Drinking water device
By introducing throttling pipes and return gas pipes into the refrigerant system of the water purifier, the problems of condensation and reduced energy efficiency caused by low return gas temperature are solved, thereby achieving increased cooling capacity and a compact system design.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- QINGDAO HAIER SMART TECH R & D CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing water purifiers suffer from problems such as condensation, frost formation, and reduced system energy efficiency due to low return gas temperature.
The system employs direct or indirect heat exchange between the expansion tube and the return pipe in the refrigerant system, combined with heat storage materials to improve subcooling and prevent the return pipe temperature from being too low. At the same time, the heat storage materials are used to transfer heat when the compressor is running and absorb heat from the environment when the compressor is stopped, thus avoiding low superheat of the return pipe.
It increases cooling capacity, prevents frost or condensation on the return pipe, enhances system energy efficiency, and makes the system piping more compact.
Smart Images
Figure CN224441002U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of drinking water equipment technology, and specifically to a drinking water equipment. Background Technology
[0002] As a device capable of producing hot, warm, cold water, or making ice, a direct drinking water machine can meet users' daily drinking needs. Currently, direct drinking water machines with cold water or ice-making functions generally use a refrigerant system consisting of a compressor, condenser, throttling device, and evaporator for cooling.
[0003] To ensure heat exchange on the evaporator side, the evaporation temperature is usually low, which leads to excessively low return temperature of the compressor. Furthermore, due to the compact structure of the water purifier and the short length of the connecting pipe between the evaporator outlet and the compressor, condensation and frost are very likely to occur under high humidity conditions. In addition, excessively low return temperature of the compressor will also reduce the system's energy efficiency.
[0004] Accordingly, a new technical solution is needed in this field to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content
[0005] To address at least one of the aforementioned problems in the prior art, namely, to resolve the issues of condensation and reduced system energy efficiency caused by low return gas temperature in existing direct drinking water machines, this application provides a drinking water device comprising:
[0006] A refrigerant system, comprising a compressor, a condenser, a throttling tube, and an evaporator connected end-to-end to form a loop, wherein a return pipe is provided between the evaporator and the compressor, and the throttling tube can exchange heat directly or indirectly with the return pipe;
[0007] The heat storage material, wherein the throttling pipe and the return pipe are capable of directly or indirectly exchanging heat with the heat storage material;
[0008] A water system comprising a hot water tank and a cold water tank, wherein the evaporator is connected to the cold water tank so that the cold water tank can exchange heat with the evaporator.
[0009] With the above technical solution, the high-temperature expansion tube can exchange heat with the low-temperature return pipe, thereby increasing the subcooling on the condenser side and thus increasing the cooling capacity. It also prevents the return pipe from becoming too cold, which could lead to frost or condensation on its surface. Furthermore, the heat storage material can transfer heat to the return pipe during compressor operation and absorb heat from the environment after shutdown, thus avoiding the problem of low superheat in the return pipe due to insufficient expansion tube area. Simultaneously, with the presence of the heat storage material, the return pipe does not need to be specially lengthened to increase superheat, allowing for a more compact system piping configuration.
[0010] In the preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned drinking water equipment, the throttling pipe is disposed inside the return gas pipe, and the heat storage material is disposed outside the return gas pipe; or
[0011] The return pipe and the throttling pipe are wound together, and the return pipe and the throttling pipe are connected by welding or bonding. The heat storage material is disposed on the outside of the return pipe and the throttling pipe; or
[0012] The heat storage material is filled between the return pipe and the throttling pipe.
[0013] In the preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned drinking water equipment, the heat storage material is set as a phase change material.
[0014] In the preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned drinking water equipment, the drinking water equipment further includes a water receiving tray, and part of the air return pipe is configured as a water guiding structure, with the water receiving tray located below the water guiding structure.
[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the condensate dripping from the return pipe can be avoided, thus preventing it from affecting the user experience.
[0016] In the preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned drinking water equipment, the compressor and the condenser are connected by an exhaust pipe, and at least part of the exhaust pipe is disposed in the water receiving tray; and / or
[0017] The water-guiding structure is U-shaped.
[0018] In the preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned drinking water equipment, the water system further includes a filter element, which is provided with an inlet, an outlet and a wastewater outlet. The inlet of the filter element is used to connect to a water source, the outlet of the filter element is connected to the hot water tank and the cold water tank respectively, the wastewater outlet of the filter element is connected to a wastewater pipeline, and the water receiving tray is connected to the wastewater pipeline.
