Wire assembly, heater assembly and electric water heater

Abstract

The utility model discloses a conducting wire assembly, a heater assembly and an electric water heater, and relates to the technical field of electric heating equipment, and the conducting wire assembly comprises a first conducting wire section and a second conducting wire section; the first wire section is provided with at least two first interfaces, and the at least two first interfaces are respectively used for being connected with at least two lead-out rods of the heating pipe; the second wire section is connected to the first wire section and is provided with at least two second interfaces, one second interface is used for being connected with a zero line of the main circuit, and the other second interface is used for supplying power to the device. According to the technical scheme provided by the utility model, the problems of complex welding process and multiple welding spots can be solved, and the material and process cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electric heating equipment technology, and in particular to a wire assembly, a heater assembly, and an electric water heater. Background Technology

[0002] In heater assemblies with a dual-heating-tube structure, there are two common methods for connecting the wires: one is to weld the two neutral wires and two live wires to the four leads of the heating tubes through the welding terminals of the wires. This method requires four wires and four welding operations, resulting in higher material and process costs. The other method is to combine the two neutral wires into a wire assembly, connect the leads of the heating tubes through connecting rods, and then weld them to the wire assembly. The two live wires are each welded to two leads separately. This method requires three wires and five welding operations, resulting in a complex welding process, many weld points, and higher material and process costs. Utility Model Content

[0003] The main purpose of this utility model is to propose a wire assembly, a heater assembly, and an electric water heater, which aims to improve the problems of complex welding process and many weld points, and reduce material and process costs.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model proposes a wire assembly, comprising:

[0005] The first conductor segment has at least two first interfaces, each of which is used to connect to at least two lead-out rods of the heating tube.

[0006] The second conductor segment is connected to the first conductor segment and has at least two second interfaces, one of which is used to connect to the neutral wire of the main circuit, and the other of which is used to supply power to the device.

[0007] In one embodiment, the first conductor segment includes at least two first branch conductors;

[0008] At least two of the first branch wires are connected in parallel or in series to the second wire segment, and the first interface is provided at the end of the first branch wire away from the second wire segment.

[0009] In one embodiment, the second conductor segment includes at least two second branch conductors;

[0010] At least two second branch conductors are connected in parallel or in series to the first conductor segment, and the ends of the second branch conductors away from the first conductor segment are provided with the second interface.

[0011] In one embodiment, the end of the first wire segment away from the lead-out rod is connected to the end of the second wire segment away from the second interface via a connection structure.

[0012] In one embodiment, the connection structure includes a connecting wire segment and two connectors, one end of the connecting wire segment being connected to the end of the first wire segment away from the first interface via one of the connectors, and the other end of the connecting wire segment being connected to the end of the second wire segment away from the second interface via the other connector.

[0013] In one embodiment, the connection structure includes a connector that connects the end of the first wire segment away from the first interface to the end of the second wire segment away from the second interface.

[0014] In one embodiment, the connecting structure is fitted with a heat-shrink tubing.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first interface is provided with welding terminals;

[0016] And / or, the second interface is provided with plug terminals.

[0017] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model also proposes a heater assembly, comprising:

[0018] The mounting plate has multiple mounting holes;

[0019] Multiple heating tubes, one end of each heating tube is provided with a lead-out rod, and the lead-out rods of the multiple heating tubes are respectively led out from multiple mounting holes;

[0020] At least two live wires are connected to at least two of the lead-out rods, respectively;

[0021] As described above, in the wire assembly, at least two of the first interfaces of the wire assembly are respectively connected to at least two of the lead-out rods, one of the at least two second interfaces of the wire assembly is used to connect to the neutral wire of the main circuit, and the other is used to supply power to the device, and both the first interface and the second interface are neutral wire interfaces.

[0022] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model also proposes an electric water heater, characterized in that it includes the heater assembly described above.

[0023] The technical solution of this utility model combines at least two neutral wires into a conductor assembly, thereby achieving a compact arrangement of the neutral wire lines through an integrated circuit structure design. The first conductor segment of the conductor assembly has at least two first interfaces. When connecting the conductors, these at least two first interfaces can be directly connected to at least two lead-out rods of the heating element, replacing the traditional separate neutral wire connection method. This combines the two neutral wires that originally needed independent connection into an integrated conductor structure, eliminating the need for connecting rods. Therefore, it not only improves the problems of complex welding processes and numerous solder joints caused by the use of connecting rods, but also reduces the number of conductors used and the number of welding operations. Thus, this solution effectively improves the problems of complex welding processes and numerous solder joints, and reduces material and process costs.

