Water regulating device and gas water heater

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of water quantity regulating device and gas water heater, the water quantity regulating device includes spring piece and drive assembly, the spring pipe of spring piece is hollow structure to pass water flow, the upper side or lower side of spring pipe is provided with the water inlet for water flow to enter, the water outlet for water flow to flow out is further provided on spring piece;The drive assembly drives the spring piece to retract along axial direction to change water inlet area of flow passage.By setting spring piece as water flow passage, simplify structure layout, traditional separate support structure and flow passage system are combined into one, manufacturing cost and assembly complexity are greatly reduced, and water inlet for water flow to enter is provided in the upper end or lower end of spring pipe, and drive assembly drives spring piece to retract to change water inlet area of flow passage between water inlet and adjacent water inlet pipe, this scheme can realize stepless regulation to water flow, and has the comprehensive advantages of structure simplification, cost optimization and performance improvement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of water heater technology, and in particular to a water volume regulating device and a gas water heater. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of gas water heaters, the water flow servo device is a key component for controlling the inlet water flow and achieving constant outlet water temperature. Its technical selection directly affects the performance and cost of the entire unit. Currently, the mainstream technical solutions are mainly divided into two categories: one is a water servo system based on a stepper motor. Although it can achieve precise and stepless adjustment of water flow and has high control accuracy, its motor cost, drive complexity, and assembly process requirements all contribute to its high overall cost. The other is a simplified solution based on a hydraulically driven solenoid valve. Although it has a simple structure and lower cost, it is essentially an on / off element that can only achieve "on" and "off" or limited flow control. It cannot achieve continuous and linear adjustment of water flow, thus having significant shortcomings in terms of temperature smoothness and adaptability. Utility Model Content

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to overcome the defects of existing water volume servo devices, such as excessive cost or inability to be infinitely adjustable, and to provide a water volume regulating device and a gas water heater.

[0004] The present invention solves the above-mentioned technical problems through the following technical solution:

[0005] A water flow regulating device includes a spring element and a drive assembly. The spring element has a hollow spring tube for water flow. An inlet for water flow is provided on the upper or lower side of the spring tube. The spring element also has an outlet for water flow. The drive assembly drives the spring element to extend and retract axially to change the water flow area.

[0006] In this solution, by using a spring component as the water flow channel, the structural layout is simplified. Structurally, the traditionally separate support structure and flow channel system are integrated into one, fundamentally simplifying the system architecture, reducing the number of parts and interfaces, improving structural reliability, and significantly reducing manufacturing costs and assembly complexity. Simultaneously, a water inlet is provided at the upper or lower end of the spring tube, and the drive component causes the spring component to extend and retract, changing the area of ​​the water inlet channel between the inlet and the adjacent inlet pipe. This solution enables stepless adjustment of the water flow rate. The structural simplification directly leads to a significant reduction in material costs, processing time, and assembly complexity, achieving cost optimization throughout the entire lifecycle and combining the comprehensive advantages of structural simplification, cost optimization, and performance improvement.

[0007] Preferably, the driving component is an electromagnetic drive, and the driving component includes a first part and a second part, which are arranged sequentially along the elastic direction of the spring. After the power is turned on, the first part and the second part move relative to each other along the elastic direction of the spring.

[0008] In this design, by setting the first and second parts of the drive assembly sequentially along the elastic direction of the spring and allowing them to move relative to each other, the driving force is ensured to act precisely in the extension and contraction direction of the spring, thus optimizing transmission efficiency. Secondly, it fundamentally eliminates problems such as spring bending and eccentric movement that may be caused by non-axial forces, effectively preventing abnormal wear, fatigue damage, and component failure, thereby ensuring the stability and durability of the entire adjustment mechanism during long-term operation.

[0009] Preferably, the second part is a fixing member, and the first part moves relative to the second part along the elastic direction of the spring member.