[0019] In the preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned drinking water equipment, the condenser is connected to the hot water tank so that the hot water tank can exchange heat with the condenser.
[0020] In the preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned drinking water equipment, the hot water tank includes a preheating water tank and a heating water tank, the preheating water tank and the heating water tank are connected, and the heating water tank is located downstream of the preheating water tank. The condenser is connected to the preheating water tank so that the preheating water tank can exchange heat with the condenser.
[0021] When the above technical solution is adopted, the water can be initially heated by the heat of the condenser, thereby improving the system energy efficiency.
[0022] In the preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned drinking water equipment, the volume of the preheating water tank is equal to the volume of the cold water tank, or the volume difference between the preheating water tank and the cold water tank is within 5%.
[0023] In the preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned drinking water equipment, both the condenser and the evaporator are configured as microchannel heat exchangers; and / or
[0024] The water system includes a first heating element disposed in the hot water tank; and / or
[0025] The water system includes a second heating element that allows water to flow through and is located downstream of the hot water tank. Attached Figure Description
[0026] The drinking water device of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
[0027] Figure 1 This is a system schematic diagram of the drinking water equipment of this application.
[0028] List of reference numerals
[0029] 3. Refrigerant system; 31. Compressor; 32. Condenser; 33. Expansion tube; 34. Evaporator; 35. Return pipe; 36. Discharge pipe;
[0030] 5. Heat storage materials;
[0031] 8. Water system; 81. Hot water tank; 811. Preheated water tank; 812. Heated water tank; 82. Cold water tank; 83. Filter element; 84. First heating element; 85. Second heating element; 86. Water storage tank;
[0032] 9. Water tray. Detailed Implementation
[0033] Preferred embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical principles of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. For example, although the condenser and evaporator are described in conjunction with a microchannel heat exchanger in this embodiment, this is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Those skilled in the art can modify the specific settings of the condenser and evaporator without departing from the principles of this application.
[0034] It should be noted that in the description of this application, terms such as "upper," "lower," "inner," and "outer," indicating directional or positional relationships, are based on the directional or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These are used merely for ease of description and do not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0035] Furthermore, it should be noted that, in the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.
[0036] As described in the background section, a direct drinking water machine, as a device capable of preparing hot water, warm water, cold water, or making ice, can meet users' daily drinking needs. Currently, direct drinking water machines with cold water preparation or ice-making functions generally use a refrigerant system consisting of a compressor, condenser, throttling device, and evaporator for cooling.
[0037] To ensure heat exchange on the evaporator side, the evaporation temperature is usually low, which leads to excessively low return temperature of the compressor. Furthermore, due to the compact structure of the water purifier and the short length of the connecting pipe between the evaporator outlet and the compressor, condensation and frost are very likely to occur under high humidity conditions. In addition, excessively low return temperature of the compressor will also reduce the system's energy efficiency.
[0038] To address the problems of condensation and reduced system efficiency in existing direct drinking water machines due to low return gas temperature, this application provides a drinking water device including a refrigerant system, a heat storage material, and a water system. The refrigerant system includes a compressor, a condenser, a throttling tube, and an evaporator connected sequentially to form a circuit. A return gas pipe is provided between the evaporator and the compressor. The throttling tube can exchange heat directly or indirectly with the return gas pipe, and the throttling tube and the return gas pipe can exchange heat directly or indirectly with the heat storage material. The water system includes a hot water tank and a cold water tank. The evaporator is connected to the cold water tank so that the cold water tank can exchange heat with the evaporator.
[0039] With the above technical solution, the high-temperature expansion tube can exchange heat with the low-temperature return gas tube, thereby increasing the subcooling on the condenser side and thus increasing the cooling capacity. It also prevents the return gas tube from becoming too cold, which could lead to frost or condensation on its surface. Furthermore, the heat storage material can transfer heat to the return gas tube during compressor operation and absorb heat from the environment after shutdown, thus avoiding the problem of low superheat in the return gas tube due to insufficient expansion tube area. Simultaneously, the heat storage material allows for a more compact system piping configuration, eliminating the need to specifically lengthen the return gas tube to increase superheat.
[0040] The following reference Figure 1 The following describes the drinking water equipment described in this application. Figure 1 This is a system schematic diagram of the drinking water equipment of this application.
