Water purifier hot water tank device

Abstract

This utility model relates to a hot water tank device for a water purifier. The device may include a vacuum tank body, a cold water pipe, and a temperature sensor. The vacuum tank body includes an inner liner and an outer shell, with a sealed vacuum interlayer between them. The cold water pipe is disposed on the outer wall of the outer shell, with its wall in contact with the outer wall. The temperature sensor is disposed within the cold water pipe for detecting the water temperature. According to the technical solution provided by this utility model, the heat preservation effect of the hot water tank device can be improved, heat conduction reduced, and the water temperature in the hot water tank maintained at a stable level for a longer period. Simultaneously, it can effectively recover heat from the vacuum tank, avoiding the risk of scalding to users due to excessively high outer surface temperature of the hot water tank, thus improving the safety of the water purifier. Furthermore, it can avoid the use of complex devices for leak detection, reducing the cost of leak detection equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of water purifier technology, and in particular to a hot water tank device for a water purifier. Background Technology

[0002] Most water purifiers on the market currently use a heating plate installed at the bottom of the hot water tank to heat the water, and insulation cotton to maintain the water temperature. However, this method has many problems. Because heat is easily lost through the heating plate, this not only results in poor insulation but also increases the energy consumption of the heating plate. Furthermore, since the heating plate is located at the bottom of the tank, scale easily accumulates on it, reducing its lifespan. In addition, during the heat dissipation process, the outer surface temperature of the hot water tank may be high, posing a risk of scalding to users when filling the tank, thus affecting the safety performance of the water purifier. Utility Model Content

[0003] This utility model provides a hot water tank device for a water purifier, which at least solves the problem in related technologies of how to efficiently recover heat from the hot water tank while accurately detecting leaks. The technical solution of this utility model is as follows:

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a hot water tank device for a water purifier is provided, comprising a vacuum tank body, a cold water pipe, and a temperature sensor; the vacuum tank body includes an inner liner and an outer shell, with a sealed vacuum interlayer provided between the inner liner and the outer shell; the cold water pipe is disposed on the outer wall of the outer shell, and the wall of the cold water pipe is in contact with the outer wall of the outer shell; the temperature sensor is disposed in the cold water pipe for detecting the water temperature inside the cold water pipe.

[0005] In one possible implementation, the cold water pipe is arranged in a spiral pattern along the outer wall of the casing.

[0006] In one possible implementation, the cross-section of the cold water pipe is set to be circular or square.

[0007] In one possible implementation, the hot water tank device also includes an exhaust pipe, with a first sealing hole at the top of the inner tank, through which the exhaust pipe passes and extends into the inner tank.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the hot water tank device also includes insulation material that is attached to the outer wall of the inner tank.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the hot water tank device further includes a water level monitoring component, which includes a first water level probe and a second water level probe; a second sealing hole and a third sealing hole are correspondingly opened on the top of the hot water tank device;

[0010] The first water level probe passes through the second sealing hole and extends into the inner liner; the second water level probe passes through the third sealing hole and extends into the inner liner; the length of the first water level probe is greater than the length of the second water level probe.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the hot water tank device further includes a first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve. The first solenoid valve is located at the outlet of the inner tank and is used to control the outflow of water from the inner tank. The second solenoid valve is located at the outlet of the cold water pipe and is used to control the outflow of water from the cold water pipe.

[0012] In one possible implementation, a cleaning assembly is provided in the inner liner, which is located on the inner side of the top of the inner liner. The cleaning assembly includes multiple rotatable spray heads for cleaning the inner liner.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the hot water tank device further includes a water circulation assembly, which includes a water pump and a water suction pipe; the water suction pipe extends from the top of the inner tank to the bottom of the inner tank, and the water pump is connected to the water suction pipe for drawing water from the inner tank.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the hot water tank device further includes a control component disposed on the outer wall of the housing, and the control component is provided with trigger buttons, including a hot water button and a cold water button.

[0015] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0016] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this utility model bring at least the following beneficial effects:

[0017] By installing an inner liner and an outer shell in a vacuum tank, and setting a sealed vacuum interlayer between the inner liner and the outer shell, the heat preservation effect of the hot water tank device can be improved, heat conduction can be reduced, and the water temperature in the hot water tank can be kept stable for a long time.

