Water level control structure and water heater

Abstract

The water level control structure comprises a salt box, a water pipe and a stop valve, soft water salt is contained in the salt box, one end of the water pipe is connected with water to be treated through a water inlet pipe, the other end of the water pipe extends into the salt box, and the stop valve is arranged on the water pipe. When water needs to be injected into the salt tank to dissolve soft water salt, the needed saturated salt water amount can be obtained according to the reduction degree of the adsorption capacity of soft water resin, and the water injection time is controlled through the stop valve to achieve the purpose of controlling the water injection amount. Thus, the water level control structure can flexibly adjust the water injection amount according to the requirement, so that the formed saturated salt water amount meets the requirement for reactivating the water softening resin, waste is avoided, it is guaranteed that the water softening assembly in the water heater can be completely activated to treat water normally, and the requirement for outputting soft hot water of the water heater is met; and resource waste is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of water treatment equipment technology, and in particular to a water level control structure and a water heater. Background Technology

[0002] A water heater is a device that uses various physical principles to raise the temperature of cold water to produce hot water within a certain time. Based on different principles, they can be divided into electric water heaters, gas water heaters, solar water heaters, etc. Currently, with the improvement of people's living standards, people's requirements for daily water use are also increasing. Due to regional factors, water quality varies greatly across the country, and water resources differ significantly. In most areas, the water quality is hard. Prolonged use of hard water can cause dry, rough skin and accelerated aging. Therefore, the demand for soft water is constantly rising. Soft water contains little or no soluble calcium and magnesium compounds. Using soft water can effectively inhibit fungi, delay skin aging, and prevent scale buildup after heating, offering numerous benefits to daily life.

[0003] Based on this, soft water water heaters that integrate the water softening component and the water heater component have appeared on the market. The water softening component in the soft water water heater is equipped with a salt tank containing soft water salt. Water can be added to the salt tank to dissolve the soft water salt and form a saturated brine. This allows the saturated brine to be delivered to the water softening component to reactivate the soft water resin when its adsorption capacity decreases after long-term use.

[0004] The existing brine tank water level control is achieved through a brine valve. When the water level in the brine tank is high, a float rises, causing the brine valve to close and stop the water injection. However, the float can only rise when the water level in the brine tank reaches a certain height; that is, the water injection volume in the brine tank is fixed and generally cannot be adjusted. However, the degree to which the adsorption capacity of the water softening resin in the water softening component decreases varies under different operating conditions, and the amount of saturated brine required to reactivate the resin also varies. The fixed water injection volume structure described above results in either too much or too little saturated brine in actual operating conditions, easily leading to waste of saturated brine or incomplete reactivation of the water softening resin, and making it impossible to flexibly adjust the water injection volume according to actual needs. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the aforementioned deficiencies in the prior art, the present invention aims to provide a water level control structure and a water heater that can flexibly adjust the water injection volume according to demand, so that the amount of saturated brine formed meets the requirements for reactivating the soft water resin without causing waste.

[0006] The first aspect of this utility model provides a water level control structure, including: a salt tank, a water pipe and a shut-off valve. The salt tank contains soft water salt, one end of the water pipe is connected to the water to be treated through an inlet pipe, and the other end of the water pipe extends into the salt tank. The shut-off valve is located on the water pipe.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, in the first aspect of this utility model, the shut-off valve is an electronic shut-off valve, and the electronic shut-off valve is electrically connected to a control device.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, in the first aspect of this utility model, a sealing element is provided at the other end of the water pipe, and a floating element is connected to the sealing element. The floating element is located in the salt tank so that it can float up and drive the sealing element to seal the other end of the water pipe.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, in the first aspect of this utility model, a water pipe extends vertically into the salt tank, and a fixed frame is provided on the water pipe. The float is mounted on the fixed frame and can move up and down via a guide rod.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, in the first aspect of this utility model, the fixing frame includes a bracket and a locking member. The bracket is locked to the water pipe by the locking member, and the bracket has a through hole through which a guide rod can pass and move up and down.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, in the first aspect of this utility model, the other end of the water pipe is connected to a valve seat, the valve seat has an upward-facing water inlet, and a sealing member is disposed inside the valve seat and corresponding to the water inlet, thereby floating to seal the water inlet.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, in the first aspect of this utility model, the water pipe and the valve seat are detachably connected, the water pipe and the valve seat are plugged in, and the connection between the water pipe and the valve seat is locked by a fastener.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, in the first aspect of this utility model, the other end of the water pipe is connected to a salt valve assembly. The salt valve assembly includes a valve seat and a valve pipe. The valve pipe is located at the water inlet and its two ends are respectively connected to a sealing member and a float member. The end of the valve pipe connected to the sealing member has an opening, and the upper end of the valve pipe has a water inlet connected to a pipeline.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, in the first aspect of this utility model, the pipeline extends to the bottom of the salt tank, one end of the water pipe is connected to a water softening component, and both the water inlet pipe and the water softening component are connected to the water pipe through a shut-off valve.