[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, in a preferred embodiment, the drinking water equipment includes a refrigerant system 3, a heat storage material 5, a water system 8, and a water receiving tray 9. The refrigerant system 3 includes a compressor 31, a condenser 32, a throttling tube 33, and an evaporator 34 connected end-to-end to form a loop. A return gas pipe 35 is provided between the evaporator 34 and the compressor 31. The compressor 31 and the condenser 32 are connected by an exhaust pipe 36. Both the condenser 32 and the evaporator 34 are configured as microchannel heat exchangers. The throttling tube 33 can exchange heat directly or indirectly with the return gas pipe 35, and the throttling tube 33 and the return gas pipe 35 can exchange heat directly or indirectly with the heat storage material 5. Specifically, the return gas pipe 35 and the throttling tube 33 are wound together, and the return gas pipe 35 and the throttling tube 33 are connected by welding or bonding. The heat storage material 5 is disposed on the outside of the return gas pipe 35 and the throttling tube 33. Part of the return air pipe 35 is configured as a water guiding structure, and the water receiving tray 9 is located below the water guiding structure. At least part of the exhaust pipe 36 is located on the water receiving tray 9.
[0042] The water system 8 includes a filter element 83, a water storage tank 86, a hot water tank 81, a cold water tank 82, a first heating element 84, and a second heating element 85. The filter element 83 is provided with an inlet, an outlet, and a wastewater outlet. The inlet of the filter element 83 is used to connect to a water source, the outlet of the filter element 83 is connected to the water storage tank 86, and the outlet of the water storage tank 86 is connected to both the hot water tank 81 and the cold water tank 82. The wastewater outlet of the filter element 83 is connected to a wastewater pipeline (not shown in the figure). The condenser 32 is connected to the hot water tank 81 so that the hot water tank 81 can exchange heat with the condenser 32, and the evaporator 34 is connected to the cold water tank 82 so that the cold water tank 82 can exchange heat with the evaporator 34. The hot water tank 81 includes a preheating water tank 811 and a heating water tank 812. The preheating water tank 811 and the heating water tank 812 have the same volume and are connected. The heating water tank 812 is located downstream of the preheating water tank 811. The condenser 32 is connected to the preheating water tank 811 so that the preheating water tank 811 can exchange heat with the condenser 32. The first heating element 84 is disposed in the preheating water tank 811, and the second heating element 85 allows water to flow through and is located downstream of the heating water tank 812.
[0043] In this embodiment, when the water temperature in the cold water tank 82 is higher than the preset temperature, the compressor 31 starts and discharges high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas. Then, the refrigerant gas enters the condenser 32 and exchanges heat with the water in the preheated water tank 811. Next, the refrigerant passes through the throttling pipe 33 to reduce pressure and subcool. The low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant enters the evaporator 34 and exchanges heat with the water in the cold water tank 82. Then, the refrigerant passes through the return pipe 35 to be superheated and returns to the compressor 31.
[0044] Meanwhile, when the water source connected to the drinking water equipment enters the equipment, it is first filtered by the filter element 83. The wastewater generated during the filtration process is discharged through the wastewater pipe, and the filtered drinking water enters the water storage tank 86. The water storage tank 86 can directly supply room temperature water to the user or supply water to the hot water tank 81 and the cold water tank 82. The water flowing to the hot water tank 81 first enters the preheating tank 811 to absorb the residual heat of condensation, and then enters the heating tank 812 to be heated to a certain temperature by the first heating element 84. When the user collects hot water, the water can be heated to a higher temperature when passing through the second heating element 85.
[0045] It should be explained that when the low-temperature return pipe 35 exchanges heat with the high-temperature throttling pipe 33 (capillary tube), the cooling capacity and return gas temperature can be increased, thereby improving system energy efficiency and preventing frost or condensation on the surface of the return pipe 35. Furthermore, since the heat storage material 5 can store heat, when the compressor 31 is running, the throttling pipe 33 can simultaneously release heat to both the return pipe 35 and the heat storage material 5, allowing the return pipe 35 to simultaneously absorb heat from both. Moreover, after the compressor 31 stops, the heat storage material 5 can also absorb heat from the environment. This configuration avoids the problem of low superheat in the return pipe 35 due to insufficient area of the throttling pipe 33, ensuring effective heat exchange between the return pipe 35 and the throttling pipe 33, further improving system energy efficiency, and preventing frost or condensation on the surface of the return pipe 35. Simultaneously, with the presence of the heat storage material 5, the return pipe 35 does not need to be specially lengthened to increase superheat, allowing for a more compact system piping configuration. In addition, even if condensation occurs on the return pipe 35, setting part of the return pipe 35 as a U-shaped water guiding structure can allow the condensation to flow along the outer wall of the return pipe 35 and drip onto the water collection tray 9. The condensation in the water collection tray 9 can be evaporated through the exhaust pipe 36, thereby preventing the condensation generated on the return pipe 35 from dripping and affecting the user's experience.
