Gas appliance openable and closable air inlet device and gas appliance

Abstract

The application relates to an openable and closable air inlet device of a gas appliance and the gas appliance, which is arranged at the lower end of a bottom shell of a shell of the gas appliance, the shell comprises a front shell and a bottom shell which are sealedly connected with each other, the air inlet device is provided with an air inlet channel and a vane plate which is rotatably arranged in the air inlet channel through a rotating shaft, the vane plate is configured to rotate downward under the action of gravity to close the air inlet channel when the gas appliance is stopped, and rotate upward under the action of negative pressure generated when the gas appliance operates to open the air inlet channel, and the mechanical response mechanism that the vane plate is closed under the action of gravity when the gas appliance is stopped and opened under the action of negative pressure when the gas appliance operates is utilized to realize automatic on-off control of the air inlet channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of gas appliance technology, specifically to an openable and closable air inlet device for a gas appliance and the field of gas appliance technology. Background Technology

[0002] Gas water heaters and gas-fired wall-hung boilers are common household hot water supply devices. They require the introduction of air for combustion into the equipment and the forced exhaust of combustion gases outdoors, which is why they are often installed in outdoor environments such as balconies. Considering safety factors such as oxygen supply and exhaust gas emissions, they are not installed in scenarios where indoor spaces are interconnected within a home.

[0003] Against this backdrop, in actual use, especially in cold seasons or areas with large temperature differences between day and night, when the water heater stops working, the fan stops, and combustion stops, external cold air will flow back into the equipment through the air inlet under the action of wind pressure and natural airflow.

[0004] This will cause the temperature of components such as heat exchangers and water pipes to drop rapidly. If a small amount of water remains inside the equipment, it can easily freeze and expand, causing copper pipes, welds, or plastic joints to crack, leading to leaks and equipment damage. It will also increase heat loss during cold starts, resulting in reduced thermal efficiency and the risk of insects entering.

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, existing technologies often employ methods such as electric auxiliary heating for freeze protection. However, these solutions primarily target "waterway freeze protection" and cannot cover the entire internal structure of the equipment. Furthermore, they rely heavily on electricity, increasing costs and still posing a risk of freezing damage during power outages. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In response to the problems mentioned above, this application proposes an openable and closable air inlet device for gas appliances and a gas appliance. The purpose is to provide an openable and closable air inlet device at the lower end of a sealed gas appliance, which can be effectively closed when the gas appliance is stopped, forming an effective sealing barrier to prevent cold air backflow.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present application adopts the following technical solution: In a first aspect, this application proposes an openable and closable air inlet device for a gas appliance, which is installed at the lower end of the bottom shell of the gas appliance housing, the housing comprising a front shell and a bottom shell that are sealed to each other; The air intake device is provided with an air intake channel and a blade that is rotatably installed in the air intake channel via a rotating shaft; The blade is configured to rotate downward under its own weight to close the air intake passage when the gas appliance is off, and to rotate upward under the negative pressure generated when the gas appliance is running to open the air intake passage.

[0008] In this way, by utilizing the mechanical response mechanism of the blade closing due to its own weight when the gas appliance is stopped and opening due to negative pressure during operation, the automatic on / off control of the air intake channel is achieved. There is no need to install complex drive components such as motors, solenoid valves or control circuits, thus achieving a highly reliable and low-cost seal.

[0009] Furthermore, it effectively prevents backflow of external wind, significantly reduces heat loss in low-temperature environments, avoids sudden temperature drops in key components such as heat exchangers and water systems due to cold air intrusion, reduces the risk of pipe freezing and cracking, and can also prevent insects from entering when not in use.

[0010] In some possible implementations, the air inlet channel consists of a flange sleeve and a base; The flange sleeve is installed upward from the lower end of the bottom shell and extends into the shell. The base is located above the flange sleeve, and the blade is located inside the base.

[0011] In some possible implementations, a mounting base is also included, which is embedded within the base, and the blade is mounted within the mounting base.

[0012] In some possible implementations, the mounting base is provided with a mating surface opposite to the closed position of the blade, and the mating surface and the shaft mounting position are provided with a downwardly recessed groove structure.

[0013] In some possible implementations, a bushing is provided between the rotating shaft and the blade.

[0014] In some possible implementations, a pair of bearing seats are disposed opposite each other on the fixed base, and the two ends of the rotating shaft are respectively supported in the bearing seats; The bushing has a C-shaped slot structure.