[0015] The second aspect of this utility model provides a water heater, including: a main body and the above-mentioned water level control structure. The main body includes a hot water component and a soft water component. A brine tank is detachably installed at the bottom of the main body. The outlet end of the soft water component is connected to the hot water component. The inlet end of the soft water component is connected to the water to be treated or to the saturated brine in the brine tank through an inlet pipe.

[0016] The water level control structure and water heater provided by this utility model have the following technical effects:

[0017] The water pipe is equipped with a shut-off valve and connected to the water to be treated via an inlet pipe. When water needs to be added to the brine tank to dissolve the softening salt, the required amount of saturated brine can be determined based on the degree of reduction in the softening resin's adsorption capacity. The shut-off valve controls the water injection time to control the water injection volume. In this way, the water level control structure can flexibly adjust the water injection volume according to demand, ensuring that the resulting saturated brine meets the requirements for reactivating the softening resin without waste. This not only guarantees that the softening components inside the water heater are fully activated to treat water normally and meet the water heater's demand for outputting softened hot water, but also prevents resource waste. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the first embodiment of the water level control structure of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the second embodiment of the water level control structure of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the water level control structure of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the water level control structure of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the water heater of this utility model.

[0023] Figure label:

[0024] 1. Salt tank; 2. Water pipe; 3. Sealing component; 4. Float component; 5. Fixing frame; 51. Bracket; 511. Through hole; 52. Locking component; 6. Guide rod; 7. Salt valve assembly; 71. Valve seat; 711. Water inlet; 72. Valve pipe; 721. Opening; 722. Water inlet; 8. Fixing component; 9. Main body. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To better understand and implement this invention, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", and "outer" 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 utility model 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 utility model.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

[0028] See Figure 1 This utility model provides a water level control structure, including: a salt tank 1, a water pipe 2 and a shut-off valve. The salt tank 1 contains soft water salt. One end of the water pipe 2 is connected to the water to be treated through an inlet pipe, and the other end of the water pipe 2 extends into the salt tank 1. The shut-off valve is installed on the water pipe 2.

[0029] In the first embodiment of this utility model, the water pipe 2 serves only as a water injection pipe. One end of the water pipe 2 is connected to the external water to be treated via an inlet pipe, and the other end of the water pipe 2 extends directly into the salt tank 1. This allows the external water to be treated to be injected into the salt tank 1 through the inlet pipe and the water pipe 2 to dissolve the soft water salt. Since the water pipe 2 is equipped with a shut-off valve, the water injection can be stopped by using the shut-off valve after a certain time or after a certain amount of water has been injected.

[0030] Based on this, a shut-off valve is installed on water pipe 2, which is connected to the water to be treated via an inlet pipe. When water needs to be injected into brine tank 1 to dissolve the softening salt, the required amount of saturated brine can be determined based on the degree of reduction in the adsorption capacity of the softening resin. The shut-off valve controls the injection time to control the injection volume. In this way, the water level control structure can flexibly adjust the injection volume according to demand, ensuring that the resulting saturated brine meets the requirements for reactivating the softening resin without causing waste. Furthermore, this water level control structure is simple in design and easy to operate.

[0031] Furthermore, the shut-off valve is an electronic shut-off valve, which is electrically connected to a control device. The control device can be the control mechanism of the water heater, and the electronic shut-off valve can be directly installed inside the main body 9 of the water heater. Before water is added, the water filling time can be set according to needs. After the set water filling time is reached, the control device can be used to control the electronic shut-off valve to stop water filling, realizing intelligent control of water filling without manual operation.

[0032] Based on the above structure, see [link / reference] Figure 2 and Figure 3This utility model provides a second embodiment, in which a sealing element 3 is provided at the other end of the water pipe 2, and a floating element 4 is connected to the sealing element 3. The floating element 4 is located in the salt tank 1 and can float upwards to drive the sealing element 3 to seal the other end of the water pipe 2. In this embodiment, the water pipe 2 can still be just a water injection pipe, and the sealing element 3 is set at the other end of the water pipe 2. Under normal circumstances, the sealing element 3 does not seal the other end of the water pipe 2, and water can be injected into the salt tank 1 by opening the passage of the shut-off valve. Due to the difference in water pressure in different water circuits, the set water injection time may result in too much water being injected into the salt tank 1 before the shut-off valve has closed due to the difference in water pressure, which not only wastes water resources, but also poses a risk of overflow in the salt tank 1. The setting of the floating element 4 can solve this problem. The floating element 4 can be a float, a buoy, or other structure. When the water level in the salt tank 1 reaches a certain height and the shut-off valve is not closed, the floating element 4 floats upwards due to buoyancy and drives the sealing element 3 to move upwards to seal the other end of the water pipe 2, thereby stopping the water injection.

