Temperature detecting structure and water tank

Abstract

The utility model relates to temperature detecting structure and water tank, temperature detecting structure is used for detecting the temperature in water tank, temperature detecting structure includes blind pipe, the temperature probe of setting in blind pipe, the wire of temperature probe electric connection with, and drive assembly, drive assembly includes drive structure and winding structure, drive structure is connected with winding structure and is used for drive winding structure rotation, and the wire is around setting on winding structure. Drive structure can drive winding structure rotation, because the wire is around setting on winding structure, thus the wire will rotate under the drive of winding structure, and then drive temperature probe moves in blind pipe, to realize the temperature detection of different position of water tank, therefore the temperature detecting structure of the utility model, only needs to set up a temperature probe in water tank, and the structure is relatively simple.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of hot water supply equipment technology, and in particular to a temperature detection structure and a water tank. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, storage-type water heaters, such as electric water heaters and heat pump water heaters, all include a large-capacity water tank in their product structure. When water is heated by electric heating elements or coils, the intermolecular distance increases, causing volume expansion and a decrease in density. This results in hot water flowing to the upper part of the inner tank, causing temperature stratification within the tank.

[0003] To detect the water temperature inside the tank, a blind pipe with a closed top is usually installed inside the tank. A temperature probe is installed inside the blind pipe. When the temperature probe detects that the water temperature has reached the preset temperature, it will stop the heating of the electric heating element or coil. Because the water temperature inside a storage water heater is stratified, that is, the water temperature at the bottom of the tank is low and the water temperature at the top of the tank is high, the water temperature detected by a single temperature probe is not accurate.

[0004] Due to the stratification of water temperature inside the tank, in order to achieve accurate temperature detection of the entire tank, related technologies typically place multiple temperature probes at different heights within the tank, making the temperature detection structure inside the tank quite complex. Utility Model Content

[0005] The first technical problem solved by this utility model is to provide a temperature sensing structure that effectively solves the problem of complex temperature sensing structure settings inside the water tank while achieving accurate temperature detection of the entire tank.

[0006] The second technical problem solved by this utility model is to provide a water tank that effectively solves the problem of accurate temperature detection of the entire tank while the temperature sensing structure inside the tank is relatively complex.

[0007] The first technical problem mentioned above is solved by the following technical solution:

[0008] A temperature sensing structure for detecting the temperature inside a water tank, the temperature sensing structure including a blind tube, a temperature probe disposed inside the blind tube, a wire electrically connected to the temperature probe, and a drive assembly;

[0009] The drive assembly includes a drive structure and a winding structure. The drive structure is connected to the winding structure and is used to drive the winding structure to rotate. The wire is wound around the winding structure.

[0010] Compared with the prior art, the temperature sensing structure of this utility model has the following advantages: By setting the temperature sensing structure to include a blind tube, a temperature probe, a wire, and a drive assembly, and setting the drive assembly to include a drive structure and a winding structure, the drive structure can drive the winding structure to rotate. Since the wire is wound on the winding structure, the wire will rotate under the drive of the winding structure, thereby driving the temperature probe to move within the blind tube, so as to realize the temperature detection at different locations in the water tank. The temperature sensing structure of this utility model can realize the temperature detection at different locations in the water tank by setting only one temperature probe in the water tank, achieving accurate temperature detection of the entire water tank while simplifying the setting of the temperature sensing structure inside the water tank.

[0011] In one embodiment, the temperature sensing structure further includes a housing and a conductive structure, and the wire includes two probe wires;

[0012] The winding structure is located inside the housing. The conductive structure includes two conductive rings and two conductive posts. The conductive rings and the conductive posts are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the probe wires. The two conductive rings are spaced apart on the winding structure, and the two conductive posts are spaced apart on the housing. One end of each of the two conductive posts abuts against one side of the two conductive rings, and the other end of each of the two conductive posts is used for electrical connection with the controller. The other side of each of the two conductive rings is electrically connected to the corresponding probe wire.

