required for direct heating are reduced, the system's energy efficiency ratio is improved, and the operating cost is reduced.
[0034] As an alternative implementation method, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, both the heat pipe section 122a and the cold pipe section 122b are spirally arranged in a predetermined direction, so that the heating element can heat both the heat pipe section 122a and the cold pipe section 122b simultaneously, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the heating element and reducing energy waste. Specifically, the heat pipe section 122a and the cold pipe section 122b are stacked and connected. Both the heat pipe section 122a and the cold pipe section 122b are bent and spiraled in the stacked plane, making the flow of liquid in the liquid pipe 12 more stable, reducing turbulence and pressure loss, ensuring the stability and reliability of liquid flow, and the bent design helps to prevent the accumulation of air bubbles in the liquid pipe 12, avoiding local overheating problems caused by air bubbles and extending the service life of the equipment. Furthermore, the heat pipe section 122a and the cold pipe section 122b are arranged in a curved and swirling flow channel within the stacked plane, and the two sections form a continuous path through a connecting structure. The curved and swirling flow channel design significantly increases the contact area between the liquid pipe 12 and the heating substrate. The stacked heat pipe section 122a and the cold pipe section 122b further enhance the heat exchange capacity per unit volume and improve heat transfer efficiency. The liquid can absorb heat more evenly during the flow process. The liquid can be preheated when passing through the cold pipe section 122b and fully absorb heat when passing through the heat pipe section 122a, further improving the overall heat exchange efficiency. The cold fluid (cold pipe section 122b) and the hot fluid (heat pipe section 122a) flow in opposite directions between adjacent layers, driving efficient heat exchange through temperature difference, reducing heat energy waste. The curved and swirling flow extends the residence time of the fluid in the heating substrate, ensuring full heat absorption, which is especially suitable for high viscosity or low flow rate fluids. Meanwhile, the stacked arrangement of hot pipe section 122a and cold pipe section 122b makes the structure of the entire heater 1 more compact, reduces the overall volume of the equipment, and facilitates installation and integration into various application scenarios. This design simplifies the layout of the pipeline, maximizes the effective length of the liquid pipe 12, and reduces manufacturing costs and maintenance difficulty.
[0035] The pipe structure design of this application can significantly increase the flow channel length. The increased flow channel length can increase the contact area and improve the heating efficiency. At the same time, the longer side of the liquid flow path allows the liquid to be sufficiently heated over a sufficient distance and time, thus improving the heating effect of the heater. Preferably, the flow channel length of the liquid pipe 12 is between 500mm and 800mm, and the pipe diameter is between 3mm and 5mm. If the pipe wall is too thick, the heating effect will be reduced, but if it is too thin, there will be problems such as easy cracking and leakage. Preferably, the pipe wall thickness is between 0.3mm and 1mm.
[0036] This application does not specifically limit the positions of the inlet pipe 121b and the outlet pipe 121a. To distinguish the two interfaces and prevent them from affecting each other, while also facilitating the assembly of other connectors, electrodes, etc., resulting in more uniform temperature transfer, reasonable wiring layout, and easy installation and maintenance, this is a preferred option. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the inlet 121b and outlet 121a face opposite directions.
[0037] The heater 1 of this application is suitable as a heater for cleaning appliances to heat cleaning fluid. The cleaning fluid is generally corrosive. In order to prevent the pipe from being corroded by the cleaning fluid, the liquid pipe 12 is preferably made of stainless steel. Stainless steel pipes can prevent corrosion and rust, and improve the life and stable use of the heater.
[0038] Secondly, this utility model discloses a heater, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, heater 1 includes a heating body 10, which includes a heating substrate and a heating element 11 and a liquid pipe 12 disposed within the heating substrate. The liquid pipe is the liquid pipe described above, and the heating element is disposed within the space. Preferably, the heating element 11, liquid pipe 12, and substrate material (such as metal or high-temperature resistant composite material) are integrally formed by die casting, eliminating gaps from traditional welding or splicing processes, avoiding stress concentration caused by thermal expansion and contraction, and extending service life. The substrate material directly wraps around the heating element 11 and liquid pipe 12, reducing contact thermal resistance and improving heat transfer efficiency. The die casting process ensures a seamless connection between the liquid pipe 12 and the substrate, eliminating the risk of fluid leakage, making it particularly suitable for high-pressure and high-temperature conditions.
