An electric water heater and a thermostat probe assembly therefor

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of electric water heater and temperature controller probe subassembly for it.The temperature controller probe subassembly, including temperature controller probe, cylinder and elastic piece, cylinder is set in the outside of temperature controller probe, for with the detachable connection of electric water heater's installation cylinder, and the first end of cylinder along axial is provided with the probe egress for temperature controller probe to expose, elastic piece is located in cylinder, and act on temperature controller probe, to make temperature controller probe always have the tendency of exposing from probe egress and contacting with the outer wall of inner container of electric water heater.The utility model sets up temperature controller probe in cylinder, then utilizes elastic piece to make temperature controller probe always have the tendency of exposing from the probe egress of cylinder and can contact with the outer wall of inner container of electric water heater, only need to set up installation cylinder on electrical room shell for with cylinder detachable connection, not only convenient for maintenance and disassembly temperature controller probe subassembly, and without electrical room shell reserved larger area gap, improve the heat preservation performance of electric water heater.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electric water heater technology, and in particular to an electric water heater and a thermostat probe assembly for use therein. Background Technology

[0002] Electric water heaters are experiencing strong growth in market share due to their safety, hygiene, and lack of pollution.

[0003] Electric water heaters are typically equipped with thermostats to monitor the water temperature inside the tank in real time and control the circuit to prevent problems such as dry burning or excessively high water temperatures. In the water heater industry, the correct installation and securing of the thermostat is extremely important, as it controls the water heater's temperature. Improper installation or securing may cause the thermostat's sensor probe to fail to accurately sense and regulate the water heater's temperature, potentially damaging the electric water heater or even creating safety hazards.

[0004] Currently, many electric water heaters use clamps to fix the temperature controller's sensor probe, for example, refer to Figures 1A to 1C As shown, a threaded mounting post 2 is welded onto the inner tank 1 of the electric water heater. The hole on the top of the thermostat's sensing probe 3 is inserted into the threaded mounting post 2, and then the nut 4 is tightened onto the threaded mounting post 2, thereby clamping the top of the thermostat's sensing probe 3 between the nut 4 and the inner tank 1. The temperature is sensed by the top of the thermostat's sensing probe 3 contacting the outer wall of the inner tank 1.

[0005] However, to facilitate the maintenance and disassembly of the thermostat's sensor probe 3, a notch 6 needs to be reserved on the electrical chamber housing 5 located at the end of the inner tank 1 to expose the thermostat's sensor probe 3 outside the coverage area of ​​the electrical chamber housing 5. However, reserving this notch 6 on the electrical chamber housing 5 will increase the exposed area of ​​the inner tank 1, accelerate heat dissipation of the inner tank 1, and thus reduce the heat preservation performance of the electric water heater.

[0006] In view of the above, this utility model is hereby proposed. Utility Model Content

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to overcome at least some of the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a thermostat probe assembly for electric water heaters. By setting the thermostat probe inside the cylinder and using an elastic element to ensure that the thermostat probe always tends to protrude from the probe outlet in the cylinder and can contact the outer wall of the inner tank of the electric water heater, only an installation cylinder needs to be opened on the electrical compartment shell. This not only facilitates the maintenance and disassembly of the thermostat probe assembly, but also eliminates the need to reserve a large area of ​​gap in the electrical compartment shell, thereby improving the heat preservation performance of the electric water heater.

[0008] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the first aspect of this utility model is to provide a thermostat probe assembly for an electric water heater, comprising:

[0009] Temperature controller probe;

[0010] A cylindrical body, sleeved over the thermostat probe, is detachably connected to the mounting cylinder of the electric water heater, and the first end of the cylindrical body along the axial direction has a probe outlet for the thermostat probe to protrude; and

[0011] An elastic element, located inside the cylinder, acts on the thermostat probe so that the thermostat probe always tends to protrude from the probe outlet and contact the outer wall of the inner tank of the electric water heater.

[0012] In some embodiments, the thermostat probe is provided with a circumferentially extending abutment.

[0013] The elastic element is sleeved outside the temperature controller probe, and the first end of the elastic element abuts against the blocking part, and the second end abuts against the second end of the cylinder along the axial direction.

[0014] In some embodiments, the blocking part includes:

[0015] An annular baffle surrounds the outside of the temperature controller probe;

[0016] The annular wall extends from the outer edge of the annular baffle to the second end of the cylinder along the axial direction;

[0017] The annular baffle and the annular wall together define a concave cavity space with an opening facing the second end of the cylinder along the axial direction, so that the first end of the elastic element is disposed therein and abuts against the annular baffle.