[0018] A cold water pipe is installed on the outer wall of the vacuum tank. The wall of the cold water pipe is in contact with the outer wall of the outer shell, which can effectively recover the heat of the vacuum tank, avoid the risk of users being scalded due to excessively high temperature of the hot water tank's outer surface, and improve the safety of using the water purifier.

[0019] A temperature sensor is installed in the cold water pipe to detect the temperature of the cold water pipe. The change in water temperature by the temperature sensor can be used to detect whether the vacuum tank is leaking, avoiding the use of complex devices for leak detection and reducing the cost of leak detection equipment.

[0020] Other features and aspects of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions and advantages in the embodiments or prior art of this specification, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this specification. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a vacuum tank body according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of a hot water tank device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a top structural diagram of a hot water tank device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a structural block diagram of a control component according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0026] In the picture,

[0027] 1-Cold water pipe, 2-Inlet pipe, 3-Second water level probe, 4-First water level probe, 5-Exhaust pipe, 6-Water suction pipe, 7-Temperature sensor, 8-Second solenoid valve, 9-Vacuum tank body, 10-Top of outer shell, 11-Top of inner liner. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this utility model, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments in the specification, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this specification, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0029] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this utility model are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of the utility model described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or server that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0030] Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote elements that have the same or similar functions. Although various aspects of the embodiments are shown in the drawings, they are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated otherwise.

[0031] The term "exemplary" as used herein means "serving as an example, embodiment, or illustration." Any embodiment illustrated herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as superior to or better than other embodiments. The term "and / or" in this document is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships may exist, for example, A and / or B, which can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. Furthermore, the term "at least one" in this document means any combination of at least two of any one or more of a plurality, for example, including at least one of A, B, and C, which can represent including any one or more elements selected from the set consisting of A, B, and C.

[0032] Unless otherwise specified, the directions in this article should be understood as follows: the direction closer to the user is forward, and the direction farther from the user is backward.

[0033] Furthermore, to better illustrate this utility model, numerous specific details are provided in the following detailed embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model can be implemented without certain specific details. In some instances, methods, means, components, and circuits well-known to those skilled in the art have not been described in detail in order to highlight the main points of this utility model.

[0034] It should be noted that the following diagram shows one possible sequence of steps, and it is not strictly necessary to follow this order. Some steps can be executed in parallel without interdependence.

[0035] Before introducing the method embodiments provided by this utility model, a brief introduction will be given on the application scenarios, related terms or nouns that may be involved in the method embodiments of this utility model, so as to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art.

[0036] A water purifier is a device used to remove impurities and harmful substances from water and improve water quality. Water purifiers primarily use various filtration technologies to purify water sources. After purification, the purified water is heated and then stored in a hot water tank. Common water purification components include polypropylene melt-blown filter cartridges, activated carbon filter cartridges, ultrafiltration membranes, reverse osmosis membranes, and ultraviolet sterilizers. This invention does not limit the specific components used in water purification.

[0037] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a vacuum vessel body according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 1 As shown, it may include the following devices.

[0038] The hot water tank of the water purifier includes a vacuum tank body 9, meaning the hot water tank adopts a double-layer structure, comprising an inner tank and an outer shell, with a sealed vacuum interlayer between the inner tank and the outer shell. This greatly reduces heat loss through conduction, improving the heat preservation effect of the hot water tank. A water inlet pipe 2 is installed at the top of the vacuum tank body 9, and the water inlet pipe 2 is connected to a hot water input device for introducing hot water into the inner tank of the vacuum tank body 9.

[0039] In this invention, the vacuum tank body 9 can be made of stainless steel, commonly 304 or 316 grade stainless steel. Stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance and durability, and can maintain water quality cleanliness during long-term use. The inner liner of the vacuum tank body 9 can be made of copper, which has good thermal conductivity and antibacterial properties. This invention does not limit the material of the vacuum tank body 9. Preferably, the vacuum tank body 9 of this invention is made of stainless steel.

