Waterway control system and electric water heater

Abstract

This utility model relates to a water circuit control system and an electric water heater, belonging to the field of water heaters. The water circuit control system includes: a housing assembly with a liquid storage chamber; a first heating assembly disposed on the housing assembly and located at the liquid storage chamber, the first heating assembly having an inlet, a water delivery channel, and an outlet; a second heating assembly adjacent to the housing assembly, the second heating assembly having a water inlet, a water delivery channel, and a water outlet; and a valve assembly adjacent to the housing assembly. The inlet, water delivery channel, outlet, and valve assembly are sequentially connected to form a first heating water circuit, and the water inlet, water delivery channel, water outlet, and valve assembly are sequentially connected to form a second heating water circuit. The water circuit control system disclosed in this application can achieve simultaneous heating and water supply through the setting of the first and second heating water circuits, significantly improving the maximum hot water output compared to the traditional single water circuit design.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of water heaters, and in particular to a water circuit control system and an electric water heater. Background Technology

[0002] An electric water heater is a household appliance that heats and supplies hot water for domestic use. Traditional electric water heaters typically employ a single heating circuit design, meaning the water flows through only one set of heating elements before being output. However, this method of hot water supply is relatively fixed, offering a limited range of adjustable hot water output that cannot meet the demand for large flow rates. Utility Model Content

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a water circuit control system and an electric water heater to address the problems of traditional electric water heaters, such as their relatively fixed hot water supply method, small range of adjustable hot water output, and inability to meet the demand for large flow of hot water.

[0004] A water circuit control system includes: a housing assembly having a liquid storage chamber; a first heating assembly disposed on the housing assembly and located at the liquid storage chamber, the first heating assembly having a water inlet, a water delivery channel, and a water outlet; a second heating assembly disposed on the housing assembly or adjacent to the first heating assembly, the second heating assembly having a water inlet, a water delivery channel, and a water outlet; and a valve assembly disposed on the housing assembly or adjacent to the housing assembly, wherein the water inlet, the water delivery channel, the water outlet, and the valve assembly are sequentially connected to form a first heating water circuit, and the water inlet, the water delivery channel, the water outlet, and the valve assembly are sequentially connected to form a second heating water circuit.

[0005] The first aspect of this application discloses a water circuit control system. By setting up a first heating water circuit and a second heating water circuit, simultaneous heating and water supply from two water circuits can be achieved, significantly increasing the maximum hot water output compared to traditional single-circuit designs. Intelligent control of the two heating water circuits is achieved through the valve assembly, allowing one heating water circuit to be activated or both to be activated simultaneously according to actual needs, improving the flexibility of hot water flow regulation. This design overcomes the limitation of flow regulation in traditional single-circuit systems, achieving a wider range of flow control. The intelligent allocation of the two heating water flows through the valve assembly allows for more precise control of the final outlet water temperature, avoiding the water temperature fluctuation problem caused by flow changes in traditional systems. Preferably, the valve assembly is a thermostatic valve. The design of two independent heating water circuits provides water supply assurance; when one circuit fails, the other can still maintain basic hot water supply function, improving the overall reliability of the system.

[0006] In one embodiment, the valve body assembly includes a first valve body inlet, a second valve body inlet, a valve chamber, and a valve body outlet. The inlet, the water delivery channel, the outlet, the second valve body inlet, the valve chamber, and the valve body outlet are sequentially connected to form the first heating water circuit. The water inlet, the water delivery channel, the water outlet, the first valve body inlet, the valve chamber, and the valve body outlet are sequentially connected to form the second heating water circuit. By integrating the control functions of the two heating water circuits into a single valve body assembly, and through the compact layout of the first valve body inlet, the second valve body inlet, and the valve body outlet, independent flow regulation of the two heating water circuits can be achieved, allowing precise control of the open / closed state of each circuit. This design can control the flow of the two heating water circuits, supporting both single-circuit water supply and dual-circuit parallel output, thereby controlling the output of hot water.

