A water heater

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of heat energy conversion, in particular to a water heater, which comprises a heat exchange box filled with a heat exchange medium and a first heater immersed in the heat exchange medium; inside the heat exchange box, a first heat exchange pipe for a first use scenario and a second heat exchange pipe for a second use scenario are arranged along a first direction, and the extension directions of the first heat exchange pipe and the second heat exchange pipe are parallel to each other; a water inlet end of the first heat exchange pipe is connected with a first water inlet passage, and the other end of the first heat exchange pipe is connected with a first water outlet passage; a water inlet end of the second heat exchange pipe is connected with a second water inlet passage, and the other end of the second heat exchange pipe is connected with a second water outlet passage; the first heat exchange pipe and the second heat exchange pipe respectively absorb heat generated by the first heater through the heat exchange medium; and the problem that the heat exchange water heater in the prior art cannot simultaneously meet multiple different use scenarios of users is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of thermal energy conversion technology, and more particularly to a water heater. Background Technology

[0002] To meet users' bathing needs, the current water heater industry generally includes storage-type electric water heaters and heat exchange water heaters.

[0003] Compared to storage-type electric water heaters, where the heating element directly contacts the water source and heats it, making the heating element prone to scale buildup, heat exchange water heaters obtain hot water by having cold water flow through a certain length of heat exchange tube and exchange heat with the heat exchange medium. This is fundamentally different from the direct heating method of storage-type electric water heaters, and heat exchange water heaters are gradually becoming a popular product.

[0004] However, existing heat exchange water heaters are used in relatively limited scenarios and cannot meet users' needs for multiple usage scenarios.

[0005] Therefore, the above problems need to be addressed. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this application is to provide a water heater that solves the problem that existing heat exchange water heaters cannot simultaneously meet the needs of users in multiple usage scenarios.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution:

[0008] Firstly, a water heater includes:

[0009] A heat exchange box, the heat exchange box being filled with a heat exchange medium and a first heater being immersed in the heat exchange medium;

[0010] Inside the heat exchange box, a first heat exchange tube for a first use scenario and a second heat exchange tube for a second use scenario are arranged along a first direction, and the extension directions of the first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube are parallel to each other.

[0011] The inlet end of the first heat exchange tube is connected to the first inlet passage, and the other end of the first heat exchange tube is connected to the first outlet passage.

[0012] The inlet end of the second heat exchange tube is connected to the second inlet passage, and the other end of the second heat exchange tube is connected to the second outlet passage.

[0013] The first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube each absorb heat generated by the first heater through the heat exchange medium.

[0014] Furthermore, along the height direction of the heat exchange box, the first heat exchange tube is located above the second heat exchange tube.

[0015] Furthermore, the output end of the second heat exchange tube is sequentially connected to a second instantaneous heater and a second mixing valve.

[0016] The first end of the second mixing valve in the input direction is connected to the second inlet passage, the second end of the second mixing valve in the input direction is connected to the second heat exchange tube, the output end of the second mixing valve is connected to the input end of the second instantaneous heater, and the output end of the second instantaneous heater is connected to the second outlet passage.

[0017] Furthermore, the outlet end of the first heat exchange tube is connected to a first mixing valve;

[0018] The first end of the first mixing valve in the input direction is connected to the first inlet water passage, the second end of the first mixing valve in the input direction is connected to the output end of the first heat exchange tube, and the output end of the first mixing valve is connected to the first outlet water passage.

[0019] Furthermore, the first heat exchange tube is also connected to a first instantaneous heater;

[0020] The first instantaneous heater is located on the connection passage between the first mixing valve and the first heat exchange tube.

[0021] Furthermore, both the first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube have a corrugated structure.

[0022] Furthermore, the height difference between the second peak and the second trough corresponding to the second heat exchange tube is greater than the height difference between the first peak and the first trough corresponding to the first heat exchange tube.

[0023] Furthermore, the outer surface of the heat exchange box is provided with an insulation layer.