[0040] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram illustrating a hot water tank device according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2As described above, a cold water pipe 1 is provided on the outer side of the vacuum tank body 9, i.e., the outer wall of the outer shell, and the wall of the cold water pipe 1 is in contact with the outer wall of the outer shell. The cold water pipe 1 can be made of random copolymer polypropylene (PP-R), a common plastic pipe material with good chemical and thermal stability, and also features convenient installation, long service life, environmental friendliness, and non-toxicity. It is easy to install and relatively economical, making it suitable for use as a cold water conveying pipeline. Alternatively, cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipe can be used. PEX pipes are manufactured through a special cross-linking process, which improves the material's temperature and pressure resistance. This type of pipe is very flexible, easy to bend and install, reduces the number of joints, and lowers the risk of leakage. This invention does not limit the material of the cold water pipe 1; the specific material can be determined according to the actual situation.

[0041] In one possible implementation, the cold water pipe 1 can be arranged spirally along the outer wall of the outer shell, thereby increasing the contact area and enhancing the heat exchange efficiency between the vacuum tank and the cold water pipe 1. Simultaneously, the cold water pipe 1 does not directly contact the inner tank, thus preventing sudden temperature changes in the hot water within the inner tank.

[0042] The cold water pipe 1 can also be installed on the outer wall of the outer shell by setting a groove or heat conduction channel on the outer wall of the outer shell to embed the cold water pipe 1, so that the outer shell forms a tight contact; or multiple cold water pipes 1 can be used in parallel, for example, multiple cold water pipes 1 can be set and evenly distributed on the outer surface of the outer shell. This utility model does not limit the way the cold water pipe 1 is set on the outer wall of the outer shell, and the specific method can be determined according to the actual situation.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the cross-section of the cold water pipe 1 is either circular or square. A circular cross-section reduces water flow resistance, ensures uniform stress distribution, provides high pressure resistance, and prevents deformation or breakage. A square cross-section allows for a more precise fit between the outer casing and the pipe, improving heat transfer efficiency. Furthermore, square pipes can be arranged closely together, for example, multiple pipes can be parallel, and the planar contact facilitates fixing with clips or thermally conductive adhesive, reducing the risk of loosening. This invention does not limit the cross-sectional shape of the cold water pipe 1.

[0044] A temperature sensor 7 is also installed in the cold water pipe 1 to detect the water temperature in the cold water pipe 1 in real time. The temperature sensor 7 can be installed at the outlet of the cold water pipe 1 or in the middle of the cold water pipe 1. This utility model does not limit the position or number of cold water pipes 1.

[0045] For example, multiple temperature sensors 7 are set, for instance, at the outlet of the cold water pipe 1 and at the middle of the cold water pipe 1. During a first preset time period, such as 30 minutes, the user draws cold water from the outlet of the cold water pipe 1. At this time, the temperature sensor 7 at the outlet of the cold water pipe 1 monitors the water temperature in the cold water pipe 1 in real time. If, during the water drawing process, the temperature sensor 7 detects that the water temperature in the cold water pipe 1 exceeds the first preset temperature, for example, 60 degrees Celsius, it indicates a serious vacuum leak in the vacuum tank 9, which may result in water or air leakage. If the water temperature in the cold water pipe 1 exceeds the second preset temperature but is lower than the first preset temperature, for example, greater than 50 degrees Celsius but less than 60 degrees Celsius, it indicates a slight leak in the vacuum tank 9. If the water temperature in the cold water pipe 1 is lower than the second preset temperature, i.e., less than 50 degrees Celsius, it indicates that the hot water tank device is in normal operating condition. This invention does not limit the specific temperature.

[0046] If the user does not connect water for more than the first preset time, the temperature sensor 7 at the middle position of the cold water pipe 1 can be used to detect the water temperature of the cold water pipe 1, thereby determining whether the vacuum tank body 9 is leaking.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the hot water tank device also includes insulation material, which is adhered to the outer wall of the inner tank. The insulation material can be polyurethane foam, a highly efficient insulation material with extremely low thermal conductivity, which can be directly injected into the vacuum interlayer through a foaming process to form a seamless insulation layer; glass wool, a lightweight insulation material made of glass fiber, with excellent thermal insulation and sound absorption properties; or aluminum silicate wool, a high-quality, high-temperature resistant insulation material often used for insulation needs in extreme temperature environments. It has good thermal stability and can maintain its insulation performance over a wide temperature range. This invention does not limit the specific structure of the insulation material. Adhering the insulation material to the outer wall of the inner tank can greatly reduce the heat conduction path and further enhance the insulation effect.

