Water valve for a water heater and water heater comprising same

Abstract

The utility model provides a water valve for water heater and contain its water heater, the water valve for water heater it includes shell, pressure difference deformation subassembly and first inductive element, impeller assembly and second inductive element and signal conditioning circuit. Pressure difference deformation subassembly is fixed on the shell, and pressure difference deformation subassembly can change shape when the pressure of the fluid flowing through pressure difference deformation subassembly changes, and the first inductive element is correspondingly arranged with the pressure difference deformation subassembly, and the first inductive element can detect the deformation signal of pressure difference deformation subassembly. Impeller assembly is rotatably connected to the shell, and the impeller assembly has magnetism, and the fluid flowing through the shell pushes the impeller assembly to rotate, and the second inductive element is correspondingly arranged with the impeller assembly, and the second inductive element can detect the rotation signal of the impeller assembly. The signal conditioning circuit converts the deformation signal into the pressure signal, and converts the rotation signal into the flow signal. The fluid flowing through the shell flows through the impeller assembly and the pressure difference deformation subassembly. The water valve can prevent the water heater from being started mistakenly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of water heaters, and in particular to a water valve for a water heater and a water heater containing the same. Background Technology

[0002] Gas water heaters often experience self-starting issues, meaning that the water heater starts igniting or briefly burns even when the hot water tap is not turned on, causing panic among users who believe the water heater has spontaneously combusted. The underlying principle is that when the user turns on the cold water tap, the water pressure inside the water heater decreases. When the cold water tap is turned off, a water hammer effect occurs, where the external water pressure is greater than the internal pressure. This pressure difference triggers a water flow signal to the water valve, initiating the ignition process. Utility Model Content

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to overcome the defect of gas water heaters that may start accidentally in the prior art, and to provide a water valve for a water heater and a water heater containing the valve.

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

[0005] A water valve for a water heater, comprising:

[0006] case;

[0007] The differential pressure deformation assembly and the first sensing element are provided. The differential pressure deformation assembly is fixed on the housing and can deform when the pressure of the fluid flowing through it changes. The first sensing element is correspondingly provided with the differential pressure deformation assembly and can detect the deformation signal of the differential pressure deformation assembly.

[0008] An impeller assembly and a second sensing element are provided. The impeller assembly is rotatably connected to the housing and is magnetic. Fluid flowing through the housing drives the impeller assembly to rotate. The second sensing element is correspondingly arranged with the impeller assembly and is capable of detecting the rotation signal of the impeller assembly.

[0009] A signal conditioning circuit is used to convert the deformation signal detected by the first sensing element into a pressure signal and the rotation signal detected by the second sensing element into a flow signal.

[0010] The fluid flowing through the housing flows sequentially through the impeller assembly and the differential pressure deformation assembly.

[0011] In this technical solution, a differential pressure deformation component, a first sensing element, an impeller assembly, and a second sensing element are configured. The differential pressure deformation component and the first sensing element are used to detect pressure, while the impeller assembly and the second sensing element are used to detect flow rate. The fluid flows sequentially through the impeller assembly and the differential pressure deformation component. The system can collaboratively determine whether the water heater needs to be turned on based on the flow rate and pressure signals. Specifically, when a user turns on and then off the cold water tap, causing a water hammer effect, the second sensing element detects the rotation signal of the impeller assembly and converts it into a flow rate signal via a signal conditioning circuit. Simultaneously, the first sensing element detects the deformation signal of the differential pressure deformation component and converts it into a pressure signal via a signal conditioning circuit. This pressure signal increases from low to high, indicating that the water heater does not need to be turned on. When the user uses the water heater, i.e., turns on the hot water tap, the second sensing element detects the rotation signal of the impeller assembly and converts it into a flow rate signal via a signal conditioning circuit. Simultaneously, the first sensing element detects the deformation signal of the differential pressure deformation component and converts it into a pressure signal via a signal conditioning circuit. This pressure signal decreases from high to low, indicating that the water heater needs to be turned on.

[0012] Preferably, the first sensing element is a Hall element, and the differential pressure deformation assembly includes a diaphragm and a magnetic element. The magnetic element is fixed on the diaphragm, and the diaphragm can undergo elastic deformation when the pressure of the fluid flowing through the differential pressure deformation assembly changes, thereby causing the magnetic element to move closer to or away from the first sensing element.

[0013] In this technical solution, the differential pressure deformation component is set as a diaphragm and a magnetic component, which has a simple and reliable structure and a sensitive response.

[0014] Preferably, the magnetic element is fixed to the surface of the membrane that is not in contact with the fluid.

[0015] In this technical solution, by fixing the magnetic component to the surface of the diaphragm that is not in contact with the fluid, the presence of the magnetic component is avoided from affecting the flow resistance of the fluid in the water valve.

