Water heater and water tank thereof

Abstract

A water heater and a water tank (100) thereof. The water tank (100) comprises: an inner container (1), comprising a cylinder (111) and a bottom plate (12) covering the bottom end of the cylinder (111); and a water inlet pipe (2), having one end passing through the wall surface of the cylinder (111) and the other end extending towards the middle of the cylinder (111); a water outlet (21) located in the cylinder (111) is formed in the water inlet pipe (2), and water flows out from the water outlet (21) towards the side of the bottom plate (12) distant from the water inlet pipe (2).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present disclosure claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202321077859.3, titled "WATER HEATER AND WATER TANK THEREOF" on May 06, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of electrical appliance technologies, and more particularly, to a water heater and a water tank thereof.BACKGROUND

[0003] In the related art, an air source-type water heater includes an inner container and a heat exchange pipe. The inner container is used to contain water. The heat exchange pipe is disposed at an outer circumferential wall of the inner container. A refrigerant is filled into the heat exchange pipe to heat the inner container, increasing a temperature of water in the inner container.

[0004] The inner container is provided with a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe. The water inlet pipe is configured for filling of cold water into the inner container, and the water outlet pipe is configured for outputting of heated water from the inner container.

[0005] The water inlet pipe in the related art has a relatively complex structure and a high production cost. Also, the water inlet pipe sprays water towards an inner circumferential wall of the inner container, which would affect temperature stratification of hot water in an upper part of the water tank, resulting in a low hot water output rate of the air source-type water heater.SUMMARY

[0006] The following is a summary of the subject matter described in detail herein. This summary is not intended to limit the protection scope of the claims.

[0007] In the related art, an inner container is provided with a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe. The water inlet pipe is constructed as a curved pipe. An upstream end of the water inlet pipe is connected to a side wall of the inner container, and a downstream end of the water inlet pipe extends towards a bottom of the inner container. The water inlet pipe has a plurality of water outlet holes on a pipe wall of the water inlet pipe at the downstream end thereof, and the plurality of water outlet holes are evenly distributed in a circumferential direction of the water inlet pipe. When filling water into the inner container through the water inlet pipe, all the water outlet holes spray water towards an inner circumferential wall of the inner container, which would affect temperature stratification of hot water in an upper part of the water tank, resulting in a low hot water output rate of an air source-type water heater.

[0008] A technical problem to be solved in the present disclosure is how to improve the hot water output rate of a water heater.

[0009] Technical solutions of the present disclosure for solving the above-described technical problem are as follows.

[0010] A water tank of a water heater is provided. The water tank includes: an inner container including a cylinder and a bottom plate covering a bottom end of the cylinder; and a water inlet pipe. An end of the water inlet pipe extends through a wall surface of the cylinder, and the other end of the water inlet pipe extends towards a central part of the cylinder. The water inlet pipe has a water outlet located in the cylinder. The water outlet is configured to allow water to be discharged towards a side of the bottom plate away from the water inlet pipe.

[0011] Based on the above-described technical solutions, the present disclosure can also be improved as follows.

[0012] In some embodiments, the water inlet pipe extends in a radial direction of the cylinder. The water outlet is formed on a pipe wall of the water inlet pipe facing towards the bottom plate.

[0013] In some embodiments, a length of a part of the water inlet pipe extending into the inner container is 0.8 to 1.2 times a radius of an inner circumferential wall of the cylinder. The water outlet is formed at an end of the water inlet pipe adjacent to the central part of the cylinder.

[0014] In some embodiments, an extension direction of the water outlet is the same as an extension direction of the water inlet pipe.

[0015] In some embodiments, a length of the water outlet in the extension direction thereof is 0.3 to 0.7 times a length of the water inlet pipe.

[0016] In some embodiments, a cross-sectional area of the water outlet is 0.2 to 0.3 times a cross-sectional area of the water inlet pipe.

[0017] In some embodiments, an angle between a water outflowing direction of the water outlet and an extension direction of the water inlet pipe ranges from 30° to 70°.

[0018] In some embodiments, a distance from the bottom end of the cylinder to the water inlet pipe is 1.2 to 1.8 times a radius of an inner circumferential wall of the cylinder.

[0019] In some embodiments, the inner container further includes a top plate covering a top end of the cylinder. The water tank further includes a water outlet pipe extending through the wall surface of the cylinder. The water outlet pipe has a water inlet located in the inner container. The water inlet is located adjacent to a part of the top plate away from the water inlet pipe.