[0048] Figure 3 This is a top structural diagram of a hot water tank device according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 3As shown, the hot water tank device also includes a water level monitoring component. A second sealing hole and a third sealing hole are correspondingly provided on the top of the hot water tank device, namely the top of the inner tank 11 and the top of the outer shell 10. The water level monitoring component includes a first water level probe 4 and a second water level probe 3. The first water level probe 4 passes through the second sealing hole and extends into the inner tank; the second water level probe 3 passes through the third sealing hole and extends into the inner tank. The length of the first water level probe 4 is greater than the length of the second water level probe 3. The first water level probe 4 can be used to monitor low water levels. For example, when the water level in the inner tank is lower than the bottom of the first water level probe 4, it indicates that the water level in the tank is insufficient and hot water needs to be added. The second water level probe 3 can be used to monitor high water levels. For example, when the water level in the inner tank reaches the position of the second water level probe 3, it indicates that the water level in the hot water tank meets the preset level, and water intake can be stopped to prevent hot water overflow.

[0049] Equipped with dual water level probes, this system prevents leaks caused by improper water level control, enhancing the safety and reliability of the water purifier. The sealing vent ensures the entire hot water tank remains sealed, preventing external air or contaminants from affecting water quality and equipment performance, while also improving the tank's insulation.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the hot water tank device also includes an exhaust pipe 5. A first sealing hole is provided at the top 11 of the inner tank, and the exhaust pipe 5 passes through the first sealing hole and extends into the inner tank. By installing the exhaust pipe 5 at the top of the vacuum tank, air inside the inner tank can freely enter and exit as the temperature rises or falls, thereby maintaining a pressure balance between the inside of the inner tank and the external environment. This effectively avoids safety hazards caused by excessive pressure between the inside of the inner tank and the external environment, such as inner tank deformation or misalignment. Furthermore, by installing the exhaust pipe 5, the internal pressure of the inner tank can be effectively managed, reducing damage to the inner tank and other components of the hot water tank, and extending the service life of the entire hot water tank device.

[0051] In one possible implementation, a cleaning component is installed inside the inner tank, located on the inner side of the top 11 of the inner tank. The cleaning component includes multiple rotatable spray heads for cleaning the inner tank. The water purifier control system includes a timer. A cleaning pipe is connected to the top 11 of the inner tank and is connected to the cleaning component to deliver water flow to the multiple rotatable spray heads. When the timer records that the water purifier has exceeded a cleaning threshold, for example, 30 days, the rotatable spray heads are immediately activated to fire high-pressure water jets onto the inner wall of the inner tank to remove scale or other deposits. A drain pipe can also be installed at the bottom of the hot water tank unit. When the rotatable spray heads are spraying water, the drain pipe automatically opens to discharge the wastewater after cleaning, thereby extending the service life of the water purifier and ensuring healthy water quality. When installing the cleaning component, it is necessary to ensure that all connection points have good sealing performance to prevent leakage during normal user use, i.e., during non-cleaning periods.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the hot water tank device further includes a first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve 8. The first solenoid valve is located at the outlet of the inner tank to control the outflow of water from the inner tank; the second solenoid valve 8 is located at the outlet of the cold water pipe 1 to control the outflow of water from the cold water pipe 1. A solenoid valve is an automated valve that controls fluid flow using electromagnetic force. Exemplarily, the water purifier control system controls the opening and closing of the first solenoid valve via an electrical signal, thereby achieving precise control of the hot water flow in the inner tank. The water purifier control system controls the opening and closing of the second solenoid valve 8 via an electrical signal, thereby achieving precise control of the water flow in the cold water pipe 1. If the temperature sensor 7 detects that the water temperature in the cold water pipe 1 exceeds a first preset temperature, indicating a leak in the hot water tank device of the water purifier, the water purifier control system immediately controls the first and second solenoid valves 8 to close, thereby quickly cutting off the water supply and ensuring safe use.