[0007] In one embodiment, a water outlet structure is further included, which is connected to the valve body assembly and communicates with the valve body outlet. Through the connection of the water outlet structure to the valve body assembly, the valve body assembly can control the output of hot water from the first heating water path, the second heating water path, or both simultaneously, thereby regulating the output of hot water and enabling a higher flow rate compared to traditional hot water systems.

[0008] In one embodiment, a connecting pipe is also included, wherein the water inlet, the water delivery channel, the water outlet, the connecting pipe, the first valve body inlet, the valve chamber, and the valve body outlet are sequentially connected to form the second heating water circuit. The connecting pipe connects the water outlet and the first valve body inlet, ensuring a stable supply of hot water. The connecting pipe also allows for flexible adjustment of the relative positions between the second heating element and the valve body assembly according to installation requirements, adapting to different spatial layouts.

[0009] In one embodiment, a water inlet structure is further included, which is connected to the water inlet and / or the water flow inlet. By connecting the water inlet structure to both the water inlet and the water flow inlet, the water inlet structure acts as a front-end distribution device in the water system, simultaneously or selectively supplying water to the water inlet of the first heating water circuit and the water flow inlet of the second heating water circuit, thereby achieving water source distribution control. By integrating the water supply functions of the water inlet and the water flow inlet into a single water inlet structure, external pipeline connections are simplified, and the overall structural compactness is enhanced.

[0010] In one embodiment, the water inlet structure includes a main pipeline, a first input pipeline, and a second input pipeline. Both the first and second input pipelines are connected to the main pipeline. The first input pipeline is connected to the water inlet, and the second input pipeline is connected to the water flow inlet. The independent configuration of the first and second input pipelines allows for precise and independent control of the water flow into the two heating water circuits. This design employs a main pipeline branching structure, making the water inlet system layout more regular and orderly, facilitating pipeline arrangement and optimization of installation space.

[0011] In one embodiment, a tee pipe is also included, wherein a first port of the tee pipe is connected to the main pipe fitting, a second port of the tee pipe is connected to the first input pipe fitting, and a third port of the tee pipe is connected to the second input pipe fitting. The tee pipe serves as a connecting hub between the main pipe fitting and the two input pipe fittings, enabling efficient diversion of water source to the two heating water paths.

[0012] In one embodiment, the valve body assembly includes a valve body structure and a valve core structure. The valve body structure is disposed on the housing assembly or adjacent to the housing assembly. The valve body structure has a first valve body inlet, a second valve body inlet, a valve cavity, and a valve body outlet. The valve core structure is disposed on the valve body structure and can block or open the first valve body inlet and the second valve body inlet. The first and second inlets ensure stable delivery of water to the first and second heating water circuits. The valve core structure can control the on / off states of the first and second valve body inlets respectively, enabling independent opening and closing of the two heating water circuits to meet different hot water output requirements. It can be used in different application scenarios, with simple control and convenient operation. The direct drive method of the valve core structure ensures rapid response during water circuit switching and a high degree of automation.

[0013] In one embodiment, a stepper motor is also included, which is drively connected to the valve core structure. The stepper motor can drive the valve core structure to block or open the first valve body inlet, and the stepper motor can also drive the valve core structure to block or open the second valve body inlet. The precise angle control capability of the stepper motor enables the valve core structure to achieve precise displacement adjustment, ensuring accurate control of the opening degree of the two valve body inlets. By directly driving the valve core movement through electrical control signals, automated operation of water circuit switching and flow regulation is achieved without manual intervention, resulting in a high degree of automation.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first heating assembly includes a heating element and a water supply pipe. Both the heating element and the water supply pipe are mounted on the housing assembly and located at the liquid storage chamber. The heating element heats the liquid within the storage chamber, and the water supply pipe has an inlet, a flow channel, and an outlet. The heating element is directly immersed in the liquid within the storage chamber, achieving rapid heating through direct contact heat conduction. This large-area heat conduction enables rapid heating of the liquid within the storage chamber. The design of the heating element being completely immersed in the liquid fundamentally avoids the risk of dry burning, improving system safety. Cold water passing through the water supply pipe is heated by the hot water bath in the storage chamber to form hot water output, improving overall heat exchange efficiency and enhancing the user experience.