[0016] Preferably, the housing has a cavity corresponding to the outer side of the membrane, the membrane seals the cavity, and the magnetic element is disposed within the cavity.

[0017] In this technical solution, a cavity is set up and a diaphragm seals the cavity. When the fluid pressure increases, the diaphragm moves toward the cavity, compressing the air inside the cavity and driving the magnetic component to approach the first sensing element. When the fluid pressure decreases, the diaphragm rebounds, and the pressure inside the cavity returns to the state where the air is not compressed.

[0018] Preferably, the housing has a flow channel with a water inlet located at one end of the housing, the first sensing element is disposed at the end opposite to the water inlet, and the second sensing element is a Hall element disposed on the side wall of the flow channel.

[0019] In this technical solution, both the first sensing element and the second sensing element are Hall elements. By placing the first sensing element at one end of the housing and the second sensing element on the side wall of the flow channel, the two are relatively far apart, which can avoid interference from non-corresponding measured elements to the two Hall elements.

[0020] Preferably, the flow channel has an outlet, which is disposed on the side wall of the flow channel and is located close to the differential pressure deformation component.

[0021] Preferably, the impeller assembly includes guide vanes, an impeller, a shaft, and a support. The support is fixed within the flow channel, the shaft is rotatably connected to the support, and the shaft extends along the flow direction of the fluid. The guide vanes and the impeller are fixed on the shaft, the fluid drives the guide vanes to rotate, and the impeller is magnetic.

[0022] Preferably, the impeller assembly is made of a material with uniform magnetic properties.

[0023] In this technical solution, by using a material with uniform magnetic properties to make the entire impeller assembly, the sensing effect between the impeller assembly and the second Hall element is improved.

[0024] A water heater comprising a water valve for a water heater as described above.

[0025] In this technical solution, by installing the aforementioned water valve in the water heater, the accidental start of the water heater can be effectively prevented, thus improving the user experience.

[0026] Preferably, the water heater further includes a burner and a controller, the controller being electrically connected to both the signal conditioning circuit and the burner;

[0027] The controller is used to receive the pressure signal and flow signal from the signal conditioning circuit, and control the burner to start based on the flow signal and the pressure signal.

[0028] Preferably, in response to the controller receiving the flow signal and the value of the pressure signal received by the controller decreasing, the controller is used to control the start-up of the burner.

[0029] The significant advantages of this invention are as follows: By incorporating a differential pressure deformation component, a first sensing element, an impeller assembly, and a second sensing element, where the differential pressure deformation component and the first sensing element detect pressure, and the impeller assembly and the second sensing element detect flow rate, and the fluid flows sequentially through the impeller assembly and the differential pressure deformation component, the system can collaboratively determine whether the water heater needs to be turned on based on the flow rate and pressure signals. Specifically, when a user causes a water hammer effect by opening and then closing the cold water tap, the second sensing element detects the rotation signal of the impeller assembly and converts it into a flow rate signal via a signal conditioning circuit. Simultaneously, the first sensing element detects the deformation signal of the differential pressure deformation component and converts it into a pressure signal via a signal conditioning circuit. This pressure signal increases from a small value, indicating that the water heater does not need to be turned on. Conversely, when the user uses the water heater by opening the hot water tap, the second sensing element detects the rotation signal of the impeller assembly and converts it into a flow rate signal via a signal conditioning circuit. Simultaneously, the first sensing element detects the deformation signal of the differential pressure deformation component and converts it into a pressure signal via a signal conditioning circuit. This pressure signal decreases from a large value, indicating that the water heater needs to be turned on. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of a water valve for a water heater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0032] Water valve 100

[0033] Casing 1

[0034] Flow channel 101

[0035] Inlet 102

[0036] Outlet 103

[0037] Differential pressure deformation component 2

[0038] Skin 21

[0039] Magnetic component 22

[0040] First sensing element 3

[0041] Impeller assembly 4

[0042] Guide vane 41

[0043] Impeller 42

[0044] Shaft 43

[0045] Bracket 44

[0046] Second sensing element 5

[0047] Cavity 6 Detailed Implementation

[0048] The present invention will be described more clearly and completely below with reference to the accompanying drawings, using a preferred embodiment.