[0024] The technical solutions provided in this application have the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0025] This technical solution features a first heat exchange tube and a second heat exchange tube arranged parallel to each other within the heat exchange box. Both heat exchange tubes obtain heat energy from the heat exchange medium heated by the first heater to heat the water within them, and each operates through independent inlet and outlet water passages. Specifically, the first heat exchange tube is dedicated to a first usage scenario, and the second heat exchange tube is dedicated to a second usage scenario. This design, with its independent operation and shared heat, allows a single water heater to simultaneously meet the needs of multiple water usage scenarios, such as drinking and bathing, effectively solving the problem that existing heat exchange water heaters cannot meet the diverse needs of users in various scenarios. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference numerals in the accompanying drawings. These illustrations do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are denoted as similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings are not to be limited by scale.

[0029] Figure 1 These are schematic diagrams of the structures of Embodiments 1 and 2 of this application;

[0030] Figure 2 These are schematic diagrams of the structures of Embodiments 3 and 4 of this application;

[0031] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 5 of this application.

[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0033] 1. Heat exchange box; 2. Heat exchange medium; 3. First heat exchange tube; 4. Second heat exchange tube; 5. First water inlet passage; 6. First water outlet passage; 7. Second water inlet passage; 8. Second water outlet passage; 9. Second instantaneous heater; 10. Second mixing valve; 11. First mixing valve; 12. First instantaneous heater; 13. Insulation layer; 14. First heater. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, 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, 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.

[0035] The following disclosure provides numerous different embodiments or examples for implementing various structures of this application. To simplify the disclosure, specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. These are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in different examples. Such repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements discussed.

[0036] For ease of description, spatial relative terms may be used in the text to describe the relative position or movement of one element or feature relative to another element or feature, as shown in the figure. These relative terms include, for example, "inside," "outside," "middle," "outer," "below," "below," "above," "front," "back," etc. Such spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation, other than those depicted in the figure. For example, if the device in the figure undergoes a positional flip, orientation change, or change of motion, these directional indications will change accordingly. For instance, an element described as "below other elements or features" or "below other elements or features" will subsequently be oriented "above other elements or features" or "above other elements or features." Therefore, the example term "below" can include both upper and lower orientations. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or in other directions), and the spatial relative descriptors used in the text will be interpreted accordingly.

[0037] To address the technical problem that existing heat exchange water heaters cannot simultaneously meet users' drinking and bathing requirements, this application provides a water heater that can simultaneously meet users' needs in different usage scenarios.

[0038] Example 1

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown in detail, a water heater according to this technical solution includes a heat exchange box 1, which is typically located inside the water heater's casing. In this embodiment, the heat exchange box 1 is filled with a heat exchange medium 2 and a first heater 14 immersed in the heat exchange medium 2. It should be noted that the heat exchange material is a phase change material such as paraffin wax or an inorganic brine compound. The first heater 14 is an electric heating rod, which extends along the length of the heat exchange box 1, and the heating length formed by the heating area of ​​the electric heating rod occupies at least 1 / 3 of the length of the heat exchange box 1.

[0040] Inside the heat exchange box 1, a first heat exchange tube 3 for a first use scenario and a second heat exchange tube 4 for a second use scenario are arranged along a first direction. The extension directions of the first heat exchange tube 3 and the second heat exchange tube 4 are parallel to each other. The water inlet end of the first heat exchange tube 3 is connected to the first water inlet passage 5, and the other end of the first heat exchange tube 3 is connected to the first water outlet passage 6. The water inlet end of the second heat exchange tube 4 is connected to the second water inlet passage 7, and the other end of the second heat exchange tube 4 is connected to the second water outlet passage 8. The first heat exchange tube 3 and the second heat exchange tube 4 each absorb heat generated by the first heater through the heat exchange medium 2.

[0041] In this embodiment, the first direction refers to the length or width direction along the interior of the heat exchange box 1. The embodiments described below use the length direction as an example to illustrate this technical solution. Additionally, as... Figure 1 As shown, the arrow on the left side of heat exchanger 1 indicates the direction of water inlet, and the arrow on the right side of heat exchanger 1 indicates the direction of water outlet.