[0024] Furthermore, this solution incorporates at least two second interfaces on the second conductor segment of the conductor assembly. One of these interfaces serves as the connection point for the main circuit's neutral wire, enabling conductive connection between the conductor assembly and the main circuit. This allows the conductor assembly to be controlled via the control board on the main circuit. Simultaneously, the other second interface provides a power supply branch for other devices, thus increasing the functionality of the conductor assembly. Therefore, through the coordinated operation of the first and second conductor segments, both the collinear connection of the dual heating tube leads is achieved, and the conductive connection of the main circuit and the power supply requirements of the auxiliary circuit are met, fundamentally reducing the number of conductors and solder joints required. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first embodiment of the wire assembly provided by this utility model;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second embodiment of the wire assembly provided by this utility model;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third embodiment of the wire assembly provided by this utility model;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the fourth embodiment of the wire assembly provided by this utility model;

[0030] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the fifth embodiment of the wire assembly provided by this utility model;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the sixth embodiment of the wire assembly provided by this utility model;

[0032] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the heater assembly provided by this utility model;

[0033] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the heater assembly provided by this utility model.

[0034] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0035]

[0036]

[0037] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0039] It should be noted that if the embodiments of this utility model involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0040] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this utility model involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or" or "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0041] In heater assemblies with a dual-heating-tube structure, there are two common methods for connecting the wires: one is to weld the two neutral wires and two live wires to the four leads of the heating tubes through the welding terminals of the wires. This method requires four wires and four welding operations, resulting in higher material and process costs. The other method is to combine the two neutral wires into a wire assembly, connect the leads of the heating tubes through connecting rods, and then weld them to the wire assembly. The two live wires are each welded to two leads separately. This method requires three wires and five welding operations, resulting in a complex welding process, many weld points, and higher material and process costs.

[0042] Although the prior art discloses that after each of the two branch wires on the wire assembly is fitted with a heat shrink tubing, they are directly spot-welded to the lead rod of the heating element. The other ends of the two branch wires are connected to one end of a main wire through a connecting terminal. The other end of the main wire is connected to a spring sheath. Therefore, the end of the main wire away from the two branch wires has only a spring sheath as an interface. Thus, the wire assembly disclosed in the prior art, after merging the two wires, only has the function of neutral wire conduction, resulting in a single function.

[0043] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention proposes a wire assembly 10, aiming to improve the complexity of the welding process and the number of solder joints, while reducing material and process costs. This wire assembly 10 can be applied to a heater assembly 100, providing power to the heating element 30 of the heater assembly 100. The specific structure of the wire assembly 10 will be described in detail below.

[0044] Please see Figures 1 to 6In one embodiment of the present invention, the wire assembly 10 includes a first wire segment 11 and a second wire segment 12; the first wire segment 11 has at least two first interfaces 11a, which are respectively used to connect to at least two lead-out rods 31 of the heating tube 30; the second wire segment 12 is connected to the first wire segment 11 and has at least two second interfaces 12a, one of which is used to connect to the neutral wire of the main circuit, and the other is used to supply power to the device.

[0045] In this embodiment, the conductor assembly 10 combines at least two neutral wires through an integrated circuit structure design to achieve a compact arrangement of the neutral wire lines. The first conductor segment 11 and the second conductor segment 12 are two segments of the conductor assembly 10, which can be directly connected together or indirectly connected together using connecting lines or other structures.

[0046] Furthermore, at least two first interfaces 11a of the first conductor segment 11 can be connected to the lead rods 31 of at least two heating tubes 30 by spot welding. The first interface 11a refers to the physical connection point, which can be implemented by plug-in terminals or solder terminals, and is used to establish an electrical connection with the lead rods 31 of the heating tubes 30.

[0047] At least two second interfaces 12a of the second conductor segment 12 can also be connected to the main circuit neutral wire and other devices by spot welding. The second interface 12a refers to the functional allocation node, which can be implemented by welding terminals. At least two second interfaces 12a respectively undertake the differentiated functions of main circuit access and equipment power supply.