[0018] In some embodiments, the cylindrical body includes:

[0019] A sleeve, one end of which has a probe outlet, and the other end is open, the sleeve being fitted inside the mounting sleeve of the electric water heater; and

[0020] A plug is detachably sealed to the opening of the sleeve to form a receiving space for accommodating the thermostat probe and the elastic element, and the plug is provided with a lead outlet for the lead wire of the thermostat probe to pass through, and the second end of the elastic element avoids the lead outlet and abuts against the plug.

[0021] In some embodiments, the plug is snapped into the sleeve.

[0022] In some embodiments, the sleeve is a variable diameter sleeve;

[0023] The sleeve has a shoulder formed on the outer side at the diameter change point to abut against the end of the mounting cylinder of the electric water heater, and a shoulder formed on the inner side at the diameter change point to abut against the end of the plug.

[0024] The second aspect of this utility model is to provide an electric water heater, comprising:

[0025] Inner liner;

[0026] An electrical compartment housing is disposed at one axial end of the inner liner, and the mounting cylinder is disposed on the electrical compartment housing, the mounting cylinder penetrating the electrical compartment housing; and

[0027] The thermostat probe assembly described above is connected to the mounting cylinder, and the thermostat probe is always exposed from the probe outlet and in contact with the outer wall of the inner liner.

[0028] In some embodiments, a first connecting structure is provided on the cylindrical body, and a second connecting structure is provided on the electrical compartment shell;

[0029] Once the cylinder is installed in place within the mounting cylinder, the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure are fixedly connected.

[0030] In some embodiments, the first connecting structure is a lug extending radially outward from the second end of the cylinder along the axial direction, and the lug is provided with screw holes;

[0031] The second connection structure is a screw post disposed on the electrical compartment housing, and the axial direction of the screw post is the same as the axial direction of the cylinder;

[0032] The lug is fastened to the screw post by a screw.

[0033] In some embodiments, the cylinder is threadedly connected to the mounting cylinder.

[0034] By adopting the above technical solution, this utility model has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art.

[0035] The thermostat probe assembly for electric water heaters provided by this utility model places the thermostat probe inside the tank and uses an elastic element to ensure that the thermostat probe always protrudes from the probe outlet in the tank and can contact the outer wall of the inner tank of the electric water heater. In this way, only an installation cylinder needs to be opened on the electrical compartment shell for detachable connection with the tank body. This not only facilitates the maintenance and disassembly of the thermostat probe assembly, but also eliminates the need to reserve a large area of ​​gap in the electrical compartment shell, thereby improving the heat preservation performance of the electric water heater. Attached Figure Description

[0036] The accompanying drawings, as part of this utility model, are used to provide a further understanding of the present utility model. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of the present utility model are used to explain the present utility model, but do not constitute an undue limitation of the present utility model. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments; those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative effort. In the drawings:

[0037] Figure 1A This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the sensing probe of the thermostat in an electric water heater in related technologies;

[0038] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A A magnified view of the structure at point O in the image;

[0039] Figure 1C This is a schematic diagram of the electrical compartment housing of an electric water heater in related technologies;

[0040] Figure 2 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of an electric water heater provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model;

[0041] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the temperature controller probe assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model;

[0042] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A magnified view of section I in the middle structure;

[0043] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the medium-sized structure;

[0044] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 Left view of the middle structure;

[0045] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Sectional view of the middle structure along line AA;

[0046] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 Enlarged view of section II in the image;

[0047] Figure 9 yes Figure 7 Enlarged view of section III in the image;

[0048] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the electrical compartment housing of an electric water heater provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model.

[0049] In the diagram: 1. Inner liner; 2. Threaded mounting post; 3. Temperature controller sensor probe; 4. Nut; 5. Electrical compartment housing; 6. Notch;

[0050] 100. Electric water heater;

[0051] 110. Housing;

[0052] 120. Inner liner;

[0053] 130. Electrical compartment housing; 131. Opening; 132. Mounting sleeve; 133. Screw post;

[0054] 140. Temperature controller probe assembly; 141. Temperature controller probe; 1411. Stopping part; 14111. Annular baffle; 14112. Annular wall; 14113. Cavity space; 142. Cylinder; 1421. Sleeve; 14211. Probe outlet; 14212. Snap-fit ​​hole; 14213. Support lug; 14214. Screw hole; 1422. Plug; 14221. Lead wire outlet; 14222. Snap protrusion; 143. Elastic element; 144. Lead wire; 145. Screw.

[0055] It should be noted that these accompanying drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of the present invention to those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0056] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are used to illustrate this utility model, but are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model.