[0042] In this embodiment, the first use case corresponding to the first heat exchange tube is "providing drinking water", and the second use case corresponding to the second heat exchange tube is "providing bathing water".

[0043] It should be noted that the application scenarios of this water heater are not limited to the two categories of "drinking water supply" and "bathing water supply" mentioned above. In actual application, the corresponding application scenarios of the first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube can be flexibly defined according to the user's specific water needs (such as water for kitchen cleaning, water for washing clothes, etc.).

[0044] In addition, regarding component configuration, the aforementioned core components such as the first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube can also be configured in multiple ways according to actual usage needs (such as multiple users using water simultaneously, high-frequency water use in multiple scenarios, etc.): for example, a third heat exchange tube can be added to adapt to the "kitchen cleaning" scenario, or a second heater can be added to improve heat exchange efficiency, thereby better meeting the usage needs of different application scenarios.

[0045] The connections of each manifold can be made by a combination of spirals and gaskets to connect the first heat exchange tube 3 and the second heat exchange tube 4 to their respective inlet and outlet water passages.

[0046] The inlet of the first heat exchange pipe 3 is connected to the first water inlet passage 5 via a PPR pipe. The first water inlet passage 5 is, for example, a municipal tap water pipe. The outlet of the first heat exchange pipe 3 is connected to the first water outlet passage 6, which is, for example, a kitchen faucet. The inlet of the second heat exchange pipe 4 is connected to the second water inlet passage 7, which is connected to a water supply system. The water supply system includes branches from the same municipal tap water pipe or connections to kitchen drinking water, etc. The outlet is connected to the second water outlet passage 8, which is connected to an external water user, such as a bathroom shower.

[0047] In use, after cold water enters the heat exchange tube, the first heater heats the heat exchange medium 2. The cold water enters the first heat exchange tube 3 from the first water inlet passage 5 and the second heat exchange tube 4 from the second water inlet passage 7. After exchanging heat with the heat exchange medium 2 in the heat exchange tube, the water is output from the first water outlet passage 6 and the second water outlet passage 8 for drinking and bathing. The parallel arrangement of the two sets of heat exchange tubes ensures that they work independently and do not interfere with each other in the narrow space of the heat exchange box 1.

[0048] Example 2

[0049] For example Figure 1 As shown, based on Example 1, along the height direction of the heat exchange box 1, the first heat exchange tube 3 is located above the second heat exchange tube 4. The vertical distance between them is 8cm, but it is not limited to 8cm, as long as it can meet their respective water usage needs and space requirements.

[0050] It should be understood that since the heat exchange medium 2 near the first heater usually flows upward after being heated, and the temperature at the top is relatively high, placing the first heat exchange tube 3 for heating drinking water above the second heat exchange tube 4 for heating bath water can make the drinking water receive more sufficient heat exchange.

[0051] For example, under the convection of the phase change medium, the temperature of the upper phase change medium is 55 to 60°C, and the temperature of the lower phase change medium is 50 to 55°C. This arrangement allows the upper first heat exchange tube 3 to contact the phase change medium at a higher temperature, and its outlet water temperature can be increased by 8-10°C compared with the same flow rate, which is more suitable for drinking water needs.

[0052] This design optimizes the layout based on the potential temperature requirements of different water users. The first heat exchange tube 3 at the top contacts the heat exchange medium 2 with a higher temperature, while the second heat exchange tube 4 at the bottom contacts the heat exchange medium 2 with a relatively lower temperature. The two exchange heat separately to meet their respective water needs, making energy distribution more reasonable.

[0053] Example 3

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown, based on Embodiment 2, the output end of the second heat exchange tube 4 is sequentially connected to the second instantaneous heater 9 and the second mixing valve 10; the first end of the second mixing valve 10 in the input direction is connected to the second water inlet passage 7, the second end of the second mixing valve 10 in the input direction is connected to the second heat exchange tube 4, the output end of the second mixing valve 10 is connected to the input end of the second instantaneous heater 9, and the output end of the second instantaneous heater 9 is connected to the second water outlet passage 8.