[0033] The water pipe 2 extends vertically into the salt tank 1. A fixed frame 5 is installed on the water pipe 2. The float 4 is mounted on the fixed frame 5 and can move up and down via a guide rod 6. The upper end of the guide rod 6 passes through the fixed frame 5 and can move up and down. The guide rod 6 extends downward and is fixedly connected to the float 4 and the sealing component 3 in sequence. When the water level in the salt tank 1 reaches a certain height and the shut-off valve is not closed, the float 4 floats up due to buoyancy and pushes the guide rod 6 upward, which in turn moves the sealing component 3 upward to seal the other end of the water pipe 2, thereby stopping the water injection.

[0034] The mounting bracket 5 includes a support 51 and a locking element 52. The support 51 is secured to the water pipe 2 by the locking element 52. The support 51 has a through hole 511 through which the guide rod 6 passes and can move up and down. The support 51 is clamped onto the water pipe 2 and locked in place by the locking element 52. The locking element 52 is threadedly connected to the support 51, so that the support 51 is fixed to the water pipe 2 by tightening the locking element 52. It is worth noting that the tightening force of the locking element 52 should be controlled to avoid deformation or damage to the water pipe 2, which would affect water injection.

[0035] A through hole 511 is provided on the bracket 51. The diameter of the through hole 511 is larger than the outer diameter of the guide rod 6, so that the guide rod 6 can move up and down through the through hole 511. Under normal circumstances, the sealing element 3 is located at the bottom of the salt tank 1, and drives the guide rod 6 and the float 4 to hang down naturally, thereby ensuring the stable setting of the sealing element 3, the guide rod 6 and the float 4 under normal circumstances.

[0036] Furthermore, the other end of the water pipe 2 is connected to a valve seat 71, which has an upward-facing water inlet 711. A sealing element 3 is located inside the valve seat 71 and corresponding to the water inlet 711, buoyant to block the water inlet 711. Under normal circumstances, the sealing element 3 is located at the inner bottom of the valve seat 71, leaving the water inlet 711 open, allowing water to flow into the brine tank 1 through the inlet 711. When the water level in the brine tank 1 reaches a certain height and the shut-off valve is not closed, the float 4 rises due to buoyancy and pushes the guide rod 6 upward, thereby moving the sealing element 3 upward to block the water inlet 711 and stopping the water injection.

[0037] Water pipe 2 is detachably connected to valve seat 71. Water pipe 2 and valve seat 71 are plugged into each other, and the connection is secured by fastener 8. The other end of water pipe 2 is inserted into the corresponding end of valve seat 71 and secured by the threaded fastener 8, thus achieving a stable connection between water pipe 2 and valve seat 71 to prevent leakage. It is important to note that fastener 8 must ensure a stable connection between water pipe 2 and valve seat 71 while avoiding excessive tightening force that could deform or damage water pipe 2 and / or valve seat 71, ensuring smooth water injection.

[0038] Based on the second implementation method, refer to Figure 4 This utility model provides a third embodiment, in which the other end of the water pipe 2 is connected to a salt valve assembly 7. The salt valve assembly 7 includes a valve seat 71 and a valve pipe 72. The valve pipe 72 is located at the water inlet 711, and its two ends are respectively connected to a sealing member 3 and a float member 4. The end of the valve pipe 72 connected to the sealing member 3 has an opening 721, and the upper end of the valve pipe 72 has a water inlet 722, which is connected to a pipeline. Under normal circumstances, the sealing member 3 is located at the inner bottom of the valve seat 71, so that the water inlet 711 is open. Water is injected into the water pipe 2 through the water inlet 711 of the valve seat 71, flows into the valve pipe 72 through the opening 721, and flows into the salt tank 1 through the water inlet 722 of the valve pipe 72 via the pipeline. The guide rod 6 is fixedly passed through the float member 4 and extends downward to be fixedly connected to the valve pipe 72. The bottom end of the valve pipe 72 is fixedly connected to the sealing member 3. When the water level in the salt tank 1 reaches a certain height and the shut-off valve is not closed, the float 4 floats up due to buoyancy and pushes the guide rod 6 to move upward, thereby driving the sealing component 3 to move upward through the valve pipe 72 to seal the water inlet 711, thus stopping the water injection.