[0057] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "inner", and "outer" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0058] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" 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 mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0059] As mentioned earlier, in related technologies, the sensing probe of the thermostat in an electric water heater is fixed with a clamp. To facilitate maintenance and disassembly of the sensing probe, a notch needs to be reserved on the electrical chamber housing located at the end of the inner tank to expose the sensing probe outside the coverage area of ​​the electrical chamber housing. However, reserving this notch on the electrical chamber housing increases the exposed area of ​​the inner tank, accelerating heat dissipation and thus reducing the heat preservation performance of the electric water heater. Based on this, the present invention provides a thermostat probe assembly for an electric water heater, including a thermostat probe, a cylinder, and an elastic element. The cylinder is sleeved outside the thermostat probe for detachable connection with the mounting cylinder of the electric water heater. The first end of the cylinder along the axial direction has a probe outlet for exposing the thermostat probe. The elastic element is located inside the cylinder and acts on the thermostat probe to ensure that the thermostat probe always tends to protrude from the probe outlet and contact the outer wall of the inner tank of the electric water heater. This invention places the thermostat probe inside the cylinder and uses an elastic element to ensure that the thermostat probe always protrudes from the probe outlet in the cylinder and can contact the outer wall of the inner tank of the electric water heater. This way, only an installation cylinder needs to be opened on the electrical compartment shell for detachable connection with the cylinder. This not only facilitates the maintenance and disassembly of the thermostat probe assembly, but also eliminates the need for a large opening in the electrical compartment shell, thus improving the heat preservation performance of the electric water heater.

[0060] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 2 To be continued Figure 10 This invention describes the preferred technical solutions for the electric water heater 100 and the thermostat probe assembly 140 used therein provided by this utility model.

[0061] like Figure 2 As shown, the electric water heater 100 includes a casing 110 and an inner tank 120 disposed within the casing 110. The inner tank 120 is connected to a cold water pipe and a hot water pipe. An electrical chamber housing 130 is disposed at one axial end of the inner tank 120, and the end cap of the inner tank 120 typically abuts against the electrical chamber housing 130. The electrical chamber housing 130 has a basin-shaped structure, forming a receiving cavity between the electrical chamber housing 130 and the casing 110 to house various electrical components within the receiving cavity. An opening 131 is provided on the bottom wall of the electrical chamber housing 130 for the heating pipe to pass through.

[0062] Furthermore, referring to Figure 10 As shown, an installation cylinder 132 penetrating the bottom wall of the electrical compartment housing 130 is provided for mounting the temperature controller probe assembly 140. The axial direction of the installation cylinder 132 is consistent with the axial direction of the inner liner 120.

[0063] like Figures 3 to 9 As shown, the thermostat probe assembly 140 includes a thermostat probe 141, a cylinder 142, and an elastic element 143. One end of the thermostat probe 141 is used to sense temperature, and the other end is connected to the controller computer board of the electric water heater 100 via a lead wire 144. The cylinder 142 is sleeved outside the thermostat probe 141 for detachable connection with the mounting cylinder 132 of the electric water heater 100, and the first axial end of the cylinder 142 is provided with a probe outlet 14211 for the thermostat probe 141 to protrude. The elastic element 143 is located inside the cylinder 142 and acts on the thermostat probe 141, so that the thermostat probe 141 always tends to protrude from the probe outlet 14211 and contact the outer wall of the inner tank 120 of the electric water heater 100.

[0064] In this way, once the cylinder 142 is installed in place inside the mounting cylinder 132, the sensing end of the thermostat probe 141 can always protrude from the probe outlet 14211 and contact the outer wall of the inner tank 120 of the electric water heater 100, thereby sensing the temperature change of the water in the inner tank 120.

[0065] In the above solution, by placing the thermostat probe 141 inside the cylinder 142, and using the elastic element 143 to ensure that the thermostat probe 141 always tends to protrude from the probe outlet 14211 of the cylinder 142 and can contact the outer wall of the inner tank 120 of the electric water heater 100, only the installation cylinder 132 needs to be opened on the electrical chamber housing 130 for detachable connection with the cylinder 142. This not only facilitates the maintenance and disassembly of the thermostat probe assembly 140, but also eliminates the need for a large area gap in the electrical chamber housing 130, reducing the heat dissipation area of ​​the inner tank 120 and improving the heat preservation performance of the electric water heater 100.

[0066] In addition, once the thermostat probe assembly 140 is installed in the mounting cylinder 132, the cylinder 142 can further seal the mounting cylinder 132, slowing down the rate at which heat from the inner tank 120 is lost through the mounting cylinder 132, thereby further improving the heat preservation performance of the electric water heater 100.