[0055] In use, for example, in the bathing water path: cold water enters the second heat exchanger tube 4 from the first inlet passage 5. Under the action of the heat exchange medium 2, the second heat exchanger tube 4 heats the internal water flow, achieving an output of 50-55℃ hot water, which is then transported to the second mixing valve 10 through the second end. This hot water is mixed with 20℃ cold water entering the second mixing valve 10 from the second inlet passage 7 in a 1:1 ratio, resulting in preliminary temperature-adjusted water of 35-37℃. This water is then heated to a comfortable bathing temperature, such as 40℃, by the second instant heater 9 and then transported to the shower head through the second outlet passage 8. In the drinking water path, heat is further absorbed from the phase change medium through the first heat exchanger tube 3 to meet the user's drinking water needs.

[0056] This design can solve the problem that the temperature of bath water after being heated by the second heat exchanger tube 4 may not be accurate enough or may not meet the user's requirements for bath water temperature.

[0057] Example 4

[0058] like Figure 2 As shown, based on embodiment 3, in order to meet the user's demand for drinking water temperature, the outlet end of the first heat exchange tube 3 is connected to a first mixing valve 11; the first end of the first mixing valve 11 in the input direction is connected to the first inlet passage 5, the second end of the first mixing valve 11 in the input direction is connected to the output end of the first heat exchange tube 3, and the output end of the first mixing valve 11 is connected to the first outlet passage 6.

[0059] For example, if a user needs to drink warm water at 45°C, the water temperature produced after heat exchange through the first heat exchange tube 3 is 60°C. This water temperature is too high to meet the user's desired 45°C. Therefore, the first end of the first mixing valve 11 is connected to the first inlet passage 5 (e.g., to the kitchen drinking water or pure water supply) to obtain a water source at 15°C. The second end of the first mixing valve 11 in the input direction is connected to the first heat exchange tube 3 to receive the 60°C water flow. The two water flows of different temperatures are mixed in the first mixing valve 11 to neutralize the temperature, outputting 45°C water that meets the user's drinking needs. This 45°C water flows out from the first outlet passage 6 for the user to drink. This design allows for adjustment of the mixing ratio according to user needs, obtaining drinking water at the desired temperature, making drinking water temperature adjustment more flexible and meeting users' needs for different drinking water temperatures.

[0060] Furthermore, based on Example 3, both the drinking water and bathing water terminals can be adjusted to the required water temperature according to the user's needs, thus meeting a variety of different user requirements.

[0061] Example 5

[0062] In another usage scenario, in order to solve the problem that the drinking water in the first output channel is not hot enough in a low-temperature environment, if the user wants to drink hot water, but simply using the first mixing valve 11 may not result in the drinking water temperature being too low, which may easily cause discomfort to the user after drinking.

[0063] Therefore, as Figure 3 As shown, based on Embodiment 4, the first heat exchange tube 3 is also connected to a first instant heater 12; the first instant heater 12 is located on the connection passage between the first mixing valve 11 and the first heat exchange tube 3. It should be noted that the drinking water end of Embodiment 4 is designed for use in a normal temperature environment, while the drinking water end of Embodiment 5 can be used in environments with even lower temperatures.

[0064] In detailed operation, the hot water output from the first heat exchange tube 3 first enters the first instantaneous heater 12 to be heated to a higher temperature. For example, if the initial temperature of the hot water flowing out of the first heat exchange tube 3 is 30℃, it reaches 50℃ after being heated by the first instantaneous heater 12. Then, it enters the first mixing valve 11, where it can be mixed with the cold water in the first inlet passage 5 as needed. For example, if the temperature of the cold water entering the first mixing valve 11 is 10℃, the 50℃ hot water and the 10℃ cold water will mix to become 40℃ water, which is finally output from the first outlet passage 6 for users to drink. This design effectively addresses the problem of slow heat exchange efficiency between the phase-changing medium and the heat exchange tube in low-temperature environments. This design can provide drinking water at higher temperatures, broadening the temperature range of drinking water and meeting more usage scenarios.

[0065] When used in conjunction with the shower unit of Embodiment 4, users can adjust the temperature of drinking water or shower water to suit their preferences under various ambient temperatures.