[0013] In one embodiment, the drive structure is a motor;

[0014] And / or, the winding structure is a reel, and the wire is wound around the reel;

[0015] And / or, the conductive post is an elastic conductive post.

[0016] In one embodiment, the temperature sensing structure includes a wire sheath disposed inside the blind tube, the wire being disposed inside the wire sheath, the hardness of the wire sheath being greater than the hardness of the wire, one end of the wire sheath being connected to the temperature probe, and the wire sheath being wound around the winding structure.

[0017] In one embodiment, the blind tube is provided with an elastic element, the wire sheath passes through the elastic element, and the temperature probe abuts against or is fixedly connected to the elastic element.

[0018] In one embodiment, a limiting structure is provided inside the blind tube. The limiting structure is located at one end of the blind tube near the driving component. One end of the elastic member is fixedly connected to the limiting structure. The limiting structure is provided with a through hole, through which the wire sleeve passes through the limiting structure.

[0019] In one embodiment, the elastic element is a spring;

[0020] And / or, the limiting structure is a limiting ring.

[0021] In one embodiment, the wire sheath is a flexible metal tube.

[0022] The second technical problem mentioned above is solved by the following technical solution:

[0023] A water tank includes a tank body and the aforementioned temperature sensing structure, wherein the blind pipe is disposed within the tank body and arranged along the height direction of the tank body, and the drive assembly is disposed outside the tank body.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the water tank of this utility model has the following advantages: by setting the water tank to include the above-mentioned temperature sensing structure, a temperature probe can be set in the blind tube of the water tank. The temperature probe can move in the blind tube under the drive of the drive component, so as to realize the detection of water temperature at different height positions of the water tank. There is no need to set multiple temperature probes in the water tank, which ensures the accuracy of the temperature detection of the entire water tank, while the temperature sensing structure in the water tank is relatively simple.

[0025] In one embodiment, the water tank body is provided with an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end is located near the lower side of the water tank body, the outlet end is located near the upper side of the water tank body, and the top of the blind pipe is located higher than the outlet end. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a front view of a temperature sensing structure according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0028] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Partial schematic diagram;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a partial structural diagram of the temperature sensing structure;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a partial structural diagram of the driving component;

[0031] Figure 5 for Figure 4Side view;

[0032] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the water tank.

[0033] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0034] 1. Blind tube; 2. Temperature probe; 3. Wire; 4. Drive assembly; 401. Housing; 4011. First receiving part; 4012. Second receiving part; 402. Drive structure; 4021. Output shaft; 403. Rewinding structure; 404. Conductive structure; 4041. Conductive ring; 4042. Conductive post; 5. Wire sleeve; 6. Elastic element; 7. Limiting structure; 8. Water tank body; 9. Water inlet end; 10. Water outlet end. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0036] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., 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 application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0037] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0038] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to 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; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0039] The following is combined with Figures 1 to 6 The following describes embodiments of the present invention.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a temperature sensing structure is provided for detecting the temperature inside a water tank. The temperature sensing structure includes a blind tube 1, a temperature probe 2 disposed inside the blind tube 1, a wire electrically connected to the temperature probe 2, and a drive assembly 4.

[0041] The drive assembly 4 includes a drive structure 402 and a winding structure 403. The drive structure 402 is connected to the winding structure 403 and is used to drive the winding structure 403 to rotate. The wire 3 is wound around the winding structure 403.

[0042] By configuring the temperature sensing structure as a blind tube 1, a temperature probe 2, a wire 3, and a drive assembly 4, and configuring the drive assembly as a drive structure 402 and a winding structure 403, the drive structure 402 can drive the winding structure 403 to rotate. Since the wire 3 is wound around the winding structure 403, the wire 3 will rotate under the drive of the winding structure 403, thereby driving the temperature probe 2 to move within the blind tube 1, thus realizing temperature detection at different locations in the water tank. This novel temperature sensing structure allows for temperature detection at different locations in the water tank with only one temperature probe 2, achieving accurate temperature detection of the entire water tank while keeping the temperature sensing structure within the water tank relatively simple.