[0046] Those skilled in the art will understand that in this embodiment, the return pipe 35 and the throttling pipe 33 are wound together and connected by welding or bonding, allowing the return pipe 35 to directly exchange heat with the throttling pipe 33, and both the return pipe 35 and the throttling pipe 33 to directly exchange heat with the heat storage material 5. However, this arrangement is not mandatory. In an alternative embodiment, the return pipe 35 and the throttling pipe 33 do not directly contact each other, and the heat storage material 5 is filled between the return pipe 35 and the throttling pipe 33. In this case, the return pipe 35 and the throttling pipe 33 exchange heat through the heat storage material 5. In another alternative embodiment, the throttling pipe 33 can be placed inside the return pipe 35. That is, in this case, the refrigerant is between the throttling pipe 33 and the return pipe 35, and an insulation pipe can be placed on the outside of the return pipe 35, with the heat storage material 5 filling the space between the return pipe 35 and the insulation pipe. In addition, in this embodiment, the heat storage material 5 can be a phase change material such as water, sodium acetate trihydrate, or sodium hydrogen phosphate dodecahydrate. That is to say, the heat storage material 5 can store heat through phase change. However, its setting is not fixed. Those skilled in the art can change the specific setting of the heat storage material 5 according to the needs, as long as it does not affect the realization of the normal function of the heat storage material 5.
[0047] Of course, the arrangement of the water tray 9 and the water guiding structure is not fixed. In one alternative embodiment, the water tray 9 and the water guiding structure can be omitted. In another alternative embodiment, those skilled in the art can change the shape of the water guiding structure according to their needs, as long as it does not affect the normal function of the water guiding structure. For example, the water guiding structure can be set to a V-shape. In addition, although the condensate in the water tray 9 can be evaporated through the high-temperature exhaust pipe 36 in this embodiment, its arrangement is not mandatory. In one alternative embodiment, since the water system 8 in this embodiment includes a filter element 83, the drinking water equipment is equipped with a wastewater pipeline, which can connect the water tray 9 to the wastewater pipeline of the drinking water equipment. In this case, the condensate can be directly discharged from the drinking water equipment. Furthermore, the arrangement of the filter element 83 is not fixed. For example, when the water source of the drinking water equipment is a directly drinkable water source, the filter element 83 can be omitted. In this case, the condensate in the water tray 9 can also be discharged from the drinking water equipment through a separate pipeline.
[0048] Those skilled in the art will also understand that, in this embodiment, the hot water tank 81 includes a preheating water tank 811 and a heating water tank 812. The water in the preheating water tank 811 can absorb heat from the condenser 32, thereby improving system energy efficiency. The heating water tank 812 can supplement heat through electric heating, but its installation is not mandatory. In an alternative embodiment, the heat from the condenser 32 can be discharged into the air, and in this case, only one hot water tank 81 can be provided, that is, the hot water tank 81 only includes the heating water tank 812. In addition, in this embodiment, a first heating element 84 is provided in the heating water tank 812, and the water in the heating water tank 812 can be heated to a certain temperature. When the user draws hot water, the water flow in the heating water tank 812 will be heated to a higher temperature through a second heating element 85, but its installation is not mandatory. In an alternative embodiment, the installation of the second heating element 85 can be omitted. In another alternative embodiment, the heating water tank 812 and the first heating element 84 can be omitted. In this case, the water flow is heated only by the second heating element 85. However, considering the need to avoid energy waste and boiling of the water in the heating water tank 812 due to heating it to the highest temperature, as well as the need to avoid safety risks caused by excessive power, setting the first heating element 84 and the second heating element 85 is a better choice.