[0010] In this design, by designating the second component as a fixed part, it is convenient to configure only the drive source and corresponding transmission and control unit for the second component. Compared to driving two components, this significantly reduces system complexity, energy consumption, and manufacturing costs. Simultaneously, the static nature of the second component makes wiring and conduit installation simpler and more reliable, avoiding wear and fatigue issues associated with dynamic cables, thus improving reliability and reducing maintenance costs. Furthermore, the first component, being a moving part, reduces moment of inertia, which not only improves the system's response speed and dynamic performance but also reduces vibration and impact during operation.

[0011] Preferably, the water volume regulating device further includes a sleeve assembly, and the driving assembly is connected to the sleeve assembly and drives the sleeve assembly to move.

[0012] Preferably, the sleeve assembly includes a cylindrical body and a core, the core being housed within the cylindrical body and serving as a fixed component, the cylindrical body being movably connected to the core, and a spring component being disposed between the cylindrical body and the core, the relative movement direction of the cylindrical body and the core being consistent with the elastic direction of the spring component.

[0013] In this design, the spring is positioned between the cylinder and the core, which move relative to each other along the spring's elastic direction. The drive assembly is connected to the sleeve assembly, which in turn moves the sleeve assembly. The combination of the cylinder and core provides a natural axial constraint for the spring's compression and extension. This ensures that the spring deforms strictly along its elastic direction under any operating condition, completely eliminating problems such as spring bending, jamming, or eccentric wear caused by lateral forces or bending moments. This significantly extends the service life of the spring and the entire mechanism, while also simplifying the overall structural layout, reducing the number of parts, and lowering assembly complexity and manufacturing costs.

[0014] Preferably, the water volume regulating device further includes a sleeve assembly, which encloses a water storage cavity, and the water inlet is connected to the interior of the water storage cavity.

[0015] In this design, the sleeve assembly not only provides the space and constraint structure for the spring component, but also constructs a water storage cavity. The water inlet on the spring component is connected to the water storage cavity, allowing water to flow out of the spring component. This spatial coupling design eliminates the need for a separate water storage container and its connecting pipes, achieving a high degree of integration between the mechanical structure and the water system. By reducing and merging multiple systems with different functions into two systems, the number of parts is significantly reduced, lowering the overall assembly complexity, weight, and manufacturing cost of the device, while improving structural rigidity and reliability.

[0016] Preferably, the water storage cavity is a sealed space, and the water outlet is located outside the water storage cavity.

[0017] In this design, the outlet is located outside the sealed water storage cavity, allowing water to flow out only through the spring element. This ensures that the entire flow rate is precisely controlled by the spring opening, guaranteeing linear and accurate flow regulation. At the same time, it greatly simplifies the sealing structure and improves the sealing performance and long-term reliability of the entire cavity.

[0018] Preferably, the water inlet is a continuous slot extending along the length of the spring tube.

[0019] In this design, the inlet is designed as a continuous slot extending along the length of the spring tube, effectively increasing the inlet area. This structure ensures a more linear and continuous change in the water flow channel throughout the entire stroke of the spring, thereby significantly improving the efficiency and accuracy of water flow regulation and control, while also greatly optimizing the dynamic response performance of the system's water inlet and outlet.

[0020] Preferably, the limit of the power of the drive assembly is set in accordance with the limit dimension of the spring.

[0021] In this solution, the power limit of the drive component is set in conjunction with the limit dimensions of the spring component to ensure that the power of the drive component can meet the limit requirements of water flow regulation, give full play to the structural strength advantage of the spring component, thereby ensuring the reliability and durability of the regulation system under extreme working conditions and expanding the application limit of the water flow regulation device.

[0022] A gas water heater, the gas water heater including the water flow regulating device as described above.