[0015] In some possible implementations, above the rotating shaft, the mounting base is provided with a limiting rib that restricts the rotation angle of the blade when it is opened.

[0016] Secondly, this application also proposes a gas appliance that uses a gas appliance with an openable and closable air intake device as described above.

[0017] In some possible implementations, the lower end of the bottom shell is provided with a water inlet, a gas inlet, and a water outlet, and the air intake device is disposed between the water inlet and the gas inlet. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is an internal view of the gas water heater to which the air intake device is used in this application; Figure 2 Rear view of the gas water heater in this application; Figure 3This is a bottom view of the air inlet device in the closed state in this application; Figure 4 This is a bottom view of the air intake device in the open state in this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the installation status of the air intake device in this application; Figure 6 This is an exploded schematic diagram of the air intake device in this application; Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Enlarged view of a portion of point A in the middle; Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the air intake device in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The following examples further illustrate the features of this application and other related features in detail, so as to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art: It should be noted that the terms “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “up,” and “down” used in the following description refer to the directions in the attached diagrams, while the terms “bottom surface,” “top surface,” “inner,” and “outer” refer to the directions toward or away from the geometric center of a specific component, respectively.

[0020] Furthermore, 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 between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this case based on the specific circumstances.

[0021] Please refer to Figures 1 to 2 In this application, the gas water heater forms a water circuit structure through the inlet 110, heat exchanger 120, and outlet 130. The air intake device 30 is located at the lower end of the gas water heater's bottom shell 10. An air circuit is formed through the air intake device 30, burner 210, heat exchanger 120 above it, fan 220, and exhaust pipe 230. Furthermore, gas is delivered to the burner 210 for combustion through the gas inlet 310 and solenoid valve 320. The working principle of the gas water heater is a commonly used technical method in the industry and will not be described in further detail here. In this embodiment, a gas water heater is used for explanation; the air intake device and gas appliances of this application are also applicable to gas-fired wall-hung boilers that utilize the same hot water supply equipment principle.

[0022] Based on this, the exhaust pipe 230 is generally equipped with an anti-backflow device. The gas water heater shell used in the air inlet device 30 of this application includes a front shell 20 and a bottom shell 10 that are sealed to each other. The sealing connection between the front shell 20 and the bottom shell 10 can be achieved through a structure such as a sealing gasket. There are many ways to achieve the sealing of the two shells, which will not be illustrated here.

[0023] Unlike traditional bottom shell 10s with air inlets on the back, the bottom shell 10 of this application has only one air inlet, the air inlet 30. Preferably, the air inlet 30 is located between the water inlet 110 and the gas inlet 310, with the gas inlet 310 positioned towards the water outlet 130, and the air inlet 30 located at the lower end of the burner 210, thereby improving air intake efficiency.

[0024] As mentioned above, since the interior of a gas water heater is in a sealed state, it is only necessary to design the air inlet device 30 to be openable and closable, so that it can be ventilated when in use and closed when not in use, thus achieving the effects of preventing freezing and insects.

[0025] Please refer to the following for details. Figures 3 to 6 The air intake device 30 is provided with an air intake channel and two blades 32 rotatably mounted in the air intake channel via a rotating shaft 31, forming a butterfly-shaped structure on both sides of the rotating shaft 31. The blades 32 are configured to rotate downwards under their own weight to close the air intake channel when the gas appliance is off, and to rotate upwards under the negative pressure generated when the gas appliance is running to open the air intake channel. Figure 3 The blade 32 covers the closed air inlet channel. Figure 4 It is the state in which the blade 32 rotates upward under negative pressure to open the air intake channel.

[0026] Specifically, the air inlet channel is composed of a flange sleeve 33 and a base 34. The flange sleeve 33 is installed upward from the lower end of the bottom shell 10 and extends into the shell. The base 34 is located above the flange sleeve 33, and the blade 32 is disposed within the base 34. That is, the flange sleeve 33 and the base 34 are fitted together through the lower end sleeve of the bottom shell 10, and they can be fixed to the bottom shell 10 by electric welding.

[0027] Furthermore, it also includes a mounting base 35 embedded in the base 34, and the blade 32 is mounted on the mounting base 35. The mounting base 35 and the base 34 can be connected by an interference fit, or they can be fixedly connected from the outside of the base 34 by screws.