[0043] In one embodiment, the conductor 3 includes two probe wires;

[0044] The temperature sensing structure also includes a housing 401 and a conductive structure 404. A winding structure 403 is disposed inside the housing 401. The conductive structure 404 includes two conductive rings 4041 and two conductive posts 4042. The conductive rings 4041 and conductive posts 4042 are arranged one-to-one with the probe wires. The two conductive rings 4041 are spaced apart on the winding structure 403, and the two conductive posts 4042 are spaced apart on the housing 401. One end of each of the two conductive posts 4042 abuts against one side of each of the two conductive rings 4041. The other end of each of the two conductive posts 4042 is used for electrical connection with the controller. The other side of each of the two conductive rings 4041 is electrically connected to the corresponding probe wire.

[0045] By setting the wire 3 to include two probe wires, the conductive structure 404 includes two conductive rings 4041 and two conductive posts 4042 that correspond one-to-one with the probe wires, which facilitates the electrical connection of the wire 3 connected to the temperature probe 2 and the controller, so as to transmit the temperature detected by the temperature probe 2 to the controller. At the same time, this electrical connection method does not affect the movement of the temperature probe 2 relative to the blind tube 1, and the structure is relatively simple.

[0046] Of course, in other embodiments, the conductive structure 404 may not be provided on the housing 401. Instead, the two probe wires of the wire 3 are made longer, with one part wound on the winding structure 403 to ensure the movement of the temperature probe 2, and the other part used for electrical connection with the controller.

[0047] In one embodiment, the drive structure 402 is a motor, and the winding structure 403 is a reel, with the wire 3 wound around the reel. Specifically, the drive structure 402 is a DC stepper motor. By setting the drive structure 402 as a motor and the winding structure 403 as a reel, the motor rotation drives the reel to rotate, which in turn drives the wire 3 on the reel to rotate, thereby realizing the movement of the temperature probe 2 within the blind tube 1. The structure is relatively simple. As an alternative implementation, the drive structure 402 can also be other types of motors. As an alternative implementation, the drive structure 402 can also be a hydraulic motor or a pneumatic motor, or other structures that can drive the reel to rotate. As an alternative implementation, the winding structure 403 can also be a wire feeder, or other structures.

[0048] In one embodiment, the conductive post 4042 is an elastic conductive post. By setting the conductive post 4042 as an elastic conductive post, it can be ensured that the conductive post 4042 always abuts against the conductive ring 4041, preventing the conductive post 4042 from moving and disengaging from the conductive ring 4041, which would lead to electrical connection failure.

[0049] like Figures 1-3 As shown, the temperature sensing structure includes a wire sleeve 5, which is disposed inside the blind tube 1. A wire 3 is disposed inside the wire sleeve 5. The hardness of the wire sleeve 5 is greater than that of the wire 3. One end of the wire sleeve 5 is connected to the temperature probe 2. The wire sleeve 5 is wound around the winding structure 403. By providing a wire sleeve 5 with a harder hardness than the wire 3 on the outside of the wire 3, the wire sleeve 5 has a certain degree of elasticity. When the driving structure 402 releases the wire 3, the temperature probe 2 can move better within the blind tube 1 under the elastic force of the wire sleeve 5.

[0050] Specifically, the wire sheath 5 is a flexible metal tube. As an alternative implementation, the wire sheath 5 may be other types of sheaths, and no further restrictions are imposed here.

[0051] To facilitate the resetting of the temperature probe 2 and the movement of the wire sleeve 5 within the blind tube 1, an elastic element 6 is provided on the inner side of the blind tube 1. The wire sleeve 5 passes through the elastic element 6, and the temperature probe 2 abuts against or is fixedly connected to the elastic element 6.

[0052] like Figure 1As shown, a limiting structure 7 is provided inside the blind tube 1. The limiting structure 7 is located at one end of the blind tube 1 near the drive assembly 1. One end of the elastic member 6 is fixedly connected to the limiting structure 7. A through hole is provided on the limiting structure 7. The wire sleeve 5 passes through the limiting structure 7 through the through hole.