[0023] The positive and progressive effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0024] By using spring components as water flow channels, the structural layout is simplified. Structurally, the traditionally separate support structure and flow channel system are integrated into one, fundamentally simplifying the system architecture, reducing the number of parts and interfaces, improving structural reliability, and significantly reducing manufacturing costs and assembly complexity. Simultaneously, water inlets are provided at the upper or lower end of the spring tube, and the drive component causes the spring components to extend and retract, changing the area of ​​the water inlet channel between the inlet and the adjacent inlet pipe. This solution enables stepless adjustment of the water flow rate. The structural simplification directly leads to a significant reduction in material costs, processing time, and assembly complexity, achieving cost optimization throughout the entire lifecycle and combining the comprehensive advantages of structural simplification, cost optimization, and performance improvement. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram (a) of a preferred embodiment of the water volume regulating device of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram (II) of a preferred embodiment of the water volume regulating device of this utility model.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of a spring component according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a water volume regulating device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0030] Water volume regulating device 001

[0031] Spring Component 1

[0032] Inlet 11

[0033] Outlet 12

[0034] Driver Component 2

[0035] Part 1, Chapter 21

[0036] Part 2, Episode 22

[0037] Sleeve assembly 3

[0038] Cylinder 31

[0039] Core 32

[0040] Water storage cavity 33 Detailed Implementation

[0041] The present invention will be described more clearly and completely below with reference to the accompanying drawings, using a preferred embodiment.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a water volume regulating device 001, which includes a spring element 1 and a drive assembly 2. The spring tube of the spring element 1 has a hollow structure to allow water to flow through. An inlet 11 for water to enter is provided on the upper or lower side of the spring tube. An outlet 12 for water to flow out is also provided on the spring element 1. The drive assembly 2 drives the spring element 1 to extend and retract axially to change the water inlet flow area.

[0043] This embodiment simplifies the structural layout by using the spring element 1 as a water flow channel. Structurally, it integrates the traditionally separate support structure and flow channel system into one, fundamentally simplifying the system architecture, reducing the number of parts and interfaces, improving structural reliability, and significantly reducing manufacturing costs and assembly complexity. Simultaneously, a water inlet 11 is provided at the upper or lower end of the spring tube for water flow, and the drive component 2 causes the spring element 1 to extend and retract, changing the area of ​​the water inlet channel between the water inlet 11 and the adjacent water inlet pipe. This solution enables stepless adjustment of the water flow rate. The structural simplification directly leads to a significant reduction in material costs, processing time, and assembly complexity, achieving cost optimization throughout the entire life cycle and combining the comprehensive advantages of structural simplification, cost optimization, and performance improvement.

[0044] Specifically, such as Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the water inlet flow area of ​​the water flow regulating device 001 is the water flow area between the water inlet 11 located on the upper side of the spring tube and the wall of the adjacent and closest spring tube. This area is affected by the distance from the water inlet 11 to the wall of the adjacent and closest spring tube (e.g., ...). Figure 3 As indicated by arrow A, when spring 1 extends or retracts, the distance between two adjacent spring tubes in the axial direction changes, causing the distance from the inlet 11 to the wall of the adjacent and closest spring tube to change, thereby altering the water inlet flow area of ​​the water flow regulating device 001.

[0045] Furthermore, the inlet 11 is a continuous slot extending along the length of the spring tube. In this embodiment, the inlet 11 is located on the upper side of the spring tube and extends through the spring member 1 along the extension direction of the spring tube, forming a continuous slot. The opening of this slot does not affect the elastic performance of the spring member 1. This arrangement provides a larger water inlet 11 area and ensures that the area of ​​the water flow channel changes linearly and continuously throughout the entire stroke of the spring extension and contraction, thereby achieving precise stepless adjustment of the water flow rate and significantly improving the control accuracy of the system. At the same time, this structure effectively reduces the hydraulic resistance when the fluid passes through, which not only improves the maximum water flow capacity of the system, but also significantly improves the dynamic response characteristics of the water inlet and drainage process.

[0046] In other embodiments, the inlet 11 may not penetrate the spring member 1, and may be a discontinuous strip-shaped slot opened on the upper side of the spring tube. However, it is necessary to ensure that the flow area of ​​the inlet 11 matches the requirements of water volume and flow rate control, which will not be elaborated here.