[0039] Preferably, the heater described in this application is particularly suitable for cast aluminum heaters. Cast aluminum heaters are made by die-casting the heating element and pipes together into a mold, using high-quality aluminum material as the outer shell, into a flat or cylindrical shape (mainly used in high-end constant-temperature instantaneous electric water heaters). It can fit tightly against the heated body. The heat source generated by the heating element is rapidly conducted through the pipe wall to the integrally die-cast metal filler, ensuring uniform temperature distribution throughout the metal body. This reduces the temperature per unit area of the heating element 11, lowering its heat load. Simultaneously, it exchanges heat with the liquid within the three-dimensionally surrounding liquid pipe 12, improving its thermal efficiency. The accelerated heat source dispersion not only improves thermal efficiency but also slows down heater aging, inhibits liquid scaling, and extends its service life. It is a highly efficient heater with uniform heat distribution. The aluminum alloy, with its excellent thermal conductivity, ensures uniform surface temperature, eliminating the hot and cold spots found in conventional heaters.
[0040] like Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the heating element 11 is stacked between the hot pipe section 122a and the cold pipe section 122b, allowing the heating element 11 to heat both sections simultaneously at the same location. This enables the heating element 11 to transfer heat to both the hot and cold pipe sections on both sides at the same time, avoiding heat loss from unidirectional heat transfer, ensuring temperature consistency, and resulting in a more uniform heat distribution. This avoids localized overheating or underheating, prevents stress concentration and pipe wear caused by large temperature differences, extends the service life of the heating element 11 and the liquid pipe 12, and reduces maintenance frequency and costs. Furthermore, because the heating element 11 heats both sections simultaneously at the same location, it avoids redundant energy consumption, reduces heat loss, improves energy efficiency, and achieves energy-saving and environmentally friendly effects.
[0041] This heater, by stacking hot pipe section 122a and cold pipe section 122b and rationally configuring them with heating element 11, successfully achieves advantages such as high heat transfer efficiency, uniform heating, compact structure, and energy saving and environmental protection. It can be widely applied to various liquid circulation systems requiring efficient heating, possessing high market application value and technological innovation significance. The uniform temperature field distribution and short heat conduction path allow the system to adjust the output temperature within seconds, with minimal temperature difference, making it suitable for precision temperature control scenarios. The counter-current flow between the hot and cold pipe sections and the dual heat transfer of the heating element 11 allow the cold fluid to absorb the waste heat from the hot pipe section 122a, which is then replenished by the heating element 11 to compensate for the required temperature difference, significantly reducing the continuous power demand of the heating element 11 and minimizing the temperature difference.
[0042] This application does not specifically limit the positions of the inlet pipe 121b and the outlet pipe 121a. To distinguish the two interfaces and prevent them from affecting each other, while also facilitating the assembly of other connectors, electrodes, etc., resulting in more uniform temperature transfer, reasonable wiring layout, and easy installation and maintenance, this is a preferred option. Figure 3 As shown, the liquid inlet 121b and the liquid outlet 121a are arranged opposite each other on both sides of the heating body 10.
[0043] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the heating element 11 in the heater of this application also includes two terminals 111. Since the terminals 111 are generally connected to external wires, the temperature should not be too high. Preferably, both terminals 111 are arranged on the surface of the heating body 10 near the liquid inlet 121b. The temperature of the liquid inlet 121b is lower than that of the liquid outlet 121a, and the temperature of its surrounding environment is also relatively low. This is beneficial for the wires to transmit current to the terminals 111 to heat the heating element 11 and prevent the temperature of the terminals 111 from becoming too high.
[0044] This application does not specifically limit the type of heating element; for example, it can be any of an electric heating wire, PTC heating element, ceramic heating element, quartz tube heating element, or metal tube heating element. This application also does not specifically limit the shape of the heating element; for example, it can be any of a single-threaded heating element, a threaded heating element, a flange heating element, or a U-shaped heating element. Preferably, such as… Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the heating element includes two straight arms and an arc-shaped portion connected to one end of the two straight arms; the two straight arms are spaced apart in the gap of the liquid pipe, and the arc-shaped portion is located on the side of the gap near the outlet of the liquid pipe. To adapt to the pipe structure of this application, the heating element 11 can be stacked between the hot pipe section 122a and the cold pipe section 122b. The heating element 11 is a U-shaped heating tube, which has a larger heating contact area. Combined with the stacked structure of the hot pipe section 122a and the cold pipe section 122b, it can achieve more efficient heat transfer within a limited space. The U-shaped tube has a compact shape, which can better match the stacked structure of the hot pipe section 122a and the cold pipe section 122b. Specifically, the U-shaped heating tube can fit snugly in the space between the hot pipe section 122a and the cold pipe section 122b, optimizing the heat flow distribution and further improving heating efficiency. Meanwhile, the electrodes of the U-shaped heating tube are on the same side, which makes it easy to set the two electrodes of the U-shaped heating tube and the liquid inlet 121b on the same side, so that the electrode temperature will not be too high.