[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the volume of the preheating water tank 811 is equal to the volume of the cold water tank 82. When users actually use the water dispenser, the demand for hot water is much greater than that for cold water. The water in the preheating water tank 811 can frequently replenish the heating water tank 812, keeping the water temperature inside the preheating water tank 811 at a lower level, thus effectively avoiding the risk of excessive condensation pressure. However, this setting is not mandatory. In an alternative embodiment, the volume difference between the preheating water tank 811 and the cold water tank 82 can be set within 5%, meaning that the volume of the preheating water tank 811 can be slightly larger or slightly smaller than the volume of the cold water tank 82.
[0050] It should also be explained that the configuration of condenser 32 and evaporator 34 is not fixed. Those skilled in the art can change the specific configuration of condenser 32 and evaporator 34 as needed, or change the connection method between condenser 32, evaporator 34 and preheating water tank 811 and cold water tank 82. For example, evaporator 34 can be configured as an internal coil heat exchanger, in which case evaporator 34 can be located on the outside or inside of cold water tank 82.
[0051] Those skilled in the art will understand that although some embodiments described herein include certain features included in other embodiments but not others, combinations of features from different embodiments are intended to be within the scope of this application and form different embodiments. For example, any of the claimed embodiments in the claims of this application can be used in any combination.
[0052] The technical solutions of this application have been described above with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of protection of this application is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the principles of this application, those skilled in the art can make equivalent changes or substitutions to the relevant technical features, and the technical solutions after these changes or substitutions will all fall within the scope of protection of this application.
Claims
1. A drinking water apparatus, characterized in that include: The refrigerant system (3) includes a compressor (31), a condenser (32), a throttling pipe (33) and an evaporator (34) connected end to end to form a loop. A return pipe (35) is provided between the evaporator (34) and the compressor (31). The throttling pipe (33) can exchange heat directly or indirectly with the return pipe (35). The heat storage material (5), the throttling pipe (33) and the return pipe (35) can exchange heat directly or indirectly with the heat storage material (5); A water system (8) includes a hot water tank (81) and a cold water tank (82), and the evaporator (34) is connected to the cold water tank (82) so that the cold water tank (82) can exchange heat with the evaporator (34).
2. The drinking water apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that The throttling pipe (33) is disposed inside the return pipe (35), and the heat storage material (5) is disposed outside the return pipe (35); or The return pipe (35) and the throttling pipe (33) are wound together, and the return pipe (35) and the throttling pipe (33) are connected by welding or bonding. The heat storage material (5) is disposed on the outside of the return pipe (35) and the throttling pipe (33); or The heat storage material (5) is filled between the return pipe (35) and the throttling pipe (33).
3. The drinking water apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The heat storage material (5) is configured as a phase change material.
4. The drinking water apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The drinking water equipment also includes a water receiving tray (9), and part of the air return pipe (35) is configured as a water guiding structure, with the water receiving tray (9) located below the water guiding structure.
5. The drinking water apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that The compressor (31) and the condenser (32) are connected by an exhaust pipe (36), at least a portion of which is located in the water collection pan (9); and / or The water-guiding structure is U-shaped.
6. The drinking water apparatus of claim 4, wherein, The water system (8) also includes a filter element (83), which is provided with an inlet, an outlet and a wastewater outlet. The inlet of the filter element (83) is used to connect to a water source. The outlet of the filter element (83) is connected to the hot water tank (81) and the cold water tank (82) respectively. The wastewater outlet of the filter element (83) is connected to a wastewater pipeline. The water receiving tray (9) is connected to the wastewater pipeline.
7. The drinking water apparatus of claim 1, wherein The condenser (32) is connected to the hot water tank (81) so that the hot water tank (81) can exchange heat with the condenser (32).
8. The drinking water apparatus of claim 7, wherein, The hot water tank (81) includes a preheating water tank (811) and a heating water tank (812), which are connected and the heating water tank (812) is located downstream of the preheating water tank (811). The condenser (32) is connected to the preheating water tank (811) so that the preheating water tank (811) can exchange heat with the condenser (32).
9. The drinking water apparatus of claim 8, wherein, The volume of the preheating water tank (811) is equal to the volume of the cold water tank (82), or the volume difference between the preheating water tank (811) and the cold water tank (82) is within 5%.
10. The drinking water apparatus of claim 1, wherein, Said condenser (32) and said evaporator (34) are each provided as a microchannel heat exchanger; and / or Said water system (8) comprises a first heating element (84) provided in said hot water tank (81); and / or Said water system (8) comprises a second heating element (85) allowing water flow through and downstream of said hot water tank (81).