Vehicle-mounted water heater with water filtering and softening device

Abstract

The utility model provides a vehicle-mounted water heater with filter and water softening device, include: cold water inlet is used for introducing outside cold water to water heater inside, filter device is set between cold water inlet and heat exchanger, is equipped with stainless steel filter screen in filter device, fills in water quality softening agent in the filter core bin surrounded in its inside, is used for carrying out impurity filtration and softening treatment to water before cold water enters heat exchanger, heat exchanger is connected with filter device, is used for heating the water that passes through filtration and softening, combustor is connected with heat exchanger heat, is used for providing heat energy, gas inlet is connected with combustor, is used for input gas, exhaust fan is set at the top or side of heat exchanger, is used for discharging the waste gas produced after combustion. Over the cold water inlet and heat exchanger between additional filter device, and fill in water quality softening agent in it, can significantly improve the input water quality, improve the reliability of complete machine, can effectively filter impurities.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of vehicle-mounted water heater technology, and more specifically to a vehicle-mounted water heater with a filtration and softening device. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing popularity of self-driving travel and RV tourism, vehicle-mounted water heaters, as essential equipment for providing hot water for showering and daily cleaning, have gradually become standard equipment in RVs, campervans, and mobile shower vehicles. Most existing vehicle-mounted water heaters use gas heating, featuring a compact structure and high heating efficiency, meeting the requirements of vehicle space and energy supply. However, most vehicle-mounted water heaters currently on the market do not come equipped with water filtration or softening devices, typically relying solely on external water sources directly entering the heating system. Since vehicles often need to draw water from different locations during outdoor travel, such as campsite taps, mountain springs, and temporary water stations, these water sources often have varying water quality, high hardness, and numerous impurities. Using untreated water directly in a water heater can easily cause blockages in the pipes and heat exchanger due to impurities, affecting hot water flow and system performance. If the water has a high calcium and magnesium ion content, scale can easily form in the heating elements after long-term use, reducing thermal efficiency and increasing energy consumption. Furthermore, some water sources may contain harmful microorganisms or heavy metal ions, which can easily cause skin itching, allergies, and other health problems if used directly for bathing. Therefore, how to add water filtration and softening functions while maintaining a compact structure for vehicle-mounted water heaters, thereby improving safety, comfort, and system durability during use, has become a pressing technical problem that needs to be solved in this field. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of this, the present invention provides a vehicle-mounted water heater with a water filtration and softening device.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] A vehicle-mounted water heater with a water filtration and softening device includes: a cold water inlet for introducing external cold water into the water heater; a filtration device disposed between the cold water inlet and a heat exchanger, the filtration device containing a stainless steel filter screen, the filter cartridge chamber inside which is filled with a water softener, for filtering impurities and softening the water before it enters the heat exchanger; a heat exchanger connected to the filtration device for heating the filtered and softened water; a burner thermally connected to the heat exchanger for providing heat energy; a gas inlet connected to the burner for inputting gas; an exhaust fan disposed on the top or side of the heat exchanger for discharging exhaust gases produced after combustion; and a hot water outlet disposed at the outlet end of the heat exchanger for outputting heated hot water for user use.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the device further includes an outer casing that covers the filter, heat exchanger, burner, and exhaust fan. The cold water inlet, gas inlet, and hot water outlet are located on the outside of the casing and are connected to the filter, burner, and heat exchanger respectively via pipes.

[0007] In the preferred technical solution, the stainless steel filter screen divides the interior of the filtration device into a water inlet channel and a filter cartridge compartment, with the filter cartridge compartment used to hold the water softener.

[0008] In the preferred technical solution, the water softener is an ion exchange resin or polyphosphate particles.

[0009] In the preferred technical solution, the filtration device has a detachable structure, which facilitates regular cleaning of the stainless steel filter screen or replenishment of water softener.

[0010] In the preferred technical solution, the heat exchanger is a rapid heat exchanger.

[0011] In the preferred technical solution, the outer shell is made of metal and is provided with ventilation holes or louvered structures for ventilation and heat dissipation.

[0012] In the preferred technical solution, the cold water inlet, gas inlet, and hot water outlet all adopt a quick-connect interface structure, which facilitates installation and disassembly.