[0053] Specifically, the limiting structure 7 is a limiting ring, and the center of the limiting ring is a through hole. As an alternative implementation, the limiting structure 7 may also be multiple limiting protrusions, which are fixedly connected to the inner wall of the blind tube 1, and through holes are formed between the multiple limiting protrusions.

[0054] Of course, in other embodiments, the limiting structure 7 may not be provided inside the blind tube 1, but the other end of the elastic member 6 may be directly fixed to the inner wall of the blind tube 1.

[0055] Specifically, the elastic element 6 is a spring, one end of which is fixedly connected to the limiting ring, and the other end is abutted or fixedly connected to the temperature probe 2. Preferably, during temperature measurement, the other end of the spring can abut against one end of the temperature probe 2, and drive the temperature probe 2 to move within the blind tube under the action of the elastic force. As an alternative implementation, the elastic element 6 can also be other elastic structures.

[0056] like Figure 4 As shown, the housing 401 is volute-shaped to facilitate the sliding of the wire 3. As an alternative embodiment, the housing 401 may also have other shapes.

[0057] The housing 401 includes a first accommodating part 4011 and a second accommodating part 4012. The first accommodating part 4011 is provided with a winding structure 403, a driving structure 402 is provided on one side outside the first accommodating part 4011, and a conductive post 4042 is provided on the other side outside the first accommodating part 4011. The second accommodating part 4012 is connected to one side of the first accommodating part 4011. One end of the second accommodating part 4012 is connected to the first accommodating part 4011, and the other end is connected to the blind tube 1. The wire 3 passes through the second accommodating part 4012 and enters the blind tube 1.

[0058] Specifically, the drive structure 402 includes an output shaft 4021. A through hole is provided in the center of the winding spool, and the output shaft 4021 passes through the through hole. The output shaft 4021 extends from one side of the housing 401 to the opposite side.

[0059] According to an embodiment of the present invention, another aspect is provided: a water tank, which includes a water tank body 8 and the above-mentioned temperature detection structure, a blind tube 1 disposed inside the water tank body 8 and arranged along the height direction of the water tank body 8, and a drive component 4 disposed outside the water tank body 8.

[0060] like Figure 6As shown, the water tank body 8 is provided with an inlet end 9 and an outlet end 10. The inlet end 9 is located near the lower side of the water tank body 8, and the outlet end 10 is located near the upper side of the water tank body 8. The top of the blind pipe 1 is located higher than the outlet end 10.

[0061] By setting the top of the blind tube 1 higher than the water outlet 10, the temperature probe 2 can move beyond the water outlet 10 within the blind tube 1, thereby allowing the temperature probe 2 to move from the bottom of the water tank to the top of the water tank, thus ensuring the accuracy of the whole tank temperature detection.

[0062] A heating device is installed at the bottom of the water tank body 8 to heat the water inside the water tank body 8. The heating device can be an electric heating element or a heat pump heating element, which can be set according to actual needs, and no further restrictions are imposed here.

[0063] In this embodiment, the blind tube 1 through which the temperature probe 2 is inserted is used as a slide. The temperature probe 2 is wound on a reel, and a DC stepper motor is connected to the reel. The operation of the DC stepper motor can make the reel rotate forward or backward, driving the temperature probe 2 to extend into different positions of the water tank body 8, so that the temperature probe 2 can perform temperature detection at different positions in the water tank, and the distribution of the temperature field inside the water tank can be obtained.

[0064] In one embodiment, the specific implementation steps may be as follows:

[0065] Initialization: The DC stepper motor rotates forward, retracting all the wires 3 on the reel. At this time, the temperature probe 2 is located at the lowest point of the water tank.

[0066] When the DC stepper motor reverses 100 steps, the temperature probe 2 will be positioned 10cm above the bottom of the water tank under the force of the spring and will remain there for 5 seconds.

[0067] The DC stepper motor continues to reverse 100 steps. At this time, the temperature probe 2 can be located 20cm above the bottom of the water tank under the elastic force of the spring and hold for 5 seconds.