[0020] In some embodiments, the top plate is arched away from the bottom plate. The water inlet is located in the top plate.

[0021] In some embodiments, the bottom plate is arched towards an interior or exterior of the cylinder.

[0022] Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a water heater including the water tank as above-described.

[0023] Other aspects will become apparent upon reading and understanding the accompanying drawings and detailed description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a water tank of a water heater according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a water tank of a water heater according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a water tank of a water heater according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a schematic bottom view of a water inlet pipe according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a perspective schematic bottom view of a water tank of a water heater according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of a water inlet pipe according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a schematic left view of a water inlet pipe according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of a water inlet pipe according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] In the accompanying drawings, components represented by each reference numeral are as follows: 100, water tank; 1, inner container; 11, cylinder; 111, first mounting hole; 112, second mounting hole; 12, bottom plate; 13, top plate; 2, water inlet pipe; 21, water outlet; 22, cross-sectional surface; 3, water outlet pipe; 31, water inlet.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Principles and features of the present disclosure are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The examples provided are only used to explain the present disclosure, rather than to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a structure of a water tank 100 of a water heater according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The water heater may be an air source-type water heater. The water heater includes a water tank 100 and an external unit. The external unit is connected to the water tank 100 through a refrigerant pipeline. The external unit can drive a refrigerant to circulate between the external unit and the water tank 100 to absorb heat in the air for heating water contained in the water tank 100.

[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the water tank 100 includes an inner container 1, a water inlet pipe 2, and a heat exchange pipe (not shown). The inner container 1 has an inner cavity configured to store water. The inner container 1 includes a cylinder 11, a top plate 13, and a bottom plate 12. The cylinder 11 is of a cylindrical structure, and may be a circular cylindrical structure. The cylinder 11 may be formed by welding a plate sheet. The plate sheet may be a good heat conductor, such as a steel plate or an enameled steel plate. The cylinder 11 has a top end and a bottom end opposite to the top end. The top end of the cylinder 11 is oriented upwards, and the bottom end is oriented downwards. The top plate 13 and the bottom plate 12 are each constructed as a substantially disc-shaped structure. The top plate 13 covers the top end of the cylinder 11 to seal the top end of the cylinder 11. The bottom plate 12 covers the bottom end of the cylinder 11 to seal the bottom end of the cylinder 11. The top plate 13 and the bottom plate 12 may be welded to the cylinder 11, or may be connected to the cylinder 11 using screws or rivets.

[0029] The heat exchange pipe is disposed outside the inner container 1. The heat exchange pipe may be disposed around an outer circumferential wall of the cylinder 11. The heat exchange pipe is connected to the external unit. The external unit is configured to deliver a gaseous refrigerant to an end of the heat exchange pipe. A temperature of the refrigerant is higher than a temperature of water in the inner container 1. As the refrigerant flows through the heat exchange pipe, heat is transferred to the inner container 1 to heat the water in the inner container 1. The refrigerant then flows back to the external unit after this heat exchange.

[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the water inlet pipe 2 is mounted at the cylinder 11. An end of the water inlet pipe 2 is fixed to a wall surface of the cylinder 11, and the other end of the water inlet pipe 2 extends towards a central part of the cylinder 11. The cylinder 11 may have a first mounting hole formed on the wall surface of the cylinder 11. An end of the water inlet pipe 2 passes through the first mounting hole 111. The cylinder 11 may be welded to the water inlet pipe 2. An end of the water inlet pipe 2 located outside the cylinder 11 may be connected to a water supply pipeline configured to deliver water to the water inlet pipe 2. A part of the water inlet pipe 2 located inside the cylinder 11 has a water outlet 21, through which cold water may be filled into the inner container 1 by the water inlet pipe 2. The water outlet 21 is configured to discharge water towards a part of the bottom plate 12 away from the water inlet pipe 2.

[0031] An end of a water outlet pipe 3 is fixed to the wall surface of the cylinder 11 of the inner container 1, and the other end of the water outlet pipe 3 extends into the inner container 1. The cylinder 11 may have a second mounting hole 112 formed on the wall surface of the cylinder 11. An end of the water outlet pipe 3 passes through the second mounting hole 112. The cylinder 11 may be welded to the water outlet pipe 3. A part of the water outlet pipe 3 located inside the inner container 1 has a water inlet 31. The water inlet 31 is formed at an upper part of the inner container 1 and is higher than the water outlet 21. Hot water from the upper part of the inner container 1 enters the water outlet pipe 3 through the water inlet 31 and is then discharged from the inner container 1 along the water outlet pipe 3.