[0013] As can be seen from the above technical solution, compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial technical effects:

[0014] By adding a filtration device between the cold water inlet and the heat exchanger, and filling it with a water softener, the input water quality can be significantly improved, enhancing the overall reliability of the unit. This effectively filters impurities; the filtration device contains a stainless steel filter screen that blocks sand, rust, silt, and other impurities in the water, preventing blockage of pipes and heat exchange pathways and extending the water heater's lifespan. The water softening materials (such as ion exchange resin and polyphosphate particles) filled in the filter chamber effectively reduce the concentration of calcium and magnesium ions in the water, preventing scale formation in the heating elements, improving thermal efficiency, and reducing maintenance frequency. The filtered and softened water is purer, effectively reducing odors and microbial residues, making bathing more comfortable and hygienic, and reducing the risk of skin allergies or itching. This equipment is adaptable to various water source environments, and is particularly suitable for vehicle-mounted hot water applications in the wild or in areas with unstable water quality.

[0015] This invention integrates filtration, softening, heating, and smoke extraction functions without significantly increasing the system size, making it suitable for installation in various vehicle spaces. Attached Figure Description

[0016] 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 embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model.

[0018] Reference numerals: 1. Cold water inlet; 2. Filter device; 3. Exhaust fan; 4. Heat exchanger; 5. Burner; 6. Gas inlet; 7. Hot water outlet; 8. Casing. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are simplified schematic diagrams, illustrating only the basic structure of the invention, and therefore only show the components relevant to the invention.

[0020] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal," "radial," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0021] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0022] like Figure 1As shown, a vehicle-mounted water heater with a filtration and softening device includes a cold water inlet 1, a filtration device 2, an exhaust fan 3, a heat exchanger 4, a burner 5, a gas inlet 6, and a hot water outlet 7. The filtration device 2, exhaust fan 3, heat exchanger 4, and burner 5 are all integrated within a housing 8, resulting in a compact structure suitable for installation in vehicle space. The cold water inlet 1 is located on the side wall of the housing 8, preferably using a quick-connect or threaded joint structure, and is connected through the inlet end of the filtration device 2 to ensure the sealing and vibration resistance of the water input. The filtration device 2 includes a cylindrical housing, a removable top cover, and an internal stainless steel filter screen. The filter screen divides the interior of the device into an inlet channel and a filter cartridge chamber. The inlet channel receives cold water from the cold water inlet 1. The filter cartridge chamber is filled with granular water softening agents, such as ion exchange resin, polyphosphate particles, or a combination of both, to perform preliminary purification and softening treatment on the water before it enters the heat exchanger 4, removing calcium and magnesium ions and preventing scaling. The softener can be stored in a replaceable filter cartridge for easy regular maintenance. The housing of the filter unit 2 is preferably made of food-grade high-temperature and pressure-resistant material (such as PP or 316L stainless steel), and has a knob or snap-fit ​​structure on the top for easy disassembly and cleaning of the filter screen or replacement of the softener. Softened water flows into the heat exchanger 4 through a connecting pipe. The heat exchanger 4 is preferably made of a high thermal conductivity metal material (such as oxygen-free copper or stainless steel). The heat exchanger 4 is installed above the burner 5, forming a highly efficient heating system with it through heat conduction, which can quickly raise the water temperature to the set range (e.g., 40–60°C).

[0023] Furthermore, burner 5 employs a compact direct-injection gas burner head with automatic ignition and flameout protection functions. It connects to gas inlet 6, located on the lower exterior of housing 8, using a quick-connect design to accommodate vehicle-mounted LPG tanks or CNG cylinders. The nozzle assembly can be replaced depending on the gas used (LPG, butane) to adapt to different types of gas. Ignition is achieved through an electronic control module, and the entire unit is powered by a 12V vehicle power supply. The system includes a temperature control switch and over-temperature protection circuit to ensure safe operation. Users can adjust the temperature via a control cable display; some models can be expanded with an electronic temperature control module. Exhaust gases generated during combustion are drawn out from the top or side of heat exchanger 4 by exhaust fan 3. Exhaust fan 3 uses a low-noise DC fan with a built-in backflow preventer to prevent external gas backflow. The duct design is optimized to improve exhaust efficiency, ensuring complete combustion and safe air inside the vehicle. Normally, the exhaust fan 3 is connected to an exhaust pipe for exhausting smoke. The exhaust pipe is connected to the side wall of the outer casing 8. The side wall of the outer casing 8 is provided with exhaust holes for exhausting waste gas to the outside of the water heater.