[0067] In some embodiments, the thermostat probe 141 has a circumferentially extending abutment 1411 on its exterior; wherein, the elastic member 143 is sleeved on the exterior of the thermostat probe 141, and a first end of the elastic member 143 abuts against the abutment 1411, and a second end abuts against the second axial end of the cylinder 142. Optionally, the elastic member 143 is a spring.

[0068] It should be noted that the position of the abutment 1411 should be related to the elastic force of the elastic member 143, so that the elastic member 143 can have the elastic force to restore its original length when it is clamped between the abutment 1411 and the second end of the cylinder 142.

[0069] In the above solution, the elastic force of the elastic element 143 is used to push the blocking part 1411 outside the thermostat probe 141 to move the thermostat probe 141 closer to the inner tank 120, so that the thermostat probe 141 can always be in contact with the outer wall of the inner tank 120, preventing the thermostat probe 141 from not contacting the outer wall of the inner tank 120 and thus being unable to sense the change in water temperature in the inner tank 120.

[0070] Furthermore, such as Figure 8 As shown, the abutment 1411 includes an annular baffle 14111 and an annular wall 14112. The annular baffle 14111 surrounds the outside of the temperature controller probe 141, and the annular wall 14112 extends from the outer edge of the annular baffle 14111 towards the second end of the cylinder 142 along the axial direction. The annular baffle 14111 and the annular wall 14112 together define a recessed space 14113 with an opening facing the second end of the cylinder 142 along the axial direction, where the first end of the elastic element 143 is disposed and abuts against the annular baffle 14111. This improves the installation stability of the elastic element 143, preventing it from shifting or tilting. The recessed space also provides a positioning function, ensuring that the end of the elastic element 143 is completely fitted with the supporting surface (annular baffle 14111), and that the elastic force is always transmitted axially, avoiding eccentric loading and thus extending the service life of the elastic element 143.

[0071] In some implementations, refer to Figure 5 and Figure 8As shown, the cylinder 142 includes a sleeve 1421 and a plug 1422. One end of the sleeve 1421 is provided with the probe outlet 14211, and the other end is open. The plug 1422 is detachably sealed to the open end of the sleeve 1421 to form a receiving space for accommodating the thermostat probe 141 and the elastic member 143. The plug 1422 is provided with a lead outlet 14221 for the lead wire 144 of the thermostat probe 141 to pass through. The second end of the elastic member 143 avoids the lead outlet 14221 and abuts against the plug 1422. It should be noted that when installing the thermostat probe assembly 140, the sleeve 1421 is used to fit inside the mounting cylinder 132 of the electric water heater 100, and the end of the sleeve 1421 with the probe outlet 14211 faces the inner tank 120.

[0072] In the above scheme, the cylinder 142 is configured to have a detachable connection between the sleeve 1421 and the plug 1422, which facilitates the replacement and maintenance of the temperature controller probe 141.

[0073] Furthermore, a plurality of snap-fit ​​holes 14212 are provided at intervals along the circumference on one end side wall of the sleeve 1421, and correspondingly, a plurality of snap-fit ​​protrusions 14222 are provided at intervals along the circumference on the side wall of the plug 1422. The sleeve 1421 and the plug 1422 are detachably connected by snap-fitting the plurality of snap-fit ​​protrusions 14222 with the plurality of snap-fit ​​holes 14212 in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0074] In some implementations, refer to Figure 9 As shown, the sleeve 1421 is a reducing sleeve; in other words, the sleeve 1421 has a large-diameter section and a small-diameter section, with a smooth transition at the diameter change point. When the small-diameter section extends into the mounting sleeve 132 of the electrical compartment housing 130, the shoulder formed on the outer side of the diameter change point abuts against the end of the mounting sleeve 132, and the shoulder formed on the inner side abuts against the end of the plug 1422. This further improves the installation stability of the temperature controller probe assembly 140, reduces the overall space occupied by the temperature controller probe assembly 140, and avoids mechanical interference with other electrical components in the electrical compartment housing 130.

[0075] Furthermore, a first connecting structure is provided on the cylindrical body 142, and a second connecting structure is provided on the electrical room housing 130; wherein, after the cylindrical body 142 is installed in the mounting cylinder 132, the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure are fixedly connected.