[0032] When the water outlet pipe 3 discharges hot water out of the inner container 1, the water inlet pipe 2 simultaneously replenishes cold water into the inner container 1. At this time, the water outlet 21 sprays water towards a side of the bottom plate 12 away from the water inlet pipe 2. The water outlet 21 sprays water obliquely downward. A water flow is obliquely sprayed onto a plate surface of the bottom plate 12 away from the water inlet pipe 2. The water flow may be guided by the plate surface to be fully mixed with original water in the inner container 1 in a region near the bottom plate 12. In addition, this water flow will not be directly sprayed onto an inner wall of the cylinder 11 and will not flow upwards, which would otherwise affect a temperature of the water in the upper part of the inner container 1. As a result, a high hot water output rate can be realized. This water inlet pipe 2 has a simple structure and a low manufacturing cost. Further, this water inlet pipe 2 has low assembly precision requirements when being assembled to an inner cylinder. Even if the water inlet pipe 2 deviates from its designed position during mounting, the water heater can still have a high hot water output rate.

[0033] In some embodiments, the top plate 13 is an arch-shaped plate. The top plate 13 may be arched towards an interior of the cylinder 11, and a height of the top plate 13 gradually decreases in a direction from a central part of the top plate 13 to an edge of the top plate 13. The top plate 13 may be arched towards an exterior of the cylinder 11, and the height of the top plate 13 gradually increases in the direction from the central part of the top plate 13 to the edge of the top plate 13.

[0034] The water outlet 21 obliquely sprays the water flow downwardly. Since the bottom plate 12 is arched upwardly, the water flow is obliquely sprayed onto an inclined surface of the bottom plate 12 away from the water inlet pipe 2. The water flow may be guided by this inclined surface to be fully mixed with the original water in the inner container 1 in the region near the bottom plate 12, resulting in more thorough mixing. In some embodiments, the water inlet pipe 2 is constructed as a straight pipe, and an extension direction of the water inlet pipe 2 is the same as a radial direction of the cylinder 11. An end of the water inlet pipe 2 towards the central part of the cylinder 11 is closed, and the water outlet 21 is formed on a pipe wall of the water inlet pipe 2 facing towards the bottom plate 12.

[0035] The water inlet pipe 2 is a straight pipe having the extension direction same as the radial direction of the cylinder 11. The water outlet 21 is formed on the pipe wall of the water inlet pipe 2. In this way, a manufacturing process is simpler, and the manufacturing cost of the water inlet pipe 2 can be further lowered.

[0036] In some embodiments, a length of a part of the water inlet pipe 2 extending into the inner container 1 is 0.8 to 1.2 times a radius of an inner circumferential wall of the cylinder 11. Preferably, a length of the water inlet pipe 2 is equal to the radius of the inner circumferential wall of the cylinder 11. The water outlet 21 is formed at an end of the water inlet pipe 2 extending to the central part of the cylinder 11.

[0037] In this way, the end of the water inlet pipe 2, on which the water outlet 21 is formed, extends into the central part of the cylinder 11. The water outlet 21 of the water inlet pipe 2 is adjacent to a center of the cylinder 11. The water inlet pipe 2 may introduce cold water into a central region of the cylinder 11 during the filling of water, in such a manner that the cold water can be mixed more evenly with the water in a bottom region of the inner container 1.

[0038] In some embodiments, the water outlet 21 of the water inlet pipe 2 is constructed as a strip-shaped opening. An extension direction of the water outlet 21 is parallel to the extension direction of the water inlet pipe 2. A length of the water outlet 21 in the extension direction thereof is 0.3 to 0.7 times the length of the water inlet pipe 2. Preferably, the length of the water outlet 21 in the extension direction thereof is 0.5 times the length of the water inlet pipe 2.

[0039] Since the water outlet 21 is constructed as the strip-shaped opening, and the length of the water outlet 21 is set to be approximately half a length of the water inlet pipe 2, a water outflowing direction of the water outlet 21 may be controlled to be oriented towards a part of a plate body away from the water inlet pipe 2, without spraying water towards the cylinder 11.