[0045] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the heating body 10 is divided into a hot zone and a cold zone along the stacking direction. The hot zone corresponds to the heat pipe section 122a, and the cold zone corresponds to the cold pipe section 122b. The heater also includes a temperature controller 20, which is disposed on the surface of the hot zone of the heating body 10 and is electrically connected to the heating element 11. The temperature controller 20, being directly disposed on the surface of the hot zone, can monitor the temperature changes of the hot zone in real time and control the operating state of the heating element 11 through electrical connection, enabling a more rapid response to temperature changes and preventing overheating or underheating.
[0046] In the event that the thermostat 20 fails and cannot cut off the power in time, as an optional implementation method to prevent the risk of high-temperature fire caused by this failure, such as... Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the heater also includes a fuse 40, which is disposed on the surface of the hot zone of the heating body 10. The fuse 40 is electrically connected to the temperature controller 20 and the heating element 11. The fusible element of the fuse 40 is a low-melting-point metal, characterized by its low melting point and easy arc extinguishing. It is generally used in series with the temperature controller 20 in the circuit. When the temperature controller 20 fails, or when an overload or short-circuit current passes through the fusible element, it heats up and melts, thus cutting off the power and providing double protection for the heater. The fuse 40 is generally a section of cable wrapped with insulating rubber, with the fuse 40 placed in the middle of the cable. To fix the fuse 40 and to place it close to the temperature controller 20 for easy temperature detection, as an optional implementation, such as... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the heater also includes a fixing groove, which is fixedly disposed on the surface of the heating body 10 and is used to fix the fuse 40.
[0047] The heater described in this application is suitable for installation in any electric heater system. For ease of assembly, it is preferred that... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the heater includes mounting feet 30, which are disposed opposite to each other on both sides of the heating body 10, and can secure the heater in the entire system.
[0048] The above are merely specific embodiments of this utility model, but the scope of protection of this utility model is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model includes, but is not limited to, the contents described in the accompanying drawings and the specific embodiments above. Any modifications that do not depart from the functional and structural principles of this utility model will be included within the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A liquid tube for a heater, characterized in that, The liquid pipe (12) includes an outlet (121a), an inlet (121b), and a conduit. The inlet (121b) is spaced apart along the length of the outlet (121a). The conduit is located between the outlet (121a) and the inlet (121b), and the inlet and outlet (121a) are connected by the conduit. The conduit includes a hot pipe section (122a), a cold pipe section (122b), and an intermediate pipe section (123). The hot pipe section includes a first inlet... The intermediate pipe section includes a first inlet and a second outlet. The two ends of the intermediate pipe section are connected to the first inlet and the second outlet, respectively. The first outlet is connected to the liquid outlet (121a), and the second inlet is connected to the liquid inlet (121b). The cold pipe section (122b) and the hot pipe section are spaced apart along a set direction. The space is used to accommodate the heating element of the heater so that the heating element heats the hot pipe section and the cold pipe section on both sides along the set direction, respectively.
2. The liquid tube according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the hot pipe section and the cold pipe section are spirally arranged along the set direction so that the heating element can heat both the hot pipe section and the cold pipe section simultaneously.
3. The liquid tube according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length of the pipe is between 500mm and 800mm.
4. The liquid tube according to claim 3, characterized in that, The pipe diameter is between 3mm and 5mm, and the pipe wall thickness is between 0.3mm and 1mm.
5. The liquid tube according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet and outlet of the liquid pipe face opposite directions.
6. The liquid tube according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The liquid tube is made of stainless steel.
7. A heater, the heater comprising a heating body, the heating body comprising a heating substrate and a heating element and a liquid pipe disposed in the heating substrate, characterized in that, The liquid tube is the liquid tube according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and the heating element is disposed in the interval.
8. The heater according to claim 7, characterized in that, The liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are positioned opposite each other on both sides of the heating body.
9. The heater according to claim 7, characterized in that, The heating element includes two terminals, both of which are disposed on the surface of the heating body near the liquid inlet.
10. The heater according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that, The heating element includes two straight arms and an arc-shaped portion connected to one end of the two straight arms; The two straight arms are arranged at a distance from each other in the space between the liquid tubes, and the arc-shaped part is arranged on the side of the space near the outlet of the liquid tube.