[0048] It should be noted that other devices connected to the second interface 12a refer to other devices in the electric water heater that require power, such as temperature controllers, relays, transformers, leakage current protectors, etc., and are not specifically limited here.

[0049] In practical applications, the first conductor segment 11 can be a conductor with at least two first interfaces 11a; or, the first conductor segment 11 can also include at least two branch conductors, each branch conductor having a first interface 11a, so that the at least two branch conductors form at least two first interfaces 11a.

[0050] Similarly, the second conductor segment 12 can be a conductor with at least two second interfaces 12a; or, the second conductor segment 12 can also include at least two branch conductors, each branch conductor having a second interface 12a, so that the at least two branch conductors form at least two second interfaces 12a.

[0051] In summary, the technical solution of this utility model combines at least two neutral wires into a conductor assembly 10, thereby achieving a compact arrangement of the neutral wires through an integrated circuit structure design. The first conductor segment 11 of the conductor assembly 10 is provided with at least two first interfaces 11a. When connecting the conductors, these at least two first interfaces 11a can be directly connected to at least two lead-out rods 31 of the heating tube 30, replacing the traditional separate neutral wire connection method. This combines the two neutral wires that originally needed to be connected independently into an integrated conductor structure, and eliminates the need for connecting rods. Therefore, it not only improves the problems of complex welding processes and numerous solder joints caused by the use of connecting rods, but also reduces the number of conductors used and the number of welding operations. Thus, this solution effectively improves the problems of complex welding processes and numerous solder joints, and reduces material and process costs.

[0052] Furthermore, this solution incorporates at least two second interfaces 12a in the second conductor segment 12 of the conductor assembly 10. One of these interfaces 12a serves as the connection point for the neutral wire of the main circuit, enabling conductive connection between the conductor assembly 10 and the main circuit. This allows the conductor assembly 10 to be controlled by the control board on the main circuit. Simultaneously, the other interface 12a provides a power supply branch for other devices, thus increasing the functionality of the conductor assembly 10. Therefore, through the coordinated operation of the first conductor segment 11 and the second conductor segment 12, both the collinear connection of the lead rod 31 of the dual heating tube 30 and the conductive connection of the main circuit and the power supply requirements of the auxiliary circuit are met, fundamentally reducing the number of conductors and solder joints used.

[0053] Furthermore, when the wire assembly 10 of this solution is installed in the inner tank of the electric water heater via the mounting plate 20 (such as a flange), a pressure plate is required to fix the flange with the wire assembly 10 installed to the inner tank. Therefore, when a connecting rod is used, the connecting rod will protrude from the side of the flange facing the pressure plate, resulting in an insufficient electrical clearance between the connecting rod and the pressure plate, or even direct contact and conductivity between the connecting rod and the pressure plate, leading to substandard electrical performance. Therefore, this solution eliminates the use of the connecting rod, which reduces the overall space occupied and also reduces the occurrence of substandard electrical performance caused by contact between the live part (connecting rod) and adjacent components (pressure plate) or insufficient electrical clearance.

[0054] Therefore, the advantages of this solution are that it requires less material, is simple to weld, can improve production efficiency, reduce costs, and reduce the overall space occupied by eliminating the connecting rod, thus reducing the possibility of electrical performance defects caused by contact between live parts and adjacent components or insufficient electrical clearance.

[0055] Please see Figures 1 to 6In one embodiment of the present invention, the first conductor segment 11 includes at least two first branch conductors 111; the at least two first branch conductors 111 are connected in parallel or in series to the second conductor segment 12, and the end of the first branch conductor 111 away from the second conductor segment 12 is provided with a first interface 11a.

[0056] In this embodiment, the first branch conductor 111 refers to the branch unit constituting the first conductor segment 11. Specifically, it can be implemented using independent copper core wires or wire bundles covered with insulation layers. A current distribution path is formed through parallel or series connection, reducing the number of independent conductors used. Parallel or series connection refers to selecting the topology of current superposition or voltage division according to circuit requirements. Specifically, it can be implemented through wire crimping, welding, or terminal plugging to meet the neutral wire interface configuration requirements of different heating tube 30 structures. The first interface 11a refers to the connection port located at the end of the first branch conductor 111, which directly connects to the lead rod 31 of the heating tube 30 to eliminate intermediate transition connectors.