[0049] This embodiment provides a water heater and a water valve 100 for the water heater, such as Figure 1 As shown, the water valve 100 for this water heater includes a housing 1, a differential pressure deformation assembly 2, a first sensing element 3, an impeller assembly 4, a second sensing element 5, and a signal conditioning circuit (not shown in the figure). The differential pressure deformation assembly 2 is fixed to the housing 1 and can deform when the pressure of the fluid flowing through it changes. The first sensing element 3 is correspondingly arranged with the differential pressure deformation assembly 2 and can detect the deformation signal of the differential pressure deformation assembly. The impeller assembly 4 is rotatably connected to the housing 1 and is magnetic. The fluid flowing through the housing 1 drives the impeller assembly 4 to rotate. The second sensing element 5 is correspondingly arranged with the impeller assembly 4 and can detect the rotation signal of the impeller assembly 4. The signal conditioning circuit is used to convert the deformation signal detected by the first sensing element 3 into a pressure signal and the rotation signal detected by the second sensing element 5 into a flow rate signal. The fluid flowing through the housing 1 flows sequentially through the impeller assembly 4 and the differential pressure deformation assembly 2. In other words, the pressure differential deformation component is located downstream of the impeller assembly 4, along the fluid flow direction. By setting up the pressure differential deformation component 2, the first sensing element 3, the impeller assembly 4, and the second sensing element 5, where the pressure differential deformation component 2 and the first sensing element 3 are used to detect pressure, and the impeller assembly 4 and the second sensing element 5 are used to detect flow rate, the fluid flows sequentially from the impeller assembly 4 to the pressure differential deformation component 2. The system can collaboratively determine whether the water heater needs to be turned on based on the flow rate signal and the pressure signal. Specifically, when a user turns on and then off the cold water tap, causing a water hammer effect, the second sensing element 5 detects the rotation signal of the impeller assembly 4 and converts it into a flow signal through the signal conditioning circuit. At the same time, the first sensing element 3 detects the deformation signal of the differential pressure deformation assembly 2 and converts it into a pressure signal through the signal conditioning circuit. This pressure signal increases from small to large, indicating that the water heater does not need to be turned on. When the user uses the water heater and turns on the hot water tap, the second sensing element 5 detects the rotation signal of the impeller assembly 4 and converts it into a flow signal through the signal conditioning circuit. At the same time, the first sensing element 3 detects the deformation signal of the differential pressure deformation assembly 2 and converts it into a pressure signal through the signal conditioning circuit. This pressure signal decreases from large to small, indicating that the water heater needs to be turned on.

[0050] The specific structure and implementation principle of the signal conditioning circuit are existing technologies and will not be described in detail here.

[0051] Specifically, in this embodiment, the water heater also includes a burner and a controller. The controller is electrically connected to both the signal conditioning circuit and the burner. The controller receives pressure and flow signals from the signal conditioning circuit and controls the burner to start based on these signals. By incorporating the aforementioned water valve 100 into the water heater, accidental start-up of the water heater can be effectively prevented, thus improving the user experience.

[0052] Specifically, in response to the controller receiving a flow signal and the value of the pressure signal received by the controller decreasing, the controller controls the burner to turn on, which is the normal operating state of the water heater. Conversely, in response to the controller receiving a flow signal and the value of the pressure signal received by the controller increasing, the controller controls the burner to remain off, which is due to the water hammer effect caused by cold water being turned on.

[0053] In this embodiment, the first sensing element 3 is a Hall element, and the differential pressure deformation assembly 2 includes a diaphragm 21 and a magnetic element 22. The magnetic element 22 is fixed on the diaphragm 21. The diaphragm 21 can undergo elastic deformation when the pressure of the fluid flowing through the differential pressure deformation assembly 2 changes, causing the magnetic element 22 to move closer to or away from the first sensing element 3. Using a diaphragm and magnetic element 22 as the differential pressure deformation assembly results in a simple, reliable, and sensitive structure. The diaphragm 21 is made of rubber.

[0054] Of course, in other embodiments, the differential pressure deformation component and the first sensing element 3 can also be other components in the prior art that can deform in response to the pressure of the fluid and detect the corresponding deformation signal. For example, the differential pressure deformation component 2 can be a metal diaphragm and a spring, and the corresponding first sensing element 3 can be a semiconductor piezoresistive element, etc., which will not be elaborated here.

[0055] In this embodiment, the magnetic component 22 is fixed to the surface of the diaphragm 21 that is not in contact with the fluid. By fixing the magnetic component 22 to the side of the diaphragm 21 that is not in contact with the fluid, the presence of the magnetic component 22 is prevented from affecting the flow resistance of the fluid within the water valve 100.

[0056] Specifically, the housing 1 has a cavity 6 on the outer side of the diaphragm 21, which seals the cavity 6. The magnetic element 22 is disposed inside the cavity 6. By providing the cavity 6, the diaphragm 21 seals the cavity 6. When the fluid pressure increases, the diaphragm 21 moves toward the cavity 6, compressing the air inside the cavity 6 and causing the magnetic element 22 to move closer to the first sensing element 3. When the fluid pressure decreases, the diaphragm 21 rebounds, and the pressure inside the cavity 6 returns to the uncompressed state of the air.

[0057] The first sensing element 3 is fixed on the side wall of the cavity 6 opposite to the diaphragm.