[0024] Furthermore, the hot water after heat exchange is output from hot water outlet 7. Hot water outlet 7 uses quick-connect or threaded interfaces, allowing connection to shower heads, washing hoses, or water storage tanks, providing excellent sealing and high-temperature resistance. All water pipe connections are threaded, enhancing system stability. The outer casing 8 encloses the entire system; its material can be metal or flame-retardant ABS engineering plastic. The casing surface features multiple ventilation holes or louvered structures to facilitate ventilation and heat dissipation. The casing 8 has screw holes for easy mounting to a vehicle's interior wall or floor. An inspection port or openable door is provided at the front of the casing for easy maintenance and troubleshooting. The overall dimensions of the device can be up to 400mm in length, 400mm in width, and 400mm in height, adapting to the installation needs of various vehicles such as RVs, campervans, ambulances, and mobile shower trucks.

[0025] Furthermore, the working process of this vehicle-mounted water heater is as follows: external cold water enters through the cold water inlet 1; it is treated by the filter device 2 to remove impurities and soften the water; it enters the heat exchanger 4 and is heated by the burner 5; natural gas is input through the gas inlet 6 and burned by the burner; the exhaust fan 3 discharges the exhaust gas out of the system; and the heated water is output from the hot water outlet 7 for use. This utility model has a reasonable structure, is easy to manufacture and install, has good water softening and anti-scaling functions, and integrates a high-efficiency heat exchange system and a safety exhaust module. It is suitable for vehicle-mounted mobile hot water application scenarios, can significantly improve water comfort and equipment reliability, and has broad practical value and industrialization prospects.

[0026] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted water heater with a water filtration and softening device, characterized in that: include: Cold water inlet (1) is used to introduce external cold water into the water heater; The filter device (2) is set between the cold water inlet (1) and the heat exchanger (4). The filter device (2) is equipped with a stainless steel filter screen, and the filter cartridge chamber inside is filled with water softener for filtering impurities and softening water before the cold water enters the heat exchanger. A heat exchanger (4) is connected to the filter device (2) for heating the filtered and softened water; The burner (5) is thermally connected to the heat exchanger (4) and is used to provide thermal energy; The gas inlet (6) is connected to the burner (5) and is used to input gas; The exhaust fan (3) is installed on the top or side of the heat exchanger (4) to exhaust the exhaust gas generated after combustion; Hot water outlet (7) is located at the outlet end of the heat exchanger (4) and is used to output heated hot water for users.

2. A vehicle-mounted water heater with a filtration and softening device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an outer casing (8), which covers the filter device (2), heat exchanger (4), burner (5) and exhaust fan (3). The cold water inlet (1), gas inlet (6) and hot water outlet (7) are located on the outside of the outer casing (8) and are respectively connected to the filter device (2), burner (5) and heat exchanger (4) through pipes.

3. A vehicle-mounted water heater with a filtration and softening device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The stainless steel filter screen divides the interior of the filter device (2) into a water inlet channel and a filter cartridge chamber, the filter cartridge chamber being used to hold the water softener.

4. A vehicle-mounted water heater with a filtration and softening device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water softener is an ion exchange resin or polyphosphate granules.

5. A vehicle-mounted water heater with a filtration and softening device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filter device (2) is a detachable structure, which facilitates regular cleaning of the stainless steel filter screen or replenishment of water softener.

6. A vehicle-mounted water heater with a filtration and softening device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat exchanger (4) is a fast heat exchanger.

7. A vehicle-mounted water heater with a filtration and softening device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer shell (8) is made of metal and has ventilation holes or louvered structures for ventilation and heat dissipation.

8. A vehicle-mounted water heater with a filtration and softening device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The cold water inlet (1), gas inlet (6) and hot water outlet (7) all adopt a quick-connect interface structure, which is convenient for installation and disassembly.

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