[0040] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a cross-sectional surface 22 of the water outlet 21 is parallel to a length direction and a width direction of the water outlet 21. The cross-sectional surface 22 is also parallel to the extension direction of the water inlet pipe 2. An area of the cross-sectional surface 22 of the water outlet 21 is 0.2 to 0.3 times a cross-sectional area of the water inlet pipe 2. The area of the cross-sectional surface 22 of the water outlet 21 is preferably 0.25 times the cross-sectional area of the water inlet pipe 2.

[0041] When the water outlet 21 has a predetermined length, a width of the water outlet 21 may be changed to change a cross-sectional area of the water outlet 21. When the cross-sectional area of the water outlet 21 is set to 0.2 to 0.3 times the cross-sectional area of the water inlet pipe 2, a flow rate of water output from the water outlet 21 can be reduced, and distribution uniformity of the water output from the water outlet 21 at a bottom of the inner container 1 can be improved.

[0042] In some embodiments, an angle between the water outflowing direction and the extension direction of the water inlet pipe 2 ranges from 30° to 70°, preferably 60°.

[0043] A distance from the bottom end of the cylinder 11 to the water inlet pipe 2 is 1.2 to 1.8 times the radius of the inner circumferential wall of the cylinder 11. Therefore, a distance between the water inlet pipe 2 and the bottom end of the cylinder 11 may be determined based on a size of the cylinder 11 of the inner container 1, so that the water outflowing direction of the water outlet 21 is oriented towards the part of the plate body away from the water inlet pipe 2.

[0044] In some embodiments, the water outlet pipe 3 is constructed as a curved pipe. The water outlet pipe 3 extends from the wall surface of the cylinder 11 to a position adjacent to a part of the top plate 13 away from the water inlet pipe 2. The water inlet 31 of the water outlet pipe 3 is formed at an end of the water outlet pipe 3 extending into the inner container 1. The water inlet 31 is adjacent to the part of the top plate 13 away from the water inlet pipe 2.

[0045] Therefore, the water outflowing direction of the water outlet 21 is opposite to a direction of the water inlet 31, and a distance between the water outlet 21 of the water inlet pipe 2 and the water inlet 31 of the water outlet pipe 3 is greater. When delivering water to the inner container 1 through the water outlet 21 of the water inlet pipe 2, it is more difficult to affect a temperature of hot water near the water inlet 31 of the water outlet pipe 3. This further improves the hot water output rate.

[0046] In some embodiments, the top plate 13 is arched away from the bottom plate 12, and the height of the top plate 13 gradually decreases in the direction from the central part of the top plate 13 to the edge of the top plate 13. The water outlet pipe 3 extends into a groove of the top plate 13, and the water inlet 31 of the water outlet pipe 3 is located in the groove.

[0047] Since the top plate 13 is arched upwardly and the water inlet 31 of the water outlet pipe 3 is located in the top plate 13, the distance between the water outlet 21 of the water inlet pipe 2 and the water inlet 31 of the water outlet pipe 3 is further increased, further improving the hot water output rate.

[0048] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the cylinder 11 has a diameter L perpendicular to an axis of the water inlet pipe 2. An angle a between an axis of a part where the water outlet pipe 3 is connected to the cylinder 11 and the diameter L ranges from 0° to 180°, and a length of the water outlet pipe 3 is greater than a radius of the cylinder 11.

[0049] In this way, the water inlet 31 of the water outlet pipe 3 and the water outlet 21 of the water inlet pipe 2 may be respectively located at two opposite sides of the inner container 1, and the distance between the water outlet 21 of the water inlet pipe 2 and the water inlet 31 of the water outlet pipe 3 is further increased, further improving the hot water output rate.

[0050] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the water outlet pipe 3 is provided with a first protrusion 32. The first protrusion 32 may be a strip-shaped protrusion extending along an axis of the water outlet pipe 3. The cylinder 11 has a first mounting hole formed on the wall surface of the cylinder 11, and the water outlet pipe 3 passes through the first mounting hole. The first mounting hole has a first groove formed at an inner wall of the first mounting hole. The water outlet pipe 3 passes through the first mounting hole, and the first protrusion 32 extends into the first groove.

[0051] Since the first protrusion 32 on the water outlet pipe 3 extends into the first groove at the inner wall of the first mounting hole, the water outlet pipe 3 cannot rotate about its own axis relative to the cylinder 11. As a result, the water outlet pipe 3 can be more firmly mounted at the cylinder 11.