[0057] Specifically, the first branch conductor 111 forms an integral conductor structure with the second conductor segment 12 through parallel or series connection. When parallel connection is used, the two first branch conductors 111 are connected side by side to the second conductor segment 12, so that the current flows evenly between the two branches; when series connection is used, the first branch conductors 111 are connected sequentially to form a single current path. The first interface 11a is provided at the end of each branch conductor and is directly connected to the lead rod 31 of the heating tube 30. For example, in the dual heating tube 30 scenario, the first interfaces 11a of the two first branch conductors 111 are respectively welded to the two lead rods 31, and the second conductor segment 12 provides a neutral wire loop, without the need for additional connecting rods or independent conductors.

[0058] This configuration, by designing the first conductor segment 11 to include at least two first branch conductors 111 connected in parallel or series, allows these at least two first branch conductors 111 to directly form an integral structure with the second conductor segment 12, thereby reducing the number of independent conductors. Furthermore, the parallel or series connection method of the at least two first branch conductors 111 can be flexibly adjusted according to actual circuit requirements to adapt to current distribution needs under different operating conditions. Additionally, a first interface 11a is provided at the end of the first branch conductor 111 furthest from the second conductor segment 12, allowing each first branch conductor 111 to directly connect to the lead rods 31 of multiple heating tubes 30 without the need for additional connecting rods or intermediate soldering, simplifying the number of independent conductors in the conductor assembly 10 and reducing the number of soldering points. Therefore, this solution, through the integrated design of at least two first branch conductors 111, effectively reduces material costs and assembly complexity while ensuring circuit connectivity.

[0059] Please see Figures 1 to 6In one embodiment of the present invention, the second conductor segment 12 includes at least two second branch conductors 121; at least two second branch conductors 121 are connected in parallel or in series to the first conductor segment 11, and the end of the second branch conductor 121 away from the first conductor segment 11 is provided with a second interface 12a.

[0060] In this embodiment, the second branch conductor 121 refers to multiple branch conductive lines branching off from the first conductor segment 11. Specifically, it can be implemented using copper core conductors or tinned copper stranded wires, achieving multi-path current transmission through the branch structure. Parallel or series connection refers to selecting different connection modes according to circuit requirements, specifically achieved by parallel or series welding of conductors, thereby adjusting the current distribution. The second interface 12a refers to the electrical connection point located at the end of the second branch conductor 121, used for direct connection with the main circuit neutral wire and power supply devices.

[0061] Specifically, the second branch conductor 121 forms an integral conductive loop with the first conductor segment 11 through parallel or series connection, allowing current to be distributed or concentrated through multiple paths. The second interface 12a at the end of the second branch conductor 121 directly connects to the external circuit, eliminating the need for additional connecting wires in traditional solutions. For example, when the second branch conductor 121 is connected in parallel, the current is evenly distributed to each branch line, reducing the load on a single conductor; when connected in series, the current is transmitted sequentially along the branch conductors, suitable for specific voltage distribution requirements. In this way, a single second conductor segment 12 can replace multiple independent conductors, reducing the number of conductors used and the number of soldering points.

[0062] This design effectively reduces the amount of material required for the conductor assembly 10, decreases the number of welding steps and solder joints, and solves the problem of process complexity caused by independent connections of multiple conductors in the prior art. Simultaneously, the parallel or series design of the second branch conductor 121 allows for flexible adjustment of the current distribution path according to actual circuit requirements, ensuring the stability and reliability of the electrical connection.

[0063] Please see Figures 1 to 6 In one embodiment of the present invention, the end of the first wire segment 11 away from the lead-out rod 31 is connected to the end of the second wire segment 12 away from the second interface 12a through a connection structure 13.

[0064] In this embodiment, the connection structure 13 refers to the component used to realize the mechanical connection of the wires. Specifically, it can be implemented by a connector 132 or a combination of connecting wire segment 131 and connector 132. This structure can replace the traditional welding process to form a physical connection between wire segments. The first wire segment 11 refers to the main body of the wire with multiple first interfaces 11a, which can be implemented by multi-core wires or parallel wire bundles. Its function is to integrate the electrical connection requirements of the lead-out rod 31 into a single connection point. The second wire segment 12 refers to the extension portion of the wire with multiple second interfaces 12a, which can be implemented by branched wires or series wire bundles. Its function is to separate the neutral wire connection from the power supply interface function.