[0066] Furthermore, both the first heat exchange tube 3 and the second heat exchange tube 4 described above have a corrugated structure. This design is intended to address the problem of low heat exchange efficiency caused by the limited contact area between the first heat exchange tube 3 and the second heat exchange tube 4 and the heat exchange medium 2.

[0067] For example, the height difference between the crest and trough of the first heat exchange tube 3 or the second heat exchange tube 4 is 3cm, and the wavelength is 10cm. Five complete wave shapes are formed within a length of 60cm. When cold water flows in the wave-shaped first heat exchange tube 3 and second heat exchange tube 4, it has more sufficient contact with the heat exchange medium 2, which effectively improves the heat exchange efficiency and saves heating time and energy.

[0068] In addition, the height difference between the second peak and the second trough corresponding to the second heat exchange tube 4 is greater than the height difference between the first peak and the first trough corresponding to the first heat exchange tube 3.

[0069] In one specific embodiment, the height between the first trough and the first peak of the first heat exchange tube 3 is half the height between the second trough and the second peak of the second heat exchange tube 4. This design allows the second heat exchange tube 4 to have a larger contact area with the phase-changing medium inside the narrow heat exchange box 1 compared to the first heat exchange tube 3, thereby meeting the heat exchange requirements of the second heat exchange tube 4 for a larger water volume and satisfying the user's demand for a large amount of hot water for bathing.

[0070] In other use cases, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the outer surface of the heat exchange box 1 described above is provided with an insulation layer 13. This insulation layer 13 is usually composed of some high-density polyurethane. The insulation layer 13 can reduce the heat transfer from the inside of the heat exchange box 1 to the outside, effectively maintain the temperature inside the heat exchange box 1, and reduce heat loss.

[0071] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0072] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used 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.

[0073] Furthermore, 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. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0074] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; 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; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0075] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0076] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. The illustrative expressions of the above terms in this specification should not be construed as necessarily referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification.

[0077] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Since these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, this application also intends to include these modifications and variations.

[0078] The above description describes specific embodiments of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A water heater, characterized in that, include: A heat exchange box, the heat exchange box being filled with a heat exchange medium and a first heater being immersed in the heat exchange medium; Inside the heat exchange box, a first heat exchange tube for a first use scenario and a second heat exchange tube for a second use scenario are arranged along a first direction, and the extension directions of the first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube are parallel to each other. The inlet end of the first heat exchange tube is connected to the first inlet passage, and the other end of the first heat exchange tube is connected to the first outlet passage. The inlet end of the second heat exchange tube is connected to the second inlet passage, and the other end of the second heat exchange tube is connected to the second outlet passage. The first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube each absorb heat generated by the first heater through the heat exchange medium.

2. A water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that: Along the height direction of the heat exchange box, the first heat exchange tube is located above the second heat exchange tube.

3. A water heater according to claim 2, characterized in that: The output end of the second heat exchange tube is connected in sequence to a second instantaneous heater and a second mixing valve. The first end of the second mixing valve in the input direction is connected to the second inlet passage, the second end of the second mixing valve in the input direction is connected to the second heat exchange tube, the output end of the second mixing valve is connected to the input end of the second instantaneous heater, and the output end of the second instantaneous heater is connected to the second outlet passage.

4. A water heater according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outlet end of the first heat exchange tube is connected to a first mixing valve; The first end of the first mixing valve in the input direction is connected to the first inlet water passage, the second end of the first mixing valve in the input direction is connected to the output end of the first heat exchange tube, and the output end of the first mixing valve is connected to the first outlet water passage.

5. A water heater according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first heat exchange tube is also connected to a first instantaneous heater; The first instantaneous heater is located on the connection passage between the first mixing valve and the first heat exchange tube.

6. A water heater according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: Both the first heat exchange tube and the second heat exchange tube have a corrugated structure.

7. A water heater according to claim 6, characterized in that: The height difference between the second peak and the second trough corresponding to the second heat exchange tube is greater than the height difference between the first peak and the first trough corresponding to the first heat exchange tube.

8. A water heater according to claim 7, characterized in that: The outer surface of the heat exchange box is provided with an insulation layer.

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