[0052] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, the water inlet pipe 2 is provided with a second protrusion 23. The second protrusion 23 may be a strip-shaped protrusion extending along the axis of the water inlet pipe 2. The cylinder 11 has a second mounting hole formed at the wall surface of the cylinder 11, and the water inlet pipe 2 passes through the second mounting hole. The second mounting hole has a second groove formed at an inner wall of the second mounting hole. The water inlet pipe 2 passes through the second mounting hole, and the second protrusion 23 extends into the second groove.

[0053] Since the second protrusion 23 at the water inlet pipe 2 extends into the second groove at the inner wall of the second mounting hole, the water inlet pipe 2 cannot rotate about its own axis relative to the cylinder 11, in such a manner that the water inlet pipe 2 can be more firmly mounted at the cylinder 11.

[0054] In the description of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the orientation or the position indicated by terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", and "circumferential" should be construed to refer to the orientation or the position as shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the pointed device or element must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0055] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, the features associated with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present disclosure, "plurality" means at least two, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0056] In the present disclosure, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, terms such as "mount", "connect", "connect to", "fix" and the like should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection or a detachable connection or connection as one piece; mechanical connection or electrical connection or communication; direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate; internal communication of two components or the interaction relationship between two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meaning of the above-mentioned terms in the present disclosure can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0057] In the present disclosure, unless expressly stipulated and defined otherwise, the first feature "on" or "under" the second feature may mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through another feature between them. Moreover, the first feature "over", "above", or "on" the second feature means that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the level of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature "under", "below" or "beneath" the second feature means that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the level of the first feature is smaller than that of the second feature.

[0058] Reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment", "some embodiments", "an example", "a specific example", or "some examples" means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. The appearances of the above phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment or example. Further, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, different embodiments or examples and features of different embodiments or examples described in the specification may be combined by those skilled in the art without mutual contradiction.

[0059] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described above, it should be understood that above embodiments are merely exemplary, and cannot be construed to limit the present disclosure. For those of ordinary skill in the art, various changes, modifications, replacements, and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A water tank of a water heater, the water tank comprising: an inner container comprising a cylinder and a bottom plate covering a bottom end of the cylinder; and a water inlet pipe, an end of the water inlet pipe extending through a wall surface of the cylinder, and the other end of the water inlet pipe extending towards a central part of the cylinder, wherein the water inlet pipe has a water outlet located in the cylinder, the water outlet being configured to allow water to be discharged towards a side of the bottom plate away from the water inlet pipe.

2. The water tank according to claim 1, wherein: the water inlet pipe extends in a radial direction of the cylinder; and the water outlet is formed on a pipe wall of the water inlet pipe facing towards the bottom plate.

3. The water tank according to claim 2, wherein: a length of a part of the water inlet pipe extending into the inner container is 0.8 to 1.2 times a radius of an inner circumferential wall of the cylinder; and the water outlet is formed at an end of the water inlet pipe adjacent to the central part of the cylinder.

4. The water tank according to claim 2, wherein an extension direction of the water outlet is the same as an extension direction of the water inlet pipe.

5. The water tank according to claim 4, wherein a length of the water outlet in the extension direction thereof is 0.3 to 0.7 times a length of the water inlet pipe.

6. The water tank according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area of the water outlet is 0.2 to 0.3 times a cross-sectional area of the water inlet pipe.

7. The water tank according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein an angle between a water outflowing direction of the water outlet and an extension direction of the water inlet pipe ranges from 30° to 70°.

8. The water tank according to claim 7, wherein a distance from the bottom end of the cylinder to the water inlet pipe is 1.2 to 1.8 times a radius of an inner circumferential wall of the cylinder.

9. The water tank according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: the inner container further comprises a top plate covering a top end of the cylinder; and the water tank further comprises a water outlet pipe extending through the wall surface of the cylinder, wherein the water outlet pipe has a water inlet located in the inner container, the water inlet being located adjacent to a part of the top plate away from the water inlet pipe.

10. The water tank according to claim 9, wherein: the top plate is arched away from the bottom plate; and the water inlet is located in the top plate.

11. The water tank according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the bottom plate is arched towards an interior or exterior of the cylinder.

12. A water heater, comprising the water tank according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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