[0068] This process continues until temperature probe 2 reaches the temperature measurement point at the top of the water tank.

[0069] Every 5 minutes, the temperature data inside the water tank is checked globally and recorded in the controller. Heating stops when the temperature difference between the top and bottom of the water tank is less than 5°C, thus increasing the amount of hot water in the tank.

[0070] Of course, in other embodiments, during actual operation, the temperature probe 2 can also be used to measure the temperature sequentially from top to bottom, without making too many restrictions here.

[0071] The temperature sensing structure in this embodiment can globally acquire the temperature field inside the water tank and continuously heat it to increase the amount of hot water in the tank.

[0072] In the specific implementation of the above embodiments, the technical features can be combined in any non-contradictory way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the above technical features are described. However, as long as the combination of these technical features is not contradictory, it should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0073] The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of this utility model, and while the descriptions are detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this 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 temperature sensing structure for detecting the temperature inside a water tank, characterized in that: The temperature sensing structure includes a blind tube (1), a temperature probe (2) disposed in the blind tube (1), a wire (3) electrically connected to the temperature probe (2), and a drive assembly (4); The drive assembly (4) includes a drive structure (402) and a winding structure (403). The drive structure (402) is connected to the winding structure (403) and is used to drive the winding structure (403) to rotate. The wire (3) is wound around the winding structure (403).

2. The temperature detection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature sensing structure also includes a housing (401) and a conductive structure (404), and the wire (3) includes two probe wires; The winding structure (403) is disposed inside the housing (401). The conductive structure (404) includes two conductive rings (4041) and two conductive posts (4042). The conductive rings (4041) and the conductive posts (4042) are arranged one-to-one with the probe wires. The two conductive rings (4041) are spaced apart on the winding structure (403), and the two conductive posts (4042) are spaced apart on the housing (401). One end of each of the two conductive posts (4042) abuts against one side of the corresponding conductive ring (4041), and the other end of each of the two conductive posts (4042) is used for electrical connection with the controller. The other side of each of the two conductive rings (4041) is electrically connected to the corresponding probe wires.

3. The temperature detection structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The drive structure (402) is a motor; And / or, the winding structure (403) is a reel, and the conductor (3) is wound around the reel; And / or, the conductive post (4042) is an elastic conductive post.

4. The temperature sensing structure according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein: The temperature sensing structure includes a wire sleeve (5), which is disposed inside the blind tube (1). The wire (3) is disposed inside the wire sleeve (5). The hardness of the wire sleeve (5) is greater than that of the wire (3). One end of the wire sleeve (5) is connected to the temperature probe (2). The wire sleeve (5) is wound around the winding structure (403).

5. The temperature detection structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The blind tube (1) is provided with an elastic element (6), the wire sleeve (5) passes through the elastic element (6), and the temperature probe (2) abuts against or is fixedly connected to the elastic element (6).

6. The temperature detection structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The blind tube (1) is provided with a limiting structure (7), which is located at one end of the blind tube (1) near the drive assembly (4). One end of the elastic member (6) is fixedly connected to the limiting structure (7). The limiting structure (7) is provided with a through hole, through which the wire sleeve (5) passes through the limiting structure (7).

7. The temperature detection structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The elastic element (6) is a spring; And / or, the limiting structure (7) is a limiting ring.

8. The temperature sensing structure of claim 4, wherein: The wire sheath (5) is a flexible metal tube.

9. A water tank characterized by: The water tank includes a water tank body (8) and the temperature sensing structure according to any one of claims 1-8. The blind tube (1) is disposed inside the water tank body (8) and arranged along the height direction of the water tank body (8). The drive assembly (4) is disposed outside the water tank body (8).

10. The water tank according to claim 9, characterized in that: The water tank body (8) is provided with an inlet end (9) and an outlet end (10). The inlet end (9) is located near the lower side of the water tank body (8), and the outlet end (10) is located near the upper side of the water tank body (8). The top of the blind pipe (1) is located higher than the outlet end (10).

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