[0015] An electric water heater includes: the aforementioned water circuit control system.

[0016] The second aspect of this application discloses an electric water heater that, through the coordinated operation of a first heating water circuit and a second heating water circuit, simultaneously meets the differentiated needs of regular water use and high-flow-rate water use, significantly expanding the product's applicability. Intelligent control of the two heating water circuits via the valve assembly allows for precise control of the hot water output, adapting to different usage scenarios. Through an optimized integrated water circuit layout, the dual-water-circuit function is achieved while maintaining an overall size comparable to traditional single-water-circuit products. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is the first three-dimensional view of the water system control system.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a second three-dimensional view of the water system control system;

[0019] Figure 3 This is the first exploded view of the water system control system;

[0020] Figure 4 This is the second exploded view of the water system control system;

[0021] Figure 5 A three-dimensional view of the second heating component, valve body component, water outlet structure, connecting pipe, water inlet structure, and stepper motor;

[0022] Figure 6 Exploded view of the second heating component, valve body component, water outlet structure, connecting pipe, water inlet structure and stepper motor;

[0023] Figure 7 A 3D view of the valve body assembly and stepper motor;

[0024] Figure 8 This is a 3D view of the valve body assembly;

[0025] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the valve body assembly;

[0026] Figure 10 This is a first perspective view of the second heating component;

[0027] Figure 11 This is a second perspective view of the second heating component;

[0028] Figure 12 A three-dimensional view of the water inlet structure;

[0029] Figure 13 This is a 3D diagram of the water supply pipe.

[0030] Figure 14 This is an exploded view of the housing assembly.

[0031] The correspondence between the reference numerals and the component names is as follows:

[0032] 1 housing assembly, 101 liquid storage chambers;

[0033] 2 First heating component, 21 Heating element, 22 Water supply pipe, 201 Water inlet, 202 Water outlet;

[0034] 3. Second heating component, 301 water inlet, 302 water outlet;

[0035] 4 Valve body assembly, 41 Valve body structure, 401 First valve body inlet, 402 Second valve body inlet, 403 Valve chamber, 404 Valve body outlet;

[0036] 5. Water outlet structure;

[0037] 6 connecting pipes;

[0038] 7. Water inlet structure; 71. Main pipeline fitting; 72. First input fitting; 73. Second input fitting; 74. T-pipe; 8. Stepper motor. Detailed Implementation

[0039] To better understand the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this utility model, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in these embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0040] Many specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0041] Example 1

[0042] like Figure 1-14 As shown, this embodiment discloses a water circuit control system, including: a housing assembly 1, the housing assembly 1 having a liquid storage chamber 101; a first heating assembly 2, the first heating assembly 2 being disposed on the housing assembly 1 and located at the liquid storage chamber 101, the first heating assembly 2 having a water inlet 201, a water delivery channel and a water outlet 202; a second heating assembly 3, the second heating assembly 3 being disposed on the housing assembly 1 or the housing assembly 1 being adjacent to the first heating assembly 2, the second heating assembly 3 having a water inlet 301, a water delivery channel and a water outlet 302; and a valve assembly 4, the valve assembly 4 being disposed on the housing assembly 1 or the valve assembly 4 being adjacent to the housing assembly 1, the water inlet 201, the water delivery channel, the water outlet 202 and the valve assembly 4 being sequentially connected to form a first heating water circuit, and the water inlet 301, the water delivery channel, the water outlet 302 and the valve assembly 4 being sequentially connected to form a second heating water circuit.