[0076] As an example, the first connecting structure is a lug 14213 extending radially outward from the second end of the cylinder 142 along the axial direction, the lug 14213 having a screw hole 14214; the second connecting structure is a screw post 133 disposed on the electrical compartment housing 130, the axial direction of the screw post 133 being the same as the axial direction of the cylinder 142; wherein, the lug 14213 and the screw post 133 are fastened together by screws 145. Furthermore, a shim can be added to enhance friction and prevent loosening.

[0077] It is understandable that when the thermostat probe assembly 140 is assembled, the axis of the thermostat probe 141, the axis of the mounting cylinder 132, and the axis of the inner liner 110 are roughly parallel.

[0078] Specifically, when assembling the temperature controller probe assembly 140, the cylinder 142 can be inserted into the mounting cylinder 132 of the electrical compartment housing 130. After installation, the screw holes 14214 on the lug 14213 are aligned with the post holes of the screw post 133, and the two are fixed with screws 145.

[0079] When the thermostat probe assembly 140 needs to be repaired or replaced, the thermostat probe assembly 140 can be removed from the mounting sleeve 132 of the electrical compartment housing 130 after removing the screw 145, which facilitates installation and disassembly.

[0080] In some embodiments, an internal thread may be formed on the outer side of the cylinder 142 and an internal thread may be formed on the inner side of the mounting cylinder 132, thereby using the threaded connection between the cylinder 142 and the mounting cylinder 132 to achieve the purpose of fixing the two together.

[0081] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model in any way. Although the present utility model has been disclosed above with reference to a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-described technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present utility model. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present utility model without departing from the scope of the present utility model shall still fall within the scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A thermostat probe assembly for an electric water heater, characterized in that, include: Temperature controller probe; A cylindrical body, sleeved over the thermostat probe, is detachably connected to the mounting cylinder of the electric water heater, and the first end of the cylindrical body along the axial direction has a probe outlet for the thermostat probe to protrude; and An elastic element, located inside the cylinder, acts on the thermostat probe so that the thermostat probe always tends to protrude from the probe outlet and contact the outer wall of the inner tank of the electric water heater.

2. The thermostat probe assembly for an electric water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that, The temperature controller probe is provided with a stop portion extending circumferentially on its exterior. The elastic element is sleeved outside the temperature controller probe, and the first end of the elastic element abuts against the blocking part, and the second end abuts against the second end of the cylinder along the axial direction.

3. The thermostat probe assembly for an electric water heater according to claim 2, characterized in that, The blocking part includes: An annular baffle surrounds the outside of the temperature controller probe; The annular wall extends from the outer edge of the annular baffle to the second end of the cylinder along the axial direction; The annular baffle and the annular wall together define a concave cavity space with an opening facing the second end of the cylinder along the axial direction, so that the first end of the elastic element is disposed therein and abuts against the annular baffle.

4. The thermostat probe assembly for an electric water heater according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The cylindrical body includes: A sleeve, one end of which has a probe outlet, and the other end is open, the sleeve being fitted inside the mounting sleeve of the electric water heater; and A plug is detachably sealed to the opening of the sleeve to form a receiving space for accommodating the thermostat probe and the elastic element, and the plug is provided with a lead outlet for the lead wire of the thermostat probe to pass through, and the second end of the elastic element avoids the lead outlet and abuts against the plug.

5. The thermostat probe assembly for an electric water heater according to claim 4, characterized in that, The plug is connected to the sleeve buckle.

6. The thermostat probe assembly for an electric water heater according to claim 4, characterized in that, The sleeve is a variable diameter sleeve; The sleeve has a shoulder formed on the outer side at the diameter change point to abut against the end of the mounting cylinder of the electric water heater, and a shoulder formed on the inner side at the diameter change point to abut against the end of the plug.

7. An electric water heater, characterized in that, include: Inner liner; An electrical compartment housing is disposed at one axial end of the inner liner, and a mounting cylinder is provided on the electrical compartment housing, the mounting cylinder penetrating the electrical compartment housing; and The thermostat probe assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is connected to the mounting cylinder, and the thermostat probe is always exposed from the probe outlet and in contact with the outer wall of the inner liner.

8. The electric water heater according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cylindrical body is provided with a first connecting structure, and the electrical room shell is provided with a second connecting structure; Once the cylinder is installed in place within the mounting cylinder, the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure are fixedly connected.

9. The electric water heater according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first connecting structure is a support lug extending radially outward from the second end of the cylinder along the axial direction, and the support lug is provided with screw holes; The second connection structure is a screw post disposed on the electrical compartment housing, and the axial direction of the screw post is the same as the axial direction of the cylinder; The lug is fastened to the screw post by a screw.

10. The electric water heater according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that, The cylinder body is threadedly connected to the mounting cylinder.

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