[0065] Specifically, the connection structure 13 is configured to establish a conductive path between the end of the first wire segment 11 and the end of the second wire segment 12. After the first wire segment 11 is connected to the lead-out rod 31 of the heating tube 30, its end away from the lead-out rod 31 is directly connected to the end of the second wire segment 12 via connector 132 or a wire with connector 132. This connection method allows the two wire segments, which originally required independent welding, to form a modular structure, replacing the traditional multiple welding processes with only one mechanical connection operation during assembly. For example, in implementation, the first wire segment 11 and the second wire segment 12 can be pre-connected via crimp terminals to form an integral assembly, which is then directly installed between the lead-out rod 31 of the heating tube 30 and the power supply interface.

[0066] Compared with existing technologies, existing solutions require welding to form multiple independent connection points between conductor segments. For example, each branch conductor needs to be individually welded with a lead-out rod 31 or interface, which increases the complexity of the process and the number of welding points many times over. In contrast, this solution, through the setting of the connection structure 13, transforms the connection between conductor segments into a reusable mechanical connection method, eliminating the need for welding branch conductors and reducing the assembly steps of the conductor assembly 10 from multiple welding operations to a single plug-in operation.

[0067] Through the above technical solution, this application can eliminate the welding process at the bifurcation of the conductor segment, reducing the investment in welding equipment and manual operation time required during the assembly of the heater assembly 100. At the same time, the modular design of the connection structure 13 allows the conductor assembly 10 to be pre-processed into standardized components, reducing the risk of connection reliability due to fluctuations in welding process, thereby improving the overall assembly efficiency and quality stability of the heater assembly 100.

[0068] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 4In one embodiment of the present invention, the connection structure 13 includes a connecting wire segment 131 and two connectors 132. One end of the connecting wire segment 131 is connected to the end of the first wire segment 11 away from the first interface 11a through one of the connectors 132, and the other end of the connecting wire segment 131 is connected to the end of the second wire segment 12 away from the second interface 12a through the other connector 132.

[0069] In this embodiment, the connecting wire segment 131 refers to an intermediate transition component used to achieve a conductive connection between the first wire segment 11 and the second wire segment 12. Specifically, it can be implemented using copper core wire or aluminum core wire, and its length can be adjusted according to actual installation requirements. The connector 132 refers to an interface component used to achieve a mechanical connection between the wire segments. Specifically, it can be implemented using a snap-fit ​​connector or a plug-in terminal, and it has internal conductive contacts to ensure the stability of current transmission.

[0070] Specifically, the end of the first wire segment 11 furthest from the lead-out rod 31 is mechanically fixed to one end of the connecting wire segment 131 via one of the connectors 132. The end of the second wire segment 12 furthest from the second interface 12a is mechanically fixed to the other end of the connecting wire segment 131 via another connector 132. The connecting wire segment 131, as an independent module, can be selected in different lengths according to installation space constraints. The connector 132 ensures reliable contact between the wire segments through internal contacts. Therefore, the connection between the first wire segment 11 and the second wire segment 12 does not require welding; electrical connection can be achieved simply by plugging or snapping together the connector 132.

[0071] This design, through the combination of connecting wire segment 131 and connector 132, replaces welding with mechanical connection, reducing the number of welding steps and avoiding the risk of poor contact due to fluctuations in welding quality. Furthermore, the adjustable length of connecting wire segment 131 can adapt to different installation scenarios, further reducing assembly complexity. Therefore, it enables rapid assembly and disassembly between the first wire segment 11 and the second wire segment 12 in the wire assembly 10, reducing the steps required by traditional welding processes, lowering assembly costs and time consumption, and improving overall connection reliability through the stability of the mechanical connection, avoiding the risk of electrical faults caused by welding defects.

[0072] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 In one embodiment of the present invention, the connection structure 13 includes a connector 132, which connects the end of the first wire segment 11 away from the first interface 11a to the end of the second wire segment 12 away from the second interface 12a.