[0047] like Figures 1-2 As shown, in this embodiment, the driving component 2 is an electromagnetic drive. The driving component 2 includes a first part 21 and a second part 22, which are arranged sequentially along the elastic direction of the spring member 1. After the power is turned on, the first part 21 and the second part 22 move relative to each other along the elastic direction of the spring member 1. The second part 22 is a fixed member, and the first part 21 moves relative to the second part 22 along the elastic direction of the spring member 1. Specifically, the first part 21 is a magnet, and the second part 22 is a coil. The coil is connected to the power supply. By changing the direction of the current, the coil can generate a magnetic field in opposite directions to attract the magnet closer to it or repel the magnet away from it. The magnet is located at the end of the spring member 1 along the elastic direction, and the coil is arranged correspondingly to the magnet along the elastic direction of the spring member 1.

[0048] like Figures 1-4 As shown, in this embodiment, the water volume regulating device 001 further includes a sleeve assembly 3. The driving assembly 2 is connected to the sleeve assembly 3 and drives the sleeve assembly 3 to move. The sleeve assembly 3 includes a cylinder 31 and a core 32. The core 32 is housed in the cylinder 31 and is a fixed component. The cylinder 31 and the core 32 are movably connected. A spring 1 is disposed between the cylinder 31 and the core 32. The relative movement direction of the cylinder 31 and the core 32 is consistent with the elastic direction of the spring 1. A magnet is connected to the cylinder 31 and is fixed on the side of the cylinder 31 facing the core 32. A coil is fixed in the core 32. The core 32 is made of metal. The coil is energized. Then, the magnet drives the cylinder 31 to move closer to or away from the coil, so as to realize the movement of the cylinder 31 relative to the core 32. One end of the spring member 1 along the elastic direction contacts the magnet, and the other end contacts the core 32 and is fixed to the core 32. The combination of the cylinder 31 and the core 32 applies a constraint to the spring member 1 along the elastic direction. As the cylinder 31 and the core 32 move relative to each other, the spring member 1 stretches or compresses along the elastic direction due to the change in the constraint it is subjected to. At this time, the distance between two axially adjacent spring tubes changes, and the distance from the inlet 11 to the wall of the adjacent and closest spring tube changes, thereby controlling the water inlet flow area.

[0049] In other embodiments, the spring member 1 may be directly connected to or in contact with the drive assembly 2, and the drive assembly 2 may directly apply a constraint to the spring member 1 to deform the spring member 1, or the spring member 1 may be fixedly connected to the magnet, and the spring member 1 may be fixed to the magnet and the core 32, which will not be described in detail here.

[0050] Furthermore, the sleeve assembly 3 encloses and forms a water storage cavity 33. The inlet 11 is connected to the interior of the water storage cavity 33, which is a sealed space. The outlet 12 is located outside the water storage cavity 33. In this embodiment, the inner wall of the cylinder 31 and the core 32 enclose and form the water storage cavity 33. The spring 1 is partially disposed in the water storage cavity 33. Water flows into or out of the water storage cavity 33 through the inlet 11 disposed on the spring 1. One end of the spring 1 near the outlet 12 is inserted into the structure of the core 32 at the bottom of the water storage cavity 33 and extends out of the water storage cavity 33. The structure of body 32 facing the water storage cavity 33 has a slot for the end of spring member 1 near the outlet 12 to extend out and be sealed to spring member 1, so that the space of water storage cavity 33 except for outlet 12 is completely sealed. Water in water storage cavity 33 can only flow from spring member 1 to outlet 12 and then be discharged. This realizes the function of spring member 1 as the only water flow channel, so that the entire flow rate is precisely controlled by the spring opening, thereby ensuring the linearity and accuracy of flow regulation. At the same time, it greatly simplifies the sealing structure and improves the sealing performance and long-term reliability of the entire cavity.