[0039] Furthermore, the pipeline extends to the bottom of the brine tank 1, and one end of the water pipe 2 is connected to a water softening component. Both the inlet pipe and the water softening component are connected to the water pipe 2 via shut-off valves. In this embodiment, the water pipe 2 can serve as both a water injection pipe and a brine suction pipe. During water injection, the shut-off valve is opened to allow water injection through the passage connecting the water pipe 2 and the inlet pipe. During brine suction, the shut-off valve is opened to allow water injection through the passage connecting the water pipe 2 and the water softening component. Power is provided by a drive pump or the Venturi effect, allowing the saturated brine in the brine tank 1 to be drawn into the valve pipe 72 via the pipeline, then into the valve seat 71 through the inlet 711, and finally transported to the water softening component via the water pipe 2 to reactivate the softening resin using the saturated brine. Thus, the water pipe 2 can serve two purposes, allowing switching between water injection and brine suction via a dual-pass shut-off valve or two single-pass shut-off valves.

[0040] Furthermore, since the pipeline extends to the bottom of the salt tank 1, it ensures that all the saturated brine in the salt tank 1 is drawn to the water softener, leaving no saturated brine in the salt tank 1 and preventing salt creep.

[0041] Based on the above-mentioned water level control structure, this utility model also provides a water heater, including: a main body 9 and a water level control structure of any of the above embodiments. The main body 9 includes a hot water component and a soft water component. The salt tank 1 is detachably installed at the bottom of the main body 9. The outlet end of the soft water component is connected to the hot water component. The inlet end of the soft water component is connected to the water to be treated or to the saturated brine in the salt tank 1 through an inlet pipe.

[0042] Because the water level control structure can flexibly adjust the water injection volume according to demand, the amount of saturated brine formed can meet the needs of reactivating the water softening resin without causing waste. This not only ensures that the water softening components in the water heater can be fully activated to treat water normally and meet the needs of the water heater to output soft water and hot water, but also avoids resource waste.

[0043] The technical means disclosed in this utility model are not limited to those disclosed in the above embodiments, but also include technical solutions composed of any combination of the above technical features. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications without departing from the principle of this utility model, and these improvements and modifications are also considered within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A water level control structure, characterized in that, include: The system includes a salt tank, a water pipe, and a shut-off valve. The salt tank contains soft water salt, one end of the water pipe is connected to the water to be treated via an inlet pipe, and the other end of the water pipe extends into the salt tank. The shut-off valve is located on the water pipe.

2. The water level control structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shut-off valve is an electronic shut-off valve, and the electronic shut-off valve is electrically connected to a control device.

3. The water level control structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The other end of the water pipe is equipped with a sealing component, which is connected to a floating component. The floating component is located inside the salt tank so that it can float up and drive the sealing component to seal the other end of the water pipe.

4. The water level control structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The water pipe extends vertically into the salt tank, and a fixed frame is provided on the water pipe. The floating component is mounted on the fixed frame and can move up and down via a guide rod.

5. The water level control structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The fixing frame includes a bracket and a locking member. The bracket is locked to the water pipe by the locking member. The bracket has a through hole through which the guide rod can pass and move up and down.

6. The water level control structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The other end of the water pipe is connected to a valve seat, which has an upward-facing water inlet. The sealing element is located inside the valve seat and is positioned corresponding to the water inlet, thus sealing the water inlet by floating.

7. The water level control structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The water pipe is detachably connected to the valve seat, the water pipe is plugged into the valve seat, and the connection between the water pipe and the valve seat is locked by a fastener.

8. The water level control structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The other end of the water pipe is connected to a salt valve assembly, which includes a valve seat and a valve pipe. The valve pipe is located at the water inlet and its two ends are respectively connected to the sealing member and the floating member. The end of the valve pipe connected to the sealing member has an opening, and the upper end of the valve pipe has a water inlet, which is connected to a pipeline.

9. The water level control structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: The pipeline extends to the bottom of the salt tank, and one end of the water pipe is connected to a water softener. Both the water inlet pipe and the water softener are connected to the water pipe through the shut-off valve.

10. A water heater, characterized in that, include: The main body and the water level control structure according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the main body includes a hot water component and a soft water component, the brine tank is detachably installed at the bottom of the main body, the outlet end of the soft water component is connected to the hot water component, and the inlet end of the soft water component is connected to the water to be treated or to the saturated brine in the brine tank through an inlet pipe.

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