[0073] In this embodiment, connector 132 refers to a mechanical device used to achieve electrical connection between wires. Specifically, it can be implemented using metal plug terminals or a spring clamping structure, establishing a current path through physical contact. The end of the first wire segment 11 furthest from the first interface 11a refers to the portion of the first branch wire 111 not connected to the lead-out rod 31. This can be achieved using bare copper wire with the insulation stripped or a pre-installed terminal structure, ensuring effective contact with connector 132. The end of the second wire segment 12 furthest from the second interface 12a refers to the portion of the second branch wire 121 not connected to the power supply interface. This can be handled in the same way as the first wire segment 11 to maintain consistency of the connection interface.

[0074] Specifically, the first conductor segment 11 and the second conductor segment 12 are directly connected via a single connector 132. The connector 132 has internal conductive contact components, such as copper springs or snap-fit ​​slots, with its two ends inserted into the exposed conductor portions of the first and second conductor segments 11 and 12, respectively. The connector 132 housing is injection-molded to encapsulate the conductive components, forming an insulating protective layer. During assembly, the ends of the two conductors are stripped and inserted into the fixing slots on both sides of the connector 132, where spring pressure or a locking structure achieves mechanical fixation and electrical connection. This connection method requires no additional soldering or transition wires; the integration of the two conductor segments can be completed with a single insertion operation.

[0075] This design allows for direct connection between the ends of two wires via a single connector 132, reducing the number of connection interfaces and soldering steps. This solves the problems of high material costs and cumbersome processes caused by the complex internal connection structure 13 of the wire assembly 10. The direct plug-in design of connector 132 simplifies the assembly process, reduces reliance on soldering, and decreases the number of connectors 132 used. This structure optimizes the overall cost of the wire assembly 10 and improves production efficiency while ensuring electrical reliability.

[0076] Please see Figures 1 to 6 In one embodiment of this utility model, the connecting structure 13 is covered with a heat shrink sleeve 133.

[0077] In this embodiment, the heat shrink tubing 133 refers to an insulating material tube with heat shrinkage characteristics. Specifically, it can be made of polyolefin or fluoroplastic material. After heating, it can tightly fit and wrap around the surface of the connecting structure 13 to form a uniform insulating layer and apply radial shrinkage force.

[0078] The connection structure 13 refers to the joint between the first conductor segment 11 and the second conductor segment 12. It can be achieved by welding, crimping or plugging. Its exposed metal contact surface is susceptible to oxidation or corrosion due to environmental factors.

[0079] Specifically, the heat shrink tubing 133 is pre-installed on the outside of the connecting structure 13 in its unshrinked state. After being heated and shrunk by hot air or heating equipment, it completely or partially wraps the metal surface of the connecting structure 13 and the insulation transition area of ​​adjacent conductor segments. This creates a gapless, sealed enclosure between the heat shrink tubing 133 and the connecting structure 13, preventing external moisture and dust from corroding the metal joint surface. The shrinkage force also maintains the mechanical stability of the connecting structure 13, preventing poor contact due to vibration. Simultaneously, the high insulation performance of the heat shrink tubing 133 effectively eliminates the risk of short circuits between exposed conductors, and its high-temperature resistance allows it to adapt to the working environment of the conductor assembly 10 inside the heater.

[0080] With this configuration, the heat shrink tubing 133 design in this solution provides double protection for the connection structure 13, solves the problem of insufficient insulation at the exposed joint, eliminates the risk of connection failure caused by environmental corrosion or mechanical vibration, reduces the failure rate caused by short circuits and poor contact, and simplifies the insulation process of the conductor assembly 10.

[0081] It should be noted that when the connection structure 13 includes two connectors 132, both connectors 132 are fitted with heat shrink tubing 133; when the connection structure 13 includes only one connector 132, the connector 132 is also fitted with heat shrink tubing 133.

[0082] In the first embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 The first conductor segment 11 includes two first branch conductors 111 connected in parallel, and the second conductor segment 12 includes two second branch conductors 121 connected in parallel. The first conductor segment 11 and the second conductor segment 12 are connected by a connecting conductor segment 131 and two connectors 132.

[0083] In the second embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 The first conductor segment 11 includes two first branch conductors 111 connected in parallel, and the second conductor segment 12 includes two second branch conductors 121 connected in parallel. The first conductor segment 11 and the second conductor segment 12 are connected by a connector 132.