[0053] In one possible implementation, the hot water tank device further includes a circulating water assembly, which includes a water pump and a suction pipe 6. The suction pipe 6 extends from the top 11 of the inner tank to the bottom of the inner tank, and the water pump is connected to the suction pipe 6 to draw water from the inner tank. When the recording time of the water purifier control system reaches a second preset time, such as five hours, the temperature in the inner tank may be below 80 degrees Celsius; this invention does not limit this temperature. At this time, the water pump starts working, drawing water from the inner tank through the suction pipe 6. After all the water in the inner tank has been drawn out, the water is heated through the inlet pipe 2 and then reintroduced into the inner tank, thereby maintaining a continuous high temperature of water in the inner tank and improving the user experience.

[0054] Figure 4 This is a structural block diagram illustrating a control component according to an exemplary embodiment. For example... Figure 4As shown, the hot water tank device also includes a control component, which can be installed on the outer wall of the casing. The control component includes a visual screen and trigger buttons. The visual screen displays the hot water temperature and will also alert the user if the hot water tank leaks (water or air), indicating that it is unusable. The trigger buttons include hot water and cold water buttons, allowing users to easily obtain water and improving the user experience.

[0055] In one possible implementation, the hot water tank device also includes a buzzer and a communication module. The buzzer can be located on the top of the water purifier to provide a timely alarm in the event of a leak in the hot water tank. The communication module is used to connect to the user's communication device, such as Bluetooth or a wireless network connection; this invention is not limited to this. In the event of a leak in the hot water tank, the user's communication device will promptly receive information about the water purifier's malfunction, allowing the user to contact the manufacturer for replacement in a timely manner, thus preventing safety issues.

[0056] Regarding the apparatus in the above embodiments, the specific manner in which each module performs its operation has been described in detail in the embodiments related to the method, and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0057] Other embodiments of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The present invention is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention that follow the general principles of the invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the invention are indicated by the following claims.

[0058] It should be understood that this invention is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hot water tank device for a water purifier, characterized in that, This includes the vacuum tank body, cold water pipes, and temperature sensors; The vacuum tank body includes an inner liner and an outer shell, with a sealed vacuum interlayer provided between the inner liner and the outer shell; The cold water pipe is disposed on the outer wall of the housing, and the wall of the cold water pipe is in contact with the outer wall of the housing; The temperature sensor is installed in the cold water pipe to detect the water temperature inside the cold water pipe.

2. The hot water tank device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cold water pipe is spirally arranged circumferentially along the outer wall of the outer casing.

3. The hot water tank device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-section of the cold water pipe is set to be circular or square.

4. The hot water tank device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hot water tank device also includes an exhaust pipe, and a first sealing hole is provided at the top of the inner tank. The exhaust pipe passes through the first sealing hole and extends into the inner tank.

5. The hot water tank device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hot water tank device also includes insulation material, which is attached to the outer wall of the inner tank.

6. The hot water tank device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hot water tank device also includes a water level monitoring component, which includes a first water level probe and a second water level probe; a second sealing hole and a third sealing hole are correspondingly opened on the top of the hot water tank device. The first water level probe passes through the second sealing hole and extends into the inner liner; the second water level probe passes through the third sealing hole and extends into the inner liner; the length of the first water level probe is greater than the length of the second water level probe.

7. The hot water tank device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hot water tank device also includes a first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve. The first solenoid valve is located at the outlet of the inner tank and is used to control the water flow out of the inner tank. The second solenoid valve is located at the outlet of the cold water pipe and is used to control the water flow out of the cold water pipe.

8. The hot water tank device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner liner is equipped with a cleaning assembly, which is located on the inner side of the top of the inner liner. The cleaning assembly includes multiple rotatable spray heads, which are used to clean the inner liner.

9. The hot water tank device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hot water tank device also includes a circulating water assembly, which includes a water pump and a water pumping pipe; The water suction pipe extends from the top of the inner tank to the bottom of the inner tank, and the water pump is connected to the water suction pipe to draw water from the inner tank.

10. The hot water tank device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hot water tank device also includes a control component, which is disposed on the outer wall of the housing. The control component is provided with trigger buttons, including a hot water button and a cold water button.

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