[0028] For the installation method of mounting base 35 and blade 32, please refer to [reference needed]. Figures 6 to 8The mounting base 35 is provided with a mating surface 351 opposite to the closed position of the blade 32, and the inner circumference of the mating surface 351 is designed to form an air intake channel. The mating surface 351 and the mounting position of the rotating shaft 31 are provided with a downwardly recessed groove structure 352. The groove structure 352 on the mating surface 351 facilitates the fitting of the mounting base 35 into the base 34, and also reduces the contact area with the blade 32, allowing the blade 32 to open smoothly under negative pressure.

[0029] Furthermore, a bushing 36 is provided between the rotating shaft 31 and the blade 32, specifically, the bushing 36 and the blade 32 are integrally formed. A pair of bearing seats 37 are provided opposite to each other on the fixed base 35, and the two ends of the rotating shaft 31 are respectively supported in the bearing seats 37. In this case, it is preferable that the bushing 36 has a C-shaped slit structure, which facilitates installation and maintenance.

[0030] In order to prevent the blade 32 from sticking to itself when it opens and to ensure that it can fall back and close smoothly, in some embodiments, the mounting base 35 above the rotating shaft 31 is provided with a limiting rib 38 to restrict the rotation angle of the blade 32 when it opens.

[0031] In this way, by utilizing the mechanical response mechanism of the blade 32 closing by its own weight when the gas appliance is stopped and opening under negative pressure during operation, the automatic on / off control of the air intake channel is realized. There is no need to set up complex drive components such as motors, solenoid valves or control circuits, thus achieving a highly reliable and low-cost seal.

[0032] Furthermore, it effectively prevents backflow of external wind, significantly reduces heat loss in low-temperature environments, and avoids a sudden drop in temperature in key components such as the heat exchanger 120 and water system due to cold air intrusion, reducing the risk of pipe freezing and cracking. When not in use, it can also prevent insects and other pests from entering the interior.

[0033] As stated above, this case protects a gas appliance with an openable and closable air intake device and a gas appliance. All technical solutions that are the same as or similar to this case should be considered to fall within the protection scope of this case.

Claims

1. A gas appliance with an openable and closable air inlet device, characterized in that, The bottom shell (10) of the gas appliance housing is disposed at the lower end of the housing, the housing comprising a front shell (20) and a bottom shell (10) that are sealed to each other. The air intake device (30) is provided with an air intake channel and a blade (32) that is rotatably installed in the air intake channel via a rotating shaft (31). The blade (32) is configured to rotate downward under its own weight to close the air intake passage when the gas appliance is stopped; and to rotate upward under the negative pressure generated when the gas appliance is running to open the air intake passage.

2. The gas appliance openable / closable air inlet device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The air inlet channel is composed of a flange sleeve (33) and a base (34); The flange sleeve (33) is installed upward from the lower end of the bottom shell (10) and extends into the shell. The base (34) is located above the flange sleeve (33), and the blade (32) is located inside the base (34).

3. The gas appliance openable / closable air inlet device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a mounting base (35) embedded in the base (34), and the blade (32) is mounted in the mounting base (35).

4. The gas appliance openable / closable air inlet device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The mounting base (35) is provided with a mating surface (351) opposite to the closed position of the blade (32), and the mating surface (351) and the mounting position of the rotating shaft (31) are provided with a downward recessed groove structure (352).

5. A gas appliance openable / closable air inlet device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, A bushing (36) is provided between the rotating shaft (31) and the blade (32).

6. A gas appliance openable / closable air inlet device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, A pair of bearing seats (37) are provided opposite to each other on the mounting base (35), and the two ends of the rotating shaft (31) are respectively supported in the bearing seats (37); The bushing (36) has a C-shaped slot structure.

7. A gas appliance openable / closable air inlet device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, Above the rotating shaft (31), the mounting base (35) is provided with a limiting rib (38) that restricts the rotation angle of the blade (32) when it is opened.

8. A gas appliance, characterized in that, The gas appliance uses an openable / closeable air inlet device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A gas appliance as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The bottom shell (10) is provided with a water inlet (110), a gas inlet (310), and a water outlet (130) at its lower end. The air inlet device (30) is located between the water inlet (110) and the gas inlet (310).

10. A gas appliance as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The gas appliance is a gas water heater or a gas wall-hung boiler.

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