[0084] In the third embodiment, please refer to Figure 3 The first conductor segment 11 includes two first branch conductors 111 connected in parallel, and the second conductor segment 12 includes two second branch conductors 121 connected in series. The first conductor segment 11 and the second conductor segment 12 are connected by a connector 132.

[0085] In the fourth embodiment, please refer to Figure 4The first conductor segment 11 includes two first branch conductors 111 connected in series, and the second conductor segment 12 includes two second branch conductors 121 connected in series. The first conductor segment 11 and the second conductor segment 12 are connected by a connecting conductor segment 131 and two connectors 132.

[0086] In the fifth embodiment, please refer to Figure 5 The first conductor segment 11 includes two first branch conductors 111 connected in series, and the second conductor segment 12 includes two second branch conductors 121 connected in parallel. The first conductor segment 11 and the second conductor segment 12 are connected by a connector 132.

[0087] In the sixth embodiment, please refer to Figure 6 The first conductor segment 11 includes two first branch conductors 111 connected in series, and the second conductor segment 12 includes two second branch conductors 121 connected in series. The first conductor segment 11 and the second conductor segment 12 are connected by a connector 132.

[0088] Please see Figures 1 to 6 In one embodiment of the present invention, the first interface 11a is provided with a welding terminal 112; and / or, the second interface 12a is provided with a plug-in terminal 122.

[0089] Among them, the welding terminal 112 refers to the electrical connection component installed on the first interface 11a of the wire assembly 10, and its function is to realize the conductive connection between the wire assembly 10 and the lead-out rod 31 of the heating tube 30 by spot welding.

[0090] The plug-in terminal 122 refers to the standardized connection component installed on the second interface 12a. Its function is to provide an electrical connection interface for soldering between the conductor assembly 10 and the main circuit neutral wire and power supply devices. Specifically, the plug-in terminal 122 can complete the connection between the conductor assembly 10 and the external circuit through the matching structure between the plug and the socket. When maintenance or replacement is required, the plug-in terminal 122 can be directly detached, avoiding the difficulty of disassembly caused by soldering.

[0091] With this configuration, the welding area between the first interface 11a and the lead-out rod 31 of the heating tube 30 can be increased by installing a welding terminal 112 at the first interface 11a, thereby improving the welding reliability between the first interface 11a and the lead-out rod 31; and by installing a plug-in terminal 122 at the second interface 12a, it is easier to connect the second interface 12a to the main circuit and power supply devices.

[0092] Please see Figure 7 and Figure 8The present invention also proposes a heater assembly 100, which includes a mounting plate 20, multiple heating tubes 30, at least two live wires 40, and a wire assembly 10. The specific structure of the wire assembly 10 is as described in the above embodiments. Since the heater assembly 100 adopts all the technical solutions of all the above embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0093] The mounting plate 20 has multiple mounting holes 21; one end of the heating tube 30 is provided with a lead-out rod 31, and the lead-out rods 31 of the multiple heating tubes 30 are led out from the multiple mounting holes 21 respectively; at least two live wires 40 are respectively connected to at least two lead-out rods 31; at least two first interfaces 11a of the wire assembly 10 are respectively connected to at least two lead-out rods 31, and one of the at least two second interfaces 12a of the wire assembly 10 is used to connect to the neutral wire of the main circuit, and the other is used to supply power to the device. Both the first interface 11a and the second interface 12a are neutral wire interfaces.

[0094] In this embodiment, the mounting plate 20 refers to the support structure used to fix the heating tube 30. It can be made of metal or high-temperature resistant insulating material, such as a flange. The position of the mounting hole 21 is set according to the arrangement requirements of the heating tube 30, and its function is to provide a positioning channel for the lead-out rod 31 to avoid wire crossing. The lead-out rod 31 refers to the conductive component at the end of the heating tube 30 used for electrical connection. It can be made of copper alloy and is connected to the wire assembly 10 by welding or plugging. Its function is to enable the heating tube 30 to conduct electricity to the external circuit. The wire assembly 10 refers to an integrated wire structure that integrates the neutral wire interface. It can include branch wires and welding terminals. Its function is to reduce the number of independent wires by centrally connecting the neutral wire interface. The neutral wire interface refers to the port connected to the main circuit neutral wire or power supply device. Its function is to realize the distribution of neutral wire current and the establishment of the power supply circuit.