[0058] In this embodiment, the housing 1 has a flow channel 101 with an inlet 102 located at one end of the housing 1. A first sensing element 3 is disposed at the end opposite to the inlet 102, and a second sensing element 5 is a Hall element disposed on the side wall of the flow channel 101. Since both the first sensing element 3 and the second sensing element 5 are Hall elements, by displacing the first sensing element 3 at one end of the housing 1 and the second sensing element 5 on the side wall of the flow channel 101, the interference from non-corresponding measured elements can be avoided. In other words, by displacing the first sensing element 3 and the second sensing element 5 relatively far apart, interference from the impeller assembly 4 is avoided for the first sensing element 3, and interference from the magnetic component 22 is also avoided for the second sensing element 5.

[0059] Meanwhile, the flow channel 101 has an outlet 103, which is located on the side wall of the flow channel 101 and is located close to the differential pressure deformation component 2.

[0060] Specifically, the impeller assembly 4 includes guide vanes 41, impeller 42, shaft 43, and support 44. The support 44 is fixed in the flow channel 101. The shaft 43 is rotatably connected to the support 44 and extends along the flow direction of the fluid. The guide vanes 41 and impeller 42 are fixed on the shaft 43. The fluid drives the guide vanes 41 to rotate. The impeller 42 and shaft 43 move synchronously with the guide vanes 41. The impeller 42 is magnetic. The entire impeller assembly 4 is located upstream of the outlet 103.

[0061] The impeller assembly 4 is made of a material with uniform magnetic properties. By using a material with uniform magnetic properties for the entire impeller assembly 4, the sensing effect between the impeller assembly 4 and the second Hall element is improved.

[0062] Of course, in other embodiments, a layer of magnetic material can be uniformly wrapped around the outer periphery of the impeller 42, and the second sensing element 5 can also achieve a good sensing effect.

[0063] The water heater can be controlled by a voice module, which is equipped with 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 heater to perform corresponding operations, thereby realizing intelligent control of the water heater and improving the user experience.

[0064] 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 valve for a water heater, characterized in that, It includes: case; The differential pressure deformation assembly and the first sensing element are provided. The differential pressure deformation assembly is fixed on the housing and can deform when the pressure of the fluid flowing through it changes. The first sensing element is correspondingly provided with the differential pressure deformation assembly and can detect the deformation signal of the differential pressure deformation assembly. An impeller assembly and a second sensing element are provided. The impeller assembly is rotatably connected to the housing and is magnetic. Fluid flowing through the housing drives the impeller assembly to rotate. The second sensing element is correspondingly arranged with the impeller assembly and is capable of detecting the rotation signal of the impeller assembly. A signal conditioning circuit is used to convert the deformation signal detected by the first sensing element into a pressure signal and the rotation signal detected by the second sensing element into a flow signal. The fluid flowing through the housing flows sequentially through the impeller assembly and the differential pressure deformation assembly.

2. The water valve for a water heater as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first sensing element is a Hall element, and the differential pressure deformation assembly includes a diaphragm and a magnetic element. The magnetic element is fixed on the diaphragm, and the diaphragm can undergo elastic deformation when the pressure of the fluid flowing through the differential pressure deformation assembly changes, thereby causing the magnetic element to move closer to or away from the first sensing element.

3. The water valve for a water heater as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The magnetic component is fixed to the surface of the membrane that is not in contact with the fluid.

4. The water valve for a water heater as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The housing has a cavity corresponding to the outer side of the membrane, the membrane seals the cavity, and the magnetic element is disposed inside the cavity.

5. The water valve for a water heater as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The housing has a flow channel with a water inlet located at one end of the housing. The first sensing element is located at the end opposite to the water inlet, and the second sensing element is a Hall element located on the side wall of the flow channel.

6. The water valve for a water heater as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The flow channel has an outlet, which is located on the side wall of the flow channel and is positioned close to the differential pressure deformation component.

7. The water valve for a water heater as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The impeller assembly includes guide vanes, an impeller, a shaft, and a support. The support is fixed within the flow channel. The shaft is rotatably connected to the support and extends along the flow direction of the fluid. The guide vanes and the impeller are fixed on the shaft. The fluid drives the guide vanes to rotate. The impeller is magnetic.

8. The water valve for a water heater as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The impeller assembly is made of a material with uniform magnetic properties.

9. A water heater, characterized in that, The water heater includes a water valve for a water heater as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. The water heater as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The water heater also includes a burner and a controller, the controller being electrically connected to the signal conditioning circuit and the burner respectively; The controller is used to receive the pressure signal and flow signal from the signal conditioning circuit, and control the burner to start based on the flow signal and the pressure signal.

11. The water heater as described in claim 10, characterized in that, In response to the controller receiving the flow signal and the value of the pressure signal received by the controller decreasing, the controller is used to control the start-up of the burner.

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