[0043] The first aspect of this application discloses a water circuit control system. By setting up a first heating water circuit and a second heating water circuit, simultaneous heating and water supply from two water circuits can be achieved, significantly increasing the maximum hot water output compared to traditional single-circuit designs. The valve body assembly 4 enables intelligent control of the two heating water circuits, allowing one or both circuits to be activated simultaneously based on actual needs, thus improving the flexibility of hot water flow regulation. This design overcomes the limitations of traditional single-circuit systems in flow regulation, achieving a wider range of flow control. The intelligent allocation of the two heating water flows by the valve body assembly 4 allows for more precise control of the final outlet water temperature, avoiding temperature fluctuations caused by flow changes in traditional systems. Preferably, the valve body assembly 4 is a thermostatic valve. The design of two independent heating water circuits provides a water supply guarantee; if one circuit fails, the other can still maintain basic hot water supply, improving the overall reliability of the system.

[0044] like Figure 5-9As shown, in addition to the features of the above embodiments, this embodiment further specifies that: the valve body assembly 4 is provided with a first valve body inlet 401, a second valve body inlet 402, a valve cavity 403, and a valve body outlet 404. The inlet 201, the water supply channel, the outlet 202, the second valve body inlet 402, the valve cavity 403, and the valve body outlet 404 are sequentially connected to form the first heating water circuit. The water inlet 301, the water supply channel, the water outlet 302, the first valve body inlet 401, the valve cavity 403, and the valve body outlet 404 are sequentially connected to form the second heating water circuit. By integrating the control functions of the two heating water circuits into a single valve body assembly 4, and through the compact layout of the first valve body inlet 401, the second valve body inlet 402, and the valve body outlet 404, independent flow regulation of the two heating water circuits can be achieved, and the opening / closing state of each water circuit can be precisely controlled. This design can control the flow rate of two heating water circuits, supporting both single-circuit water supply and dual-circuit parallel output, thereby controlling the amount of hot water output.

[0045] like Figure 1-6 As shown, in addition to the features of the above embodiments, this embodiment further includes a water outlet structure 5, which is connected to the valve body assembly 4 and communicates with the valve body output port 404. Through the connection between the water outlet structure 5 and the valve body assembly 4, the valve body assembly 4 can control the first heating water path to output from the water outlet structure 5, or control the second heating water path to output from the water outlet structure 5, or simultaneously control both the first and second heating water paths to output from the water outlet structure 5. This allows for adjustment of the hot water output and enables the output of more hot water compared to traditional hot water systems.

[0046] like Figure 1-6 As shown, in addition to the features of the above embodiments, this embodiment further includes a connecting pipe 6. The water inlet 301, the water delivery channel, the water outlet 302, the connecting pipe 6, the first valve body inlet 401, the valve chamber 403, and the valve body outlet 404 are sequentially connected to form the second heating water circuit. The connecting pipe 6 connects the water outlet 302 and the first valve body inlet 401, achieving a stable supply of hot water. The connecting pipe 6 allows for flexible adjustment of the relative positions between the second heating component 3 and the valve body component 4 according to installation requirements, adapting to different spatial layouts.

[0047] like Figure 1-6As shown, in addition to the features of the above embodiments, this embodiment further includes a water inlet structure 7, which is connected to the water inlet 201 and / or the water inlet 301. Through the connection between the water inlet structure 7 and the water inlet 201 and the water inlet 301, the water inlet structure 7 serves as a front-end distribution device for the water system, capable of simultaneously or selectively supplying water to the water inlet 201 of the first heating water path and the water inlet 301 of the second heating water path, thereby achieving water source distribution control. By integrating the water supply functions of the water inlet 201 and the water inlet 301 into a single water inlet structure 7, the external pipeline connection is simplified, and the overall structural compactness is enhanced.