[0095] Specifically, the mounting holes 21 of the mounting plate 20 allow the lead-out rods 31 of multiple heating tubes 30 to be arranged in an orderly manner, with the live wires 40 independently connected to their respective lead-out rods 31, ensuring that the current input paths do not interfere with each other. The wire assembly 10 connects to the lead-out rods 31 through the first interface 11a, integrating multiple neutral wire interfaces into a single component. The second interface 12a is divided into a main neutral wire interface and a power supply interface. The main neutral wire interface connects to an external power supply, while the power supply interface provides a neutral wire loop for devices such as temperature sensors or control modules. Thus, the neutral wire current is centrally transmitted through the wire assembly 10, eliminating the need to set a separate neutral wire for each heating tube 30. At the same time, the power supply interface reuses the neutral wire loop, avoiding the need for additional wires.

[0096] In some specific embodiments, the mounting holes 21 can be arranged in two symmetrical rows, and the heating tubes 30 are arranged in parallel; the first interface 11a of the wire assembly 10 can be a welding terminal, which is connected to the lead-out rod 31 by spot welding; the second interface 12a can also be a welding terminal, which is connected to the power supply interface or the main circuit interface by spot welding.

[0097] In practical applications, the heater assembly 100 can be used in heating equipment such as electric water heaters and electric kettles.

[0098] This utility model also proposes an electric water heater, which includes a heater assembly 100. The specific structure of the heater assembly 100 is as described in the above embodiments. Since this electric water heater adopts all the technical solutions of all the above embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0099] In this embodiment, the electric water heater may also include an inner tank, an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, and other structures. Both the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are connected to the inner tank. The inner tank has an opening, and the heating tube 30 of the electric heater assembly can extend into the inner tank from the opening. The mounting plate 20 is placed over the opening, and a pressure plate is used to fix the heater assembly 100 to the inner tank to ensure the installation reliability of the electric heater assembly.

[0100] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the patent scope of the present utility model. Any equivalent structural transformations made based on the technical concept of the present utility model and the contents of the present utility model specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A wire assembly, characterized in that, include: The first conductor segment has at least two first interfaces, each of which is used to connect to at least two lead-out rods of the heating tube. The second conductor segment is connected to the first conductor segment and has at least two second interfaces, one of which is used to connect to the neutral wire of the main circuit, and the other of which is used to supply power to the device.

2. The wire assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The first conductor segment includes at least two first branch conductors; At least two of the first branch wires are connected in parallel or in series to the second wire segment, and the first interface is provided at the end of the first branch wire away from the second wire segment.

3. The wire assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The second conductor segment includes at least two second branch conductors; At least two second branch conductors are connected in parallel or in series to the first conductor segment, and the ends of the second branch conductors away from the first conductor segment are provided with the second interface.

4. The wire assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The end of the first conductor segment away from the lead-out rod is connected to the end of the second conductor segment away from the second interface through a connection structure.

5. The wire assembly as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The connection structure includes a connecting wire segment and two connectors. One end of the connecting wire segment is connected to the end of the first wire segment away from the first interface through one of the connectors, and the other end of the connecting wire segment is connected to the end of the second wire segment away from the second interface through the other connector.

6. The wire assembly as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The connection structure includes a connector that connects the end of the first wire segment away from the first interface to the end of the second wire segment away from the second interface.

7. The wire assembly as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The connecting structure is fitted with a heat-shrink tubing.

8. The wire assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first interface is equipped with welding terminals; And / or, the second interface is provided with plug terminals.

9. A heater assembly, characterized in that, include: The mounting plate has multiple mounting holes; Multiple heating tubes, one end of each heating tube is provided with a lead-out rod, and the lead-out rods of the multiple heating tubes are respectively led out from multiple mounting holes; At least two live wires are connected to at least two of the lead-out rods, respectively; According to any one of claims 1 to 8, the wire assembly has at least two first interfaces connected to at least two leads, one of the at least two second interfaces of the wire assembly is used to connect to the neutral wire of the main circuit, and the other is used to supply power to the device, wherein both the first interface and the second interface are neutral wire interfaces.

10. An electric water heater, characterized in that, Includes the heater assembly as described in claim 9.

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