[0051] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the outer diameter of the spring 1 is the same as the diameter of the water storage cavity 33. The spring 1 abuts against the inner wall of the water storage cavity 33 so that the spring 1 will not be displaced in the radial direction when it extends and retracts along the axial direction. This structure forms a radial guiding and constraint mechanism for the spring 1, ensuring that the spring will not be displaced radially or become unstable during the axial extension and retraction process. It completely eliminates abnormal wear and flow control inaccuracy caused by the eccentricity and vibration of the spring 1, strictly limits the deformation of the spring 1 to the axial direction, significantly improves the linearity and repeatability of the flow regulation, enhances the anti-interference ability of the entire moving part under the impact of high-pressure water flow and the rigidity of the structural assembly, thereby comprehensively improving the reliability, control accuracy and service life of the regulating mechanism.

[0052] In other embodiments, a limiting member may be added to the circumference of the spring member 1 in the radial direction to provide radial support force to the spring during extension and retraction to prevent the spring from being eccentric or deformed. This will not be elaborated further here.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the power limit of the drive component 2 is also set in conjunction with the limit size of the spring component 1. The power capacity of the drive component 2 and the limit structural size of the spring component 1 are designed to be coordinated and matched, thereby ensuring that the output power of the drive component 2 can fully cover the limit requirements of water flow regulation. This fully utilizes the material and structural strength potential of the spring component 1, ensuring not only the operational reliability and structural durability of the regulation system under extreme conditions, but also fundamentally expanding the overall performance boundary and application scope of the water flow regulation device 001.

[0054] This embodiment also provides a gas water heater, which includes the water volume regulating device 001 as described above.

[0055] The gas water heater equipped with the water volume regulating device 001 has an intelligent voice control module. The intelligent voice control module includes a controller, a voice receiving module, and a voice parsing module. The voice receiving module receives user commands, and the voice parsing module parses the commands. Based on the parsed commands, the controller controls the water volume regulating device 001 to perform corresponding operations, thereby realizing the intelligent regulation of the water volume regulating device 001 and improving the user experience of using this intelligent appliance.

[0056] While specific embodiments of this utility model have been described above, those skilled in the art should understand that these are merely illustrative examples, and the scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of this utility model, but all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A water volume regulating device, characterized in that, The water volume regulating device includes a spring element and a drive assembly. The spring tube of the spring element has a hollow structure to allow water to flow through. An inlet for water to enter is provided on the upper or lower side of the spring tube. An outlet for water to flow out is also provided on the spring element. The drive assembly drives the spring element to extend and retract axially to change the water inlet flow area.

2. The water volume regulating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The driving component is an electromagnetic drive, and the driving component includes a first part and a second part. The first part and the second part are arranged sequentially along the elastic direction of the spring. After the power is turned on, the first part and the second part move relative to each other along the elastic direction of the spring.

3. The water volume regulating device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The second part is a fixed part, and the first part moves relative to the second part along the elastic direction of the spring.

4. The water volume regulating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The water volume regulating device also includes a sleeve assembly, and the drive assembly is connected to the sleeve assembly and drives the sleeve assembly to move.

5. The water volume regulating device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The sleeve assembly includes a cylindrical body and a core, the core being housed within the cylindrical body and serving as a fixed component. The cylindrical body and the core are movably connected, and a spring is disposed between the cylindrical body and the core. The relative movement direction of the cylindrical body and the core is consistent with the elastic direction of the spring.

6. The water volume regulating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The water volume regulating device also includes a sleeve assembly, which encloses a water storage cavity, and the water inlet is connected to the interior of the water storage cavity.

7. The water volume regulating device as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The water storage cavity is a sealed space, and the water outlet is located outside the water storage cavity.

8. The water volume regulating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The water inlet is a continuous slot extending along the length of the spring tube.

9. The water volume regulating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The limit of the power of the drive component is set in accordance with the limit dimension of the spring component.

10. A gas-fired water heater, characterized in that, The gas water heater includes the water volume regulating device as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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