[0048] like Figure 1-6 and Figure 12 As shown, in addition to the features of the above embodiments, this embodiment further specifies that: the water inlet structure 7 includes a main pipe 71, a first input pipe 72, and a second input pipe 73. Both the first input pipe 72 and the second input pipe 73 are connected to the main pipe 71. The first input pipe 72 is connected to the water inlet 201, and the second input pipe 73 is connected to the water inlet 301. Through the independent arrangement of the first input pipe 72 and the second input pipe 73, precise and independent control of the water inlet flow of the two heating water circuits is achieved. This design adopts a main-path split structure, making the water inlet system layout more regular and orderly, facilitating pipe arrangement and optimization of installation space.

[0049] like Figure 12 As shown, in addition to the features of the above embodiments, this embodiment further includes a tee pipe 74, the first port of which is connected to the main pipe fitting 71, the second port of which is connected to the first input pipe fitting 72, and the third port of which is connected to the second input pipe fitting 73. The tee pipe 74 serves as a connection hub between the main pipe fitting 71 and the two input pipe fittings, achieving efficient diversion of water source to the two heating water paths.

[0050] like Figure 8 and Figure 9As shown, in addition to the features of the above embodiments, this embodiment further specifies that: the valve body assembly 4 includes a valve body structure 41 and a valve core structure. The valve body structure 41 is disposed on the housing assembly 1 or adjacent to the housing assembly 1. The valve body structure 41 has a first valve body inlet 401, a second valve body inlet 402, a valve cavity 403, and a valve body outlet 404. The valve core structure is disposed on the valve body structure 41. The valve core structure can block or open the first valve body inlet 401, and can block or open the second valve body inlet 402. The setting of the first and second inlets ensures the stable delivery of the first and second heating water circuits. The valve core structure can control the on / off state of the first valve body inlet 401 and the second valve body inlet 402 respectively, realizing independent opening and closing operation of the two heating water circuits, meeting different hot water output requirements, and can be used in different application scenarios. The control method is simple and the operation is convenient. The direct drive mechanism of the valve core structure ensures rapid response during water circuit switching and a high degree of automation.

[0051] like Figure 1-7 As shown, in addition to the features of the above embodiments, this embodiment further includes a stepper motor 8, which is connected to the valve core structure. The stepper motor 8 can drive the valve core structure to block or open the first valve body inlet 401, and the stepper motor 8 can drive the valve core structure to block or open the second valve body inlet 402. The precise angle control capability of the stepper motor 8 enables the valve core structure to achieve precise displacement adjustment, ensuring accurate control of the opening degree of the two valve body inlets. By directly driving the valve core movement through electrical control signals, automated operation of water circuit switching and flow regulation is achieved without manual intervention, resulting in a high degree of automation.

[0052] like Figure 4 As shown, in addition to the features of the above embodiments, this embodiment further specifies that: the first heating component 2 includes a heating element 21 and a water supply pipe 22. Both the heating element 21 and the water supply pipe 22 are disposed on the housing component 1 and located at the liquid storage chamber 101. The heating element 21 is used to heat the liquid in the liquid storage chamber 101. The water supply pipe 22 is provided with an inlet 201, a water supply channel, and an outlet 202. The heating element 21 is directly immersed in the liquid in the liquid storage chamber 101, achieving rapid heating through direct contact heat conduction. Rapid heating is achieved through large-area heat conduction, enabling the liquid in the liquid storage chamber 101 to be heated quickly. The design of the heating element 21 being completely immersed in the liquid fundamentally avoids the risk of dry burning, improving system safety. Cold water in the water supply pipe 22 is heated by the hot water bath in the liquid storage chamber 101 to form hot water output, improving overall heat exchange efficiency and enhancing the user experience.

[0053] Example 2

[0054] This embodiment discloses an electric water heater, including the above-mentioned water circuit control system.

[0055] The second aspect of this application discloses an electric water heater that, through the coordinated operation of a first heating water circuit and a second heating water circuit, simultaneously meets the differentiated needs of regular water use and high-flow-rate water use, significantly expanding the product's applicability. Intelligent control of the two heating water circuits via the valve body assembly 4 allows for precise control of the hot water output, adapting to different usage scenarios. Through an optimized integrated water circuit layout, the dual-water-circuit function is achieved while maintaining an overall size comparable to traditional single-water-circuit products.

[0056] The above embodiments only illustrate several implementation methods of this utility model, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A waterway control system, characterized in that, include: Box assembly (1), the box assembly (1) is provided with a liquid storage chamber (101); The first heating component (2) is disposed on the housing component (1) and located at the liquid storage chamber (101). The first heating component (2) is provided with an inlet (201), a water delivery channel and an outlet (202). The second heating component (3) is disposed on the housing component (1) or the housing component (1) is disposed adjacent to the first heating component (2). The second heating component (3) is provided with a water inlet (301), a water supply channel and a water outlet (302). A valve body assembly (4) is disposed on the housing assembly (1) or adjacent to the housing assembly (1). The inlet (201), the water supply channel, the outlet (202) and the valve body assembly (4) are sequentially connected to form a first heating water circuit. The water inlet (301), the water supply channel, the water outlet (302) and the valve body assembly (4) are sequentially connected to form a second heating water circuit.

2. The waterway control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve body assembly (4) is provided with a first valve body inlet (401), a second valve body inlet (402), a valve cavity (403), and a valve body outlet (404). The inlet (201), the water supply channel, the outlet (202), the second valve body inlet (402), the valve cavity (403), and the valve body outlet (404) are sequentially connected to form the first heating water circuit. The water inlet (301), the water supply channel, the water outlet (302), the first valve body inlet (401), the valve cavity (403), and the valve body outlet (404) are sequentially connected to form the second heating water circuit.

3. The waterway control system according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a water outlet structure (5), which is connected to the valve body assembly (4) and is connected to the valve body outlet (404); And / or also includes a connecting pipe (6), wherein the water inlet (301), the water supply channel, the water outlet (302), the connecting pipe (6), the first valve body inlet (401), the valve chamber (403) and the valve body outlet (404) are sequentially connected to form the second heating water circuit.

4. The waterway control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a water inlet structure (7), which is connected to the water inlet (201) and / or the water flow input port (301).

5. The waterway control system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The water inlet structure (7) includes a main pipeline (71), a first input pipeline (72), and a second input pipeline (73). The first input pipeline (72) and the second input pipeline (73) are both connected to the main pipeline (71). The first input pipeline (72) is connected to the water inlet (201), and the second input pipeline (73) is connected to the water inlet (301).

6. The waterway control system according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a three-way pipe (74), the first port of which is connected to the main pipe fitting (71), the second port of which is connected to the first input pipe fitting (72), and the third port of which is connected to the second input pipe fitting (73).

7. The waterway control system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The valve body assembly (4) includes a valve body structure (41) and a valve core structure. The valve body structure (41) is disposed on the housing assembly (1) or is disposed adjacent to the housing assembly (1). The valve body structure (41) is provided with a first valve body inlet (401), a second valve body inlet (402), a valve cavity (403), and a valve body outlet (404). The valve core structure is disposed on the valve body structure (41). The valve core structure can block or open the first valve body inlet (401) and can block or open the second valve body inlet (402).

8. The waterway control system according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a stepper motor (8), which is connected to the valve core structure in a transmission manner. The stepper motor (8) can drive the valve core structure to block or open the first valve body inlet (401), and the stepper motor (8) can drive the valve core structure to block or open the second valve body inlet (402).

9. The waterway control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first heating component (2) includes a heating element (21) and a water supply pipe (22). The heating element (21) and the water supply pipe (22) are both disposed on the housing component (1) and located at the liquid storage chamber (101). The heating element (21) is used to heat the liquid in the liquid storage chamber (101). The water supply pipe (22) is provided with the water inlet (201), the water supply channel and the water outlet (202).

10. An electric water heater, characterized in that, include: The water system control system as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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